NZ artists may create a ‘database’ of problematic music industry figures

A number of the most esteemed names in Aotearoa have cosigned an open letter calling on key figures in the New Zealand music industry to reflect on their behaviour amid recent sexual harassment revelations. 

The letter, penned by musician Anna Coddington and co-signed by the likes of Bic Runga, Lorde, Anika Moa, Tami Neilson, Hollie Smith and Mel Parsons, calls for a need to diversify those in positions of power in the music industry.

It arrives after an extensive report by Stuff.co.nz, illuminated allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation experienced by women and non-binary artists in the New Zealand music industry.

The investigation gave rise to an admission of guilt and apology from one of the industry’s most respected, and powerful figures — former Lorde manager Scott Maclachlan.

Following the report coming to light, Warner Music Australia announced it had terminated its A&R executive contract with Maclachlan.

BENEE manager Paul McKessar — who only last year was awarded Manager of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards — was also stood down from his role at CRS Music following his implication in the exposé.

The open letter urges those in the music industry to check their behaviour and conduct, calls for diversification in positions of powers and a number of harm-reduction strategies.

“To everyone working in the industry – you know the conditions. We’re all passionate about music and regularly in awe of the talent around us,” it begins. “But if the artist’s job is to feel deeply and be vulnerable enough to create moving music, yours must be to help them professionally and personally, without crossing boundaries and taking advantage of them.

“Right now is an opportunity to assess yourself honestly and reflect on how you conduct yourself in those environments. If you can’t work in those conditions while preserving the dignity of those around you, now is the time to either find another work environment that you can handle yourself in, or make use of the various resources and procedures being put in place by SoundCheck Aotearoa and other initiatives to educate yourself and change behaviours. This goes for everyone, industry-wide.”

The letter goes on to detail that men in the New Zealand music industry have been “operating in a safety-in-numbers scenario since forever.”

“Young women, takatāpui, and other minorities stepping fresh into the music industry do not have that safety,” the letter continnued.

““We need better behaviour from those who hold power now, but ultimately we need more diversity in those positions of power so that the music industry as a whole can thrive and reap the benefits of different perspectives.”

“Innovation in both business and creativity will follow – there is plenty of research to back this up. It requires active and conscious change, and the transfer of some power from the restricted group who hold it now to others who don’t look or think like them. We’ve been talking about this and failing to affect change for a very long time, but it can and must be done.”

Anika Moa told Stuff.co.nz that she was in talks with other artists about putting together a “database” of industry figures guilty of problematic behaviour, as a means to protect young people starting out in the industry.

“We haven’t had a list of potential threats in the industry. If you’re a young person starting out, who’s been asked to work with a man, then at least they’ll be able to consult the list,” Moa said.

You can read the open letter in its entirety here.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.