New Zealand Music Features — indie

Gareth Shute is tired of seeing the same repetitive posts complaining about music streaming and the terrible effect it’s had on the music industry. Here, he attempts to bring some balance to the conversation.

"...Perhaps because of being so insulated, genre did not seem to obviously divide or define the all ages scenes; everyone wanted to be their own thing. Distinctive sub-scenes and genres existed for sure, but for a long time, going to a show was a weird, enlightening and varied experience..." Xanthe Rook (Courtney Hate, Babyflame, bitchmagic, Recitals, Mystery Waitress) writes about the thriving All Ages gig scene in Auckland during the 2010s, an influential era that still impacts Aotearoa's music today.

"...in a world that is mediated to a highly controlled extent, the possibility for raw failure is something that should be cherished." The third and final part of a three-part series in which Vera Ellen talks to local musicians about the difficulties navigating live performance and turbulent emotion. To read part one, click here, and for part two, click here. 

"...You know when you’re in a plane and the turbulence is terrible and there’s lightning hitting the wings and you start praying to god and you really fucking mean it? That’s what it feels like before I go on stage..." Part two of a three-part series in which Vera Ellen talks to local musicians about the difficulties navigating live performance and turbulent emotion. To read part one, click here.