ANNOUNCING THE MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR THE 2020 SILVER SCROLL AWARDS

APRA AMCOS NZ are honoured to announce that Julia Deans is taking the helm as Music Director for the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Awards. The Music Director is responsible for all the performances throughout the ceremony (unexpected performances have become a much-loved part of the show) and we’re excited to see what Julia will dream up. 

As well as being an icon of NZ music as both the front woman for Fur Patrol (PS. Some exciting news coming from them very soon) and a solo singer songwriter, Julia’s work reinterpreting the work of others across stage and opera productions like Brel, Both Sides Now, and Cav + Pag - Two Tales, as well as collaborations with artists from across the genre spectrum, give her a unique perspective for the role. She’s been involved in the Silver Scroll Awards multiple times in the past both as a finalist and performer, and has some brilliant ideas to celebrate the work of our music whanau over the past year.

On the night the five Silver Scroll finalists’ songs, as well as the winners of the Maioha and SOUNZ Contemporary awards, are reinterpreted by different artists, bands, and once-in-a-lifetime, one-off collaborations. 

“The Scrolls MD job is one I've always thought I'd like to do when I grow up. Does this mean I'm a grown up now? So excited!”

The finalists for the APRA Silver Scroll Award were recently announced, while the finalists for the SOUNZ Contemporary Award and  APRA Screen Awards will be announced this Saturday 5 September , and the finalists for the APRA Maioha Award will be announced ahead of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori on Saturday 12 September.

All awards will be presented at the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday 14 October.

SILVER SCROLLS 2020 - TOP FIVE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

These remarkable songs were chosen as finalists for the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Award by New Zealand APRA members. The award recognises excellence in songwriting and has been presented for 55 years.

• Don’t You Know Who I Am, written and performed by Reb Fountain (Published by Mushroom Music) 

• Get The Devil Out, written and performed by Nadia Reid (Published by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Blue Raincoat Songs) 

• Glitter written by Stella Bennett, Joshua Fountain and Djeisan Suskov, performed by Benee (Published by Sony/ATV Publishing / Universal Music Publishing) 

• In The Air, written by Arapekanga Adams-Tamatea, Brad Kora, Stuart Kora, Joel Shadbolt, and Miharo Gregory, performed by L.A.B (Published by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Loop Publishing)

• Mighty Invader, written and performed by Troy Kingi (Published by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Loop Publishing) 

Reb Fountain’s sultry, singular voice has been intertwined in the Aotearoa music scene for many years, but the release of her third, self-titled album that hit the top 3 spot on the album charts earlier this year, has cast a wide alt-folk spell and seen her connect with a whole new audience both locally and internationally. Don’t You Know Who I Am is a swirling, smoky, heart-stopping ballad, providing an intimate yet bold exploration of identity, calling on the listener to “dig deep, wake up, open your eyes and beat your own drum” as Fountain explains.
 
Previously a top 5 finalist in 2017 for her song Richard, Nadia Reid returns this year with Get The Devil Out. From her recently released third album Out Of My Province, which garnered serious international acclaim, Get The Devil Out is a thoughtful reflection on reconciling past and present selves – “making friends with who I used to be’ she sings. Capturing a quiet but powerful feeling of open space, it starts gently, but builds intensity as Reid’s alluring, wise voice imparts the mantra – “they will never take it from me”.
 
It was only last year that Stella Bennett (Benee) along with co-writers Djeisan Suskov and Josh Fountain, took out a top five spot with Soaked.  Now they’ve rolled right back in with Glitter, from her 2019 international hit EP Fire on Marzz. An easy-going pop-ode to the people you still want to party with after everyone else has left, it’s an aural evocation of slow turning glitter balls throwing multi-coloured circles of light around a room. Pairing Bennett’s wonderfully mischievous yet husky voice with the sunny, confident sound of Fountain and Suskov’s production, it highlights a seductive rhythmic playfulness that also manages to create a mellow post-party vibe.
 
Back in March L.A.B became the first local independent act to have a song hit #1 in NZ since 2012. A laid-back reggae and blues groove, In The Air showcases L.A.B’s talent for a catchy melody, and spent three weeks in that top chart spot. Combining vocalist Joel Shadbolt’s remarkable crooner skills with guest vocalist Lisa Tomlins, the song manages to be both a slow-burning nostalgic love song, and an old school dance floor spinner that also owes its success to the tight instrumental interplay between Brad Kora (drums), Stu Kora (guitar, keys), Ara Adams-Tamatea (bass), and Miharo Gregory (keys).
 
In 2018, Troy Kingi was a finalist for his song Aztechknowledgey, and this year he is once again in the top five for his compelling track Mighty Invader. From his 2019 reggae album Holy Colony Burning Acres, it’s an incredible, clear-eyed work exploring the painful legacy of colonization. It provides a visceral picture of Captain Cook’s arrival in the pacific, and the muddy oppression of indigenous people that followed, woven into Kingi’s smooth vocals, Marika Hodgson’s wonderfully melodic basslines, and rousing horns from Guy Harrison.
 
You can read about the history of the APRA Silver Scroll Award here.

The other awards presented on the night are:
 

• APRA Maioha Award, celebrating exceptional waiata featuring te reo Māori

• SOUNZ Contemporary Award - Te Tohu Auaha, celebrating excellence in contemporary composition

• APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award

• APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award
  
  

All awards will be presented on Wednesday 14th October.
 
The awards are proudly supported by NZ On Air.

AUDIENCE SONG helps emerging songwriters connect with their audience and tell uplifting stories during COVID-19

Eight songwriters from around Aotearoa are taking part in a new collaborative online creative project turning our countries personal stories into songs.

Song Conversations Co-Founder, Kiri Eriwata, says AUDIENCE SONG supports newly established songwriters to connect and grow their audience despite the uncertainty communities across the country are facing.

“Due to COVID restrictions, the live music scene has had to rapidly adapt, with more musicians connecting online with their audience. This is an online project designed to nurture each songwriter’s individual journey through online collaboration, peer support and professional marketing assistance,” she says.

Each songwriter brings different interests and life experiences, ensuring a range of audiences and communities can connect with them and have their stories told.

The eight songwriters include:
● Grace Duncan, Alt-folk songwriter based in Paraparaumu/Kapiti
● Isla, Indie songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Callum Lee, Eclectic nostalgic songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Eli Moore, Indie jazz songwriter based in Kaitaia
● Odds & Ends, Upbeat indie pop rock band based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Steve Tofa, Blues songwriter based in Kirikiriroa
● Em Joy, Folk songwriter based in Ōtautahi
● Brayden & Leea, versatile duo bridging styles from pop rock to Musical Theatre based in Tāmaki Makaurau)

“By the end of this project, each songwriter will have grown their online audience and gained a sense of belonging within a supportive songwriting collective,” Eriwata says.

People are now invited to submit their stories via www.songconversations.com/audience-songEight stories will be selected and the songwriters will then have three weeks to write and record their song before a web-showcase on Wednesday 30 September. 

For more information visit www.songconversations.com

Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) announces the annual Going Global Music Summit will not be going ahead this year

Upon the return of COVID-19 and alert level 3 restrictions for Tāmaki Makaurau, IMNZ and the NZ Music Commission have made the decision to cancel this year's Going Global Music Summit, originally to take place in September. 

Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) General Manager, Dylan Pellett says "Sorry to say, IMNZ and the NZ Music Commission have decided to cancel this year’s in-person edition of Going Global 2020. It might not come as much of a surprise given the current circumstances unfolding here in Auckland and we are all looking forward to brighter days ahead. There are no current plans to offer the conference in any other capacity until 2021. We’d like to acknowledge Roundhead Studios and our suppliers for being so understanding, and to thank the speakers for their time in developing their panel discussions to date."

Full refunds for ticketholders are currently being processed.
See you in 2021! Kia kaha.

KIWI MUSIC MERCH - ENABLING MUSICIANS AND BANDS TO CREATE AND SELL MERCHANDISE

Kiwi Music Merch enables musicians and bands of all shapes and sizes to create and sell merchandise with zero upfront cost or commitment. The t-shirts and other apparel are manufactured on an order-by-order basis in New Zealand using the highest quality printing technology around.

All you need to do is decide how you want the apparel to look (ie create a design - which we can help with if required), we will put it on our website alongside many other NZ bands/musicians.  When an item is sold, all of the additional selling price after costs have been covered (typically $20 -$30 for a printed t-shirt - dependent on complexity and volume) will go to you, the artist. No storage costs, no minimum orders, no fuss. Just your fans wearing your merch, happy they get to support you.

Kiwi Music Merch will assist in marketing the merchandise to your fanbase for no additional cost and will cover the costs of initial special offers such as free delivery for multiple products, free delivery to local music venues etc. This is a project designed to help bring Kiwi bands and musicians of all shapes and sizes some additional revenue, and make it easier than ever to get high quality merch in the hands of your fans.

There is currently no cost to feature on the website and any bands who sign up in August will never pay. We want to get as many bands as possible on the website before making the products available and launching to the public later in the month. If you're interested or have any questions, please email james@kiwimusicmerch.com.

Theia curates 99% Angelz line-up celebrating Aotearoa’s ‘stars of the underground’

Feat. Alexa Casino, Baby Zionov, Imugi 이무기, Randa and Theia.

New Zealand’s very own queen of alt-pop Theia has curated a night at Whammy Bar on Saturday, September 5 celebrating Aotearoa’s rich and diverse music scene. The 99% Angelz line-up features performances by artists who are pushing boundaries and challenging the system.

They are Alexa Casino, Baby Zionov, Imugi, Randa and Theia. Get tickets here.

The 99% Angelz night takes its name and inspiration from Theia’s recently released mixtape and the remix pack, featuring re-works from electronic heavyweights such as LA’s Gurldoll, NZ’s Magik J and Australian artists/producers Oh Boy and Banoffee.

Theia herself will perform on the night and has invited a handful of her favourite artists to join in the party.

Hailing from Wellington, Alexa Casino is a sonic force to be reckoned with. Her track ‘Die Like a Rose’ is electronic-pop perfection. A darling of the bNets, Alexa Casino is all kinds of wonderful with her DIY vibe and as Noisey aptly summarises, her songs “make you cheer up and tear up”.

DJ, producer and songwriter Baby Zionov is without question one of the most exciting acts on the Auckland scene right now. Baby Zionov's music is a love letter to queer club music through the ages, taking the listener on a journey of head-spinning, hyperactive dance-pop filtered through a nostalgic, psychedelic lens. She has just released her kick-ass EP  ‘… AND YOU ARE THE BITCH’.

Silky electronic duo Imugi 이무기 are the true example of an act that have made their mark on the underground but are now spreading their wings in the wider world. With a focus on embracing multi-culturalism and challenging Eurocentric structures within our culture, Imugi is a guiding light for the future of music in Aotearoa. Stay tuned for some exciting stuff from this hot duo this year.

Randa needs no introduction. But if you’ve been living under a rock, here’s what you need to know. Randa is a rapper. Randa’s real name is Mainard. Mainard identifies as non-binary / transmasculine. They enjoy making songs with friends, swimming under the sea and sipping soda drink. They are fire on the mic! Check out recent singles, Heatwave and Rock Bottom.

“I am so proud to have all these amazing acts on one bill. I hope that this reminds everyone of the incredibly diverse community of artists we have in Aotearoa music that are underrepresented in the scene at large but so rich in talent and ethos,” says Theia.

Theia is one of electronic/alt-pop music’s most idiosyncratic acts with a catalogue that showcases an artist who is unafraid to push boundaries both sonically and lyrically.

In May 2020, Theia put out her 99% ANGEL mixtape. Her first release as an independent artist, it shines the light on a much edgier, alternative side to her repertoire and has drawn praise from music sites such as Billboard Magazine, which described Theia as one of the most exciting voices to emerge from New Zealand in the past five years. Pure Nowhere said, “Her new mixtape is a sweltering collage of neon mixes, delectable hooks, and gut-punching bass. But, if you listen closely, you’re thrust into a movement [of] weaponizing club music and re-defining a genre”.

99% Angelz at Whammy feat. Alexa Casino, Baby Zionov, Imugi 이무기, Randa and Theia is a night not to be missed. Come party with the Aotearoa’s Angelz of the underground!

99% Angelz
Featuring.. Alexa Casino, Baby Zionov,  Imugi 이무기, Randa, Theia
Saturday September 5 - Whammy, Auckland
Tickets on sale now from Under the Radar HERE

Follow the artists here:
Alexa Casino - Instagram / Apple / Spotify / Facebook
Baby Zionov -  Instagram / Apple / Spotify/ Facebook
Imugi 이무기 -  Instagram / Apple / Spotify / Facebook
Randa -  Instagram / Apple / Spotify / Facebook
Theia -  Instagram / Apple / Spotify / Facebook

Announcing Waiata Anthems - Live!

Annie Crummer, Bic Runga, Che Fu, Don McGlashan, Drax Project, Hollie Smith, Katchafire, Melodownz, Stan Walker - with more to be announced!

SEPTEMBER 17 – THE CIVIC
In partnership with Auckland Live
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

The NZ Top 40 Number 1 album Waiata Anthems is being reimagined live at The Civic this September for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2020 - Māori Language Week.
 
One year on from the iconic album release, Annie Crummer, Bic Runga, Drax Project, Che Fu, Hollie Smith, Don McGlashan, Katchafire, Melodownz and Stan Walker are just some of Aotearoa’s most loved artists set to perform their songs in Te Reo Māori for Waiata Anthems Live September 17 at The Civic in Auckland, in partnership with Auckland Live and the support of Te Māngai Pāho and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. 
 
The artists will be performing their waiata in celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2020 and it promises to be a very special event.
 
100% of proceeds from the show will be donated to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre who provide music therapy services to help people with disabilities.
 
Bic Runga says of the inaugural event; “I'm so excited to be part of the first ever Waiata Anthems show, it will be a great chance to share the beautiful Civic stage with so many fellow musicians for the first time live on our shared te reo Māori musical journeys."
 
Waiata Anthems album project manager Hinewehi Mohi agrees;  “This music has unlocked massive potential for the way we might perceive, create, produce and consume music in Aotearoa. It’s shown how powerful music is as a way to popularise, normalise and revitalise te reo Māori and that we have the capacity to wow the world through waiata.”
 
In 2019 Waiata Anthems debuted at #1 in the NZ Top 40 chart - the first 100% Reo Māori album to do so - achieved Gold status record sales, spent 16 weeks in the NZ Top 40 chart and received three Māori Language Awards including the Supreme Award.
 
Many of the songs featured at Waiata Anthems Live will be recorded as part of a documentary series screening on TVNZ OnDemand next year.
 
Tickets to this very special event go on sale 9am Tuesday August 4th with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

WAIATA ANTHEMS LIVE
September 17
The Civic, Auckland
Tickets from www.ticketmaster.co.nz
More information from www.aucklandlive.co.nz
Presale August 3rd
General Onsale 9am August 4th

Proceeds from the event will go to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre



NYE20 - THE OTHER SIDE ANNOUNCING THE FINAL LINE-UP

ALL NZ LINE-UP TO JOIN L.A.B AND SHAPESHIFTER IN THE COROMANDEL!

*** OVER 30 ARTISTS PERFORMING OVER TWO NIGHTS OF CELEBRATIONS ***

NYE20 - The Other Side are thrilled to announce the full line-up of top-tier New Zealand artists set to ring in 2021, in the beautiful Coromandel this summer. Joining headliners L.A.B and Shapeshifter over two celebratory nights, are some of the most sizzling NZ talents on offer across a multitude of genres - guaranteed to ignite a firecracker start to the New Year!

A blisteringly good selection of bands, DJ’s and MC’s will be there with you and your bestie mates, to collectively shake off all the turmoil of a chaotic year. Aural and visual delights on offer include the eclectic electronic hip hop of Chaii, the powerhouse talent that is Avantdale Bowling Club, the mind-blowingly dynamic JessB, the hard-hitting electro-experimentalism of Montell2099, hot new drum n bass duo Lee Mvtthews and classic festival favourites Concord Dawn and State of Mind. The original skool soul and funk of Sunshine Sound System, the urban hip hop poetry of Melodownz, the smooth stylings of David Dallas, first-class DJ’s Aroha, P-Money, General Lee, Sin, Dick Johnson and Chiccoreli, the renowned MC talents of the uber crowd-pleasing Tali, Silva MC, Tiki Taane and many more! Read on to see the full array of performers. Click HERE for bio briefs and images.

By announcing this completely local line-up, New Year’s Eve revellers can be assured that they will be partying with the artists they have bought tickets to see. “I’m really happy that any issues around the state of our borders opening or not, is of no consequence to the stability of our festival line-up. We are able to offer some sense of security that you will see the bands you have purchased your ticket to see”, says promoter Clayton Spence.

Limited Early-bird tickets are still available but only until 5pm Wednesday 29th July when tickets roll onto full price, so get in quick! Also from Wednesday, and in recognition for those that may need the option, you will be able to pay for your tickets via layby, by making a number of smaller payments over the next few months – just talk to the friendly ticketing team at NYE20 - THE OTHER SIDE for more information.

Now is the time to plan your escape to The Other Side of this challenging year. Secrete yourself away with your friends and immerse yourself in the stunning surrounds of a lush Coromandel valley at Joe’s Farm. Lose yourself in the freedom of music, friends, nature and good times. You know you deserve it!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM: NYE20 - THE OTHER SIDE