Boh Runga’s Old North Studios brings musicians to rural Kumeū
Musician Boh Runga and her partner Troy McKubre have opened Old North Studios, a recording facility converted from a garage at their rural property near Kumeū. The studio is designed to be a creative space for other artists to record music.
Why it matters
This venture represents a shift in the local music industry toward independent, artist-run infrastructure in rural settings.
Kiwi music star Boh Runga’s new venture is perfectly pitched. Photo / Emily Chalk
The things that help singer Boh Runga find joy these days are mostly close to home. She and fellow musician Troy McKubre enjoy a peaceful rural life on their small lifestyle block near Kumeū in West Auckland. Nevertheless, they’ve been busy working on an ambitious project that’s bringing lots more people to their doorstep.
After 15 years together, the Stellar* frontwoman, 56, and her partner, 46, have converted a large garage beside their country villa into their own recording studio, doing much of the hard work themselves.
“Troy spent a year on this,” says Boh, who admits she’s not particularly talented when it comes to DIY. “I was his reluctant helper. Poor Troy! He’s very patient, practical and dedicated, and he put up with a lot of my complaining. I’m definitely more of an ideas person!”
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