Posts by Robbie Siataga
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Mark works hard, organises, and does a good job for his artists and the indie sector in general.
I'm sure he does, but in 10 yrs IMNZ has been largely ineffectual in changing the funding/copyright status quo, while The Music Commission is basically a rort for junket trips to conferences that do little for the average band/artist, who's worth in the real world is judged on a tune by tune, gig by gig basis. Its not even about albums or charts or bums on seats anymore, or is it ?.
So its only me that can see a potential conflict of interest in Mark running a label, heading an indie organization, a marketing company and having the inside running for funding based on a close relationship with NZo A bosses and a seat on the music commish board that allocates funds ?
Wheres the accountability for 'outward sound' or NZoA's grants for marketing and touring crap bands who couldn't survive without a handout ? Someones got to keep the bastards honest but no one seems to be, why is that ?
BTW is that court case everyone points to, about freeing up the APRA logs without revealing sensitive information to competitive radio stations about advertising revenue and does IMNZ collect royalties on behalf of its members yet ? And just exactly how does the contra ads for royalties thing work on C42 tv ?
Do you know ? Jeez i hope you're not bound by a gag order too :)
Have ever thought of interviewing Mark for a follow up blog piece to your's and Dubber's report. Find out what he thinks you're off the mark on and make some recommendations taking into account the changes since 07 ?
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It seems you have a more romantic notion of politics than I do
and you have a more liberal notion of an employee than me :) but enough about BS. Heres another point raised worth noting.
The thing with funding is supposed to be, if you're good enough, you don't keep going back to the trough for seconds, thirds and then start camping out by it. It's as much a welfare dependent mindset as any we have in NZ and it appears endemic to all lables/artists from the tim finns to the katchafires, aaradnhas and autozamms.
And one which NZoA have fostered and done nothing to re dress, apart from applying veto power behind closed doors to the great unwashed who havent got their snout in the VIP trough.
it's that defintion of idiocy thing again. same actions expecting different results and yes, getting the same idiots to perform the same actions means aint a damn thing will change !
sure, we can agree things need to change and that the system was flawed and easily manipulated by NZoA honchos to begin with, but if people are too chckenshit to come out and say it for fear of the system changing but the personell remaining then the climate is still ripe for personal bias favouring the elite and blacklisting those who dared to speak in opposition.
Take that Mark Kneebone interview. I wonder how much his opinions differ depending on whether he was wearing his IMNZ, music comission or Tardus hats as opposed to just his Isaac one ? And how much do some of our opinions change depending on who we're speaking to and whether its public or private ? Sounds like he's lining himself up for Brendan's job anyway.
politicking sucks, clipping the ticket, taking the backhander, lets not pretend that shit doesnt happen cos after all this is the music/entertainment industry. Its all about saving face and ego massaging and probably why im not cut out for it as it stands.
but what the fuck, i got nothing to lose and everything to gain. i suppose it is telling that no one is actual vehement in the defense of contrary opinions cos i take silence as a tacit form of agreeance though i think it's still weak, limp wristed, soft in the belly hypocrisy.
so yeah whats the name oif this blog again ? Hard News on Public Address ? C'mon Russell re discover that fire in the belly. Tell us what you really think or would you consent to an interview from me ?
BTW did you do one for Duncan's series, were you asked ? If not why not and if so, apologies and can't wait to read it.
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oh c'mon Sacha he's not just an employee. He's responsible for administering a multi million dollar taxpayer funded budget.
I'm sure if he'd wanted he could have put the word to the board that the mandate needs re written, and a word to the minister he's accountable to as a public servant that the law needs changed.
It speaks volumes to his character that he hasn't and is blaming a copyright court case gag order as an excuse. And even if he were just a lowly employee, how does Lech Walesa and Solidarity in Poland suit you as just one example as having the power to change the system ?
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there is also a wealth of knowledge and experience there that I, as a New Zealand taxpayer, don't want to toss away. He knows his stuff
Oh for sure maybe pay him the odd consultancy fee if you need to know anything from back in the day but this is a new age and it needs fresh new meat for the grinder... not tough and tainted old rams.
So how about you target the parameters ? It's fairly obvious you're still passionate and wise in the ways of the darkside. Honestly though, surely you'll agree he's not the one anymore. ?
Remember that Rip it Up from a few years ago when they had him as the most powerful man in NZ music ? That power is in deciding and vetoing who gets through the first round of selections before the programmers decide who gets funded.
So while it's easy to blame the programmers for making shit selections, if they aren't, for personal bias reasons, getting the best tunes to select from, then that power isnt being applied responsibly and none's the wiser, with the blame for selection never being with Brendan.
Same as blaming a court case for not switchng up the game when he had the chance or blaming the strict mandate for his failings. Its wears too thin.
So in effect he's/you're saying, the board and the minister is doing a shit job and kicking the blame up the chain ?... Nah sorry i'm just not buying it.
He has had the power to force and recommend change for years. The fact he hasn't in favour of maintaining the status quo either speaks to the mushroom like intellect of the board (kept in the dark and fed bullshit) or the fact that Brendan has his own agenda to which his overlords aren't the board but vested commercial interests
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Focusing on Mr Smyth is like targetting your school principal about national standards rather than the Board that employs her or the Minister and government who make the rules.
Nah it's like targeting the school principal for despite having the resources still continually churns out morons into the workforce...none of which go onto higher learning.
If i was the school board i'd be firing the principal first up. If this were a rugby team or a pro soccer team he woulda been gone 4 years ago.
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Fair enough Simon, that's admirable you've got your mates back, but in this game you're only as good as your last gig/tune and Brendans gig/tune for at least the last 5 years has been sub par.
Respect where it's due but it's the classic, yeah i liked your old stuff better than your new stuff.
I'm sure hes a nice guy to go to dinner with and chat about inane shit over a glass of wine cos he'll prolly pick up the tab, but his legacy wont be remembered for what he achieved, it'll be for what he didnt when he had the chance.
I'm sure you said yourself he was a man for his time but that time has been. Fact is, there's nothing so unattractive as holding on to power for its own sake.
Why else maintain the status quo ?
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Oh, and Robbie, I've just found this blog post of mine in response to a question from you back in '06, and I've reposted it. Funny how little has changed, huh?
haha Simon, a most excellent response... it really is like groundhog day !
...and to think Brendan has known it was broke since then and done nothing to fix it. 4 yrs on he's still the gatekeeper and i'm still the crazy guy on the fringes pissing in the wind knowing i've got ideas worth shit and can spot talent a mile off.
I should note, its unfair to lay the blame for crap selections totally at the broadcasters/programmers door. The thing that needs reminding, is that NZ on Air personell make a preliminary cull of the applicants to weed out the undesirables, and that is where potentially great tunes dont get a look in, for whatever reason including personal bias, before passing them on to the programmers to decide in their infinite wisdom who gets the dosh.
I just wonder if this is the year of critical mass needed to convince Brendan its time to go ?
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freeview ?... theres already c42 which IMNZ have got their hooks into for free broadcasting in contra for advertising to artist royalties. Nah it needs to be online like soundcloud/amplifier/youtube
You and I both know Robbie, that your time would be better spent plotting the next big thing. They have sucked you into their game.
Which is it going to be? Politician or artist?
Honestly, one of my kids is going to be the next big thing. Shes got star written into her genes so i dont even have to plot.
and i'm happy enough designing t shirts and art directing the odd piece but i've got a voice and a chip on my shoulder that needs knocking off so i guess it's looking like politics :)
Shot DD...So are you in or do you have vested interests best served by pseudonymity ? How many people does one need for a lobby group ?
maybe hit me up offsite ?
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uh yeah Rob...
How about doing the Ecan thing and sacking Brendan and his mates, then appointing outsiders with real world skills and proven ability to look at the whole shebang with fresh eyes and ears.
cos the thing is, theres 'the music commission' appointed panel of music experts 'outward sounds' programme which gives out grants to tour and market for which most who have availed themselves of have also failed dismally at.
http://www.mch.govt.nz/funding-guide/fund/200970/F
http://nzmusic.org.nz/international/recipients/
the third conversation on the Real Groove site. It's with Mike Bradshaw, Crowded House's current manager. Pretty provocative opinions,
this from there cos i used to be one of this
lot of really great people out there on the breadline running great little labels, encouraging people to get into music that are really struggling. Their opinion is as relevant as Universal and Sony music. That’s what needs to happen. There has to be a more distinct overview and look at how and if the current system is working and should keep working the way it is. That’s what needs to happen.
and it needs to happen on line or in full public view otherwise it'll happen as some verbose report easily buried in the backroom filled with quotes by pseudonyms to scared to say what they really think for fear of being blacklisted by Brendan and his cronies.
Cos lets not kid ourselves. That is what happens, one only need look at Vicki Andersons piece where she states
I'd like to ask someone at NZ On Air these questions but NZ On Air no longer take my calls.
At an industry gig late last year, one of the head honchos went to shake my hand as my name was being told to him by a third party. He pulled it away so fast he caused a breeze. "Oh, it's you, you wrote that story about us," he said, turning around rather deliberately, so I was left staring at his blue-suited back.
Having experienced that as a small label owner you do feel...
too weary about the whole saga to even contemplate looking into it again.
...or even applying for funding again.
God knows why Tourettes (but i suspect he's a bit sado maso:) still bothers trying to get into the system...
with its insinuations about personality and status trumping musical talent and potential. Tourettes – who has been turned down for NZ On Air funding “over 20 times” by his own count – sees as having a depressing amount of merit. His own experiences with the organisation have a near Kafka-esque quality to them. “There was nothing,” he says of the endless denials. “You don’t even get anything. You’re just not on that list of names
cos if you're not in by now you've missed the boat but I suppose i still live in hope that the tides changing and soon there'll be a new captain at the helm.
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Stop talking to/about Brendan Smyth. He is in a good position to approach the Board to make change, but he's obviously not up to it...
...time for the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to produce a discussion document that can help inform the Board on the future of music funding. This is overdue, considering the changes in technology, distribution and the music economy.
Nice one DD. Couldn't agree more
So how might I as a music industry oriented person outside the system lobby the broadcasting commission board for change ? What's the process ?
I dont have much faith in IMNZ or the music commission to do it or act independently, not after almost 10 years in existence. It's also too stuffed with the ususal suspects hammering their own agendas.
feeding from the same trough as it were.