EQ is a gender equality programme which speaks to UN Sustainable development Goal #5 (‘Gender Equality’). It provides funding for music videos and ensuing network events. The pilot programme (2021/2022) was developed in association with Women In Film & Television (WIFT) and SAE Creative Media Institute.

This project builds capacity and sustainability across the music and screen sectors, creates employment, opportunities and resilient networks of professionals who can then impart knowledge to similar cohorts of practitioners over the longer term.

Musician applicants were asked to submit a song that is planned for 2023 release. Ideally the song would be completed or near completion at time of submission. Each successful project application will receive $10,000 to create content (music video, interstitials, visualisers) to support the release of new music this year.

Congratulations to our three recipients - AJA, Mel Parsons and Kelly Sherrod. 

AJA Ropata (Ngāti Toa rangatira, Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou) is a highly respected figure in the fields of Māori education and music, known for her immense talents as a singer, songwriter, and performer.

With a deep-rooted passion for creating and producing music in both te reo Māori and Pākehā, AJA has become a prominent figure in the music industry. AJA's musical journey began with the release of her debut single 'Non-Handler' during Matariki in2019, which garnered widespread acclaim for its powerful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics.

In NZ Music Month 2020, she followed up with her second single 'Kāwai', a captivating exploration of themes such as creation and environmental awareness. Her unique ability to connect with her audience through her music has earned her a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades.

In 2022, AJA was honoured with the prestigious APRA Maioha Award for her collaboration waiata 'Te Iho', alongside Byllie-Jean and Chris Wethey. As a first-time finalist and winner, AJA expressed immense pride in elevating contemporary waiata reo Māori and further establishing her musical prowess.

AJA's powerful voice and innovative musical arrangements have captivated audiences across Aotearoa and beyond, drawing listeners into a vast musical landscape. Her live performances are highly anticipated, and she has been fronting her 12-piece band on her summer tour 'I CAN FEEL IT', including headlining performances at the Newtown Festival and the upcoming final show at Cuba Dupa in March 2023.

In addition to her impressive live performances, AJA has recently release her single and live video 'Feel it' and is also working on her first production, as the opening act for the Kia Mau Festival 2023, collaborating with renowned producer, singer, and musician, Mara TK from Electric Wire Hustle. With her unwavering dedication to her craft and her people, AJA Ropata is an artist whose music and shows are not be missed. Her contributions to Māori music and education have been immense, and her future endeavours are sure to be nothing short of extraordinary.

Listen Here:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Youtube
Spotify

Living between Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Nashville, Tennessee, Kelly Sherrod is a multi-faceted artist practicing in both audio and visual media. She writes, produces and performs as Proteins of Magic, and makes visual worlds to translate her songs to screen by using claymation to digital art; creating an alchemy of sound, vision, time and nature. There isn’t a single genre that describes the musical output of Proteins of Magic, but in broad terms it embodies the realm of Gothic; from the use of voices from elsewhere, layered upon one another, to the drama of chamber pop melded with eerie post-punk, she blurs the boundaries between innovative alt-folk and contemporary art music.

On stage she has a solitary, commanding presence, she doesn't just transform, she almost seems possessed. Delivering her existential poetry over layers of loops of vocal harmonies, breath and flute, she fuses them together with her pulsing bass guitar.

In 2022, she signed to Particle Recordings, with her single 'Lethal' going to Number 1 in the NZ Radioscope alternative charts. Her next single 'Divine Physics' in 2023 went to Number 1 in the 95bFM top 10, and was toured in a series of headline shows in Aotearoa.

In NZ Proteins of Magic has played at Splore, Cuba Dupa, The Othersway and Cross St Festivals. She is performing in 2023 at Big Ears Festival (USA), The Great Escape (UK), The Lexington and New River Studios (London), Primavera (Spain).

Listen Here: 
Website
Instagram
Spotify
Youtube
Soundcloud

Multi-award winning singer songwriter Mel Parsons is one of Aotearoa’s most beloved touring acts. Part musician and part raconteur, Parsons’ beguiling voice and disarming line of humour has won her a very dedicated fan base and has seen her spend the past decade performing all over the world - from festival stages to theatres to working woolsheds.

Parsons’ newest record ‘Slow Burn' debuted at #3 on the Top40 Charts, was a finalist for Best Folk Artist at the 2023 AMAs & has already clocked up over 700k streams.

 
‘Slow Burn’ follows Parsons’ critically acclaimed fourth album ‘Glass Heart’, which was produced by legendary LA-based Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Suzanne Vega, Elvis Costello, Missy Higgins, Randy Newman, Lindsay Buckingham/Christine McVie), which saw her win the coveted Best Folk Artist at the 2020 AMAs, was a finalist for the 2019 Taite Music Prize and a Top 20 finalist at 2019’s APRA Silver Scroll Award.

 
The success of ‘Glass Heart’ followed a string of accolades for Parsons, whose debut album ‘Over My Shoulder’ and her sophomore album ‘Red Grey Blue’ were both finalists for Folk Album of the Year (in 2009 and 2011, respectively).

 
The full-time touring artist garnered a Silver Scroll finalist nod for ‘Get Out Alive’ in 2015, won the 2016 NZCMA Best Song for ‘Alberta Sun’ and the VNZMA for Best Engineer for the ‘Drylands’ record. Both her debut album ‘Over My Shoulder’ (2009) and sophomore offering ‘Red Grey Blue’ (2011) were also VNZMA finalists for Folk Album of the Year. Parsons is also a cast member of Kiwi musical supergroup ‘Fly My Pretties‘, with sell out tours and festival performances throughout Australasia.

Listen here:
Website 
Band Camp 
Instagram 
Facebook
Youtube 

Image credit: Sabin Holloway

Thanks to everyone who applied for our latest funding round. Applications are closed. For information about the grant, please contact Renée Tanner via email at