ARTICLES

Autozamm - A Is For Autozamm

Author: Melanie Selby (photography by Tania Ellwood)

Being one of five bands to receive Phase Four funding in NZ On Air's latest funding round was the icing on the cake for Auckland-based Autozamm. The ex-Wellington four-piece, who will release their debut album 'As For Now' in July, heard the good news during their recent tour with The Have.

"We were in Christchurch and we were hungover and I was in bed with Jake (Hetherington, drummer)," recalls guitarist/vocalist Nick Major - perhaps a little indiscreetly!

"And it was like Christmas," continues fellow guitarist/vocalist Mikey Carpinter. "We were like 'We got the money' and Nick jumps out of bed in his undies and does a dance."

"It was just so exciting because we can do (the album) properly now," finishes Nick.

Phase Four funding was not something Autozamm expected however they thought they may stand a chance given the NZ On Air support they have received since the band formed in August 2002.

Starting out as a three-piece, the line-up was then Mikey, bassist Ben Litchfield and drummerCraig Mason - who left the band early in 2004.

The first Autozamm single Day To Day was recorded before Nick came on board a year later, and was the first song that saw NZ On Air money coming their way in the form of a $5000 New Recording Grant. Following this they received three video grants for Day To Day, You Don't Know Me and recent single Sweet Love. The video for You Don't Know Me, produced by Ed Davis (who was also responsible for Unstuck and Day To Day), was a finalist at the Kodak Music Clip Awards.

The Phase Four scheme offers funding for record companies towards the costs of recording and releasing an album by a New Zealand band or artist with proven commercial radio airplay credentials. The objective is to fund albums that will provide a source of new radio hits and by supplementing the record company's budget, to improve the production and/or the marketing of the record. The funding of up to $50,000 per project has to be at least matched by the record company.

Autozamm were the only rock band and the only act with independent distribution named by NZ On Air in May to receive the funding. Greg Johnson, The Black Seeds, Amber Claire and the Misfits of Science were the others on the list.

NZ On Air's Music Manager Brendan Smyth, explains how Autozamm qulaified for the Phase Four funding.

"They have got the two RadioScope NZ Airplay Chart Top 30 radio hits (Day To Day and You Don't Know Me)... which is what gives us the confidence to put up the funding. They are a hard-working band and they have shown that they have got what it takes to make an impact at rock radio."

This cash injection is hugely significant for the band who are signed to independent label Flaming Pearl with distribution through Global Routes.

"It helps heaps because we're on an indie label and an indie label doesn't have the endless bank account that say a major does," says Mikey.

"Now the album can be marketed the way we want it to marketed," says Nick.

Bernie Griffen, owner of both companies, has been on board since Autozamm's early days.

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