Music Industry News

From the rolling farmlands of rural New Zealand to the global music stage, Merv Pinny’s story is one of grit, resilience, and raw rock ‘n’ roll spirit.

A self-made musician and former dairy farmer, Merv’s journey from rural New Zealand to international recognition is as compelling as the stories he tells through song. His long awaited album Hard Road released on November 28th, is just that, a journey of storytelling through song, a snapshot of his world and influences from recent years. An epic collection of songs fusing rock, blues, and funk infused rhythm with driving, raw and emotional vocals.

Hard Road is my journey. The stories are in the songs. Call it old-fashioned, but there’s still something special about an album. It’s more than just a collection of songs—it’s what an artist wants to say at a particular point in time.

Very much a rock album, cleverly layered with shades of blues and funk, and following on from the success of the album’s first two singles, ‘Shake for Me’ and ‘Hold me, Tell Me, Love Me’. Every track is a story set to music, taking listeners on a journey, but with plenty of space for people to find their own meaning in the songs.

Post his recent Northland tour with his band, the time felt right to step back into the studio. Merv was lucky to have some incredible talent working with him on these recordings, in his longtime collaborators, Matt Watson, Kyle Brown, and Paul Lafotanoa—exceptionally talented musicians he’s been playing with for the past five years. The album was recorded at M Music Studio in Kerikeri, tucked away in the attic of a theatre with no windows, a nine-metre stud, and walls draped in old theatre curtains for soundproofing. No AI, no shortcuts—just real people making real music. Album mastering was expertly taken care of by Lee Buddle at Crank Studio in Western Australia.

With a growing international fanbase, who are drawn to his soul-stirring vocals, gritty authenticity, and genre-defying songwriting, Merv’s latest releases have seen him solidify his place in the rock and blues scene both in Aotearoa and overseas. With over 30 million views/streams and a global following of 300k+ of his music and videos, Merv has become well known for his songs that tackle real-world issues, blend foot-stomping grooves with lyrical depth, and have earned praise from critics for their social consciousness and powerful delivery. His Songwriting Talent has also earned him five semi-finalist spots at the Nashville based, international songwriting competition, (most recently in 2024), and sees him return to Australia’s Tamworth festival for the second time in 2026, following his hugely successful appearances at the 2025 iteration.

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Born in New Zealand’s King Country and raised in the rural town of Te Aroha, Merv Pinny bought his first guitar at age ten for $10 from his brother. He left school at fifteen to work on a dairy farm, while also performing music six nights a week. This unique combination of farming grit and creative passion forged his identity as both a successful agricultural entrepreneur and an authentic musical storyteller. Off the stage, Merv’s backstory is equally compelling. By 21, he owned his first farm and went on to build one of New Zealand’s largest farming operations, overseeing 200,000 stock units and more than 30 properties. In 2010, he was awarded Dairy Employer of the Year, nominated by his own staff. In 2016, Merv sold his farming empire to pursue music full-time.

Now based in the Far North of New Zealand, Merv continues to create music, support his local community, and mentor emerging artists. Day to day Merv runs M Music Ltd, a recording and production studio in Kerikeri, where he produces his own music and supports the regional arts community. In 2024, he also launched the Local Launchpad initiative to help emerging artists in the Far North grow and connect with audiences.