Awards and Guinea Pigs A few things happen in life that you remember forever. Receiving an award is usually one of them. Recently, a Gen Z'er was surprised to learn I'd won a couple of music awards back in the day. I received a Tui for Songwriter of the Year for It's My Sin, and also Most Promising Female Artist. (I wasn't all that promising in the end. ) And they weren't even born then.
Read MoreSocial Post: Creative magic and other things along the way....
Something magical happens once you decide to walk down a creative path.
For my next project, all the creative elements will come from real things. I'll enlist (and pay) talented designers to create the collateral, and as I formulate the ideas for the briefs, something curious always seems to happen...
Read MoreYour 7th decade ain't half bad I reckon....
Your 7th decade ain't half bad I reckon.
For me, I am the sharpest, fittest and best rendition of myself I've ever been. No doctors. No meds. No anxiety about the future because I live in the now.
Now that the kids are older, I can also put more effort into my next big dream... which, for now, I'll keep to myself. I'll let you know when it's achieved.
Read MoreSocial Post: 27th July 2026: Creative New Zealand CNZ job cuts
I have a little something to say about this because I don't like seeing job cuts... in any industry, but especially in the one I have worked in all my life.
I have faced 35 years of rejection from Creative New Zealand When I was younger it was bitterly disappointing. It made me question my ability and wonder whether I was good enough. But over time I learned one of the biggest lessons of my career... I couldn't let disappointment stop me. I had to find another way.
Read MoreSocial Post: 25th July 2026 - My wardrobe, importing cheap goods and low wages....
Today's very exciting thought bubble is about my wardrobe, importing cheap goods and low wages in New Zealand... because that is the way my head rolls.
Today's outfit included a pair of Minnie Cooper boots I've had since 1990. They keep coming back into fashion, so every time they do, I bring them out again. They're just as amazing as they've always been. I've had them resoled a few times, but they were worth every nickel and dime I saved to buy them at the time (yes, I saved up to buy them...).
Read MoreSocial Post: 19 July 2026 Panelbeaters, midgets and a simple life.
When I was a kid, I used to beg my dad to take me into his panel shop on Saturday mornings. I loved being around all the cars, the smell of the workshop, and even the stacks of paper in the office.
I made an art form out of being a tomboy. Except when I was hanging around the wrecking yard watching cars being dismantled... then I'd imagine I was a princess and all the smashed glass scattered across the ground were tiny diamonds.
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Social Post: 15th July 2026 - Thought bubble - about AI and Bacteria
Thought ...about AI and Bacteria I’ve just been having an interesting discussion with a friend about AI. …..My theory has always been a bit like War of the Worlds. In that story, the thing that ultimately destroyed the alien invaders wasn't bigger weapons... it was bacteria.
Read MoreSocial Post: 13th July 2026 - Thought bubble… on social etiquette
Social Post: 13th July 2026 - Thought bubble… on social etiquette
Read MoreSocial Post: 12th July 2026 On getting older with all marbles intact.
Thought bubble…
Now that I’m literally part of ancient history and so much of what I grew up with is sitting in museums I’ve realised something…
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Social Post: Touring. 9th July/ TAFT Arts Festival Taranaki New Plymouth
Social Post: 9 July 2026 One of the best things about playing live shows again is the people I meet and the beautiful places I see. The Taranaki New Plymouth Winter Fest 2026 was such a delight…
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Ideas For Politicians # 2: Making student loans fairer by incentivising the student's investment.
Making Student Loans Fairer By Incentivising The Student’s Investment.
If businesses can claim general expenses, including research, reference and upskilling employees, then why can’t students do the same? Why can’t students carry forward losses from the expense of their courses and offset these against their taxable income when they start working?
Read MoreIdeas for Politicians # 1: How to remove GST from Fresh Food in a targeted way, with existing systems and without decimating treasury coffers
How to remove GST from Fresh Food in a targeted way, with existing systems and without decimating treasury coffers
Read MoreThere is no R in Fee...or why the Free Economy sucks for artists, or anyone really.
Just imagine if I asked you to do a job that could take months, even years, to complete; but before you started, I explained, you may never get paid for it.
Welcome to the world of the artist and musician. This is the environment we work in. Our currency is *IP and Copyright and sometimes we can earn a healthy amount for our output; but for the majority, it’s hit and miss and creative incomes are pretty lean.
Read MoreA Heretics View of the Music Industry Religion
The modern music industry focuses on chart success, data, stats, making money and fame, and, for some, that is aspirational. For me, it has always been a weird religion and one I never really signed up for.
The industry or Popstars have never mesmerised me and I don’t relate to the ethos even though I had plenty of opportunity to drink it in. When I released my second solo album, I gave the cult away so I could forge a music career on my own terms and because of this; I am content today, plus I still produce music and, being a woman of a certain age, that is success in itself.
Read MoreMy Art Is My Business
One of the greatest things that has happened to me in the last few years is the discovery of Audio Books. Because of them, I can continue to cook dinner, do the washing, look after my family, travel, enjoy exercise and keep learning.
The more books I read, the more I understand how little I know, but then learning and questioning makes me think I am becoming a better person, so I am all for that.
If you have heard of me, then you probably know me as a musician, or perhaps now as a music business entrepreneur; someone who has always worked in the creative industries. I have always believed my job as an artist is merely to interpret the zeitgeist, box up these thoughts in some sort of expression and then send them out to the public arena. My Art Is My Business Photo: Kendal Simich
Read MoreLove And Conviction - From Sportsman Of The Year - A Suburban Philosophy (2019)
Love And Conviction Written by Jan Hellriegel ©Published by Songbroker Music Publishing From the album and book. Sportsman Of The Year - A Suburban Philosophy Go to JanHellriegel.com for details.
Produced by Wayne Bell Engineered by Oliver Harmer at The Lab, Auckland, New Zealand
Mixed by Daniel Denholm, Point Blank Studios, Sydney, Australia Mastered at by Oliver Harmer at The Lab
Performed by Jan Hellriegel ℗© Blind Date Records / Jan Hellriegel 2019
Team Players: Guitars: Brett Adams Bass: Mark Hughes Drums and programming: Wayne Bell Piano: Jan Hellriegel Horns: Nick Aitkinson and Tim Stewart from Hopetoun Brown
Video inspired by Plato's - Allegory of the Cave
So Happy - A Short Film - Sportsman Of The Year Tour 2019
'So Happy' by Jan Hellriegel from the album Sportsman Of The Year. With corresponding book and podcast Sportsman Of The Year - A Suburban Philosophy Go to www.janhellriegel.com for more information and song credits.
So Happy. A Short film. In 2019 after 25 years, Jan Hellriegel decided to tour to promote her album and book "Sportsman Of The Year - A Suburban Philosophy". Here are some highlights. So Happy Written By Jan Hellriegel and Wayne Bell Published by Songbroker Music Publishing Cast (The Players) Jan Hellriegel, Mark Hughes, Ben King, Ben Fulton, Brett Adams, Mike Burrows, Wayne Bell and Friends from the road.
Credit information. Thank you to all the venue, events and books stores for letting perform and much and much appreciation to everyone who turned up to the shows. Plus a big thank you to everyone who told me they enjoyed the album and the book. You feedback means a lot. Regards, Jan Hellriegel Video Editing & Additional Footage by Harley Alexander, Creative Cavalry, Kerikeri, NZ Photos, creative and video snippets; Emma Robertson, Corrine Rutherford, Martin Brown, Robert Fink, Grant Stantiall, J.Lynette Dian, Desmond Hunt, Fiona McKenzie, Simon Mark-Brown, The Luv Daleks, Kendal Simich, Katie Kerr and Charlotte Yates and friends, family and audiences along the way. And a thank you to the proprietors of the following venues and booksellers: Meow, Wellington; Page & Blackmore Booksellers, Nelson; Room Twenty5, Nelson; The Martinborough Book Shop; Wardini Bookstore, Napier; Paisley Stage, Napier; IPSANZ conference, Noosa; The Phoenix Summit, Auckland; The Jam Factory, Tauranga; Nivara Lounge, Hamilton; Good Thing - Fine Gifts, Mt Albert, Auckland; Women Of Influence Awards, Auckland; Cassels Blue Smoke, Christchurch; Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru; Bark!! Dunedin; Mt Eden Village Music, Auckland,; Poppies Bookstore, Howick, Auckland. "So Happy" Written by Jan Hellriegel and Wayne Bell Published by Songbroker New Zealand Courtesy Blind Date Records / Seahorse Swim Opening Titles "Love And Conviction" Written by Jan Hellriegel and Wayne Bell Published by Songbroker New Zealand Courtesy Blind Date Records / Seahorse Swim End Titles "Neptune and Me " Written and performed live at the Nivara Lounge Hamilton by Jan Hellriegel Published by Songbroker New Zealand
High Maintenance Man from the album Sportsman Of The Year - A Suburban Philosophy
"High Maintenance Man" Song written and performed by Jan Hellriegel Courtesy of Songbroker and Blind Date Records. From the book and album “Sportsman Of The Year” Go to www.janhellriegel.com for details.
SONG CREDITS Produced by Wayne Bell Engineered by Oliver Harmer at The Lab, Auckland, New Zealand Mixed by Daniel Denholm, Point Blank Studios, Sydney, Australia Mastered at by Oliver Harmer at The Lab ℗© Blind Date Records / Jan Hellriegel 2019 Team Players: Guitars and Backing Vocals: Brett Adams Bass Guitars : Mark Hughes Drums and programming: Wayne Bell
FILM CREDITS Produced by Creative Cavalry - High-Impact Video Production (Kerikeri) Directed by Casey Roberts Cinematography and Editing by Harley Alexander Story by Harley Alexander, Casey Roberts and Tabitha Jenkins Mannequin wrangling by Joe Howells and Eli Lockie Wardrobe and props: Jo Alexander Moving and shaking by Neil Vartan Hair and Makeup Artist: Katy Taylor from Makeup By Katy Jane Starring: Tabitha Jenkins as the All-in Woman, Malcolm McMillan, Fiona Ambler, Eli Lockie, Faith Ward, Vivian Thonger, Jessie Sweeney, Lizzie Ridgewell, Meredith Simpson, Bevan Waters, Danyelle Mealings, Christopher Land, Dave Hulse, Jacob Land, Scott Land and Willi Henley. Special thanks to: Kerikeri Theatre Company, Benn at La Taza del Diablo (Mexican restaurant, Kerikeri), Wendy at Rocksalt Bar & Grill (Kerikeri), Finn at Modern Collective menswear (Kerikeri) Sharon at Northland Hair Company (Kerikeri) Thank you to everyone involved in the making of this song and film. Much love and appreciation - Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Regards Jan Hellriegel
A big reveal. Seriously how long did this take me... March 2019
100% Seriously? Really? You what!!! Sportsman Of The Year??? You did it!
A few weeks ago I started on a journey to raise some funds so I could record my fourth studio album.
Today, 17th December 2016, I reached the target and am so grateful to the many people who helped me reach this goal. Those who donated directly to the campaign, spread the word on social media or encouraged me along the way by ticking ‘like’ on my posts or leaving some kind words.
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