Newsletter Issue #79: 11 Dec 2005
A few words from the muzic.net.nz team
5 years ago, muzic.net.nz was born...
Since then, a lot of hard work and effort has gone into turning muzic.net.nz into what it has become today and here's to the next five!
5 years ago, NZ music didn't have a huge presence on the internet. It was harder for artists to get out there and become known. It was harder to receive funding, and in some cases, no matter how talented you were, if you didn't have the money it just wasn't going to happen.
Things have changed - they could definitely be improved on - but they have changed for the better. Now there is more funding available, more publicity for gigs, more international events where NZ artists can give showcase performances at, more NZ music industry resources and more websites devoted to NZ music - I'd like to think that we have had a part to play in all of this.
And some of the new artists and bands that are coming out of this country are just amazing - I've spent the last few days listening to the tracks on myspace.com and the standard of music in NZ is just as good, if not, better than everywhere else in this world. There are some really talented artists and bands out there.
So here we have it, the end of the year is creeping up on us... again. Next year, we have more planned than ever before - new interactive features, changes to the newsletter, more polls etc - and finally, a complete site redesign.
Adam and myself, on behalf of the muzic.net.nz team, would like to thank the following people for all their help over the past 5 years
Firstly, we would like to thank our helpers - without their help this site would not be possible - these people are the most dedicated people I know!
Andrew Treeby, Carl Hayman, Nathan Brown, Lanae Eruera, Meenal Maharaj, Emma Ratuki, Bonnie Feek, Nadia Thorby, Janise Kumar and the newest edition to our list of helpers, Roger Grauwmeijer.
We'd also like to thank those helpers that are now MIA - because at some point in time they did help us in some way or another - James Cooper, James Carter, Jono Kingsbury, Lynda Joines, Max Johns and Nathan Hutchison.
We'd also like to thank all of those people that have helped us by sending us competition prizes, adding artists to the artist pages or sending through information for our newsletter ... especially Mikhal (previously BFM), Alec (Hit Your Head Music), Andrew & Aaron (Intergalactic Records), Andy (Loop Recordings), Anna (Virgin/EMI), Charlotte, Sian & Izzy (FMR), Dean (1157 Records), Kate (BMG), Lauren (Capitol), Lio (Shock Records), Sarah & Nicole (Warners), James (NoiZyland), Paul (Media Sauce), Grant (The Index), The people at the Music Services Directory, Rob (Failsafe Records), Sam (Radio Active), Michelle and everyone else @ The Rock Factory, Adam and the lighting people @ The Studio, Craig (Demon Nation Music, NP Rock n Roll)... I'm sure there are heaps more...
Then there's the artists - we'd like to thank the artists (and I'm sure you would to) for the MP3s and picture galleries they have loaded for your listening and viewing pleasure, for keeping their information up-to-date, for adding gigs, press releases and so much more ... it's the artists that keep this site alive more than anything.
There are 6 particular bands that we would like to thank the most - these 6 bands played at our 5th birthday gig in Auckland on Oct 6th. Their performances were all awesome and it was amazing to hear them play live. In fact, amazing doesn't even come close to how good it was... MY DEAREST, EPITOME, RUPTUS JACK, COLD BY WINTER, 5TH THREAT and QUARTER 2 - thank you so much for playing at the gig!
And finally - thanks to you - the members of this site, just for signing up and taking advantage of what muzic.net.nz has to offer. This site would definitely not be here if it wasn't for you.
I hope this hasn't dragged on too long, but for those of you that have read all the way to the bottom - cheers!
We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a rockin' New Years!
The muzic.net.nz team
The Johnsons
The Johnsons hail from Auckland. The four piece Rock band are actively gigging in and around Auckland city, and will be releasing an EP any time now! Check them out live if you can. You'll find more information on their muzic.net.nz Profile.
Which NZ artist/band do you think will be a huge international success one day?
The Checks, Scribe and (of course) The Johnsons.
Who would you most like to tour with?
Various artists including Green Day, The Darkness, Audioslave, The Datsuns and Eric Clapton.
What is your most embarrassing concert moment?
One member played an entire set with the standby switch off! and another fell off the stage, then returned & KO'd the lead singer with his guitar.
What are you planning on doing during the next year?
Trying to circulate the mantra of Johnson Love.
How did you come up with the name The Johnsons?
Throwing around a few names and decided to inject a little self deprecating humour and came up with The Johnsons.
What is in your CD collection at home?
Communal interests include The Killers, Audioslave, Crowded House, Eric Clapton, Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dog etc. Our musical tastes are diverse.
What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?
Be organised and professional. Focus on improving creativity, not necessarily skill level.
80 Proof
80 Proof are a Rock band from Christchurch. We asked band member 'keat' to come up with some answers to our questions. However, since this interview, some of the band members have parted ways, and 80 Proof are no more. You can read more on their muzic.net.nz Profile.
Which NZ artist/band do you think will be a huge international success one day?
80 PROOF
Who would you most like to tour with?
Motley Crue
What is your most embarrassing concert moment?
2004 Battle Of The Bands finals in Christchurch. The band I was in at the time, EUCLiD, got through to the finals. However "Phil the bass player" turned up as we were setting up on stage. He was stoned, and went on to screw up every one of the songs, which were all writen by him?
What are you planning on doing during 2006?
80 Proof plan to record and release a record sometime early in 2006, as well as make a rock video to plug on the tele.
How did you come up with the name 80 Proof?
It was writen on our favourite bottle of rum
What is in your CD collection at home?
[Ed. Ok, there were way too many to list, but a fine collection of albums lives within the 80 Proof house]
What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?
Get a "Real Job" as this one doesn't pay. Only do it if you really feel it, other wise you will be disappointed.
What's New!
New Artists
The following new artists were added during the past couple of weeks. Check them out:
Competitions
The final competitions for 2005 are closing soon, go get in now for your chance to win tickets to the Big Day Out and a whole bunch of CDs!