Stories
Articles by and for the arts sector in Aotearoa.
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‘I can’t keep trauma-mining’: Hina’s hot take on music and entertainment
Songwriter Amy Boroevich is done with emotional masochism, and has a new album. -
How NZ musicians turned The Great Escape into momentum
In May, 11 NZ musos performed at a professional festival showcase in Brighton. Luca George, LEAO, and Hemi Hemingway tell us how they made the most of it. -
'It's embarrassing and uncool and exposing and vulnerable': Greta O'Leary on being a fan
Musician Greta O'Leary thinks we don't fan enough, and that it could be the path to health, success, friendship and fulfilment. -
How could a venue operate without relying on bar sales? Notes from a community hui
Last weekend a hui at Neck of the Woods gathered people from across the music community to discuss operating models. -
'Pure distilled representations of the artists': Junny on the art she wishes she had made
Musician Jenn Tamati wants to pull off surreal unpredictability and cover a stage in soil. -
‘Taonga pūoro... is through everything’
A haerenga into the world of taonga pūoro and a birds eye view of recent resonations. -
The kids are alright: What the all-ages music scene has to show us
What if we decentred alcohol from our social infrastructure, and encouraged intergenerational unity? -
Thousands of NZ songs used in AI training datasets
Artists have not given permission or been compensated for their work, but do our copyright laws protect them? -
What Auckland grassroots venues need most right now
Rosetta Stone talks to Chlöe Swarbrick, Taylor MacGregor and Savina Fountain about the future of music infrastructure in the city. -
‘Shiny and professional is not necessarily musical’: Amelia Berry’s hot takes on production
Amamelia is back with a third album, and thinks that hi-fi music can be very boring. -
‘There are imperfections… little human moments. That’s the magic’: Just Janie on recording in analog
The new voice in retro-folk can’t get past the heydays of the sixties and seventies. -
One company dominates NZ’s live music scene – how do we encourage competition?
A US court found Live Nation and Ticketmaster used their monopoly to overcharge. Those same giants control major parts of Aotearoa’s ticketing, festival and events sectors. -
We asked disabled musicians what barriers they face. Here’s what they told us.
New research shows that while our music industry has made steps towards being more accessible and diverse, there’s plenty more to do. -
How to be a rockstar
The most useful and important things from the NZ Music Month Summit. -
‘It’s best to take a risk rather than milk a successful creation’: Mainard Larkin on success in primary school
The Auckland-based musician learned early on not to flog sequels for the sake of it. -
Turning up the volume on local music
Rachel Ashby from the NZ Music Commission tells us everything we need to know about Music Month. -
'We’re just trying to have fun': Rhyme x Reason, a pitstop for the arts.
At a time when the costs of touring can prove too great for many musicians to visit smaller towns, Rhyme x Reason is stepping up and providing a free venue. -
Her song features in Ryan Gosling’s hit movie, but Erima Maewa Kaihau was a star too
Despite the song’s popularity, most people know little about the woman credited with its lyrics and adapted tune, who had considerable political mana and used her music and voice to foster understanding between Māori and Pākehā. -
A decade of 'Zizz' at the Len Lye Centre
What was once called "an affront to the dignity and decency of ordinary farming folk” has become part of the New Plymouth way of life. -
Choir and kapa haka: A partnership since 1996
Musical titans Dr. Karen Grylls and Te Waka Huia will perform a blend of kapa haka and choral music two nights this week. Sam Brooks talks to Grylls about bringing the two together. -
Viral success on social media won't serve your art
Musician and accidental TikTok star Danica Bryant reflects on posting everyday for two years, losing sight of her intentions, and what having an audience really means. -
Indie venues to receive $100,000 of tech, plus the week’s arts news
Including the Ockham shortlist, the Taite prize finalists, a new festival, and new residencies. -
Shaquille Wasasala, a DJ who desperately needed a break
For many years she cultivated queer Indigenous nightlife in Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond. This year she took a break. What did it bring her?
