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The Herald website is turning ten and to celebrate we're looking back at the best of the last decade. Here's our pick of some of New Zealand's most successful music artists and bands over the last ten years - in no particular order.
The Feelers
The Feelers crash-landed onto the music scene in 1998 with their debut album, Supersystem, which went straight to number one and became the second biggest selling album in New Zealand that year. That success was swiftly followed by a string of award wins at the Tuis, including Album and Band of the Year. Despite the departure of founding member Matthew Thomas in 2008, the Feelers look set to remain a much loved band of the people. [More]
Bic Runga
Singer-songwriter Big Runga may not be that prolific with her musical output, but she's still a key player on the New Zealand music scene. Her first album, Drive, debuted at number one in the charts in 1998, and she's since gone on to be one of the highest-selling Kiwi artist of all time. Runga has also achieved international recoginition and success, and counts both Elton John Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page amongst her celebrity fans. [More]
Brooke Fraser
Brooke Fraser's debut album, What to Do with Daylight, stormed in at number one in the NZ charts in 2003, and eventually achieved seven times platinum status. Fraser's success continued the following year when she scooped a breakthrough artist and best female solo artist award at the Tuis. Her follow-up album, Albertine, soared into the top five on the American iTunes chart and hit the Billboard 100, cementing her international success. [More]
Scribe
Scribe (Malo Luafutu) is often described as the shining superstar of New Zealand's much celebrated and burgeoning hip-hop scene. His first single, Stand Up, reached number one in the NZ singles chart, and remained there for a record 12 weeks. Scribe's 2003 debut album, The Crusader, was released to critical acclaim both here and in Australia. He's also the first Kiwi artist to ever simultaneously hold the number one spots on the album and singles charts. [More]
Opshop
Formed in 2002, Opshop (or rather GST - Goldfish Shopping Trolley - as they were originally called) is another great Kiwi success story. Their debut album, You Are Here, achieved platinum status in New Zealand on the back of choice tracks such as No Ordinary Thing, Secrets and Saturated. Sophomore album, Second Hand Planet, spawned the classic One Day, which has gained huge popularity thanks to an endorsement on that NZ Post TV advert. [More]
The Mint Chicks
Ah, the Mint Chicks. Another great band. This Auckland four-piece took off to live in the United States, but we forgive them for flying the coop - they're one of the freshest and most innovative bands around. Renouned for their contagious blend of experimental power pop and anarchic stage performances, the Chicks' most notable musical output to date has to be award-winning album Crazy?Yes!Dumb?No! - a schizo-pop masterpiece if ever there was one. [More]
Fat Freddy's Drop
Wellington seven-piece Fat Freddy's Drop made their big splash in 2005 with their furure-funk studio album, Based on a True Story - which dominated the Tuis that year and bagged an impressive five awards: Best Group, Best Album, Best New Zealand Roots Group and the People's Choice Award. A super group of NZ musical talent, Freddy's laid-back, improvisational approach to music has earned them acclaim both here and abroad. [More]
Anika Moa
Singer-songwriter Anika Moa burst onto the New Zealand music scene in 2001 with the double-platinum album Thinking Room. She was initially signed to Warner Music in New Zealand and Atlantic Records in New york - who had big international plans for the singer - but Moa gave that the heave-ho and chose to forge her career back home in New Zealand instead. [More]
Shihad
Alternative rockers Shihad, formed in 1988 by high school chums Tom Larkin and Jon Toogood, are probably one of the most respected and mainstay rock bands in New Zealand. Definite highlights over the past decade include their 1998 self titled album and 1999's General Electric. Then there's 2008's Beautiful Machine - their seventh studio album - with its thundering and highlight track, One Will Hear The Other. Pure rock'n'roll. [More]
Hayley Westenra
Kiwi soprano Hayley Westenra released her debut international album Pure in 2003 and it reached number 1 on the UK classical chart - making her the fastest-selling debut classical artist of all time. But that success hasn't gone to 21-year-old Westenra's head - she's still a down-to-earth Kiwi lass. The singer revealed last year that despite pressure from her record company to ditch her wholesome image, she refused to "dress like a tart to sell records". [More]
