Check out the music video for Anna Coddington’s new single, Latern. You can purchase the track here.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I have an MA in Linguistics and I’m a massive word nerd. The thing about linguists is that they don’t necessarily think that prescriptive grammar is the best thing, they think about language as constantly evolving. There are rules around any language, but they’re destined to change. When a language stops changing it’s dead.
Does that influence how you write songs?
It definitely did while I was still at university. It changed the way I sang. I did my thesis on pronunciation in New Zealand popular music. I couldn’t sing a word without analysing the accent I was singing it in! I’m a real lyrics person, I can’t really enjoy a song if the lyrics are bad.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer a busy mother who has a career she’s passionate about?
Be organised and be kind to yourself. There are days where you go “I’m going to do this, this, this and this.” And that’s organised, but sometimes if I can’t do those things I really beat myself up about it. You have to remember life sometimes doesn’t work out like that. When you can’t do all the things that you planned, it’s okay.
What beauty product can’t you leave home without?
Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Hand Cream.
What’s your go-to outfit?
I always opt for comfort: jeans, sneakers, a tee-shirt and sweatshirt.
Where’s your favourite place in NZ?
I always say Raglan, I grew up there, it’s beautiful and my mum and dad are there. But I also really love Wanaka. It’s so beautiful and I love the way it centres on the lake and the whole town is drawn to the lake. The people down there are really cool, I’ve always had really good gigs down there.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? A linguist?
Laughs. No! It’s such an academic pursuit, there’s not that much practical application for it. I realise that now after spending five years studying it! I guess that was always one option though, doing a PHD and becoming a lecturer. There are a lot of things that interest me, so it’s hard to know what I’d do. I did think about this when I had kids, maybe it’s time to get a real job with a steady income and all that. But I’ve managed to get this far without having to get a job, so I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it!
What are your beauty must-haves?
I don’t have a lot of spare time to put into a beauty regimen, so I keep it simple. I wash my face with Trilogy Cream Cleanser, and moisturise with Vital Moisturising Cream SPF15. At night, after cleansing, I always apply Trilogy’s Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. I remember when Trilogy launched the oil, thinking: ‘This is crazy! You don’t put oil on your face.’ But they were really ahead of the game; everyone’s doing oil nows.
