Theres an excellent discussion going on at Public Address System about this - well worth a look in if you are interested, some very knowledgable people involved and some interesting opinions coming out...

http://www.publicaddress.net/system/topic,394.sm?i=0#forum-replies

Yeah, good on Neil Finn for pointing this out. Whilst it is good for artists to receive funding for their endeavours it definitely pays to be realistic about the impact that NZ music can have on the world at large...I mean, the current 'barbeque reggae' thing , that really isn't going to set Jamacia alight now is it? Why would you accept the soulless white NZ interpretation of your culture when you have the music of artists such as King Tubby?

There are two types of music...good and bad.And as Mr. Finn rightly says, the 'hype' machine can't wallpaper over the fact that some of this music that's going out there is simply crap.But there is crap music in every country.Just because it is from NZ doesn't automatically make it good.

NZ culture needs to gain some much needed objectivity in order to grow and move forward!

objectivity.
It's not required, it's business vs art or dear I say it culture.
if it turns a profit I care not a whit what shit they sell.
I've given up on expecting an adequate hospital so some indigenous music may be my Family' salve/balm.Don't start me on the school

Is this Neil Finn the same man whose international claim to fame was funded by a Large Multi-National Record Company? I think Dan has a story about budget over-runs he might like to share with us (again).If someone is prepared to run the talent will out argument I am all ears but really i thought most grown-ups stopped believing tin this a long time ago.Finn's group was pretty and inoffensive tunewise, someone thought I can turn this, and it was done.
That this appears to give his words more gravitas says just how insecure most of the wannabes, neverwasers and all round losers we have migrating to Music Journalism in NZ

and I can tar with same brush 'cos I know Brother Tim has regularly lined up for the states largesse come funding time.
"Last to Know" "Imaginary Kingdom" and there was a recording grant too I thinks.
whats his opinion on "Arts Funding" and Politician cheer leading/band wagoning?

maybe it is offensive seeing Helen, I certainly think so at the best of times but this is what Politicians do, heck I remember Lange doing it at the Fowler in '86 too announce Record Tax off. it gets votes Comrade, hence it is done.

This just in:

NEIL FINN FORMS POLITICAL PARTY TO TAKE ON LABOUR

'Musician Neil Finn has decided to form a political party in time for the next elections after the completion of the forthcoming Crowded House reunion tour.The party is directly aimed at stopping all self grandiosing back slapping awards ceremonies with people reading awkwardly off cue cards on live TV, and instead replace such events with a single computerised loop of a fart with a huge delay on it reverberating around said NZ Music Awards venue for the duration of the ceremony.

Finn's party manifesto will be unveiled in time for the end of New Zealand Music Month.His first aim upon succesful election to the Beehive is to demolish said building and replace it with an anti-barbeque reggae training camp.This will involve a subtle infilatration of the Wellington music scene, and any gathering of 3 people or more will be deemed by law to be thepotential formation of a new barbeque reggae group.Stoner suicide bombers will also be trained in how to go to outdoor parties and stop this virus spreading.'-excerpt from The Herald, April 6th 2007.