Interview
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
Interview
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
Music
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
It's a pretty crazy world out there, and it's easy to feel bogged down by it all. Whatever 'it all' may mean. But allowing the mental load of everything rub off in negative ways will only take you down a dark road. You need
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
It’s great to see the Aotearoa music scene thriving and I love that we still set aside the month of May to celebrate our local artists and bands – especially fresh talent. But I’ve struggled these past few years to keep up with the pace at which new artists
Fresh tracks, and the stories that matter in Aotearoa’s evolving scene.
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
If you're somewhat involved with music in Aotearoa, you may have heard about a new digital album-like product hitting the market. You may have also heard it pitched as a shift for artists, opening fresh ways to earn in an industry that is becoming more and more
More than two decades later, a passing comment during a late night drive inspired the title, Imagine If We Could Just Keep Driving, now the new album from The Broken Heartbreakers. It's about time, family, relationships and the value of staying the course. After a period focused on
Queens of the Stone Age have performed all over the world. They've released music to critical acclaim and by popular opinion, could be seen as 'one of the greatest live bands of all time'. So after all this, what's next, and how do you
The global recorded music industry has announced a new voluntary framework designed to help listeners understand how generative artificial intelligence has been used in music recordings. The initiative, unveiled by a coalition that includes IFPI, RIAA, A2IM, WIN, IMPALA, The Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA and the Human Artistry Campaign, introduces
Dunedin has long been a breeding ground for Aotearoa's alternative music community. Local favourites Ammonita have a distinct grunge-infused sound that sets them apart from many of New Zealand's established acts. With their debut EP SPORE out now, the band reflects on their musical growth,
Who remembers 2010? If you need a reminder, put on Play For Keeps. The Christchurch five piece embody the guitar driven, synth laced indie pop that defined an era. Their debut EP, HEY LOVE, is out now. The four track release features Handsome Boy, Presumptuous, Out Of The Dark, and
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
Hard rock is alive and well in Aotearoa. Our legacy icons - Shihad, The Datsuns, Blindspott and others leave a lot to live up to. But Powder Chutes are on the road to emulating their quality, intensity and success. They've just released Rivers - a hard hitting rock n roll
Boutique music festival Tora Bombora has announced it will return in 2027, ending a four year hiatus and bringing the event back to the Tora coastline in Wairarapa. The festival will expand its capacity to 2,000 attendees for its return while maintaining its focus on a community led experience.
It's a pretty crazy world out there, and it's easy to feel bogged down by it all. Whatever 'it all' may mean. But allowing the mental load of everything rub off in negative ways will only take you down a dark road. You need
Verity has one of the strongest social media followings among New Zealand’s new wave of pop and R&B artists. The Auckland artist gained traction initially online through stripped-back covers. Her content quickly found wide reach and she gained more than 600,000 followers across TikTok and
