Finalists Announced for SOUNZ and Screen Awards

Some of New Zealand’s best songwriters and composers have been shortlisted for three prestigious awards to be presented at the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Awards.

SOUNZ CONTEMPORARY AWARD - TE TOHU AUAHA

The SOUNZ Contemporary Award celebrates excellence in contemporary composition.

2020 finalists:

• a loose affiliation of alleluias by Celeste Oram

• Assemblage by Alex Taylor and Simon Ingram

• Mātauranga (Rerenga) by Michael Norris

All three SOUNZ Contemporary Award finalists this year are former finalists, but they take us in very different directions in contemporary classical music.

Celeste Oram is a New Zealand composer and vocalist now based in San Diego, who aims to create work “in which performers and listeners explore sonic and social histories, micro-cultures, and utopias.” This year she is a finalist for her work a loose affiliation of alleluias – a concerto for improvising violinist and three voices, commissioned by the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus. The piece takes inspiration from pop song structures and the mechanisms of breathing, while intertwining glimpses of material from contemporary works like Paul Simon’s The Boy in the Bubble, redemption by serpentwithfeet, as well as choral works from the 12th and 17th centuries.

The genesis of Assemblage is truly collaborative, with composer Alex Taylor (also now San Diego based) working with visual artist Simon Ingram, to bring together the sounds, movements, and inspirations of a painting robot (who is part of the performance), with an orchestral composition. Commissioned by conductor Marc Taddei and premiered by Orchestra Wellington, the piece draws on many of the gestural elements of the robot – gradients, curves, expansion and contraction, and much of the work is built on a series of slow-moving chromatic harmonies – creating a constrained quality to the sound. But like a rubber band being pulled, there’s always the potential for that energy to snap or release.

Commissioned by the NZSO, Michael Norris’ Mātauranga (Rerenga) is a work for orchestra, taonga puoro and live electronics which reflects on Captain Cook’s first voyage to the South Pacific and his arrival in Aotearoa. Norris (who has been a finalist six times, and won the award three times) recognised the many issues surrounding Cook's arrival in New Zealand, and the piece is not so much a celebration as an evocation of a moment in time. “I'm not just thinking of the cultural collision between Cook and the local iwi and tangata whenua, but I'm also thinking of a kind of sonic world. What were the seascapes that Cook was experiencing during those long days of endless voyaging around the South Pacific? What were the birdscapes or the gentle lapping of the waves on the shoreline of these places where Cook put down his anchors?”

Judging for the SOUNZ Contemporary Award is conducted by an anonymous judging panel of local and international composers, convened by SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music.

APRA SCREEN AWARDS

The APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film and APRA Best Original Music in a Series Awards celebrate New Zealand's screen composers. The awards recognise the relationship that composers have with cinema and the power of music to illuminate, elevate and support real and imagined worlds, narratives, images and performances.

2020 finalists for APRA Best Original Music In A Series Award:

• Claire Cowan for One Lane Bridge

• David Long for The Luminaries (published by Native Tongue Music Publishing)

• Doc McGlashan and Harry Sinclair for Kiri and Lou (published by Native Tongue Music Publishing)

• Lachlan Anderson for The Dead Lands

2020 finalists for APRA Best Original Music In A Film Award:

• Claire Cowan for Runaway Millionaires

• Karl Steven for Come to Daddy

• Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper for The Legend of Baron To’a

Claire Cowan is a prolific Auckland based composer, and won Best Original Music in a Series for her work on Hillary in 2017. This year she’s a finalist in both categories. Firstly for her innovative work on Queenstown-based mystery series One Lane Bridge, evoking the eerie solitude of the landscape and familial tensions, and secondly for her energetic score for larger-than-life drama Runaway Millionaires, based on the true story of the Kiwi couple who ended up with $10 million in their bank account by accident, and decided to take off to China to see if they could evade authorities and keep the cash.

Wellington’s David Long (also a former finalist and winner) is recognized this year for his work on the sumptuous international co-production of The Luminaries. Based on Eleanor Catton’s acclaimed historical novel, and series unravels an incredible tale of star-crossed love bound up in a gold-rush mystery, and Long’s score carefully intertwines the spiritual with the gritty, building drama while also delineating the many characters who cross paths.

The names Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair are synonymous with the innovative and hilarious 80s musical creations of The Front Lawn. Now they have transposed that same knack for whimsy and delight to children’s animated TV series Kiri and Lou, for which they are finalists. Blending songs with soundscapes that highlight the adventures of the two pre-historic mates of disparate sizes, they capture a wild natural world, and encourage subtle life lessons we can all relate to.

Having carved a successful career as the bass player in Die! Die! Die!, Lachlan Anderson has been concurrently emerging as an in-demand screen composer both in Aotearoa and internationally. Having been applauded for his work on Belgian Netflix hit Tabula Rasa, and London-based true life thriller 6 Days, he’s recently returned to Auckland and completed work on transgender drama Rūrangi and high intensity action adventure series The Dead Lands – for which he is nominated.

Karl Steven is no stranger to the APRA Screen Awards, having been nominated six times, and won twice. This year, his work on cult horror thriller (with a touch of comedy) Come To Daddy is a finalist, applauded for its characterful chamber orchestra score which balances intrigue, knife-edge tension, and mayhem, enhancing the unpredictable storyline that unfolds as a son reunites with his estranged father in a remote location.

Also a former finalist and winner, Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper is known for his playful, innovative scores, and this year’s nomination is no different. The Legend of Baron To’a is a Kiwi-Polynesian action comedy which finds pathos in amongst the exceptionally choreographed and shot fight scenes, and Bridgman-Cooper’s music gives it extra punch and energy, with touches of island inspiration.  

The judges for the 2020 APRA Screen Awards were: Amanda Brown, Janet Roddick, Rhian Sheehan, and Tom McLeod.

The awards are proudly supported by NZ On Air.

NZ ON AIR AND TE MĀNGAI PĀHO ANNOUNCE WAIATA TAKITAHI – A NEW SINGLE-BASED MUSIC FUNDING ROUND

Irirangi te Motu/NZ On Air and Te M​ā​ngai Pāho are proud to announce their first ​official music funding ​collaboration, with the launch of ​Waiata Takitahi​focused on songs featuring te reo Māori.

​The ​music funding initiative, which ​opens in ​Whiringa-ā-nuku​ (October) will be seeking new songs that incorporate te reo Māori lyrics with a minimum of 25% te reo Māori content. The fund will be open to musicians from all backgrounds who have a genuine interest in writing and recording ​waiata​ ​integrating​ ​te reo Māori​, with an eye to distribution across​ mainstream audiences via online and broadcast platforms. 

The ​Waiata Takitahi f​unding amount is $14,000 (+ GST) per track, ​which can cover costs of recording, video content and promotion, ​and also be used to​ cover costs of te reo specialists or coaches to assist with the writing and recording of the songs. 

NZ On Air and ​Te Māngai Pāh​o expect to be able to support up to 12 new songs in this inaugural Waiata Takitahi​ funding round. The grant also incorporates the new Artist Creation Fee of up to $1,000 (optional) to recognise the artists creation of the original song. 

There will be high expectations ​placed on​ the quality of te reo to be used in the funded songs, and te reo Māori consultants and​ language experts must be engaged to ensure quality control and the contextual relevance in the tracks. 

NZ On Air’s Head of Music David Ridler says this focus round of funding is the logical next step in the collegial relationship with ​Te Māngai Pāho.​ “We have been actively looking for a way to work together in an official capacity to work on a common goal – break more local music incorporating te reo Māori into the mainstream.” 

Te Mangai Pāho Kaiarahi Puoro Nadia Marsh agrees​. ​“Artists are driving the kaupapa, and we are in full support. ​The 2019 Waiata/Anthems project ​demonstrates just how effortlessly te reo Māori can be integrated into our nation’s everyday listening,​” she says.

Applications for the ​Waiata Takitahi​ round will open on ​22 o Whiringa-ā-nuku​ (22 October), with the deadline ​Rāpare, 12 o Whiringa-ā-rangi (12 November)​ at 4:00pm. Funding decisions will be announced in ​Hakihea​ (December). Applications will be online-only and will be made through NZ On Air’s New Music Single application portal – ​https://newmusicsingles.nzonair.govt.nz​. 

For more details on the Waiata Takitahi focus round including application criteria and an FAQ head to our website. 

National Waiata Māori Music Awards Now An Online Event For 2020

Organisers of the National Waiata Māori Music Awards have made the tough decision to move the 2020 event online, with safety of the people being the priority.

It comes after the Government announced Auckland will stay in alert level 2.5 for now while the rest of the country is likely to stay in alert level 2 until next week.

The awards gala event was due to be held on October 2 in Hawke’s Bay.

Traditionally, a large number of guests and finalists would come from all over Aotearoa, as well as some from overseas.

National Waiata Māori Music Awards Executive Director Ellison Huata said there would still be an awards event for 2020, an online version, to be held at the later date of October 9.

“We’re about to announce the finalists for this year’s awards and we still want to have an event to let people know who the winners for 2020 are and to celebrate our Māori artists and music in what has been a very difficult year.

“We plan to run it as an online, virtual event but still have a presence at Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre, the venue where we planned to run the awards event this year.”

Ellison said it would be a mixture of pre-recorded material and live performances for the virtual event which will be streamed online via YouTube and the Waiata Māori Music Awards Facebook page.

“We know a lot of people will be disappointed, we wanted this year’s awards event to be a positive way to bring people through the challenges of 2020.

“We were also looking forward to returning to Toitoi, the venue where we had our awards event in 2008.”

The awards event had been run at the Hastings Sports Centre since 2014 and then Clubs Hastings, while Toitoi was being redeveloped.

“We still want people to tune in to watch this year’s awards event, to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our Māori singers, song-writers and performers.”

TikTok Whānau Challenge

The change to an online event was made following the inaugural TikTok Whānau Challenge, an event to support Te Marama Pūoro Waiata Māori - Māori Music Month during August.

Māori Music Month is also run by the National Waiata Māori Music Awards.

People were challenged to come up with a dance, performed to a waiata by any of the many Māori music performers.

Ellison was happy with the results.

There were about 400 videos submitted and 540,000 views of the TikTok Challenge over the month which showed the reach Māori music had globally.

Six winners were selected who will now attend the National Waiata Māori Music Awards as VIPs in 2021.

“We know TikTok is really popular not just in New Zealand but around the world and so it’s a really good way to promote Māori music at home and to the rest of the world.

“We were impressed with the videos whānau submitted, with lots of creativity and humour to promote our Māori artists and songs.

“We had planned to have the winners of the TikTok Challenge appear as VIPs at this year’s National Waiata Māori Music Awards, but because the event is going online, we will host the winners in 2021.”

Ellison said the event’s TikTok host Te Atakura Huata-Harawira made a video compilation pulling together all of the winners of the inaugural Whanau TikTok Challenge.

“Every day we asked people to think about what was their favourite waiata, by a Māori artist and then to create their own video and dance to share, to celebrate Te Marama Pūoro Waiata Māori,” Te Atakura said.

“The response was really amazing, we had people not just from Aotearoa but also from Australia, America, Guam, from the UK, Canada and more.

“We had a few people from Italy jumping on board to support Māori Music Month and in the end got about 540,000 views of the challenge over 30 days, which is pretty amazing.”

There were also some people writing their own songs and performing to them on TikTok which added another dimension to the challenge.

“The judges were looking for creativity, for singers, dancers that supported the kaupapa.”

The list of entrants was narrowed down to 25 and from there six winners were selected.

Among the winners was Stephanie Awheto from Hamilton who said she felt “lucky to be one of the winners”.

“I'm a New Zealand Sign Language interpreter so all my content is in NZSL.”

She selected the Karakia Whakakapi sung by Maisey Rika for her waiata.

“I chose my waiata because my whāngai brother Patrick, who was deaf and I created all the signs for it.

“He passed in 2016 so it was a way to honour him as well as whakanui Māori Music Month.”

Dominique Smith, Auckland, entered the challenge because she wanted to showcase the outstanding music Māori artists make, both in Māori and English reo.

She enjoys being a TikTok dance creator and has recorded a few dances for songs made by the likes of Six60, Sons of Zion and Kingz.

It was her performance to a Sons of Zion song that caught the judge’s attention.

Miquelle Blake, from Flaxmere, Hawke’s Bay, wrote and performed an original song, Ko Tōku Reo, a blend of Māori proverbs and her own thoughts.

“I love being Māori and am very proud to be part of Māori Music Month and seeing our language thrive,” Miquelle said.

Te Atakura Huata-Harawira said it was great to see how people got involved to champion Māori Music Month.

“It was a great way to support our Māori artists and whānau during this crazy time,” Te Atakura said.

“Music gives so much to the mind, body and soul and its one reason for this we should celebrate our own during this month of August.”

We would also like to congratulate all of the Māori artists who released new work during the Te Marama Pūoro Waiata Māori - Māori Music Month.

“To all our TikTok Whānau Challenge entrants, thank you for supporting our Māori artists and sharing their waiata with your awesome TikTok moves,” Te Atakura said.

The other winners of the Whānau TikTok Challenges included Tarsh Green from Hamilton, Manaia Canterbury from Hastings, Miquelle Blake and Micheal Kenny from Huntly.

National Waiata Māori Music Awards 2020

• August 1-31: Te Marama Pūoro Waiata Māori – Māori Music Month

• August 1: Nominations open for National Waiata Māori Music Awards.

• August 31: Nominations close.

• September 17: Finalists announced.

• October 9: Winners announced at the National Waiata Māori Music Awards online event.

E TŪ WHĀNAU SONG COMPETITION INSPIRES POSITIVE CHANGE

Entry to the fifth annual E Tū Whānau Song Competition 2020 is now open!

The competition is being run online via the E Tū Whānau Facebook page in conjunction with the network of 21 Māori Radio Stations throughout New Zealand.

Entrants are asked to enter original songs inspiring positive change and incorporating at least one of E Tū Whānau six values (Aroha, Whanaungatanga, Whakapapa, Mana/Manaaki, Kōrero Awhi, Tikanga). Entry closes on Sunday 18th October 2020 at noon.

There are two entry categories and prizes will be awarded by judging. Judges will be announced in due course.

·       OPEN ENTRY [Any age] – Cash Prizes – 1st $5000, 2nd $2000, 3rd $1500

·       RANGATAHI [16 years and under] – Gift cards – 1st $750, 2nd $500, 3rd $250

Rangatahi entries will also be automatically entered into the Open Entry category.

Ann Dysart, Kaiwhakahaere for E Tū Whānau, encourages everyone to have a go.

“This is an opportunity for our talented songwriters to share their ideas and experiences of the E Tu Whanau values through song. They are values that people know and live every day. We have had so many creative, moving and insightful songs over the four years we have run the competition.

“As we all face the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic together, we need mana manaaki, aroha and korero awhi more than ever before. All our values help us navigate this new world.”

Competition organiser Teresa McGregor of Māori Media Network says there’s room for everyone in this competition.

“It’s an awesome kaupapa and there’s great cash prizes to be won. Last year we received a record number of entries, not only from individuals and bands, but also whānau and kura groups.”

Entrants are encouraged to read the competition info and rules first before entering. Once approved, entries will be able to be viewed in the competition gallery.

E Tū Whānau is a movement for positive change encouraging New Zealanders from all communities to reject unacceptable levels of violence in Aotearoa by nurturing and celebrating the things that make whānau strong. No matter how big or small, we can all make a difference and be responsible for creating positive change.

ISOL-AID

New Zealand artists - The Phoenix Foundation, Anthonie Tonnon, CHAII, Wax Chattels, Purple Pilgrims, 

Mild Orange and Princess Chelsea - perform @ Isol-Aid Festival.

On 12 September seven New Zealand acts virtually head over to the land of giant marsupials and even larger rock formations to perform the first all Aotearoa segment of Isol-Aid. Tune in from 3:40pm NZ time and enjoy the unique and wonderful sounds of The Phoenix Foundation, Anthonie Tonnon, CHAII, Wax Chattels, Purple Pilgrims, Mild Orange and Princess Chelsea.

Described by ABC News as "the biggest thing in Australian music to come out of the lockdown”, Isol-Aid is an award winning online music festival and gathering space, where every weekend artists play 20-minute sets streamed live via their Instagram accounts. At the end of their set, each musician tag-teams the next artist to play, sending fans down a rabbit hole of new music discovery, community, and good feels. 

The festival was created in the days after the coronavirus pandemic reached Australia, when it became immediately clear that musicians and their teams would be heavily impacted by the cancellation of their shows and tours. At that time, it also became clear that the music community would have to disperse and could no longer meet up at small or large venues, record stores or festivals, to participate, support, buy merch, sing and dance to their favourite artists. 

Since the festival started Isol-Aid has seen artists such as Courtney Barnett, Julia Jacklin, Marlon Williams, Jeff Tweedy, Arlo Parks, Jolie Holland, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Faye Webster, Frankie Cosmos, Julien Baker, Disq, Black Belt Eagle Scout, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and many more play live sets. 

The NZ schedule for Saturday 12 September (NZT) is:

3:40 PM Anthonie Tonnon - https://www.instagram.com/anthonietonnon/

4:00 PM The Phoenix Foundation - https://www.instagram.com/thephoenixfoundation/

4:20 PM CHAII - https://www.instagram.com/chaii_music/

4:40 PM Wax Chattels - https://www.instagram.com/waxchattels/

5:00 PM Purple Pilgrims - https://www.instagram.com/purplepilgrims/

5:20 PM Princess Chelsea - https://www.instagram.com/wonderfulprincesschelsea/

5:40 PM Mild Orange - https://www.instagram.com/mild_orange/

You can view each performance from the artist's respective instagram accounts or from the Isol-Aid website https://www.isolaidfestival.com/

ANNOUNCING THE MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR THE 2020 SILVER SCROLL AWARDS

APRA AMCOS NZ are honoured to announce that Julia Deans is taking the helm as Music Director for the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Awards. The Music Director is responsible for all the performances throughout the ceremony (unexpected performances have become a much-loved part of the show) and we’re excited to see what Julia will dream up. 

As well as being an icon of NZ music as both the front woman for Fur Patrol (PS. Some exciting news coming from them very soon) and a solo singer songwriter, Julia’s work reinterpreting the work of others across stage and opera productions like Brel, Both Sides Now, and Cav + Pag - Two Tales, as well as collaborations with artists from across the genre spectrum, give her a unique perspective for the role. She’s been involved in the Silver Scroll Awards multiple times in the past both as a finalist and performer, and has some brilliant ideas to celebrate the work of our music whanau over the past year.

On the night the five Silver Scroll finalists’ songs, as well as the winners of the Maioha and SOUNZ Contemporary awards, are reinterpreted by different artists, bands, and once-in-a-lifetime, one-off collaborations. 

“The Scrolls MD job is one I've always thought I'd like to do when I grow up. Does this mean I'm a grown up now? So excited!”

The finalists for the APRA Silver Scroll Award were recently announced, while the finalists for the SOUNZ Contemporary Award and  APRA Screen Awards will be announced this Saturday 5 September , and the finalists for the APRA Maioha Award will be announced ahead of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori on Saturday 12 September.

All awards will be presented at the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday 14 October.

SILVER SCROLLS 2020 - TOP FIVE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

These remarkable songs were chosen as finalists for the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Award by New Zealand APRA members. The award recognises excellence in songwriting and has been presented for 55 years.

• Don’t You Know Who I Am, written and performed by Reb Fountain (Published by Mushroom Music) 

• Get The Devil Out, written and performed by Nadia Reid (Published by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Blue Raincoat Songs) 

• Glitter written by Stella Bennett, Joshua Fountain and Djeisan Suskov, performed by Benee (Published by Sony/ATV Publishing / Universal Music Publishing) 

• In The Air, written by Arapekanga Adams-Tamatea, Brad Kora, Stuart Kora, Joel Shadbolt, and Miharo Gregory, performed by L.A.B (Published by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Loop Publishing)

• Mighty Invader, written and performed by Troy Kingi (Published by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Loop Publishing) 

Reb Fountain’s sultry, singular voice has been intertwined in the Aotearoa music scene for many years, but the release of her third, self-titled album that hit the top 3 spot on the album charts earlier this year, has cast a wide alt-folk spell and seen her connect with a whole new audience both locally and internationally. Don’t You Know Who I Am is a swirling, smoky, heart-stopping ballad, providing an intimate yet bold exploration of identity, calling on the listener to “dig deep, wake up, open your eyes and beat your own drum” as Fountain explains.
 
Previously a top 5 finalist in 2017 for her song Richard, Nadia Reid returns this year with Get The Devil Out. From her recently released third album Out Of My Province, which garnered serious international acclaim, Get The Devil Out is a thoughtful reflection on reconciling past and present selves – “making friends with who I used to be’ she sings. Capturing a quiet but powerful feeling of open space, it starts gently, but builds intensity as Reid’s alluring, wise voice imparts the mantra – “they will never take it from me”.
 
It was only last year that Stella Bennett (Benee) along with co-writers Djeisan Suskov and Josh Fountain, took out a top five spot with Soaked.  Now they’ve rolled right back in with Glitter, from her 2019 international hit EP Fire on Marzz. An easy-going pop-ode to the people you still want to party with after everyone else has left, it’s an aural evocation of slow turning glitter balls throwing multi-coloured circles of light around a room. Pairing Bennett’s wonderfully mischievous yet husky voice with the sunny, confident sound of Fountain and Suskov’s production, it highlights a seductive rhythmic playfulness that also manages to create a mellow post-party vibe.
 
Back in March L.A.B became the first local independent act to have a song hit #1 in NZ since 2012. A laid-back reggae and blues groove, In The Air showcases L.A.B’s talent for a catchy melody, and spent three weeks in that top chart spot. Combining vocalist Joel Shadbolt’s remarkable crooner skills with guest vocalist Lisa Tomlins, the song manages to be both a slow-burning nostalgic love song, and an old school dance floor spinner that also owes its success to the tight instrumental interplay between Brad Kora (drums), Stu Kora (guitar, keys), Ara Adams-Tamatea (bass), and Miharo Gregory (keys).
 
In 2018, Troy Kingi was a finalist for his song Aztechknowledgey, and this year he is once again in the top five for his compelling track Mighty Invader. From his 2019 reggae album Holy Colony Burning Acres, it’s an incredible, clear-eyed work exploring the painful legacy of colonization. It provides a visceral picture of Captain Cook’s arrival in the pacific, and the muddy oppression of indigenous people that followed, woven into Kingi’s smooth vocals, Marika Hodgson’s wonderfully melodic basslines, and rousing horns from Guy Harrison.
 
You can read about the history of the APRA Silver Scroll Award here.

The other awards presented on the night are:
 

• APRA Maioha Award, celebrating exceptional waiata featuring te reo Māori

• SOUNZ Contemporary Award - Te Tohu Auaha, celebrating excellence in contemporary composition

• APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award

• APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award
  
  

All awards will be presented on Wednesday 14th October.
 
The awards are proudly supported by NZ On Air.

AUDIENCE SONG helps emerging songwriters connect with their audience and tell uplifting stories during COVID-19

Eight songwriters from around Aotearoa are taking part in a new collaborative online creative project turning our countries personal stories into songs.

Song Conversations Co-Founder, Kiri Eriwata, says AUDIENCE SONG supports newly established songwriters to connect and grow their audience despite the uncertainty communities across the country are facing.

“Due to COVID restrictions, the live music scene has had to rapidly adapt, with more musicians connecting online with their audience. This is an online project designed to nurture each songwriter’s individual journey through online collaboration, peer support and professional marketing assistance,” she says.

Each songwriter brings different interests and life experiences, ensuring a range of audiences and communities can connect with them and have their stories told.

The eight songwriters include:
● Grace Duncan, Alt-folk songwriter based in Paraparaumu/Kapiti
● Isla, Indie songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Callum Lee, Eclectic nostalgic songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Eli Moore, Indie jazz songwriter based in Kaitaia
● Odds & Ends, Upbeat indie pop rock band based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Steve Tofa, Blues songwriter based in Kirikiriroa
● Em Joy, Folk songwriter based in Ōtautahi
● Brayden & Leea, versatile duo bridging styles from pop rock to Musical Theatre based in Tāmaki Makaurau)

“By the end of this project, each songwriter will have grown their online audience and gained a sense of belonging within a supportive songwriting collective,” Eriwata says.

People are now invited to submit their stories via www.songconversations.com/audience-songEight stories will be selected and the songwriters will then have three weeks to write and record their song before a web-showcase on Wednesday 30 September. 

For more information visit www.songconversations.com