Track By Track: Babe Martin's New 'Not A Bee, But A Wasp' EP

Reaping high praise from such prestigious entities as RNZ and Rolling Stone for her 2023 debut The Versoix EP, Babe Martin aka songwriter Zoë Larsen Cumming has followed up in style with her splendidly recorded / arranged and softly stinging Not a Bee, but a Wasp EP — plus a lush video for new single 'Summer Fruit' directed by Ali Burns. Playing a special launch event at Tāmaki Makaurau's Unitarian Church this coming Thursday, with a rare opening performance by Schofield Strangelove (aka co-producer Navakatoa Tekela-Pule), Babe Martin generously walked us through each individual tune on Not a Bee, but a Wasp, out today via Sunreturn...

Babe Martin - Not a Bee, but a Wasp EP Release Show
with Schofield Strangelove
Thursday 20th November - Unitarian Church, Auckland
Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

1. 'Calendar'
"I tend to my calendar like a gardener. Like a sailor watches tidelines, I scan the skyline."
Calendar is suspended in wait. It is obsessively counting down the days, and absolutely not living in the moment. Everything is obscured and patient. It is lonely, beautiful and wandering. It’s set on the edge of a cliff, with the silhouettes of birds flying in and out of grey mist and grey clouds and grey waves crashing below.

2. 'Sundog'
"There’s a sundog setting over the hill. I watch from the driveway, pulled by currents. Pulled away and pulled towards. I ricochet."
Sundog is the anticipation of change. It’s tossing up its options. It’s wanting something more, and resolutely doing nothing to get there. It’s set on beach at night time, with looming mountains behind you, watching the ebb and flow of the tide.

3. 'April in the City'
"But then sun then unfolds entirely for me. The motions are the same but something’s surely changed. I do not feel the same."
April in the City can’t ignore the winds of change any more. It’s a matter of when, not if. It’s feelings you’ve pushed way down bubbling to the surface, demanding to be actioned. It’s set right in the middle of town in the rain with the pigeons and break lights and bottles of wine.

4. 'Only Good'
"Baby, if I’m honest (and I am)."
Only Good doesn’t know what to do with all its confidence. It brandishes its nonchalance like a knife. It’s direct and frank. It’s stupidly self-assured. Take it or leave it! See if it cares! And yeah, sure it’s in love, but like, you know, whatever. It’s set on a walk, on a park bench, in a room — wherever you feel like punching someone in the face with how you feel. Hah! So there!

5. 'Summer Fruit'
"My friends are reflections. My friends are mirror masks. Sunlight on water. Moonlight on firestone. My apple tree."
Summer Fruit has let its hair down. It has lowered its defences. It has arrived at its destination and it’s time to chill. It is very much at peace, and very much changed. It is a conclusion and a question. It’s set on the lawn, in the summer sun.

'Not a Bee, but a Wasp' is out today on major streaming platforms.