Contributor - Fraser Lewry - Online Editor, Classic Rock Magazine

May is NZ Music Month. For more than 20 years it has been an integral part of the cultural calendar, bringing together musicians and industry bodies in a month-long celebration of all things musical. Most importantly, it is a reminder that New Zealand produces magnificent, world-class music, and that some of it can be found right on your doorstep.

Here are six things you can do to get involved.

1. Enjoy some live music

Locally, Bulletproof Convertible will bring their swamp rock stylings to the Dead Rockers Ball at Ōamaru's Scottish Hall on Tyne St on May 27. Tickets are $30 from Rose's General Store, $32.50 via Eventfinda, or $40 on the door.

Support comes from one-man blues explosion Callum Gerry Hamptone, who's on day release from his regular job playing bass for Dunedin legends The Chills.

Elsewhere in town, the always lovely Grainstore Gallery on Harbour Street will host its 21st birthday on May 19, an event that promises to be as memorable as it will almost certainly be unique. The lineup is so top secret we can't tell you who's playing, but sign up to the Grainstore's mailing list and you're almost certain to find out.  

In other iconic venue news, long-running Penguin Club is joining forces with the even longer-running Opera House to showcase some local talent, with a jam night lined up for May 27. Tickets for Jamming In The House are just $5, with doors at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. Back at Penguin Club HQ, there's a Kiwiana Night on May 20, where local musicians will be playing Kiwi tunes. There's also a jam night – where local musicians will be playing whatever the hell they like – this Saturday (May 12).

Finally, if a road trip's an option, we recommend Kurow sensation Mads Harrop, who'll be playing at Dive in Dunedin this Saturday (May 12), with support from Powder Chutes.

2. Gaze in awe at some historic gig posters 

In further news from the Penguin Club/Opera House axis of entertainment, the club members have gifted the Waitaki Archive folk a selection of gig posters from across the years for their freshly renovated archive.

If you've been to one of the jam nights and examined the club's history-drenched walls you'll know what to expect, because it's a lot of history, and a lot of posters: The Chills, Anika Moa, The Feelers, Supergroove, The Clean, and many more, have passed through the club's hallowed doors, and the posters are on display at the Opera House and the archive until the end of the month. 

3. Buy some music

Local musician Matthew P. Schöbs and his band The Flaming Bridges put out an EP in January with the rather glorious title Fear And Loathing In Oamaru, complete with cover art from the Grainstore Gallery's Donna Demente. It's a rather mournful, somewhat spooky affair, and highlight When I Dream In Technicolour Part One may appeal to anyone who enjoys the quieter side of Spritualized. A digital-only release, it's just $5 from Bandcamp, and there's a full album to come.  

4. Visit an actual record store

Two new record shops have opened up within driving distance in the last six months. Boutique store The Vinyl Revolution can be found in Woollcombe Street, Timaru, and is extremely rock-friendly (those after spiritual jazz or alternative hip hop should probably look elsewhere) while a more rounded mix can be found at The Record Keeper in Geraldine, who also serve coffee.

Other crate-digging locations you may have missed include the Living With Style furniture store in Timaru, where you'll find a mix of old and new vinyl, and two off-the-beaten-track locations in Dunedin: The Restore second-hand shop on Gordon Street has some interesting vinyl, and Kuku Coffee on South Road, Caversham, has a small but excellent selection, including (last time we checked) some rare Flying Nun goodies.

5. Show off your favourite New Zealand band t-shirt

The annual NZ Music T-Shirt Day takes place on Friday, May 26, and raises money for the MusicHelps charity.

It's a simple process: sign up at the NZ Music T-Shirt Day website, start collecting donations, take a picture of yourself wearing your favourite NZ band t-shirt, upload it to twitter using #NZMusicTShirtDay and @musichelpsnz, and Hey! Presto! Instant online celebrity, and it's all for a good cause.  

6. Vote for the best New Zealand album ever

The excellent folk at popular music website AudioCulture are running a poll all month, asking their readers to vote for the greatest NZ album of all time. They've made it easy for you, listing dozens of albums to choose from, thus helpfully removing the need for independent thought (although you can add your own choice if it's not listed).

For more information about New Zealand Music Month, visit the official website