Wellington reggae act BrownHill aren’t letting the grass grow under their feet, releasing a self-titled EP in 2011 and now back with a debut album of smooth Pacific reggae tunes called ‘First Love’, described as a culmination of their own individual experiences. The Good Friday-scheduled release makes sense given their various strict church upbringings and the album’s abundantly evident central theme of love, conveyed with up-lifting harmonies, beats and lyrics. BrownHill say they want people to use their music as "…a tool of encouragement for anyone facing the challenges that life and love throw at us.” Martyn Pepperell threw some questions at the nine-piece band’s lead singer and lyricist Caesar Masoe.
We've invited some folk known for their keen-eyed music industry observations to comment on events and trends in the biz, both here at home and abroad.

New York based talent manager and independent artist consultant Ethan Schiff has published an interested post over at his blog schiffblog.com offering an alternative solution for bands keen to attract a label.

Damon Krukowski of American rock band Galaxie 500 breaks down the meager royalties currently being paid out to bands by streaming services and explains what the music business' headlong quest for capital means for artists today. The following is a short e

NZM Newswire: Bob Lefsetz: Ten rules for making it in the music biz
Music analysist Bob Lefsetz has shared ten rules for musicians trying to "make it" in the music business, via his blog and e-newsletter: The Lefsetz Letter.

NZM Newswire: Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge's message for staff
The following is an internal memo from Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge sent out to staff following the company's US$1.9 billion acquisition of EMI's recorded music division.