The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa (MMF) is proud to announce FOUNDATIONS, a refreshed evolution of its long running Back to Basics seminar series. Presented in collaboration with Ka Korokī Ka Maranga | Māori Music Industry Collective, FOUNDATIONS is a free two hour workshop for artists and self managers in the early stages of building a music career.
For this session, we will be joined by Mikee Carpenter (Manager - Georgia Lines) and AJA (Artist)
FOUNDATIONS was born out of a moment of reflection for MMF. With the loss of long time Back to Basics presenter Lorraine Barry in 2025, the team felt it was the right time to relook at the programme she had shaped for so many years. Lorraine was a dedicated advocate for emerging artists and managers, and FOUNDATIONS carries her commitment to helping the next generation navigate the industry with confidence.
The workshop covers the building blocks every artist needs from day one, including the NZ music ecosystem and funding pathways, rights and royalties, finding and growing a real fanbase, releasing music with a team around you, understanding the business side of the industry, patience in building a career, and the financial realities of a life in music. Each section is followed by open Q&A, giving attendees the chance to bring their own questions to experienced guests.
“Lorraine Barry was a mentor to me for over eight years and someone I always turned to for advice, as well as being a great friend. It’s an honour to carry on the work she was so passionate about in artist development, on behalf of the MMF.” - Mikee Carpinter
Mikee Carpinter (Manager - Georgia Lines) is an experienced artist manager and music industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the New Zealand music industry.
Mikee has a proven track record in artist development, helping emerging artists build their careers from the ground up and navigate the often complex realities of the music business.
His experience spans artist management, funding, release strategy, radio and media pitching, team building, touring, international development, content creation, branding and direct-to-fan strategy.
Through August Avenue, Mikee manages award-winning New Zealand artist Georgia Lines, working across her career in New Zealand and internationally, including building teams and opportunities across Australia, the UK and the United States.
Mikee is also the creator of Intros, an artist discovery and development platform supporting the next generation of New Zealand artists. Working alongside partners including Spark and Spotify, Intros has helped provide emerging artists with greater visibility, industry support and opportunities to connect with new audiences.
With a background in film, television and creative production, Mikee brings a strong understanding of visual identity, storytelling and content to artist development. He is passionate about demystifying the music industry and giving artists practical, real-world knowledge to help them make better decisions, avoid common mistakes and build careers with longevity.
Award-winning Aotearoa artist AJA (Ngāti Raukawa, Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Porou) weaves soulful R&B with te reo Māori, creating emotive, whakapapa-driven music grounded in culture, identity and contemporary expression. Spirited by the everlasting, the elemental and the kindred balance, her sure and guided vocal tones draw listeners along a vast musical soundscape.
Since debuting with Non-Handler in 2019, AJA has released a string of singles, including True Love (which reached number one on the SRN Top 10), and won the 2022 APRA Maioha Silver Scroll Award for Te Iho (alongside Byllie-Jean Rangihuna and Chris Wethey). In November 2024 she released her bilingual debut album KĀWAI through Meetinghouse Records.
AJA has headlined Newtown Festival, performed at Cuba Dupa and the Matariki Awards, toured with L.A.B and Fly My Pretties, and opened Wellington's Kia Mau Festival with her self-produced show Manawa Pao.