Mike Puru and long-time friend, ex-colleague and hugely iconic Kiwi musician Anika Moa sat down for New Zealand Music Month to talk about the state of the industry.
Originally starting off busking in Christchurch’s Cashel Mall with her dad, Anika says it was always her dream to be a musician.
“I watched my mum doing gigs and how she made people feel,” Anika remembered.
“She used to have to take all her kids because she was a solo parent and we just had the best times.”
Nowadays, Anika said the New Zealand music industry, from her perspective, has a lovely culture.
“Everyone looks after each other, everyone’s got a friend in the music industry they can turn to.”
“I’ve been away from the music industry because I’ve been on radio and been a parent, [but] we have a strong support group within our female [community].”
“We support each other with everything. When someone gets nominated for an award, we are all in there, we’re like ‘yeah girl you’re amazing congratulations!’,” Anika continued.
“If anyone needs help with food or sickness or babysitting, we’re all there for each other because we've grown up with each other and each other’s music, and we support each other.”
Anika also said she has noticed a difference in the way younger people are integrating themselves into the industry.
“When I was 18 there were so many live venues and that’s how you get yourself out there.”
“Where are the live venues now? They’re very few and far between because everyone’s struggling,” she continued.
“I think TikTok, Instagram and social media is pretty much one of the only ways to break through for a younger generation.”
“[But] the thing that thrills me with music is meeting younger musicians,” she finished.
Anika also said that although she has taken a step back from her busy life to manage her type one diabetes, she has a new album on the way.
