It seems like a good day for some 90's deep cuts. As the 1990s dawned, the influence of British and US fashion & music, particularly hip-hop, R&B, and house music, rang out across Aotearoa. Emerging record labels like Southside Records and Deepgrooves... www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/ten...

Auckland Council's excellent Music in Parks series is underway, and here's one to look out for, celebrating Pacific Music Awards Acts, in Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga on Saturday Jan 17th from 6pm... www.audioculture.co.nz/collections/...

It is sad news about the passing of Tim Shadbolt. He was a crucial part of Aotearoa's counterculture, including the “Jumping Sundays” movement in Tāmaki Makaurau's Albert Park, starting in 1969. Radio man John Sweetman said, “My most vivid memories... www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/alb...

It is sad news about the passing of Tim Shadbolt. He was a crucial part of Aotearoa's counterculture, including the “Jumping Sundays” movement in Tāmaki Makaurau's Albert Park, starting in 1969. Radio man John Sweetman said, “My most vivid memories... www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/alb...

Is it lunchtime? These tasty tracks start with a songwriter who has contributed much to the field of food: Edmund Cake. In Bressa Creeting Cake's slinky ‘A Chip That Sells Millions’, Ed asks that you call him “The Snack Man, Prince of the Sprinkles”... www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/eat...

John Doe is pictured here with Barry Jenkin.

RIP Jon Doe, who passed away from leukaemia a few days ago. Doe was a big reason that AK79 exists – he created Ripper Records with fellow broadcaster Bryan Staff, so they could make an album of tapes from the punk bands Bryan was playing on his 1ZM radio show. www.audioculture.co.nz/labels/hit-s...

We're drawing the winner of our first prize for 2026 this Friday: Win tickets to Anchor Me – The Don McGlashan Story (the film opens in cinemas across NZ on January 15th). To enter the draw, answer the question in our newsletter by midday, Friday January 9th. Good luck! mailchi.mp/54cf9d3763c3...

Remembering the Bastion Point occupation, which began on January 5th 1977, and the remarkable band Papa.

On this day in 1977, the Bastion Point occupation began. In 1976, the NZ Government announced that a 60-acre section of “public” land at Ōrākei was to be sold to the highest bidder. Named Bastion Point by cartographers, Ngāti Whātua knew it as Takaparawha... 1/2 www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/papa

And speaking of firsts for 2026...

We didn't repost the Quiz for our evening crowd yesterday - so here it is! How did you get on?

We're drawing the winner of our first prize for 2026 this Friday: Win tickets to Anchor Me – The Don McGlashan Story (the film opens in cinemas across NZ on January 15th). To enter the draw, answer the question in our newsletter by midday, Friday January 9th. Good luck! mailchi.mp/54cf9d3763c3...

And just like that, it's Rāhina Monday again! We hope you enjoy the first Quiz of 2026, with questions by me (Renee). What is your New Year score? www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/aud...

One of our most fun stories of 2025: @garethshute.bsky.social's 10 Remarkable NZ Music Month Moments. One was in 2006, at an industry showcase, which included bands naming their own cocktails. Nesian Mystik wanted to call theirs the "Sexy Polynesian"...

The lineup for the Waiheke Jazz & Blues Festival over Easter is out: headlining are Mark Williams and Deva Mahal, alongside The Narcs, Kim Willoughby, The Narcs, Hammond Gamble, Jan Preston and many more. Fun fact: Deva's Dad is Taj Mahal... www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/deva...

Hari huritau and happy birthday to Sir Dave Dobbyn for yesterday, December 3rd. This Kiwi classic by DD Smash spent 21 weeks in the charts. The much-loved video was directed by the late Andrew Shaw (Hey Hey It’s Andy/TVNZ). www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/dd-s...

Hari huritau and happy birtrhday to Sir Dave Dobbyn for yesterday, December 3rd. This Kiwi classic by DD Smash spent 21 weeks in the charts. The much-loved video was directed by the late Andrew Shaw (Hey Hey It’s Andy/TVNZ). www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/dd-s...

Last year was the 30th anniversary of Hallelujah Picassos’ 90s anthem ‘Rewind’. The song became a highlight of the Picassos' live sets, sung by drummer Bobbylon from behind his kit, and has been an SRN staple for years. Bobbylon passed away in 2018... 1/2 www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/hall...

Last year was the 30th anniversary of Hallelujah Picassos’ 90s anthem ‘Rewind’. The song became a highlight of the Picassos' live sets, sung by drummer Bobbylon from behind his kit, and has been an SRN staple for years. Bobbylon passed away in 2018... 1/2 www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/hall...

Brand new: Hastings-raised beatmaker 9lives blew up before most people had ever heard of him. People found his music on TikTok & YouTube, and he's had millions of streams – he's even been on Billboard’s dance chart and had 2 gold-certified singles in the US... www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/9lives

Road tripping: How many of these places have you visited? "Location, location, location – the image on the cover of a record can set the mood of the music, and create a sense of place. This map of the locations where New Zealand album covers were shot... 1/2 www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/alb...

Road tripping: How many of these places have you visited? "Location, location, location – the image on the cover of a record can set the mood of the music, and create a sense of place. This map of the locations where New Zealand album covers were shot... 1/2 www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/alb...

Ngā mihi o te tau hou and happy New Year! We hope you had a great night, be it quiet or loud. Here's a banger to start your 2026 - Shapeshifter 'Electric Dream'. Aptly, the video follows Shapeshifter on a roadie to play a New Year's show at Rhythm and Vines. www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/shap...

Ngā mihi o te tau hou and happy New Year! We hope you had a great night, be it quiet or loud. Here's a banger to start your 2026 - Shapeshifter 'Electric Dream'. Aptly, the video follows Shapeshifter on a roadie to play a New Year's show at Rhythm and Vines. www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/shap...

What are you up to this New Year's Eve? Let us know :) Some of us are off to Ladi6's House Party in Karangahape Rd. Whatever you do, be safe and have fun! Here's a banger - and, aptly, the video sees Shapeshifter on a roadie to play a New Year's show at R'n'V. www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/shap...

Happy New Year's Eve! As Russell Brown @publicaddress.bsky.social says, "The outdoor dance party/festival is a fixture of the NZ summer. The Gathering, Splore & more are the stuff of legend. But we've almost forgotten the first of them all: Entrain." 1/2 www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/ent...

Happy New Year's Eve! As Russell Brown @publicaddress.bsky.social says, "The outdoor dance party/festival is a fixture of the NZ summer. The Gathering, Splore & more are the stuff of legend. But we've almost forgotten the first of them all: Entrain." 1/2 www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/ent...

Who's been to Rhythm and Vines? The first one happened when Otago Uni students Hamish Pinkham, Tom Gibson & Andrew Witters wanted to hold an event for their friends in a safe location. ⁠They approached Andrew’s Dad, Dean Witters, who owned Waiohika Estate... www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/rhy...

Graham Reid says of Voom's first album in almost two decades: “Something Good is Happening is a delight-filled, refreshing tonic…destined to be on many 2025 best of the year lists.” One of the wonders of NZ indie pop, with a history that goes back to 1987: www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/voom

Graham Reid says of Voom's first album in almost two decades: “Something Good is Happening is a delight-filled, refreshing tonic…destined to be on many 2025 best of the year lists.” One of the wonders of NZ indie pop, with a history that goes back to 1987: www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/voom

Kia ora evening friends - have you lost track of the days? Apparently it's Monday! And here is the AudioCulture Quiz to prove it. This week we have a geographical quiz, by Nick Sampson. How many stops on the road trip did you get right? www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/aud...

Kia ora eveing friends! Have you lost track of the days? Apparently it's Monday! And here is the AudioCulture Quiz to prove it. This week we have a geographical quiz, by Nick Sampson. How many stops on the road trip did you get right? www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/aud...

Have you lost track of the days? Apparently it's Monday! And here is the AudioCulture Quiz to prove it. This week we have a geographical quiz, by Simon Grigg @opdiner.com. How many stops on the road trip did you get right? www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/aud...

Have you lost track of the days? Apparently it's Monday! And here is the AudioCulture Quiz to prove it. This week we have a geographical quiz, by Simon Grigg @opdiner.com. How many stops on the road trip did you get right? www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/aud...

Whether they’re a life-changing experience or an excuse for an annual get-together, music festivals hold a big place in our hearts. Aotearoa has a rich history of them, and from Redwood 70 to Homegrown, we have a fantastic collection you might like to explore: www.audioculture.co.nz/collections/...

Some sad news: on December 21st, Jimmy James Stephenson, aka David James Stephenson, aka Jimmy James, passed away. James was in Bygøne Era and The Beads, and joined The Chills from 1988-1991. He played sold out shows with them in Australia, North America... www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/the-...

Some sad news: on December 21st, Jimmy James Stephenson, aka David James Stephenson, aka Jimmy James, passed away. James was in Bygøne Era and The Beads, and joined The Chills from 1988-1991. He played sold out shows with them in Australia, North America... www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/the-...

One of our most recent stories: After close to a decade, 5 EPs, 3 albums, and performing to audiences from Dunedin’s Crown Hotel to Auckland’s Spark Arena, Dunedin psych-rock band Koizilla played their “final” show in November 2025. “We started Koizilla..." www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/koiz...

One of our most recent stories: After close to a decade, 5 EPs, 3 albums, and performing to audiences from Dunedin’s Crown Hotel to Auckland’s Spark Arena, Dunedin psych-rock band Koizilla played their “final” show in November 2025. “We started Koizilla..." www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/koiz...

Glyn Tucker Jnr (Mandrill Studios) was the teenage singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriter for 1960s pop group The Gremlins. Hev wanted to gain extra experience playing with other musicians. Christmas 1959 is memorable for Tucker as he he met his wife Carole... www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/glyn...

Meri Kirihimete from the AudioCulture crew! We hope you have lashings of Pohutukawa and Pavlova today 😘 www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/chr...

Meri Kirihimete from the AudioCulture crew! We hope you have lashings of Pohutukawa and Pavlova today 😘 www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/chr...

Is your tōkena Kirihimete/Christmas stocking ready? It's Christmas Eve! Looking for Aotearoa Xmas tunes? NZ themes started appearing in Christmas songs in the 1950s: Daphne Walker, with Bill Wolfgramm & His Islanders, recorded ‘Best Wishes’, and then... www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/chr...

Is your tōkena Kirihimete/Christmas stocking ready? It's Christmas Eve! Looking for Aotearoa Xmas tunes? NZ themes started appearing in Christmas songs in the 1950s: Daphne Walker, with Bill Wolfgramm & His Islanders, recorded ‘Best Wishes’, and then... www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/chr...

What's on your Christmas menu? (Do let us know if you like!) Here's ours :) Bee's picked a neat mix of songs for both adults and children (under 12?)

Here's our last new story of the year! To go with the festive season, it is, aptly, about food. Bee Trudgeon brings us 10 food-related songs: "The game of food songs isn’t just for kids..." www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/eat...

Here's our last new story of the year! To go with the festive season, it is, aptly, about food. Bee Trudgeon brings us 10 food-related songs: "The game of food songs isn’t just for kids..." www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/eat...

Here's the AudioCulture Quiz for our evening crowd. Have you finished work for the year, or ploughing on? Let us know how you scored :)

Here's the AudioCulture Quiz for our evening crowd. Have you finished work for the year, or plaoughing on? Let us know how you scored :)