Band tees will be out across Aotearoa New Zealand today for NZ Music T-Shirt Day.
The annual event, held during NZ Music Month, raises money for MusicHelps. The charity supports projects that use music to help people facing hardship, illness, isolation, and other challenges.
MusicHelps backs hundreds of projects around the country. These include music therapy, community music groups, education programmes, respite care support, and instruments for people who cannot afford them. The organisation also offers wellbeing support and emergency financial help for people working in the music industry.
Artists, venues, schools, workplaces, and fans are all encouraged to take part. People can donate, post photos online, or create fundraising teams using the hashtag #NZMusicTShirtDay and tagging the @musichelpsnz page.
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Ahead of this year’s event, Rolling Stone AU/NZ spoke with longtime music industry figure and MusicHelps representative (not to mention Taite Music Prize honouree) Carmel Bennett about community, the state of independent music in Aotearoa, and why NZ Music T-Shirt Day continues to matter.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: Before we get into NZ Music T-Shirt Day, I have to ask about the Taites. Has winning the Independent Spirit Award sunk in yet?
Carmel Bennett: I’m not sure it has. But it has been fantastic reconnecting with people I haven’t seen or heard from for ages.
You knew Dylan Taite himself back in the day, is that right? What made him such a great Aotearoa journalist?
I shared a few afternoons with Dylan in the upstairs bar of Powerstation waiting for his interviewee to be available. For me, it was Dylan’s ability to see around the person he was interviewing and be very personable in his approach.
For those unaware, briefly chart your journey through the Aotearoa music industry.
Blim’in heck… Epic Promotions Manager at CBS Records — the label, not my work. Powerstation General Manager while simultaneously doing a few bits and bobs at Big Day Out. Continued with Big Day Out through the CRS years and on to ACL and other Outer Fields shows with CRS and doing doors when needed. Got to spend time down in Raglan for what we think was 15 years, doing bits and bobs at Soundsplash, all the while running Roadshow Music NZ then being absorbed in marketing for Roadshow Entertainment for 21 years.
Redundancy rescue by the fabulous Jan Hellreigel at Songbroker, Dale Reid at Universal, and Peter Campbell at Powerstation. And today — I’m still doing bits and bobs for CRS on their shows, admin for Powerstation and AAA Ticketing and paying back everything music has given me at MusicHelps of a morning, and nights or weekends if needed — them that know, know.
Has one particular period of your career been your favourite?
Working with the under-recognised Bridget Darby during her Big Day Out/The Sequel tenure.
Do you have one standout career achievement?
Too difficult to pick. At this point I’d say being able to have a career in music while not having a musical bone in my body.
Your Taites speech went down very well in the room. Did many people reach out to you afterwards to discuss it?
Absolutely, but what I am hoping is that they are reaching out to their networks and contacts they have.
How critical a juncture is this for independent music in Aotearoa? And are you hopeful for the immediate future?
I was there when the fight for a local music quota was happening with the music world and radio stations. There will always be something, but that’s the spirit of independent music. We find a hurdle, work out over, under, or through, and get on with it.
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Have you travelled overseas much in your career? If so, have you noticed many differences — positive or negative — between other country’s independent music scenes and our own?
Travelled a lot in my CBS and Roadshow days. That was pre-cell phones, so this old thing can’t really comment on today.
Onto NZ Music T-Shirt Day. What band tee will you be wearing this year?
I shall be donning a Beths t-shirt, purchased at their last Powerstation show — last date, not last ever. BUT I shall have a very well-loved Shihad sweatshirt in my bag just in case the rock ‘n’ roll gods decide to bring the cold.
Have Kiwis always gotten behind the big day?
I can only talk during my time and the answer is yes. Both by wearing t-shirts and donating to the mahi MusicHelps are doing.
Where does the money raised go? Are there any target areas for investment this year?
The funds raised are mainly earmarked for our grants programme. We invest grants in organisations who use music to help their community. That could be anything from music therapy, community choirs for those facing challenges, or instruments for those who can’t afford them.
Community is more important than ever if our independent music scene is to survive and thrive. Tell me about two members of your music whānau who have supported you and your career?
Just two???? Peter Campbell and Campbell Smith. And Niva Retimanu who saw I was in a very difficult spot about eight years ago, demanded she buy me breakfast, and talked me off the ledge. Forever grateful to her.
Do you think Aotearoa has enough music-based support services for musicians?
There are some exceptional organisations out there who are doing some stunning work for musicians — NZ Music Commission, APRA, NZ On Air, Music Managers Forum, and Māori Music Industry Collective, for example. Yes, I know I’ve missed others, but I’m figuring I can’t write an essay here. One of my focuses is the production people, the crews, the backroom people. Helping them access support.
What does NZ government need to do urgently to better support our independent music industry?
Not just listen and nod. Actually action what is being put in front of them like the updating of the Copyright Act. And let’s get some control in place BEFORE AI totally takes hold.
“No local act, no visa.” I loved this statement. It will be interesting to see, for example, if Ōtautahi Christchurch acts get support slots at shows at the new One NZ Stadium. How important is it for our local talent to get these bookings?
Absolutely vital. I just don’t get why we import [other] country artists as supports when we have people like Rosie Teese here who is a star in the making. Was there not a single artist in NZ who could support Ed Sheeran?
Some NZ music observers are prone to focusing on the negatives, so let’s end on some positive notes. Firstly, tell me two up-and-coming Kiwi acts you’re excited about and why?
Paige Tapara — not just a very talented human being, but someone I feel privileged to know. I’ve also got more than a soft spot for Elliot & Vincent.
What’s one thing our independent music scene does better than anywhere else?
That’s a tricky question as I only live here. I would like to say support each other.
What’s your favourite Kiwi album of the year so far?
Oooh another tricky question. So, I’m going to go with the late 2025 release by Dick Move, Dream, Believe, Achieve. Hariet [Ellis] from the band is on the MusicHelps board and is a fantastic asset for us.
