25 May 2025

The close cultural favourites of indie country star Mel Parsons

From Culture 101, 12:15 pm on 25 May 2025

'Post High Slide' from Ōhinehou Lyttleton based singer songwriter Mel Parsons is one of several new songs released ahead of a tour of Aotearoa and Australia that kicks off Sunday March 25 in Pōneke Wellington. 

That's just ahead of the Aotearoa Music Awards, where Parson's sixth album Sabotage is nominated for Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau Album of the Year. 

And Mel's song '5432', from that album, has also just been announced as a finalist for 2025 APRA Best Country Music Song.

Mel Parsons joins Culture 101 for 'Fast Favourites'.

They include an annual music festival she can walk to - Port Noise - and a fellow artist who also grew up in Westport, Becky Manawatu. 

The cover artwork for Sabotage features paintings by a favourite painter, Emma Hercus (also up for an AMA for that artwork). 

Mel's "Instagram go-to when she needs a laugh" meanwhile is Tom Sainsbury. 

As for music: she's looking forward to Jeff Parsnips' album for children in June, and Ōtautahi's Mim Jensen is her pick of emerging musicians who are going to make an impact.