Create, Produce, Plan & Promote.

RELEASE is a 4-part online mentoring programme for emerging artists from around New Zealand.

The programme includes four 1.5 hour long online group sessions, and a one-on-one mentoring session to help plan future releases.

Seminar Dates & Topics
Tuesday 9 April
Tuesday 16 April
Tuesday 23 April
Tuesday 30 April

All taking place via Zoom starting 7pm.


Participants will hear from producer Andy Knopp (Volts, The Response, Rodney Fisher), Jenny Mitchell (award winning artist) and Katie Thompson (artist development mentor & music marketer).

In these comprehensive sessions, we'll delve into the artistic journey, offering insights from the creator's perspective. We'll explore the intricacies of music production, unraveling the entire process from inception to completion. From the essential elements required for a successful music release to the best practices in effective promotion, these sessions aims to equip you with a holistic understanding of the creative process, ensuring a well-rounded approach to bringing your music into the world.

There will also be the chance to ask questions and book one-on-one sessions for further development.

Applications Open - 12 March
Applications Close - 2 April

This programme will be provided at a cost of $49 for attendees and was made possible with support from Recorded Music.

Placements are by application and contestable.

Applications now closed.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered for selection, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

- Be based in New Zealand
- Currently releasing or working towards releasing original music


MEET YOUR MENTORS

KATIE THOMPSON

Self-managed New Zealand artist Katie Thompson first made a name for herself in 2009 when she became the first country artist in the world to raise $50,000 via crowdfunding platform Sellaband.

Since then she has gone on to be the opening act for Sir Elton John in 2011, was flown to Vienna by Global Rockstar to record with 5 other artists from around the world and was a finalist for Best Country Song & Best Country Artist 2020.

To date, Katie has raised over $250,000 for her own & other independent artists campaigns.

With 10+ years in the music industry, Katie is extremely passionate about helping other artists create successful careers & loves to share the knowledge she has gained through her own music career.


ANDY KNOPP

Andy Knopp is one part of a production duo with his wife Victoria Knopp. The multi instrumentalists met at jazz school and began focusing their passions of performance, composition and arranging on their self-produced indie pop project The Response.

DIY really is in their DNA, the pair record all their own material from their home studio, which they have continually upgraded and developed since Andy first began recording original jazz music in 2008.

In 2019 the pair began working together on production and recordings for other artists including folk/indie artist Matty Smith, Childrens’ music phenomenon Music with Michal, new self-produced power pop outfit Imperial April.

They have enjoyed developing local rock act Volts, taking them from a vocal and guitar duo to a fully realised festival ready band that performed at Beer Festival, Nostalgia Festival and Banks Peninsula Festival with an EP released late 2021 with title track
Wolves earning high rotation status on The Rock & radio Hauraki.

Most recently they have had the pleasure of working with Rodney Fisher (ex Good Shirt) on his debut solo album to be released later this year through Big Pop Records and August Avenue Management.



JENNY MITCHELL
Originally from Gore and now calling Wellington home, Jenny Mitchell is a dynamic storyteller who is rapidly capturing fans across the motu and the globe. Her music is full of warmth, truth
and family harmonies - think the best of The Chicks + Norah Jones.

Described by Rolling Stone as, “her best work yet,” her 2022 album, Tug of War, is a deep and emotional dive for the artist and the listener. Tug of War was released via Cooking Vinyl Australia
and received nominations for a 2023 Australian Golden Guitar and Aotearoa Music Award and features the pivotal release of Trouble
Finds a Girl. A collaboration with Tami Neilson, the stirring anthem directly addresses the mistreatment of women in the music industry and was crowned the 2022 APRA Best Country Song.

No stranger to the road, Jenny was an official showcase artist at BIGSOUND 2022 (AU) and Folk Alliance International 2023 (U.S) and has supported artists including Fanny Lumsden (AU) and Nadia Reid.

Jenny Mitchell is a gifted storyteller with the grit and experience to wear her heart proudly on her sleeve. With a sound that No Depression describes as, “poetry that dominates a beautiful melody,” Jenny is comfortable with a country twang or softly spoken ballad.

Her music defies easy categorisation but if you admire music by genre-defying artists from Emmylou Harris to Kasey Chambers, you’ll love Jenny Mitchell.
With thanks to Recorded Music for making this possible!