Interview with Shelley Te Haara Photographer, Editor and Band Manager
Please introduce yourself and tell us about some of the involvement you have in the New Zealand music scene?
Kia Ora! My name is Shelley Te Haara. I actually started in the music industry by working as security at events. I am still a licensed security guard today. Then I went on to volunteering and working at events, to my media work and then every other aspect haha. I say it as I’m not an artist, I just do all the jobs around it. Main jobs are photographer/videographer, management, pr & media.
How long have you been a photographer and what keeps that fire alive to continue taking photos of live music?
I’ve been taking photos since about 2017. I think it’s just the energy of live music itself and documenting that. You could shoot the same artist multiple times but it could be completely different. It can also be exciting to document an artists growth as well. The artist, the community and the energy is where it’s at.
I am aware you are the manager for No Life. Is it hard work being a manager and are there any other bands you have managed in the past or present?
I am! It can be a lot of work but I enjoy it. It’s essentially doing the admin side of things and letting the artist focus on the music, for the most part. I previously managed Full Bloom and I’m about to start to working with Depths.
I see you are the editor at MomentsPassed.com. Please tell us who is part of this project, how it started and some of the bands you have interviewed so far?
I am. I launched Moments Passed just before we went into our first lockdown – things can’t be too easy ae. Moments Passed is just me and I occasionally have other contributors who take photos or review shows for the site. But things dropped off a bit with that around the pandemic so it is mainly still me these days. I started the site because I found a lot of media would not cover local shows unless they were large artists (except the OG’s Muzic.net). So I decided to just start my own site that would cover locals and give them a platform whether it’s their first single or second album. With the site I do cover international artists as well. But local shows are just a different energy and there’s community in it and I love it. It’s been a bit on the back burner lately with me being so busy but I make time for it where I can.
Who are some of your influences when it comes to taking photos?
Ohhhh so many! I have always been obsessed with the women in music photography because to me they showed me that I can actually do something with this and to a high level. A few of the women I have followed for years are Ashley Osborn, Baeth, Michelle Grace Hunder etc.
But don’t get me wrong there are some incredible male photographers I follow as well. A couple that pop into my head recently for heavy artists are Gabe Becerra and Lucas Englund.
Positives and negatives covid had on the Aotearoa music industry?
Negatives was obviously the shutdown to live music. I also think it made artists sit down and have a look at what they were doing and how to proceed or if they would proceed. People have also changed how they consume music and I don’t know if that’s a positive or negative.
Positives were that Aotearoa was focusing more on the local music industry here. We only had local artists for a while and people craved live music, so that was a benefit for local shows for sure. Local got the focus for a little while which was overdue. It seems to be dropping off again with the return of international and over-saturation of shows but that’s just how it goes I guess.
Name 10 bands past or present that have had an impact on your life so far?
Paramore, Stick To Your Guns, Antagonist AD, Northlane, Architects, Stray From The Path, Parkway Drive, Silent Planet, Fever333 & The Plot In You. Such a range there but these bands have honestly given me opportunities or been a part of my journey with the music industry.
As you know, it is just as important being a part of the culture as it is being in a band. Any encouraging words for people wanting to do something for the New Zealand music culture and where should they start?
Don’t feel intimidated by it all. It doesn’t matter how big or little the impact, progress is progress.
I think just start by connecting with people, go to gigs and just reach out to the people who are doing what you want to do. Also I am a big believer in shooting your shot. They may say no but what if they say yes!
How would you describe the Hardcore scene in comparison to say..... a metal scene or punk scene. Would you like to see more mixed shows and is it healthy for the culture of Aotearoa music?
The hardcore scene is awesome. You just know you’re in a room with somewhat like-minded people and there’s just more of a welcoming energy. Well, I think so anyway. Like I love the energy I see, I’m here to support but I also want to throw down and if you fall, I will pick you up. I suppose that can be a bit similar with the metal scene here. But the metal scene is a bit tamer, and I think it’s a bit younger as well. Hardcore feels like more of an older crowd generally. The punk scene here I feel is either more of an indie crowd or just like small underground type shows still. I think punk gets looked at so weirdly here.
I would love to see more mixed shows honestly. I think it is healthy. It introduces people to those similar genres and allows bands to do different shows and support other artists. Getting stuck in a genre-specific gig can be so limiting for bands, especially with how small NZ is and how few bands stick around.
Any last words or shout outs before we end the interview?
Shout out to the bands that are doing the mahi honestly. It is not easy. And shout out to those who aren’t in a band that are helping the industry as well. It isn’t easy but it makes a difference. Also, something I love to ring home with artists is THE MUSIC INDUSTRY DOESN’T EXIST WITHOUT YOU! Without artists, there are no labels, no live music photographers, no managers etc. Don’t get caught up in playlists and numbers. Just build with what you have around you and the rest will come.