Empowering Kiwi girls to find their sound.
Credit: Ngaru Garland
Rachel Ashby has got a lot on her plate. But it’s all good stuff.
When she is not running 95bFM’s Breakfast show or serving as the Capability Programmes Coordinator at the NZ Music Commission, she is working in her roll on the board of Girls Rock Aotearoa, an all-inclusive girls music programme.
The kaupapa of Girls Rock Aotearoa is to empower youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space - all through the power of music.
Billie caught up with Rachel at the end of New Zealand Music Month to talk about her work, and why it’s so important to get rangatahi involved in music.
Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and all your different roles!
Kia Ora! I’m Rachel, my pronouns are she/her and I’m a broadcaster, music journalist and
arts writer based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. I’m very privileged to be part of the Girls
Rock Aotearoa whānau since 2020. Outside of Girls Rock, I have been the host of the
95bFM Breakfast show since 2019, and I work at the New Zealand Music Commission.
Tell us about Girls Rock Aotearoa?
Girls Rock Aotearoa is an organisation that offers holiday programmes for young women, trans, intersex, takatāpui, queer and gender-diverse youth where music is the medium to build confidence, empowerment and foster social change. These programmes are called To The Front (named after the iconic Bikini Kill call to action) and happen annually in Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North and Hamilton. Youth between the ages of 12-17 years will form bands, learn instruments, attend workshops and write an original song to be performed at a concert for friends and family. The kaupapa of Girls Rock Aotearoa is to create the world we want to live in – a more equal and inspiring place. We are a charity organisation made up of musicians and music lovers with years of music industry experience. We are committed to guiding the advancement and empowerment of young women, and/or intersex, transgender, takatāpui, queer and gender diverse youth.
What’s your role at Girls Rock and how did you come to be there?
I am currently the Pathways and Events coordinator for Girls Rock Aotearoa- a role I share with the very excellent Ciara Bernstein. The Pathways programme is a recent initiative we’ve developed for older youth aged 16-21. This consists of a series of collaborative workshops and mentorship opportunities aimed at developing our next generation of To The Front organisers and supporting ongoing community building outside of our To The Front camps.
Who can get involved with Girls Rock and do they need any musical experience?
To be a camper or participant at a To The Front programme, you don’t need any musical experience! We have an awesome crew of musicians and music industry workers who teach instrument lessons, mentor band practice and run awesome workshops like zine and music video making across the week. All abilities and musical interests are welcome!
How does Girls Rock impact those who go on the programme?
Our programmes are super inspiring and empowering- both for the young people who attend, and the folks who mentor and organise the week. It’s great to see people who have never touched a guitar in their life shred a great solo at our showcases, or write a killer riff. It’s also awesome to see folk’s confidence and friendships grow across the week of camp. We love that a lot of campers and mentors come back year after year- and we love seeing them set up bands and other music initiatives outside of the programme too!
If you are a young woman, trans, intersex, takatāpui, queer or gender diverse youth and want to be a part of Girls Rock how do you get involved?
Check out our website girlsrockcamp.co.nz to see all the information about our programmes and when applications open.
Who are your favourite Kiwi musicians/bands?
Really hard question! One of my all time favourites is Amamelia, an amazing songwriter and producer from Auckland who makes super fun and exciting electronic music. Check out her album Bananamelia! from 2022. It’s out on a great local label called Sunreturn.
Why is New Zealand Music Month so important?
It’s an amazing way to highlight the diverse and exciting creative talent that comes out of Aotearoa. It’s a great way to amplify the sounds that come out of this country, and help artists from New Zealand achieve their goals here and abroad.
What is your favourite thing about the New Zealand music scene?
Because we are a relatively small country, you get really supportive and diverse communities. It’s a common thing to have artists from a variety of different genres play on the same lineup, or even in each other's bands. It’s a special thing!
Why is getting young people involved in the music industry so important?
Young people have the best ideas! We want to make sure that the industry they inherit is a safe, sustainable and creatively exciting space for all.
Check out more from Girls Rock Aotearoa on their website.
