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Flying Nun Records

Calvin Johnson performing at Zebedees, Christchurch, November 2006

Zebedees

Zebedees was Christchurch’s only all-ages, alcohol-free live music venue, operating from a 400-capacity hall at 479 Blenheim Road, Sockburn from approximately 1998 to 2014. Run by Steve and Jennie White as a charitable trust for sixteen years, it hosted hundreds of local and touring bands for teenage audiences and was widely regarded as one of the best youth music venues in the world.

Radio One 91FM

Radio One 91FM

Radio One 91FM is Dunedin’s student radio station, broadcasting on 91.0MHz from the University of Otago since 6 February 1984. Owned and operated by OUSA, the station played a central role in the Dunedin Sound era of the early 1980s, championing Flying Nun Records artists including The Chills, The Bats, Sneaky Feelings, and The Verlaines when commercial radio would not. Among its alumni are Shayne Carter, Jan Hellriegel, and Lesley Paris. In 1987 it became the first radio station in the world to broadcast news of the Fiji coup. Still active as the voice of Ōtepoti student music culture.

Bickertons Pub (formerly Aranui Tavern), 317 Pages Road, Aranui, Christchurch

Aranui Tavern

The Aranui Tavern at 317 Pages Road was a working-class pub in Christchurch’s eastern suburbs that became one of the city’s most significant live music rooms from the mid-1970s through the 1980s. Bon Marché and The Newz held a three-year residency from 1978 to 1981, nurturing emerging acts including Pop Mechanix and the Dance Exponents — whose own Aranui residency led directly to their Mushroom Records signing in 1982.

DOG Power

Christchurch duo formed in 2017 by vocalist Sam Perry and Henry Nicol, blending experimental textures, 1980s pop aesthetics, and cinematic electronics. Released a self-titled debut on Flying Nun Records in 2018 before relocating to Serbia.

95bFM

95bFM

95bFM is Auckland’s student and independent radio station, broadcasting on 95.0FM from the University of Auckland since 1969 — first as the pirate Radio Bosom and then as the licensed 95bFM from 1990. New Zealand’s longest-standing independent broadcaster, it championed Flying Nun Records and first broke Sister Underground, OMC, Che Fu and Savage on Auckland radio, founded the bNet NZ Music Awards in 1999, and in 2005 conducted the interview in which Don Brash admitted foreknowledge of the Exclusive Brethren’s election campaign.

Surf Friends

Auckland psych-surf duo formed in 2009 by Brad Coley and Pete Westmoreland. Drawing on the jangle-pop heritage of Flying Nun bands, they blend driving guitars, drum machines and synth loops into a sun-baked wash of post-punk and surf psychedelia. Released on Powertool Records and Flying Nun Records.

Kane Strang - Two Hearts and No Brain album cover

Kane Strang

Dunedin indie-rock and lo-fi pop musician who rose to international attention with his debut album Blue Cheese (2016) on Ba Da Bing Records and Flying Nun. His 2017 follow-up Two Hearts and No Brain on Dead Oceans drew widespread critical praise. He also performs as part of the trio Office Dog.

Sharpie Crows - 12 Omeros album cover

Sharpie Crows

Auckland post-punk and noise rock band who released two albums on Flying Nun Records: Nostalgia Kills (2012) and 12 Omeros (2013). Known for their confrontational live shows and sardonic take on suburban New Zealand life.

avoid!avoid – Particle and Wave album cover

avoid!avoid

Auckland krautrock and psychedelic trio, active from 2015. Members Brendan Moran, Sonya Waters, and Stephen Reay released the Low Earth Orbit EP and the album Particle and Wave through Flying Nun Records.

Ringlets band photo

Ringlets

Auckland post-punk quartet formed in 2021, signed to Flying Nun Records and Leather Jacket Records. Known for their energetic, intelligent sound and acclaimed debut and sophomore albums.

Vera Ellen artist photo

Vera Ellen

Wellington indie rock singer-songwriter on Flying Nun Records. Winner of the 2024 Taite Music Prize for Ideal Home Noise. Albums include It’s Your Birthday (2021), Ideal Home Noise (2023), and Heaven Knows What Time (2026).

Reb Fountain

Reb Fountain is an American-born New Zealand singer-songwriter raised in Christchurch, blending folk, country and pop-rock across a career that spans three decades, most notably winning the 2021 Taite Music Prize with her Flying Nun Records debut Reb Fountain.

Pearly

Pearly are a Dunedin (Ōtepoti) indie rock band who released their debut vinyl EP Pearly* EP in 2024 through trace/untrace, followed by their album Not So Sweet in 2025.

Clementine Valentine

Clementine Valentine are New Zealand sisters Clementine and Valentine Nixon, formerly known as Purple Pilgrims, whose work weaves ancient mythology and folk tradition into critically acclaimed art-pop; their 2023 album The Coin That Broke The Fountain Floor marks the culmination of over a decade of restless evolution.

Vor-stellen – Parallelograms album cover

Vor-stellen

Vor-stellen is a New Zealand trio featuring members of The Subliminals, avoid!avoid, and Faults, who released their debut vinyl Parallelograms on Flying Nun Records in 2023 before following up with Armature For A Painting on Feral Child Records in 2024.