Building a music media platform from the ground up
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 - when I have something meaningful to say...
So Empty Spaces has existed since October 2024. I started it because I wanted to create a platform that celebrates Aotearoa's music and culture. The type of publication I would've wanted to be featured on as an artist when I was cutting my teeth as far back as 2009. I haven't really shared a lot about my personal history or involvement with music on Empty Spaces. It's a colourful story and I'll eventually dig into it over time.
A big part of my motivation to build the platform is to create something sustainable that could become part of the fabric of the scene in NZ. To support artists, the industry and to connect with fans.
Over the years we've lost countless entertainment media institutions by failure to meet the demands of commercialism. And let me tell you, finding a way to keep the dream alive isn't easy - it's a challenge not many would take on. But each week we're building, innovating, working to establish a platform for the arts, fit to survive in the modern world... and I believe we're on the road to achieving something meaningful.
Here are a few things that have been keeping me busy.
Industry Subscription
Our new industry subscription provides media coverage opportunities for artists via the industry professionals who promote their work. If you're a publicist, record label, promoter or artist manager this could be a great way for you invest into independent music media and get your artists in front of the Empty Spaces audience.
Contributor Articles
We're working with some awesome writers at the moment, last month saw insightful pieces from Kenzy Waters and Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo both exploring some of the current realities for Aotearoa artists.
- A word on the individualism of artist labour and the future of creative work
- The deepest, most dangerous pothole in New Zealand's music scene
New music
There has been a lot of incredible new music coming across my desk in recent months. Some standout examples (that you might not be so familiar with) are listed below. These tracks and many others are also added to our ON REPEAT playlist.
Te KuraHuia feat. Jordyn With a Why - Ms. Divine
DeHusslar Music - II VII V DUB
Ihaka - HELP! I’m Stuck In Genesis
NZ Music has seen some great wins in the first quarter of the year. Streaming numbers are reaching new heights and album sales for NZ artists have seen six months of positive results including a four year high for Q1. It seems we all love to moan about the state of world but honestly there are some green shoots, so let's focus on these and be the change that's needed. Because at this point, that is the only way we'll succeed.
Here's to keeping the dream alive.
Over and out.
Nick
