Welcome to the Gig

14/06/2024

👩‍⚕️FEATURE FRIDAY FT. ZOË VERA LIVE NOW!👩‍⚕️

Superhero emergency nurse and musician, Zoë Vera is breaking back into the scene with her newest track 'Don't Make It My Fault' and this week, she is WTTG's Feature Friday!

You can check out our mini interview now at http://welcometothegig.net/feature-friday/zoevera ✨️

10/06/2024

👍HEADS DOWN THUMBS UP REVIEW LIVE NOW!👍

"Heads Down Thumbs Up is a little endearing, a little sweet and a whole bunch of fun..."

If you want to read more of my review on Harry Burt's new song, you are able to now!

It's live at http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/headsdownthumbsup-harryburt

Happy reading!

07/06/2024

💐AN INTERVIEW WITH Nur Peach LIVE NOW!💐

Had the absolute pleasure of doing an email interview with the fantastically open-minded, wholesome musician that is Nur Peach, and it was really one for the books! She has some amazing insights on life and also an awesome album coming very shortly.

Do yourself a favour and go to the website for a read of this beautiful interview!

It is now live at http://welcometothegig.net/musician-interviews/nur-peach 💖

03/06/2024

🦴ALIVE 4 U REVIEW IS (ALIVE 4 U) NOW!🦴

"This is a song that will leave you with an upheld obsession for listening to this certified ten out of ten launch on a constant, unwavering loop..."

If you want to read more of my review on Retro Valley 's latest release while you listen on that unwavering loop, make sure you pop over to the website now at http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/alive4u-retrovalley

Enjoy dancing down to your bones with this one!

02/06/2024

Just a wee reminder that I'm only a one woman show with Welcome to the Gig and requests need to be closed from time to time so I can catch up.

Please check the pinned post at the top of the socials for the status of requests before messaging or emailing.

I currently have six different projects going on at the moment, therefore do not have capacity for anything further.

I appreciate your understanding and will let you all know when requests are open again. Cheers! 🫶

Unsure if requests are open? Please READ this before you request.

Request status: CURRENTLY CLOSED.

31/05/2024

🏠HALLWAYS MINI EP REVIEW - LIVE NOW!🏠

"Telling humbling feelings from her own personal experiences in life, Becca Caffyn doesn't hold back on the pages that she shares..."

Would you like to read the complete review of the Hallways mini EP? No worries, because you absolutely can! The review is now live at http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/hallways-beccacaffyn ✨️

28/05/2024

3️⃣ TODAY!

🎉WELCOME TO THE GIG . NET IS THREE!🎉

Well, the website has finally left the "terrible twos" behind, having been around since 28/5/21 (okay so technically, I started it on the 29th May, but I messed up one year thinking it was the 28th, so now it's the 28th May hehe).

Gosh, what an emotional wee "pinch me" ride it has been. The NZ music scene is truly on a whole other level. The way that us Kiwis support each other, musically and in other endeavors is completely empowering. Constantly in awe of what our country full of highly talented musicians can do and I am genuinely so empowered by how much hard work goes in.

Welcome to the Gig was not, in my eyes, expected to be well known (as much as it is) or reach as far as it has. I started the website just to write about local artists who weren't able to always reach new audiences without a little help, but this website has been life changing for me.

Everyday, I am grateful to be part of this beautiful music scene we have (even temporarily living on the other side of the world...) and for how accepting everybody has been of my writing and content. It seemed unimaginable that in 2021, I was going to get offered a bloody radio show/podcast on Plains FM (forever love that team 🫶) and that this would reach more than a few people. That same year, it was crazy to bring out some merch and have musicians and friends wear it. In 2022, I was absolutely enthralled to be invited to hold a gig in Auckland under the Welcome to the Gig name (I even called my Mum before the show started and said "there are people here! People showed up!" not believing that many would).

Welcome to the Gig has allowed me to build friendships with like-minded folk in the industry and really opened a whole lot of doors. I've had some really insane interviews and been to some fantastic gigs, things only some could dream of.

For this introverted human from Christchurch, music has really saved my life on multiple occasions and I don't think anybody understands how over the moon I get when someone enjoys the words written; it means a whole lot more to me than one could comprehend.

Welcome to the Gig has never made a cent and it probably never will, however, just knowing that someday it may help someone discover their favourite new artist and maybe save them, that's what matters. It matters to get the music out there. It matters to showcase the hardwork that you guys put in because you're all bloody amazing and deserve to be heard/seen and have your passion made into a career!

Right. Before this gets too emotional, THANK YOU for always being supportive, kind and just generally the rays of sunshine you all are in my life.

Welcome to the Gig would be nothing without you☀️

All my love,

Ash x

27/05/2024

🐆DOUBLE FEATURE MUSIC REVIEW: LEOPARD PRINT COAT X LIVING ROOM FLOOR🐆

"The electrifying drift of the output from the guitar is a delectable delight that will have your body feeling that vibrational pull..."

That is only part of one of the two reviews I have written, so click the link below to check out my double feature review of Double Parked 's new songs! Enjoy ✨️

http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/doublefeature-doubleparked

09/05/2024

3️⃣ soon! 🎉

08/05/2024

💨SMOKECHASERS REVIEW LIVE NOW!💨

"Blood, sweat, and a thousand beers were poured into creating Smokechasers, bringing this exceptionally home-crafted delight of an album to life."

You know you want to read more of my review on Lunar Intruder's new album!

The review is finally live at http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/smokechasers-lunarintruder for you to read!

15/04/2024

✨️AN INTERVIEW WITH Karra Rhodes LIVE NOW!✨️

Wholesome, sweet queen, Karra is the next musician to have been interviewed on Welcome to the Gig! We chatted all sorts, such as her being a busy bee, how she is breaking into the NZ and Scottish music scenes, and even some insight into her upcoming album (👀).

You're going to want to read this one right now at http://welcometothegig.net/musician-interviews/karrarhodes

Happy reading! 🤠

03/04/2024

Unsure if requests are open? Please READ this before you request.

Request status: CURRENTLY CLOSED.

27/02/2024

🎆Castaway x Welcome to the Gig - INTERVIEW LIVE NOW!🎆

Kapow! You'd really think I'd let Castaway escape that easy without getting them for an interview? Mate, ya dreaming! We got down to some nitty gritty, fun chats such as whether their former flames have heard Supernova (👀), their days at UC starting out as a Uni band, and what their fantastic daily routines look like.

The interview is now live over on the website at http://welcometothegig.net/musician-interviews/castaway !

This is one you really do not want to bypass. Thank you, legends, for your time! 💥

26/02/2024

The most epic interview is coming...

Tomorrow night. 7pm.

http://welcometothegig.net/musician-interviews 👀

You can return to our homepage by clicking here, or you can try searching for the content you are seeking by clicking here.

24/02/2024

💀FEEL FOR YOU REVIEW LIVE NOW!💀

"Coming in with these sublime psychedelics, cowboyish, blue noted tones, Monk Seals know how to treat their adoring audience to treats pulled straight from their bag of goodies..."

If you would like to read the review (while listening to the song, of course), then chuck this link into your browser:
http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/feelforyou-monkseals

🌬

21/02/2024

🔨CARPENTERS DAUGHTER REVIEW LIVE NOW!🔨

"Carpenters Daughter has many pertinent points throughout where Steffany Beck Music expresses who her father was, honouring the memories she has with him..."

Ready to read this new review? Bring the tissues and listen to the track at the same time!

The review is now live at http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/carpentersdaughter-steffanybeck 🛠

17/02/2024

✨️SUPERNOVA REVIEW LIVE NOW!✨️

"Supernova has been the star from the universe that we have been waiting to be gifted..."

If you want to read more of my review for Castaway 's new track, head on over to http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/supernova-castaway 🎉

03/02/2024

💤SHUTEYE REVIEW LIVE NOW!💤

"The raw experience of hearing Shuteye enables you to be devoured in the hopeful truth that things can change course at any moment..."

Want to read more of the review for Bella Rose Music 's debut single? You now can! It's live over at http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/shuteye-bellarose ✨️

23/01/2024

🌩BITTERSWEET REVIEW LIVE NOW!🌩

"Bittersweet is honest from the get-go and comprises of such compassion that you may be knocked right off your feet..."

Want to read more of my thoughts about Jack Robertson Music 's newest release? Now you can! The review is live at http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/bittersweet-jackrobertson ✨️

18/12/2023

✨️✨️REVIEW REQUESTS REOPENING✨️✨️

Sheeeeeesh, it has been a while, pals. How are we all doing? Hanging in there? Hopefully. Almost 2024, which means some awesome news from Welcome to the Gig - I am opening up review requests from the 1st January! I know. It's been a very, very long year without many reviews/much happening with Welcome to the Gig. Especially after finishing the podcast.

This is exciting news to be able to share and to be actively getting back into the New Zealand music community (without actually being in the country). As some of you know, I moved to the UK about 10 weeks ago and am currently living in York, England, so that, among other personal things, has taken up a bulk of my year, meaning that Welcome to the Gig was put on the back burner... However! It is time to get back into it! I'm BEYOND thrilled.

There are a few things I need to say, however...

✨️THINGS TO NOTE✨️

- I will ONLY be doing NZ music submissions. I've tried international before and felt it took away from Welcome to the Gig promote just solely NZ artists and that's what the aim of the website is. It was never intended to become international.
- Any requests before 1st January will most likely have to be turned down just because I need that extra two weeks to just get prepared again, haha.
- You CAN email or DM (from 1st January that is) me with requests! Please note, Welcome to the Gig is a one woman operation and there is only so much I am able to do. Especially with starting my job soon. Email is always in the bio and on the website.

Anyway! Thanks for sticking about. Talk to you all soon and have a fantastic Christmas!

Much love, your pal, Ash 🎄

26/11/2023

Popped this up on the Instagram the other day, but thought I'd better put it up here, too!

Thinking of doing a really chill NZ musicians in the UK x WTTG catch up sometime next year and wondered who else would be keen? Got a small amount of interest on IG, which is amazing.

As most are based in London, it would be best to do something there (asking everyone to come up to York would be a bit much I reckon haha!). It wouldn't be a massive event or anything, but more like a meet up, I suppose? To bring NZ musicians together to meet each other or catch up.

Not entirely sure on the finer details as of yet, but let me know your thoughts/suggestions of good places in LDN to go ahead with this! 🇳🇿🇬🇧

14/11/2023

💋KISS LIKE THIS REVIEW LIVE NOW!💋

Coast Arcade are back, with yet another highly anticipated single, Kiss Like This! I have just posted a review on the song over on the website, so be sure to go and have a cheeky wee read while you listen to the tune.
http://welcometothegig.net/music-reviews/kisslikethis-coastarcade !

03/11/2023

Still settling into my new home, but if any of you are ever in the York 🇬🇧 area, flick me a message for a catch up! I know a great donut place!

Reviews will likely be reopened in 2024. ❤️

11/10/2023

Welcome to the Gig will be still in ~business (okay, not business haha!) in the UK :) Kiwi musos, let me know if you're ever keen to catch up! Whether that be for WTTG or just for a normal catch up.

I'll be floating around... somewhere in the UK. Looking at living North, but time will tell.

Feel free to flick me a message on the WTTG Instagram (welcometothegig) or on my personal Instagram if you have it as check those more often!

29/09/2023

✨️FEATURE FRIDAY: Nicole and Freddie✨️

This week's Feature Friday are local duo, Nicole and Freddie, who have been dominating the live Christchurch music scene and will be soon releasing their masterpiece of an EP! They have some big aspirations ahead for their careers, so make sure to jump over to the website to check out what those are.

Pop on over to http://welcometothegig.net/feature-friday/nicoleandfreddie for a read!🎶

22/09/2023

✨️AN INTERVIEW WITH Thuryah - LIVE NOW!✨️

Songstress queen, Thuryah, is making things in the world align with bringing diversity and cultural cues to her music, which is about to be released on her debut EP (out soon 👀). I sent off some questions to Thuryah about the above and she had some incredible answers. You can have a read of the interview over at http://welcometothegig.net/musician-interviews/thuryah

Thanks Thuryah, it was lovely to chat to you! 🩷

06/09/2023

⛅️AN INTERVIEW WITH MARMALADE, LIVE NOW!⛅️

Recently, I had the chance to chuck some questions over to my pals over at Marmalade to have a deep, honest chat about all things that they've learnt being in the industry, how grueling it can be, yet, how exciting it can also be. These positive humans are precisely the ones that up-and-comers should be looking up to.

Check out the interview now at http://welcometothegig.net/musician-interviews/marmalade 🫶

13/06/2023

👐JUST MONET AND THE THEO TRIO GIG REVIEW - LIVE NOW!👐

Last Thursday evening, I was invited to do a review of the fantastic Just Monet's Jazz Through The Ages show at Riverside Cantina. It was a really lovely experience and the review is live right now - http://welcometothegig.net/gig-reviews/just-monet

Thanks Monet!