The surprising optimism of Lydia Lunch

Sunday, 7 June 2026

Lydia Lunch refuses to sweat the small stuff.

Who: Lydia Lunch

What: Singer, poet, founding member of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, part of New York City’s no wave scene, Lōemis performer, science fan.

Question 52 of 101:

Do you have a favourite book?

The Field by Lynne McTaggart, who interviewed 100 scientists on various subjects presenting frontier theories on biological communication, consciousness as energy, homeopathy and Zero Point Field (the vibration in space between all things which connects and propels all life and matter). Science porn. I dig it.

Question 13 of 101:

What is something you’re grateful for?

Everyday that I am still alive to confront the cock-ocracy.

Question 78 of 101:

Describe your view right now

As a contrarian hedonist, I spend the days obsessed with the arrogance, ignorance, cruelty and corruption of the American kleptocrats in positions of power. And never has America presented a more preposterously idiotic criminal cabal than the psycho-phants now pandering to an ex-TV host who failed at everything he’s ever touched … But enough with the bullhorn! which has been sealed to my lips since Ronald Reagan. When night falls I disconnect from this endless and eternal man-made near apocalypse, and delight in the fact that a bomb has not yet fallen on my head. Believe it or not, I’m pretty optimistic.

Question 45 of 101:

What’s the best part of your day?

From 3am to 7am – when the rest of the world, or at least the part that I’m in, quiets down, the nightbirds are out and I’m alone with a true crime documentary while reading a book on Swiss-Austrian theoretical physicist Wolfgang Pauli and watching car chases on my computer. All at the same time.

Question 37 of 101:

When do you feel most stressed?

Never. I don’t sweat the small shit.

Catch Lydia Lunch at Meow in Wellington on Sunday, June 14 as part of the 2026 Lōemis festival. Tickets at loemis.nz