The Fold How a new history of NZ pop music reveals media's revolutions
Aug 4, 2025
Gareth Shute, a music writer and historian, discusses his new book, 'Songs From the Shaky Isles', offering a comprehensive overview of New Zealand's pop music history. He highlights the transformative influence of television and commercial radio on music production and artist exposure. Shute dives into the significance of Māori show bands and the emergence of a vibrant counterculture in the 60s and 70s. He also tackles the challenges artists face in gaining international recognition today, especially in the streaming era.
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Tex Morton’s Hobo Showman Beginnings
- Tex Morton travelled with circuses and busked from his teens, recording early country on wax cylinders.
- He combined stunts, music and variety acts to build a national entertainment career.
Show Bands Bridged Culture And Commercial Touring
- Māori show bands turned local cultural performance into touring variety entertainment across New Zealand and Australia.
- They blended Western popular styles with Māori waiata to create broad commercial appeal.
Retail Dominance Stifled Local Recording
- Major retailers like HMV dominated hardware and imports but resisted investing in local recorded artists.
- That indifference forced ad-hoc solutions like Tanzer label to get New Zealand songs recorded and released.
