Grace Gillanders
Women in Massey Music
Interviewed by Georgie Levien
Grace Gillanders is a Wellington-based musician and bassist and a First Year Commercial Music Degree student at Massey University, currently involved in multiple projects including Pinja, Boyband, and Homing. Her work spans live performance and collaboration, with a clear focus on being part of the local music community and developing her place within it.
How have you found studying commercial music at Massey and being part of the Wellington music scene?
I have thoroughly enjoyed studying at Massey and being a part of the music scene here in Pōneke. I came from a small town in the Waikato where there were very few opportunities to perform live music and meet other musicians. Moving to Wellington and studying music was the only option for me coming out of high school! During my first year of study I met my incredible band mates Nick Jones, Braithan Bailey and Josh Smith and we formed a group by the name of Homing and by the end of the year we performed our first gig with local legends Debt Club and Felix Bird Band. I met so many people through Massey and the thriving music scene here in Wellington.
What has your experience been like as a woman / queer person in this scene?
Positive! Good Experiences! Great vibes! A large reason behind this is my lovely band, Boy Band. Boy Band is an all girl band. Millie Aislabie, Evie White, Siena Smith and Ellen Lucas are the boys in this boy band (they're actually girls, it's just a bit). I feel so fortunate to be a part of this group. Creating alongside other talented wahine is very special, wholesome and I hope to inspire other women to do the same. I have also never struggled to have a voice in my other band Homing.
Do you feel like there’s space for your voice and identity here? Why or why not?
I feel like there is a place here for me in the Wellington music scene. My experience is that I have a voice and I am able to put my ideas out there, but only because I am a part of a variety of different groups. It wouldn't be possible on my own.
What’s something people might not realise about your experience in the scene?
People might not realise how lucky we are to have this vibrant musical scene here in Wellington. We are spoiled for choice all the time! As an artist, the opportunities to perform are well supported by venues and the music lovers. It's easy to forget how fortunate we are but coming from a town that didn't even have a music venue, I am very grateful for the scene here.
What does a more inclusive music scene look like to you?
I would love to see more females pick up instruments. My experience in my first year as a Practice major at Massey was that I was the only female whose main gig was playing an instrument. How could this happen!! I hope to inspire other females to play the bass guitar. It's the best decision I have ever made for myself, and you can make that decision too!