taking care of business

Rip It Up, Issue 202, 1 June 1994, Page 6

taking care of business

Warner Music’s Tim Murdoch Resigns The man synonymous with Warner Music in New Zealand, MD Tim Murdoch resigned early May and left May 20. Murdoch has represented the Warners label group in NZ, founding WEA NZ, 24 years ago. His love of music, his individual style and colourful personality (and patronage of the French Cafe) is known internationally. With Tim Murdoch as MD, Warners recorded Kiwi acts such as Street Talk, Annie Crummer, Hammond Gamble, Ardijah, Patea Maori Club and Jan Hellriegel. Concerning his resignation Murdoch would only say, “No comment, watch this space.” It is thought that he had grown increasingly frustrated by the regional corporate bureaucracy and a decreasing autonomy for Warners Music NZ. Many commercially marginal Warners artists, such as David Sanborn were only able to play NZ concerts due to Tim Murdoch’s enthusiastic support for such artists.

James Southgate MD Warner Music NZ

The former EMI NZ National Sales Manager James Southgate has been appointed Managing Director of Warner Music NZ. James started May 23 returning from Australia where he had been Strategic Marketing Manager for EMI Australia for a short period of time. “I’m really looking forward to the new challenge,” says Southgate. Foreign Music Seminars The 1994 CMJ Coventation takes place at the New York Hilton & Towers from September 21-24. To registar or for further information write to Steven Hines, C/-The Big Backyard, GPO Box 697, Sydney 2001, Australia. The infamous New Music Seminar is happening at the Sheraton & Towers Hotel in New York City from July 19-23. Discounted pre-registrations are available until June 11. To register contact Rebecca Chapman, C/Victorian Rock Foundation, PO Box 297, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia. Ph (00613) 696 2022. The 2nd International Music Market is on at Raffles Hotel in Singapore from June 1215. Smokefree Rock Quest Three winners in the Smokefree Rock Quest will get their single released via an indie label. The Smokefree National winner records an EP at York St Studio released via Pagan. The Paris Texas Urban winner records at Uptown Studio and releases on Southside. The Tangata Pacifica Beats Award records at York St and releases on Tangata. There are also numerous prizes at regional and national finals contributed by NZ Rock Shops. Entry forms from your music teacher, NZ Rock Shop, Paris Texas or Tearaway, PO Box 473, Wanganui.

Music Video Awards July 17 The 1994 Flying Fish Music Video Awards take place Sunday July 17 in Wellington. Entry is free and closing date is July 1. Forms can be obtained from Flying Fish, PO Box 6443, Te Aro, Wellington (04) 384-6159 or fax (04) 385-2165 or Auckland (09) 3780238. Southern Music Storm The fourth annual Operation Music Storm presented by the Dunedin NZ Music Bureau and People Promotions is on again. The preliminary heats occur in Christchurch and Dunedin over late July / early August. The final will be staged in Christchurch on Thursday 25 August. Prizes include: a NZ On Air Video grant plus placement on the Kiwi Hit Disc, the recording and release of an EP or CD, a nationwide tour with full promotion, studio recording time, slooos of musical equipment. For an entry form write to People Promotions, PO Box 5709, Dunedin. Battle of the South II The Speights 1994 Battle of the Bands takes place in Dunedin hotels from August with the final at Sammys Saturday Sept 17. First prize is recording at Auckland’s York St Studio, Ansett Airfares there, SIOOO cash and single release on Wildside Records. Second prize is a Fender SE 112160 watt guitar amp, SIOOO of 93Rox gig advertising and SSOO cash. Third prize is a Fender Squier Stratocaster, SSOO of 93Rox advertising and S2OO cash. Entry forms at record or music shops or Stray Tangent Promotions, PO Box 980, Dunedin. Musical Chairs Sandii Riches of Mushroom has moved from the Festival offices to Flying Nun’s Queen Street office so that the Mushroom associated companies are under the same roof. There will be a new phone number for Mushroom . . . Vienne Bridgewater is now station manager of Mai FM . . . Jeremy Chunn has returned from Sydney to live and is the music writer for the rumoured new weekly mag. In Australia he wrote for OTS and Rolling Stone . . . Festival South Island rep Scott Wilson has resigned for personal reasons. A replacement will be announced soon . . . new Advertising Manager for RipltLJp and Shake! magazines is Peter May (former P.A. to Sire boss Seymour Stein) and Sarah Nathan is now Promotions Manager working with Liberty Group Consumer Magazines Marketing Manager Jill Beasley on the music and consumer titles . . . Festival have gained the M&G label with artists including Ruby Turner and Bjorn Again . . . Nicky Jarvis has left Warner Music to live in London . . . NZ Truth music writer Neil Reid has moved to the Sunday News and John Dix takes over his NZ Truth column . . .