Calling all aspiring music producers!
Ignite Opens Its Doors to Young Kiwi Producers Aged 15-18
The youth development programme IGNITE is opening its doors to up-and-coming producers, with three of New Zealand’s leading producers and engineers announced
as mentors.
IGNITE, which nurtures and empowers young people to pursue their passion in music, was established in 2016. Applications for
the 2018 programme opened earlier this month, now the programme is being extended to include Music Production, which
will run parallel to the Events stream.
Applications are now open - apply here.
Participants will be mentored by three of New Zealand’s most well-known and successful producers and engineers - Josh Fountain (MAALA, Thomston, Theia, Mitch James, Matthew Young), Djeisan Suskov (Saski, SACHI, Chores, Abby Wolfe, Openside) and Dave Rhodes (The Warratahs, Head Like A Hole, Push Push, Skinny Hobos).
The 12-week programme will also focus on the power of mentoring; offering participants aged 15-18 a very unique
experience and hands-on approach and the opportunity to learn from the best. There are three placements available and
there is no cost to participate in the programme, which will run from April 7 to June 28.
For more detail on the programme, click here.
Thank you to Golden Age Studio, Saiko Studio, Depot Sound.
INDUSTRY MENTORS:
Josh Fountain is the resident producer, writer and engineer based out of Golden Age Studios in Auckland. After
graduating from Diploma in Audio Engineering and Music Production at MAINZ in 2005, he started working at Woodcut
Studios doing music for TV and commercials. There he formed the chart-topping group Kidz In Space and started producing
other artists including Smashproof, Benny Tipene and Annah Mac. Josh was then handpicked by Joel Little to take over at
Golden Age and has gone on to earn multiple APRA Silver Scrolls and NZ Music Award nominations, including Producer of
the Year nods for the last two years. He is a member of the band LEISURE and has produced and written with artists
including MAALA, Thomston, Theia, Mitch James, Matthew Young, Openside and Randa.
Djeisan Suskov is an acclaimed producer, writer and engineer. Djeisan grew up and worked around the studio environment
since the age of nine. He's worked with countless artists such as Saski, Boy Boy, Matthew Young, SACHI, Mitch James,
Chores, Abby Wolfe, Openside, Anna Coddington, Kids of 88, Artisan Guns, Ladi6, Tiny Ruins, Balu Brigada and is one
fifth of the band LEISURE who were Producer of the Year and Album of the Year nominees at the Vodafone New Zealand Music
Awards in 2017.
Dave Rhodes has been recording music for over 20 years. In 2002 he won the Tui for Engineer of the Year for Blindspott’s
debut album. From 2003 to 2012 he worked at Stebbing Recording centre where he moved into DVD authoring while also
getting to record artists like Six60 and the APO, the Topp Twins, Hollie Smith and John Rowles. Dave currently manages
Depot Sound recording studio where he juggles the promotion and business side of the studio with engineering and
producing. Since moving to Depot Sound he has worked acts such as The Warratahs (Country album of the year 2016), Head
Like A Hole, Brendon Thomas and the Vibes, Push Push, Skinny Hobos, The Dead Beat Boys and Play it Strange artists. He
also enjoys being on the other side of the glass, recording and touring as the drummer for bands including Stylus, 29
Blackbirds and Static Era.
ABOUT IGNITE
IGNITE believes when young people discover their passion they will thrive and reach their full potential. Music is a
powerful artform via which IGNITE supports the personal and professional development of young people, giving them a
stepping stone to further education pathways and discover the various careers that exist within New Zealand’s vibrant
creative industries. Through the programme, our young people will also engage the wider community by producing truly
authentic youth events – run by young people for young people, whilst creating key performance opportunities for young
and emerging artists. IGNITE is made possible in 2018 with generous support from Music and Audio Institute of NZ
(MAINZ), NZ Music Commission and Creative Communities.
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