First Kiwi Acts Named For SXSW 2019
Of the 240 initial artists released for inclusion at SXSW 2019, a record-setting number of eight NZ bands has been invited to play. The percentage of band count vs country population puts Aotearoa at ...
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Opportunities
Auditions For Musical ‘Once’
The NZ production team of 'Once' is looking for musician-actors of all backgrounds to be part of an ensemble production in Auckland. You may have seen the Academy Award-winning movie – this is for the musical stage adaptation. "Once is a powerful and enchanting love story, about a Dublin street musician and a young woman who takes a sudden interest in his songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to new heights – but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper ...
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2018 Artisan Awards Finalists
The 2018 Artisan Awards finalists have been announced this week, the part of the annual NZ Music Awards that recognises the creative talents behind the scenes of the top local records of the past year. Five Tui awards will be presented on the night including Massey University Best Producer, Best Engineer, Best Album Cover and NZ On Air Best Music Video – as well as the inaugural Music Teacher of the Year award. The Massey University Best Producer finalists for 2018 are: Simon Gooding, Tom ...
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Christmas In The Park 2018 Guitarist Sought
The producers of Christmas in the Park are looking for an exceptional rock guitarist to have a starring role at the two free outdoor concerts being held in Christchurch and Auckland later this year. Each year the producers audition for talented singers and dancers from all over the country to perform in the two concerts and this is the first time the search has focussed on a guitarist. Aspiring rock guitarists who think they have what it takes are encouraged to apply online to audition. The successful ...
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2018 NZ Music Community Wellbeing Survey
The NZ Music Foundation has marked the start of Mental Health Awareness Week with the launch of the second edition of its NZ Music Community Wellbeing Survey into the health and well-being of people working and volunteering in live & recorded music in New Zealand. Kiwi music people can take part in the survey by clicking here. The charity is inviting people who are involved in any music-related discipline either full time, part time or on a volunteer basis to complete the survey. This includes ...
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NewTracks New Artist
NewTracks New Artist: N eo
Hip hop artist N eo claims Auckland as his home of origin. Though born in Palmerston North (and then answering to Bryan James Anderson), he says he moved around so much as a kid, and it was Auckland that made him who he is. His single Ghost Girl was featured on NZOA's NewTracks compilation in September. What other musical outfits might we know you from? I was part of the Small Fortunes crew. SF ran from the end of 2016 to the end of 2017. We built a platform for ourselves as individual artists ...
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Q & A: Latinaotearoa
As so neatly encapsulated in that combo handle, Latinaotearoa is about blending Kiwi music influences with those of the colourful cultures of South America – meaning they overlay soul, jazz and hip hop with Latin funk. It’s also the blend of Brazilian-born Auckland DJ Bobby Brazuka and the Venezuelan voice of Jennifer Zea. Their 2013 debut album was self-titled, the follow up recorded in the colourful surrounds of Brazil cleverly badged ‘Latinaotearoa in Latinoamerica’. After a break, they’ve ...
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High Beams: Brightly Lit
Off the back of an array of solo projects and internationally acknowledged releases, friends Illbaz, Raiza Biza and Melodownz have joined forces to release a collaborative album under the bright light brand of High Beams. Sam Dunlay talked with the three exceptional musical talents about the project and just how they find the local hip hop scene, together and alone. ‘High Beams’ is both the name of the act and the name of the album that incorporates three of the most creatively exciting forces ...
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NewTracks New Artist: Watson
Elementary, of course. It's not about alcohol at all but rather a metaphor for toxic human infatuations. Stephen Watson was born in Scotland but spent his growing up years in the Waikato, and for the past two years has been making new music in Auckland. His second pop single release under the simplified moniker of Watson is called Alcoholic Love and it has earned him (and producer Ambian aka Josh Edmonds) a spot on the NZ On Air's NewTracks compilation this September. What other projects might ...
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On Foreign Soil: Strangely Arousing Asia Tour Diary
Featuring as Fresh Talent in NZM back in 2014 after winning Smokefree Pacifica Beats, it took until mid-2017 to see the release of the debut album from livewire reggae/ska act Strangely Arousing. The self-titled release subsequently garnered them a finalist spot at the Taite Music Prize for Best Independent Debut. Describing themselves as ‘five musical gypsies from Rotorua, New Zealand’, bandmates Forrest Thorp, Lukas Wharekura, Shaun Loper, Liam Rolfe and Oliver Prendergast skipped the cold ...
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Fraser Ross: One… Two… Three… Oh Four
Like a bit of quirk in your folk? Well with a title that goes, ‘Life is Magic, Where is my Rabbit?’, Fraser Ross’ new album will surely hold appeal. Not that Ross and his 04 bandmates play it for laughs, exploring afro-beats, electric-folk and singer/songwriter styles their album is as serious as it is smart and flowingly diverse. Megan Gnad talked with the Christchurch/Wellington folkster about his wide-ranging creativity. Life is Magic, Where is my Rabbit? by Fraser Ross Poetic folk musician ...
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NZM Is 30 Years To The Good!
The very first ever New Zealand Musician issue (with English drummer Simon Phillips on the cover!) was published back in September 1988 – which officially makes September 2018 the magazine’s 30th birthday anniversary! Can you believe that shit? Now we probably should have marked this very significant achievement with a one-off NZ Musician September print issue, but we had a bit too much on our office plates to head down that road. Besides, printing requires lots of advertising to cover the costs, ...
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Event Guide
Otium – Late Night Hype Tour 2018
Celebrating the release of their singles With You and For You, Whangarei funk-soul-jazz five-piece Otium will be hitting the roads of the North Island over the next few weeks. Since their establishment in 2014, Otium has developed a highly dynamic live show and an engaging, genre-merging style which continues to propel them through the New Zealand Music scene. Over time, the band has built a substantial following in their home region which started to spread across the country following the ...
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The Chills Live At Galatos, October 2018
On October 6, Dunedin kings of jangle The Chills, supported by singer-songwriter Hollie Fullbrook aka Tiny Ruins, played to an enthusiastic crowd at Auckland's Galatos. Pristine sound and the great shape of the band made for a quality night out. Good news for everyone who missed it: The film crew working on a documentary about the band was present to record the show. The set list was made up of a well-curated mix of familiar hits and new material taken from the band's new album 'Snow Bound'. Trevor ...
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The Output Project
The Output Project - Exchange Christchurch - September 22, 2018 Settling almost immediately into an intimate atmosphere, The Output Project was a night of captivating performance featuring some of Christchurch’s finest musicians and dancers. Operating like a well-oiled machine a sleek and silky group of young dancers, choreographed by Chloe Levings, added raw emotion and drama to the songs performed by a variety of artists. The night was cohesive, and the blend of structured dance mixed well ...
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