NZ Music Month: Oh my Gosia

Gosia Piatek likes yoga, a good view, and singing along to her favourite songs.

GOSIA Piatek is a Hutt Girl at heart (“Oooooo yeah!”), but she was born in Poland and moved to New Zealand with her family, seeking political asylum, when she was seven. She’s since grown up and formed her own company, Kowtow Clothing. Selling “Certified fairtrade organic clothing … from seed to garment”, Kowtow Clothing is beautifully designed, as well as ethically and sustainably made. Gosia practices daily yoga, hangs out in her house in Island Bay, with a view to the Kaikouras, and “chills with mates, occasionally going crazy at parties.”
She also loves music. When Kowtow first started out, compilation CDs featuring local and international musicians were a complimentary part of purchases.
Melody Thomas asks Gosia about New Zealand Music Month.
What does NZ Music Month mean to you?
I get to hear lots more NZ music on the radio. It’s also a nice opportunity for the bands just starting out to get some airplay.
Kiwi music is all over the airwaves these days, is NZ Music Month even necessary anymore?
Yes, yes , yes! We need an event that gives NZ musicians an outlet to be heard.
How do you think being from this country affects the music we put out?
It means we are more creative, innovative & experimental, which comes about from lack of funds and collaborations.
 What Kiwi music can you not get enough of at the moment?
Electric Wire Hustle, Benny Tones and Boofa’s experimental soundscape-y beats are listened to on a daily basis at the mo.
What gigs will you be going to, if any, in May?
I’m not much of a planner, but my favorite places in Welly for venues are Matterhorn, Havana and Mighty Mighty. They’ll have something going on!
Finish these sentences:
Music is... an amazing sense of expression and freedom.
A good song needs ... to make me wanna sing out loud.
If I were a Kiwi musician, I’d want to be like ... the soul of Electric Wire Hustle, and the grace of Warren Maxwell.