Music month kicks off on bum note

KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post

OPENING ACT: Chris Knox performs at the opening of New Zealand Music Month at the Matterhorn in Wellington.

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The launch of New Zealand Music Month hit something of a bum note when Government minister Judith Tizard flunked a quiz - and Chris Knox admitted he was really only there to promote his new album.

Ms Tizard, the Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, was deputising for the prime minister at the launch at Wellington bar Matterhorn and jumped at the chance to join Knox on stage.

But she appeared to be unfamiliar with the lyrics - and later struggled to complete The Dominion Post's 10 multiple-choice questions about Kiwi music. When told she had answered only four of the questions correctly, she said: "I don't know the details, honey; I just write the policy and ask for the money."

Meanwhile, Knox confessed he had come to Wellington to promote his new album, rather than the launch of New Zealand Music Month.

"To be honest, every year I give about 30 seconds' consideration to New Zealand Music Month - it's not something that concerns me," he said.

"They [the organisers] asked me nicely, I couldn't say no, and I thought it was a good opportunity to push this album that has absolutely no promotional budget."

The launch coincided with the news that the new album from Kiwi comedy-folk band Flight of the Conchords debuted on the United States pop charts at No3 - surpassing the No12 peak for Crowded House's self-titled 1986 debut. The album also debuted on the New Zealand album charts at No2.