ALAE RELEASES 6 TRACK VIDEO EP

One of New Zealand’s finest emerging acts alae (Mikee Carpinter and Matiu Sadd) release their self-titled debut EP today, along with 6 accompanying music videos.

Recorded over 5 days at Roundhead Studios in October 2016, the alae EP is a collection of beautifully crafted songs that will become the soundtrack to your most heartfelt quiet moments. The self-funded and self-produced release features 5 emotive new tracks, plus their debut single ‘All Gived Up’ which made it to number one spot on the singer/songwriter iTunes NZ chart in March.

It’s been a big year for Auckland based Alex Farrell-Davey and Allister Meffan, the two old high school mates who together form alae. Playing everything from local gigs to cruise ships, the duo has also supported nationwide tours for Anna Coddington and Hollie Smith and have now been added to the main stage line up at Gisborne’s Rhythm & Vines on December 31st. The multi-instrumentalist duo then performs as part of Auckland Museum’s Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa exhibition, before continuing to tour NZ over the Summer of 2017.

Says Alex Farrell-Davey, “It’s been a huge 2016. We have all worked really hard over the last few months to finish the EP and to create these videos, and have pulled favors from mates, venues and family along the way - it has truly been a huge team effort but the results have been worth it. We’re stoked to have not only the EP out but also the visuals which further express what alae are about.”

For a taste of alae’s live experience, check out a spine tingling version of the late Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, part of the Black & White Sessions as recorded for NZ Music Month 2016.

To celebrate the EP and video release, alae perform an intimate show tonight at Auckland’s Golden Dawn, Ponsonby from 8pm. Entry is free and physical copies of the EP will be available for purchase.
 
Purchase the alae EP here through iTunes
Stream the alae EP here through Spotify

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

ANIKA MOA & MEL PARSONS AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Two of New Zealand’s favourite singer-songwriters hit Australian shores this Nov/Dec, with an intimate double bill solo tour from east coast to west. Anika Moa & Mel Parsons will be performing songs new and old, with plenty of laughs in between. 

Moa, as famous for her hilarious on-stage banter as for her phenomenal voice, whose seventh album came out this year, is a bona fide kiwi music icon, and more recently talk show host. 

Parsons spends much of her time living out of a suitcase, with recent tours in North America & Germany, is on the road to mark the Australian release ‘Drylands’, out on November 4th via MGM.

TOUR DATES

24 Nov - Adelaide - The Wheatsheaf

26 Nov - Melbourne - Ding Dong Lounge

27 Nov - Sydney - Djangos

30 Nov - Brisbane - Black Bear Lodge

1 Dec - Villanoosa - The V Room

2 Dec - Scarborough Beach - Indi Bar

4 Dec - Fremantle - Mojos

anikamoa.co.nz melparsons.com

SKINNY HOBOS 'JOKERS AND FOOLS'

Two-piece noise merchants Skinny Hobos (Sam Holdom) have released their stomping second single ‘Jokers & Fools’.

An anthem for the modern day, Jokers & Fools represents a shift in style for the two-piece while maintaining the level of groove and noise that has become their signature sound. The single was added to NZ On Air’s NewTracks playlist and is currently on rotation on The Rock FM’s Kiwi Rock Soundcheck segment.

The duo are playing at the NZ Tattoo & Art Festival in New Plymouth this Sunday before hitting the road with Cheshire Grimm and Devilskin to see the year out.

HUMANKINDNESS 'HEADING NORTH'

Humankindness (Steve Mitchell) release their first single Heading North on 18th November. The hook-laden, bittersweet slice of gritty Country-Rock marks the band’s recorded debut. The Humankindness album by singer-songwriter and slide guitarist Steve Mitchell, was released last year and inspired the formation of the band.

Playing Mitchell’s songs, a distinctive mix of styles described as ‘original Rock & Soul Music’, the band have a growing reputation for powerful, inventive live shows following festival appearances around the top of the South Island.

Heading North is backed with the sparse, bluesy funk of (Laughing At) The Writing On The Wall and was recorded and produced by Rob Sissons at Bay City Studios in Nelson.

The single will be available on iTunes and all major online music retailers and as a limited edition CD, direct from the band.

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

“Utility (Useful, especially through being able to perform several functions) Blues (The kinda stuff I play)”

"I was pretty chuffed when I came up this album title" says David, "Pretty fitting for a Blues playing ONE MAN BAND don't ya think!"

UTILITY BLUES is the cranking new album from genuine ONE MAN BAND - LI'L CHUCK THE ONE MAN SKIFFLE MACHINE aka Christchurch based musician David Thorpe.

Passionate about sticking to the traditional one man band (OMB) format, David recorded this album entirely alone in his studio with all instruments and vocals recorded simultaneously. No edits, no overdubs. "I was just trying to capture the best performance I could" says David.

In addition to playing all the music, in true OMB style, David played the part of roadie, recording engineer, and composer of 11 of the 12 tracks. 

As most are aware, it is a tough era for the self managed, self funded independent musician. Li'l Chuck has taken the opportunity to create a Pledgeme crowd funding campaign to assist the release process. He says the recording is the easy part.

David is looking to raise $8000 over 30 days on Pledgeme to cover the costs of mixing, mastering, art, design, pressing and marketing - all which will be done in NZ. 

"The album is recorded and mixed and will be ready for release once I raise the money by pre selling the album. In addition to the album, I am offering loads of other great rewards - Harmonica lessons, house concerts, even a recording session with tea and home baking at my studio" says David.

The campaign will be launched at his 'Utility Blues Pre-sale Party' at Blue Smoke, Christchurch (Woolston Tannery) on Sat 26th November 8pm. And it's free!

David will be playing his old favorites plus all the tracks from the new album - live and OMB style!  

"My OMB journey started over 20 odd years ago after I saw a one man band busking on the streets of Manchester, England in the late 1980's. From that moment I was spellbound and inspired and spent the next years honing my OMB craft" David enthuses.  "My first album was released in 2013. It was met with such enthusiasm, and great reviews it gave me a massive boost of confidence and I couldn't wait to get those hands and feet stamping out a new record"

SUMMER THIEVES 'COAST ROAD'

Produced by multi-platinum, award-winning producer Tiki Taane (Ninakaye Taane Tinorau) , 'Coast Roads'  by Summer Thieves (Tim Couch and Jason Schroeder) is the latest offering from their forthcoming debut album which will be released via Universal Music.

The release is timed perfectly to celebrate the arrival of summer and a string of shows across the country where fans will be able to witness the new single in the flesh; including sets at Rhythm & Vines and Bay Dreams.
Coast Roads is a summer jam about growing up as a beach kid and constantly looking for waves. Lyrically it reflects the fact that as a band Summer Thieves all have different musical influences and this has created a melting pot of genres and influences that they both feed off and gain inspiration from.
 
'The idea of the track was to emulate how sick it is being on road trips with your boys.. heading to festivals, surf trips, or whatever. Growing up, when we went out looking for waves we always buzzed out at how epic the Dunedin coastline is... thats what 'Coast Roads' is about.' - Jake Barton

Rising from the dusty rinsed streets of 'Scarfieville', Dunedin's Summer Thieves are a melting pot of reggae, hip-hop, rock, and funk.

“We’re just laid back guys who put on parties, we don’t take ourselves too seriously”, the band’s vocalist Jake Barton says.  “We want everyone to have a good time.”  

 
It’s a laidback approach, that’s proven dangerously effective too, with the band comprised of Johnny Ward (Drums and Vocals), Adam Spencer (Bass), Angus Cleland (Keys, Samples and Percussion) and Jake Barton (Guitar and Vocals) amassing a legion of breathers nationwide.  
 
This release tops off a huge year for the boys who were also selected to join friends and spiritual braddas Sticky Fingers on their sold-out NZ tour; adding another name to the huge list of acts they’ve shared the stage with including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Six60, Ocean Alley, Katchafire and many more.