Music Commission News

The New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa is pleased to announce the results for the Round 2 of Outward Sound 2025.

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 22 International Music Market Development Grant recipients this round:

1. WHO SHOT SCOTT for a 3 date tour of the greater Tokyo region including attending & performing at Music Bridge Tokyo in April 2025.

2. Vana for a 33 Date USA/Canada tour supporting Honey Revenge through Sumerian Records.

3. Tami Neilson for a 12 date tour of The USA and EU to support the release of Neon Cowgirl, new album 2025.

4. Precise Digital Ltd for attending Indie-Con Australia music conference to establish ongoing relationships and market presence for Precise Digital’s publishing division.

5. Pirapus for their debut UK/EU/CA Tour including major festival, support and headline performances as well as a production/songwriting trip with Thrive Music.

6. Phoebe Rings for an Asia / Australia Tour and market development.

7. PARK RD for a 4 date headline tour of Australia to support a new single release.

8. Mild Orange for a headline tour of North America in support of the band’s fourth album.

9. Marlon Williams for an US/UK tour and marketing to support new Māori language album, Te Whare Tīwekaweka.

10. Ladi6 for an Australian tour in support of the release of forthcoming album.

11. Joe Ghatt for a 16 date European/UK Tour in April 2025 to promote his sophomore album, Caper.

12. Hannah Everingham for an UK/EU trip including The Great Escape Festival + associated business meetings.

13. hanbee & Hans. for market visit to Seoul, meeting future label/booking partners alongside a press run.

14. Guardian Singles for showcasing in and around SXSW 2025.

15. DARTZ for a 35 date tour of Europe/UK, and 5 additional Australian shows en route and on return.

16. Corrella for a debut 5 date headline tour of Australia.

17. Clint Murphy for creating and strengthening internal contacts with labels, management, producers, studios and artists in order to bring work to NZ.

18. Church & AP for an Australian tour as well as collaborating with local Australian artists.

19. CHAII for a European tour including The Great Escape Festival.

20. Brian Baker/BB And The Bullets for a 7 day trip to Chicago to attend Guitar Seminar (Hessfest) and meet Chicago Blues label representatives to facilitate upcoming release through Dixie Frog Records.

21. August Avenue Limited for attending SXSW and meetings in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles to further the interests of the artists on the August Avenue roster.

22. Ariana Tikao for performing at Cafe OTO club in London, collaborating with local musicians, and conducting a business development trip to the UK.

Round 3 of Outward Sound 2025 is currently open for applications. Applications close 12th May Mei 2025 at 5:00PM (NZST).

For further Outward Sound funding timelines, 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: Marlon Williams | Photo credit: Ian Laidlaw