New Zealand Musician magazine celebrates 21 years

The Opensouls own up to an electro-pop moment, Ed Cake reminisces about having his bottom pinched by Sir Howard, Shayne Carter argues he's not dictatorial and Tama Waipara talks about his own special requirements – while Riki Gooch gets his kit off – all  in NZ Musician magazine's brilliant 21st birthday issue. 

New Zealand Musician magazine celebrates 21 years of publication and support of local music with a special 21st birthday issue, out on August 19th.

New Zealand Musician magazine was first published in 1988, then a slim and all-but mono 20 pages, conceived as a promotional vehicle for the musical instrument retail sector. Twenty-one years on the niche title has grown to be a widely read, glossy and free bi-monthly magazine, covering all aspects of our flourishing creative music scene.

Focusing exclusively on local music, NZ Musician features numerous artist interviews across a wide range of popular musical territory, from folk to hip hop, along with a comprehensive album/EP review section. Regular educational features include lessons on various instruments as well as advice columns from industry specialists on topics such as vocal techniques, accounting and legal matters.

Perhaps most significantly the magazine remains free to the reader, distributed to its core readership of musicians, industry and local music fans mainly through musical instrument retail outlets.

Richard Thorne has been NZ Musician’s publisher for most of its 21 years, starting as editor with the magazine's fourth issue (the Aug/Sept 21st birthday issue is the 126th). All aspects of the local music scene are almost unrecognisably different he says, but despite the changes and advances the basic premise of NZ Musician has remained pretty much the same.

“Back in 1998 there really was a desperate need for individuals, businesses and organisations to provide support, as commercial radio was doing its level best to completely ignore local music. That situation has been significantly reversed and these days Kiwi music enjoys general media enthusiasm, but NZM's key artist support role continues to be important in providing a really broad coverage and information that both entertains and informs its wide readership. In combination with the magazine's website www.nzmusician.co.nz it has also become an extremely rich, and globally accessible archive resource.”

While the magazine's 21st birthday cover is celebratory, the issue is typically packed with local artist features including Opensouls, Tama Waipara, Dimmer, Family Cactus, Tahuna Breaks, James Duncan, Pie Warmer, Sweet an
d Irie, David Dallas and an exclusive story on The Clean's new studio album.
Special 21st birthday features include a look back at the past 21 years via several 'lists of 21', things like ‘Inspirational NZ Albums’ and 'Strokes of Kiwi musical genius'. A reader competition offers the chance to win a home studio equipment package valued at over $3500 and the issue also includes the magazine’s annual Music Industry Training Courses Directory for 2010.

ends

© Scoop Media