Music is a key to culture, no matter where in the world you are from and New Zealand is no exception. In the decades from 1957–87 the LP was king of New Zealand recorded music. To sell the music cover art was needed, and the book showcases 100 of the best examples at full LP size.

Divided into themes, Cover Story brings Braunias’ inimitable wit and empathy to bear on the artistic flair, fashion and occasional gaudiness these album covers represent. Based on interviews and his own experience collecting over 800 albums from op-shops around the country, he reflects on what they say about our popular culture.

Country & Western hayseeds, born-again Christians, hard-drinking piano players and legends of New Zealand music. Peter Posa … Hello Sailor … The Yandall Sisters … Some guy who owned a menswear store in Whanganui … They all answer the question: what does music look like? There are stories behind the record covers, but the pictures do most of the talking in this album-sized panorama of the way we looked, listened, and partied.

About the Author:
Steve Braunias is a journalist, editor, reviewer and publisher. He is a staff writer for the New Zealand Herald and literary editor for current affairs website Newsroom. The author of 12 books, Steve has won more than 40 national awards for writing. He lives in Auckland.