Australia has a habit of adopting talented Kiwis. Think Evermore, Neil and Tim Finn, and Russell Crowe. Now there’s another name to add to the list: Gin Wigmore. I caught up with this exciting singer-songwriter ahead of the release of her debut album, Holy Smoke. 
You’re from New Zealand, but you’re spending a lot of time in Australia these days. Are you starting to feel like a local?
Yeah definitely, I have a really awesome bunch of Aussie mates here which I reckon makes life feel like home pretty quickly. I’m still yet to be on first name basis with my convenience store-man, so when that happens I reckon I will be as local as it comes!
What do you miss about New Zealand when you’re here in Australia?
My family, friends and the New Zealand Crunchie bars. They are just not the same here; they go all crumbly, nowhere near as good as Kiwi-made.
You’re about to release your debut album Holy Smoke. What can you tell me about it?
It’s got a lot of spirit. Holy Smoke is a real adventure so get listening ASAP!
You worked on the album with Mike Elizondo, who’s produced so many amazing records. What did he bring to your sound?
Excitement and a real punchiness. He has got a great ear for knowing what sounds commercial yet still keeping intact the heart and soul of what makes a song intriguing and fresh.
You recorded the album in the famous Capitol Studios. What was it like to be there where so much musical magic was made?
It definitely made me step up my game. It felt as though I owed it to the musical legends that have recorded there before me to be so on top of everything at all times. No pressure!
The Cardinals were your backing band on the CD. What were they like to work with?
Each and every one of the Cardinals are truly phenomenal musicians and people. They all have hearts of gold, so genuine and as soon as they get playing I couldn’t help but be blown away at every moment.
You’re giving us a preview of the album at a few shows around the country. Are there more to come?
Oh yes, the fun never stops for me till maybe next year sometime. Hopefully then I can escape to Fiji for a moment. But until then it’s all about getting Holy Smoke heard.
What do you love about performing?
The rush of being up on stage playing my songs, having people dancing and singing along, and me thinking “Woah this is my job!” How awesome.
As a singer-songwriter, do you feel more at home in the studio or on the stage?
I feel at home in both. I need to prepare myself physically for the stage and mentally for the studio. So I guess it’s cool to not do too long of each so I keep the yin and yang in my life.
After the release of this album, what’s next on the agenda?
Promote the hell out of it! Play some fun shows and basically get my music around the traps enough so I can make another record.
Holy Smoke will hit stores on September 25.
Image used with permission from The White Agency