nzherald.co.nz talks to the people behind Beck's "playable posters", launched at Auckland's Britomart for NZ Music Month.

Hayden Donnell and his alt-country outfit Great North are to about to release their third album, Up in Smoke, the follow-up to the Tui Award-winning Halves. Here's the story behind the album.

With New Zealand Music Month upon us, TimeOut talent scout Lydia Jenkin picks five acts on the cusp of bigger things in the local scene and abroad.

Is it just us, or do this year's New Zealand Music Month celebrations feel bigger, bolder and a little better organised than in the past?

Midge Marsden doesn't like to say it because he loves the blues, but a few years ago he attended the Sunflower Blues Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi - the home of the Delta blues.

New Zealand Music Month kicks off today, paying homage to some of the country's biggest artists and this year key sponsor Beck's plans to make the advertising sing.

Julia Deans performs at the 2013 Taite Music Prize ceremony.

Nightchoir perform at York Street Studios for NZ Herald Online's Sundae Sessions.

Home Brew perform at York Street Studios for NZ Herald Online's Sundae Sessions.

The twins get offered a gig at their cousin Benny's 21st. Monty practices his Hendrix guitar-lighting and Kowhai dresses in Sonic Youth tinfoil but it is no match for their disinterested whanau or their toddler karaoke champion cousin, Angeline.

So it's New Zealand Music Month again. And that usually means it's time to dedicate some column inches to debating whether or not we still need a month dedicated to local music.

Veteran Dave Dobbyn who talks to Lydia Jenkin about taking 30 musicians along on his new tour.

Hook Ups is a cartoon about musical twins Kowhai and Monty Hook. The contrasting pair hilariously live out the metaphors, tensions and clichés of the music industry while living in Aroha Bridge.

Internet giant Buzzfeed has hailed Kiwi singer Lorde as a future star whose talent should make Taylor Swift cry herself to sleep.

It's like a Gluepot reunion as friends and family gather for Auckland musician Dave McArtney's funeral. Peter Calder was there.

A 16-year-old North Shore student who pens her own songs has topped New Zealand's iTunes download chart and won a record contract with a major label.

It’s New Zealand Music Month – the perfect opportunity to go in search of something new. Each day we’re asking a member of our local creative fraternity to throw a little limelight on an artist or group they want you to know about.

It’s New Zealand Music Month – the perfect opportunity to go in search of something new. Each day we’re asking a member of our local creative fraternity to throw a little limelight on an artist or group they want you to know about.

It’s New Zealand Music Month – the perfect opportunity to go in search of something new. Each day we’re asking a member of our local creative fraternity to throw a little limelight on an artist or group they want you to know about.

Synth-pop tunesmith Disasteradio shines a limelight on some music that you should be listening to.

Former Mint Chick Kody Nielson talks to Lydia Jenkin about the inspiration for his latest album.