“These tracks could be in the soundtrack for the movie version!” Waiheke resident, songwriter, painter and, most imminently, author Katy Soljak adds when she sends NZM the mixtape compiled to celebrate the publication of her semi-autobiographical novella, It’s A Long Way To Texas Baby.

Out now through Lasavia Publishing, it’s the story of Gala, a young NZ woman, who is fleeing a relationship in LA. With her guitar and little daughter in tow, she leaves for Texas. Order your copy here. And below Katy talks us through some of the tracks on her intriguing mixtape.

Katy Soljak: Denton

This track is an integral part of my novella and the last verse is the book’s opening preface.

‘And there’s nothing so lonesome, nothing quite so sad
As pulling into Denton at midnight with your whole life in a bag.’
I always saw this novella as a movie, and wrote about the bus ride to Texas from real experience – with my young daughter, suitcase and guitar. The song Denton is written on the road in the novella.

Violetta Parra: Gracias a la Vida

What an incredibly brave and courageous artist/ musician this Chilean woman was. She persevered through hard and difficult times caused by a lack of any financial support for her art and often her trying relationships.

I relate to Violetta and am inspired by her journey and her work.

‘Thanks to life, which has given me so much
It gave me sound and the alphabet
With them the words that I think and declare
Mother, friend, brother and the light shining
the route of the soul from which comes love’.

Katy Soljak: Old Wooden Radio

A song I wrote about my dad. It often moves my listeners, who relate to the theme of the damaged parents that we’ll always love.

Aaron Carpenter And The Revelators: Stranger

Aaron is one of my favourite songwriters, who also happens to live on Waiheke. His themes are universal, and this song captures the ghost-like presence of a former love relationship.

‘There’s no pictures of you and me hanging on the walls.’

Katy Soljak: Heaven

Written for the novella about the handsome protagonist, Johnny Magana, lead guitarist for the Dallas Rhythm Aces, riding through the desert in a dream sequence.

Mahoney Harris: Band in Town

Another favourite Waihekean songwriter. I relate to the lyrics in this song, having played many gigs over the years and love Mahoney’s gently haunting tunes and gentle sweet delivery.