New Zealand music is a real curiosity (even for a New Zealander like myself). I didn't care much for it when I was growing up there in the 80's. I just thought most of it was slightly 'off' in comparison to the crispy sparkly American and British pop that got served up in that decade but as I grew older and I tired of mainstream music pap, I found that the NZ music scene was becoming more and more appetising by the day.

My first real experience with the NZ alternative music scene was a guy called Andrew Fagan and his band of misfits called the Mockers. They made a noble attempt to cross the mainstream in 1984 but having soon realised that it was more interesting to be a small fish in a large pond, rather than a big fish in a small pond, and therefore migrated to London. Unfortunately it seemed that most acts decided to close shop in NZ at the time and the period of the late 80's was not an exciting one for NZ music. Granted, bands like the Clean and the 3D's (who legend has it, were sent a bottle of champagne by Bono himself, in 1989 to congratulate them on "being the best band in the world". Legend also has it that this bottle was promptly sent back to him) we're an ecclectic and talented bunch and had they formed in the early 90's, would have most likely gained some form of commercial success.It's only until the public broadcasting organisation 'NZ On Air' was formed in 1991, that the NZ music scene received a much needed confidence boost. The organisation uses public money to assist with the funding of albums, music videos and other forms of promotion for new and existing NZ bands, both domestic and overseas.

So what state is it in now? Pretty damn good it seems. I haven't lived there since 2002 but from what I hear the scene's bubbling along nicely with Maori and Pacific Island rappers, very strong dub and drum 'n bass scenes and a decent amound of indie rock bands. However, it's the lack of live venues there that's really holding the scene back. Living in London has made me realise how easy it is to get a gig as live venues are to be found in abundance (most pubs even have a small stage tucked away in case you want to jam away). New Zealand does not have this luxury and I think it's due to people's perception of new bands, they're just not regarded as potential future talent. I remember one incident well which encapsulates what I think is currently going on in NZ. I found myself at the Temple Bar and Cafe in Auckland one night where they were holding a free performance night for up and coming female artists. I went to it with an open mind and I found genuinely talented artists who were playing with some damn awful equipment such as the bar's amp stack. By chance I had a chat to the owner that night and she was trying to sell the bar. 'I'm sick and tired of hearing these idiots play. They'll never make it'. I pointed out that the equipment provided wasn't great and that they would sound a lot better with the proper gear. She wasn't interested and just wanted to sell the bar. She was asking $NZD200,000. Towns like Auckland need more live venues if the scene's going to flourish. At the moment there's only ONE that promotes new bands on a weekly basis. The Datsuns probably gigged there about 10 times before being asked to support the White Stripes and the rest is history.

So how do I get a taste of the NZ scene, I hear you ask? Check out the following:

• 95 bfm Live Internet Stream - Auckland's only independent music station. Student run and owned
• George FM Live Internet Stream - Like bFM but dedicated solely to electronic / dance / urban acts.
• Bands.co.nz - First stop for independent NZ bands
• Allmusic's take on New Zealand Rock during the 80's
  
• New Zealand Bands of the 60's, 70's and 80's