Hollie Smith and Tiki for the cover of Vibe Astrolabe bar Mount Maunganui. BTC 12Dec13
May is a month when we are encouraged to celebrate Kiwi music. New Zealand Music Month has been used to raise the profile of numerous Kiwi musicians. Chief reporter Anita Moran catches up with five Tauranga-based artists to see what New Zealand Music Month means to them.
Hollie Smith, 31
How long have you been in the music industry?
I have been working professionally since I was 13.
What is the highlight of your career so far?
Working with James Poyser in NYC, The Trinity Roots Home, Land and Sea tour and last year's winery tour with Anika and Boh.
What was the most embarrassing moment you have had?
Choking - literally, while singing on stage when I was 12 in front of assembly.
What does New Zealand Music Month mean to you?
I think it's important to have focus on up-and-coming and younger artists coming through.
Why is it important to celebrate home-grown artists?
Because as New Zealanders we tend to say `wow they are great for a New Zealander' or `wow, they are doing well for a New Zealander' instead of going `wow this person is world class'. We have a lot of incredible talent, as musicians we are actually up there with anyone else. I've hung out with many world famous industry people and have shown them stuff - every time they are speechless. We need to keep growing this industry.
What is the best advice you were given?
Listen to the words you're singing, feel the words you're singing.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Don't modify your music because you think you're expected too. Keep working at what you think you can do well. On the business front, don't ever expect money from this industry and don't burn bridges in New Zealand, it's small, it won't last long.
Where to from here? What is next for you?
I've got some travel plans coming up, some of which are very exciting, then back into finishing writing another album and trying to figure out how to record and release it.
Tiki Taane, 37
How long have you been in the music industry?
Twenty-two years.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I'm very lucky to have had many incredible, unforgettable, life-changing moments but recently I jammed with Joss Stone, which I'm still buzzing about.
What was the most embarrassing moment you have had?
Forgetting or singing the wrong lyrics is always awkward.
What does New Zealand Music Month mean to you?
A chance to see and hear new artists.
Why is it important to celebrate home-grown music?
Culture is judged upon the basis of its music and art. Without music and art we would be living in a bland, boring and lifeless world.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
You can't fly with the eagles if you're knocking around with turkeys.
What's your advice for aspiring artists?
While people are deciding if they like you or not, make more music.
Where to from here? What is next for you?
Well I just got back home after an epic tour of Australia, Europe, UK and Canada with Shapeshifter, so much fun! So now I'm in the studio producing a Dunedin band called Summer Thieves for a few weeks. Then back on the road to Fiji, Thailand, UK, Europe, Vanuatu, Rarotonga then Australia.
Meanwhile, working on writing new music and juggling a few exciting projects in the film world. Also, I'm really looking forward to playing a wee gig at Mount Melick on May 30 to celebrate New Zealand Music Month.
Ria Hall, 31
How long have you been in the music industry?
I have been singing all my life. Does that count?
What is the highlight of your career so far?
Singing Like It's Over with Stan Walker at Beyonce's concerts in New Zealand in October last year. It was mind blowing to be on the same stage as the Queen.
What was the most embarrassing moment you have had?
Falling up stairs at various gigs when trying to walk on to the stage. I've done that several times. I'm clumsy.
What does New Zealand Music Month mean to you?
An opportunity for the voice of New Zealand musicians to be heard loud and clear.
Why is it important to celebrate home-grown artists?
So New Zealand artists feel supported, loved and appreciated by their own communities. This inspires us and makes us want to keep creating and giving.
What is the best advice you were given?
Work hard. That's pretty much it.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Work hard _ good things take time.
Where to from here? What is next for you?
I'm on the verge of something pretty awesome with an awesome group of people. I can't really say too much more than that because I don't want to spoil the surprise otherwise it won't be awesome when you know what it is.
Jeremy Redmore, 29, formerly of Midnight Youth
How long have you been in the music industry?
If that means since I earned any money from music, about five years but I have been a musician for many more.
What is the highlight of your career so far?
Writing and producing my own solo record - no one will hear it for another few months, but the feeling of pushing through with a dream against a lot of obstacles and coming out with something I am super proud of is extremely special.
What is the most embarrassing moment you have had?
Being mistaken for Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and just going along with the moment ... The signature was horrible.
What does New Zealand Music Month mean to you?
It's a chance to celebrate and highlight the fact that, as a country, we produce all kinds of outstanding music.
Why is it important to celebrate home-grown artists?
I don't think it should be something people should feel duty-bound by - it's more just encouraging people to discover what's out there and, if they like it, share it around.
What is the best advice you were given?
When you have a bladder infection, urine trouble.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Follow your musical passion for the right reasons - it's one of the hardest industries in the world to make money and become famous in. If you want either of those, study finance or audition for X-Factor. Music is a vocation and should be driven as an urge from the soul.
Where to from here? What is next for you?
I have an album out during the winter so am hoping to spread those songs far and wide before a busy final half of the year touring New Zealand.
Ryan Mulligan, 23, from band PleasePlease
How long have you been in the music industry?
I've been playing in bands since I was 12 but I didn't really get into the music industry until about two years ago when we started PleasePlease
What is the highlight of your career so far?
PleasePlease played at Big Day Out this year in January. We were overwhelmed by how many people came to see us play. It's quite surreal playing to thousands of people and hearing them sing the words to your songs back to you.
What was the most embarrassing moment you have had?
My computer crashed during one of our festival sets this summer. Luckily we had a backup.
What does New Zealand Music Month mean to you?
I love it because it's a great opportunity to celebrate New Zealand's musical creativity.
Why is it important to celebrate home-grown artists?
I think it's important because it helps develop Kiwi artists. We're such a small country but we're great at what we do.
What is the best advice you were given?
When writing a song _ trust your ears. Only you know how your songs should sound.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Practice, take every opportunity and work with as many people as you can.
Where to from here? What is next for you?
We're about to release our EP and we're working on a music video for our next single.
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