Watch this space

Zoe Fleury from Bionic Pixie. Photo / Babiche Martens

Dictaphone Blues aren't the only potential music stars-in-the-making we like the look of. TimeOut polled the Kiwi rock industry for more as-yet little-known local acts on the way up

LISA CRAWLEY
The recent winner of the Pacific Songwriting competition, Lisa Crawley's whimsical folk pop is winning fans the world over. Turning down major record labels to release her second independent EP, Auckland-based Crawley has the enviable ability to brighten anyone's day.

BAD BRIDE
Searing, dark, yet strangely energising, the Shore boys of Bad Bride take the backwater blues of rockabilly and add a fierce punk sensibility to create their sound. Sam Nola's velvet vocals are part Elvis, part Joey Ramone. Their debut album The First Chapter is out now.

BIONIC PIXIE
Following a stunning set at this year's Big Day Out and a support slot for cool kids The Kills recently, Bionic Pixie (real name Zoe Fleury) has a sound described as robo-funk or electro-pop. Her peppy attitude and slinky groove is like ballsy British vocalist M.I.A. meets the cheeky flow of Coco Solid crossed with the volatility of Nine Inch Nails.

IN DREAD RESPONSE
There are many up-and-coming metal bands plying their trade. One is Auckland's In Dread Response whose debut album, From the Oceanic Graves, was slick and polished - right from the album cover art to the brutal sonic sound it made. In May they launch their campaign to take over Oz with a 15-date tour.

TEACUPS
They began their music career busking on Queen St, playing Jenny Lewis covers and discussing Harry Potter. But when a third bandmate joined them, bringing a double bass to the mix, the girls got semi-serious and expanded their repertoire, which soon saw them open for international acts like Jose Gonzalez, Cat Power and Kimya Dawson.

STEVIE STARR
Blending classical compositions with sweeping pop movements, Wellington's Stevie Starr could well be one of the brightest new things on the New Zealand music scene. Influenced by Radiohead and Arvo Part, his inspired compositions are heartfelt, uplifting and really rather remarkable. Look out for his debut album, release June 15.

THE WICKS
Self-described as surf pop, The Wicks wandering, warbling sound is strangely endearing - full of curious percussion and brass arrangements. They also put on an excellent live show and were described by one industry insider as "Modest Mouse meets something a bit more sexy". Enough said.

HIKOIKOI
They made a major impression on the good folk at the Parihaka Peace Festival, who haven't stopped raving about their soulful reggae sound since. Picked by many as the next big thing out of Wellington, Fat Freddy's better watch out as this trio release their debut album on May 29.

MURDERCHORD
For every 1000 bands who claim their music defies definition, there is one that actually does. Perhaps the only way to sum up Auckland band Murderchord is to say they are piano-burning zombies. Think of the vampire rock opera scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall ... They're really very good.