WATCH THE SILVER SCROLL AWARDS ONLINE

Get your diary out, because APRA have a date for their 2020 Silver Scroll Award ceremony broadcast: Wednesday 28 October, 7.30pm, on YouTube!

Amidst the ongoing uncertainty around Covid restrictions, a couple of weeks ago they had to make the decision to host this year's Silver Scrolls Awards ceremony online. The great news is that means we can join them for the special live streamed event! They’ve been busy pulling together incredible performances and presentations which will be filmed around Aotearoa in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and they have come up with a show that is a beautiful reflection of our music community, which has had such a challenging year.

On Wednesday October 28th at 7:30pm, join them in a celebration of the incredible songs and songwriters that have made 2020 a special year for Aotearoa music. 

The five remarkable songs nominated for the Silver Scroll Award this year are:

• Don't You Know Who I Am, written and performed by Reb Fountain

• Get The Devil Out, written and performed by Nadia Reid

• Glitter, written by Stella Bennett, Joshua Fountain and Djeisan Suskov, performed by Benee

• In the Air, written by Arapekanga Adams-Tamatea, Brad Kora, Stuart Kora, Joel Shadbolt, and Miharo Gregory, performed by L.A.B

• Mighty Invader, written and performed by Troy Kingi

Alongside the announcement of this year's Silver Scroll winner, they will be presenting the APRA Maioha Award, SOUNZ Contemporary Award and the APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film and in a Series Awards. And as always, APRA are excited to share with you a very special series of performances of each of our five Silver Scroll nominees and Award Winners. 

Join them live on their YouTube channel on the 28th of October thanks to NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.

AOTEAROA TOURING PROGRAMME IS NOW OPEN

The New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka Aotearoa is pleased to announce the Aotearoa Touring Programme, which opens for applications today.

One of the initiatives in the Government’s New Zealand Music Recovery Fund, the Aotearoa Touring Programme is part of the Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture & Heritage led Arts & Culture COVID Recovery Programme, which is focused on the recovery, regeneration and revitalisation of the cultural sector.

Through the Aotearoa Touring Programme, the Music Commission will support both emerging and established artists to undertake tours of New Zealand, with a focus on projects which will take original, live local music to regions and audiences across Aotearoa. 

The Aotearoa Touring Programme is intended to help reinvigorate the live music sector and assist in the recovery from the effects of COVID-19 in the domestic touring market. This Programme will invest in national touring costs, to enable more New Zealand artists to grow sustainable careers and increase the access to live music for local audiences.

The Programme is a matched investment scheme, where artists (or their representatives) can apply for 50% of eligible costs for a New Zealand tour.

Music Commission Chair Victoria Blood said “Live music is a hugely important part of the cultural landscape in New Zealand and our biggest employer of music workers.  But in the COVID environment, people who rely on live music to make a living were the first to have to close their doors, and will probably be the last to fully re-open. Music makes everything better, and we’re hoping this fund will help make things better not just for our artists and the people and businesses that support them, but for all New Zealanders to get out and enjoy a wide variety of amazing live New Zealand music.”

Anna Butler, Deputy Chief Executive Policy and Sector Performance | Pou Mataaho o Te Aka, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage says funding New Zealand artists to perform live music on tour will allow certainty in planning and contribute to Aotearoa’s recovery from the impact of COVID-19. 

“We acknowledge the challenges Aotearoa’s music sector has encountered due to COVID-19. This funding will help get musicians back out on the road again, performing original live music to appreciative audiences.

As well as supporting artists, it will also benefit those involved with bringing tours to life – from venues to supporting musicians, security to sound and lighting providers.”

Click here for more information about the Music Commission’s Aotearoa Touring Programme. The first round of applications will close on Tuesday 27 October 2020.

Aotearoa Music Producer Series

Applications now open for the 5th New Zealand Music Producer Series - October 26 to November 6th, 2020.

Thanks to the ongoing support of our music industry partners: Recorded Music New Zealand; The New Zealand Music Commission; NZ On Air; SAE Auckland; Auckland Unesco City Of Music and the Music Producers Guild NZ, we’re pleased to announce the newly-titled Aotearoa Music Producer Series (AMPS) for 2020. This event builds on the success of the previous four New Zealand Music Producer Series public seminars and workshops. 

We’ve been proud to bring industry-leading producers including: Andrew Scheps, Sylvia Massy, David Wrench, Romesh Dodangoda, Gill Norton, Mark Rankin, Dave Eringa and Guy Massey to New Zealand for past workshops. The 2020 event will be a celebration of the incredible production talent here in Aotearoa.

AMPS will be running a series of 10 one-day music production workshops at Roundhead Studios, Auckland. These will consist of a breakdown of each producer’s multitrack recordings, discussion of production techniques and workflows, artist motivation, producer mental health and the ability to sustain a career, particularly due to the global impacts of COVID-19. This year’s workshops will be free to all attendees and places are limited so please book early using the link below.

PRODUCERS & DATES
26 Oct: Sam de Jong Little Mix, Muse, Lennon Stella, Noah Kahan
27 Oct: Josh Fountain Benee, Leisure, Foley, Mathew Young
28 Oct: Bic Runga Bic Runga, King Sweeties
29 Oct: Tom Healy Tiny Ruins, Finn Andrews, Trey Songz, Miss June
30 Oct: P Money Starley, Scribe, PNC, David Dallas
2 Nov: Devin Abrams Pacific Heights, Drax Project, Shapeshifter, The Adults
3 Nov: Estère Dalton Estère, Raiza Biz, Deva Mahal
4 Nov: Lee Prebble The Phoenix Foundation, Trinity Roots, The Black Seeds, Fly My Pretties
5 Nov: Simon Gooding Pink, Neil Finn, Drax Project, Mitch James
6 Nov: Rory Noble Kanye West, M-Phazes, Just Blaze, Church & AP

The workshops will take place at both level one and level two restrictions adhering to all corresponding health measures.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM

Terms and Conditions

•        Applications must be submitted by 5pm, Monday, 12th October 2020.

•        Three examples of production/engineering work must be submitted as part of the application. Submissions by link (Soundcloud, Spotify, etc).

•        Successful applicants will be informed by 5pm, Friday, 16th October 2020.

•        Travel, transfers, catering and accommodation are not included and are the responsibility of the attendee.

•        The Aotearoa Music Producer Series reserves the right to amend or vary the content of the series at any time.

•        By participating, attendees grant the Aotearoa Music Producer Series permission to use their names, photographs and video likeness for future promotion and marketing purposes without remuneration.

The Aotearoa Music Producer Series is presented by Recorded Music New Zealand with support from NZ On Air, APRA AMCOS NZ, SAE Auckland, The New Zealand Music Commission and Auckland Council / Auckland Unesco City Of Music and Mt Atkinson Coffee

NZ ON AIR NEW MUSIC DEVELOPMENT FUND

NZ On Air is pleased to announce a new funding initiative to support the development of new songs from emerging artists in collaboration with Aotearoa's music producers.  

New Music Development funding will subsidise the costs of production, songwriting and studio time to craft new songs and bodies of work. Experienced local music producers will have the chance to collaborate, produce, co-write and record new music repertoire from promising emerging artists. The new scheme has been devised through extensive industry consultation from experienced NZ-based international music producer Greg Haver.
 
The first round of New Music Development opens on 1 October (today) and will take applications from experienced producers intending to work with emerging New Zealand artists to develop a body work, delivering a minimum of three finished song demos. Grants up to $10,000 (+GST) are available for each development project.
The application deadline is Thursday 22 October. 
 
The guidelines for the October round can be found here. An FAQ on the New Music Development scheme can be found here. 

Parachute Producer Development 2021

Applications for Parachute Music’s 2021 Parachute Development programme are now open.

Responding to a need for industry pathways for emerging producers, the organisation launched the programme this year. Based out of Parachute’s Kingsland studios, the Producer Development programme sees up to 6 high potential young producers spending an intensive year upskilling in studio and being mentored by industry pros.  They will also collaborate with Parachute development artists and others from the in house artist community.
Their 2020 intake included Harry Charles, Carly Gill (Carlö), Christian Tjandrawinata, Parachute Artist Development alumni Jen Turner, and Sophie Bialostocki (Lévyne).
Parachute is now looking for their 2021 intake, seeking up to six young producers between 18-28 years of age for the annual programme. For more details, to apply, and for a detailed overview, head to parachutemusic.com/producer-development. 
Applications are open until October 31st, with the programme kicking off February 2021
Interested applicants can meet the team, find out more about the programme, and check out the studios at Parachute’s Producer Development open day:
Parachute Producer Development Open DayMonday October 19th4pm - 6pmParachute Music, 399 New North Road, Kingsland (Entrance around the back at basement level)
With thanks to the New Zealand Music Commission, Recorded Music NZ. Longview Trust and Creative New Zealand for their support.

Note: A selection of photos attached:

• Producer development Christian Tjandriwinata with development artist Kyla Greening

• Carly Gill with Possum Plows

• Harry Charles

• Jen Turner with development artist Lisa Hawkins 

• Sophie Bialostocki with producer mentor Simon Gooding

ANNOUNCING THE AOTEAROA MUSIC AWARDS

Sunday 15th November
New branding and spirit for New Zealand’s flagship music awards

Today marks the launch of the Aotearoa Music Awards, introducing a new era for Recorded Music New Zealand’s annual music awards.

Developed by creative agency LIKEMINDS in collaboration with specialist Māori concept and creative studio HAUMI, the Aotearoa Music Awards reinterpret what it means to be a Kiwi musician and artist.

Recorded Music NZ Kaiwhakahaere o Ngā Tohu Puoro o Aotearoa Sarah Owen says the decision to rebrand the awards aligns with continued efforts over the years to recognise Aotearoa’s tangata whenua and Te Reo Māori as the first language of New Zealand, as well as the importance of Te Ao Māori in our lives.

“Aotearoa is a land of diversity and stories, evoking people to share their experiences with us through music. Our artists are kaihanga of one of our greatest treasures – the music and songs that defines our lives,” says Owen.

“With the renaming to Aotearoa Music Awards and the kaupapa behind that, we are taking another step in bringing the awards back to the core of what they’re for: to celebrate, support and encourage the creative journeys of all our recording artists.”

LIKEMINDS founder and creative director Damian Alexander says the Aotearoa Music Awards acronym “AMA” (pronounced ah-mah) is an intentional reference to Te Ao Māori. We are embedding and acknowledging the indigenous culture of Aotearoa and the environment from where our musicians can flourish and prosper.

“An ama is the outrigger used to support waka during voyages across the ocean. In the same way, that Recorded Music NZ and the Aotearoa Music Awards support and celebrate New Zealand musicians and their work, as well as the support of the wider creative industry in Aotearoa,” says Alexander.

“We worked with Tiki Taane and Laughton Kora to create a bespoke musical score for the rebrand to bring the awards firmly back to the true resonance of this place we call home.”

Special 2020 show format

In addition to the new name and identity, the format of this year's event will reflect the importance of music and the wider community in times like these.

Hosted by The Project’s Jesse Mulligan and The Edge Afternoon hosts Sharyn Casey and Jayden King, the three and a half hour spectacle will feature 18 intimate performances from some of our most beloved musicians.

In addition to the 20 Tui awarded on the night, multiple inductees will be welcomed into the NZ Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa - honouring and celebrating our beloved musicians, past and present.

Recorded Music NZ CEO Damian Vaughan is pleased to announce the event will also be taking on a new form this year, with a renewed focus on the musicians and their craft.

“This November, we intend to not only honour and celebrate the spectacular music released over the past year but also highlight the incredible and important work of many of the individuals, organisations and initiatives throughout Aotearoa that are using music to unite and heal communities.

“We are honoured to shine a light on many of these organisations and their activities including our long-time awards charity partner MusicHelps, but also others such as Crescendo, Raukatauri and Girls Rock Camp who are using music to help our music whanau and heal our communities in this time of uncertainty.”

“The inaugural Aotearoa Music Awards will be an intimate reflection and celebration of the year that was and tell the stories of how our music community has navigated this unique and challenging year.”

The finalists and performers for the Aotearoa Music Awards will be announced on Thursday 8 October. The event will be taking place Sunday 15 November at Spark Arena and will be broadcast live on Edge TV & THREE.

Thanks to our sponsors NZ On Air, Te Mangai Paho, THREE, The Edge, Spotify, Hallertau, Young & Co, SkyCity, and GHD.

RDU 98.5FM Presents ZORZA

15 Incredible Acts, 3 Iconic Venues, 1 Big Party 
 

On Thursday 12th November, RDU 98.5 FM presents Zorza. For one night only, Zorza brings St Asaph Street to life! 12 Bar, Darkroom & Space Academy will play host to a field of grassroots musicians from Ōtautahi and Aotearoa. 

As pandemic rages around the world, we need the alchemy of local music, local hospitality and our local people to distract us, entertain us, connect us and provide a platform for the industry to flourish.

Entry gives the ticket holder the ability to move through multiple venues on the night, exploring different genres, tempos and mind-melting sonics. 
 

Fifteen New Zealand acts will be performing at Zorza including:

Hot Donnas, Juno Is, Koizilla, Vincent H.L, Head full of Snakes, Internet Death, Liam K. Swiggs, Lucy Hunter, Marsha, Model Home, Mousey, Nervous Jerk, The Transistors, Too Woke for Toast & Toyota. 

 With support from Three Boys Brewery, PALS, C4 Coffee & Ecochem

With thanks to ROCKSHOP, PHANTOM, COSMIC TICKETING & NZ ON AIR
 

For media enquiries please contact Kendra Walls RDU 98.5FM via
admin@rdu.org.nz 

Apply Now for Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau 2021

E te tī, e te tā, kua tae te rā whakapuaki o te hui Tāmaki Makaurau 2021!

Applications are open right now!
For mentors & volunteers, campers and interns,
find out more at our website.
 

Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau has been helping young women, transgender and gender-non-conforming youth form bands, build instrumental skills, and write original songs since 2018, and now our 2021 program is set to be bigger than ever.

Held Monday 18 January to Saturday 23 January 2021, Girls Rock! is open to youth aged 12-17 years who are women, and/or intersex, transgender, or gender non-conforming. They’ll learn instruments, form bands, write original songs, and perform at a showcase, all guided by professional musicians in a women-led environment. Alongside collaborative learning, participants will take part in workshops about DIY merchandise, mindfulness, and performance skills. Each day they’ll enjoy lunchtime performances from local artists: the 2020 camp included performances by Paige, CHAII, Fazerdaze, and Nothing But Hole.

For 2021, SAE Creative Media Institute Auckland has partnered with Girls Rock! as our new key sponsor and will be hosting Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau at their SAE Auckland campus, allowing the program access to their state of the art recording studios and equipment. 

New Electronic Stream

Thanks to SAE’s generous support, Girls Rock! is able to offer a new 'electronic stream' for our upcoming program. Following the success of Girls Rock! Pōneke's Ableton and Soundtrap workshops, this stream will teach skills in digital music recording, composition, and production, bringing the sounds of hip hop, house, and electronic pop to Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau. With women making up just 5% to 7% of audio engineers and producers, according to reports by the Audio Engineering Society, Girls Rock’s new electronic stream and partnership with SAE addresses an important imbalance in NZ music.
 

Intern Program
2021 also sees Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau expanding our intern program; an important bridge between being a Girls Rock! participant to becoming a Girls Rock! mentor. Interns will develop leadership skills, attend industry workshops, assist with activities and gear setup, and shadow Girls Rock! staff and mentors. This is an exciting opportunity for women, trans, and gender non-conforming young adults aged 16 to 19 to act as role models and become a part of the Girls Rock! community.