Every May marks a special month in NZ where we dedicate it to highlighting and exposing the talented musicians of NZ. Therefore as myself and Krizia are big supporters of our home country and lovers of music, all the Music Monday related posts will be highlighting our favourite Kiwi musicians.

Below is a brief background/intro to what NZ music is taken directly from their website:

"Firmly entrenched as part of our cultural landscape, over the course of the last decade the month of May has gone from a period of encouraging radio to play more local tunes, to a 31 day celebration of homegrown talent across the length and breadth of the country.

NZ Music Month is a promotion run by the NZ Music Commission that takes place each May, in association with other organisation including NZ on Air, Recorded Music New Zealand, APRA, The Music Managers Forum, and the Radio Broadcasters Association. And obviously NZ Music Month could not succeed without the support of the country's labels, media, the general public, and, most importantly, the artists themselves." - What is NZ Music Month

Growing up I never really appreciated what this month meant in terms of promoting local talent. I saw it more of a hindrance and a month that kept me from listening to all my favourite American artists that would normally be saturating the radio station. Now however, and especially moving overseas, I realise how important this month is. We should be proud of our homegrown musicians, being so secluded can mean we produce music that isn't commonly heard anywhere else. We don't produce and spit out pre-made boybands or girl groups, our musicians are hard working talented individuals who may not achieve global success but that doesn't mean that their work is any less important.

Although sometimes our musicians get lucky and get thrown into super stardom, in fact after Peter Jackson you can safely say this young girl has helped cement NZ further on the map. I'm talking of course about Lorde (aka Ella Yelich O'Connor). This 18 year old songstress has literally taken the world by storm.

She was first discovered when someone filmed her at a high school talent show and then passed the video onto Universal Music Group, where she was then partnered with Joel Little (former lead singer of Goodnight Nurse). 

In March 2013 she released her first EP The Love Club which included her debut single and worldwide hit, 'Royals'. 

Quickly following the hype of 'Royals' Lorde released her first album Pure Heroine and proceed to tour the country and world.

Following the release of Pure Herione, Lorde went on to win four New Zealand Music Awards in 2013, and earned the New Zealand APRA Scroll Silver Awards. In 2014 she went on to receive the two Grammy's for Best Pop Solo and Song of the year. Along with picking up two Billboard Music Awards, an MTV Video Award and three World Music Awards.

Later that year Lorde and Little wrote 'Yellow Flicker Heartbeat', which then became the ending credits song for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. This also saw Lorde get nominated for Best Original Song at the 72nd Golden Globes ceremony.

She's now taking a much well deserved break from touring and can be seen hanging out with her BFF's Taylor Swift, HAIM and Jennifer Lawrence.

We're big fans and supporters of Lorde here at LGC HQ and are so proud of what she's managed to accomplish so early on in her career!

We can't wait to see what she releases next!

Check back next week to see who Krizia has chosen to highlight for our NZ Music Monday!

S.

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