Music Commission News

The New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa is pleased to share the results for the first round of Outward Sound 2024.

Outward Sound provides assistance for market development initiatives, encouraging and supporting the entry of New Zealand music and musicians into global markets. New Zealand music industry practitioners (artists, managers etc.) and firms (record companies and associated businesses) can apply for assistance through the programme for a range of international market development activities including:

– Market visits
– In-market representation
– Publicity and promotion
– Marketing materials
– Showcases, trade fairs and other events

The Outward Sound programme is implemented and managed by the New Zealand Music Commission. It is inclusive of music from all genres, styles and niches and applicants may target the international markets that are appropriate to them. Bands, composers, songwriters, producers, and solo artists – at different stages of international market development – are able to access the programme. The foundations of the programme are research, collaboration, network development and information sharing.

For further information, please visit the International section of our website here.

Congratulations to the 17 International Music Market Development Grant recipients this round:

1. ASHY for her to perform with her band at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas in March 2024 and then undertake a series of songwriting sessions.

2. Harry Charles for producing, songwriting and performing for US artists in LA as well as attending meetings with US publishers and meeting US management.

3. Tami Neilson for her O2 Visa application for the USA.

4. Delaney Davidson for his European tour, promoting the release of his 10th solo studio album, Out Of My Head.

5. Southeast Music Limited (Shapeshifter, Kora, Jon Toogood, Flaxxies, Nick Dow) for a series of management meetings to add partners, and strengthen relationships, in order to grow artists’ presence in the Australian market.

6. Kaylee Bell for her to perform at CMA FEST in Nashville USA with her band in 2024 as the reigning CMA global winner and showcase for labels, agents etc. and showcase in New York, Nashville and Los Angeles to US industry.

7. DARTZ for international touring in support of sophomore album, Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One.

8. VANA for a 7 date USA tour supporting artist PLVTNIUM as part of his label tour.

9. Tom Lark for attending the Great Escape in May 2024.

10. Blake for business and creative network development in USA + UK via SXSW attendance, and a writing trip to LA and London.

11. Shepherds Reign for a 4 date Australian tour in support of album release, Ala Mai.

12. Dan Martin for market visits in March and June 2024 to produce and co-write for Australian artists, develop business relationships, and pursue producing and publishing opportunities.

13. NO CIGAR for their Australian tour of the new album, The Great Escape.

14. SWIDT for showcasing in and around SXSW Austin.

15. 9lives for a market visit to the USA for collaborative writing sessions in cities with market-leading artists (LA, NYC, Atlanta) and to complete further collaborations with international artists.

16. PARK RD for UK showcases and dates for discovery in the UK and EU markets.

17. Kerryn Fields for showcasing at Folk Alliance International 2024 in Kansas City, USA.

Round 2 of Outward Sound 2024 is currently open for applications. Applications close 4th March Māehe 2024 at 5PM.

For the remaining 2024 deadlines, please visit our website here.

More information on the scheme can be obtained by emailing international@nzmusic.org.nz

Media enquiries should also be directed to international@nzmusic.org.nz Artist photos are available upon request.

Pictured: 9lives | Photo credit: Connor Pritchard