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Lawrence Arabia

RDU 98.5FM

RDU 98.5FM is Christchurch’s independent alternative radio station, founded on 23 February 1976 as Radio U under the University of Canterbury Students’ Association. It became the first FM station in Christchurch in 1986 as UFM, and rebranded as RDU 98.5FM in 2002. Controversially privatised in 2006 when sold to James Meharry and Karyn South for $2, the station survived the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes by broadcasting from a converted horse truck, and moved to its permanent home in the Boxed Quarter in 2015. In 2026 RDU marks its 50th anniversary as a cornerstone of Christchurch’s independent music culture.

Princess Chelsea - Everything Is Going To Be Alright album cover

Princess Chelsea

Auckland electropop singer-songwriter Chelsea Nikkel, recording as Princess Chelsea on Lil’ Chief Records. Her four albums — from Lil’ Golden Book (2011) to Everything Is Going To Be Alright (2022) — blend satirical wit with maximalist chamber pop. Winner of the 2023 Taite Music Prize.

Lawrence Arabia

Christchurch-born singer-songwriter James Milne recording under the name Lawrence Arabia. Indie pop shaped by 1960s classicism, wry storytelling, and sophisticated arrangements. APRA Silver Scroll winner (2009, ‘Apple Pie Bed’) and inaugural Taite Music Prize recipient (2010, Chant Darling). Five solo albums on Lil Chief, Honorary Bedouin, Bella Union, and Flying Nun.

Camping at Campus A Low Hum

Live: Campus A Low Hum Day 3

Flashback to February 13th, 2011 – Day 3 of Campus A Low Hum at Flock House in Bulls. Featuring camping, b-ball and lots and lots of bands!

#nzmusic #alowhum #campusalowhum

Phoenix Foundation

Biography acclaimed and eclectic wellington pop outfit with huge flourishes of whimsical instrumentation and whatnot. their debut caused quite a bit of fuss, critics gushing at their use of melody and whatnot. conrad wedde, samuel flynn scott, luke buda, tim… Read More »Phoenix Foundation

The Sneaks

Biography Another great Auckland rock act to emerge from the mid 00s. The Sneaks have a enough fucking around, get to the chorus mentally, throwing up ridiculously catch pop songs that seem to emerge from a writhing mass of noise… Read More »The Sneaks

The Reduction Agents

Biography James Milne’s reduction agents spawned out of his Brunettes association with Ryan McPhun – which also created the McPhun -led Ruby Suns. Milnes variation create country-tinged pop tunes, infused with a dose of Dennis Wilson era beach boys harmonies… Read More »The Reduction Agents

The Brunettes

Biography Sunshine and candy-canes, The Brunettes were a hard-working and extremely promising, genuine kiwi pop band – a rare thing in this day and age. Forming around Heather Mansfield and Jonathan Bree’s girl-boy vocals and a plethora of instruments used… Read More »The Brunettes

Luke Buda

Biography The Polish-born front-man (birth-name Lukaz Buda) for downbeat Wellington Popsters The Phoenix Foundation, after two albums Luke Buda has really found his feet as a professional pop song-writer, and found time to write and record his own solo debut… Read More »Luke Buda

Flying Nun Records

The independent label that put New Zealand Music on the map. From Roger Shephard’s formation of the label in 1980 through to now, Flying Nun has been a mark of creative, quirky, inventive music with a distinct kiwi flavor.

Andrew Keoghan

Biography Auckland-based songwriter (and the brother of Television host Phil Keoghan) who has come to prominence with the release of his debut album Arctic Tales Divide, which was nominated for the prestigious Taite Music Prize in April 2012. Keoghan has… Read More »Andrew Keoghan