WCB DROPS DEBUT MUSIC VIDEO

Originally hailing from Auckland, openly gay artist WCB aka Will Cooper Barling (Rebecca Coleman-Smith) is a singer-songwriter and producer, now based in Sydney. WCB unites sparse, ariose production with his melodic vocal style to bring old school R&B into the modern day. His music is an atmospheric soundscape, a storyline into which you can escape, and is a unique form of indie electro-pop with undertones of classic trip-hop.

Fresh from performing his EP live release to a sold out crowd at The Golden Dawn, Auckland’s indie-music hotspot, WCB has just released his debut music video, Overdone.

WCB is both an internationally recognised performer and an unrelenting rising star who has graced stages in New Zealand, Australia, London and Edinburgh and featured on BaseFM and RNZ’s Music 101. Other notable performances in 2016 include the iHeartRadio Soundstage with Auckland Arts Festival, curated by Tama Waipara.

“Will Barling [WCB] … because of his silky tone and that beautiful vibrato … my favourite number of the night, hands down.”
– KeepingUpWithNZ

Already well respected in the New Zealand entertainment community for his undeniable talent, WCB was commissioned to produce music for Okareka Dance Company in 2015, where he reworked the classic Winter Wonderland in his typically haunting electro-influenced style.

His EP is set for worldwide digital release on 16 December but for now, check out his debut music video

DIAZ GRIMM RELEASES NEW SINGLE SINSE 7

With his futuristic new concept record 2077 described as a ‘must-have’ album for 2016 by Muzic.net.nz, Diaz Grimm is proud to release his new single and accompanying video, Sinse 7.

Lauded by NZ Herald as being “a piece of nonsensical brilliance”, Grimm’s trademark relatable lyrics and optimism shine in Sinse 7, a song told from the perspective of a seven year old, full of all the imagination that comes from the mind of a child.

Wanting to include a child’s input through the creative process of the song, Sinse 7 features the vocal talent of seven year old KT, expressing her wish to visit space and linking back to the overarching sci-fi theme of 2077. 

A Cambridge local, born and raised in the town and returning to record the album in his home studio, Diaz revisited his old stomping grounds of Leamington Primary School to shoot the video. The most humbling experience of his life to date, the artist was overwhelmed by their faith and belief in their own bright futures.

“It seems laughable to think about children running the world but in the long term all of the children are going to run the world. The enthusiasm for the smaller things which us adults tend to lose as other issues taking charge, was inspiring to say the least.”

|Asking them to dress up as whatever they would like to be when they grew up, the kids took on an incredible range of possible future occupations, driving home that while the dreams are all theirs, the task for preparing our children as much as possible for the world they will inherit falls to us.

Sinse 7 is the second single from Diaz Grimm’s recently released sophomore solo album, 2077.

ALIEN WEAPONRY 'URUTAA'

Thrash metal band Alien Weaponry (Niel Hammerhead) made New Zealand music history this year when they won both the Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats competitions. Now, they’re about to launch an assault on the airwaves with their single ‘Urutaa’.

No ordinary three-piece, these young metallers from Northland – 14-year-old Lewis de Jong (guitar/vocals), his 16-year-old brother Henry (drums) and 14-year-old Ethan Trembath (bass) – have achieved more in the space of a few short years than some bands dare to dream of in a lifetime.
 
With a live show that both startles and awes their audiences, Alien Weaponry have more than earned their right to be called the ‘next big thing’ in New Zealand’s thriving metal scene. And if three teenagers with kick-ass attitude, commanding as much attention as a five-piece band three times their age, wasn’t enough to warrant hard out respect, the fact that many of their songs feature Te Reo Māori absolutely is.
 
The band explains that ‘Urutaa’ was originally about a clash of ideas and expectations, leading to stress and unhappiness, which was likened to a plague or urutaa. The Māori lyrics refer to specific events, which occurred in the Bay of Islands in the 1800s, in which a pocket watch was inadvertently dropped into the harbour culminating in what is now notoriously known as ‘The Burning of the Boyd’. The historic incident is used as a metaphor for the misunderstandings between cultures and generations and individuals who torment each other through lack of understanding.
 
Fittingly, ‘Urutaa’ (produced by Shihad drummer Tom Larkin) is a powerful, moving track filled with contrasts, that showcases the skill and craft Alien Weaponry apply to both their lyricism and instrumentation.
 
Hailing from the small Northland town of Waipu, the lads from Alien Weaponry honed their refreshingly unique sound and vibe while attending Bream Bay College and Otamatea High School.  Last year, the band received a $10,000 grant from NZ On Air and this year, their blood, sweat and toil paid off with their history-making double whammy win at Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats.
 
Smokefreerockquest judge Jeff Newton from NZ on Air: “[Alien Weaponry’s] use of Te Reo was impressive. There’s really nothing like this in the world at the moment.”
 
And, the world is taking notice already, with the acclaimed UK magazine Metal Hammer recently including the trio in its “10 Best Metal Bands from New Zealand” feature (Oct 2016), describing them as “One for the future.”
 
The release of ‘Urutaa’ just adds weight to the powerful statement these three Northland teenagers have already made and continue to make. Alien Weaponry is like no other band that’s been before. Brace yourselves for the storm that’s coming!
 
Alien Weaponry’s ‘Urutaa’ is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, etc. from Friday December 2.
 

TAMI NEILSON 'LOCO MAMA'

After an electrifying performance at the NZ Music Awards, The TAMI Show returns with "Loco Mama”,  from the  VNZMA "Album of the Year" nominated "Don't Be Afraid". 

"Loco Mama" was filmed on one camera, in one breathless take...because when you're a Loco Mama, that's all you've got time for! 

In the words of Elmore Magazine (USA), "Loco Mama shakes and smokes...Mexicali spice in both the music, and Neilson’s voice..." 


Recently returned from touring Canada, Showcasing at the Nashville Americana Fest and hitting the US Americana Charts Top 40, Tami Neilson has had a busy year!

Internationally, 2016 has seen Tami play to sold out shows in Canada, hit the US Americana Charts Top 40, have a song from “Don’t Be Afraid” placed on the TV Series “Nashville”, hold prime-time interviews on CBC Canada and gain airplay on several BBC Stations.

In New Zealand she has gone on to score the TV Series “Brokenwood Mysteries 2“ and play host of shows including performing at the 2015 & 2016 Vodafone Music Awards, Womad NZ ,Auckland City Limits and National Tour with her longtime collaborators Delaney Davidson and Marlon Williams.

“Quite simply, this is killer stuff. Your jaw will drop at first listen to the voice belting it out on the opening cut "Walk (Back To Your Arms)”.” 9 out of 10 Review
Kerry Doole ~ EXCLAIM! Magazine Canada

"With a soulful voice straight from the golden age of country and rockabilly music, Tami Neilson has been described as "A red-hot honky-tonker, somewhere between Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson with perhaps just a little bit of Peggy Lee sophistication.” 
Nick Bollinger, NZ National Radio

Singing her heart out along endless roads and stages, from her days as a young girl in Canada touring with the Neilson Family band, opening for the likes of Johnny Cash, to her full blossoming in New Zealand as a formidable talent in her own right, Tami Neilson has won the Tui Award for each of her past four albums.

In 2014, Tami was also awarded the APRA Silver Scroll, New Zealand's most prestigious music award for excellence in songwriting, for her song “Walk (Back to Your Arms)”, 
as well as “Best Female Artist” at the National Country Music Awards and APRA’s
“Best Country Song” at the NZ Country Music Awards. The release of her explosive album “Dynamite!” received rave reviews in MOJO, The Guardian (named “Top 10 Best Country Music Album”), climbed to #1 on the NZ Music Charts, and winning the title of 2015’s “Best Country Music Album”.

A 5 Star review in the NZ Herald claimed “This world-class album is a major statement from an artist at the top of her lyrical and vocal game.”

Just 18 months after “Dynamite!”, this prolific artist released her follow-up album, 
“Don’t Be Afraid” to critical acclaim, debuting on the NZ Album Charts and the Independent Music Charts at #1, proving that the powerhouse that is Tami Neilson is a force to be reckoned with.

New Zealand media were all in agreement on the strength “Don’t Be Afraid”, with the album going rave reviews from all corners - 4.5 & 5 Star reviews from the NZ Herald, NZ Listener, Sunday Star Times, Rip It Up, Dominion Post and Radio New Zealand just to mention a few.

“It’s not often that you’ll come across an album that grabs you by the arm, reaches down your throat and wrenches your heart like this one..”
 Lydia Jenkin, NZ Herald5 Stars

KAYLEE BELL – GETTING CLOSER

Kaylee Bell is delighted to release her latest country-pop infused single, Getting Closer – a must-listen for those long roadtrips over summer.

An empowering anthem, Getting Closer is instantly relatable for anyone who has felt trapped in a toxic relationship. The open honest lyrics speak of the importance of relying on your friends to tell you when something isn’t right, and know they have your best interests at heart.

Getting Closer was written in Nashville with her good friend and fellow country artist Morgan Evans and produced by Lindsay Rimes, who most recently had a Billboard #1 charting single with LOCASH.

Already making a name for herself Kaylee Bell has won Best Female Artist at the National Country Music Awards in 2013, and the Tui for Best Country Music Album in 2014.  It’s not just New Zealand where Kaylee has been making waves, enjoying twelve Top 10 Singles on the Australian Country Music Radio Charts as both a performer and songwriter, three of which went to #1.

A prolific live performer, Kaylee has played at some of world’s biggest festivals including three appearances at CMC Rocks, in Nashville at both the Global Artist Showcase and the famous Bluebird Café, and shared stages with the likes of Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Keith Urban – including joining Keith to perform a duet each night on his last Australian tour.

Following in his country superstar footsteps, Kaylee became the first Kiwi since Keith to win the Toyota Star Maker Australia competition in 2013, and is the only person outside the USA to become the overall winner in the US Unsigned Only songwriting competition in 2015 for her song with Jared Porter, Pieces.

Getting Closer is the first single from Kaylee Bell’s new album, due for release in 2017.

LOUIS BAKER 'FADE'

Following on from his breathtakingly beautiful single “Rainbow”, 27-year old singer songwriter, Louis Baker (Cushla Aston) shares “Fade”: another leaf out of his anticipated songbook of forthcoming music. The new song, co-written with Bradford Ellis and Jemma Cooke, is a modern throwback to the golden era of Motown balladeering, Fade is a slow-burn soul number that first sets Louis Baker’s rich, resonant voice to sparse piano, before layers of guitar, drums, keys and warm backing vocals weigh in to support his sentimental tribute to long-distance love.

The journey of “Fade” as a song began in Albert Einstein's first home in Bern, Switzerland. “After playing a small and intimate set at this apartment, and being encored 3 times, I ran out of songs so decided to make one up on the spot,” says Louis. “Perhaps his creativity sparked something in me. The following week I travelled to London and “Fade” was born.” 

Reflecting on the creation process of the song, producer and co-writer, Bradford Ellis says: “It was brilliant collaborating with Louis on “Fade”. He has a timeless and extremely versatile voice and is a bloody good bloke. NZ has a habit of producing great soulful artists. Louis feels like the next.”

Praise for Louis:

 “A glorious song this – sad and sparse, wise and true, with a restraint to the vocal that suits the vulnerability of the love-lorn lyric. Recorded in London with Big Brad from The Nextmen, it’s the best thing Baker has done to date, as raw and tender as a fresh wound, and when his voice swoops up to falsetto over a tangle of slowly unspooling guitar…well, no, those are not tears. I think I just got something in my eye.” – Grant Smithies, Sunday Star Times [“Rainbow”]

"To crafted songs like Birds, Back on my Feet and now his new single Rainbow, Louis Baker has brought a rare sense of persuasive intimacy and a soulful conviction where you believe every syllable he sings  . . . because you know he does too. And although there is a confidence to his vocal range he also offers an emotional fragility in songs that speak to the heart. He stops me every time and makes me listen, and that is a gift." – Graham Reid, Elsewhere [“Rainbow”]

“Many soul singers might wishfully compare themselves to Marvin Gaye or Otis Redding, but for Louis Baker, the comparison is truly deserved.” – Lydia Jenkin, New Zealand Herald

Louis has been away from home over the last few months, spending considerable time in Los Angeles for writing sessions with fellow songwriters, and more recently attending 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. The remainder of the year is looking bright for the young singer songwriter, as he plans to release more fresh material into the new year.

NAKITA DELIVERS ‘SECOND CHANCES’ VIDEO

From the frozen South Island of New Zealand, 17-year old Nakita (Mark de Jong) heated things up earlier this year with the release of debut track Where Are You? Garnering love from the online world before it could be heard on the New Zealand radio waves, Where Are You? was the perfect calling card for the fresh young talent, setting the platform for her follow-up single Second Chances.

Second Chances sees Nakita riffing on fares of youth and the patching up of old friendships (“I’m stuck here at the starting line/Spinning out on what to say to you”). The song’s catchy lyrics and melody are underpinned by Leroy Clampitt’s left-leaning pop production; rolling synth lines and neo-tropical beats. 

The palm-studded roadways and colourful colonial towns of the pacific island of Rarotonga serve as a backdrop for the Second Chances video. Navigating dirt tracks on a pushbike, Nakita plays the sand-swept tomboy card. 

Nakita's debut EP 'Foolish Ones' is slated for release later this year, produced by fellow New Zealander Leroy Clampitt, the wunderkind behind Justin Bieber’s recent hit Company.

Tali 'Berlin'

Tali has just released her latest single, ‘Berlin’, along with an accompanying music video shot in the Germany city on a recent visit.  Written and performed by Tali, produced by Sam De Jong and mastered by Chris at KOG studios, the track is Tali's ode to her city of recent inspiration.

Sam De Jong's slick masterful production skills are at it again, as are Tali's soaring vocals and uplifting lyrics - Painting us a picture of a place that both inspires and enriches the heart. 

'Berlin' is taken from Tali’s forthcoming EP due for release later this year. 

https://twitter.com/TALITHE1STLADY
www.facebook.com/taliofficial
https://soundcloud.com/talimusic

For more info check out Tali online.