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Otago Daily Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Aloud and in full colour
It might sound like Carol Hirschfeld but it's Shayne Carter's story, film-maker Margaret Gordon tells Tom McKinlay. In the opening frames of a new documentary, Shayne Carter walks along the Aramoana mole as if it were a runway. He's coming in to land, returning to Ōtepoti, back from the world. There he immediately meets the rough acclaim of the mole's resident seagulls - and curses right back. But it's an uneven contest, even for as practised a crowd wrangler as the Dunedin musician. No problem though, because the film jumps straight to Carter unleashed, wringing rawk high in feedback's most seaside registers from his leftie six string. Take that, you gulls. It's emblematic. As Life in One Chord chronicles, Carter seems to have had an answer always, to circumstance, to distance, to tragedy, to success. Life in One Chord is the work of journalist and documentary-maker Margaret Gordon - formerly of Christchurch, now of Melbourne - its title taken from the first vinyl release of Carter's very nearly all-conquering band Straitjacket Fits, a squalling '80s four-track EP that carried the propulsive She Speeds. This past week Gordon was applying the final touches to her film - crucially, making sure the sound mix does the material justice - ahead of its New Zealand International Film Festival release. The film's a musical biography, tracing Carter's trajectory from the hard-knock playgrounds of 1970s Brockville to the world stage and back again. It charts a course of approximate parallel to Carter's Ockham-winning memoir Dead People I Have Known, but welcomes in the perspectives of others involved in the various milieu that set him on his way or who travelled with him. And indeed, the book was part of her motivation for the film, Gordon says. "It really spoke to me, and I was like, it really needs to be painted in with all the bright colours, so when he talks about the bands or the people or the places that you can hear it and you can see it." So, alongside weaving in essential servings of Carter's rich songwriting catalogue - including some rare live footage - the film makes room for voices from his early life, home and school, and an extended cast of Dunedin Sound musicians. "The key people there would be John Collie, the drummer from Straitjacket Fits ... and also Natasha, Shayne's sister, which is important, because, you know, Shayne talks a lot about family," Gordon says. The film-maker's rule was that the people included had to be directly related to the story. The film follows Gordon's well received 2014 documentary Into the Void as another entry in the musical history of Te Waipounamu - the earlier documentary focused on the Christchurch band of the title. Music, bands, people interest her. "I think being in a band, it's a really ephemeral thing, isn't it?" she muses. "Like, it's very hard to exactly pinpoint what it is that makes it so special, but there is a certain kind of magic there that happens within that group of people and it's really the transmission of that through to the audience ... just that spark, in that moment, when that happens, where this group of people is doing something and this other group of people is there and they witness it and they feel it and they get engaged." So, not a straightforward phenomenon to distill, to capture, away from a gig's pulsing cacophony, but in her film, Gordon has a great ally. "Shayne's such a good talker," she says. "That was one of the things that I was really drawn to about him in terms of a documentary subject, you know, he has really great reflections on everything, really, and he has a lot of really great things to say, so that's really important. "He's a performer, too, and so that's really good. Like, it's not necessary, but it helps when you're making a documentary to be working with someone who's not afraid of a camera, someone who's OK to gather themselves together and put on a little bit of a show, which is most certainly what he did." Carter's on foot, in his own footsteps, through much of the film, from the mole to Brockville Rd, from his old high school to tracking down Straitjacket Fits' original broom cupboard George St practice room. It's a story of making your own fun. And Carter's created a lot of it. Still is in new and reinventing ways - he's now composing for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Gordon wasn't familiar with all of it when she started into the doco. She'd joined the Carter fandom from about the Straitjacket Fits, following it on to Dimmer, but was learning about his earlier output with Bored Games and Double Happys. The formative story of the former plays out at what was Kaikorai Valley High School, Carter trooping back despite some misgivings. But as Gordon tells it, his reception there also pushes out the margins of the story to include a community's pride in the boy who did good. "You know, he said before we went back, he was like, 'oh, I didn't really like high school that much. I don't know how this is going to go'. "We came in and then before we'd even got into the office, you know, the deputy principal, John Downes, came out ... and then a couple of other people came out and everybody came out welcoming Shayne - really loved to see him back there." That sort of slightly revisionist remembering - back in the day the school's then principal stormed out of Bored Games' abrasive punk-inspired school hall performances - is joined in conspiracy by a Dunedin caught at its blue sky best. There's no sense here of the cold, suffocating grey that those Dunedin bands of the 1980s were trying to mitigate. Gordon admits to being a little bit disappointed Dunedin didn't deliver on its meteorological reputation. "I was like, 'oh, OK, this is making it look really good. Is this true? Are we really telling a true story here with all the sunshine?'." There is, though, plenty of shade in the story. Grim reality foreshadowed in the title of Carter's memoir. Gordon had some difficult material to cover, requiring sensitive handling. A striking element in the film is the tight knit nature of the community involved in Carter's shared story. Among the most prominent players is his Double Happys partner in crime, Wayne Elsey - another preternaturally talented friend from school, who was there for the pre-teen hijinks that became teenage kicks and rock and roll. The Carter-Elsey chemistry meant the Double Happys seemed destined for the sort of success Straitjacket Fits later achieved, but Elsey died in a touring accident. Gordon says they thought long and hard about how to handle that tragedy, integrate it into the story arc. "Because his passing was so tragic, it's still felt very strongly, it's still very raw within that Dunedin community. So, whatever we did, we had to be really careful about it and respectful." She knew Carter was not going to talk about it in an interview so that responsibility was picked up by Collie - drummer in both Double Happys and Straitjacket Fits - who grew up a stone's throw from Elsey's childhood home. And if anything more was needed from Carter, he'd addressed that responsibility already in his song Randolph's Going Home, a rawly heartfelt remembering that is afforded generous space in the film. For all Carter's showman inclinations, Gordon says she knew he was not going to be offering unlimited access to his inner workings. "He has a lot of self-protection, and I think that, you know, I always knew that he wasn't going to do a big interview where he would reveal all. "That's really not what he's like, and I did know that going in." That contributed to her decision to use passages from Dead People I Have Known in the film. "It's all there. All of that stuff is very, very real and very raw in Shayne's own words." However, in a genius twist, those words are read into the documentary by Carol Hirschfeld, the broadcaster's honeyed tones mixing equal measures of her straight-faced professionalism with the double-take comedy of delivering the punk rocker protagonist's own words in the first person. There's more pathos to come, beyond Elsey's passing, as of the original four members of Straitjacket Fits there's only two still standing, Carter and Collie. Bassist David Wood died in 2010, followed 10 years later by the band's other songwriter, Andrew Brough. Brough left the band abruptly in the early '90s just as they were about to go stratospheric and, while he found further critical success with his band Bike, had largely retreated from the world by the time he died. As a result, Gordon's interview with him is particularly affecting, as the bitterness previously reported about his departure from the band appeared to have receded. "It was interesting, because he was a lot warmer about his time in the band and a lot more circumspect about the band's demise than I thought he would be," Gordon says. "I feel like he'd come to a point where he still had a bit of grievance, but overall he was pretty much, you know, had accepted that it was what it was. "I wouldn't want to say that he'd moved on, but he wasn't fretting about it any more, that's for sure." As the documentary does at various other points, Brough's story acknowledges the well-observed tensions at the heart of the music industry and the price to be paid. "The music industry is always a strange one because it's got this unhappy marriage between creativity and money," Gordon says. "And those two things just don't really work well together." A lot of Dunedin bands would have been through the same grinder, she says, having been identified by the industry as bankable propositions. "And then, you know, all of that kind of influence starts creeping in and things become very difficult. And I actually think that's an underlying theme of the film." Adversity, character and resilience are foregrounded again in a chapter on Carter's role in supporting Dunedin Sound progenitor Chris Knox, following his debilitating stroke, in which the Enemy and Toy Love frontman delivers his own lesson in gritty defiance. Knox's determination seems to hold up another mirror to Carter's doggedness. Gordon confirms that was the story she found, but it was also the story she chose to tell. "You could have made a documentary and not talked about that, but for me one of the big things about Shayne that's really important and that is potentially unusual is that he really is resilient and that he just keeps getting back up and getting back to work again. And even though he's had to deal with some of the most difficult things that you could possibly imagine, including, being in a band and touring the world and then coming back to Dunedin - I mean, that's going to be tough. "It'd be tough for anyone. Especially because, you know, I don't think New Zealand is very good at having much empathy for people in that situation." The standard antipodean advice to such vicissitudes, absent of much empathy, would be to "get over it". Yep, true, Gordon says. "But, you know, that's exactly actually what he does. And so, yes, that theme of resilience, it really was something that we wanted to tell because I think it's very central to Shayne's story. "He's a resilient guy and amongst all of this difficulty and tragedy, he just continues on. He's an artist. He stays on the path." While Gordon's film will initially screen at the New Zealand International Film Festival, and perhaps beyond that in a conventional cinema format, she has other plans for it. "We're going to regroup and create, like, a different version of the film that has more music in it and that will have live incidental music and that will tour more like a band." Music documentaries aren't always huge box office draws at the cinema, she says, and, in a lot of ways, Life in One Chord is quite niche. It is, to a significant extent, one for New Zealand about New Zealanders. "So, we always wanted to have another plan so the film could have a second life where it could travel to, like, music festivals and arts festivals and things like that." It would be a longer show, incorporating live music. It would be doing things differently, appropriately enough. "One of the things about Shayne, he was, is and remains a punk and likes to do things his own way," Gordon says in summary. "And that was the way we did the film - 'this is how it is and we're going to do it the way that we want to do it, we are going to do it ourselves, we're going to do it our own way'. And that's how it ended up." Life in One Chord screens as part of the NZ International Film Festival at the Regent Theatre, Dunedin on August 16 and 19.
Otago Daily Times
26-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Musician's death ruled suicide
A celebrated former Dunedin musician was experiencing "cultural dislocation" at the time of his death, a coroner says. Hamish Robert Kilgour, 65, died in Christchurch's red zone about November 27, 2022, after more than six months of mental-health struggles after returning to New Zealand from New York. Coroner Allie Cunninghame, in her recently released findings, ruled the death a suicide. Mr Kilgour was born in Dunedin in 1957 and 21 years later founded the band The Clean with his brother David. The influential group, under the Flying Nun label, became synonymous with the "Dunedin Sound" movement. The Clean were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2017. A psychiatrist who treated Mr Kilgour before his death said he "should be remembered as the gifted musician and artist that he was, and not who he may have become". In New York, the separation from his wife left him "alone and homeless", prompting his return to his homeland in 2022, the coronial findings said. Though he started a new relationship with a Christchurch woman, the coroner said the wrench of leaving family and friends in the United States and the "cultural dislocation" that came with that could have been a factor in his death. Mr Kilgour initially saw a doctor in March or April that year, complaining of low mood and poor sleep. He noted he had witnessed traumatic events in his lifetime, including the September 11 World Trade Centre attack and the Christchurch earthquakes, the findings said. Friends became concerned about Mr Kilgour's increased alcohol use and shortly afterwards he was admitted to Burwood Hospital as an informal patient. After being treated with medication and clinical psychology, he was discharged a month later, but it was only a few days before he was readmitted because of his spiralling mental state. "He continued to remain dependent and morose on the ward," the coroner said. Mr Kilgour was briefly made a compulsory patient after attempting to abscond the hospital. In the three months before his death, things appeared to improve. Mr Kilgour used Burwood Hospital as "a base" and increasingly spent overnight leave with his girlfriend. "He began painting again and as time progressed, the content of the paintings became less dark," the coroner said. His medication was reduced and his depression was considered to have been treated. Just days before his death, Mr Kilgour was described by his partner as "forward thinking" — they had dinner, watched a movie, and when they parted on the morning of November 27, his demeanour appeared "normal". He was found a week later by a member of the public walking through the red zone. Nearby was a notebook in which he wrote about feeling "stuck", and a laptop on which he had emailed his ex-wife, referring to his emotional struggles, distress about problems with his teeth and his belief that medication was not helping him. The coroner said she was satisfied there had been no departure from a reasonable standard of care by mental-health professionals, and there were no suspicious circumstances. Mr Kilgour's problems had piled up following his return from the US, but the coroner said it was unclear which was the primary factor precipitating his death. "The evidence before me does not allow me to pinpoint the reason why Mr Kilgour decided to take his life," she said. Need help? Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust: 027 240-0114 Need to talk? 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number Healthline: 0800 611-116 Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Samaritans: 0800 726-666 Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787-797 General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366 The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
Otago Daily Times
26-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Hamish Kilgour overwhelmed by problems before death
WARNING: This story contains content that may be distressing to readers. A coroner has found musician Hamish Kilgour was overwhelmed by life's challenges before his death. The co-founder of Dunedin band The Clean died by suicide in November 2022, following a marriage breakdown in New York and a new start in Christchurch. 'Like a brother': Dunedin Sound icon Hamish Kilgour remembered Kilgour had been living for decades in New York, where he had a wife and son, but travelled to New Zealand on tour in 2019 and could not leave because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame said Kilgour returned to New York in 2022 but his marriage ended and he found himself alone and homeless. Kilgour moved back to New Zealand, a decision his psychiatrist described as separating him from his family, work and social connections. He spoke to a GP about his adjustment struggles, including living away from his son, a sense of cultural dislocation and lack of money, while friends grew concerned about his low mood, drinking and talk of ending his life. Kilgour was admitted to Christchurch's Burwood Hospital in April, then discharged in May. He was readmitted four days later, having told a community mental health nurse his mental state was deteriorating and he was feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of starting life over in New Zealand. During his second hospital stay, Kilgour tried to abscond and was placed under compulsory patient status, before showing signs of improvement. Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour used Burwood Hospital as a base from which to establish himself in the community and began painting again. His medication was reduced and in meetings with clinical staff Kilgour was not considered to be clinically depressed. On November 26 Kilgour was granted overnight leave to stay with his partner, having passed a mental health assessment by nursing staff. The following day his partner dropped him in town on her way to work, where he said he would catch a bus back to the hospital. Kilgour was last seen that afternoon on CCTV, shopping at a Countdown supermarket. Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour should be remembered as the gifted artist he was, not who he may have become. "The Clean was famous and influential within indie rock circles all over the world. "I have read many obituaries and articles about Mr Kilgour's contribution to music, and I cannot do justice to his memory in these findings as well as other writers have done," she said. The Clean were described as one of the most influential bands to come from the Flying Nun label when they were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Where to get help: Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason. Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357. Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends. Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202. Samaritans: 0800 726 666. Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@ What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds. Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English. Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254. OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
Otago Daily Times
26-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Dunedin Sound icon 'overwhelmed by challenges' before death
WARNING: This story contains content that may be distressing to readers. A coroner has found musician Hamish Kilgour was overwhelmed by life's challenges before his death. The co-founder of Dunedin band The Clean died by suicide in November 2022, following a marriage breakdown in New York and a new start in Christchurch. 'Like a brother': Dunedin Sound icon Hamish Kilgour remembered Kilgour had been living for decades in New York, where he had a wife and son, but travelled to New Zealand on tour in 2019 and could not leave because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame said Kilgour returned to New York in 2022 but his marriage ended and he found himself alone and homeless. Kilgour moved back to New Zealand, a decision his psychiatrist described as separating him from his family, work and social connections. He spoke to a GP about his adjustment struggles, including living away from his son, a sense of cultural dislocation and lack of money, while friends grew concerned about his low mood, drinking and talk of ending his life. Kilgour was admitted to Christchurch's Burwood Hospital in April, then discharged in May. He was readmitted four days later, having told a community mental health nurse his mental state was deteriorating and he was feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of starting life over in New Zealand. During his second hospital stay, Kilgour tried to abscond and was placed under compulsory patient status, before showing signs of improvement. Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour used Burwood Hospital as a base from which to establish himself in the community and began painting again. His medication was reduced and in meetings with clinical staff Kilgour was not considered to be clinically depressed. On November 26 Kilgour was granted overnight leave to stay with his partner, having passed a mental health assessment by nursing staff. The following day his partner dropped him in town on her way to work, where he said he would catch a bus back to the hospital. Kilgour was last seen that afternoon on CCTV, shopping at a Countdown supermarket. Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour should be remembered as the gifted artist he was, not who he may have become. "The Clean was famous and influential within indie rock circles all over the world. "I have read many obituaries and articles about Mr Kilgour's contribution to music, and I cannot do justice to his memory in these findings as well as other writers have done," she said. The Clean were described as one of the most influential bands to come from the Flying Nun label when they were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Where to get help: Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason. Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357. Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends. Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202. Samaritans: 0800 726 666. Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@ What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds. Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English. Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254. OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
