iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 1h

I mean … nice to break things up huh? Lols. I’m sure there’s a lot of editors who would prefer their entertainment writers just produce celebrity clickbait (Swift’s wedding etc). But that doesn’t mean you and I shouldn’t keep up the good fight for our much more supportive publications!

110

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 10h

Leao won the Silver Scroll which is very cool! If you want a viewpoint on his creative inspirations then his list of ten fav NZ songs is worth checking out: audioculture.co.nz/articles/son...

audioculture.co.nz

Songwriter

Leao. - Apela Bell Dnt Care – Samara Alofa Ngāti Whatua-o-Kaipara, Ngāti Awa, Vailoa-i-Palauli, Tongatapu Ancestral and healing. Samara shapeshifts sounds so sincerely and with such grounded gentlenes...

030

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Look over all the Silver Scroll winners since 2000 in prep for awards tonight! It’s a fascinating spread of songs. The live stream is on RNZ Music’s YouTube page from 7.30pm

020

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

So much great stuff this week! The Dateline track/vid is awesome:

040

Reposted by Gareth Shute

UnderTheRadar @undertheradarnz.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Jonathan Bree beckons viewers into a sensuous, white-garbed world in his new video for 'Slow' feat. Princess Chelsea and the legendary Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna) — made with support from NZ On Air.

undertheradar.co.nz

Jonathan Bree Unveils Video For 'Slow' feat. Princess Chelsea

Also featuring the legendary Dean Wareham on the latest single from Bree's new double album 'Don't Call It Love'.

061

Reposted by Gareth Shute

UnderTheRadar @undertheradarnz.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Dive into our Release Radar — new & recent Aotearoa highlights from Reb Fountain, Louis Baker, Eo, Summer Vee, The Datsuns, Bulletbelt, Echomatica, Conrad Wedde (The Phoenix Foundation), Hob, Call Centre and Mild Orange 🍊

undertheradar.co.nz

Release Radar: Reb Fountain, Louis Baker, Eo, Summer Vee, The Datsuns, Bulletbelt, Echomatica + More

New and recent sonic gems from Aotearoa New Zealand.

031

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Dreamchild was the last track on World Service that came out in 1992. Though it’s true it was also on Broadcast.

111

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I wrote the Audioculture quiz today and went for a theme - drinks and music!

292

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

@tzemingdynasty.bsky.social @featherflowers.bsky.social Just when I thought I was cool recommending a brand new show, you two point out (correctly) that part of the reason I like it is the twangs of nostalgia. Lols

220

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

PSA!: NZ show “Settling” is actually a very fun watch and - no - I don’t know anyone involved. I just found it a relaxing 25min-ish, six ep show. The needle drops are wonderful too, especially enjoyed hearing this again: youtu.be/SKrPg8fkV_o?...

youtu.be

Dei Hamo - We Gon Ride

YouTube video by DeiHamoVEVO

331

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

From radio play to TikTok - what makes a hit single!

010

Reposted by Gareth Shute

Russell Brown @publicaddress.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

So MBIE officials recommended spending less, but targeting the money towards local music festivals. And Louise Upston chose to spend much more, but hand it all to multinational companies and overseas artists.

22219111

Reposted by Gareth Shute

audioculturenz.bsky.social @audioculturenz.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

On this day in 2004, Dei Hamo 'We Gon Ride' hit No. 1 on the singles chart and stayed there for 5 weeks. (Fun fact: Dei Hamo's profile by @garethshute.bsky.social is one of our earliest AudioCulture profiles). He was a key artist on the Proud, and Pioneers... 1/2 audioculture.co.nz/profile/dei-...

audioculture.co.nz

Dei Hamo - AudioCulture

He was a key artist on the Proud and Pioneers of A Pacifikan Frontier compilations, but when this scene began to fade, he turned away from music for a few years before returning with a No.1 hit. Saner...

154

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I took a fun dive into what made a song a hit, going all the way from the late fifties to the present. Needless to say - things have changed. Johnny Devlin didn’t need TikTok, he just arranged for fans to tear his shirt off instead…

010

Reposted by Gareth Shute

audioculturenz.bsky.social @audioculturenz.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

After high school, Georgia Lines moved to Houston for 3 months to work as a nanny. She met US producer Abel Orta Jnr and said when she’d written more songs she would return to record with him. But arriving in the US, Lines realised many of her songs no longer...1/2 audioculture.co.nz/profile/geor...

audioculture.co.nz

Georgia Lines - AudioCulture

At 10 years old, Lines and her friends were obsessed with the High School Musical movie so they entered the school’s talent quest, borrowing white lab coats from the science department to mimic the ca...

111

Reposted by Gareth Shute

UnderTheRadar @undertheradarnz.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Dive into our Release Radar — Aotearoa highlights from deepState, JessB, Daffodils, Achtung!, Paddy Fred and the new South Pacific Dance Organisation compilation ☔️

undertheradar.co.nz

Release Radar: deepState, JessB, Daffodils, Achtung!, Paddy Fred, South Pacific Dance Organisation

New and recent sonic gems from Aotearoa New Zealand.

093

Reposted by Gareth Shute

Power Nap @chriscudby.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Just starting to grasp the op-shopping potential unlocked by the CRL

0132

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Such an impressive set of finalists in the main category this year! So cool to see Leao there. I would hate to be one of the judges.

020

Reposted by Gareth Shute

Tze Ming Mok 莫志明 @tzemingdynasty.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Oh it's out! Thanks @clairemabey.bsky.social Original title of this intro in the book is 'Stuck in the middle with you'.

1289

Reposted by Gareth Shute

Sunreturn @sunreturn.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Keep an eye out

134

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

For the next two weeks you can get your photo taken with Jonathan Bree at Real Groovy Records, like this young lass…

030

Reposted by Gareth Shute

UnderTheRadar @undertheradarnz.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Dive into our Release Radar — new & recent Aotearoa highlights from Jonathan Bree, AW, Harry W, Two Dollar Trio, crossingwater, the Kanikani Therapy compilation, Christoph El Truento, Lady Shaka, Sandra Bell, Haast Hunter, and the pink opaque 🔥

undertheradar.co.nz

Release Radar: Jonathan Bree, AW, Harry W, Two Dollar Trio, Crossingwater, Kanikani Therapy, Christoph El Truento + More

New and recent sonic gems from Aotearoa New Zealand.

074

Reposted by Gareth Shute

audioculturenz.bsky.social @audioculturenz.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

We've just published Gareth Shute's profile of hip hop prodigies Church & AP, and it's an ode to creativity, and not sticking to your knitting (in a good way). Their 2018 hit 'Ready or Not' was super-catchy, and some artists might’ve been tempted to replicate...🧵 audioculture.co.nz/profile/chur...

audioculture.co.nz

Church & AP - AudioCulture

Elijah Manū (Church) had just started Mt Albert Grammar in year 10 when he overheard a student from the year below, Albert Purcell (AP), talking about Chance the Rapper. He stopped to give his opinion...

143

Reposted by Gareth Shute

UnderTheRadar @undertheradarnz.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Dive into our Release Radar — new & recent Aotearoa highlights from Earth Tongue, XYZZY, Coco Solid, Peter Jefferies, Tami Neilson, Tom Lark, Estère, frog power, @kraus.bsky.social, Sheep, Dog & Wolf, Community Treatment Order, and Harry Hunk 🐸🪱

undertheradar.co.nz

Release Radar: Earth Tongue, XYZZY, Coco Solid, Peter Jefferies, Tami Neilson, Tom Lark, Estère, Frog Power, Kraus + More

New and recent sonic gems from Aotearoa New Zealand.

063

Reposted by Gareth Shute

Gary Steel @garysteel.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

It's bloody hard for local musicians to get their tracks reviewed in 2026. That's why Witchdoctor brought on Peter Kearns to single out (ha) 10 Kiwi tracks every fortnight that warrant attention. Here's his fourth column. www.witchdoctor.co.nz/2026/trackli... #TrackLines #kiwimusic #nzmusic

witchdoctor.co.nz

Tracklines - 10 NZ singles for late August 2026 - Witchdoctor

The odds are stacked against NZ music on streaming platforms, where overseas sounds dominate. So Witchdoctor figured it was time to give NZ music pride of place. And who better to write it than words-...

095

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

This soundtrack still hits me hard. I’ve been listening to a lot of Cole Pulice lately, party because his music has some of this vibe (e.g., “If I Don’t See You In The Future…”)

110

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I added two new acts to my list of NZers with billion streaming songs - Operaia Foa’a and - a tad late - Crowded House. In fact, Crowded House have exploded on streaming in the last few years. ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ may even catch ‘Royals’ eventually.

073

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Last chance to see Thee Golden Geese and/or do some colouring in. Plus discover new Sunreturn band - No Doggy!

051

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I helped Chris Schulz work out how this local rapper ended up on the US and Uk charts. You won’t be surprised that it all relates back to TikTok…

020

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The idea is that it’s like a digital box set for super-fans. Therefore if you want extra audio & video content, then it’s there too. For example, the Fazerdaze lume LP has an entire professionally filmed concert you can’t see elsewhere. Tho if the album audio is all you want, then Bandcamp is best.

030

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Has anyone else bought an album on Lume or do you have thoughts on the endeavour? People complain a lot about Spotify but I haven’t heard about people enthusiastically taking up Lume yet. Or am I wrong about that?

110

Reposted by Gareth Shute

UnderTheRadar @undertheradarnz.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Dive into our Release Radar — new & recent Aotearoa highlights from Cuticles, Romi Wrights, Roy Montgomery, Jonathan Bree, Sojourner, Same Name Confusion, ngaru, Gareth Thomas, and Kirsten Morrell ✨

undertheradar.co.nz

Release Radar: Cuticles, Romi Wrights, Roy Montgomery, Jonathan Bree, Sojourner, Same Name Confusion + More

New and recent sonic gems from Aotearoa New Zealand.

082

Reposted by Gareth Shute

UnderTheRadar @undertheradarnz.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Vera Ellen's HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT TIME album release tour with band concludes this week — playing tonight at The Loons in Ōtautahi with Goodbye Starlet & Friday at Pearl Diver in Ōtepoti with Phaedra Love! Get tickets now via UTR ✨

undertheradar.co.nz

Interview: Vera Ellen 'HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT TIME' Album Release Tour

Multi-award-winning songwriter is touring her new album nationwide with band.

122

Reposted by Gareth Shute

Martyn Pepperell @martynpepperell.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

I'll be in conversation with Hun Lynch at Auckland Library from 2-3 pm today. She'll be playing songs as well. Come along. www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/one-mor...

eventfinda.co.nz

053

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

This week! Free talk in Wellington on Thursday.

022

Reposted by Gareth Shute

audioculturenz.bsky.social @audioculturenz.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

With the NZ International Film Festival on the horizon, @garethshute.bsky.social has come up with a fun theme for this week's AudioCulture Quiz. It's got a distinctly cinematic angle - how did you get on? www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/aud...

audioculture.co.nz

AudioCulture Quiz - Article | AudioCulture

Welcome to the weekly AudioCulture Quiz. Clue: answers are on the site or, for those in a hurry, at the link below. AudioCulture Quiz, 20 July 2026 Te Vaka with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson 1. Te Vaka p...

644

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Yes hard to choose! I feel like we indie folk split our vote b/c there’s so many great options, so thought I’d push one act. Leao definitely sounds unique to this part of the world. Same is true of Mā but Leao’s been around longer (and Mokotron already has the Taite). But luckily you get 5 votes!

020

Reposted by Gareth Shute

UnderTheRadar @undertheradarnz.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Dive into our Release Radar — new & recent Aotearoa highlights from The Datsuns, Cindy, TAKATAPUNANI, Romi Wrights, Evie Bamford, Moon Unit, Warner Emery, the original soundtrack for the fulldome planetarium film XYZZY (featuring Stef Animal & Luke Rowell) + digital music platform Lume 🌙

undertheradar.co.nz

Release Radar: The Datsuns, Cindy, TAKATAPUNANI, Romi Wrights, Evie Bamford, Moon Unit, Warner Emery + More

New and recent sonic gems from Aotearoa New Zealand.

044

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

APRA members! It is a bit boring how so many finalists in the Silver Scroll just end up there because they’re already famous. I suggest we music-lovers get behind Leao this year and have someone a bit different in the mix! www.apraamcos.co.nz/about-us/new...

apraamcos.co.nz

2025 APRA Silver Scroll Award Top 20 & APRA Maioha Award Top 10

The Silver Scroll Top 20 finalists and Maioha Award Top 10 finalists have been announced. APRA members can now vote for their top songs / waiata.

151

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Lots of great anecdotes in this one. Especially the nightmare support gig with Anthrax. Dave sure has come a long way from funk-metallers Rumblefish to punk band City Newton Bombers to being Gin Wigmore’s go-to guitarist and band leader!

021

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Princess Chelsea isn’t putting on her Midwinter Ball this year, so I reckon this will be the unforgettable event of the season in its place!

040

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Your last chance to see Thee Golden Geese! …. seriously this time! Should be fun for all ages.

132

Gareth Shute @garethshute.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

James also has some special releases coming out soon on Lume. So that’ll be a good place to start if you want to support the effort to create a new business model for the music industry.

031