CHART aims to assist Christchurch artists

While artists such as Scribe, Hayley Westenra, Bic Runga, Boh Runga (Stellar*), Dallas Tamaira (Fat Freddy's Drop), Anika Moa, Julia Deans (Fur Patrol) and bands such as Salmonella Dub, The Feelers, Shapeshifter and Zed have achieved considerable success, both nationally and internationally, they have not been able to do so while based in Christchurch.

This situation has always been accepted as necessary for success, but in 2006 with modern communication technologies and a global music culture, the question has to beg - why? Why does anyone who wants to succeed in the creative industries feel they need to shift away from Christchurch? Why, when 65% of adults in Christchurch are actively engaged in creative activity, do we lack any form of infrastructure to support our contemporary musical talent?

CHART, the Christchurch Music Industry Trust, was formed at the end of 2005 when a group of local industry stalwarts and recent Christchurch returnees, armed with national and international experience in the music industry, voluntarily combined their forces with the Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC), determined to do something about it. CHART has people with widespread experience who can do something about it, people who represent all facets of the music industry nationally, plus many internationally, and are passionate about the Christchurch Music Industry.

Chairperson Richard Bell is an award winning international music video director and producer. Cath Andersen is the Auckland-based General Manager of the NZ Music Industry Commission. Jeff Fulton is an NZ Music Managers Forum executive member, a Music Industry Advisor and previously office manager to Neil Finn. Neil Cox is Event Producer for the annual Southern Amp festival, Director of Big Deal Productions and an
International Music Marketing Consultant. Andrew Hat Meier is Station Manager at RDU FM radio station. Cary Caldwell is the Event Planner at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas and an active Artist Manager in Christchurch. Jenna-Lea Philpott is the Creative Industries Project Manager at CDC and the Christchurch coordinator for the NZ Music Managers Forum. Jody Lloyd is a Musician and Record Label Manager for She'll Be Right Records. Nolan Hungerford is a Musician, Music Manager and Manager of ATC Training Centre Rock School. Shaye Barrett is an active Artist and Event Manager.

CHART has some influential and keen supporters:

Scribe, Christchurch born multi-platinum selling international artist: "An organization like Chart is going to make a big difference to the young musicians here in Christchurch. They don't have to go all the way to Auckland to find out how the industry works, ask for advice or get help - they can now do all that at home. It will be a massive help for musicians who just want to stay in Christchurch."

Cath Andersen, General Manager, New Zealand Music Industry Commission: "It makes perfect sense that people who have worked successfully in the music industry in  hristchurch are the ones offering advice to the city's musicians, managers, promoters and anyone else trying to start a career in music locally. CHART will be better equipped to do this than industry people from other major centres who know very little about the city's local scene. The function that CHART will perform is similar to what the NZMIC (New Zealand Music Industry Commission) undertakes in advising its artists to get out and do what they need to get done but come back and return those experiences to their own creative city."

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