Christian band rock their way to a Tui nomination

A Christian indie-pop band have been nominated for a Tui award at this year’s Vodafone music awards, continuing their success over the past year.
Primalband is nominated in the best gospel/Christian album category for their CD Your Way, which was released last year.
The band is a part of Primal Youth, a Christian group that helps young [...]

Celebrating 70 years of Kiwi music videos

A selection of New Zealand’s most innovative music videos is now available to view free online.
NZ On Screen now features 70 of the best Kiwi music videos from the past 70 years.
To celebrate the launch of music videos on June 2, NZ On Screen premiered Boh Runga’s newest video, Evelyn, over 48 hours.
The [...]

Vinyl records hit a strong note in digital age

With the rise in popularity of digital music devices, you would be forgiven for thinking the old-school vinyl has had its day in the sun.

But music retailers say there will always be a place for vinyl and some have even noticed an increase in sales.

Real Groovy Records in Auckland has seen an [...]

Technology ‘takes the sex out’ of music

Advances in music recording technologies mean musicians often rely on the power of computers rather than their musical skill and ability when recording, according to the head engineer at Auckland’s York St Recording Studios.
Over the past 15 years computer-based audio recording programmes have taken off. With programmes like Pro-Tools, Logic and Cubase, musicians are able [...]

NZ pop music needs more Maori input, says MLC

With another New Zealand Music Month well under way, some Maori are saying there needs to be ways to encourage more Maori participation in popular music.
Strategic communications officer at the Maori Language Commission Debra Jansen (Ngati Porou and Nga Puhi) says she would like to see more Maori “promoting their brand of music”.
“I think [...]

Oh woe is us – Aucklanders complain in harmony (video)

Complainers from around Auckland converged on the city centre on Sunday to turn modern woes into song.
More than 20 people came together to form the Auckland Complaints Choir, part of a larger international organisation of moaners, to express their troubles in a lighthearted format.
Followed by dozens of onlookers, the choir started out at Freyberg [...]

Humble ukelele now the instrument of choice for the cool

The ukulele has taken the country by storm, going from un-cool to world famous in New Zealand.
The instrument used to be linked to Hawaii, but not any more. Chances are you’ll now be hearing it from Hokitika to Hamilton.
Sales of ukuleles have gone through the roof.
“It has reached critical mass,” says Mike Chunn, chief executive [...]

Will the 00s have decade defining music?

By Amberleigh Jack
Unlike some women, my maternal instincts aren’t exactly what you’d call strong. If the day does come, however, where I find myself raising a sprog or two, I have definite ideas on how they’ll be brought up.
While moral judgement is commendable, no kid of mine will grow up without a strong sense of [...]

Debate over Pasifika artists’ music royalties

Pacific Island and Maori songwriters and composers are not being well served by APRA, a music royalty collection society, according to Pacific event organiser Stan Wolfgramm.
Stan Wolfgramm, director of Style Pasifika and Drum Productions, which produces TV3’s Pacific Beat Street, used the PIMA conference to advocate for the rights of Pasifika artists and the role [...]

Emo scene on the decline

Emo culture has graced the streets of Auckland for years. They shone out from the dark corners of Aotea Square and everywhere it seemed liked people hated them. Lately though, they’ve gone AWOL. Disappeared. Vanished. Is this the end? Maybe emo was really a fad that was made to be grown out of. And if [...]