2021 BAYSTING PRIZE FOR CHILDREN’S CHAMPION GOES TO: WHAT NOW!

In 2019, APRA AMCOS NZ announced a new award to be presented at the New Zealand Children’s Music Awards. The Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion is in honour of the late Arthur Baysting - a well-known children’s author, songwriter and advocate who has championed children’s content creators in Aotearoa on behalf of our tamariki, working to provide kiwi kids with accessible art of all varieties that reflects their home and culture, while also inspiring and educating.

The Baysting Prize is presented to an individual, group, or organisation each year who has made a significant and outstanding contribution to the development and wellbeing of New Zealand children, through the creation of or support for music, TV programmes, films, live shows, books, education, or advocacy.

In 2021, the Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion is going to What Now.

“We are thrilled that in their 40th year of production we can recognise the awesomeness that is What Now. We believe that for generations of kids in Aotearoa, What Now has been an enormous source of fun, gunge, and laughter!” says APRA AMCOS Head of NZ Operations Anthony Healey.

“It’s given New Zealand children an incredible sense of community and togetherness across the whole country each week and it’s showcased amazing music and talented artists, told inspirational stories and developed incredible role models.

“What Now has given our tamariki a beautiful appreciation and exposure to te reo Māori and our unique kiwi culture and sense of humour. It is both irreverent and educative. These are all qualities that Arthur Baysting held close to his heart, and displayed himself, throughout his life.”

Congratulations to the What Now team, past and present, Whitebait Productions, TVNZ, and everyone who has been involved over the past 40 years on such a fantastic achievement.

The award will be formally presented at the NZ Children’s Music Awards on Sunday 16 May at Tuning Fork, Spark Arena.

Announcing the Aotearoa Sync-Posium

Aotearoa’s first annual music for screens ‘SYNC-POSIUM’ will bring together international music supervisors in film, gaming, TV and advertising together with musicians, songwriters and composers at Auckland’s Roundhead Studios on June 15th-18th 2021.

The SYNC-POSIUM is organised by acclaimed music supervisor Karyn Rachtman and music producer Greg Haver and will cover all areas of writing and placing music in film, TV, games, and associated media. 
 
Academy Award-winners Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) and Andrew Adamson (Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia) will appear at the event along with composers and artists who have cracked the code at synching their music to screen.   
 
The first two days will be comprised of informative panels, interviews, and discussions about scoring, songwriting and licensing your music globally.  
 
Among the many international speakers and panellists who will be joining virtually are:  

• Steve Schnur - Worldwide Executive President of Music at EA Games

• Mary Ramos - Music Supervisor (Kill Bill, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood)

• Daniel Cross - Adidas Global Music Manager & Brand Music Supervisor

The third and fourth days will feature writing and recording workshops in which participants will have an opportunity to write to brief, score demos, write songs, and learn how to properly submit their catalogue, culminating with a listening session where music supervisors and industry insiders can share feedback and insight.

On hand throughout the day will be mentor songwriters and composers with experience in licensing and creating music for screen: Sam Scott (composer) Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper (composer) Chantal Claret (artist / songwriter) Chaii (artist / songwriter) Peter van der Fluit (composer). Music Supervisors Karyn Rachtman and Amine Raimer will also be present to give their feedback.

Attendance is by application only. Space for the workshops will be limited.

Attendance to the event is free thanks to our industry sponsors: NZ Music Commission, NZ On Air, Recorded Music NZ, Auckland UNESCO City of Music, APRA AMCOS NZ, SAE Creative Media Institute and Music Producers Guild NZ.

A full timetable of speakers, panellists, and workshop leaders will be posted in the lead-up to the event. For more information email contact@mindyourmusic.com

NZ MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY BACK IN 2021 TO SUPPORT MUSICHELPS

NZ Music T-Shirt Day returns this May to close NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro O Aotearoa with a nationwide celebration of local music and how it can make a positive difference in our lives.

NZ Music T-Shirt Day aims to raise funds for MusicHelps, a charity launched to assist those working in the music industry in Aotearoa and those who use music to help the most vulnerable in our communities through projects that use the power of music to help and heal. The foundation aids everyone in the industry, from the musicians to crew and everyone in between, who work tirelessly to bring Kiwis the music they love. This year, NZ Music T-Shirt Day is taking place on Friday 28th May, with Kiwis encouraged to don their favourite Kiwi band or artist t-shirt and make a donation to support the cause.

NZ Music T-Shirt Day was launched in 2019 around the New Zealand Vodafone Music Awards, and was brought forward to May in 2020 to support those impacted by the loss of touring due to Covid-19. Thanks to last year’s event, thousands of dollars were raised to aid those who lost their incomes due to the inability to work during the pandemic.

Now that local touring is back in New Zealand, this year’s funds will primarily go towards funding mental health facilities for those in the industry and supporting community based projects. On last year’s impactful fundraiser, P Digsss of Shapeshifter: “Covid-19 really hit all areas of the live music industry hard. No shows, no work. Through their wellbeing and grants programmes, MusicHelp was a lifeline for many in the industry. NZ Music T-Shirt Day is a great way for everyone to not only show their support of music in Aotearoa, but also the work MusicHelps does.”

This May, Kiwis are encouraged to dig out their favourite NZ music t-shirt and support the cause by texting MUSIC to 2448 to make a $3 donation to the MusicHelps fundraiser. Urge others around you to support by rallying a team in your workplace, school, whānau or friends! Share the love on your social networks and your followers will be able to donate to your team and earn you a place on the Honour Roll. Find out more about creating a team over on the NZ Music T-Shirt Day website.

One of the many artists affected in Aotearoa due to Covid-19 was Fran Kora, from muchloved Kiwi band Kora, who commented: “In the live music industry, gigs are the rewana and butter for everyone involved. No gigs! No money! Everyone loses! As Covid-19 shocked the world, musicians, crew, venues, agents, festivals, and a whole lot of people that work in the live music industry were immediately affected. Thankfully, MusicHelps has been supporting those affected both mentally and financially through Covid-19 and continue to do charge on. So on May 28th, we want you to wear your Music T-shirt and donate to a great cause.”

Don’t have a Kiwi band shirt at the ready? Check out the incredible array of local artists selling merchandise here: https://www.nzmusictshirtday.org.nz/t-shirts-and-merchandise

BIGSOUND Is Returning in 2021 as a Three-Day Physical Festival

The southern hemisphere’s biggest new music festival and industry gathering BIGSOUND is back for its 20th year in Brisbane from Tuesday the 7th to Thursday the 9th of September.

The music industry’s leading players will gather at the BIGSOUND Conference to grapple with the big issues, laying out a roadmap for a future that addresses: changing industry and audience dynamics, post-COVID business transition, gender equality and safety, cultural change, inclusivity and innovation, international economics and domestic politics.

Some 150 artists, including a contingent of New Zealand acts, showcase their talent at the BIGSOUND Festival in venues across the festival in the Fortitude Valley live music precinct from Tuesday - Thursday night with special events including the BIGSOUND First Nations Showcase.

Applications for artists to perform are now open and close at 11:59pm on Friday 28 May. To apply head to https://www.bigsound.org.au/music-festival/apply.

New Zealand acts who have performed at BIGSOUND in years gone by include Aldous Harding, Anthonie Tonnon, The Beths, CHAII, Estère, Fazerdaze, Marlon Williams, Merk, Mermaidens, The Naked and Famous, Wax Chattels, Yumi Zouma and many more.

This year's event will welcome tastemakers from across Australia and New Zealand including media, A&R, agents, promoters, music supervisors, buyers and so much more. And for national and international industry and delegates who cannot physically attend, BIGSOUND will also be accessible online.

More information can be found at https://www.bigsound.org.au/

Information regarding the Outward Sound Delegate Grants for BIGSOUND will be announced in coming weeks.

40th ANNUAL MLT SONGWRITING AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Event Details: 7pm, Thursday 3rd June, 2021

Tickets: https://www.nzcountrymusicawards.co.nz/attend

With just 5 weeks till their much-loved event, the NZ Country Music Awards are proud to announce the Top 10 finalists of the MLT Songwriting Awards; an award that celebrates the unrecorded songs of NZ & Australia. The annual NZ Country Music Awards are held in Gore and recognise the best of the broad genre of Country Music in the Southern Hemisphere. Audiences who gather in the South each June witness the announcement of the Tui for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Artist, APRA Best Country Song and the MLT Songwriting Award Winner with performances from the finalists for all three awards.

Jeff Rea, Chairman of the NZ Country Music Awards Committee and the first ever MLT Songwriting Awards Winner (1980), is excited to be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Awards with a finalist list of world-class songs.

“I’m amazed at the ever increasing standard of songs entered in the MLT NZ Songwriting Award and this year with close to record high entries of 117, we can’t wait to hear the top 10 finalists perform their song on the theatre stage,” (Jeff Rea, NZ Country Music Awards Chairman)

The Official Top 10 Finalists for the 2021 MLT Songwriting Awards are:

• Look But Don’t Touch – Marian Burns (Auckland)

• Gonna Turn – Nicky Moran (Hamilton)

• If You Were a Bird – Jenny Mitchell (Gore)

• Imperfect Lovers – Mia Jay (Napier)

• Trouble Finds a Girl – Jenny Mitchell (Gore), Tami Neilson(Auckland), Chris Wethey (Christchurch) and Tali Enjalas Jenkinson (Christchurch)

• Old Bones and New Strings - Carylann Martin (Otaki)

• Alexandra Road – Chad Robinson (Queenstown)

• What It Does – Michael Young (Auckland) Dixie Dolejs(Auckland)

• Downsizing – Eric Reid (Pelican Waters, Australia)

• Tired as a Possum – Ron Mitchell (Gore)

The NZ Country Music Awards are delighted to be nearing a sold out theatre for their event and welcome and encourage music lovers of all ages to secure their seats as soon as possible.

Budding songwriters of all experience levels are also invited to attend the MLT Songwriting Seminar on Thursday 3rd June (10am – 2.30pm). The Seminar will feature guest speakers Ant Healy (APRA), Country Music superstar Kaylee Bell and award winning folk songwriter Jenny Mitchell.

REB FOUNTAIN wins 2021 Taite Music Prize

PLUS fuzzy doo-wop group Na Noise; the visionary Pātea Māori Club; and Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest were all honoured at tonight’s Taite Music Prize ceremony.

Tonight, the winner of the 2021 Taite Music Prize which highlights outstanding New Zealand albums released in the past year was awarded to Reb Fountain for her critically praised self-titled album released on Flying Nun Records.

The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut went to Na Noise for their debut album Waiting For You released on the independent Tāmaki Makaurau label 1:12 Records.

The Independent Music NZ Classic Record award was presented to Patea Māori Club for their groundbreaking single 'Poi E' released in 1983 on Maui Records.

The Independent Spirit Award was granted to Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest for their contribution to music through 33 years of motivating young musicians and helping them to develop their talent and creativity, musicianship, and performance skills.

Dylan Pellett, General Manager Independent Music New Zealand says, "It’s astounding to me that we can celebrate together tonight and show off the talented artists that live and create in Aotearoa. What a privilege to present this event on behalf of our membership and the wider music community. Top work everyone!"

The 2021Taite Music Prize was held at Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau and featured performances by Troy Kingi, Patea Māori Club and Na Noise performing Reb Fountain’s song 'Faster' from the prize-winning album.

The prestigious ceremony was hosted by 95bFM's Sarah Thomson with awards presented by Julia Deans and Anna Coddington. The event was attended by 400 industry, media, and artists from across the country and was a spectacular celebration of outstanding creative works made in Aotearoa.

2021 Taite Music Prize - Reb Fountain

Reb Fountain is an award-winning songwriter, consummate recording artist, and performer; spell-bounding audiences with her music and artistry alike. In May 2020, Reb Fountain released her self-titled album to critical and popular acclaim through iconic New Zealand label, Flying Nun Records. Reb Fountain's self-titled quickly sold out worldwide garnering favourable reviews and new fans both at home and abroad.

Says Sarah Illingworth on the 2021 winner "Reb Fountain sees its eponymous creator at the top of her game – or perhaps preparing to climb to new and headier peaks. The album and Reb’s path to releasing it captures the independent spirit championed by the Taite Music Prize while sparkling with the high caliber of production and performance that makes an artist a star."

2021 Auckland Live Best Independent Debut - Na Noise

Na Noise are the Thelma and Louise of modern DIY guitar-based music. They released their debut album 'Waiting For You' on 1:12 Records in November 2020. The long-time collaborators Hariet Ellis and Yolanda Fagan (both having worked together on BOZO, Vincent H.L, Echo Ohs and Thee Crockettes) have a rascally take on traditional song — with their new-old songs, the band introduce a new-old sound. Joined by multi-instrumentalist Christopher Varnham who provides organ, drums, and various other percussive elements, the three have cultivated a dark sound that is more carnivalesque than it is psychedelic.

Radio New Zealand's Charlotte Ryan comments "Na Noise captured me with their psychedelic, hypnotizing guitars and vocals. Their sound and vibe remind me of bands from the past, singing cool pop songs with warped vocals and dark sonic undertones. Their debut was impressive, I'm excited to see what they do next."

The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award celebrates the freshest talent of Aotearoa. Tonight, Na Noise took home a $2000 cash prize plus a performance or technical upskilling opportunity thanks to Auckland Live.

2021 Independent Spirit Award - Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest

The two founders of Rockquest Promotions, Pete Rainey and Glenn Common, first met while working as high school teachers in Christchurch. In 1988 they entered some bands from their school into a performance competition that a local radio station was putting on. They saw the kids really responding to the opportunity to play contemporary music.

The following year the radio station was unable to put the event on again, so Pete and Glenn decided to run it themselves. They saw the benefit in a platform for high school students to play live on a professionally equipped stage, expressing their talent and creativity all while developing their musicianship and performance skills.

In 1990 the competition went nationwide. Pete and Glenn applied for funding from the Government, which allowed them to roll out the competition out in 5 locations around the country - adding Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington, and Rotorua. The schools in the four new regions caught on really quickly, and it was at this moment they realised the competition could be big and sustainable in the long term.

Now with 40 gigs every year across the country, Smokefreerockquest has become New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, original music, youth event to give young musicians the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting, in venues from Whangarei to Invercargill. It has been a stepping stone for many of the country's most well-known and successful artists, contributing massively to the music community throughout Aotearoa.

Dylan Pellett, General Manager Independent Music New Zealand says “this award was a real blast for me - as I was performing in one of those Rockquest bands back in 1989!! So it felt really special to give something back to Pete and Glenn and acknowledge their contribution to the NZ music tapestry. And stoked that super-talented Julia Deans and Anna Coddington were on hand to present the award to them - amazing mahi!"

The Independent Spirit Award recognises and celebrates a New Zealander: someone who is passionate about NZ music; who's ahead of the game in creativity, diversity, and imagination; and has dedicated themself to helping artists and the wider music community to grow and find their own unique pathways. The annual recipient is determined by the IMNZ Board.

Patea Māori Club. Photo credit: Gil Hanly

2021 Independent Music NZ Classic Record - Patea Māori Club 

The Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award acknowledges one New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. These records, whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history.

The 2021 award was granted to Patea Māori Club for their groundbreaking single 'Poi E'.

Patea Māori Club’s 'Poi E’ lyrics were written by te reo advocate, linguist, and composer, Ngoi Pēwhairangi (QSM) and music by Dalvanius Prime in 1983, to encourage rangatahi to be proud of being Māori. A simple song with a catchy beat sung entirely in te reo Māori 'Poi E' has become Aotearoa’s unofficial national anthem, giving pride to generations of New Zealanders. 

Recorded and released in late 1983, the single spent four weeks at number one and a further 22 weeks in the music charts, which was unprecedented for a song in te reo Māori. As well as being a sensation in Aotearoa, the Pātea Māori Club received international recognition - touring the United Kingdom in 1984, playing at the London Palladium, the Edinburgh Festival, and giving a Royal Command Performance. Top British contemporary music magazine of the time, New Musical Express (NME), named ‘Poi E’ its Single of the Week.

In 2010 ‘Poi E’ was used in Taika Waititi's hit movie, Boy. This saw the song back in the New Zealand music charts. A documentary on the song was released in 2016,  and in 2021 - 38 years after its release -  ‘Poi E’ is officially being acknowledged as an important part of our rich musical tapestry as the recipient of the 2021 IMNZ Classic Record.

Jeremy Taylor from Slow Boat Records says "Poi E" single; an undisputed, stone-cold classic receives recognition for its genre-busting styles, its irrepressible spirit, and its huge contribution to a strong, independent musical voice" 

Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand’s most respected music journalists, the Taite Music Prize recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained in one recording. Reb Fountain also received a cash prize of $12,500, thanks to founding partner Recorded Music NZ and supporting partner NZ Music Commission.

THE NEW BLUE – PIXIE WILLIAMS REIMAGINED

The legacy of Pixie Williams, the evocative voice behind the number one 1949 hit Blue Smoke, continues with the reimagined album The New Blue, releasing Friday 9 April. Containing 11 tracks of reworked gems, recorded by a collection of contemporary Kiwi vocalists, the album celebrates the enduring yet brief singing career of New Zealand’s first number one pop song vocalist and wāhine Māori artist.

While Dean Martin famously covered, and had a hit, with Blue Smoke in 1951, a new generation of artists demonstrate that over 70 years later, the compositions remain as timeless as ever. The album includes the distinctive vocal talents of soul diva and te reo Māori champion Whirimako Black (MNZM),  acclaimed musician, producer and songwriter Anna Coddington and modern soul singer Louis Baker. New artists sing alongside the more established, with only the song to answer to – reflecting the priorities of the day when Pixie recorded Blue Smoke in 1949, fresh from hockey practice as a 20 year old. 

The project has been a labour of love for Williams’ daughter Amelia Costello, who in 2011 released the album Pixie Williams: For The Record.  This compilation of works set to digitally preserve the scarce collection of Williams’ 78rpm shellac single releases, the only format to remain from her original recordings. Costello explains how The New Blue began;

“I've always wanted to refresh the music with contemporary artists. I had started work on this when the technology made it possible to remaster the originals, which was first logical thing to do to save the music. The remastered album was so well received, it reinforced the interest in a reimagined album.”

Enter Mike Gibson, sound engineer to a wealth of local artists over the last three decades. Gibson restored and remastered the original shellac recordings for the 2011 release, and now returns as the executive producer and engineer for this new album. Gibson has constructed a unique production team with Riki Gooch (eru dangerspiel, Trinity Roots) and vocalist Lisa Tomlins (Fat Freddy’s Drop, L.A.B, Hollie Smith), who bring a refreshingly natural and effortless beauty to the production. “The key was stepping out of this modern world and allowing the space for each song to guide us,” says Gibson. 

Alongside a healthy collection of composer Ruru Karatiana’s works, the album features a tune by another great songwriter of the time, Sam Freedman; responsible for writing the iconic Haere Mai.  First recorded in 1949, and now reimagined and recorded in te reo Māori, Freedman’s Māoriland is a fitting bridge between eras, when recording in te reo would not have been a consideration.

The New Blue – Pixie Williams Reimagined

Saddle Hill ft The Victory Dolls

Let’s Talk It Over ft Anna Coddington

Ain’t It A Shame ft Whirimako Black 

Bellbird Serenade ft Rachel Fraser

Blue Smoke ft Pixie Williams, Lisa Tomlins and Kirsten Te Rito

Sweetheart in Calico ft George Rutherford

Sailing Along on a Moonbeam ft Amba Holly

Señorita ft Lisa Tomlins

Māoriland ft Kirsten Te Rito

It’s Just Because ft Deanne Krieg

Windy City ft Louis Baker

Audiences will have the chance to hear The New Blue in a live setting with Kirsten Te Rito, Rachel Fraser and Lisa Tomlins bringing these songs, supported by full backing band, to Dunedin as part of the Dunedin Arts Festival on 13 April. The show then travels to Wanaka for the Festival of Colour arts festival on 14 April.

The New Blue album and live shows compliment the 2020 documentary, Pixie – The Voice of Blue Smoke, which shines a new light on the story behind the iconic song. Director Daniel Mulholland states; "It's been a once in a lifetime opportunity to document this colourful time in Aotearoa's music history. To now hear the songs of yesteryear performed by today's artists is truly a blessing. The album and documentary will sit side by side as tribute to our pioneers and a showcase of the musical talent we currently have around us. Mauri ora!"

“Making this record has been a wonderful journey of revisiting the musical landscape of Pixie Williams and Ruru Karaitiana” states Gooch, “It has been musically fulfilling.”

The New Blue releases on Friday 9 April through Blue Smoke Records and is distributed through Rhythmethod. Pixie – The Voice of Blue Smoke is available to view here, and is also available on Māori TV On Demand.

For further information on Pixie Williams – www.bluesmokerecords.com

THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC NEW ZEALAND 2021 CLASSIC RECORD RECIPIENT ANNOUNCED: 'POI E' - PATEA MĀORI CLUB

This year, IMNZ pays respect to the Patea Māori Club
for their groundbreaking single
'Poi E' released in 1983 on Maui Records.

The presentation of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record award will be at Auckland’s Q Theatre on 20th April 2021.

Patea Māori Club’s 'Poi E’ lyrics were written by te reo advocate, linguist, and composer, Ngoi Pēwhairangi (QSM) and music by Dalvanius Prime in 1983, to encourage rangatahi to be proud of being Māori. A simple song with a catchy beat sung entirely in te reo Māori 'Poi E' has become Aotearoa’s unofficial national anthem, giving pride to generations of New Zealanders. 

Recorded and released in late 1983, the single spent four weeks at number 1 and a further 22 weeks in the music charts, which was unprecedented for a song in te reo Māori. As well as being a sensation in Aotearoa, the Pātea Māori Club received international recognition - touring the United Kingdom in 1984, playing at the London Palladium, the Edinburgh Festival, and giving a Royal Command Performance. Top British contemporary music magazine of the time, New Musical Express (NME), named ‘Poi E’ its Single of the Week.

This week, group member Maryanne Broughton remembers,"The release of 'Poi E' was a huge milestone for Māori music and was an extended dream of Dals’ and Aunty Ngoi's to get our language back out there, to encourage young Māori to be proud of being Māori. It actually wasn't popular with the older generation as it was not the traditional way of singing our songs but it was released at just the right moment, when young kids were learning and relating to te reo Māori via Te Kohanga Reo, and our teenagers were jumping on the break dancing craze. Singing 'Poi E' meant the kids were using our language every day."

In 2010 ‘Poi E’ was used in Taika Waititi's hit movie, Boy. This saw the song back in the New Zealand music charts. A documentary on the song was released in 2016,  and in 2021 - 38 years after its release -  ‘Poi E’ is officially being acknowledged as an important part of our rich musical tapestry as the recipient of the 2021 IMNZ Classic Record.