First Cut

BIG FAN, Holiday Records, and Downbeat Mastering are excited to announce FIRST CUT, a unique initiative celebrating NZ Music Month 2025. This collaboration offers one lucky artist the chance to take their music from studio to stage and press it to vinyl. The winner will receive five days of free dry hire at BIG FAN’s professional recording studios, where they’ll complete their singles. The songs will then be mastered by Josh Llewellyn at Downbeat Mastering and pressed onto 100 copies of 7” vinyl by Holiday Records, with full printed packaging.

In addition to vinyl pressing, the winner will also enjoy free venue hire at BIG FAN to host their single release show and one-on-one support from both BIG FAN and Holiday Records teams throughout the recording, pressing, and release process. This is a fantastic opportunity for emerging artists to gain hands-on experience and build industry connections.

Applications open on Thursday 1 May at 12pm and close on Sunday 18 May at 10pm. The winner will be notified by Friday 30 May (subject to change). Entries will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals. Full entry criteria and application details are available online.