NZ’s most celebrated, exciting musicians at Sounds

This Week - New Zealand’s most celebrated and exciting musicians performing at the inaugural Sounds Aotearoa

Media Release

For Immediate Release Tuesday 9th March 2010

New Plymouth will be bursting at the seams this week with some of New Zealand’s most celebrated and exciting musicians performing at the inaugural Sounds Aotearoa.

Sounds Aotearoa is on this Wednesday and Thursday and with Womad starting the following day New Plymouth will be jammed packed with musicians said Sounds Aotearoa organizer Emere Wano.

“It will honestly be a case of sharing our town with the internationally famous, New Zealand famous and the up and coming musicians over this coming week so I expect we’ll all be star spotting”

Sounds Aotearoa has over 167 delegates registered for the two-day music industry event including International music buyers and agents as well as members of the influential international Music press.

“This is a chance for our local artists to really shine – and it could be the start of their international career” said Emere Wano.

Local New Plymouth Schools are sending some of their talented students to the event while local musicians including those from the band The Smiles and a number of popular singer/songwriters including Jordan Barnes and Merran Dixon have also signed up.

“Sounds Aotearoa has delegates registered from the USA, UK, Korea, Germany, Australia and Hawaii as well as NZ musicians and agents. It’s great that local musicians are seizing the opportunity to learn from the experts as well as network internationally”. said Emere Wano.

The conference day programme offers workshops and forums covering topics on domestic and international touring, band management, marketing and promotion, funding channels, World music media and labels and more.

The general public get their chance to join in the Sounds Aotearoa buzz with the two nights of spectacular music showcases featuring New Zealand’s best musicians.

Wednesday 10th March features the some of New Zealand’s top vocalists; Kirsten Morrell and Anika Moa, Whirimako Black supported by traditional maori instrument expert Richard Nunns, international loop artist Mihirangi, and Bella Kalolo and her band.

Thursday evening features Maisey Rika and Tama Waipara followed by the bands An Emerald City, Little Bushman and Kora.

However Emere Wano warns that the tickets are now starting to sell out fast for showcases at the Theatre Royal TSB Showplace.

Tickets for both Wednesday and Thursday night’s showcases are available from Ticketek www.ticketek.co.nz or at the box office at the TSB Showplace, Devon Street, New Plymouth.

Cost per night is $40 + service fees (pre-booked) and $50 + service fees at the door.

ENDS