In bands since he was 12 years old, Ryan Kershaw is one of New Zealand's top rock guitarists. He has also recorded music for websites and is the driving force behind the Underground Festival. Ryan is also a professional guitar tutor, event and tour manager, songwriter and band coach. He answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

What can we expect to see from you over the next year?

At the moment I'm in York St Studios recording my latest single, which will sound kinda like Slayer. I am also writing a book on how to play the guitar. I have a tour in October of Whangarei, Auckland and Palmy that I'm getting ready for and I am also organizing a tour of New Zealand's top country guitarists/songwriters called 'Guitars On Fire'. I am also planning the next Underground Festival to be held in March next year, so would be keen as to hear from bands that would like to play :)

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?

Head Like A Hole because they are one of the only bands that play on radio at the moment that don't sound like safe middle of the road pop rock. I have loved them since their early days. And Kora because they are buzzy as and don't stick to a certain genre just to please everybody else.

Who would you most like to support live?

I created a show called the Underground Festival, and the had it's debut in March. I started it because I feel strongly that the majority of great NZ musicians are the ones NOT getting heard. I'm sick to death of hipster shit and wanted to see a show where it was bands that could really play well and were down to earth. It's just a small donation to get in and there are stalls including a tattooist, body piercing, face painting and vintage pin up hair, as well as heaps of other things. So I'd be keen to hear of any underground bands that are a bit different to the mainstream that would like to play.

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

There's a band I'm really digging at the moment called Crafty. Check out their song 'Mars'. Buzzy as!! And Bury Me Low are awesome too. They're like a mix between Mother Love Bone and Alice in Chains. A band I asked to come on tour with me in October is called These Automatic Changers. They are kinda like a cross between Led Zeppelin and Tool m/ And there is a guitarist called Sharne Scarborough (Just One Fix) who deserves a mention because he has worked his arse off for years and is a great musician.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

ASK FOR HELP! I never did for so many years because I didn't want to bother anybody, and also because I didn't know where to look. I tried but when you don't know where to go, it can be hard to find support. But people don't come to you. It doesn't matter how hard you want something. if you are smoking buds and drinking a 40 of jack, and listening to Dark Side of the Moon in a dark room on a Saturday night, thats great but it's not getting out there eh. Well it is but not in the physical sense. I'm not saying not to do those things, if you wanna do it, then do it, but you gotta get out there too and gig, and find people that can help your band. But you can't get other people to do your push ups for you. You gotta get off your arse and stop bitching because complaining doesn't change shit. There are some great organizations: the Music Managers Forum, RIANZ, the New Zealand Music Commission, PPNZ, Independent Music New Zealand. There's 5 that you should write down and approach if you haven't already. They are organizations with nice people that are experienced and believe it or not, do want to help you. So if you haven't written them down, or don't approach them, then don't complain about them not helping. Don't wish things were different, wish for the skills to make you better. You can be a munter and learn to get better at the same time! ha ha.
Trust me :)

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
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Video: Performance from this year

Hailing from the shaky city of Christchurhc, 1 Drop Nation has already made a huge impact on the music scene in New Zealand. They answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

What inspired you to start 1 Drop Nation?

We started 1 Drop Nation because we wanted to show our kids (5 of us have kids), that we lived a life of passion. That we chased as hard as we could. So when they grow up, they'll learn from their role models (us) to be passionate about what they do. They'll hopefully learn to balance their personal lives, support their families while always reaching for the sometimes impossible. Every day, they are our inspiration! That's why the first offering we put on YouTube is called 'The Children'.   

How did you come up with the name 1 Drop Nation?

We came up with the name of 1 Drop Nation just from looking at New Zealand's relationship with reggae. We as a band are influenced by reggae at it's roots and more importantly some of the awesome New Zealand bands that are playing styles who's lineage can be traced back to the unmistakable sound of 1 Drop. All over Aotearoa, musicians have taken the 1 drop influence and come up with their own flavour. New Zealand is at heart, a 1 Drop Nation.

How would you describe 1 Drop Nation’s music?

Hmmm...It's a melting pot of everything really. As a band, we try not to focus so much on genres. What we look for is a sound that will fit the lyrics/song really well! Each song has it's own character. Our aim is to make sure that we bring out that character while keeping the essence of the lyrics/song alive. Each player brings their individual sound to the band. It's a fun process that we all contribute to.

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?

Our favourite place to be in NZ is most definitely home. Christchurch. Been away twice already and there's no better feeling than driving back into C-City and then seeing our loved ones. They keep us grounded. They keep us honest. Christchurch is a happening place right now. It's fast becoming a bohemian metropolis, which fits in well with the Christchurch character.

What can we expect to see from 1 Drop Nation over the next year?

Collaborations maybe, TV appearances, festivals and maybe even an EP release (for the sake of having an EP release party haha). 1 Drop Nation is mainly just working on continuing to gel as a band and seeing what sounds we can conjure up. Whatever comes our way in the next year or ten, 1 Drop Nation is ready and keen to show our beautiful homeland Aotearoa what we're capable of. Whatever we do, we hope that you can join us and the best way to do that is by following us on facebook :-)

1 Drop Nation is Malo Seumanutafa (drums), Leroy Edgar (bass), Paerau Hemopo (lead guitar), Nate Lambie (rhythm guitar), Rob Payne (keyboards), Ben Lill (saxophone) and Kanei Johnson (vocals).

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Facebook Page
Youtube Page

Future of NZSO assured

Disestablishing the NZ Symphony Orchestra is unthinkable, and is not a possible outcome of any review of the orchestral music sector, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson said today.

“The NZSO is a world class institution,” he said. “It has a fundamental role to play in the future of the orchestral sector. Any suggestion that the NZSO is in any way under threat is utterly without foundation and is laughable.”

The Stuff website today ran a story today about the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s review of orchestral music headlined “NZSO could be axed”. This is not a possibility.

Full Article

New Releases, Tour and Gig Announcements

New album for Jackal

Saving Grace - 2012 New Zealand Tour

Raggamuffin Heads To Samoa

Iva Lamkum ‘Black Eagle’ Album Release Tour

Matterhorn presents Local Legends at The Session

The ARC and Home Brew Crew to perform at Billabong Bro Down 2012

Dudley Benson Performs One-Off Show At Te Papa

Rubix Cuba are hitting the slopes

Smashing Pumpkins Announce Die! Die! Die! As Special Guests For Auckland Show

Other NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News

Muzic.net.nz Directory

The muzic.net.nz directory (links pages) were updated last week. Check out our directory here.

New Artists

The following musicians have been added to the muzic.net.nz website during the last fortnight:

Add yourself or your band to muzic.net.nz!
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Reviews

Check out our latest reviews at the links below:

Loop Winter Compilation

Stefan Wolf - Quiet! Can't You See I'm Dying Here? EP Review

Paul Winders and The Goodness - Boy Dust Album Review

The Blue Grizzly Band - Broke Arse EP Review

Zowie - Love Demolition - Album Review

Cage Demise @ The Royal 29/06/12

Bloodspray For Politics @ The Royal 29/06/12

Suppression - Supression @ The Royal 29/06/12

Fuelset @ The Royal 29/06/12

Fuelset - Sounds Of A Dying Seagull Album Review

Dr. Monster - Death Devine Album Review

Reapers Luck - JuneFest @ Breakers Bar, Wanganui 30/06/12

Gift of Ruin - JuneFest @ Breakers Bar, Wanganui 30/06/12

The Heathen Collective - JuneFest @ Breakers Bar, Wanganui 30/06/12

Geoff Ong - Implications Single Review

AmosAnon DVD Review

You can check out every single interview and review in our Articles Page.

Tour Features

Every feature we have ever had on the site can be viewed here

The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on Sunday 12 August!

Feature space is available in our newsletters from 26 August!

Any and all NZ bands and musicians can feature in our newsletters...
...even if you featured in a previous year.
You can choose any newsletter date which suits you.

We can also feature record labels, venues, music stores, music websites and anything else that has something to do with NZ music!

If you would like to feature in a muzic.net.nz newsletter, contact Lisa for further details.

Muzic.net.nz newsletters are sent out to over 7900 members!
With this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter is an excellent promotional tool.

Our newsletter archives are one of the most accessed areas on the site.

If you would like to advertise anything to do with NZ music in our newsletter and/or gig mail out, email Lisa.
It is 100% FREE to feature or advertise in our newsletter and gig mail outs!

The next muzic.net.nz gig mail out is going out on Sunday 5 August.

- The muzic.net.nz team

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Fraser Ross
• 3
  Horror Story
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

• 
  Goodshirt @ Festival of Lights - Pukekura Park, New Plymouth - 21/12/2024
• 
  The Slacks @ Festival of Lights - Pukekura Park, New Plymouth - 21/12/2024
• 
  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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