Words and Images by Robecca Leyden.

If you don’t know the name ‘Dominic Hoey’ chances are, you’ve heard the viral 2016 song John Key’s Son’s a DJ. It’s burnt into the New Zealand zeitgeist along with the Waitangi dildo incident. I’m surprised Guy Williams hasn’t followed up with Hoey in a New Zealand Today episode followng the aftermath of the viral song – but I digress. Maybe Hoey is too successful. Hoey has managed to carve out a flourishing writing career as New Zealand’s unpolished, underground ‘savant storyteller’.

I spoke with Hoey about his new book on a bench just outside the Auckland Uni Quad, where he had been teaching a class on – you guessed it – writing. He showed up in a rainbow sweater, dark sunglasses and covered in tattoos. He looked more like he was in some sort of alt punk band or worked as a tattoo artist in a hip studio, not a poet and writer. Though maybe that’s his literary charm. He comes at everything politically charged in the most genuine way – because that’s who he is.

The first page of 1985 is a short poem;

 Nostalgia is a gentle madness
the past was like this too
you just don't remember

The poem is fitting for a novel by a poet.

Pictured: Dominic Hoey.

SP: You’re a bit of a rebel in the writing community. How did you become a writer in the first place? 

I always wrote but the idea of writing a novel seemed crazy. I failed high school and still can’t spell. So I mainly wrote music and poetry for the longest time. Through those mediums I learnt how to write and how to see the music in language.

SP:What do you think you’re most known for?

Owning a vicious beautiful dog. (it’s true. Another layer to Hoey’s unique charm is he often carries around an elderly Pomeranian that’s nearly blind and will nip at you if you get too close).

Apart from writing this brilliant new novel, what are you up to these days? Where can we find you?

I’m teaching creative writing through my Learn To Write Good program where I teach the fundamentals of poetry and storytelling in a really accessible way. I also work with the Atawhai program, working with rangatahi with mental health struggles. And I’m currently writing a horror film.  

That’s a lot! Your 2016 song John Key’s Son’s a DJ was such a banger and you put out as the musical alter ego, Tourettes. I feel like this is how I got to hear of you. Did you expect it to gain attention?

No, I was surprised how much that took off. At the time I wasn’t really making music anymore. I moved in with a musician Abe, and we recorded an album just for fun really. Then I performed the lyrics as a poem at Splore and someone recorded it and posted it online and it took off from there. 

Did anyone from the Key family ever contact you?

They didn’t but I know people played it to/at Max Key.

SP: You’re publicly political and outspoken. Was this a conscious choice? Why do you think you’re not afraid to stand behind these beliefs while other people in the public eye, might be?

I grew up in a political household. My parents were involved in the Springbok tour protests and the anti nuclear marches. My mum cared about the environment back when no one really did. So it’s just kinda in my blood I guess. I think as an artist your job is to stand behind whatever you believe in. Otherwise the art is just empty. 

SP: You grew up in Grey Lynn in the 80s, like the main character Obi. Do you see yourself in him? How close to your childhood was his?

He’s way cooler than me. I sucked at spacies. I did grow up in the same community as him. But I tried not to make it too autobiographical. My poetry is so personal I like to get away from it with my prose. 

SP: What made you choose the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior as the time setting? 

That was a big deal when it happened. Like Obi, we’d just gone and saw it the day it blew up. We went on protests about it and I remember everyone was really shocked. So I thought it’d be a good time marker and anchor (excuse the pun) for the novel.

SP: How is this book different from your last?

I think I was able to show off my skills as a writer more. With the last novel the main character wasn’t the most eloquent so it wouldn’t have made sense for her to be speaking in poetic language etc. Also I think I’m just a better writer now!  

SP: Why do you think it’s important these stories are told about people under the poverty line?

I think it’s important that all stories get told. Personally I don’t need to read another book about middle class people getting divorced or rich kids going to art school. Not to say those books shouldn’t exist, but they shouldn’t be the only stories that are allowed to be told. I also feel like the obsession with masters of creative writing programs is a real obstacle for a lot of voices getting heard. 

The popularity of small presses is changing the landscape a bit. Because there’re so many incredible artists out there who don’t have access to the traditional means of becoming a writer.  And that’s everyone’s loss. 

SP: There are themes of gentrification come up in this book. Why do you think that’s an important conversation to have? 

Joan Didion said “Write what you have” and I think that’s a story I have to tell. My community no longer exists and of course that’s going to have a profound effect on all the people that made up that community. I also think it’s indicative of the society we live in and the destructive nature of wealth. 

Pictured: Hoey standing outside shops with his dog.

SP: What do you want people to take away from this book? These characters?

To be honest I was mainly focused on telling a story. Of course all art is political but it wasn’t like I had a polemic and wrote a story around it. I know from reviews and what people have been posting that it has made some people think about the humanity of poor people, but I didn’t realise that was something that needed to be highlighted haha! 

SP: The dad is a poet like you. Do you see yourself in him?

Not really. He’s a lot more useless than me. Like I’m useless but in a different way! 

SP: You’re a prolific poet. Which is a hard feat, especially in a small country like NZ that doesn’t exactly value the arts. How did you come into being a poet?

I started rapping when I was a kid and one day they had a poetry comp at school. I entered with an anti war rap and won. At the time I was bottom of the class so everyone was like WTF! Hahaha. That kicked it off really. 

SP: Do you see yourself as a poet or a writer first?

I just think about it as all the same thing really. Like I used heaps of poetry techniques in my new novel and lots of story telling techniques and ideas in my poetry. 

SP: Speaking of, how do you find it being a writer in NZ? Any advice for aspiring novelists/ writers?

It’s fine I guess. I love writing and performing. I think anytime you’re involved in an industry it’s always a bit weird. For people coming up I’d say learn the basics. You don’t need to go to uni. You can learn all the techniques you need online in a few weeks. Then write every day. Form a creative community. Tell the stories you want to read. Don’t listen to dickheads that tell you you can’t do things. They’re just projecting. 

Where can we get a copy of your book?

It’s everywhere in Aotearoa now. Can even get it at the airport. 

What else have you got coming up?

I’m writing on a horror film and trying to convince the dog to stop barking in the middle of the night.

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If you’re interested in more of Hoey’s writing, head over to his website: dominichoey.com

Check out his writing workshop, and give him a follow on social!