New Zealand Music Month kicks off on Friday and celebrates homegrown music from across the country.
Although COVID-19 means no live gigs, performances or award ceremonies it doesn't mean we can't appreciate Kiwi artists.
Louis Baker is one of them. He's known for belting out contemporary and soulful tunes. Now his debut album Open has been nominated for this year's prestigious Taite Music Prize.
The Wellingtonian's up against nine other Kiwi artists, including Beast Wars and L.A.B. - one of whom will take home a $12,500 prize.
It's an opportunity Baker says he's over the moon about.
"[It's] always a pleasure and [I'm] always humbled when these sorts of things happen and in really good company as well."
And although the lockdown has meant next week's awards ceremony can't physically happen, there will be an online event in its place.
This is the first time Baker has been nominated for the award, and it's a significant one - previous winners include Lorde, Ladi6 and Aldous Harding, all artist who have gone on to achieve huge international success.
Baker says creating the album was a massive process and to have it highly received is a reward in itself.
"We cut the music and recorded it in places like LA, London, Australia and New Zealand. I wanted it to be one producer and one studio, do it old-school, but man, it took on a life of its own and evolved naturally and ended up being this thing called Open."
Baker says he also wants the chance to hear what other Kiwis have to offer and says this is what makes NZ Music Month so special.
"I think it's important to shine a light on our own art in a world that's quite noisy and has a huge volume of music put out every day."
As for himself, he says he has new music in the pipeline, which he hopes to release in the not-too-distant future.
