MTV News  | Tales from CMJ in New York City!

Earlier this year, 42below, MTV, Redbull, NZ on Air, the New Zealand Music Commission and a selection of New Zealand musicians teamed up with a collective goal - to showcase the musical talents from one of the world’s smallest countries to the largest potential audience they have ever encountered - the CMJ Music and Film Marathon!

In a nutshell, CMJ sees 1,200 bands from across the globe congregating in New York, playing to a mass of socially awkward college radio program directors, record label heads and legions of fans over the space of one week.

After years of forging relationships and paving the American way for our small yet pert collection of musicians, CMJ have taken quite a shining to the NZ on Air and NZ Music Commission lads. This is all too evident on receiving the CMJ pass. Every single lanyard is made of three cards; one ID card, one CMJ card and one card advertising the New Zealand showcase and the artists’ performing there.

The New Zealand Showcase at CMJ is the biggest event of the week and, as it takes place on the first night, traditionally sets the bar. A 1500 strong line formed outside immediately, but thanks to the 300 venue capacity, a contingent of NZ musicians tearing the place apart and 42below flowing like a stuck pig, people didn’t move on too fast, if at all.


First to storm the stage were Auckland-based band Surf City. Although they’re still hard at work building a solid fan-base in NZ, these boys are getting really well known in American college radio circles. When we asked the punters lined up who they had come to see, more often than not, Surf City was the reply.

Building on a solid start, the infectious music from Motocade ripped through the crowd like an STI in the Otago Uni halls. By the end of their second song, the crowd had found both their voice and awkward dancing moves that only a predominantly young European audience can provide.

Bang Bang Eche! exploded with all their youth and vigour, and still managed to open the eyes and ears that have been listening to them for some time already.

Die! Die! Die! provided the most interactive performance, with lead singer Andrew Wilson splitting his time between the stage and smashing through a slightly shocked yet appreciative Seppo audience.

With some big wigs in the room, Kingston brought their A-game and young Dan Gibson whipped the ladies into a frenzy with quick spins and Jagger-style dancing. His performance ended with a piggyback ride on Kiwi turned New Yorker Tyson Kennedy’s back, and to the delight of onlookers, the combined weight caused Tyson’s legs to buckle and sent them crashing to the floor.

Bringing Hip Hop to New York is like taking a roast to Nana’s house; you better do a solid rendition or be prepared to hear all about it. David Dallas, the only solo artist in the NZ showcase, was next to take the mic. Pretty nerve racking stuff you'd assume, but the Kiwi kid was solid as a rock and had everyone singing without knowing the words.

Kids in Space are still opening eyes in NZ, but had no hesitation in making the most of their trip, caning the crowd with their electro hop. The American kids ate it up and asked for seconds.

Capping the night off was Smashproof. No strangers to the states, the boys were really hoping to build on foundations they already established. With some big wigs in the room, they had to make it count, and make it count they did. Putting their best Timberland forward, they also invited American collaborators up on stage to hammer home the message that they are serious about taking on the US of A.

I was super proud to be a Kiwi in that room and was wrapped how everyone flew the NZ flag – and it was only the first day.

To experience the Kiwi infiltration of NYC, and watch me get harassed by crack heads and morbidly obese women, then make sure you catch MTV @ CMJ on Sunday, November 8 at 7:30pm on MTV New Zealand!