Front of stage musicians may stand in the spotlight, but the music industry is made up of many complex and connected parts - plenty of which goes on quietly behind the scenes. From producers to door people, merch sellers to sound engineers and often influential music teachers, like a true ensemble, beautiful sound really does come from the success of many parts.

As we were thinking of ideas and stories for our first ever Ensemble music week, we talked about those who do work backstage or behind closed doors - not just the people in front o the microphone. So, as NZ Music Month comes to a close for another year, and our first annual Ensemble music week does too, we asked some music industry insiders and musicians to share their appreciation for an unsung hero of the industry. We know there are many more than listed below, but this is just a snapshot of the great work happening at all levels of NZ music.

"The work of the significant others of artists and music industry workers are definitely unsung. Creative work is precarious, sporadic, urgent, and at times all-consuming. Touring requires long periods away from home, disrupts routines and circadian rhythms. Emotional labour is hidden and unpaid. Families work carefully together to manage the locus of focus, keep plates spinning, shine lights on everybody, and facilitate each other's flow. There's no such thing as an 'artist,' only an ecosystem.

Bonus shout out: Jetstar, for their weight-based checked baggage policy rather than per piece. However, points off for trying to implement a $25 fee per music instrument."

– Michael Cathro is a songwriter and singer in Ha the Unclear‍

"My music industry unsung hero is a charitable trust called SoundCheck Aotearoa whose purpose is to help foster a safe and inclusive culture for the Aotearoa music community. Recently, thanks to Ministry of Culture & Heritage funding, SoundCheck announced a SHAPRA service (Sexual Harm Prevention & Response Advisor) which is not only a world-wide music industry first but is a game changer for the music community.

The SHAPRA service is a free and confidential service for people affected by sexual harm in our local music community, providing a safe channel for accessing independent professional advice. It’s such an important initiative for our music community and I am thrilled to highlight SoundCheck’s amazing work."‍

– Teresa Patterson is the head of music at NZ On Air. She was previously the Chairperson for Music Manager's Forum Aotearoa and is currently on the board of SoundCheck Aotearoa‍

"I think bar/venue staff can be really undervalued considering what a crucial role they play in live performance. They often have to take on many roles beyond their regular duties. They have to make sure the band is looked after and have everything they need, stay later to help pack everything down, and often work the door. If there is something that needs to be done and no-one else is assigned to do it, the bar/venue staff will fill the gap. 

I also think they have a really unique perspective on live performance because they see so much of it. Personally as a performer how I am treated by the venue/bar staff really affects my experience of the show and feeling good in the space. Hat's off to Leo Langridge from Meow, as well as Christian Bingham, Jasmine Greenwood and Nina Gurau from San Francisco Bath House, Wellington."‍

- Vera Ellen is a musician ‍

"In my opinion, the unsung heroes of the NZ music industry are all the people doing any type of administration and managerial work. I didn't think much of it, but since working at Big Fan I’ve been exposed to all the planning, coordinating, and scheduling that happens behind the scenes. I’m in awe of the work that gets done, particularly with industry events, gigs, workshops, seminars, and even the occasional party, none of it would be possible without the care and dedication of the managers, admin personnel, coordinators, you name it, at the helm. 

I’m lucky enough to have worked with some amazing wahine that keep the wheels of the NZ music scene moving without much acknowledgment, namely my co-workers at Big Fan, Savina Fountain, Jacinda Walker, and J9 Russell. I’m grateful for their undeniable importance and influence!”‍

– Aubrie Mitchell is a music producer, songwriter, and audio engineer who is passionate about making waves in the music scene as part of the in-house studio team at Big Fan‍

"Big Fan was founded by song writer-producer Joel Little and his awesome wife Gemma, it’s a not-for-profit music space in Auckland which has three epic studios and a brilliant live music venue in one place. It’s a space to start a community bringing people together through music and help foster the talents of musos, song writers and wanting to get into the music industry behind the scenes.

Making music can be really expensive and inaccessible for a lot of people, but Joel and Gemma along with their incredible team are here to change that by giving people a chance to make music in studios they probably wouldn’t have a chance too or to just give making music a go, they even offer things like the Big Fan ‘Fan camps’ where people can apply for once in a lifetime experiences like songwriting camps, seminars with producers and other industry peers to spread their knowledge.

The impact I believe this has on the music industry here in New Zealand is massive and because Joel and Gemma aren’t the sort of people that would toot their own horn, I’m going to do it for them because what they’ve created alongside industry legends Savina Fountain, Janine Russell and more is nothing short of magic."‍

– Sharyn Casey is a broadcaster, and co-host of The Edge Afternoons‍

"One of the unsung heroes we would like to put forward is the Music Managers Forum (MMF). This is a group that puts together events and seminars specifically around the challenges that the music industry faces. This forum allows artists at all levels to rub shoulders with some of the top industry players and also resources to aid growth in different areas. Lost Tribe Aotearoa have been members of this group since the induction of the band, and have gained such important knowledge through this forum."‍

- Ben Aves is a musician and guitarist in Lost Tribe Aotearoa‍

"SoundCheck Aotearoa has emerged over the last few years, to address and prevent sexual harassment and bullying in the local music industry. They’ve just announced the launch of their free and confidential SHAPRA service, which means there’s now someone employed to receive queries, and guide both individuals and businesses through the complex process of dealing with sexual harm. This is particularly huge news in an industry where a lot of people are contractors, and don’t have access to the HR support permanent employees usually receive."‍

- Sarah Illingworth is communications specialist at Recorded Music New Zealand