CHARTFEST celebrates Christchurch's emerging music talent

31st May 2009 - c/o TV3 News

Amidst the doom and gloom of the worldwide Markets, New Zealand music is thriving with the local industry saying it is brimming with new talent. Chartfest is an annual expo held in Christchurch which aims to nurture emerging talent.

Adam McGrath of the country-folk duo The Eastern says the festival is all about exchanging ideas.

“It's an exchange. We're exchanging information, exchanging knowledge and exchanging ideas,” he says.

Jeff Fulton, co-creator of Chartfest, says the expo helps teach artists about how the music industry works.

“It's not just about playing the guitar or the drums. There are other parts of the music industry - running a venue, being a journalist, managing a band,” says Mr Fulton.

Flip Grater, singer/songwriter, says Christchurch is thriving with talent.

“There are just so many wonderful musicians coming through and great songwriters coming through all the time,” she says.

“It's wonderful for the local industry, wonderful for the local youth. A way to get them involved in music and understand there's more to it than just being a musician, or a rock star!”

Jacob Peters, of Awakened Inferno, says Chartfest is a good opportunity to perform in a large setting.

“It's one of my dreams to play at the town hall, one of our (the bands) dreams as well, and we're playing here already - it's amazing!”

Christchurch is a breeding ground for musical talent, spawning such diverse acts as Scribe, Hayley Westenra and Bic Runga.

Brendon Smyth, from NZ on Air, says the industry is always looking to sign new artists so as to keep the music scene fresh.

“We're always looking for the new bands coming through because the local content campaign and New Zealand music industry can't rest on too few shoulders,” says Mr Smyth.

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