DRM Appoints Andy Morris As New General Manager

New Zealand’s premiere digital distribution company ups-the-Andy for next phase of business development and enhanced client services.

 DRM announced today that Andy Morris has been appointed General Manager of the company. An experienced DRM team player and long-time 2.I.C., Andy Morris will succeed Andy Low and has assumed responsibilities as of November 1st, 2021. Andy Low has left the company to spend quality time with his family and their slew of puppies on a lifestyle property in West Auckland.

Andy Morris has been with DRM for five years, joining as Content Manager and quickly showing high enthusiasm for the work and clients, absorbing all the nuances of a tech company with a people-centred focus. Prior to this Morris received a Bachelor of Communication Studies degree from AUT in 2015 and has since achieved YouTube Certifications in: Music, Rights Management & Content Ownership. As such, Morris has been instrumental in the company attaining their A level status in YouTube ensuring highest possible returns for clients.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work side by side with Andy Low during the past five years I’ve been at DRM. Andy has been the best teacher one could hope for and a prime example of integrity above all. We’ll miss his sharp American humour and most importantly his enormous passion for DRM and our wonderful artists - a passion we will be carrying the torch for stepping into the future.  It’s a privilege to continue on with the legacy he has brought to DRM.” said Andy Morris

There is more behind the DRM magic than Andys as the talented DRM also consists of Danya Yang as Label and Artist Services Manager, Holly Kilmartin as Editorial along with Catalogue Assistants Claudia Paine and Josh Zhong.

Morris adds, “Despite the hurdles 2021 has thrown at the industry & Aotearoa as a whole, the future has never been so exciting for us all at DRM. This year we have welcomed more staff, forged relationships with emerging DSPs launching in Asia Pacific, attained the A-Tier status in our YouTube content management and most importantly released some bloody fantastic music. We are also giddy with excitement over the upcoming launch of our new DRM app, a renewed focus on direct relationships with our artists and an enthusiastic outlook to 2022.”

About DRM

DRM is a New Zealand owned and operated company specialising in the digital distribution of music audio and visual. Formed in 2006, the company has blossomed into a market leader holding the largest catalogue of New Zealand recordings and providing people-focused service to nearly 3000 clients across the motu. Annual audio streams for the past 12 months are over 550 million and YouTube views over 3 billion.

Having built strong relationships with the key decision makers at DSPs; digital service providers, (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube etc), the list of DRM’s achievements is vast from breaking new artists, reclaiming artists’ rights from pirates,  important back catalogue launches, debut album releases and more.

The list is long but the highlights reel includes; helping launch the careers of Benee and Broods, platinum sales for Kings ‘6 Figures’ and Lee Mvtthews ‘Takeover’, NZ Music Charts number one album for Tomorrow People (knocking Ed Sheeran off the top spot), Kaylee Bell on a Billboard in Times Square, Jawsh 685’s  career launch including digital rights management take-back from pirates and legitimising the launch of 'Laxed - Siren Beat' leading into Savage Love and Tom Scott (Avantdale Bowling Club, Homebrew) premium homepage takeover on Spotify for the extensive back catalogue + Years Gone By debut music launch.

Announcing the finalists for 2021 Artisan Awards

Recognising the success of Aotearoa’s behind-the-scenes music talent

For the sixth year running, Recorded Music NZ and Massey University will celebrate the unsung heroes of Aotearoa’s music industry at the AMA Artisan Awards.

The 2021 Artisan Award finalists and winners will be celebrated in a pre-recorded showcase made at Massey University and released on TVNZ OnDemand. 

The show will feature performances from Jaedyn Randell and Dream Chambers, The Nudge V Troy Kingi, and Ka Hao.

The five Tūi presented are:

·         Massey University Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa | Best Producer

·         NZ On Air Te Kiko Puoro Ataata Toa | Best Music Video Content

·         Te Kaipuoro Tāhiko Toa | Best Album Artwork

·         Te Kaipukaha Toa | Best Engineer

·         Kaiārahi Puoro o te Tau | Music Teacher of the Year

Alongside these five the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa will also be presenting the Recorded Music NZ Kaiwhakahaere Puoro o te Tau | Manager of the Year

Recorded Music New Zealand Kaiwhakahaere o Ngā Tohu Puoro o Aotearoa Sarah Owen says it’s been another challenging year for the creative industries, with COVID-19 impacting all aspects of Aotearoa’s hapori puoro.

“While this year has certainly had its challenges, it’s also been filled with success stories from Aotearoa’s music community. Everything comes together behind the scenes and we’re lucky to have some of the world’s best producers, engineers, designers, directors, teachers, managers and artists,” says Owen.

The Best Album Artwork finalists for 2021 are Amanda Cheng for her work on Wax Chattel’s Clot, Jaime Robertson, Matthias Heidrich and Andrew Spraggon for their work on Sola Rosa’s Chasing the Sun, and Frances Carter for TEEKS’ Something to Feel. All three album covers can be found here.

The finalists for Massey University Best Producer are Delaney Davidson and Jol Mulholland for Troy Kingi’s fifth studio album Black Sea Golden Ladder, Harry Huavi for his work on Team Dynamite’s Respect The Process.

Joel Little is the third finalist for Best Producer for his work on Noah Kahan’s ‘Part of Me’, Jarryd James’ ‘Miracles’, Tate McRae and Khalid’s ‘Working’, Imagine Dragons’ ‘Follow You’ and Vance Joy’s ‘Missing Piece’.

Jol Mulholland sees his second 2021 Artisan nod for Troy Kingi’s Black Sea Golden Ladder in the Best Engineer category, alongside Lee Prebble and Ara Adams-Tamatea on L.A.B.’s fourth album L.A.B. IV and Simon Gooding on TEEKS’ Something to Feel.

The finalists for this year’s NZ On Air Best Music Video Content are Alexander Gander for Georgia Lines’ ‘No One Knows’, Anahera Parata for Louis Baker’s powerful tribute to his late grandfather ‘Brighter Day’ and Connor Pritchard for MELODOWNZ’s ‘Money’.

Andre Ktori, Head of School, School of Music and Creative Media Production at Massey University says: “As always Massey University is proud to be hosting the Artisan Awards. Like so many in our sector, we have been challenged again with producing a live event this year but are pleased that our students, staff and industry whānau have all come together to create a show that acknowledges and celebrates the awesome talent here in Aotearoa”

This year, we will again be recognising the enormous impact music teachers have on the beginning of our homegrown talents’ musical careers and the foundation of their understanding.

The nominees for Music Teacher of the Year are Papakura High School’s Andrea Rabin, Hobsonville Point Primary School’s Jeni Little, while Gisborne Girls High School’s Jane Egan receives her third nomination for the award.

Finally, the three nominees for Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year celebrates the strong wāhine paving the way for their artists, with Cushla Aston, Lorraine Barry and NicNak Media’s Nicole Thomas and Paula Yeoman.

MMF Aotearoa chair Teresa Patterson says: “We’re so honoured to be presenting the 2021 Music Manager of the Year award with the Artisan Awards again. Our industry has taken such a massive hit this year, and music managers have been critical in helping our nation’s artists continue to create and their business to survive. This award allows us to recognise and appreciate all that hard work.”

The 2021 Artisan Awards are being pre-recorded at Massey University’s flagship recording studios in Wellington and will be available on TVNZ OnDemand at a later date.

2021 Artisan Award Finalists

Te Kaipuoro Tāhiko Toa | Best Album Artwork

-       Amanda Cheng – Clot (Wax Chattels)

-       Jaime Robertson/Matthias Heidrich/Andrew Spraggon – Chasing The Sun (Sola Rosa)

-       Frances Carter – Something To Feel (TEEKS)

Massey University Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa | Best Producer

-       Delaney Davidson & Jol Mulholland - Black Sea, Golden Ladder (Troy Kingi)

-       Harry Huavi – Respect The Process (Team Dynamite)

-       Joel Little – ‘Part of Me’ (Noah Kahan), ‘Miracles’ (Jarryd James), ‘Working’ (Tate McRae & Khalid), ‘Follow You’ (Imagine Dragons), ‘Missing Piece’ (Vance Joy)

Te Kaipukaha Toa | Best Engineer

-       Jol Mulholland - Black Sea, Golden Ladder (Troy Kingi)

-       Lee Prebble & Ara Adams-Tamatea – L.A.B IV (L.A.B)

-       Simon Gooding – Something To Feel (TEEKS)

NZ On Air Te Kiko Puoro Ataata Toa | Best Music Video Content

-       Alexander Gander – ‘No One Knows’ (Georgia Lines)

-       Anahera Parata – ‘Brighter Day’ (Louis Baker)

-       Connor Pritchard – ‘Money’ (MELODOWNZ)

Kaiārahi Puoro o te Tau | Music Teacher of the Year

-       Andrea Rabin (Papakura High School)

-       Jane Egan (Gisborne Girls High School)

-       Jeni Little (Hobsonville Point Primary School)

Recorded Music NZ  Kaiwhakahaere Puoro o te Tau | Manager of the Year (presented by the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa

-       Cushla Aston (Aston Road)

o    Louis Baker

-       Lorraine Barry (Lorraine Barry Management)

o    Sir Dave Dobbyn, Tom Scott, Team Dynamite, Aaradhna and VGB

-       Nicole Thomas & Paula Yeoman (NicNak Media Ltd)

o    Theia, Chores, Paige, Abby Wolfe, & Nganeko

MUSICHELPS COVID-19 DELTA HARDSHIP GRANT, OCTOBER 2021

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Carmel Sepuloni recently announced a further targeted support package of reprioritised funding to protect jobs and incomes in the arts and culture sector as it faces the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. This COVID-19 Delta Relief Package, managed by Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, included funding for cultural agencies to support at risk organisations, key infrastructure, artists, and projects.

In association with the New Zealand Music Commission, MusicHelps can announce the details of an emergency hardship fund grant in response to this continuing crisis, which has impacted the livelihoods of artists, and music workers across Aotearoa.

“People are at the heart of our music community and it is critical we do everything we can to support them right now when the need is so great” says MusicHelps Chair, Anthony Healey.

“We need to navigate through this current difficult period in the hope that there is a busy summer of music ahead. This support should help those who we will rely on to make that summer happen” he says.

The MusicHelps COVID-19 DELTA HARDSHIP GRANT will be making a $1000 rapid response grant available to people that are New Zealand citizens; who reside in New Zealand; who have been in paid work in the music industry for at least the last 2 years; and have experienced loss of income as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and cancellations. To assist MusicHelps with the assessment and review of the submissions, it will be useful if applicants can provide their confirmation of accessing the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy scheme.

The charity will be making 250 grants available initially, after which it will review the outcomes of the Fund to date.

MusicHelps is encouraging applications from the full range of music industry workers. Artists, roadies, riggers, technicians, crew, performers, songwriters, managers and anyone who has lost income from their work in the production or performance of live or recorded music in Aotearoa are invited to apply.

Applications for the grant can be made online from 9am Monday 1st November through the Music Commission application portal website. More information on the grant is available at this address and the MusicHelps website MusicHelps Covid-19 Emergency Grant

RDU 98.5FM celebrates 45 years - 1976 to 2021 Announcing new facility SALTBOX Studios to help foster Ōtautahi Musicians

RDU 98.5FM has been the leading music broadcaster in Ōtautahi since 1976. Championing our local and regional musicians by promoting their music, gigs, tours...and personalities. Traditionally only offering playlist outcomes for musicians, RDU plans to continue building capacity in its 45th year by embarking on a journey to open recording and production facilities only a stones throw from the station door.

Last year, The University of Canterbury executed a national survey through the Student Radio Network, to identify areas where our nation's musicians needed support. They included, building community, facilitating higher quality production values and education in improving capability.

And so for RDU, a purpose built facility connected to a broadcast platform was not only a logical step forward, but a necessity in this uncertain climate. RDU 98.5FM director James Meharry had a clear purpose in mind:

“Our motivations to build this facility and programme are driven by the needs we see around us every day. We must develop the capability of RDU beyond broadcasting. We know this is the right decision and the time has come to make our move.”

SALTBOX Studios will provide educational programmes, rehearsal spaces, a recording studio and spaces for creatives to connect and collaborate. RDU is set to launch a BOOSTED campaign in October and will be making lava hot noise to bring in support. All support will be channelled into making the studio fit-for-purpose.

THE BOOSTED CAMPAIGN: RDU 98.5FM is seeking support for our Boosted campaign. This is to set-up and fitout SALTBOX Studios. The Campaign will be running October 21st - November 18th. If you can help this campaign in any way, please make contact on the details provided below or head straight to the boosted project site and donate today!

https://boosted.org.nz/projects/rdu45

New Zealand @ Folk Alliance International Online Showcasing Opportunity

FOLK Alliance International

February 15-17, 2022

The Folk Alliance International Conference is the world’s largest gathering of the Folk music industry and community (crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Indigenous, Old Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter, and Spoken Word).

The annual February conference draws 2,700 artists and industry (agents, managers, publishers, labels, festival/venue presenters, promoters, media) dedicated to folk music. Delegates who attended the 2019 conference represented 27 countries including Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Previous New Zealand artists include Mel Parsons, Anika Moa, Delaney Davidson, Māmā Mihirangi & the Māreikura, Marlon Williams, Graeme James and Albi & The Wolves.

Introducing Folk Alliance International Spotlight Showcases

The 2022 Folk Alliance International Conference will be a hybrid event, with the in-person portion being held at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on February 23-27. The online International Spotlight Showcases will take place a week prior to the in-person event and will see live performances from around the globe.

New Zealand @ Folk Alliance International 2022

The New Zealand Music Commission is partnering with Folk Alliance International to present a virtual New Zealand Showcase. We will be presenting 4 artists/bands who will each get 14 minutes to perform a live pre-recorded presentation. We will provide each act with financial support to create their content. Interested applicants can apply through the form below. The final New Zealand lineup will be chosen by our partners at Folk Alliance. 

Link: https://nzmusiccom.formstack.com/forms/FAI22

Applications close November 22nd at 5:00pm.

First Artists Announced WOMAD NZ 2022

18 - 20 March, 2022
TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Park
New Plymouth, Taranaki

WOMAD 2022 Early-Bird tickets on sale now

WOMAD returns delivering world-class performers from Aotearoa,
for the award-winning three day festival.

For its 17th presentation in New Zealand, WOMAD NZ is back in full force with all of its eight stages that will feature close to 100 hours of music, with the diverse and rich range of talent that WOMAD go-ers have come to expect. Over three days of March 18-20, Ngāmotu's stunning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands will once again be transformed into a village of colour, energy and inclusion.

A unique opportunity has presented itself with the constraints caused by the global pandemic as WOMAD programmers have dug into the wealth of Aotearoa's musical talent to present a unique array of artists that will deliver the sense of discovery the festival is so well known and loved for. This first announcement includes a collaboration of New Zealand and Indian musicians, Shades of Shakti combining traditional Indian music and jazz. Festival favourites, Fat Freddy's Drop return for the first time in 12 years along with WOMAD first-timers; modern R&B extraordinaire, Deva Mahal and jazz-hip-hop mastermind Avantdale Bowling Club.

WOMAD International's Head of Programming, Paula Henderson says, "For WOMAD, we are usually very spoilt, we have the whole world at our fingertips in terms of programming. When we first thought about doing WOMAD with a mainly national event over a year ago initially, I thought no way… but, I was wrong. It will sound a little strange, but, although challenging (as there were no gigs to go to), spending hours scouring the internet to find new artists that would suit the festival has been really exciting and I am confident that we have a programme that our audience will be overjoyed with."

Fat Freddy’s Drop are excited for their return to the festival commenting, “Taranaki, we’re stoked to be coming back to perform our new and classic tunes under the watchful eye of the mighty maunga. It's been 12 years since we performed there, and even though we've played WOMAD around the world nothing beats Taranaki. Chur Aotearoa”

In addition to the musical line up, the increasingly popular offerings of the World Of Words stage and STEAM Lab return. Iconic kiwi artist, product designer and author, Dick Frizzell makes his performance debut at WOMAD. As does now household name, microbiologist and science communicator, Dr Siouxsie Wiles who leads the line up for STEAM Lab. Taste The World, Kidzone, and Te Pae Pae will also return with programming to be announced. The full artist announcement is scheduled for October 20, 2021.

WOMAD NZ’s Associate Programmer, Josie Hunter Annand adds “As a festival attendee next March, you can definitely expect that, despite the current global restrictions we’re all facing right now, WOMAD will take you on a journey outside of these confines, with a much-needed chance to reconnect to the people, places, tastes and sounds of our world, right here in Aotearoa!”

OUTFIELD MUSIC, FOOD & ARTS FESTIVAL 2022 - MUSIC LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT!

In the crook of Māui’s hook something special is cultivating. Stretching from the Tuki Tuki River to Kidnappers’ dramatic cliff faces, the Cape Coast is one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. Home to a thriving community of artists and artisans, worshippers of surf and sun, the coast is lined with laden vines to produce some of the region’s finest wines. It’s an eclectic place with curiosity and potential adventure around every corner. Venture into its rolling hills to discover a veritable eden, Te Awanga Downs, whose bucolic meadows play host to Outfield Festival - a celebration of music, food, arts and community.

Now in its third year, Outfield is evolving and growing into an experience to ignite the senses. Delivered with sunny Hawke’s Bay spirit, the festival prides itself on sustainable practices, care for the local environment, and the people who flock from far and wide.

Outfield’s headliner is Young Franco, the Brisbane producer hot on the tongues of the global electronic music scene and charming his way into your hearts. On high rotation across streaming platforms and Australia’s airwaves, he’s sold out shows worldwide, winning himself fans and friends wherever he goes. Bringing the crowd and building a vibe with smiling stage presence, epic jam sessions and fantastic original productions, Young Franco is one to watch.

Keeping it closer to home, Outfield presents Dunedin band The Chills, spreading quality original NZ-sounding, melodic rock music across the global stage since way back. The presence of these legendary staples of Kiwi rock on the Outfield main stage will thrill their ever expanding fan base and cult following. Fronted by the rare talent of Martin Phillipps and furnished with the highest standard of musicians, The Chills explode with essential consistent energy delivered with intensity and conviction.

Speaking of Kiwi upstarts, Outfield will also feature the dynamic hip-hop stylings of JessB, whose effortless stage presence and natural bars, rhythms and flows endear her to audiences everywhere. Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, she’s taken her initial momentum and whipped it into a whirlwind, making her a force to be reckoned with at home and around the globe.
Sourcing the best from the world stage, Outfield is excited to bring you Weird Together, a seamless blend of organic musical discovery and collaboration. With UK Producer/DJ Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson at the helm, curating and producing the group’s eclectic global focused sound, Weird Together will spread a smile across your face and get your body moving on the dance floor.

Other musicians on the Outfield lineup include; Shag Rock (Aus), Mermaidens, Eno x Dirty, Dolphin Friendly, Masaya, Body Ocean, Headland, Witters & MC Crafty, Halfqueen, Guardian Singles, O & The Mo, Arahi, Dateline, Hurricane Emily, Wattsson, Techno Tradie, Aunty El, Halps, Ruffhouse, Levi, Skye, Waja, Sammy W, Deep Fried Funk, High Rotation DJs, Sneeky, Larry Nobody, Snowjob, The Cellars, Danica Bryant, Atlantic Wave and Sindee Voo.

Outfield’s team are veterans of the New Zealand music scene, with over a decade of touring top notch international acts under their belts. Continuing their legacy of joy creation, they turned their skills to curating a festival experience at home that is uniquely Hawke’s Bay.

Set in the nation’s fruit bowl, they tap into the abundance of local producers to provide the finest craft beers, wines and artisan delicacies delivering a feast of quality food and beverage options for festival fuel. Drawing from the burgeoning local arts scene, the space is transformed into a playground of delights for the young and young at heart alike. With a host of attractions on its doorstep, including a world class golf course, vintage car museum, and the world’s largest, most accessible gannet nesting place at nearby Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, Outfield isn’t just a festival. For out-of-towners, it’s the gateway to an idyllic summer holiday in the bay.

Outfield’s gates open at 1.00pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022.

This is a family friendly, licensed All-Ages* event.
Grab your tickets from - www.outfieldfestival.co.nz

(*Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by parent or legal guardian.)

COVID-19 Financial Help Reminder

As we all head into another week of Level 4/Level 2 - here is a little reminder for all our members of what financial help is out there for your business and your artists business. This is whether you or they are self-employed, partnership, limited liability company etc

A third Wage Subsidy Scheme payment for eligible businesses has been announced and will open this Friday 17th September. This is because Auckland is remaining at Alert Level 4 (the Wage Subsidy Scheme is available to all businesses while any part of the country is in Alert Levels 3 or 4).

Businesses and self-employed people must expect a 40% drop in revenue to be eligible to receive the wage subsidy. 

The wage subsidy is paid in a 2 week lump sum. You can get:

• $600 per week for each full-time employee

• $359 per week for each part-time employee

A second round of the Resurgence Support Payment will also open for applications on Friday 17 September 2021. The COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment helps to cover wages and fixed costs for businesses who have been directly affected when there is an increase to Alert Level 2 or higher for a week or more. 

To be eligible, your business must have experienced at least a 30% drop in revenue or a 30% decline in capital-raising ability over a 7-day period, due to an increase in Alert Levels.

• You can receive $1,500 per business plus $400 per full-time employee (FTE), up to 50 FTE.

• The maximum payment is $21,500.

• If you're a sole trader, you can receive a payment of up to $1,900.

Businesses anywhere in New Zealand can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria.

You can apply for both the COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment and the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme if you meet all the eligible criteria..

This lockdown is really taking its toll on our wonderful industry and also on all of our mental wellbeing. Please remember that you, your crew and your artists are all eligible to use the MusicHelps Wellbeing Service for FREE. 

The Wellbeing Service offers free counselling sessions with trained counsellors available 24/7. You can contact them either on line at MusicHelps or via phone, toll free on 0508 MUSICHELPS