Ashley Page Wins MMF NZ Managers Award

It was for his work with siblings Broods, which is working the U.S. and UK markets, Lorde’s co-songwriter and producer Joel Little, and Australian singer-songwriter Jarryd James whose debut single “Do You Remember” went platinum in his home market.

Page is the son of UK manager Larry Page, whose clients included The Kinks and The Troggs.

He moved to New Zealand after marrying a local girl, joined Flying Nun Records where he signed The Mint Chicks and The Phoenix Foundation. He then set up management company Page 1 looking after the band Goodnight Nurse. After unsuccessfully trying to secure management of a teen buzz act called Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde) he encouraged Goodnight Nurse’s songwriter and producer Joel Little to work with her on her debut album Pure Heroine.

For the second year in a row, Scott Maclachlan took the International Achievement gong for his achievements with Lorde and Sol3 Mio. Andrew Spraggon won Self Managed Artist for his project Sola Rosa, which kicks off a UK tour August behind the album Magnetics. Breakthrough Manager went to Nick Dwyer and Dick Johnson, whose dance music project Weird Together became festival favorites in Australasia.

The Independent Tour category went to James Southgate for his work with rock metal band Devilskin. A five-week tour in July 2014 sold out all 20 dates. In April the act played two shows in London and showcased in Los Angeles as part of the Rock Summit April 25. MMF members voted the Powerstation best large venue third year running and The Kings Arms as best small venue. Brendan Smythe, music manager of broadcasting funder NZ On Air, took the Industry Champion trophy.