Boh Runga heads out alone

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GOING IT ALONE: Boh Runga's debut solo album, Right Here, is out now.

Boh Runga talks to Stuff

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WITH LOVE: Boh Runga's latest collaboration with the New Zealand Mint is Feather Kisses, which follows the same New Zealand native bird theme as her previous two collections.

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It's been a stellar year so far for musician Boh Runga.

Already with a successful jewellery line under her belt she's just released her first solo album.

Recorded over six months in Hollywood, Right Here is produced by Marshall Altman, the man behind Brooke Fraser's Albertine.

The resulting album is accessible  and very self assured, with a little bit of LA thrown in.

But Runga admits it's not all sunshine.

"It's very catchy, its quite an 'up' album until you listen to the lyrics, and then it's a little bit dark, which is a bit like my personality to be honest."

Runga formed the band Stellar* in 1994 resulting in hits like Violent, Taken and Whiplash.

Runga admits that going solo was a little bit daunting.

"I'd always had three other people to help with making the decisions, this time it was just up to myself and Marshall my producer. It was quite liberating.

"It was good to make decisions - to do what I wanted to do, but you can't have too much self doubt."

Runga surrounded herself with talented musicians during the recording of Right Here which includes backing vocals on one track from Serj Tankian - the frontman from metal band System of a Down.

Runga has plans to return to New Zealand to tour later in the year "once people have had time to get used to the album".

But there's no rest in the meantime.

Next up she plans to add to her design empire with a range of T-shirts.

"I have some great design ideas that are unisex, a little bit cheeky, and a little bit fun."

* Boh Runga's Right Here is out now.

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