Government's rock act not ready to roll

By ALAN PERROTT

Creating Heat, the latest proposal to get New Zealand music onto stereos around the world, has been given a "wait-and-see" rating by some musicians.

The strategy, devised by a 17-member committee of musical identities, was launched with a mini-concert featuring Adeaze, the Brunettes and Gramsci at Auckland's Civic Theatre last night.

It sets out a process titled "NZ Out There" which could see approved acts get up to $210,000 in Government funding to help them kick start an international recording career.

Acts would require the approval and support of "in-market experts" who would be given incentive payments on top of their fees.

The proposal is open to feedback for one month before being put before the cabinet.

Brunettes mainman Jonathon Bree offered cautious support as long as stringent controls were not set on how bands used their funding.

He doubted the usefulness of setpiece New Zealand music gigs overseas, as these could set local media against acts because of the perceived tryhard element.

"Like last year's show in New York, they got the ex-pats along, but not the serious talent scouts.

"If the cash could be used to keep us over there for longer so we can reach a breakthrough, that would be far more useful to us."

If the policy had been in place 40 years ago, committee-member Ray Columbus said it would have helped take The Invaders to the world.

Their single She's a Mod was this country's first international number one and is about to be re-released internationally.

"I have been exporting New Zealand music actively for 40 years, so I was just thrilled to be asked to join in on this project. It's wonderful to have some real Government interest because I've been trying to sell this idea to every Prime Minister since Holyoake."

But Alistair Riddell, who wrote the 70s hit Out on the street, was suspicious about regulating creativity.

He was worried the need to justify the large funding would see only the safest options being supported.

"I'm sure a lot of these people are doing it for the right reasons, but I don't think they understand the nature of the animal. It is rebellious and contrary.

"Take The Datsuns, they were pretty much ignored in this country, then went overseas, got everyone's praises and now people use them as an example of how edgy the scene is here."