WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

E D I T O R I A L

HUP recently turned ten months old. In its short existence, HUP has evolved into a growing collective of like-minded people who are passionate about original live music in Hamilton.  More than anything, it seems that people are in to what HUP is about. So, what is HUP about?

Well, basically it’s about building interest and participation in original live music in our city. The main ways we have been doing this are by putting on shows, recording podcasts, writing reviews and interviews and general promotion of other cool shows that we are not directly involved with.

We’ve put on eight shows in total since May, featuring nine Hamilton bands, eight Auckland bands, and one each from Palmerston North, Waihi and even the USA. Five podcasts have been recorded. Twenty seven music reviews and interviews have been published. HUP’s Facebook has 326 likes, whatever significance that has. It’s been a good start. But it’s just that - a start.

What will 2016 bring? Well, we’re going to ‘give it a nudge’, to use parlance that I heard somewhere I probably felt out of place. We are on the lookout for new contributors to write for HUP, particularly someone into electronic music. If it’s you, drop us a line. We have three seriously cool shows lined up for January, February and March. And last but not least, 2016 will see the arrival of a HUP zine. Of course it’s not just HUP doing good here.

New Hamilton radio station THE HUM has cranked into life and has grand plans. We have venues – really neat venues that are helpful when you run a show – Nivara Lounge particularly so. The H2FE blog is doing its thing for the hardcore scene. As well as writing for HUP, Hp covers a range of music on his blog HP WRITES STUFF. Having run a number of neat shows earlier in 2015, Chumz and Cam are booking shows again for early 2016. Super-talented photographer Ngamihi Pawa takes incredible shots at shows. There is also a lot of activity underway with the ‘S P A C E M A N’ group in establishing a new communal practice space. It’s quite an exciting time really.

If you’re reading this, you have probably supported HUP in some way this year, so thanks heaps for that.

Here’s to next year.

ARPIE SHIREHORSE