LOUIS BAKER 'RAINBOW'

Louis Baker (Cushla Aston) has shared his new single, RAINBOW along with an intimate one-shot video, conceived by Baker himself and put together by director Ben Hawker and cinematographer Simon Godsiff. 

The single, crafted in New Zealand and recorded at Red Bull Studios London with The Nextmen’s Brad Ellis, is the first taste of a new chapter in Baker's growing songbook. Led by a delicate and soulful vocal performance, backed by a stirring arrangement of acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards and gentle percussion, it is a provoking touch of what is yet to come.

Purchase the single on iTunes / Stream on Spotify

More Louis Baker online:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Soundcloud / Spotify
Louis Baker on Aston Road

SOLA ROSA 'SO FLY'

Have a listen to this catchy-as-all-hell, beats-heavy track 'SO FLY' featuring Kevin Mark Trail from one of New Zealand’s most evolutionary and enduring acts, Sola Rosa.
 

With seven full-length Sola Rosa albums, three EPs, a handful of hits, countless collaborations and numerous world tours, it’s been a near 20-year labour of love for the man behind the music, MMF member Andrew Spraggon.
 
And although it’s punctuated with twists and turns in the form of constant change and innovation, one thing has remained the same – Spraggon’s steadfast commitment to making great albums that seamlessly blend a myriad of genres, from hip-hop and jazz, to neo-soul, latin and funk.
 
Now, the Auckland-based music-maker is poised to unveil the next steps in the Sola Rosa journey. It begins with the stonking beat-heavy track, ‘So Fly’ featuring British singer Kevin Mark Trail, who rose to prominence in the early 2000s working with The Streets.
 
The song, which Spraggon describes as having an “angular analog feel”, sits perfectly alongside the vibrant and eclectic Sola Rosa sound that fans have come to know and love. And yet, it pushes further into new musical territory. “The overall feel is an unusual one for me as a producer, but I wanted to make it have a retro kind of vibe. It’s pretty much a synth-laden production and heavy on the beats,” he says.
 
Written by Spraggon and Sola Rosa’s one-time guitarist Ben White, with additional keys later added by Michal Martyniuk, the track was originally created for the 2014 album Magnetics but it wasn’t finished. Trail then heard it over the 2015/2016 summer and wrote and recorded the vocals in one day.
 
Adding to the magic of ‘So Fly’ is the expert touch of Andy ‘Submariner’ Morton at Creative Orchard, known for his production and mix skills with the likes of Kiwi music icons like Fat Freddy’s Drop, Mark de Clive Lowe and Nathan Haines. And last but not least, mastering by Kelly Hibbert at Almachrome in Los Angeles, who’s worked with a lengthy list of who’s who in music, from Aloe Blacc, to J Dilla, Flying Lotus, Dam Funk and more.
 
It all makes for a kick-ass track that demands volume and is not only a sure-fire festival anthem but the kind of tune that has just what it takes to pack dancefloors across the globe.

Warner Music Nz Signs Local Sensation Theia & Announces Release Of New Single ‘Roam’

Warner Music New Zealand is proud to announce the signing of local artist THEIA (Nicole Thomas) to its roster.

Theia (Em-Haley Walker) first started turning heads when she was performing under her moniker Plum. In September 2015 her track ‘Silver Second’ – produced by Alex Hope (Troye Sivan, Broods) - started creating a buzz. It quickly became a firm ‘blogosphere’ favourite and established her as ‘an artist to watch’.

“We are very excited to welcome Theia to the Warner Music family,” says General Manager Phil Howling. “Since hearing her first recordings almost six months ago we have seen this incredibly talented young woman develop musically and personally into someone who has a very bright future ahead of them.”

Now, with a new stage name, and having spent countless hours locked away in studios creating more music, Theia is poised to capture the attention of the pop world. But before all is revealed, she’s allowing a first glimpse of the magic that’s to come, with the release of ‘Roam’.

Produced by Josh Fountain (Leisure), the song is indicative of the ethereal, glitter-pop sound, with hints of electronic music and RnB, which runs through much of Theia’s material. It’s also in keeping with her focus on sharp and meaningful lyricism, which sees the young artist write about the angst and bliss of youth, love, heartbreak, identity and finding yourself.

“I had back-to-back trips away writing in studios. One week in Sydney, the next in Auckland. Living out of hotel rooms, walking back at dark under the city lights, feeling like a gypsy and lonely,” she says. “My emotions - like the tides - would be continually up and down. I realised I had to get to the place where I was so at peace and strong in myself that it didn't matter where I was, or the circumstances, I was at home. Hence the lyric – “everywhere I roam is home”.”

As the tastemakers have already rightly identified, Theia is ‘one to watch’. She’s exciting, she’s talented, and as her new name depicts, she’s a wide-eyed Titaness, an ancient planet hurtling towards earth.

‘Roam’ will be available from Friday August 26.

Nakita ‘Second Chances’

From the frozen south island of New Zealand, Nakita (Mark de Jong) heated things up 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 young love (“I’m stuck here at the starting line/Spinning out on what to say to you”). The catchy lyrics and melody are underpinned by Leroy Clampitt’s left-leaning pop production; rolling synth lines and neo-tropical beats. Nakita's debut EP 'Foolish Ones' is slated for release later this year.

'Second Chances' now featuring on on

Indieshuffle
iTunes
Spotify
Soundcloud

Fly My Pretties – National Tour

After 12 years of incredible collaborative performances, Kiwi icons Fly My Pretties are hitting the road this summer, with a brand new album, playing in some of New Zealand’s most stunning outdoor venues.  

Following a recent run of nine intimate sold-out shows to record the new album String Theory, Fly My Pretties will take to the road in January 2017 to perform the new album along with the classics. Marking the first nationwide tour for Fly My Pretties since 2013’s Homeland Tour, this run of shows will see a 14-strong cast take to the stage, with a number of special guests.  

Due for release in November, String Theory explores the fabric of our existence through music, uncovering the cosmos and trying to unlock our place within it. This tour will bring the album, the sixth outing from Fly My Pretties, to life in the way the songs were meant to be heard: live and at full power.

Described as a “cosmic trip through the universe inside and outside us – led by some of Aotearoa’s finest musicians”by 13th Floor reviewer Stephen Allely, the all new Fly My Pretties show is set to enchant audiences across the country.

Visiting six centres throughout January, tickets for the String Theory tour will be available through Ticketek in Wellington and Ticketmaster for all other shows, priced at $72.00. All shows are all ages, and children under 12 years are welcome free of charge with a paying adult – with the exception of the show at Coroglen Tavern which is R18. General Sale starts on Monday 29 August at midday.

Civic Events presents Fly My Pretties – String Theory Tour

JANUARY
Saturday 7                Coromandel            Coroglen Tavern (R18)
Friday 13                   Upper Moutere       Neudorf Vineyards
Sunday 15                Wairpara                 Waipara Hills
Saturday 21              Havelock North       Blackbarn Vineyards
Sunday 22                Wellington               Botanical Gardens
Sunday 29                Waiheke Island       Cable Bay Vineyards

The Fly My Pretties – String Theory Cast is:

Barnaby Weir
Iraia Whakamoe
James Coyle
Ryan Prebble
Jarney Murphy
Nigel Patterson
Mike Fabulous
Ria Hall
Bailey Wiley
Laughton Kora
Tiki Taane
A Girl Named Mo
Ills Winter
Miloux

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.

Rockquest Winners On A Roll

Northland thrash metal band Alien Weaponry (Hammerhead de Jong) has made it through to the National finals of both Smokefree Rockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats for the second year running. 

After placing second overall in both competitions last year, the trio from Waipu are stoked that the judges have once again deemed their unique brand of ‘Te Reo Metal’ worthy of a placing in the top six from among the 700-odd acts that entered. 

 “We initially started writing in Te Reo Maori because the elements of haka and Te Reo work really well with thrash metal, and we thought it would be something different for Pacifica Beats,” says 16 year old drummer Henry de Jong. “We got such an overwhelming response that we carried on writing more songs in Maori, so it is really cool to be recognised not just in Pacifica Beats, but in the mainstream as well.”

Following last year’s Smokefree successes, that recognition extended to independently receiving a $10,000 NZ On Air ‘Making Tracks’ grant to record and produce a video for their song, Ru Ana Te Whenua, which is due for release shortly. The group were the youngest ever to be awarded the grant, and have been working with industry veterans like record producer Tom Larkin (drummer for SHIHAD), legendary music video director Greg Page (whose credits include clips for Six60, 8 Foot Sativa and Blindspott), and cameraman Simon Raby (Director of Photography on The Lord of the Rings) to bring the project to fruition.

Their focus now, though, is on the national finals in Auckland – Smokefree Pacifica Beats on Friday 23 September and Smokefree Rockquest on Saturday 24 September. And their strategy is simple:

“We will just do what we have always done,” says bass guitarist Ethan Trembath (14). “Write good songs, practice heaps and stick together. We definitely want to win, but all the bands are really good and in the end it will come down to the judges’ opinion. Blowing the audience away and people enjoying our music is just as important.”

As well as the prizes of NZ On Air funding for more recording and video production, and musical equipment from the Rock Shop, there is another incentive for Alien Weaponry to take out the top prize – in the 27 years of the competition, there has never been a National winner from Northland. 

“It would be awesome to be the first band from Northland to win,” says guitarist and lead vocalist Lewis de Jong (14). 

In the lead-up to the Smokefree Rockquest finals, Alien Weaponry will be filmed for a documentary series, which includes a music video for each of the finalists. This will be shot at the Whangarei Skate Park on Saturday 20th August. 

“We thought the skate park, with lots of people skating and riding, would be a great backdrop for the video,” says Lewis. “And we wanted to make it somewhere our friends and fans can get involved.” 

With this in mind, local skateboarders, BMXers and fans are invited to come out and be in the video on the 20th. In case of rain, filming will be postponed to the 21st. For details and updates see www.facebook.com/AlienWeaponry

Armed in Advance 'Change/Evolve'

Armed In Advance (John Carroll) are very excited to announce the release of their debut, full length album 'Change/Evolve' on October 7, 2016. 

To celebrate the announcement, the band are releasing a new single. Check out the lyric video for 'Running You Down' which is also out on iTunes and Spotify. 

Change/Evolve is 10 tracks - including their most recent singles ‘Stay’, ‘Same Old Story’ and the brand new track ‘Running You Down’ - that have been painstakingly crafted with one goal in mind; to create and showcase the absolute pinnacle of what this band has to offer.

Set for release on 07/10/2016 These songs are the best from over 80 ideas, created and moulded in the two years since the release of  the Stitches EP in 2014; and the end result is a devastating combination of thunderous grooves and churning rock riffs, anthemic choruses and energy to burn."

PRE ORDER HERE