Today is the first day of May, which marks the beginning of New Zealand Music Month. This year it will be markedly different from any other NZ Music Month we have experienced before; not only is it the 20th anniversary of this month-long event that celebrates the vast array of musicians and music from Aotearoa, but it will be the first (and hopefully the last) time that we can not physically attend live performances from the plethora of local talent.
The New Zealand Music Commission had big plans in the pipeline to mark the significant milestone of two decades of New Zealand Music Month, however the arrival of Covid-19 and the nationwide lockdown meant a change of course and focus. As a result, the theme for this year’s NZ Music Month is simple: Support local. Stream local. Follow local. Buy local.
Fortunately a number of events that had been planned prior to Aotearoa going into lockdown are able to go ahead in an online capacity, including streamed performances, music releases, and even an online music summit.
Said NZ Music Month Summit will return on Saturday 23rd May as an online event in collaboration with the NZ Music Manager’s Forum. There will be discussions with NZ artists and music industry professionals around the NZ Music Month theme of supporting our local music industry. More details to follow on guest speakers and panels.
Being physical music fans at Ambient Light we are especially excited for the Holiday Records 7-inch NZ Music Month promotion. It’s been over thirty years since the last 7-inch vinyl was pressed in Aotearoa, and the team at Holiday Records are excited to present a special promotion to select an aspiring artist to have their music pressed as New Zealand’s first 7-inch since 1987. Entries are open until Wednesday 13th May and the prize includes 300 x 7-inch records pressed and packaged by Holiday Records, recording time and mixing from Roundhead Studios, vinyl mastering from Munki Studios and artworks and creative services from Sunday Best!
Another special occurance we are looking forward to is RNZ Music celebrating NZ Music Month with fresh daily music – sharing a new song and video from an up-and-coming Kiwi artist every day throughout May, on-air and via RNZ’s social media and website. On weekdays, the tracks will be played on Jesse Mulligan’s show shortly after 1pm and on Saturday’s during Music 101 with Charlotte Ryan.
Of course, it wouldn’t be NZ Music Month without the ubiquitous NZ Music Month T-shirt. This year NZ Music Month is bringing back the Hallenstein Brothers partnership with three unique printed tees, designed by local NZ artists available to purchase from the Hallensteins website. While making you look more stylish than the average person, purchasing these T-shirts also help Kiwi musicians with proceeds from sales being donated to MusicHelps this year.
Ambient Light will also be marking NZ Music Month by sharing with you some of our favourite Kiwi albums of all time, with our wonderful contributers sharing their favourite classic NZ albums. We will also be profiling our favourite emerging musicians from Aotearoa throughout the month.
Perhaps more than ever before we need to actively and enthusiastically support our homegrown talent to ensure that NZ musicians and our music industry can continue to thrive both now and in our post-Covid 19 future.
Happy 20th New Zealand Music Month! Support local. Stream local. Follow local. Buy local.
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