Dance music makers must export or stagnate

By SARAH ALLELY* and KATIE STOW*

Much of New Zealand's dance music is of international quality, but its talented exponents still need to work other jobs or get on the dole to survive.

The answer is: export or stagnate.

This conclusion emerged from last night's panel discussion on dance music at the ignite2001 festival in Auckland.

"Dance music as a genre is growing, but it is going to reach a maximum threshold...we have a finite audience," said Radio bFM programme director "Dubhead".

Most New Zealand dance music is of international quality, with a distinct local flavour," he said. "I think export is the key for growth."

Local DJ Greg Churchill said dance acts needed to establish themselves overseas and then export their music back to New Zealand.

He gave the example of Auckland DJ Soane who is releasing material on overseas label Paper Recordings, and then bringing it back to New Zealand.

Manchester DJ Jim Baron was impressed with the local enthusiasm for dance music, but saw how New Zealand's small market could stop it flourishing.

* The author is a journalism student at Auckland University of Technology.

Feature: ignite2001 festival

ignite2001 official website