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.

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.

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

ALAE DEBUTS BRAND NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FOR ‘THINGS CHANGE’

Alae (Matiu Sadd & Mikee Carpinter) release their new single ‘Things Change’ to iTunes and Spotify, along with the accompanying new video

‘Things Change’ is the first new track to be revealed since the debut of their 6 song, self-titled EP in November 2016. With the single gaining support and video funding from NZ On Air, this track shows that there is more than meets the ear to this Auckland based two piece, who are best known for their stripped back and spacious acoustic style. While showcasing alae’s evolving pop sensibilities and full band song arrangements, the track maintains alae’s signature emotive content and heartfelt delivery at its core. Vocalist Alex Farrell-Davey explains the story behind the track; “Things Change is a song that revolves around the monotonous melancholy that surrounds the build-up to a break up. The crux of the piece being learn, don’t wallow."

The Commotion directed clip for ‘Things Change’ 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. Alex says, “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.”

The release of 'Things Change' adds to an already exciting start to 2017 for Auckland based Alex Farrell-Davey and Allister Meffan, who together form alae. Breaking new international ground, their track ‘All Gived Up’ has been added to Spotify UK’s Discover Weekly playlist with over 70,000 streams amassed in the last 2 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 with gigs tonight and Saturday in Christchurch, followed by an evening performance at Auckland Museum on February 26th as part of the Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa Exhibition.

‘Things Change’ is available now through iTunes and Spotify.

For alae’s live dates check http://alae.band

KENINGTON 'DOLLAR FOR MY DAYDREAM'

UK born, Auckland based singer-songwriter Kenington is pleased to release his debut single 'Dollar For My Daydream' - a precursor to his debut album Going Nowhere (Faster Than You) - out later this year. 

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.

'Dollar For My Daydream’ is a track inspired by the exchange between Mark and a café waitress...and the fantasy that ensued.

Punchy electric guitar and memorable melodies punctuated by Mark’s distinctive voice evoke the likes of Brit pop/ indie rock bands such as Supergrass and Blur.

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.

The accompanying video for 'Dollar For My Daydream' was a collective effort. Shot in Muriwai and directed in part by Josh Thom and Lucy Timmins, the video brings Kenington's fantasy to life.

‘Dollar For My Daydream’ is available from iTunes, Deezer, Spotify and all good digital service providers.

KANE STRANG 'OH SO YOU'RE OFF I SEE'

“Strang has a gift for pulling diamonds from the rough”

— PITCHFORK

Kane Strang (Liv Young) has shared new music for the first time since 2016’s Blue Cheese in the form of “Oh So You’re Off I See.” It’s the first single from the New Zealander’s forthcoming album that he is currently putting the finishing touches on. That record is due out later this year on Dead Oceans.

On “Oh So You’re Off I See,” Strang has moved away from the bedroom and into the studio. The song is angular and bright, showcasing his new collaborative approach to recording and writing with his band. The four-piece twists Strang’s melodies upside down and pushes his hooks inside out.

Before heading off to explore the big red, white and blue, Kane Strang will play three shows at home. 

Fri. Feb. 23 – Dunedin, NZ @ None Gallery 

Fri. Feb. 24 – Auckland, NZ @ Cassette 9 *co-headline with Fazerdaze

Sat. Feb. 25 – Wellington, NZ @ Caroline *co-headline with Fazerdaze

 For ticketing information head here: http://www.kanestrang.com/

Strang’s North American tour kicks off next month at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn and takes him to Savannah Stopover, SXSW and Treefort. 

These are his first shows ever outside of New Zealand, and a full list of dates is below.

Kane Strange Tour Dates:

Fri. Feb. 24 – Auckland, NZ @ Cassette 9

Sat. Feb. 25 – Wellington, NZ @ Caroline

Fri. March 3 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right

Sun. March 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s

Mon. March 6 – Washington, DC @ DC9

Tue. March 7 – Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter

Wed. March 8 – Durham, NC @ The Pinhook

Thu. March 9 – Savannah, GA @ Savannah Stopover Music Festival

Fri. March 10 – Tallahassee, FL @ The Wilbury

Sat. March 11 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa

Sun. March 12 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

Mon. March 13-Sun. March 19 – Austin, TX @ SXSW

Mon. March 20 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf

Tue. March 21 – Denver, CO @ Lost Lake

Wed. March 22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court

Thu. March 23 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Festival

Fri. March 24 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios

Sat. March 25 – Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt

Sun. March 26 – Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project

Wed. March 29 – San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall

Thu. March 30 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater

Fri. March 31 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar

Purchase “Oh So You’re Off I See” – https://deadoceans.lnk.to/kanestrang

LOUIS BAKER 'GAVE IT ALL AWAY'

Today, Louis Baker (Cushla Aston) shares a third, new single "Gave It All Away" with the world, following two breathtaking singles ("Fade" and "Rainbow") and a year of co-writing and songwriting sessions abroad. The song has been released as two versions: a strikingly raw, acoustic version recorded by Baker, and as an electronic dance track produced by none other than Fat Freddy's Drop legend behind the MPC, Mu. 
 
Baker will be releasing a 7" split single vinyl, featuring the two versions of the song on February 10th 2017.

Written alone by the young Wellington songwriter, the song came to life late one night in a hotel room, far from the grounding lights of home. "I remember feeling the exhaustion starting to set in, after being on the road by myself in the UK for quite some time," Louis reminises. "The song is about not giving up on your dreams. It's about never giving in. It's about the resolve and determination one must have in order to make these dreams become reality.”

Originally written and recorded acoustically, Baker also wanted to explore the idea of trying an alternate version of "Gave It All Away." With his love and interest in Dance, Hip-Hop and House music, Louis reached out to Mu of Fat Freddy's Drop to produce and collaborate on the track. Leaving us with a deep, four-to-the-floor dance track that makes your body want to move. “To work with Mu on this project was so dope. I've always been a huge fan of Fat Freddy's, and in particular Mu's production," says Baker. 

The Mu-produced version was featured by Red Bull on their 20 before 17 feature, which ran across 2016 covering their biggest moments (and artists) of the year. This included the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Mike Will Made It, YG, Lil Wayne, and Erykah Badu, to name a few. You can catch up on the sessions HERE.

Last year, Louis spent a great deal of time overseas, creating new material and collaborating with a range of fellow songwriters from around the world. In late 2016, he attended ASCAP’s Songwriter Retreat – a prestigious songwriting camp held at the Château Marouatte castle in Southern France during the latter half of September. Previous attendees have included Ellie Goulding, James Bay, Mika, Mike Posner, Dougy Mandagi (The Temper Trap) and Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s) to name a few.

Around travelling and seeing the world, the 27 year-old Wellingtonian released two new singles, "Rainbow" and "Fade", which invited us into a new chapter in this soulful singer-songwriter's book, and a new era of his musical evolution...

ALIEN WEAPONRY RELEASE THUNDEROUS NEW SINGLE

New Zealand’s youngest thrash metallers, Alien Weaponry (Hammerhead), are kicking off 2017 with a thunderous new single, ‘Raupatu’.

Staying true to Alien Weaponry’s modus operandi - to make and play loud, in-your-face, hard-core rock - ‘Raupatu’ follows on from the success of last year’s epic single, ‘Urutaa’. 

Funded by NZ on Air as part of the band’s prize pack for winning last year’s Smokefree Pacifica Beats, ‘Raupatu’ is further proof that the teenage three-piece from Northland are a fierce force to be reckoned with.

Consisting of 14-year-old Lewis de Jong, his 16-year-old brother Henry and 14-year-old Ethan Trembath, Alien Weaponry have not only taken the New Zealand rock scene by storm, they’ve impressed critics and fans alike with their use of Te Reo Māori in their music and their focus on socio-political issues.

The new single ‘Raupatu’ centres around the Government confiscation of Maori land in the 1800s - specifically on three significant confiscations in Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki - and the prominent chiefs who resisted.

Appropriately, it will be released on Waitangi Day, Monday, February 6. Alien Weaponry will also play a free gig in Auckland’s Aotea Square this Waitangi weekend, on Sunday, February 5, at 12:30pm.

Alien Weaponry have gone from strength-to-strength since bursting onto the local music scene last year. 

They made New Zealand music history when they won both the 2016 Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats competitions.