The lack of suitable spaces for bands to practise in is an issue that’s garnered increasing attention this year (check out the feature in this year’s Music Issue). In the interest of supporting the local music scene, musos have turned to the Stephens of the University for on-campus help.
Student musicians in bands including Dizzy, Ivy, the Audio Visual Drop Kicks, and The Beatniks shared with Critic Te Ārohi for a feature article on the issue earlier this year that in the absence of practice spaces, they’ve been forced to come up with some creative alternative solutions. AVDK members flat together – meaning their living room offers itself as a built-in practice space option, but a drumset taking the place of a dinner table can only be a temporary solution.
The Uni currently has two spaces available for select students to use: halls of residence and in Te Korokoro O Te Tūī Studio at the School of Performing Arts. These options are not available for use to the general public. Hall spaces are only available to residents, and Te Korokoro O Te Tūī is only open to students taking music performance related papers.
The relatively exclusive nature of these spaces has been scrutinised by a band member in the local scene: "Shame on the University. Otago University is so proud [...] [of] Dunedin as being part of this wonderful history and the Dunedin Sound. I find it [...] ironic that they don't even celebrate it with the students now."
In defence of Te Korokoro O Te Tūī Studio’s exclusivity, School of Performing Arts music technician Stephen Stedman said that these rooms are already booked “wall to wall” for students preparing for assignments. He adds that there is not enough time in the week nor resources to cover the wear and tear if these rooms were open to the general student population.
Yet “we are at a tipping point,” according to OUSA President Keegan Wells. Sharing her fears of inaction Keegan said, “If it doesn't come up soon, I worry it won't happen at all because then suddenly there will be very few bands who have a place to practise and therefore 10 - 20 years down the line, no one will care enough about putting those spaces in."
The Uni’s Chief Operating Officer Stephen Willis told Critic Te Ārohi that the University is "open to further discussions" in the hunt for a "suitable space." This would include a logistical analysis of what would be required to open "a more permanent set-up with music equipment in place." The message follows (light) pressure from OUSA and other parties to have the School of Performing Arts open to the broader student population for jams.
Willis tells Critic Te Ārohi and students looking for a spot to practise that "Union Hall was confirmed about two months ago as a free bookable space where bands could practise." This came about after Keegan Wells approached the Chief Operating Officer about lack of band practice spaces. Metaphorical crowbar in hand, Keegan and local musos are creaking the Uni doors open.
Stedman says that if a room is found, the department "could contribute to resourcing [it] with some redundant equipment that is still perfectly usable." Stedman suggested that the solution lay in different interested parties uniting, chiefly: OUSA, the University, and the Dunedin City Council. Willis also reckons that "it would be useful if all the interested parties were brought together by a lead stakeholder so all available avenues could be explored." Ideally, one named Stephen, completing the Holy Trinity.
With the Union now theoretically available as a band practice space option, it remains to be seen whether the University and OUSA will continue to look for solutions. Opening up a band practice space would mean that drummer Shaarav Jog of the Audio Visual Drop Kicks wouldn't have to eat dinner on his drum kit anymore.