What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Like I said in my album 'thanks'. My album is living proof that you can record and release an album on your own. Don't sit back and wait for things or people to discover you. You've got to get up and do it yourself if you really want it.
Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?
David Dallas because I am a fan of his from way back and have seen him grow into so much more today. He is a Star!
I've always liked music from Ardijah they are the pioneers of music. And Adeaze because they're inspiring.
What will your next release be?
I plan on releasing another album this time I will be more involved with the song writing. In that sense I want to write majority of the songs on my new album. This current one my brother helped me out because he is such an amazing writer, so I want to work on my song writing skills and bring out something that's more intimate from me. Also a Samoan album out at the same time! :)
How do you come up with your lyrics?
Definitely speaking from past experiences, feelings and what people out there are feeling that we can all relate to.
Who would you most like to support live?
Mariah Carey or Boys II Men.
How do you believe you fit into the NZ music industry?
I have been around and making music for many years in the NZ music industry since I was 18.. I'm 28 now and I have met and gotten to know a lot of great people. I have a wide cross selection of fans in NZ varying from Samoans and Pacific islander's to European.
What can you never leave home without?
My purse which usually has in it: my phone, my bank card and lip gloss lol. All that a girl needs haha.
How do you describe your music?
Very soulful & RnB.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
What is the best part of being a musician?
You get to express a lot through your music.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
I'd like to see more of the local arists and I know there are so many out there who have so much talent. (Some who also feature on my album! The Bronx, Rizvan Tu'itahi, Petacy (Paul Crombie). Because I know they are just as good or even better than the current artists out today but just don't have that opportunity or 'hook up'. If I won the lotto I'd open up a studio catering to all those talented local artist's who need that platform to grow and manage them.
What is in your CD collection at home?
My CD collection is everywhere. I have anything ranging from Samoan songs to RnB and Hip Hop albums to NZ music. It's crazy. I have to leave it in a storage room at the back cos there's just too many. lol
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Singing with a girl group I used to be in for our driver in Tahiti and one or two of them sang off note and the taxi driver just turned his head around to look at us with this horrified look on his face. lol
What is your favourite place in NZ to be?
Grey Lynn! My home and place where I love to be.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Sister Act 2. Lauryn Hill played "Rita" the troubled student who had so much potential and talent to go to the top. Her singing inspired me to sing at 13. And just being around a very musically talented family. I learnt to play the piano at 5. We have a family band. My dad is the guitarist, my mum sings, my sister plays keyboard, my other sister plays the bass and my brother plays the drum and I was the tambourine girl cos I was the youngest. But it was awesome growing up surrounded by music from a young age. I couldn't have asked for a better upringing. We didnt have many toys but our instruments were our most prized toys..
How did you come up with the name Mz J?
My friend who I used to go karaoke with used to always call me "Miss Julie Ta'ale" and even in school I always thought Julie Ta'ale was too long for people to say if I was to be an artist so I just took the Miss and turned it into Mz and Julie Ta'ale just cut it down to a "J" hehe it works really well. :)
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
I love Samoa "Tsunami Anniversary relief concert" in Samoa. Because I was born there, and Samoa is always where the heart is. Being given the opportunity to perform in front of a home crowd and esp the families of those victims who died in the Tsunami and providing them with the best entertainment that you can was absolutely priceless. And a proud moment for me personally.
How do you keep in contact with your fans?
Facebook! under Mz J! Please Like my page! Thank you! :)
What rumour would you like to start about yourself?
I have a second album coming out soon so look out! ;)
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As always, the BIG DAY OUT is ever evolving. We continue to support local musicians, DJ’s and artists in every city, making each BIG DAY OUT a unique experience.
It’s not just about bands. Hitting the custom built 40 foot Big Day Out touring skate ramp will be some of the hottest skaters on the planet right now. There is always more to explore at the Big Day Out.
The Big Day Out prides itself on presenting the best, most outstanding artists in the world, and our second round of acts is no exception.
Full Article
The RIANZ Official NZ Top 40 Music Chart has a new look and a new online home.
Launching on 9 November, the all new Official NZ Chart website - www.nztop40.co.nz - is set to become an important new music portal for fans of chart music.
The weekly Top 40 singles and album charts are now complete with cover art and user-friendly chart facts, along with the ability to see, hear and buy individual tracks and albums. Music fans can also join the re-launched Official NZ Music Chart Facebook and Twitter pages for all the latest chart news and artist facts and stats.
A fierce, feisty, fabulous, Fringe Festival is ready to roll out some colourful mayhem in the Cultural Capital, 10 February until 3 March 2012.
We’ve got three weeks celebrating weird and wonderful expressions of art – over 60 Visual, Music, Dance and Theatre performances will be found in 30 sites around the city featuring hundreds of participants!
And we are really excited to see 20 of these performances are free or koha!
Full Article
The following musicians were added to the muzic.net.nz website during the last fortnight:
Zakk d'Larté | Rhythmonyx |
Penelope The |
Want to add yourself or your band to muzic.net.nz?
Add Artist Form
Info about filling out the add artist form
These reviews were added to the site in the last two weeks, check them out at the links below:
- Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards - November 3rd, 2011. Vector Arena.
- Kapabal - No Rest Album Review
- Machete Justice - Reversion Album Review
- The Bats - Free All The Monsters Album Review
- Kenbe La Foundation - Never Give Up Single Review
- Ria Hall EP Review
- Shotgun Alley Album Review
- Bannerman - Dearly Departed Album Review
You can check out every single interview and review in our Articles Page.
Every feature we have ever had on the site can be viewed here.
The end of 2011 is getting closer and closer and with will it come the start of a new era. Adam and I are both very happy to announce that we are expecting our first child in late December :)
While muzic.net.nz will continue to be updated, some aspects of the site will take a back seat while we settle down into family life. This includes the newsletter, which is finishing a couple of weeks earlier this year. A definite start date for our 2012 newsletters will be announced as soon as possible, and while it may be a few months away you can rest assured that it will be back. We appreciate your patience during this time.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for subscribing to our newsletters during 2011 - muzic.net.nz would not be what it is today without people like you.
We would like to thank the following people:
The muzic.net.nz team:
Emma Ratuki (Dilemma), Amanda Ratcliffe (miss nz), Kate McCarten (sidvicious), Trevor Faville (trevf), Matt Gardner (CEOMong), Peter-James Dries (petros), Terry McIntosh (terry666), John Shearer (JohnS), River Tucker (River), Kerry Monaghan (Burned_by_my_lighter), Alistar Wickens (Alistar3000), Janise Kumar (Miss_Jukebox) and Annemarie Duff (Mmdelai).
This amazing team has written more than 140 reviews and interviews, and added over 80 photo galleries with over 855 photos during 2011! Outstanding!
These awesome people for their continued support:
Carl Hayman (Karma In Chaos), Andrew Treeby, Jared Carson (Aethea, Slave Cadaver), Dean Cameron (1157 Records), Nick Douch (Eqwanox), James Donaldson (Agent), Kieran Cooper (Kasium), Tabitha (Bright Yellow Beetle Records), Charlotte Ryan and Matthew Davis (Flying Nun), everyone at Isaac Promotions and Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa, Alec Withers (Hit Your Head Music), Maria Robinson (Liberation) and Lucy MacRae (Rhythmethod).
All the bands and musicians who have contributed towards our 2011 newsletters:
Her Make Believe Band, Timothy Armstrong, RW Entertainment, Suppression, Jayson Norris, Ivy Lies, Kasium, The Phil Edwards Band, Vince Harder, The Twitch, State of Mind, The Red Suns, Chris Hurn, Leeches, Luger Boa, Bradley Garner, Jonny Love, Kids In Space, The Adults, Villainy, Agent, Ammp, El Schlong, Nadine Lorene, FreeDay, Known Associates, Kieran Cooper, Hanna Grace, Ash Graham, The Nomad, Hand Me Downs, Ishtar, Outrun The Buffalo, Sonic Altar, Oslo Brown, The Nudge, Axesword, Mountaineater, Amiria Grenell, AmosAnon, The Tiny Lies, Adam Page, Freaky Meat, Funkommunity, SinSin, Charity Children Berlin, Mz J
As well as everyone we have reviewed, interviewed, photographed, featured (tours), all the organisations that promote NZ music, the artists on our artist pages and especially all the muzic.net.nz members.. that includes you!
Words can never express how much we appreciate the support we have received over the years - to everyone who has shown us support - thanks!
The muzic.net.nz team would like to wish everyone an awesome Christmas and an epic New Years! May you all have some NZ music CDs or tickets in your Christmas stockings!
Lisa, Adam and the muzic.net.nz team
This was the last muzic.net.nz newsletter for 2011!
The dates for our 2012 newsletters will be announced on the site early next year.
Our newsletter archives can be accessed here.
The next muzic.net.nz gig mail out is going out on 27 November.
- The muzic.net.nz team