NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021- PROGRAMME AND SPEAKERS ANOUNCED

S @ SPARK ARENA & online – SATURDAY 29 MAY – 10AM TO 4PM - FREE

The NZ Music Month Summit provides useful, practical information for emerging artists and music professionals to grow and thrive in their careers. The MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission are pleased as punch to announce the full programme and speakers for this year’s event.

The theme for NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2021 is Access All Aotearoa: Great local music for all New Zealanders – in every place, for every age & in every genre this NZ Music Month. The NZ Music Month Summit is picking up that theme and will present both in-person and online, so you will be able to watch and participate wherever you are in Aotearoa. The stream will be available on the day through the MMF Aotearoa and Music Commission Facebook and YouTube channels, with online moderators to take your questions and feed them through to the live panels.

Alongside the live stream, this year’s NZ Music Month Summit will be held for a limited live audience at S @ Spark Arena – above the Tuning Fork – in Auckland. Tickets are now sold out for the in-person event, but you can still sign up to be on our waiting list at Eventbrite – click the link here. (No registration is needed to watch the live stream)

The programme & speakers for this year’s NZ Music Month Summit is:

10:00am - Welcome to the NZ Music Month Summit

10:10am - Here to Help (60 mins) - Representatives of the four main government funding agencies who work in music will give you the low-down on their programmes and application processes.

With Emily Crowther – Aotearoa Touring Programme Manager, NZ Music Commission; David Ridler – Head of Music, NZ On Air; Margaux Wong – Advisor, Funding Services & Hayley Dingwall – Arts Practice Director, Music, Creative New Zealand; Blake Ihimaera – Head of Content, Te Māngai Pāho; and moderator Yee Yang "Square" Lee (SquareSums&Co.)

11:10am - Check In with SoundCheck Aotearoa (30 mins)

With SoundCheck Aotearoa representatives and independent consultants Debbie Teale and Rachel Harrison

11:40am - Radio 'Round the Motu (30 mins) - Three short presentations about the best way to submit your music for consideration to be played on these three different national radio networks. 

With Blake Ihimaera - Te Māngai Pāho for the Iwi Radio Network; Josie Campbell - Radio New Zealand; Sarah Thomson - 95bFM and the Student Radio Network

12:10pm - 1:00pm – Lunch provided (Eat My Lunch)

1:00pm - On The Road (60 mins) - Touring in Aotearoa can take you to the far corners of the country, and there are audiences of every age for every genre. Our experienced panel will share their insights into booking a national tour to both the usual and unusual places.

With Emily Rice (Aro); Gussie Larkin (Banished Touring, Earth Tongue, Mermaidens); Lorraine Barry (Lorraine Barry Management - Dave Dobbyn, Tom Scott, VGB, Team Dynamite, Aaradhna); Ninakaye Taanetinorau (Tiki Taane); and moderator Jason Schroeder (OUSA Events)

2:00pm - You Can Make It Here (60 mins) - Hear tips of the trade from local music producers whose production careers aren’t limited by their location.
With Paloma Schneideman aka PollyHill; Te Whiti Swarbrick aka SickDrumz (Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Lil Wayne); Liam McAlister aka LMC (Rich The Kid, Mikey Dam, MELODOWNZ); and moderator Joel Tashkoff (Dominion Law)

3:00pm - NZMM Summit Mixer (60 mins)

A casual in-person opportunity to meet with other attendees and some speakers from the day's panels.

You can download a PDF copy of the full NZ Music Month Summit programme here.

NZ Music Month Summit speaker bios and info are available here.

The NZ Music Month Summit is presented by the MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS, NZ On Air and Recorded Music NZ.

REGISTER TO BE ON OUR WAITING LIST TO ATTEND THE IN-PERSON EVENT VIA EVENTBRITE HERE.

 NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021: ACCESS ALL Aotearoa – SAT 29 MAY FROM 10AM

NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021: ACCESS ALL AREAS

Access All Aotearoa

Great local music for all New Zealanders – in every place, for every age & in every genre this NZ Music Month

S @ SPARK ARENA & online – SATURDAY 29 MAY – 10AM TO 4PM - FREE

The NZ Music Month Summit is back for 2021 with a packed one-day programme featuring panel discussions and presentations around music industry topics and information. The Summit will be held live at S @ Spark Arena on Saturday 29 May with free attendance for registrants.

Presented by the MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS, NZ On Air and Recorded Music NZ, the NZ Music Month Summit provides useful, practical information for emerging artists and music professionals to grow and thrive in their careers.

The theme for NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2021 is Access All Aotearoa: Great local music for all New Zealanders – in every place, for every age & in every genre this NZ Music Month. The NZ Music Month Summit is picking up that theme and will present both in-person and online, so you will be able to watch and participate wherever you are in Aotearoa.

The live stream will be available on the day through the MMF Aotearoa and Music Commission Facebook and YouTube channels, with online moderators to take your questions and feed them through to the live panels.

Alongside the live stream, this year’s NZ Music Month Summit will be held for a limited live audience at S @ Spark Arena – above the Tuning Fork – in Auckland. To secure a ticket for the in-person event you can register at Eventbrite – click the link here.

Topics covered at the NZ Music Month Summit will include booking and promoting tours across Aotearoa, funding support for music from the government agencies, working as a producer with people near and far, an update from SoundCheck Aotearoa and more. Stay tuned for the full programme and speaker reveal next week!

NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021: ACCESS ALL AREAS

SAT 29 MAY FROM 10AM - FREE

Stars Are Born

The fifth Yami Sounz Summit, held in Lake Wanaka Centre during the weekend, showcased phenomenal homespun musical talent from Dunedin through to Kerikeri.

150 students over the 8th and 9th of May workshopped their song writing, production and vocal skills alongside mentors and tutors from L.A.B, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds, Sola Rosa, Sea Mouse and more.

Troy Kingi and Delaney Davidson were supported by a teenage band and a 22-strong choir led by Deva Mahal and Bella Kalolo. The next night at the Sunday Showcase, Shapeshifter frontman P Digsss alongside band-mate Sam Trevethick performed ‘One’ backed by a 20-piece YAMI student band and choir. The whole weekend has sent students, mentors and crew buzzing with renewed energy and aspirations for the future of the NZ music industry.

YAMI’s purpose is to facilitate a musical weekend that creates light bulb moments of inspiration to both students and mentors alike, the achievement of this Kaupapa coming to light is perfectly summarised by local mum Bridget Legnavsky about her daughter Zora’s experience. “I dropped Zora off Saturday morning all by herself with no musical skills but a passion to sing. At lunchtime I called and her comment was, ‘I'm here by myself but I am not alone… I have found my tribe’. The next evening I watched her stand on stage with a group of insanely talented mentors who helped her perform an original song that she was part of creating. What’s even better is the confidence she gained in herself and knowing that music will be a huge part of her life going forward.”

The not-for-profit event received essential funding support from the music industry, including New Zealand Music Commission, NZ on Air and Recorded Music New Zealand. Director Lynne Christie reports being “stunned and staggered” by the bravery and skill set of the participants, adding that it was fantastic to see a heightened level of collaboration between students and tutors from all around the nation.

Christie also adds that none of it could have been possible without the outstanding crew, technicians and volunteers who worked tirelessly (even on Mother’s Day!) to produce the top-quality weekend summit.

The next YAMI (Youth and Adults in the Music Industry) will be back MAY 2023. 

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.