Interview
He cut his teeth in music playing in Mako Road. Then the band came to an end and so began a period away from music. But he's back at it again with new reasons to create - Park Palais represents a fresh start for songwriter and producer Rhian Ward.
Music
London has become a rite of passage for many Kiwis. Some love it so much they put down roots. For Dec Ramsay it's been nearly ten years. But that doesn’t mean they've forgotten where they're originally from. Growing up in Ngamotu, New Plymouth
Music
Sometimes the greatest talent can be found behind the scenes. For years, HOPE supported across various projects - lending her voice as a backing artist. In 2025 she started spreading her wings as an artist in her own right. And today, her latest single dropped, further cementing her as one to
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.
Niki Kennedy is about to release her new album The Space In Between. The record captures a two year period of writing and self-production, underpinned by questions of identity and culture. Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau and now based in Toronto, Kennedy has established a sound around roots
Jenny Mitchell has spent more than a decade writing songs. Originally from Gore and now based in Melbourne, she has become one of the most recognisable names in the Aotearoa country scene, earning an Aotearoa Music Award and four Australian Golden Guitar nominations along the way. Her new single, Mr
Societal expectations have been a recurring theme across our articles in recent weeks. Creation is a nifty craft that takes the experience of living down unique pathways. As such, it is my experience that a lot of musicians fall outside conventional realms of 'how you should be' - it
Monolith Pleasure Cult may not yet be household name. But the project has a history that really stands out. Previously releasing music as Sal Valentine, the artist also had stint as drummer for iconic NZ group The Beths. With a track record of this calibre, the music carries a level
Aubrie Mitchell has a knack for turning the things that get under her skin into music. Her latest single, Where She Goes, digs into the pressures of holding impossible standards and an idealised version of yourself - a byproduct of modern culture I'm sure many will find relatable. The
Life can be immense and complex. Most of us know this. Through its turbulence, time has a way of dulling the vibrancy and wonder of the human experience. As kids, everything seems so marvellous. As adults, it becomes a constant process of figuring it all out. But perhaps a little
I've never been short of praise for Rockquest Promotions and the platform they provide for young artists. I myself enjoyed three years partaking in the competition, and like many took a lot of inspiration and self belief from my experiences. Well, the event has now wrapped up for
Hip Hop is synonymous with pushing the boundaries of conventional music culture. Every now and then a new artist comes along and changes the game entirely. There is something about Furo 4404 that really stands out to me. It could be in the name... it's rare to see
Holy smokes. I was absolutely floored when I first saw the lineup for Electric Avenue earlier this morning. Kings of Leon, Kasabian, Calvin Harris, Kehlani, Major Lazer, Bebe Rexha, Jungle. This is the most impressive New Zealand festival lineup I can recall since the days of Big Day Out. What
At 23, Sabreen has built a creative practice that spans music, writing and cultural expression. Her songwriting draws from lived experiences, identity and the process of figuring it all out. For Sabreen, making music is as much about growth as it is about creation. With a new EP, Forget Me
Aotearoa’s live music scene is packed with bands finding bigger audiences, and Wet Denim are right in the middle of it. The Wellington group have spent the past few years building a reputation through their live shows and sharp, guitar driven songwriting. With EP Water For Dogs out tomorrow,
The early 2010s delivered an incredible era for electronic indie music. Bands that had the ethos and attitude of a guitar driven sound but instead relied on synthesisers to do the heavy lifting. I'm talking about artists such as Passion Pit, MIA, and LCD Soundsystem, as well as
