Kia ora,
Well this is a topic most talked about by a lot of poeple I know, and I am sure lots of other people feel the same aswell. We talk about it, but we really need to action it. In your opinion, (thats is your and not mine), how do you feel about NZ artisits who contiually recieve NZ on AIR funding, when there are loads more other bands (there just happen to be lots on this website), that never recieve any funding??? Regardless of being APRA members, I think that a lot of people who sit round the table in the board room have a lot to answer for....
I won't name any names, but, is it not fair to see quite a few commerical listed NZ artisits who recieve handouts, while all other NZ artists, regardless of genre, are gambling their blood in hope for the next round of grants. I'm certainly not saying that every artist relies on it it, but the funding seems to go to the same artists almost every tine....WHY?
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Funding seems to go to artists who are ...
Funding seems to go to artists who are already on major recording labels... that is something that bugs me, and confounds me. I'm gonna blame James Coleman. Easy target. Dick. :)
That said, I've never applied for funding... so maybe I should shut my fat mouth until I get rejected at least once.
I think they give it to bands that are ...
I think they give it to bands that are doing well becasue they are more likely to make money from there music... meaning they can be taxed and repay teh handout (and then some, maybe).
hiya, yes, a very intriguing topic. ...
hiya,
yes, a very intriguing topic. I agree that the same artists seem to get funding, but I looked at the criteria and there is a max of 2 New Recording grants per artist, and I guess the bands we've all heard of have greater "potential for commercial radio airplay", which is why they get ongoing funding.
The idea seems to be "artist development' ie get a couple of singles & videos out, and then qualify for larger album grants - by which time they are probably signed if they're gonna be.
Rightly or wrongly If you're *not* suitable for "commercial airplay" then I guess you don't fit the criteria.
I guess that probably excludes a bunch of awesome bands and artists, purely based on current commercial radio programmers tastes...
I'll be watching this topic with interest
cheers
Yes this is true, funding seems to go ...
Yes this is true, funding seems to go to artists who are already on major recording labels, but it is also the say from the PD Program director...So perhaps it is the Program Directors who need to answer...I feel as though your are half handdedly shortlisting a lot of potential NZ artisits, who might be lucky to get airplay on their local Bnet station.
Sure, I'm quite certian that some of us would love to hear out tunes on the ZM network, or The RockFM network......... errrrrrghhhhhhh the ZM network.............
i tell you the one that bothered me... ...
i tell you the one that bothered me... if your name is chris knox you can wake up one morning and re-invent yourself as an electronic artist called "friend". And because you once wrote the most annoying love song of all time, said electronica is immediately deemed worthy of taxpayer funding to the tune of $10 grand thank you very much.
you're not supposed to talk about this sort of thing of course, for fear of Mr Smythe's blacklist, and of course it must be a thankless job, having to say no so much more often that you say yes when each and every artist that send something in thinks it is worthy of being supported. it's pretty cool that the grants exist at all. but i do think eyebrows are worth raising when NZ on Air push the artists that need the least push, i.e. when there are already big record company dollars behind the act and making multi-thousand dollar videos for them, how come the taxpayer subsidises that same video/act?
I think Knoxy got a Creative NZ grant ...
I think Knoxy got a Creative NZ grant for the Friend CD - nothing to do with NZ On Air.
Don't for a second think that I am ...
Don't for a second think that I am dissing artiststs that are recieving funding at, I'm sure they're trying creat ethe right blend balance what have you, and trying to invest in potential artists. But to me this is no balance at all, who are you tyring to kid?. Surely from a listeners point of view he'she have more of an idea of what could sell hotcakes on a radio stations or what would burn images into your tv screen for days as a music video. Yes, this is probably all legit for all the right reasons, and if any of the NZ on Air boar members do read these forums, perhaps they would like to give their views...perhaps you could change my perception, or give me a better understanding why. I'm not resentful, however, some answers could satisfy a lot of readers, with a well thought out explaination.
cheers.
from my experience, having been a part ...
from my experience, having been a part of a few nz on air funded videos, and prior to that, speaking with mr nzoa regarding how someone could get funded.. it isn't so much up to them as it is up to the people that actually play the music videos on the teevee. nzoa send all the tracks to places like juice tv, most wanted, etc, and ask them to rate each song out of ten on its commercial potential. i.e. how likely is it they will play this song on their teevee show.
of course this is only shifting the blame, sort of. but anyways. everytime i have spoken to nzoa they are keen to point out that the focus for funding is commercial. and i wonder if that is their prerogative.
psps.. most of the artists i have worked with, not that ive worked with heaps, self-fund their first video release, and then the second gets the golden ticket from mr. wonka. im not terrible educated on how many artists have self funded more than one video release but would be interested if anyone has examples.
pspspsps. what is really bothering and troublesome for many music video makers is that ppls seem to think five grand somehow covers it.
// im not terrible educated on how many ...
// im not terrible educated on how many artists have self funded more than one video release but would be interested if anyone has examples.
buddy....the list is very fucken long.
wellington artists...off top of my head
phoenix foundation - charming van, let me die a woman
ejector - too late, drift
ghostplane - straight and narrow, lazybones
autozamm - unstuck, day to day
marystaple - choke, shotgun (though these videos were made AFTER they had already recieved funding for 2 nzoa videos.)
shit bro...list goes on and on........
they dont care how many video's ya ...
they dont care how many video's ya made .. or albums you pressed.. or how many pushups you can do in a row .. all they care about is "are lota people gonna see it or hear it' and as we all know too well , most of the public are lame as hell and listen to zm, the rock .. as said above.. channel z.. etc .. etc .. blah .. terrrible nasty mass marketed safe horse shit.. and watch most wanted .. and juice and yawn - space ..
hence - nz on air take absolutly no risks .. fullstop
Samflux You hit the nail on the ...
Samflux You hit the nail on the head,NZOA are a commercial machine going with the market of money making pop crap that no true muso would piss on if it was on fire.
If noone gets a chance to get new sounds into the mainstream how are things ever gonna change?
In the last ten years rock n metal have made a huge impact on over sea's mainstream markets, if NZOA like to follow trends FOLLOW THIS ONE!!!!
//money making pop crap that no true ...
//money making pop crap that no true muso would piss on if it was on fire.
I thought I'd gotten used to some of the jerking off on this site over True Art vs commercialism, but I really resent this comment. There are plenty of bands that have received NZ On Air funding who are talented and bloody passionate about the music they're making. What a ridiculous judgement call to say they're not true musos!
// rock n metal have made a huge ...
// rock n metal have made a huge impact
// if NZOA like to follow trends FOLLOW THIS ONE!!!!
what about...
* Blindspott
* The Datsuns
* The D4
* Slim
* D-Super
* Sommerset
...and good ol' Pacifier/Shihad, who have been the recipient of more NZ On Air money than any other act.
yeah i think i gotta say it again - the ...
yeah i think i gotta say it again - the genre of music or the amount of talent an artist or group may have.. or how many videos they've made. etc etc. etc doesnt come into play with nz on air at all.. no way... will it get played lots and have mass appeal .. thats all.. they probably dont even know who half the bands are .. they just look them up in this big technocouloured chart.. "umm who the hell are the datsuns? .. dunno .. look them up in the chart, .. oh here they are.. 2nd from the top .. give them the $$,.. alright.. but the gotta get a hair cut first.. yeah unsightly young men.."
Hmmmmm fair comments all round (humble ...
Hmmmmm fair comments all round (humble pie)
yeah ok.. i realised after i posted ...
yeah ok.. i realised after i posted that there would be a good few artists funding more than one clip.. its always good to recognise them though so keep the list coming i says..
i'm constantly surprised to hear of artists/tracks that are denied funding. it makes it difficult when you have a couple hundred bucks, even a couple grand, to a) do the artist and the track justice; and b) visually reach that audience that gives you the potential for nzoa funding next time around.
blink is talking about artists that ...
blink is talking about artists that self funded a video then went on to get a grant .. but i reakon there is no link.. bet ya the only reason they gave autozamm money was cause they saw those pretty boys on what now .. haha .. but unstuck is good.. and the new video is looking wicked from the tests i see...
ok,.,... mayb he wasnt talking about ...
ok,.,... mayb he wasnt talking about that at second look.. just happens to be the case.. but im still right goddam.. and ill fight alla ya .. bring out the para pool and the mud mix
//blink is talking about artists that ...
//blink is talking about artists that self funded a video then went on to get a grant
no I'm not bro...i was just listing some artists who had self funded 2 videos....autozamm haven't got a video grant yet....and for some mad reason, neither have the phoenix foundation.
Personal opinion here but I don't ...
Personal opinion here but I don't think that musicians should get one cent of taxpayer money. There are people on hospital waiting lists, children starving while their parents spend their dole check at the pokies, kids reading from 25 year old textbooks in public schools etc. It's just not a priority. It's only music, and not even good music most of the time for some of the reasons outlined by others here.
Yes but we're all progressive ...
Yes but we're all progressive neoliberalists now and only
profits matter,
right?
I'm for supporting arts, but I think NZ on air grants
should go to the
indies (although some are branches of the 'big six' (or is
it five now?)
When grants go to Sony and Universal that's just painful.
Also, there's something disturbing about seeing the NZ On
Air logo at the
start and end of a video.
Something deftly uncool -- parent-like.
I agree with Rdor. NZ on Air had some ...
I agree with Rdor. NZ on Air had some horrible amount of money to put into the arts this year, and though this is great, there are hospitals etc that need it much more. HOwever, seeing as i can't change the system, i'm not gong to stand up and say no if they give me the money. I see no point in making a fuss over it if it's benefiting someone. At least it's not going into the mp's pockets.....
rdor, why are you checking out nz music ...
rdor, why are you checking out nz music if your such a lame ass? NZ music should make you proud, not a slagging tosspot
Respect rdor, you always say what you ...
Respect rdor, you always say what you think.
Personally, I think there's always going to be one deserving cause or another who deserves my tax dollar more, there's always going to be dissatisfaction with what's available... but hey- I'm glad I don't decide who gets what. I'm just proud to live in a country that recognises the cultural significance of it's musicians and has made a commitment (however we may criticise it) to support them.
well good point but pretty irrelevant ...
well good point but pretty irrelevant in this discussion...mayby artists should get funding in return for doing some time as vollunteer orderlys at hospitals :)
Hey rdar I object to your comments ...
Hey rdar I object to your comments trivialising music.Hospitals etc go to sleep.The hospitals have changed names so many times costing megga bucks for letter heads spending $60.000 on a camera that doesnt get used (Radiology ,inside info hell yeah ) and giving themselves huge wage increases,to hell with them.They get alot of maney which gets mismanaged.I pay tax'es and I want them to go to music.
Leave music alone.This is going to be a revenue maker which if handled right would I suppose get more money in the health coffers.
I'm a singer songwriter who organises a number of events and who also showcases Unsigned artists on my radio show ,these artists are great.Most of them don't appear on the A/C/Hit disc or the Kiwi Hit disc for that matter.
With the $5,000 grant they get from N.Z onAir they can only do one recording which goes on to one of these disc's and circulated around all the radio stations in N.Z.It is then up to the radio host to choose and play and the average person can't have access to them ,so for the artists on the Hit Disc who never get to air seems a great financial loss,a waiste of public money.
I would imagine it's about timing, making sure that you get funding from creative nz for marketing distribution,tours, and release b4 the song get's distributed to all the radio's .
We can create our own formula,we have great music and we should be proud of it,outside of the chosen ones.
Hey just to clarify my point about ...
Hey just to clarify my point about financial loss.I mean their are some great songs on the Hit Disc that can turn into revenue spinners if they got as much air time as Neil Finn Bic Runga etc.
Hey heres a challenge .....Why not have one of us unsigned artists do a warmup for the likes of Bic Runga,Carly Binding,Anika Moa.....great idea....you can then have a comparitive experience.
Hey guys, here's my deal on the ...
Hey guys, here's my deal on the funding issue.
I totally hear you guys who are saying it's the same groups/artists who consistantly get the funding from NZOA. I'm sure there are truckloads of groups out there who are doing awesome stuff and working really hard and deserve a bit of help. But i think you have to look at it from NZOA's point of view aswell. They only have a fairly small amount of cash to dish out to these groups in what is a growing, but still relatively small industry. I think the conditions they have in place are fair enough. If every group/artist who wanted funding got exactly the same amount of funding from NZOA then we would have sh*tloads of bands who aren't really doing that well. Don't you think it's best then, when we are at such promising stage, that we help out the best we have to offer, give them the exposure they need and deserve, which will open up our market to the world and slowly build interest in the other great bands we have to offer.
Don't get me wrong, I know as well as you guys that we have some great talent in this country, bet we have to learn to walk before we can run. Let the likes of Pacifier, the D4, Blindspott, etc who are doing great things, give them the help they need so that off-shore interest will eventually come here to New Zealand to find out where it all happens. But none of this will happen if we don't give the big boys (and girls) the help.
Where there's smoke, there's fire. And by giving these guys the help, they will create enough smoke for people to realise there is a big f*ck off fire goin down here. But if we only hand out sparklers to everyone, we'll just fizzle out without anyone taking notice.
Seems to me the who funding system just ...
Seems to me the who funding system just works like a huge record company, sounds that are outside the square of the mass market are shunned because of the risk of profit loss.
as far as i understand it, twice a year ...
as far as i understand it, twice a year NZOA have to front up to the scary scary people at a little organisation called the Crown Companies Monitoring Unit.
NZOA's performance criteria - which is in their charter - basically states that they're measured & assessed on how much commercial radio airplay tracks that they funded with video grants.
if they get fuck all commercial radio airplay, CCMU slap them with a wet fish several times and NZOA get given less money the following year... with all that that entails.
i put in a couple of NZOA applications for Capital artists everytime and not once have i had any love back... i stamp my feet and grimace for about three seconds... then i wipe it, flush it and move on. life's too short, and measuring my label's acts - and their sales merits - on the listening abilities of commercial radio PDs isn't exactly my idea of fun (no offence intended).
...and knocking brendan smythe is for pussies too by the way.
the guy is really nice and the shit he gets flung at him is fucking legend... and there's fuck all he can do without a change to the NZOA charter and it attendant performance criteria... and who the fuck is gonna champion that in parliament? rodney hyde would be on anyone who tried it... like white on rice.
so yeah, the situation sucks... but i think teachers, fire-fighters and nurses should probably be in the queue ahead of us.
i recommend a period of employment with a government body for anyone who really has an issue with NZOA and/or brendan smythe.
i did.
i still wake up at night screaming... no, hang on... that's my baby daughter... drrr.
I sent them an email way back after ...
I sent them an email way back after thinking something I had put in was of merit (don't we all) I got half a dozen emails back, totally brimming with encouragement and explanation. I think they do pretty bloody well, I mean that particular round I went in had 208 entries, which = 198 or so folks feeling agrieved.
Made me realise that if you want shit to happen, spend some of your own money first. If you don't have money well go and fucken earn some. If you are unemployable then well gee move back in with mum n dad and keep buying them lotto tkts. If a nz on air grant is a focul point of your bands plan for world domination, bend over now and pass me the handy wipes.
Ps: shove yer spelling mistakes up your bung hole to boot.
My mate Scott and I were talking about ...
My mate Scott and I were talking about this yesterday. He came up with a simple little idea which sounds just neato. Reduce the size of the grants.
We, for instance, don't need $5000 to record a single. We could do a whole shit load of music for that much. How about people apply for how much money they need, and let NZ On Air check out the grant on a case by case basis. If someone has a big plan involving all kinds of big things, then by all means - apply for the full amount... and if it is commercially viable, you might just get it.
$500 would help us out a lot. $5000 would be a LOT of money. Either amount would make us happy, and get our music out there.
Great idea. It would also mean that ...
Great idea.
It would also mean that instead of your funding going straight to an over-priced, 'professional' studio, it's probably going to go towards a DIY or freshling studio, strengthening both the recording industry and the music scene at the grass-roots level that they're supposed to care so much about.
Not that I'm against the idea of giving great bands/artists the big grants- the sound quality of the finished product is world-class. Still, we all know money spent does not necessarily equal good music recorded.
Personally, I aspire to be recording music in an environment where I can make my ideas come to life. Realsistically, I know that's worth thousands, and I want to get it right. I don't know if I have the skills yet to make it happen the way I want. Thousands of dollars later, all I'll be is dissapointed.
So I say take whatever opportunity you have to record, especially since you can get some very good results with a DIY ethic, and hone your skills at recording your music. Understand what the recording process can do for your music, and how it can help you get your message across- that's the most important part.
Down the track the standard of recorded music in New Zealand will be improved across the board, and that's got to be worth NZ On Air's consideration. It's one thing to pick the best, they're already there... it's infinitely more valuable to develop the best. You reap what you sow.
// your funding going straight to an ...
// your funding going straight to an over-priced, 'professional' studio
such as? York St's the only one that springs to mind, I think every other studio (and maybe even York St) in NZ would offer you good rates for a NZ On Air subsidised recording session, 'cos they know the limitations which you're working within. The most 'professional' studio (available to bands, anyway) here in Wellington (marmalade) does excellent deals for up'n'comers, and works in close cahoots with Radio Active when it comes to doing live-to-airs, for which (this is my understanding) bands basically get top notch demos for free.
I personally think $5000 is about right for recording a decent single. You want to go into a good studio (and not necessarily a 'pro' studio - just somewhere where they have the gear required to get a good sound). You'll also need to hire an engineer/producer to record you, and various bits'n'bobs (tape, dats) to get the thing done. You'd be amazed how quick that $5000 gets sucked up when the bills start rolling in.
Of course, everyone can and does do things on the cheap, but that doesn't mean we should continue to do so when the opportunity is there to do it at a more professional level.
// Down the track the standard of recorded music in New Zealand
// will be improved across the board, and that's got to be worth
// NZ On Air's consideration.
It is, and I'm sure they've already taken that into account with their $5000 grants, and the professionalism of many of the 'little' studios across NZ has risen to world-class standards as a result of their indirect funding over the last 10 years.
Reducing the size of the grants is a ...
Reducing the size of the grants is a really good idea, and probably the most original comment on this whole thread, but I've noticed that the production values on independently released eps can be quite sloppy, especially when compared with a follow-up single or album that gets full nzoa funding. Don't know whether that's an issue that could be resolved with that initial $5000, or whether it's just part of the growth process. Any thoughts?
Wow, whiplash. Answered my question ...
Wow, whiplash. Answered my question before I asked it.
//personally think $5000 is about right ...
//personally think $5000 is about right for recording a decent single.
I agree, even if you just do the drums at revolver and everything else at a mates with protools, you still gotta get it mixed somewhere decent and then mastered. $5000 is still gonna get you calling in favours.
//but I've noticed that the production values on independently released eps can be quite sloppy.
?.......is that what you thought?
//?.......is that what you thought? ...
//?.......is that what you thought?
not at all - that's the reason it stood out.
*passes heather a packet of jet planes*...
*passes heather a packet of jet planes*
:"such as? York St's the only one that ...
:"such as? York St's the only one that springs to mind, I think every other studio (and maybe even York St) in NZ would offer you good rates for a NZ On Air subsidised recording session, 'cos they know the limitations which you're working within."
Well, how you define 'over-priced' is relative to the resources you have, and what you want to do with them... like I say, I know York Street is an environment where you can create world-class, high quality sounds. Not everyone is after that or ready for it. Personally, I'd only feel confident in an environment like York Street if I had a very clear idea of what the place could do and that I could express my musical ideas there (without getting sidetracked by the sheer power of the place). In the meantime, I look at what I have access to now, and how it can help me understand the recording process and use it wisely. And as eddie said, $500 goes quite a long way!
// Well, how you define 'over-priced' ...
// Well, how you define 'over-priced' is relative to the resources you have...
I'd define it as not being able to get in there for a weekend of recording with a $5000 NZ On Air recording grant.
// And as eddie said, $500 goes quite a long way!
Yeah, for sure. But again, you'll be calling in favours and getting mate's rates all over the show if that's your budget. $500 wouldn't pay the wage for *any* engineer/producer doing a weekend's work, whether you were recording at York Street, or somewhere a little more 'downmarket'.
I'm not arguing that these things *can't* be done on the cheap, and done well. NZ has a long history of DIY, and the 'sniff of an oily rag' type ethos has produced some top notch recordings. But the thing is, we don't want to go on working under the assumption that the local studio is going to let you have the afternoon for free, and the engineer is going to give up an evening to help you do some mixing if you bring him a sixpack and some KFC. If the money can be rustled up to pay everyone 'properly' why not do so?
We have quite different ideas about ...
We have quite different ideas about what 'recording locally' is, I think. But yes, in the end we're talking about similar stuff really. If you get a grant, of course you don't need charity, you don't need to cut corners... but with no skills/knowledge of the recording process, how do you know where the corners are, and when you've cut them? What's a 'good record?' Whatever you're told a 'good record' is, more often than not! And with 5 grand burning a hole in your wallet there'll be plenty of people trying to convince you one way or the other. It's certainly too complex to boil the process down to something like money spent = quality of record.... I don't care what Carly Binding/Festival Mushroom records/NZ On Air has to say about that ;)
// but with no skills/knowledge of the ...
// but with no skills/knowledge of the recording process,
// how do you know where the corners are, and when you've cut them?
ah yes, well, that's where you start forking out some cash for an engineer who vaguely knows what they're doing. I'm assuming here that we're still talking about the New Recording scheme, for which you've already flicked NZ On Air a demo anyway. If you get a $5000 grant, then it's a pretty simple matter: go to a studio, any studio will do (do it at home if you want), but bring in some outside help and tell 'em: "NZ On Air see some single potential in this song. Here's the demo we made. Let's do it again, and make it as radio-friendly as we can." Easy.
// different ideas about what 'recording locally'
To me, recording locally means heading off to a studio that's located in the same city as me. ;) Wellington's pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to that front, having lots of little basement/living room studios about the place, a few warehouse/rennovated-church places that have been done-up by their owners to a professional level, and a couple of topline 'pro' studios. (The last couple of recordings I've made, out of interest, were both done in places walking distance from my house in Island Bay - one a mid-sized studio, the other a room in someone's house). Really, if you're in any NZ city, there'll be a studio around that'll suit your needs. It only takes a weekend or two to get comfortable with any studio set-up - big or small - and the capabilities thereof.
They give out $5000 because thats how ...
They give out $5000 because thats how much it costs to record at York Street Studios, the best studio in the country, where most nz music singles are produced. sure you can record a whole album with $5000 at Matrix for example, my old band "Saliva Twist" recorded a whole cd 13 tracks for $2000 which sounds just as good as york street, so yeah, fuck knows.
Oh sure, don't get me wrong- I mean, ...
Oh sure, don't get me wrong- I mean, $5000.00 for the skilled full-time staff, purpose-constructed environment, latest tools, etc. for 48 hours is a STEAL. I just think a skill gap exists between recording songs onto a dictaphone at band practise, and trucking your gear up to York Street, which many bands just aren't prepared for- do you agree?
I mean, if anything else was the case, ...
I mean, if anything else was the case, the home-recording industry would serve no purpose... people choose to sacrifice the quality/expertise of the professional studio because it simply isn't relevant to where they're at musically. Not that it isn't valued, just making the most of limited resources.
Nice Guy Eddie I think the saddest ...
Nice Guy Eddie I think the saddest thing for the Unsigned who get this funding is that while it goes on a Indie Hit Disc or an A.C Hit disc there is no follow through to the end user.Only the radio stations get access to these Disc's and it's up to the host to play them and if they don't know them then they will go for the tried and well known .These disc's are not for general purchase.
I think $5000.00 is great but I also think that the artist should be able to record more than one song and hell that can be done...just practise practise practise b4 you record. If the artist completes the deal they automatically qualify for further funding to designed the cover and get so many printed off with a link up with a Kiwi distribution outlet ie King Music Distributers.This saves applying for further funding from Creative N.Z.Please just make it easier because we are here to stay and the trends and environment is changing.
// I just think a skill gap exists ...
// I just think a skill gap exists between recording songs onto a
// dictaphone at band practise, and trucking your gear up to York
// Street, which many bands just aren't prepared for- do you agree?
Well, yes. I thought that was *my* point. ;)
You don't *have* to spend the $5000 on the 'pro' studio, the 'experienced' engineer and the like, but you should still be forking out the equivalent cash to the local studio and the engineer manning the desk there. By valuing things properly throughout the entire industry, you bring up the level of professionalism and skills across the board.
Guy's i don't know what it's like ...
Guy's i don't know what it's like for first time grants, but if you start reading further on in the "making an album" and "promoting oversea's", NZoa states that the record company (or i'm picking if you really want to front up with that amount of money that would also be fine) must go halves. NZoa have 4 x $50,000 grants at memory for artists who are gonig to be promoted oversea's - but the record company must match it or beat it.
Point being, they are probably wanting people who are on their way to being with an international organisation such as sony or warners to fully back them. They want to start up a relationship with these people - plus i think it would take quite a bit for a company of that calibre to actually stand up and take notice of you and think they can work with you, so nzoa probably respect their opinion. To get that grant though (the oversea's promotion thing) you have to have 4 top 10 hits at memory in nz, so they really need to get the commercial stuff out there, so they can get that high sales margin to warrant sending them internationally.
The other thing is, if you really want the airplay and money, change your style. There's nothing saying you can't bring out a commercial first album, and from then on, go back to your original sound. You'll have built up a national fan base, and there's a lot of loyal fans who will change with you. That's possibly selling out for some people, but at least you can be flexable and possibly get what you want.
Up to you to decide what you want. Like going into a company you think you could be a manager of, but you're given the opportunity to be the manager of a sector, as opposed to the company. Do you say no just on principal? Or do you take the opportunity by the horns and work your hardest so when that position does become available you're noticed? You do something commercial... make the contacts... do a bit of smoozing in the industry.... an opportunity comes up.... and you're right there waiting... Just a thought...
//The other thing is, if you really ...
//The other thing is, if you really want the airplay and money, change your style. There's nothing saying you can't bring out a commercial first album, and from then on, go back to your original sound. You'll have built up a national fan base, and there's a lot of loyal fans who will change with you. That's possibly selling out for some people, but at least you can be flexable and possibly get what you want.
No, because the record label will drop you and NZ on Air will not fund you. Maybe Radiohead can do this but I'd love it if you could name some NZ bands who have actually pulled this off (don't even mention bloody Breathe either).