What happened to resistance
The fight to stay alive
Well we can all be heroes
We will survive
You cannot break our spirit
We're not afraid to die
So scream this affirmation
We will survive

- Written by Wolves

With tens of thousands of bands and musicians within the NZ music industry, and songs numbering into the millions, NZ music has always had plenty on offer for everyone. Yet, there is something about our local industry that makes it stand out. There's a real community feel to it, as though collectively we are one large army that is ready, willing and able to do whatever is necessary.

Not only does our industry have strength in numbers, but for the most part those that are involved within it put on a united front; offering a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.

We've seen many instances over the years where wrongs have been righted, where support has been provided and where NZ music has helped others to stand on their own two feet.

Think of all the times when particular lyrics have resonated with you, helping you through a rough time; all the times where there has been a huge national disaster where bands and musicians have put on charity concerts to raise funds for those affected; and all the moments where people within our industry have spoken out against injustices.

We can pretty much be assured that NZ music will be there to help us get through any times of need, one way or another.

Despite this infliction that has tainted our world, NZ music has withstood the test of time. Its resilience means that our industry is stronger than ever before.

And now, with a substantial amount of new music being released, as well as numerous gigs, tours and festivals set to take place throughout the Summer season, NZ music is clearly here to stay.

Sunset, sunrise
See the world changing right before your eyes
Go with it, it's a ride
You gotta live for everyday until you die

- Shihad

It's been amazing to see numerous NZ music organisations do what they can to help others. Despite all the recent ups and downs, there has been a huge amount of support for those within the industry. Muzic.net.nz has been one such organisation - doing everything we can to support our local bands and musicians when they need it the most. This is something we plan to continue throughout 2022, both through the Muzic.net.nz website and the Aotearoa Music Industry Collective.

Although our gig attendance has been affected during these past two years, we have still managed to go out and see some incredible live performances. It's always great to see the next generation of musicians taking to the stage - several have shown that there is a massive future for NZ music, and we here at Muzic.net.nz are very excited to be a part of that future.

Do you feel alive!? When staring at your life?
I will be alright, with my Mantra
Do you feel alive!? This time you will be alright
Now you will feel alive, with your Mantra

- Coridian

As we head into our 23rd year, another truth that stands strong is that we could not do all that we do without the incredible volunteers that make up the Muzic.net.nz team. Their commitment, dedication and support is beyond appreciated, not just by myself but also by all of our local bands and musicians. Many thanks to:

Steve Bone, Garry Thomas, Reef Reid, Harry Platt, Beth Mountford, Nikita Weir, Adrian Drew, Andrew Smit, Ben Ruegg, Chris Poipoi, Danielle Hao-Aickin, Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo, Jamie Denton, JP Carroll, Kerry Monaghan, Kris Raven, Louise Clement, Matt Billington, Riley Al-Johary, Roger Bowie, Steve Shyu, Carl Hayman, Trevor Faville, River Tucker, Brendan McCarthy, Corinne Rutherford, Callum Wagstaff, Cathy Elizabeth, Danica Bryant, Peter-James Dries, Tony McDonald, Gareth Heta, Madeleine Howard, Chris Chick, Kev Rowland, Darryl Baser, Paul Goddard, Will Stairmand, Kerry Kingi, Chris Morgan, Chris Zwaagdyk, Ginelle Cocks, Kirsty Erskine, Ngamihi Pawa, David Dunham, Jenny Feaver, Richmond Tyler Palleson, Amanda Hodge, Nichole Davis, Bevan Triebels, Daniel Cooper-McCann, Lucy Hammond, Andrew Mackay.

The Muzic.net.nz team would also like to extend our much appreciated thanks to these amazing people for all their support during 2021, in no particular order:

Nicole, Bridie & Paula (NicNak), Leanda (Eleventy12), Adria, Sam & Jessica (Trigger Marketing), James Southgate, Mahoney (Aeroplane), Nancy (Blackout), Josie & Sarah (Great Things), Maria ( Mushroom), Lorraine Barry, Matt (Smokefree Rockquest), Kelly (Homegrown), The ladies at The Label, Cheree Ridder, Carwyn (Kaos FM), Brian (Molten Metal), Lindsay (The NZ Show on 4ZZZ), Huia & Chris (Kog), Paul & Poppy (CRS), Jaz & Fenella (Twice The Hype), Rosie ( Puresound Studios), Hayley & Rodney (Wood Lane), Andrew (Ding Dong), Matt & Lee (Triple A Records), Jackie (Jacman), Hayden and everyone (Greenstone Entertainment), Toby (Tiny Triumph Recordings), Cushla (Aston Road), Ciara (Live Nation), Bridget de Launay, Bev Adair-Beets, Dan & Mikee (Loop), Robyn (Pacific Entertainment), Doug (Ambient Light), Hariet (Flying Nun), Shelley (Moments Passed), Hayley and Chelsea (Universal Music NZ), Everyone at Banished Music, Kelly ( Elephant Publicity), Nick (Hamilton Gardens Festival), Finn McLennan-Elliott, John Q (Waiheke Jazz Fest), Pippa Ryan-Kidd, Tim (Tombstone), Xan ( Susie Says), Bex (Auckland Museum), Gavin (Auckland Council), Tess & Jesse (Auckland Arts Festival), Adam (Pead PR), Annabel and everyone else involved (Tussock Country), Pennie Black, Reuben (Madcap), Danny (Don't Give Up Your Day Job), Mike, Debbie and Tom (Play It Strange), Riccardo Ball and Pete (PlayMPE).

We would also like to thank all the bands and musicians who have worked with us during 2021 (of which there is way too many to mention here) - we love that New Zealand has so many incredibly talented bands and musicians and it's always a true pleasure to work with you all.

---

During January, the Muzic.net.nz team will be taking a well-deserved break as we gear up for 2022. Some of us will still be working behind the scenes, albeit less than usual, so keep checking back for all the latest and greatest NZ music news and happenings. You can also keep up-to-date with rescheduled gigs here.

The Muzic.net.nz team and I would also like to wish each and every one of you a very musical Christmas and New Years.

- Lisa and the Muzic.net.nz team

 

wrapping up another year of gigs affected by covid. It was a rough year for everyone in the industry with cancelations or postponements hitting us up and down the country with no end in sight for the Aucklanders who (at the time of writing), are still in lock-down.

We are on day a million, or so it feels like.

This time last year, The Jordan Luck Band had just completed ‘The 2020 Rescheduled Rescheduled Rescheduled Tour’ – Fast forward 12 months and they are trying to complete a tour that has been rescheduled a couple of times.

It is fair to say that everyone is tired. Everyone is ready for 2022 – fingers crossed everything goes to plan.

This year would probably be my favourite in terms of places that I have travelled to around the country. The first handful of gigs saw me go from Waitangi to Queenstown to Kumeu to Waihi to Kerikeri to Waiheke to Wellington.

My top 3 gigs/festivals (in no particular order) would be the honour of photographing opera with Geoff Sewell & Friends (first image), the 48th Auckland Folk Festival (third image) and the inaugural Tussock Country Music Festival (second image Tea at Three with Jenny Mitchell) which was 9 days of country down in Gore.

2021 saw team members moving on, and some new faces joining us, a big thank you to everyone.
Whether you have submitted 1 review/photographed 1 gig or (close to) 200 reviews/photographed 50+ gigs, you are all important and the bands do appreciate you.

I’ll sign this off as I did last year with a huge heart-filled thanks to the hardest working volunteer in the team who puts in the countless hours each week some before many are awake.
Lisa, thank you for everything you do.
We couldn’t do what we do without your dedication.

Steve B - Muzic.net.nz Lead Co-ordinator

pleased to see the back of 2020, but it is safe to say that while 2021 had some amazing highlights, for anyone living in Auckland the last 100+ days have severely sucked. From seeing bands play live most weeks to zero overnight was quite a shock to my system. We can only hope that 2022 gives us all the musical boost we need, although with Auckland Folk Festival already a casualty I am now looking to Homegrown to get things really kicking.

2021 was my first full calendar year with MNZ, and it has been an absolute revelation, as I had no idea there were so many amazing bands both playing live and releasing great music. I have been writing for more than 30 years, but although I have been in NZ for 15 of those, it is obvious that I had previously only tipped my toe in the swirling soup which is the local scene, and now I am doing my best to catch up.

Volunteering to write for the site has shone a bright light into the dark areas which most mass media (and therefore music lovers) have no idea even exist. I have heard bands who have made my jaw drop, asking myself how on earth they are not far more widely known, have dragged people along to gigs, and made friends with a whole community which I had no idea even existed.

My home from home has become Dead Witch, at Ding Dong Lounge, where to pinch a line, “Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came.” If it wasn’t for Lisa asking me to go there to review bands, I would never have known it existed, and the headline band on my very first gig was Coridian, not a bad start at all. It was also the site of my most amazing musical experiences of the year, where Written By Wolves came to support the venue and ripped it to pieces. I have been attending concerts for more than 40 years, and that night is easily in my Top 10 of all time.

I can’t mention all the bands I have discovered through being involved with MNZ, which has enriched my life beyond recognition, and scribbling a few words in return has been a very small price to pay indeed. I am so proud to be able to say I am involved with MNZ, and I am sure Lisa would never admit just how much of a pivotal role she plays in NZ music, but there is always room for others to become involved as well. The more writers and photographers the better, as the site will continue to grow and flourish for the next 20 + years. What could you do for NZ music??

- Kev Rowland - Muzic.net.nz reviewer extraordinaire

Photo Credit: Steve Bone Photography

Rising musical talent Avya has released her breakout single, In Love with Broken, after its television debut on TVNZ's Popstars earlier this year.

Produced by Joseph Faris (Ezra Vine, Daily J, Julius Black), the song is one of self-realization, telling her personal story of being trapped in a repetitive cycle of wanting to help hurting people, but to her own detriment.

Marrying mature songwriting with moreish production, Avya's artistry is sophisticated and stands strong with the new generation of empowered women in music.

How did you become involved in music?

I was surrounded by music growing up. From having musical parents to siblings that played in local bands, waiata at church & wh?nau events, etc., music was pretty hard to avoid. When I was 7, I nagged my brother to teach me a few chords and from there I quickly fell in love with playing the guitar and singing along. 

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?

Honest, emotive and dynamic. Musically, I'm influenced by the likes of Brooke Fraser, John Mayer, Emily King and Celine Dion. Music that'll tug at your heartstrings while making you bop your head and groove along!

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

More songs ASAP! I’ve got a wee backlog of tunes that I’m itching to finish off and release. The dream is to be playing small shows across the country, but obviously, the lockdown and borders have made that pretty impossible to plan such things at the moment. But at the very least, more songs and video content to accompany them. 

Who are your favourite NZ bands and musicians?

Brooke Fraser is an all-time favourite of mine! I’m also a big fan of TEEKS, Niko Walters, Thomston, Alayna and Bic Runga to name just a few Kiwi legends. 

What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?

I think The Civic is so beautiful, I’ve attended some of my favourite concerts there, it's such an elegant theatre with great acoustics. It's the kind of space that sets the scene for a mesmerizing event. There’s always an attentive audience and respectful atmosphere; which is my favourite!

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

I’m speaking to myself more than anyone else, but you have to keep chipping away at your thing. Even when you feel like no one is listening and you’re not achieving the things you want to be. Every baby step in the right direction is still moving forward. Writing a few lines each day is still writing, playing small gigs is still playing live. It all counts and contributes to making you a more experienced artist. Say yes to opportunities!

Read the full interview here

Check out Avya on Muzic.net.nz

Delving into the depths of NZ heavier music, The Distorted Transmission is hosted by Will Stairmand (Primacy, Remote). November was a great month for interviews with some great acts, watch all the latest interview at the below links:

BULLETBELT

BLACK ALPINE

PERVERTOR

VOODOO BLOO

PLANET OF THE DEAD

LEAVE THE DEAD

PALE FLAG

Interviews with Curlys Jewels, Borer, Coridian, Dead Favours, Bridge Burner, Carnal, Distance, Covenant, East York, Pull Down The Sun and much, much more are set to go live over the Summer months - keep up to date with all things Distorted Transmission over on the Facebook page here.

In the latest edition of It's A Wrap with Roger, Muzic.net.nz resident music connoisseur Roger Bowie spoke to NZ music legend Malcolm Welsford about his newest music endeavour, Mac Summer.

EVOLUTION: On episode #125 Bobby Kennedy and Danny McCrum discuss the lessons they have learnt while making the podcast over the last six years and talk about the future of the show.

Listen to our episodes on our website, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Player.FM, TuneIn
and all other good podcast apps!

DON’T GIVE UP YOUR DAY JOB - THE PODCAST

www.dontgiveupyourdayjob.co.nz

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Check out our latest reviews and interviews at the below links:

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Have a look at our latest photo galleries at the below links:

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Features

Please note - due to COVID, the gig dates on these features cannot be guaranteed.
Please refer to the band/musician official website or relevant ticketing agency for further information.

View all our previous features here

Our first 2022 newsletter is going out on Monday 7 February!

If you are a NZ musician and you would like to promote your music,
we would love to feature you in one of our 2022 newsletters.
You can choose the date which suits you.

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

Email [email protected] for more info.

Muzic.net.nz newsletters are currently sent out to over 8760 members!
With this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter is an excellent promotional tool.

Access our newsletter archives here

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