Lovemusic talked to Anthony Stretch, who is part of the diligent team of Liscensing Reps for Phonographic Performances NZ. Ensuring NZ artists and musicians get fair dues for their creative works is the PPNZ Liscensing Team's number one goal. Anthony also happens to be a musician himself. You may have spotted him around various musical enclaves in Auckland (and throughout the country) singing lead vocals and playing guitar for Auckland indie / rock band The Septembers.  We talked to Anthony about his role at PPNZ & how he got into it...


What is your job and who do you work for?
I work for PPNZ (Phonographic Performances NZ) as a licensing rep.
We represent recording artists and collect royalties / fees for their music on their behalf. This money is then distributed back to the artists.

That’s the day-job and the rest of the time I play in a band called The Septembers, which keeps me pretty busy.
In-between that I’m also doing some music papers at Uni.  

What does a normal work day entail for you?
A lot of the time I’m explaining the concept of music copyright to people and businesses.
So I spend a lot of time fielding calls and answering questions around that.
We make contact with any businesses that use music and sort out licences for them. We also promote music copyright with the hospo’ and retail industries.  

How did you get into the music industry – any specific training?
I didn’t specifically train and with the music industry (like a lot of creative industries) it’s good to just get in and try to get work experience.

I have been around a lot of areas like most people in the music industry.
From indie record store retail, to head office at HMV in London, sponsorship for the APO, to managing my own band.
So for me it’s been building up skills in different areas as I go, or on the job training.  

What’s the best thing about your job?
It’s great working with people who love music. That makes the workplace a cool place to be.
Also, the fact that we help the NZ music industry to keep rolling along by making sure musicians get some payment for their hard work, is a good feeling too.  

What’s the most challenging thing about your job?
Keeping my patience with people who don’t think musicians deserve to be paid for their music.
That’s quite a challenge, as there are a lot of ignorant people out there. 

Do you have any advice for people who want to get into your field of work?
Do some research into the area you’re keen on, and if it’s something you’d be into, talk to people who are in the field. Get advice from people already working there.
Don’t be shy,  just get out there and ask. Also a lot of jobs in this industry aren’t advertised so it helps to get yourself known.  

Why do you love music and why is it important to you?
Music has always affected me more than anything else. It communicates our feelings and thoughts better than anything else I’ve experienced. I love it because it makes me feel totally alive.

Check out PPNZ website

Check out Anthony's band The Septembers