Electronica artist Michael Aisuru (real name Michael West) moved from Christchurch to Auckland for the opportunity to grow as a musician. His recent EP ‘Fantasy’ is a blend of dubstep and dnb that was compiled over the span of two years and both cities. It’s a collection of songs that reflect on his feelings towards his childhood. Jason Chan caught up with him for NZM. “I played the saxophone when I was around 10, and then I moved on to guitar when I was 14 and started thrashing away, ...

Hip hop is very much tied up in the geography of where it is made. In a NZ context, we tend to think of South Auckland, Avondale, Ponsonby, Christchurch, all places that have spurned burgeoning rap scenes over the years. In 2021 one new rapper is trying to create a scene in the far north, and his name is TS. Sam Smith discovered an artist of genuine talent and community commitment, every bit as confident as his music. Born Trey Subritzky, TS reps the far north through and through. Based in smalltown ...

Reported by the Bay of Plenty Times in early November, Mount Maunganui College students released what they claim as the first original school album coming from the BoP. The album features songs from school bands and artists Vegan Funk Machine, Emily Tattersall, Skye Hine & Malakhai Sadler, Good Morning Good Night, Kofe Table, Mabel George and El’fah.01 & TJ. Driver of this ambitious project was teacher and music producer Tia Beaufort, aka Tia Drumma. ‘MMC 2020’ caught the ear of NZM ...