Hypernova is the latest band that has been caught photographed with The Pink Logs. On their way to perform at SXSW, Hypernova took a pit stop at a local park and the paparazzi got these three pictures before The Pink Logs disappeared. Hypernova survived the ordeal and were not harmed by The Pink Logs, or the paps.

Karyn Hay/GM KIWI FM Auckland NZ

Karyn Hay/GM KIWI FM Auckland NZ

Tell us about your start in the business. 

I started as a Radio New Zealand Cadet in 1977. This was a two-year cadetship whereby 10 trainees from around the country were trained in all aspects of radio, including making the tea, something I excel at if given a clean kitchen (hard to find in radio land), although lately I'm veering towards herbal tea (which of course is exceptionally easy to make.)

Explain the interesting programming philosophy of KIWI FM.

We play new New Zealand music all day and all of the night (and never play the Kinks). It's a chance to hear all the best signed and unsigned music coming out of New Zealand. For a small population we produce a lot of music. We never seem to run out anyway.

The fact you play nothing but NZ music, how has that affected your ratings, revenue, etc.?

Ratings? Revenue? I prefer to steer clear of all that nonsense. The company has a different view I might add.

Name the top five most influential New Zealand artists of all time.

The Clean, The Gordons, Tall Dwarfs, Straitjacket Fits and The Verlaines. (All Flying Nun bands from the 80's...)

Who are some of the bands to watch from New Zealand?

I would watch: Voom: wonderful pop tunes from Buzz Moller and co. Bachelorette: this is mainly Annabel Alpers. Annabel does everything on multiple computers - a bit like Laurie Anderson, but she has her own sound. Very unique. The Shocking Pinks: good old fashioned anarchy. The Stomps: more good old fashioned anarchy. Surf City: sheer brilliance.

Does KIWI FM broadcast outside of New Zealand?

Yes, online at www.kiwifm.co.nz. Check out the website.

What's happening down under? (Musically speaking of course)

Thanks for asking (musically speaking of course!) Summer's here and the festivals are winding up. We're shaking the sand out of our guitar cases and our togs (swimming trunks) and trying to get back into the swing of things.

For those who have never been, can you give us some facts about New Zealand?

Hmm...where do I start? It's a wonderful little place at the bottom of the world; 3 hours flying (on an angle) from Australia. The population is just over 4 million.

If you could change anything in the music business right now, what would it be?

I'd drag New Zealand closer to the rest of the world so you could discover some of the artists that hang out in this part of the world.

Quick Question Time

Favorite band to listen to while cleaning your house: Surf City, although my vacuum cleaner is so loud you'd be hard pressed to hear them. 

Last thing you ate: Banana

Rain or snow: Rain

Live band or acoustic: Acoustic

What size is your Country in square miles: Bloody hell - I work in radio!

Hypernova - Fairytales (That Don't Have Happy Endings) (Hypernova Music)

When pondering international hotbeds of rock & roll talent, Tehran, Iran rarely enters the conversation...after all, the simple act of performing there can lead to a public flogging in a land where rock music is officially banned. But looking to change all that is Hypernova, an Iranian-born quartet (now relocated to Los Angeles for recording purposes) that's been rapidly winning over fervent new converts while also receiving an impressive amount of press from the likes of MTV, the New York Times, NPR, ABC and the UK's Telegraph newspaper, to which vocalist Raam confided, "We're on a cultural mission, we're not here to make political statements. We came here with a message of unity." Influenced by such contemporary acts as the Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon and Queens of the Stone Age, Hypernova's music definitely lives up to the hype. Writing all their songs in English, Hypernova utilizes chiming guitars and a driving rhythm section to back up Raam's appealing baritone vocals. Currently in the studio working on their debut album with producer Herwig Maurer (formerly a member of the techno act Mankind Liberation Front) and mixer Sean Beavan.

Hypernova is getting radio support from KNRK Portland, Indie 103.1 Los Angeles, KATT Oklahoma City and KEDJ Phoenix to name a few. Hypernova just played a jam-packed show in Los Angeles at The Viper Room and will be playing the SXSW festival. From their limited-edition EP, Universal, listen to "Fairytales (That Don't Have Happy Endings)". For tour dates, news and other songs from Hypernova log on to www.myspace.com/hypernovamusic.

Grand Avenue "Bullet"

The Danish four-piece Grand Avenue--comprised of frontman Rasmus Walter-Hansen, guitarist Niels-Kristian Baerentzen, bassist Marc Stebbing and drummer Hjalte Thygesen--formed in 2001 after initially meeting at a music college...in London, England, of all places. In 2003 they released a single called "What's On Your Mind," which was the most-played track for a week on Danish Radio P3, leading to a contract offer from EMI, which released their self-titled debut later that year. In 2005 the group relocated to New York to record their follow-up, She, with producer Bryce Goggin; the title track was later featured in the film Cashback. Last year not only saw the release of Grand Avenue's third album, The Outside, but also witnessed the quartet be hand-picked by George Michael as support for his Denmark shows last May. In August the group embarked on a 10-day tour of China, while September saw their song "Ordinary" utilized in an episode of the hit ABC Family series "Kyle XY" and in October they were nominated for "Best Danish Act" at the MTV Europe Music Awards. And here's a tasty tidbit for the gossip-minded among you: frontman Rasmus Walter-Hansen dated supermodel Helena Christensen during the years 2004-2006.

They have been touted as the next Coldplay and their live shows leave fans yearning for just one more note every night. Grand Avenue is currently touring Europe and will make their United States debut at MUSEXPO 2008 on April 29^th at the legendary House of Blues on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. For additional information check out their MySpace here.

BLACK KEYS ENJOY "STRANGE TIMES" AT TOP: Akron, Ohio's The Black Keys have a great debut week with the Alternative Specialty panel, with "Strange Times," the first single from the forthcoming Attack and Release (Nonesuch) album, not only topping the Mediaguide Alternative Specialty Song chart, but also repeating the feat on the Album end. Produced by the increasingly ubiquitous Danger Mouse, Attack and Release hits the streets on April Fool's Day; the duo of Daniel Auerbach (vocals, guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums) will embark upon a nationwide tour in support of the album on March 27. The next two slots are filled by acts utilizing some old-school female vocals: The Duke Spirit jump 8-2 on the Song side with "The Step and the Walk," propelling full-length Neptune (Shangri-La) 6-4 on the Album end. Up next at #3 on the Song side is Welsh singer Duffy with "Mercy," which is also currently topping the charts in the UK. Full album Rockferry (A&M) bows at #7 on the Album end. Impressive debuts this week for Stars at #4 with the merrily titled "Take Me to the Riot," helping full-length In Our Bedroom After the War (Arts & Crafts) to a #12 showing on the Album index. Next up are Columbia's Ting Tings, who obviously know their audience: they debut at #5 with "Great DJ," which picks up enough spins to also chart at #13 on the Album end. Domino Records continues its hot streak, as Clinic bows at #6 on the Song side with "The Witch," which also sneaks in right behind the Ting Tings on the Album chart at #14. Finally, veterans of the Alt-wars Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks debut at #6 on the Album chart with Real Emotional Trash (Matador), with the majority of Specialty play focusing on "Gardenia," which debuts at #10 on the Song side.

Your Mama is so old...