Music Industry News

Studio Stories. An award-winning podcast that spotlights the people behind some of New Zealand Music’s most well known albums and the stories behind their creation. We take you into the studio to talk with producers, engineers and artists, to talk inspiration, frustration and elation and the power of the musical creative process.

Podcast founder Dean Young shares “It all began in the winter of 2022 when I was looking for a creative outlet and a podcast idea came to mind. Being a lifelong audio production nerd and constantly on the hunt for content about how my favourite albums were made, I thought… Why can’t I produce a podcast and begin with the albums that inspired me to learn how to record and produce music myself? My mind immediately went to the early 90’s when I would raid the radio station production studio after hours to record my band and others. And my mind immediately went to those albums that were made here in little old NZ that blew my head off and inspired me to continue on my audio obsessed journey. And thus, how Studio Stories was born.”

The first season of Studio Stories – featured albums by Shihad, Supergroove and Dead Flowers would go on to scoop the 2023 NZ Podcast Awards, taking Gold in 4 categories and Silver for Podcast of The Year.

If you love hearing stories of the studio creative process that led to the birth of some of New Zealand’s most loved records, you’ll love Studio Stories. Season 3 is well underway with episodes focusing on Shihad’s The General Electric and Opshop‘s Second Hand Planet with the season finale released today.

This season finale special features music masterminds – Andrew Maclaren, Chris Van de Geer, Tom Bailey and Luke Tomes – discussing the sensation of Stellar* and their debut album, Mix.

Stellar* set out to create a statement with their debut album, and they did just that. The making of the acclaimed 5 x platinum album Mix is the story of 6 people – all on the same wavelength, collectively pushing the limits of technology to make an album that in 1999 sounded ahead of its time… and today – sounds like it was recorded yesterday.

Released by on 29 July 1999. The album debuted at No. 2 on the albums chart, and after seven weeks within the top ten, reached number one. The album was certified 5× platinum, after selling over 75,000 copies in New Zealand.

Mix would go on to win Album of The Year at the 2000 NZ Music Awards.

Studio Stories is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts – listen to the newest episode now!

Check out all things Studio Stories below:
Website
Podcast
Instagram