Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat

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  • dubmugga,

    But let's be honest, as much as they might try, it doesn't sound anything like US hip-hop. Which is why it works.

    Maybe not, but tonally he sounds a lot like JaRule

    ...and how much of that kiwiness will still be present in his next output for the US market ?

    Who cares ??? he's not, making shit for NZoA anymore. Pity same cant be said about Aaradhna. Dawnraid are so hit and miss.

    And back to Katchafire. You could dress any maori covers band up in rastagear, push the aotearoa spirituality angle and treehuggers the world over will get irie and buzz out but c'mon, listen to the fucking tunes !!!

    They're not that flash eh and neither are the production values. Almost a quarter of a mil they've recieved not including sales and concert revenue ??? Fuck me thats alot of 12" singles and music vids you could crash the dance scene with.

    the back of your mind • Since Nov 2006 • 257 posts Report

  • Simon Grigg,

    ...and how much of that kiwiness will still be present in his next output for the US market ?

    That really depends on what the A&R person who signed them thinks he is buying into. I don't know but I'd guess it's the point of difference (and the fact that it's cheap) that makes the sale.

    That doesn't mean that they won't mess it up...as a major manager in the US said a few years back, you always start from the premise that the record label is always gonna do the wrong thing, and then move forward from that point.

    But the smart money should be that you don't mess with what made it work in the first place.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • robbery,

    A few typos in that last one.

    tell me about it,

    is it ok for that money to be used by noN affected people?
    They're people and theY'RE benefiting from the money just like a homeless and hungry disaster victim would. by your reckoning that's a good result and everything is ok.

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • robbery,

    question for you kyle

    what do you think is the objective of funding music?
    is it an employment thing, getting kiwi's employed in the music industry?
    is it a cultural thing, art and heritage etc?
    if you think its an employment thing why not pick any other industry and fund that, like automotive production? its all kiwi's in work isn't it. why does it have to be music if there is no cultural benefit?

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    local bands breaking through on their own, through hard slog ground up gigging (remembering this was the hey day of Shihad, Salmonella, Fur Patrol, Good Shirt etc),

    Well.

    Shihad appear on Kiwihits disks 24 times, dating back to 1993.
    Fur Patrol 13 times.
    Salmonella Dub 18 times.
    Goodshirt 8 times.

    All seem to cover a fair range of their career.

    Their database doesn't seem to be working for looking at old decisions for recording singles and videos, but I'm presuming they got some help back in the day. Shihad got money in April of this year for producing a video.

    Then a bunch of people who weren't affected by the disaster move into the area and start consuming the aid.

    is it ok for that money to be used by no affected people?
    They're people and their benefiting from the money just like a homeless and hungry disaster victim would. by your reckoning thats a good result and everything is ok.

    eh? Stay on topic.

    Because it says clearly in the nz on air charter that

    NZ On Air will allocate funding so that programmes and broadcasts that wouldn't otherwise be made in a commercial market can be produced.

    I presume that programmes and broadcasts here relates to TV and radio shows. If for example you read their radio policy:

    NZ On Air's priorities for programming for commercial radio are focused on youth, spiritual, drama and comedy programmes.

    Those are things that wouldn't otherwise be made in a commercial market. Under TV they say:

    NZ On Air has also published policies in relation to drama funding, children's programmes, travel and editing loans, and has implemented Te Rautaki Māori.

    Perhaps Brendan will return and clarify.

    The American deal comes after the success of the song Swing on the sound-track of hit Hollywood movie Knocked Up. It quickly gained cult status.

    "The movie is what's snowballed everything," Savage said

    Again, I don't know what else they have or haven't supported him in, but Savage appeared on 5 Kiwihits discs, all 2004 - 2006, before this movie came out. Given the significance of this one song to snowball Savage's career, maybe the question that should be asked is how the director of Knocked Up came to hear it/him. Maybe NZ on Air played a part in that?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • robbery,

    eh? Stay on topic.

    ok, noted, kyle can't handle lateral thinking.

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    __eh? Stay on topic.__

    ok, noted, kyle can't handle lateral thinking.

    Well if you're going to be a dick and get personal.

    Your parallel between how I've argued about the funding for NZ on Air, and how you've painted me as feeling about disaster relief, is completely made up, wrong, and irrelevant. There's no connection between the two at all.

    So far in this forum you've taken the opportunity about three times to tell me what I think about something which isn't actually the case. It makes you look like a twit whose best tactic in the debate is to dip into fiction about what the other person says/thinks.

    Better?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • robbery,

    be a dick

    dude, got to calm down.
    I have no idea what your feeling are on disaster relief, and I really don't care cos I wasn't talking about it, I was using the scenario to illustration by example, I was taking the criteria of funding nz music and using a similar scenario to illustrate it and look on it from a different angle.
    personally I thought you were being over combative, but hey, its the internet, its not like it matters so I'm hardly going to call you a dick.

    so, have a go at answering my question on the objective of funding music. I was actually interested in your slant on how you view the origination of the scheme. cos you're not alone in your view. I don't share it but plenty of other people do.
    There are those that are passionate about music and what it means to then and there a plenty of people who it doesn't really have great importance for. I'm not going to critise you for your stance, everyone's different. be nice if you extended me the same courtiousy

    in a non combative way.

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Nick D'Angelo,

    from the Radioscope link posted earlier:

    RadioScope100 | May 18 2008

    Duffy - Mercy

    With a second week as the most-played track on New Zealand radio, Mercy by Duffy is a 'secret' no longer. It was for a long time though. When her manager, Jeannette Lee, co-owner of Rough Trade records and former member of PiL, got one of Duffy's demos she immediately snuck her into a studio for four years (don't worry, she was allowed out sometimes, it's not like that Austrian story or anything). Four years on, Rockferry is the result.

    As I'm reading the stuff about Rough Trade/PiL I'm thinking "Wow", but then I read the Austrian reference I'm thinking "Ew".

    I've crossed the line many times myself for 'humour' but that really isn't funny if you think about it for two seconds. Who wrote that blurb?

    Simon Laan • Since May 2008 • 162 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    One day, the Austrian story will no longer be Too Soon. Or maybe not.

    Is this the new Thread That Wouldn't Die?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    Thread That Wouldn't Die

    New Zealand Music Topic + robbery = Thread of Eternal Life

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • robbery,

    New Zealand Music Topic + robbery = Thread of Eternal Life

    :)

    did I get the record for longest thread?
    The drm one has to be a contender

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Simon Grigg,

    Maybe NZ on Air played a part in that?

    Very doubtful. It's more likely that their deal with Universal Music Publishing was the clincher there.

    Shihad appear on Kiwihits disks 24 times, dating back to 1993.
    Fur Patrol 13 times.
    Salmonella Dub 18 times.
    Goodshirt 8 times.

    All seem to cover a fair range of their career.

    The more important question is how many times those appearances got those bands on commercial radio.

    The answer sadly is not many. Radio used the voluntary quota system as a way to sidestep those acts most of time, despite, specially in SD's case.massive public support and the sort of music that would likley get a band like that on the radio in the UK. Fur Patrol had one track played massively but were ignored after that despite producing music that should have worked on radio.

    Then take a band like The Electric Confectionaires from last year. I'm not a fan but many are and their NZoA touted single was to all intents and purposes clealy a radio smash...if it had been played. It wasn't. Radio ignored it. The same with Bright Grey from The Phoenix Foundation. Touted as a hit, ignored by radio who didn't even give the song the time of day.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • robbery,

    come on kyle, don't be like that

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • robbery,

    ignored by radio who didn't even give the song the time of day.

    do you think its part of nz on airs job to find ways for content to be played?
    I agree there are many many "should have been hits" that didn't get the punt from commercial radio. Obviously the issue was recognised when the scheme was started (more of our voices on air etc)
    Is it enough to present to radio a bunch of well recorded tracks applicable to commercial radio play and shrug your shoulders when nothing happens? should that be where NZ's obligation to its culture finishes?

    if not then what other things could be done do you think?

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Very doubtful. It's more likely that their deal with Universal Music Publishing was the clincher there.

    Well if that's the case then what role did NZ on Air have in getting that deal?

    I don't know anything about Savage or his career. I just wonder what he'd say if he was asked "have NZ on Air helped your career?"

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Simon Grigg,

    "Well if that's the case then what role did NZ on Air have in getting that deal?"

    None...that was because of the link up with Universal Records in NZ.

    But sure, NZ on Air provided funding for Savage and it could be the beginnings of a success story, just as Brendan was very supportive of OMC, when radio in NZ wouldn't touch it (MaiFM aside). They funded part of the video. I'm not denying the positive input.

    But the point you miss is that it doesn't matter how much money NZoA throws at something if radio still ignores most of it..which they do, and get a mighty pat on the back for doing so. For every Savage there are a fifty acts ghettoized by the way the system works right now.

    I'm not criticising NZonA or the work and success they've had..I've said that before here several times, but the brief and the legislation surrounding it need to be revisited now. The burst of success that we had in 2001-03 has largely died off, the good work has stagnated when there are only 3 NZ tracks in the airplay top 50..that ain't 20%.

    Maybe it's time to look at how that money could be better spent or targeted. Unless we are requiring 20% across all formats, all stations, and coupling that with a targeted digital approach, we are wasting our time and money.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Simon Grigg,

    Rob,
    part of my answer, as above:

    Unless we are requiring 20% across all formats, all stations, and coupling that with a targeted digital approach, we are wasting our time and money.

    But if this couldn't be achieved under the current government, it sure as hell ain't gonna happen under anyone else.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • robbery,

    But if this couldn't be achieved under the current government, it sure as hell ain't gonna happen under anyone else.

    I agree. I actually don't think the nz on air charter is flawed, I think its objectives are good, but that for what ever reason it hasn't achieved them.

    So you're saying 20% quota.

    I'd like to add to that bypassing commercial radio. I'd suggest achieving this by strengthening National radio along the lines of the UK's bbc brand.
    what would commercial radio do if a national broadcaster competed with them and included kiwi in their play lists, without ads.
    they'd have to up their game then wouldn't they,

    for those who haven't spent time in the UK the BBC has multiple channels targeting different formats, (don't know if they cater to country though) playing a wide variety of new music and breaking in acts, that other stations pick up on. its heavily listened to and not marginalised like National radio in NZ (in that its seen as a middle age persons station by the wider public, not targeting anywhere near youth).

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    in a non combative way.

    Non combative like (to quote yourself)?:

    I am rude about it now

    It's sarcasm, a defense mechanism used by cynical smart asses to deflate feelings of incredulity and frustration.

    Apparently he's so out of the loop in his search for public opinion and debate on Music Funding that he doesn't know about the existence of Public Address so perhaps your first task as internet guru to the stars could be to show brendan how to work an internet browser :)

    point still stands, why are you avoiding the question Russell?

    So maybe I've been too rough on MR Smyth, its not his fault someone gave him the job and salary, but really, should he be doing?

    And that's just a couple of pages.

    But no thanks. I just thought you were using the wonders of the internet to be a prick and deserved to be called on it. I'll save my debate for another time.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • robbery,

    another question for you simon.
    you mention nz on air has fought battles and won.

    can you elaborate on a battle or 2 that you know about that nz on air got involved in.

    I haven't seen any signs of cunning or fighting from NZ on Air. They seem to pretty much dish out cash as they see fit put discs in front of radio and if radio don't sniff shrug their shoulders and say 'well we did our best'. Their best in any other industry would get them fired for lack of results, but then no one gets fired in govt jobs for being lame, you got to do something bad to get ousted.

    I would have loved to have seen and heard stories of clever and cunning successes and attempts to get the playlists loaded. I haven't heard one.

    hell, there are only a handful of programmers in the country anyway. did anyone contemplate the bribes and hookers approach?

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • robbery,

    Non combative like (to quote yourself)?:

    are you the target of those comments?
    no?

    are you brendans mum?
    no?

    Have I been combative to you?
    no?
    then ...... what u getting so upset about?

    I'll save my debate for another time.

    I was looking forward to discussing down to the last typo with you,

    brendan's obviously not the debating kinda guy he'd have us believe he is, and you were taking up the mantle of the 'all sounds the same to me' masses just for arguments sake of course,

    walking off in a huff and getting hooked on mis interpreted points (my funds to disaster victims example) just makes you seem like you don't have a point, I expected more from you, I'm disappointed.

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • robbery,

    And that's just a couple of pages.

    and I'm offended by your choice of quotes, I've been a lot nastier than any of those. some of em even have smilies in them.
    if they'd had some swear words in them so all caps words and exclamation marks I'd take your point but I think its all in the reading as far as that lot are concerned.

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Have I been combative to you?
    no?

    then ...... what u getting so upset about?

    He wouldn't be the first to simply get weary of you being a dick. Honestly.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Simon Grigg,

    can you elaborate on a battle or 2 that you know about that nz on air got involved in.

    Phase 4 for a start. The concept was Brendan's I believe and the concept is good. And he initially, one might say bravely, battled for it under a National Government, although the implementation came under Labour. Whether you agree with the way it's been applied since is neither here nor there but the concept was a battle worth fighting and a lot of NZ albums would not have been made if it wasn't for the scheme which was largely designed to be self funding after the initial input.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

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