Newsletter
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
Industry
New Zealand artists recorded their strongest album sales performance in four years, according to the latest NZ Music Statistics report from the New Zealand Music Commission. During the first three months of 2026, New Zealand albums accounted for 9,840 units sold from a total market of 89,140 units,
Music
After months of regional events, Aotearoa’s next generation of musicians finally discovered who will head to Wellington for the 2026 Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats National Finals. For nearly four decades, Smokefreerockquest has been a hugely influential launchpad for young musicians. Founded in 1988 by music teachers Glenn Common
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
Six commercial radio stations have been recognised for exceeding the voluntary target of playing at least 20 percent New Zealand music during 2025, despite the commercial radio sector as a whole failing to reach the benchmark for a third consecutive year. Leading the list was NiuFM, which recorded 54.13
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
This may ruffle a few feathers. There have been a number of renown New Zealand music businesses closing their doors in recent weeks. Neck of the Woods and Flying Out Records to name but a few. It is sad, and each is a unique loss, impacting the fabric of our
Fresh tracks, and the stories that matter in Aotearoa’s evolving scene.
South Auckland could be described as being a little rough. It's reputation paints a picture of poverty, crime and culture, a mixing pot for expression in all forms. Emerging from the depths of Māngere, DeHusslar Music is an independent electronic and bass artist who's latest single,
New Zealand music recorded its strongest first quarter for streaming in four years, with local artists generating 226.8 million streams between January and March 2026. According to the New Zealand Music Commission's Q1 2026 NZ Music Statistics report, the figure marks the highest Q1 total recorded across
Every now and again a song comes along that makes your ears prick up. In the case of Beloveds, their latest single 'Bullshit' had this effect not because it does anything incredibly innovative, but because it perfectly captures an era of music that is oddly forgotten about - despite
Music can represent feelings that are not able to be expressed through language alone. And few experiences capture something as raw and meaningful as the road to recovery. For Christchurch artist Bryony Matthews, a traumatic head injury was a life changing event that paved a rough journey home. Her upcoming
Beth Torrance is about to release a new EP. It's darker, more distorted with that same brand of clever songwriting from previous releases. With the backing of a full band 'The Garden Party', the new songs are a glorious modernisation of indie rock in a way
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
The Boondocks are loud. So loud it's hard to believe there are only two of them. What's more is they play all the parts live. None of those pre-record filler parts. The good old days. Music that is actually performed live - like it should be.
Originally constructed in 1927, the South British Insurance Building is an unlikely location for an underground music venue. And yet, beneath Shortland Street in Auckland's CBD, The Mothership has established itself as a fixture in the city's live music landscape since opening in July 2022. With
Online streaming services often receive a bad rap. But for some they can be an incredible tool for growth. Not a lot of artists experience this in the way Letoa has. Initially building an audience on the back of aesthetic self produced releases, some of these tracks have now clocked
Fresh from receiving a Silver Scroll nomination for her song But It's Lonely, Alayna is about to embark on an immersive performance and art tour in support of her album Set Her Free. We caught up with the singer songwriter to discuss the courage it takes to embrace
If you're feeling ready to get in the ring and throw a few punches, the latest track from Wilka has the attitude (and visuals) to be your spirit animal. Built around a driving beat and pulsing synth stabs, the video showcases a performance from the boxing ring, but
These kids are talented. After winning Smokefree Rockquest's Solo/Duo category in 2025, alt-folk artist Sahara has released a sobering debut single Turcot. Originally from the Waikato and now based in Wellington, Sahara's Turcot is accompanied by a music video created as part of her
