Unsung Heroes is RadioActive’s new short video series!

The Wellington music scene is a diverse landscape, both in its music, and its members. Drawing music genres and attitudes into one eclectic family, a night out in Pōneke has a spirit all to itself!

We all know the faces of those at the front of the stage – but adding their own flavour to performances, records, and events, are those behind the scenes – in the backline, the studios, on the doors. Each an important part of the scene we all enjoy, and what makes Wellington the creative capital.

Each week we chat to someone in a different part of the musical world. Stay tuned to learn more about the people and places that intertwine into the new and exciting New Zealand music we love!

A new episode every Wednesday!
Find it here, or with our friends at Capital Magazine!
Made with support from New Zealand On Air Music

Tucked just down Wilson St. Newtown is the treasure trove that is Creeps Record Parlour.

Apa Chappel is in to all things physical, and Creeps not only boasts an impressive collection of vinyl, but also tapes, and some (soon to be considered very retro) CD’s.

Apa’s been in the record store game for a while, moving from his last store in Berhampore to the alternative heart of Newtown, and Creeps is bursting at the seams with music for any occasion.

A supporter of Kiwi music, Creeps hosts listening parties of new Aotearoa releases, and you’ll find the Creeps DJs taking the stage ’round the corner at Moon a regular occurrence.

Stop on by to check out the new releases, grab a tee, have a chat, or maybe challenge Apa to a Mega Drive game…


Directed and Produced by: Aimee Somerville
Featuring: Apa Chappel
Created by: Harri Robinson
Edited By: Aimee Somerville
Camera Operators: Aimee Somerville & Cameron Cook
Online Editor: Cameron Cook
Featuring: “Sulfate” by Godzone

Leah Thomas is re-imagining classical music for Wellington audiences.
Taking over Bedlam and Squalor on Tuesdays, Pōneke Sessions provides a space for audiences to listen, and engage with, classical music.

Meet artists from all parts of the redefined classical music scene, from classical students, to NZSO members. All joining together for an intimate evening.

Having taken over Pōneke sessions in 2021, Leah is striving to break the stereotypes of classical music, while also acknowledging, and working towards changing, the continuing historical issues of gender and race in classical music, and classical music institutions.

Pōkene sessions is returning to Bedlam and Squalor this October, continuing the accessible music sessions for artists, and audiences. Be there!


Directed and Produced by: Aimee Somerville
Featuring: Leah Thomas
Created by: Harri Robinson
Edited By: Aimee Somerville
Camera Operators: Aimee Somerville, Cameron Cook, Alex Evans-Guy
Online Editor: Cameron Cook
Featuring: “A Single Petal of A Rose” by Duke Ellington. Performed by Seth Boy and Leah Thomas

You may not recognise him on the street, but chances are you’ve heard the work of James Goldsmith many a time. A producer, musician, mixer, and engineer, James is behind some of the biggest and best of today’s New Zealand music.

Having worked both in Aotearoa, and internationally, James is now based in Wellington, and although he has a cosy home studio in Island Bay, he finds himself more than often over in Newtown at The Surgery (the recording studio operated by Lee Prebble, who’s name you’ll see on the liner notes, and Tui awards, of The Black Seeds and The Phoenix Foundation, amongst others.)

James is also an experienced live engineer, holding down the fort at San Fran for a number of years, before turning his hand to the producing he is well known for today, creating the sounds of many entertaining nights out!

James has worked with Mermaidens, End Boss, and Wiri Donna – to name a few, and at the time of Unsung Heroes was finishing up recording for Elliott Dawson’s “Hang Low” EP.


Directed and Produced by: Aimee Somerville
Featuring: James Goldsmith
Created by: Harri Robinson
Edited By: Aimee Somerville
Camera Operators: Aimee Somerville & Cameron Cook
Online Editor: Cameron Cook
Featuring: “Bald Spot” by Elliott Dawson

The well known Vogelmorn Bowling club is an intimate creative space, reimagined by the community from the original sporting ground.

Nicoletta Mancuso is the venue manager, and, (along with the help of some flatmates), has spearheaded the introduction of Vogelmorn Couch Sessions.

A space ‘where the music is the thing that matters,’ Couch Sessions draws crowds to Vogelmorn with its homely setting, and music-first approach. As opposed to traditional gig spaces, Couch Sessions brings like-minded audiences together of an afternoon of comfortable, engaging, entertainment.

Nicoletta works closely with the Vogelmorn Trustees, to make sure the Bowling Club’s presence in the community as a creative, community orientated space, is prioritised. Ensuring Vogelmorn remains at the heart of Brooklyn for years to come.


Directed and Produced by: Aimee Somerville
Featuring: Nicoletta Mancuso
Created by: Harri Robinson
Edited By: Aimee Somerville
Camera Operators: Aimee Somerville, Alex Evans-Guy, Jan Kohout
Online Editor: Cameron Cook
Featuring: “Baby” by Mystery Waitress

A presence in the mix of many local hits, Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa, is the dude with the drumsticks.

On the throne for Dawn Diver and French For Rabbits, to name a few, Hikurangi enjoys working with this alternative, and less mainstream music than he began with in the past.

Although admitting with a smile that mainstream music may pay a little better, he says he gets a greater sense of fulfilment from the music he plays today – drawing on his improvisational jazz roots to create the percussive shape of a track.


Directed and Produced by: Aimee Somerville
Featuring: Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa
Created by: Harri Robinson
Edited By: Aimee Somerville
Camera Operators: Aimee Somerville & Cameron Cook
Online Editor: Cameron Cook
Featuring: “The Overflow” by French For Rabbits

A co-founder of Femme ‘n’ Bass and Psy-care, Clare Gillard is championing safe spaces within the electronic dance music community.


You’ll see Clare as a regular presence at festivals around the motu. Most famously at Twisted Frequency, where Psy-care began, and where Clare gets her D&B and electronic fill!

Femme ‘n’ Bass is an almost constant presence on the Moon bill, sending those bass frequencies hurtling through the streets of Newtown. Championing femme and gender diverse artists, Femme ‘n’ Bass is a must for anyone who needs some electric kick to their evening.


Directed and Produced by: Aimee Somerville
Featuring: Clare Gillard
Created by: Harri Robinson
Edited By: Aimee Somerville
Camera Operators: Aimee Somerville & Cameron Cook
Online Editor: Cameron Cook

Eyegum nights have brought attention to some of the most popular emerging artists in the Aotearoa music scene.

Now a staple of any Wednesday at San Fran, the Eyegum Music Collective, which includes Joel Cosgrove, are not only responsible for their Wednesday shenanigans, and associated tours, and envious Christmas parties, but also Waitangi weekend’s “Welcome To Nowhere” festival.

After getting a taste of the Wellington gig scene at age 15 (by sneaking in well past his bedtime) Joel has been both an avid supporter, and organiser, of some of the best nights out in Pōneke!


Directed and Produced by: Aimee Somerville
Featuring: Joel Cosgrove
Created by: Harri Robinson
Edited By: Aimee Somerville
Camera Operators: Aimee Somerville & Cameron Cook
Online Editor: Cameron Cook
Featuring: “Last Call” by Wiri Donna