New Zealand Rock Artists Go at It Alone

Four Auckland based rock artists have recently finished their self funded $40,000 debut album produced at Studio 203 late December 2007. The four piece rock band “Miscreant” decided to go at it alone spending over $10,000 each in production and marketing costs. The four artists spent 6 months in the studio sweating it out to produce a quality product they could sell to the world. With the current Music Business Industry at a crossroad and record deals becoming sparse, this is a high risk investment for unsigned artists who are getting out there, especially for those on an average New Zealand income.

CD and digital sales are declining and music theft is at an all time high forcing artists to launch their own promotional and marketing plans. Unsigned local bands such as Miscreant are using money from their own pockets and putting the future of their success into their own hands by putting pressure on their personal resources and contacts. “Entrepreneurial and networking skills have never been more important to an artist” confesses Miscreants lead guitarist David Edtmaier. Trends in the music industry show cases like these are increasing; it is a classic example of the necessary risks young New Zealand artists are faced with in today’s music world.