#37 Nat Hathaway - Proof There's Life For Musicians Outside TikTok
I first came across Nat Hathaway on YouTube. His video ‘Making a 70’s Yacht Rock Beat’ featuring Nat working through the writing and production process of a new 70’s inspired jam from his bedroom is exactly the type of music content I enjoy, yet very rarely ever hear a Kiwi accent on.Besides enjoying the video itself, I was struck with how popular the video was becoming with more than 19K views at the time of writing. Long time readers / listeners know that a common stomping ground for me is the idea that there is no ‘one way’ to build an audience as a creative, all the more necessary to reiterate as the Music Industry doubles down on turning musicians into TikTok content creators.Nat is a great example of a musician exploring the avenues that suit him best and being (so far) rewarded for it.Our conversation covers his musical journey so far, his own relationship with YouTube, how the most recent series of videos came to be and what effect they’re having on his music career as a whole.Enjoy the episode and go check out Nat Hathaway on YouTube.Thanks for reading Mt. Noise! This post is public so feel free to share it.Mt. Noise is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mt. Noise at mtnoise.substack.com/subscribe
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#36 Richard Barnacle - The Stubborn Story Behind Space Academy
In todays episode of the Mt Noise Podcast I caught up with Richard Barnacle, who together with his partner Meg runs the Ōtautahi Christchurch based music venue, bar and pizzeria Space Academy.Richard & I talk about the origin of Space Academy as it established itself post-earthquake, the search for alternative business models focused less on alcohol sales, and the stubbornness required to keep a venue up and running through recessions and pandemics.We also chat about the community of people keeping the lights on from his partner Meg to his staff of musicians that make it possible for a venue like Space Academy to sustain itself.Personally, I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time at Space Academy, even before my migration to Ōtautahi, as an audience member, musician and promoter. Among the many memorable nights Ive spent at Space Academy I’ve hosted ‘A Night With Pickle Darling’ at Space Academy in 2022, attended Better Living IRL (Melted Ice Cream) Festival and most recently performed the first show with my new band Glossamer.Space Academy has always felt welcoming and comfortable to musicians and musicians lovers, something I believe is only possible when everyone involved in the project is a music fan themselves and this positive environment is a huge testament to both Richard & Meg and their hard work.Anyone turning up at Space Academy will be greeted with good music, a great selection of beers, and an incredibly positive place to enjoy art.As Richard references in our interview, a part of the motivation to keep this cultural space open is a fear that nothing would replace it should it disappear. Ultimately, the local music scene would be crippled without the constant hard work of Richard, Meg & the entire Space Academy team. So if you’re in Ōtautahi permanently or just visiting, I highly recommend checking out Space Academy, getting a pizza and enjoying a taste of the real local music community. There’s always great shows on, most are incredibly affordable and all directly support the artists, as well as the space.If you want to be more involved in the music scene but aren’t sure whats happening week to week - make sure you subscribe to the Space Academy newsletter which gives weekly updates on the community as well as the gigs on across the week and into the future.You can find the newsletter sign-up hereHidden Tracks Get full access to Mt. Noise at mtnoise.substack.com/subscribe
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#35 - Chris Schulz: The Last Live Music Reviewer
Its a real treat when I get to sit back, relax and enjoy someone else’s work.Chris Schulz has become one of the main music writers I read on a consistent basis. He covers a range of issues within the Arts & Culture space, from live event reviews, to Features on artists to his investigative work covering police presence at music festivals this summer.Chris is a ‘proper’ journalist (according to me) stepping outside of the collapsing media institutions and dabbling with independent direct to consumer writing & Substack.He has written for RNZ, NZ Herald & Stuff among other publications. Chris live blogged his Big Day Out experiences from a Blackberry straight to the Stuff website in the late 2000’s. 20 years later and he’s still going, having attended and reviewed Electric Avenue here in Ōtautahi.Chris graciously made time before the first day of Electric Ave to sit down with me at a local cafe and chat.In this interview we discuss the collapse of the music media, his story on the NZ Police’s summer festival crackdown, and how he manages creative burnout. Get full access to Mt. Noise at mtnoise.substack.com/subscribe
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#34 - Exchange Christchurch: Creative Oasis
I visited Exchange Christchurch and talked to the coordinators about the creative space, upsetting locals and why physical space and community is so important in 2025. Get full access to Mt. Noise at mtnoise.substack.com/subscribe
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#33 - Ben Woods & Rose Smyth (Port Noise)
Lyttelton has quietly been hosting Aotearoa's best new arts festival. With the 2025 edition of Port Noise around the corner, I traveled port-side to learn more from the locals who put it on. Get full access to Mt. Noise at mtnoise.substack.com/subscribe
New Zealand