Interview
For GiGi Crayford (aka HINE), music is a way to connect and find belonging. Her recent EP, KA MUA KA MURI, was created over a three-year journey reconnecting with te reo Māori. Raised in a creative whānau with strong jazz lineage, HINE grew up seeing artistic expression as a
Culture
Making ends meet as an independent artist is no walk in the park - especially in 2026. The system has done us dirty. Once upon a time musicians were gods, hailed for our creativity and celebrated for our contribution to culture. And the world fell in line. Our work was sold
Interview
Local Dunedin heroes IVY have never shied away from expressing their opinion. They've recently released a track called ‘Gutter’ that takes aim at the frustration, disillusionment and anger surrounding a system that can leave people feeling powerless and controlled. With their distinct alt rock sound, IVY have become
Daily use of Spotify has fallen among New Zealand audiences, while new research from NZ On Air suggests there remains a significant appetite for local music – provided listeners can find it. The findings come from the 2026 Where Are the Audiences? report, conducted by Verian for NZ On Air. The
Kia ora and welcome to my personal newsletter to Empty Spaces readers. No frills here. In the following I'll include my favourite content from the website, as well as anything topical that's on my mind (be warned!). I'll write these every now and then
Many artists are aware of the change in landscape brought about by digital media and how it has pushed the majority of creatives to do a lot more than just make art. There is a growing demand for artists to not only stay relevant through what they create, but also
Nobody told me when I was starting out about the highest cost of being an indie artist in New Zealand. It's the hushed secret told behind closed doors. The opinion you dilute with an extra hot espresso and an inner mantra of "she'll be '
AUCKLAND, NZ - Independent music platform Empty Spaces has announced a new subscription model designed to strengthen support for local music journalism while creating a more connected and sustainable ecosystem for artists and industry. The Industry tier, priced at NZ$40 per month, is built for publicists, promotors, managers and labels
A new international study has found New Zealanders dream of becoming a DJ more than any other job. The research, carried out by Remitly, analysed Google search data across more than 140 countries, tracking how often people searched “how to be a [job]” to uncover the careers people are most
Fresh tracks, and the stories that matter in Aotearoa’s evolving scene.
Oni Kidman has always been around music. Raised in a creative family, she grew up surrounded by instruments, songwriting and opportunities to perform. Over the years she developed a love for the craft that has carried into her own work as an artist. Now, with her new EP If These
A lot of music released today is so meticulously crafted and intentional. More often than not created for user-appeal, accessibility and platform optimisation. These objectives bare their teeth in the form of the perfect gated snare, a song 3mins 28 seconds in length and a thrice repeated chorus with
Rhythm & Alps has announced its 2026 lineup, with a strong contingent of Aotearoa artists joining international headline acts for two days of music in Cardrona Valley. The festival takes place on December 30 and 31, with BENEE, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shapeshifter, NO CIGAR, Borderline, Powder Chutes, Where'
Since departing Aotearoa for Los Angles over ten ago, Leroy Clampitt has become one of the iconic producers and songwriters in modern pop music. Justin Bieber, Madison Beer, Sabrina Carpenter and Lily Allen to name but a few... Leroy has worked with them all. Now he's created an
Louis Baker announces a nationwide tour throughout October and November, alongside the release of his new full-length studio album on October 9th. A singer-songwriter and producer, Louis Baker is a Wellingtonian at heart who has thrived in both local and international music spaces. His previous works have made
For as long as I can remember, I've had a massive amount of respect for Estère. Her art is innovative and authentic, a unique expression of life like no other. Somewhere in the vicinity of soul, hip hop and electronic grooves, or as she calls it - electric blue
Going Global is New Zealand's annual international music industry event. Each year it brings some of world's most influential figures in A&R, booking, festival programming, label management, and artist development to Aotearoa to share their insights over two days of presentations, networking and artist
Daily use of Spotify has fallen among New Zealand audiences, while new research from NZ On Air suggests there remains a significant appetite for local music – provided listeners can find it. The findings come from the 2026 Where Are the Audiences? report, conducted by Verian for NZ On Air. The
Auckland’s Eden Park has been named one of the world’s top large live music venues by IQ Magazine, placing New Zealand’s largest stadium alongside some of the biggest concert destinations in the global touring circuit. The recognition comes as part of IQ Magazine’s 2026 Stadium Stars,
After announcing it's return for 2027 following a four year hiatus, boutique Wairarapa festival Tora Bombora has revealed it's full line up for the comeback event. Leading the way are a number of notable names - most prominently Dallas Tamiara from Fat Freddy's Drop who
Tiger Lotiss strikes me as someone who isn't afraid to be authentically himself. Over the past two years he's been releasing songs such as Corset Me Free, 3 Days, and Chameleon - building a back catalogue of music that is expressive and unique in a way that
Country is one of those genres that most people fall either side of the fence on. You love it or despise it. There is not much in between. Personally I've had a strong appreciation for the genre since I was young. Something about the emotive storytelling is captivating
