THOMAS OLIVER 'FLOATING IN THE DARKNESS'

After a long wait, Thomas Oliver (Cushla Aston) has released his highly anticipated new album Floating In The Darkness, before embarking on his full New Zealand album tour (dates below)! To celebrate the album's release, Thomas also shares the brand new single and album opening track "Tenderly". Listen to the new track here.

Weighing in with 10 new songs that touch upon love, loss and the autobiographical, Floating In The Darkness features the Silver Scroll award-winning song "If I Move To Mars", the upbeat heart-warmer "Shine Like The Sun" and his recent single "Losin" (in case you missed it, watch the captivating Aston Rd Session here).

Recorded with the help of a few musical friends, the album is a raw, reflective body of work. Largely self-produced, written and mixed by Thomas himself, the album features an additional soul-stirring collaboration with renowned producer and composer, Rhian Sheehan ("Let It Be This One"), input from Grammy Award-winning mix engineer, Trina Shoemaker, and mastering by Vlado Meller.
 

Listen to Floating In The Darkness:
Listen / Purchase on Apple Music / iTunes HERE
Listen on Spotify HERE
Listen / Puchase on Google Play HERE
or pick up from a good record store near you!

As New Zealand Music Month kicks off next week, Thomas will begin his album tour of Aotearoa between May 5 - May 28. He will be accompanied by his full band (Sam Notman, Ed Zuccollo, Johnny Lawrence, Bella Florence) for the first four legs (Auckland, Leigh, Wellington & Christchurch) before hitting the road solo to round off his Floating In The Darkness NZ Tour. Make sure to see him in a town near you, before he crosses the ditch for a full Australian tour in June!

Thomas Oliver - Floating In The Darkness NZ Tour:
Tickets from thomasoliver.co.nz
 

Fri 5 May - The Tuning Fork, Auckland
Sat 6 May - Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
Fri 12 May - Blue Smoke, Christchurch
Sat 13 May - San Fran, Wellington
Weds 24 May - Mussell Inn, Takaka*
Fri 26 May - The Sherwood, Queenstown*
Sat 27 May - Repertory House, Invercargill*
Sun 28 May - Pequeno Lounge Bar, Dunedin*

MERRIN 'SIN'

Following on from the release of their 1st single for 2017 'Mr.Dominant', Merrin (Heather Wood) are excited to introduce their 2nd single “Sin” due for release the 7th of May. “We love our video, we had a blast making it and meeting some great people” says Karl Wotton.

Everybody has a limit, and when that limit is reached, something has to give. It can force us to do things we regret, and other times it can help us take control and give us a sense of empowerment.

A bar, testosterone, alcohol and aggression, is it really the best answer? You be the judge.

May Events:
With STRIKEMASTER
The Grand: Fri, 12th May 2017
The Grand: Sat, 13th May 2017
The Angus Inn: Fri, 19th May 2017
Playing a special May Music Month gig with friends. 

KENINGTON 'GOING NOWHERE (FASTER THAN YOU)'

UK born, Auckland based singer-songwriter Kenington is pleased to release his second single 'Going Nowhere (Faster Than You)' - the title track of his debut album Going Nowhere (Faster Than You)

Mark Kenington writes honest, reflective songs of a timeless nature wrapped in lush, catchy melodies. Songs that often mix a positive vibe with a darker and deeper lyrical message.

'Going Nowhere (Faster Than You)’ was inspired by Mark’s childhood dreams that faded and were replaced by the relentless and sometimes meaningless pursuits in adult life, with a nod to the self-critic dream-killer inside ourselves.

'Going Nowhere' has an upbeat vibe conjuring the likes of indie rockers Foals mixed with 70's funk band Kool & The Gang.

The forthcoming album was recorded by award winning producer and engineer Andrew Buckton (Midnight Youth,The D4, Sommerest, Ekko Park) and is a collection of highly crafted, insightful catchy songs translated into beautifully sonic guitar pop soundscapes.

ALDOUS HARDING ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

Aldous Harding Announces New Album
4AD/Flying Nun Debut Party Released On May 19, 2017
New Single ‘Imagining My Man’ + video

On 19th May 2017, Aldous Harding (Liv Young) releases her second album, Party. Following the recent single ‘Horizon’ – a lover’s call to arms which also features on her 4AD/Flying Nun debut – her new track 'Imagine' has been released.

Party was produced with the award-winning John Parish (PJ Harvey, Sparklehorse) in Bristol, a world away from Harding’s New Zealand home. As well as contributions from Parish, Perfume Genius’s Mike Hadreas lends vocals to the aforementioned ‘Imagining My Man’ and Party closer ‘Swell Does The Skull’. 

Igniting interest with her eponymous debut album released just two years ago, Aldous Harding quickly became a name murmured on many lips. She’s known for her sinister torch songs, gentle laments and eerie odes delivered with a charismatic combination of hubris, shrewd wit and quiet horror. Party introduces a new talent to the stark and unpopulated dramatic realm where Kate Bush and Scott Walker reside.

‘Imagining My Man’ is an intensely intimate listen as Aldous explores the curiosity of a lover’s idiosyncrasies. The video was created by ‘Horizon’ director and editor Charlotte Evans and once again draws focus on Harding, tracking her movements throughout the city of Auckland.

“It has a fluidity that works nicely. I couldn't think of anything that would work better. I want people to feel calm, I was just trying to look friendly. It was also lovely being driven around Auckland City, I hadn't done that in a while.” says Harding. 

To celebrate the release of Party, Aldous Harding will be performing in Europe. She will play four UK shows in London, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester during the week of release, before heading to Europe in late May. The New Zealander will also bring her captivating live show to North America in June. 

ALDOUS HARDING TOUR DATES:

May 18-19 - BRIGHTON, UK - The Great Escape

May 20 – PARIS, FR - L’Olympic Café [TICKETS]

May 21 – BRUSSELS, BE - Huis 23 [TICKETS]

May 22 – LONDON, UK - Omeara [TICKETS]

May 23 – BRISTOL, UK - Thekla [TICKETS]

May 24 – MANCHESTER, UK - The Ruby Lounge [TICKETS]

May 25 – GLASGOW, UK - Broadcast [TICKETS]

May 28 – AMSTERDAM, NE - Schellingwouderkerk [TICKETS]

May 29 – HAMBURG, GER - Nochtwache [TICKETS]

May 30 – BERLIN, GER - Auster Club [TICKETS]

June 3 – NELSONVILLE, OH, Nelsonville Music Festival 

June 4 – NELSONVILLE, OH, Nelsonville Music Festival 

June 5 – WASHINGTON, DC, DC9

June 6 – PHILADELPHIA, PA, Johnny Brenda’s

June 7 – ALLSTON, MA, Great Scott

June 11 – MONTREAL, QC, Le Divan Orange

June 12 – TORONTO, ON, Velvet Underground 

June 13 – DETROIT, MI, El Club

June 14 – CHICAGO, IL, Empty Bottle

June 16 – ATLANTA, GA, The Earl

June 17 – NEW ORLEANS, LA, Gasa Gasa

June 19 – AUSTIN, TX, The Mohawk (Inside)

June 20 – EL PASO, TX, The Monarch

June 21 – TUCSON, AZ, Hotel Congress

June 22 – LOS ANGELES, CA, The Echo

June 23 – SAN DIEGO, CA, Soda Bar

June 24 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Swedish American Hall

July 28  - SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Kilby Court

July 29 – BOISE, ID, The Olympic

July 30 – SEATTLE, WA, Tractor Tavern

July 31 – VANCOUVER, BC, The Biltmore

August 2 – CALGARY, AB, The Palomino

August 3 - SPOKANE, WA - The Bartlett

August 13 -PALERMO, IT, Ypsigrock 

August 17-20 – BRECON BEACONS, UK - Green Man Festival

August 25-27 – DEVON, UK - Sea Change Festival

September 1 - WILTSHIRE, UK - End Of The Road Festival

September 1-2 – SCOTLAND, UK - Electric Fields Festival

ALAE 'THINGS CHANGE'

Following their acclaimed self-titled debut in November last year, New Zealand’s promising duo Alae (Mikee Carpinter and Matiu Sadd) have now returned with what is their boldest release yet.
 
Gaining support and funding from NZ On Air, ‘Things Change’ shows there is more than meets the ear to this Auckland based two-piece.  Best known for their stripped back and spacious acoustic style, Things Change maintains Alae’s signature emotive content and heartfelt delivery, while showcasing their evolving pop sensibility and full band arrangements.
 
Vocalist Alex Farrell-Davey explains the story behind the track, “Things Change is a song that revolves around the monotonous melancholy that surrounds the buildup to a break up. The crux of the piece being learn, don’t wallow.” 
 
The Commotion directed clip takes the viewer on a desperate chase from underwater to land, and back again. Conceptualized over a few beers and shot at Auckland’s iconic Point Erin Baths, the clip quickly took shape over the course of a week.
 
“Allister and I have been really curious to see what might be involved with shooting a video underwater for some time now, and this track felt like the perfect opportunity to give it a go. It also gave Allister the opportunity to vent any frustration he’s ever felt at me through one or two key scenes. We are really stoked with the way the video has turned out,” Alex explains.

The release of ‘Things Change’ adds to what is already an exciting start to 2017. Breaking new international ground, their track All Gived Up made Spotifys Discover Weekly playlist, and since amassed over 120,000 streams in the last 3 weeks alone.
 
With a raft of successful summer gigs under their belt, including the captivation of the R&V main stage crowd over New Year’s, a slot alongside NZ music legends Don McGlashan and SJD at Auckland’s Silo Park, and support for Lake Street Dive’s sell-out gig at Auckland’s Tuning Fork, Alae continue to take their music through NZ and beyond.

LI'L CHUCK THE ONE MAN SKIFFLE MACHINE 'UTILITY BLUES'

Utility Blues is Li'l Chuck's follow up to the highly acclaimed 2013 release Blues In Full Swing. 

Having spent a lifetime rummaging through the drawers of 1930's - 50's music, Chuck’s mostly original songs are inspired by the sounds of the era - Blues, Early Jazz, Western Swing, Ragtime etc. and are uniquely presented in the style of street performers from those glory days.

Sticking to the traditional one man band format, Chuck plays and records all the instruments simultaneously, no overdubs or edits. Just, Chuck, his skiffle machine and a bunch of mics. 

"I have nothing to hide behind other than my drum and my guitar,” says Chuck. "I recorded all songs live in the studio and aimed to capture the best performance I could.”

Captivating story telling intertwines effortlessly with heart stopping harmonica and multiple guitar styles - all underpinned by his left and right feet frantically pounding the kick and hi hat. The listener is left simply wondering, "How the hell does he do that?”

In addition to writing 11 of the 12 songs, Chuck was also Utility Blues’ chief engineer. 

He handed the raw files over to Lyttelton audio wizard Ben Edwards (The Eastern, Marlon Williams, Delaney Davidson, Tami Neilson). With his rich understanding of musical ambience, Ben artfully mixed the album, creating the perfect vibe for a collection recorded with such a pared back approach. 

In an age where we are rushing around at breakneck speed, where everything is instant, sugar coated, airbrushed and overly polished, Li’l Chuck brings us down to earth with some organic, all natural, whole grain, naked goodness.

Utility Blues is available for purchase digitally from iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp and all good digital providers. CDs are purchasable via Bandcamp and at live shows.

Li'l Chuck the One Man Skiffle Machine upcoming shows:
Sat 8th April- Wine Cellar, Auckland  - album release show

CIARAN MCMEEKEN 'WHICH WAY SHALL WE GO?'

Ciaran McMeeken (Tony Cowper and Greg Haver) is proud to release Which Way Shall We Go? - the first single from his forthcoming full length album.

Infusing the sounds of a quintessential kiwi summer, the track is grounded by a nostalgic, iconic guitar riff that features throughout.

Written by Ciaran McMeeken and Sam Craven (Rough Trade - London), Which Way Shall We Go? has lyrical content to match the riff - encapsulating what it is to be a young, wild and free. 

With it's clear context, the song explores the emotions that come with discovering what the gorgeous backyard of Aotearoa has to offer while falling heart first into a new relationship. 

Recorded at Roundhead Studios, acclaimed producer Greg Haver once again worked his magic to produce a track that allows Ciaran’s warm clean vocals to shine through.

Resoundingly positive, the track is a sign of things to come from the Dunedin-born singer-songwriter. 

Watch Which Way Shall We Go? on YouTube

Buy Which Way Shall We Go? on iTunes
Stream Which Way Shall We Go? on Spotify and Apple Music

DUAL RELEASE SELF TITLED DEBUT EP

Psychedelic dance duo Dual (Rueben Bonner) have announced the release of their debut self-titled EP on Banished Music this April 14th and a coinciding New Zealand tour.

The duo combine dream-like vocals with driving drum beats and intoxicating riffs to create the Dual sound reminiscent of Jagwar Ma and The Stone Roses thrown through a filter created in a dilapidated bungalow in the Coromandel. A quiet confidence gained through years of performing together creates a synchronicity rarely seen in a duo. Hooks and gliding vocals punctuate each Dual track and create a sound entirely their own. 

Their first single Yellow smashed it's way into the 95bFM top ten's #1 spot, and also took out the #1 spot on the NZ alternative airplay charts. Singles Kiss, and Vidgame arrived soon after, and their sound and the various club shows across the city that unfolded, cemented Dual's reputation coated in dirgy, late night splendour, and plastered with psychedelic projections.

With a Rhythm and Vines festival performance, and confirmed support slot for World Champion's Auckland show, 2017 is promising to be a busy year.

Don't miss Dual at a late night dive bar near you:

Thursday 6th April: Whammy Bar, Auckland 

Friday 7th April: Yot Club, Raglan 

Saturday 8th April: Caroline, Wellington

Thursday 13th April: Re:Fuel, Dunedin 

Saturday 15th April: Darkroon, Christchurch