Vox Pops: Music Gadgets We Love
As August's contribution to our ongoing Vox Pops series, NZM asked around for some of your current favourite pieces of musical hardware –gadgets & gear that you couldn't (happily) live without. ...
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Classics & Clangers
Sofar Sounds Under Investigation
Since the release of an article by US musician Adam Schatz on Talkhouse.com on August 14, Sofar Sounds has been very much in the eye of online media. Initially just being publicly criticised by artists, news subsequently broke that the London-based organisation was now also under investigation for their labour practises. Sofar Sounds is a well-funded, for-profit company in many parts of the world. Despite that, it typically utilises volunteer ambassadors and the pay artists receive could best ...
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2019 Waiata Māori Music Awards Finalists Announced
Finalists for the 2019 Waiata Māori Music Awards have been announced, the Kora brothers-founded group L.A.B. and Wellington band Grove Roots leading the way with four nominations each. Now in its 12th year, the Waiata Māori Music Awards celebrate excellence in Māori music, honouring the keepers, teachers, promoters, creators and performers of Māori music. The awards will be presented at Club Hastings on September 13. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the WMMA's Facebook page and broadcast ...
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SAE Auckland Gets Top Ranking From NZQA
In a period when all the country’s polytechnics are feeling the pressure of Government-driven sector changes, Auckland’s SAE Creative Media Institute has been awarded the highest rating for a tertiary education organisation by the NZ Qualifications Authority (NZQA). The External Evaluation and Review (EER) checks and reports on the quality of education delivered by the provider, independently assessing the educational performance and capability of the institute. “I truly couldn’t be ...
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July 2019 New Music Singles Funding Outcomes
NZ On Air Music has published the results of their July 2019 New Music Singles funding decisions. Of the 154 applicants throughout July only 24 songs were selected to receive funding. The panel tasked with selecting these songs consisted of Andrew Barry (RDU Radio Christchurch), Greg Haver (Music Producer), Greg Prebble (Radio Hauraki), Jeff Newton (NZ On Air), Kirsten Johnstone (RNZ Music), Petrina Togi-Sa’ena (Pacific Music Awards Trust), and Rodney Fisher (NZ Music Commission). Applications ...
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NewTracks New Artist
NewTracks New Artist: MarÜ
Waatea Music artist Sonny Maru-Habib performs under the stage name MarÜ. Hailing from Whakatane, this confident newcomer has just released his debut single Te Ora. The dance track was judged catchy enough to gain one of the few spots available on NZ On Air Music's NewTracks compilation right away. What's your full name, where are you from and what instruments do you play, if any? Ko Sonny Maru-Habib toku ingoa. Ko Ngati Rarawhati te hapu. Ko Ngati Awa te iwi. No Whakatane ahau. What high ...
READ MORE >Gear Reviews
Gear Review: Yamaha CP88 Stage Piano
Among no doubt plenty of other new instrument offerings, Yamaha has this year unveiled the CP73 and CP88 stage pianos, boasting new key hammer technology and an upgraded system of sounds and effects. The slick black aluminium chassis, along with dedicated realtime controls make these two keyboard models serious players in the competitive and very visible world of top stage pianos. The CP88 I have for review is the new flagship digital piano from Yamaha, retailing at $4195 rrp, with improved sounds ...
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NewTracks New Artist: Old Loaves
You and I don't normally have to go to three different shops to get the bread for lunch, but Old Loaves regularly do. The stoner rock trio all live in different cities, sandwiching together in the one recyclable wrapper less by dint of practicality than impressive perseverance. A slice of their quite literally 'long-awaited' album, 'Banks', the single Stolen Night was featured on NZ ON Air Music's New Tracks compilation this August. Frontman Ben Ward answered NZM's gluten-free questions. Banks by ...
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Industry Types: Ben Mulchin, Promoter
Being a promoter seems a tough role, in what is a tough industry right across the board – especially in small such a small music scene as NZ. Pressure is always on for gigs and tours to succeed not flop, with audiences expecting more than just their money's worth of live music. Ben Mulchin is a concert and tour promoter, and owner of the Valhalla Tavern in Wellington. Sam Smith spoke with Mulchin about life as a promoter and just how hard it is putting on live rock music in Aotearoa. How did you ...
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On Foreign Soil: Hans at SXSW 2019
Hans (actually hans.) is the stage name adopted by Auckland hip hop artist Hanju Kim, who first featured on NZMusician.co.nz back in 2017 with the release of his debut EP titled ‘1995’. Talking with Cassandra King then, Hans said his next step in music was to produce a lot more of his tracks himself, rather than relying on other producers – unless they were the likes of Kanye West or Mac Miller. March this year found Hans in the States performing at SXSW 2019 in Austin, learning how to get ...
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NewTracks New Artist: Sally
Writing songs since she was 12, Auckland singer/songwriter Sally has had plenty of time to learn that being in the music industry is far from a walk in the park. Her new single, Better, isn't the first song she has released, but the uplifting and self-confident pop ballad is a good reminder to hold your head high, and that there's no such thing as a bad time for self-development. Better made it onto NZ On Air Music's NewTracks playlist for July – while Sally was up north – in Denmark. What's ...
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Ex-Pat Files: Oliver Emmitt
Oliver Emmitt says it was on a whim that he first decided to try living in Amsterdam back in May 2011. The versatile trombone player had just spent time touring Europe with two Kiwi acts, so doesn’t blame naivety for the ensuing survivalist stint as a Dutch postie. Fortunately, his jazz chops were plenty good enough to get him into a post-graduate course, and out of those Amsterdam Conservatorium connections, he is now a member of Molino, with a second EP just released and a third one, recorded ...
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Going Global 2019: Seven Good Reasons To Attend
Scheduled for the end of this month is Going Global 2019, the annual music summit organised by IMNZ which always attracts a number of well-known international industry professionals willing to share their accumulated wisdom with us Kiwi wannabes. Tickets cost $110. "That sounds a bit rich – why should I go?" you may be thinking. For those in need of convincing, here are just some reasons to consider it well worth the effort: You'll get first-hand and up-to-date information about various ...
READ MORE >Live Reviews
Review: Harper Finn, Ding Dong Lounge, July 25, 2019
Harper Finn celebrated his double single release of Conversations (With The Moon) and Teenage Queen with a sold-out gig at Ding Dong Lounge in Auckland on Thursday, July 25. Postponed for a week due to a last-minute sickness, the place was nevertheless packed with a lively, cross-generational audience. The singles have only been out for a week but people in the audience are avidly singing along to Teenage Queen, an upbeat pop number that has everyone dancing — no mean feat this early in a gig. ...
READ MORE >Photo Galleries
Te Korakora On Federal, Auckland, July 13, 2019
Dubbed an "urban street party", Te Korakora took place on Federal St on July 13 to mark the end of Auckland's Matariki Festival 2019. Photographer Trevor Villers says he "chanced upon it" on his way to another show, and used the opportunity to capture the event on camera. "It was fitting that all the stars were out to conclude this festival. You’ll recognise most of them of course - Moana and The Tribe, the covers band RnR in the middle, and Troy Kingi and ensemble to conclude."
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