Forty years ago, Grant Hislop (Sargood 1981–1984) finished St Paul’s Collegiate School, setting out on a journey that would see him shape New Zealand’s media landscape and champion music in innovative ways. From founding iconic platforms like The Rock, running the ZM and Radio Hauraki radio networks, to managing artists like Goodshirt, Pluto, and Opshop, and touring around the world in his own band, Grant’s career has been as diverse as the music he loves.

Born in Christchurch, Grant’s early years were spent moving around New Zealand. His deep appreciation for storytelling was sparked by family tales—his grandfather’s war stories and his father’s adventures as a pilot and entrepreneur. This love for narrative and connection would later drive his approach to radio, television, and now streaming.

In 1986, just two years after leaving high school, Grant stepped into broadcasting as a radio announcer, quickly making an impression by winning the Australasian Best New Broadcaster Pater Award. Over the next few decades, he established himself as a media innovator, founding stations like The Rock, The Edge, and Kiwi FM, co-founding Radioworks, and driving artist development at Warner Music NZ. Along the way, he worked with acts like Madonna, New Order, Linkin Park, Shihad, Emmylou Harris, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His voice became familiar to many as the corporate voice of Vodafone, The Rock, The Hits, and JuiceTV.

Grant’s passion for music extended beyond the airwaves. He’s managed 30 artists, label-managed high-profile projects, and revived iconic platforms like Rip It Up and JuiceTV, which he relaunched in 2020. Under his leadership, Juice has grown to reach over 600,000 monthly viewers, offering a unique format that celebrates both new music and timeless classics.

Now, Grant is turning his attention to the digital world with Mood, a music streaming platform he describes as “Spotify with pictures” or “Netflix for music content.” Mood combines curated music channels, documentaries, concerts, a retail store, and a guide, all in one experience. For Grant, this is about more than just delivering content—it’s about reinvesting in the future of music.

“Our audience can dig deeper,” he explains. “They can discover new artists, explore heritage music videos, and support the ecosystem of music in a way that really matters. This isn’t just a platform; it’s a community.”

Grant’s commitment to community is also evident in his other ventures. In Tauranga, he established Vinyl Destination, a record store, coffee shop, and the home of The Station, his 27th radio project. “Broadcasting from a record store creates a unique space for connection,” he says. “It’s a place where music lovers can meet, share stories, and discover something new.”

Reflecting on his career, Grant credits his time at St Paul’s with teaching him the values of perseverance and creativity. “Boarding school in the 1980s wasn’t really geared up for disrupters. Fortunately, there were enough faculty members who encouraged me, and any resistance I encountered only strengthened the tenacity needed to launch a new business.”

“I first butted heads with the head of music due to my rock ’n’ roll leanings but I ended up being a chapel soloist, and so we developed a kind of mutual respect. I was a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir for a few years after leaving and looked out one night to see him in the audience, which meant a lot. I think he was secretly quite proud.”

As for the future, Grant is focused on expanding Mood and continuing to champion artists, both new and established. “There’s so much music out there, and we need to give it a meaningful home,” he says. “That’s what drives me.”