Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Robin Gunn

Claudia Robin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

My baby nickname was Birdy, as Mum and Dad used to come and find me in my cot, burbling away. I think one of the first times I remember performing on stage was at a local country music club, singing a Dolly Parton song with the house band, and it gave me the bug. Fast forward four decades, having grown up in a musical family – I’m so lucky to bring my love of music into life as a mother, performing for children of my local community and creating original music for the early years.

I have only a little formal musical training via clarinet lessons at high school. Then I had voice lessons at drama school, and have taken various songwriting classes with Berklee College of Music online. But I would consider myself a lifelong learner, as every song I write challenges me to find new means of expression. My degree is in Communications, and my working life has been mostly in media as a video and creative producer. Now I get to bring that world and my musical world together in my business ‘Little Wild Music’. Navigating the ever-changing technology and business of music is an interest and a passion of mine.

Recently, I was awarded the honour of Best Children’s Artist in the Aotearoa Music Awards (the Tūī Award), for a recent project, ‘Firefly’ with collaboration at its heart – I got to work with an amazing producer Dean Jones and some lovely friends I haven’t even met yet (in person) – Little Miss Ann and Suzi Shelton in the USA. I’ve been nominated for this award twice before, and while I am someone who would keep on with music regardless of medals or trophies, I am grateful for the recognition, and I hope to keep using my musical work to support and elevate others with similar aspirations.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

It’s been a challenge to follow a musical life, but also I would say if you are like me and are called to listen to ‘the muse’ it’s not a choice but an imperative, and you simply find a way.

The world at large doesn’t always love and respect the choice to be an artist unless you rapidly find success to prove you are for real. This success may be financial or critical acclaim – ideally, you would find both at some stage, but there are all kinds of ways to measure success.

The challenge I think is to prove not only your talent but your determination, resilience and flexibility. If you can find the balance and hold strong to your purpose as an artist, I think it’s the most rewarding path of all because nothing that comes easily is genuinely appreciated. For every new listener, every show I get booked on, or every song I get invited to participate in with fellow artists, I am truly grateful.

I have had some critical highlights that have supported my journey, including winning New Zealand’s APRA Children’s Song of the Year award twice early on in my writing career and receiving financial support more recently for new projects through the arts funding agencies Creative New Zealand and NZ On Air – these have enabled some cornerstone collaborations.

I’ve always had a day job while pursuing a music career. Some workplaces are more open to employees who hum all day than others! Sometimes I wish I had had the self-belief, knowledge and tools to throw myself in boots and all twenty years ago. But participating in different fields across media and understanding the perspective of many departments, from sales, programming, promotions, sponsorship, live production, post, and more, has given me insights that truly help my work today.

To date, I have a healthy catalog of music out in the world, but still a pressing pile of new songs waiting in my songbooks, so of course, I’m not satisfied and can’t wait for the next thing! Every new song is my favourite :)

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I create original music for children and their parents. I’ve made 6 full length albums now, with album 7 out this year. I make fun learning bops and encouraging harmonies – all my songs help young children relax, think, and feel more at ease through their daily routines and the seasons of growing up. I started with an album of lullabies, and as my children have grown up, songs have been inspired by all the stages they have gone through, making their way into various musical collections – to be honest I still have a lot to catch up on, and the kids are now in high school!

I’m known for my down-to-earth style. I often take a child’s perspective and leave space for wonder, joy, and questions. I am passionate about bringing nature inside, and parenting and learning outside. There are plenty of conservation and sustainability messages in my songs. I love to write stories and some of my greatest heroes in the literary world – Julia Donaldson and Margaret Mahy – are inspirations for my musical direction. I love the lyrical style and inventive humour both these legends bring into their storytelling. Many of my songs take a storytelling approach and I love to incorporate elements of poetry and interesting vocabulary into songs. My new album Little Wild Learning provides an insight into this – in the song ‘I Love Books’!

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?

I was pretty nerdy at high school, with highest marks in chemistry and maths over english and art. However, I have focused on poetry and music pretty much all my life. If I went back to university, I’d love to study astrobiology!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.claudiarobingunn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiarobingunn/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudiarobingunn/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/littlewildmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClaudiaRobinGunn
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/claudiarobingunn
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Dnn2mwwu3QwyQjXJFqyZN?si=_dk7y_xRRfilQlYmBwBjfA

Image Credits
Becca Zeff Photography, Michelle Sokolich, Charlie Rose Photography