Mikey Rockwell

Animator, Director, Game DevelopeR

I’m an audio/video producer with over 500 credits, including contributions as a musician, audio engineer, video editor, VFX artist and DOP.

Producing work from my own production house, Rockwell Studios for over 15 years I have had the good fortune to collaborate with a huge swath of local and overseas artists/producers.

It has been an epic journey with a focus on adding a little magic to any production I’m part of.

Moderator: Rachel Ashby

Breakfast Host, 95bFM

Rachel Ashby is a broadcaster, music journalist and arts writer based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. She has been the host of the 95bFM Breakfast show since 2019, and previously hosted the dedicated arts and culture show ‘Artbank’. Rachel is passionate about accessibility and equity in music spaces, and is a facilitator and kaitiaki member for the youth empowerment organisation Girls Rock Aotearoa. 

Bianca Bailey

Artist Wiri Donna, SOngwriter, Event Producer

Bianca is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based event producer, musician, and songwriter. In recent years she’s been working for Creative Capital Arts Trust as the Music and Festival Producer for CubaDupaand Classical on Cuba. Previously she has also worked on Auckland Folk Festival (2016-2023) as well as Eyegum Music Collective’s Welcome To Nowhere (2020 -2023) in various different capacities. Bianca also has a keen eye for all things project management, designing bespoke festival management platforms for CCAT and Eyegum Music Collective. When she’s not working with the coolest festivals can catch her around Wellington either rocking the drums in local bands Lilith and F.A.I.R.Y or sporting a guitar for her indie riff-rock solo project Wiri Donna.

Wairehu Grant

Artist Half/Time

Half/Time is a te ao Māori centred post-punk act started by Kirikiriroa based musician Wairehu Grant (NgātiManiapoto) in 2020. Originally a solo act utilising drum machines and samples along with guitar and shouty vocals, Half/Time has now evolved into a three-piece act featuring Tāmaki Makaurau based musicians and DIY legends Ciara Bernstein on drums, and Cee (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) on bass guitar and vocals. The kaupapa of Half/Time is one born out of the intergenerational resilience of Māori in Aotearoa. The waiata they perform seek to honour the history of resistance within Māori culture, to speak to the struggles of the current age, and to imagine ways forward both as individuals and as part of a community.In May 2023 Half/Time will be heading off on their first set of international shows in the UK kicking off with a showcase at FOCUS Wales, an international music festival hosted in Wrexham.

Leea Lamatoa

Coordinator & Kaiārahi, To The Front Tāmaki Makaurau

Leea is a passionate musician with particular interest in the weird and wonderful things the voice can do. She teaches both professional artists and beginners all across Tāmaki Makaurau, finding joy in helping others find their voice. Leea is also the heavily involved in the Girls Rock! Community and is currently the head organiser for the To The Front Tāmaki Makaurau Programme. 

When she is not making music, you can find her playing arcade games and patting neighbourhood cats.

Dave Borrie

Programme Director, Radio One

Dave Borrie is the Programme Director at Radio One 91FM, and lead bass player of L. Hotel.  He started his journey in Student Media in 2016 as a volunteer DJ hosting various shows across the schedule, while finishing up a Master's Degree in Physical Geography.  He promptly put this degree to use when he was hired at Radio One 91FM.  As Programme Director, he sees first-hand the benefit of collaboration to a community - particular a such a tight-knit community as Dunedin.  There is no debate that Radio One and Ōtepoti's music scene are to be intertwined, and to Dave he sees the role of the station as incredibly important to help student and alternative music communities flourish in Dunedin. He is also working on running a sub-20 minute 5 km, and one day would like to visit Antarctica.

Moderator: Noema Te Hau III

Studio & Venue Production ManageR, Big Fan

Currently the Studio & Venue Production Manager at Big Fan, Noema is a multi-skilled music specialist with extensive experience as a tertiary lecturer, music producer, audio engineer, songwriter, music director and performer.

Noema is an Auckland based producer / songwriter / live musical director, working for a multitude of NZ Artists that include the likes of Paige, Alayna, and NEVERKNOWN. Prior to accepting a role at Big Fan, Noema was also a BMA tertiary lecturer at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (MAINZ) for the previous 6 years. Noema’s skills and experience has led him to; receive multiple grants to develop young artists, and to musically direct and perform at major NZ events like Rhythm & Vines, Bay Dreams, Homegrown, Six60 Saturdays and the Aotearoa Music Awards.

Mazbou Q

Artist

Mazbou Q is a UK-born, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) based Nigerian artist, producer, content creator and educator.

Stemming from his background in classical, heavy metal and West African Highlife, Mazbou Q's particular brand of Hiphop pushes the boundaries of the genre and captivates those with a deep appreciation for musicality. Mazbou Q takes inspiration from the likes of Fela Kuti, The Roots and Black Star as he confronts his listeners with socio-political commentary and creatively engages them in the complexities of his unique cultural identity.

Also known as ‘The Rap Scientist’, Mazbou Q has established himself across social media as a competent music educator. Having developed a theory based framework for the analysis of rap flow, his content covers concepts like polymetricism, cross rhythms and micro-timing and has been commended by the likes of Russ, Wayne Brady and Dreamville. Mazbou Q continues to build an online community around this systematized learning of rap and is being lauded for illuminating the musical complexity of a genre often regarded as lacking such.

Mazbou Q is also the lead producer in Auckland-based audio production house UNCHAINED XL Production Co. and has worked with brands such as ESPN, Footlocker and Les Mills.

Having solidified himself as both a musical powerhouse and effective communicator, Mazbou Q continues to challenge and inspire his audiences through the various channels of his creativity.