Moderator - Rachel Ashby
Rachel Ashby is the Capabilities Programmes Coordinator at the New Zealand Music Commission. Formerly presenter of the 95bFM Breakfast Show, she now hosts the music podcast In The Pits from Sports Team productions.
the nz music commission
Rachel Ashby is the Capabilities Programmes Coordinator at the New Zealand Music Commission. Formerly presenter of the 95bFM Breakfast Show, she now hosts the music podcast In The Pits from Sports Team productions.
Mark Williams aka M.C. Slave
Mark Williams aka M.C.Slave of Fat Freddy’s Drop has worked in and around the music industry for over 30 years. He is a broadcaster , DJ, musician, & director living Auckland NZ.
DJ, Broadcaster, musician & director (Fat Freddy’s Drop)
Mark Williams aka M.C.Slave of Fat Freddy’s Drop has worked in and around the music industry for over 30 years. He is a broadcaster , DJ, musician, & director living Auckland NZ.
Moderator - Cushla Aston
Cushla Aston (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao) is the founder of Aston Rd, a boutique artist management company representing soulful singer-songwriter Louis Baker. Cushla is the current Chair of the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University, and a former mentor for Te Māngai Pāho's Māori music development programme.
artist manager
Cushla Aston (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao) is the founder of Aston Rd, a boutique artist management company representing soulful singer-songwriter Louis Baker.
Cushla is the current Chair of the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University, and a former mentor for Te Māngai Pāho's Māori music development programme.
After a decade living in the UK, she returned home in 2011 and immersed herself in the local independent music scene, working with platinum-selling artists such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, Kora, and Trinity Roots. In 2012, she was awarded MMF’s 'Upcoming Manager of the Year' and was a finalist for 'Manager of the Year' in 2014.
Her artists have achieved APRA Silver Scroll nominations, Critics Choice Awards recognition, and independently released albums charting in New Zealand’s Top 10. They’ve toured internationally across the UK, Europe, Polynesia, South Africa, and Australia.
Priya Sami
Priya Sami is a silly, sensitive musician from Onehunga who’s been singing forever and writing songs since she was 13, starting out in choirs, jazz bands, Rockquest, and covers bands.
After a long musical journey, she’s now pouring it all into her new project, BUB, whose debut album Can’t Even is out now.
booker - music in parks auckland
Priya Sami is a silly, sensitive musician from Onehunga who’s been singing forever and writing songs since she was 13, starting out in choirs, jazz bands, Rockquest, and covers bands.
After a long musical journey, she’s now pouring it all into her new project, BUB, whose debut album Can’t Even is out now.
Cuillin Hearty
Cuillin Hearty is a UK-born, Tāmaki Makaurau-based music industry all-rounder. Working across artist management, bookings, and live events. Their career began in Queenstown and has since spanned the motu, working at festivals and events including Rhythm & Vines, Laneway, Electric Avenue, and more.
artist manager
Cuillin Hearty is a UK-born, Tāmaki Makaurau-based music industry all-rounder. Working across artist management, bookings, and live events. Their career began in Queenstown and has since spanned the motu, working at festivals and events including Rhythm & Vines, Laneway, Electric Avenue, and more.
Cuillin’s experience includes artist liaison, touring logistics, show and festival operations, and more — currently working across projects with BIG FAN and Banished Music. They’re also the manager of There’s A Tuesday, Sofia Machray, Frank on Tap, and The Dawns, and handle bookings for a range of emerging artists across Aotearoa.
With a genuine passion for artist development and a love for the live music space, Cuillin brings a grounded, thoughtful approach to everything they do — always aiming to support artists and create meaningful, well-run experiences on and off the stage.
Vera Ellen
Aotearoa Music Award winning and Taite Prize winning artist Vera Ellen was born and raised in Naenae in Te Whanganui-A-Tara/Wellington. She spent her younger years playing and writing music, her first song written at age 8. Whilst living in Aotearoa, she played in bands such as grunge 4-piece Maple Syrup and Sweater. Vera relocated to Los Angeles, where she started the band Girl Friday, whose music debuted on indie giant Sub Pop’s sub-label, Hardly Art.
Artist
Aotearoa Music Award winning and Taite Prize winning artist Vera Ellen was born and raised in Naenae in Te Whanganui-A-Tara/Wellington. She spent her younger years playing and writing music, her first song written at age 8. Whilst living in Aotearoa, she played in bands such as grunge 4-piece Maple Syrup and Sweater. Vera relocated to Los Angeles, where she started the band Girl Friday, whose music debuted on indie giant Sub Pop’s sub-label, Hardly Art.
In early 2020, Vera moved back to Aotearoa during the pandemic, leading to her finishing her solo album, It’s Your Birthday — released on Flying Nun Records in October 2021. This album saw Vera named ‘Best Alternative Artist’ at the 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards.
The 2023 follow-up album, Ideal Home Noise, was a record unearthed from much introspection and an attempt to find some comedy and lightness in an otherwise dark period for Vera Ellen. Vera’s momentum was unstoppable with Ideal Home Noise reaching all corners of the world, and being awarded the prestigious Taite Music Prize for musical excellence.
Having recently returned from a 10-date arena tour of Australia as the support act for Crowded House, Vera is hard at work on her third album due for release in 2025. The new album explores the nuances of unconventional love and finding meaning and joy in community and nature.
Gavin Downie
Gavin Downie has held the role of Event organiser for Auckland Councils Music in Parks for 7 years booking over 360 acts in those years. In his freelance work he has been production manager on the huge Waitangi Waititi event in west Auckland. Toured with everyone from Wiz Khalifa to the Cranberries across the globe and checked off hundreds and hundreds of locals tours, festivals and shows. He also fits in time to run a business as a media composer selling tracks worldwide since 2020.
booker - music in parks auckland
Gavin Downie has held the role of Event organiser for Auckland Councils Music in Parks for 7 years booking over 360 acts in those years. In his freelance work he has been production manager on the huge Waitangi Waititi event in west Auckland. Toured with everyone from Wiz Khalifa to the Cranberries across the globe and checked off hundreds and hundreds of locals tours, festivals and shows. He also fits in time to run a business as a media composer selling tracks worldwide since 2020.
John Minty
John Minty has been booking music for Splore Festival since 2005. The event is known for its musical diversity and the showcasing of relatively unknown acts to a large, open-minded festival audience.
Owner & music booker - splore
John Minty has been booking music for Splore Festival since 2005. The event is known for its musical diversity and the showcasing of relatively unknown acts to a large, open-minded festival audience.