SONIC DELUSION ON TOUR

The Swiss-kiwi electro-folk raconteur Sonic Delusion (Andre Manella) teams up with northern rivers roots reggae troubadour Jesse Morris for a whirlwind tour of the east coast to introduce the sounds of ‘Sonic Delusion’ to Australian audiences for the first time.

Sonic Delusion is the brain child of NZ based & Swiss born Andre’ Manella. Fresh from a European tour and armed with a new single for 2017 titled ‘Material World’, Sonic Delusion delivers a vibrant high energy live show, blending layers of rhythm, tone and vocals on his well-worn loop pedal. Too funky for folk and too folky for funk, that's Sonic Delusion's Latin-infused, pop-laced electroacoustic folk.

Jesse Morris is no stranger to the road having played over 250 shows over the last 12 months sharing his acoustic soul rootsreggae to audiences across the globe. His latest release the 'Freedom' EP features a track co-written with a teacher from a small Cambodian island school. Proceeds from the EP are donated back to the school. 

Morris & Manella met whilst on tour in New Zealand in 2016. Both artists share positive messages and uplifting vibrations through song. Two unique troubadours colliding together for 10 shows across the east coast of Australia this February. 

Check out www.sonic-delusion.com or www.jessemorrisband.com for more details. 

You can catch Sonic Delusion & Jesse Morris @…
Solbar Maroochydore - Feb 2nd - 730pm
Poinciana Mullumbimby - Feb 3rd - 6pm
Sheoak Shack Fingal Heads - Feb 4th - 7pm
Byron Bay Markets - Feb 5th - 10am
New Brighton Markets - Feb 7th - 8am
Element Bar Coffs Harbour - Feb 8th - 7pm
63 First Ave Sawtell - Feb 9th - 730pm
The Pier Port Macquarie - Feb 10th - 8pm
Great North Trading Post Laguna - Feb 11th - 730pm
Sydney - Blacksheep Newtown - Feb 12th - 730pm

2017 MUSIC MANAGERS AWARDS - NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

THE NEW ZEALAND MUSIC MANAGERS FORUM
in association with
OneMusic, NZ Music Commission and Recorded Music NZ
are proud to present the

2017 Music Managers Awards

The New Zealand Music Managers Forum is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2017 MMF Music Managers Awards!

The MMF Music Managers Awards have become one of the most important events in the New Zealand music industry calendar. Held annually, the awards celebrate the behind the scenes work of the music managers who oversee some of our most acclaimed artist’s careers, both at home and internationally.

The following categories are now open for nomination:

•       Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year

•       Breakthrough Manager of the Year

•       Self-Managed Artist of the Year

•       Emerging Manager of the Year

•       NZ Music Commission International Achievement

•       OneMusic Best Small Venue

•       OneMusic Best Large Venue

•       Best Independent Tour

In 2016 Ashley Page was honoured with the prestigious ‘Manager of the Year’ award for the second year in a row for his work with the artists Broods, Joel Little and Jarryd James. First-time winner Alastair Burns took home the ‘International Achievement’ award for his global work for Marlon Williams and Julia Jacklin. With the NZ music industry continuing to grow over 2016/2017 the next round of accomplished MMF music managers is highly anticipated.

The New Zealand MMF is the collective voice for music managers and self-managed artists. The MMF is a non-profit trade association dedicated to helping grow artist manager businesses through education, networking and advocacy. The ultimate aim of the MMF is to improve music managers’ capacity to support the careers of the artists they represent.

For details and instructions on how to make a nomination for the MMF Managers Awards 2017, as well as the terms and conditions, please click here and contact Lorraine Owen at lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz for a password to access the online form.  Anyone can nominate managers they believe are worthy of recognition for their hard work.

Key dates:
Nominations opened 25th January
Nominations close 20 February
Finalists announced 13th April
MUSIC MANAGERS AWARDS: 10th May, The Tuning Fork, Auckland

AUCKLAND MUSEUM PRESENTS THE VOLUME SUNDAY SESSIONS

Sit back and celebrate local music with the Volume Sunday Sessions at Auckland Museum in partnership with the Music Managers Forum and The Rockshop. Pull up a bean bag and settle in for the sounds of some of our most talented musicians on the last Sunday of each month for the duration of Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa. Enjoy an afternoon of some of our finest artists alongside emerging talent, and then visit Volume, a hands on, ears on exhibition exploring seven decades of New Zealand music. Free with Museum entry.

SUN 29 JAN, 12.00-200PM

January will feature master collaborator Gareth Thomas, dynamic folk artist Graeme James, and captivating singer-songwriter Ciaran McMeeken.

SUN 26 FEB, 12.00-200PM

In February, hear the unique sounds of kiwi duo Alae, the velvet voice of singer-songwriter Seth Haapu and critically acclaimed singer Iva Lamkum.

SUN 26 MAR, 12.00-200PM

Join us in March to hear the Latin swings and pop ties of Rubita’s modern day take on jazz, the sounds of dynamic live performer Helen Corry and epic South Auckland artists Vallkyrie.

SUN 30 APR, 12.00-200PM

April sees MsDLite take the stage with her hip hop/soul, neo-soul style, followed by the internationally renowned, soulful drum and bass artist MC Tali and later hip hop talent and dynamic live performer Diaz Grimm.

SUN 21 MAY, 12.00-200PM - LAST DAY OF VOLUME

At our final Sunday Session, you’ll enjoy the lyrically sharp tunes and fuzzy guitars of Shakes, Dave Weir’s psychedelic pop and the catching grooves and indie pop diamonds of Dictaphone Blues.

ALDOUS HARDING ANNOUNCES NATIONAL TOUR WITH FULL BAND

After the international success of her self-titled debut, Aldous Harding (Liv Young) continues to ascend beyond fleeting trends. Delving into more timelessly resonant territories of human experience, Aldous has established a firm stance worldwide as a fearsome recording artist and performer. In February, ahead of the release of her next record, Party, she’s set to play four special shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, leading a band of full instrumentation through new and old material. 

Produced with the acclaimed John Parish (PJ Harvey, Perfume Genius, Sparklehorse) in Bristol, Party comprises a formidable clutch of songs that swell with the gothic energy of her former work, embalmed with a newly explorative slant. 

Spanning sinister torch songs, gentle laments and eerie odes, don’t be fooled into thinking that Party belies a droll irony - a close listen and you’ll hear the twisted touches of humour, hubris and quiet horror. In other words, Aldous Harding enjoying herself. Stretching her limbs with playful cunning and fierce resolve; every note, word and arrangement posed with intellect and inventiveness. 

Beginning with a tour of the United States with Andy Shauf and performances at SXSW in March, Aldous’ 2017 touring schedule spans Europe, North America and the United Kingdom for much of the year. Having toured relentlessly for the past 18 months alongside such acts as Deerhunter, Frankie Cosmos and Perfume Genius, as well as to crowds at The Great Escape, Golden Plains and more, Aldous’ live shows continue to bewitch fans and first-timers alike. 

And so this is the moment to see Aldous Harding’s Party performed live in New Zealand ahead of its release - with full band and some spectacular guests, across four shows.

8 February sees her play in Christchurch at Blue Smoke with Oscar Dowling, whose track ‘The Life’ “taps into the same low-key but potent malevolence that seethed through early Smog” (Pitchfork). She’s joined by Dowling again the following evening at Wellington’s San Francisco Bathhouse, along with adroitly gumptious poet Hera Lindsay Bird. Harding then heads north to Auckland, where she will perform two very special shows at Avondale’s Hollywood Cinema on 10 and 11 February. She’s joined on 10 February by the Bob Scott(The Bats, The Clean); then on 11 February, with genre-bending multimedia group SoccerPractise (whose second single ‘Haere Mai E Tama’, sung entirely in te reo Māori, topped NZ’s alt charts for weeks in 2016), and Oscar Dowling in support. Hera Lindsay Bird, hailed by The Guardian as “New Zealand’s most exciting young poet”,  once again fills out the bill on both evenings. Both nights feature beer by Garage Project and special 35mm trailers, and shorts curated by Matthew Timpson. Judge Bao will serve up delicious eats on Friday 10th, and Saturday 11th will see food on offer from Wise Boys Burgers. 

Stay tuned for more information on Party - you’ll want to RSVP to this one.

Aldous Harding with full band

New Zealand Tour

8 February - Christchurch - Blue Smoke w/ support from Oscar Dowling
Tickets available from www.undertheradar.co.nz 

9 February - Wellington - San Fran w/ support from Oscar Dowling + Hera Lindsay Bird
Tickets available from www.justtheticketnz.com www.undertheradar.co.nz 

10 February - Auckland - Hollywood Cinema w/ support from Bob Scott + Hera Lindsay Bird
Tickets available from www.justtheticketnz.com

11 February - Auckland - Hollywood Cinema w/ support from SoccerPractise, Oscar Dowling + Hera Lindsay Bird
Tickets available from www.justtheticketnz.com

HOLLIE SMITH ANNOUNCES THREE SOUTH ISLAND DATES

Hollie Smith is kicking off 2017 in style, with three acoustic shows in the South Island.
 
The Kiwi soul icon and her bassist, Marika Hodgson, will perform at the Sherwood in Queenstown on February 22, the Mayfair Theatre in Dunedin on February 23 and the SIT Centrestage in Invercargill on February 24.
 
The three-date tour will set the scene for another exciting year ahead for Smith, who in 2016 released her third full-length record WATER OR GOLD. The album secured Smith two nominations (Album of the Year and Best Female Solo Artist) at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards and received rave reviews from critics.

“Her pipes get the full workout on belters like ‘Any More’ and
‘In Love Again’ and she’s at her ­emotional peak in the heart-breaking
‘Helena’… and the intimate closer ‘Dream’.”
– James Belfield, The Listener
 
“Hollie Smith sings with equal parts vibrancy, raw energy and effortless control”
– Rolling Stone Magazine

Undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s strongest voices, Smith emerged in the late 1990s, working with the likes of Fat Freddy’s Drop and Trinity Roots.

She then cemented her place as one of the country’s most cherished acts with the 2006 Don McGlashan penned single ‘Bathe in the River’ before releasing her smash debut album LONG PLAYER, followed by HUMOUR AND THE MISFORTUNE OF OTHERS, and collaborations with Mara TK, as well as Anika Moa and Boh Runga.

Hollie Smith Live – tickets on sale now
 
Sherwood - Queenstown - February 22 – Tickets available from www.eventfinda.co.nz, the venue and Queenstown iSite
 
The Mayfair Theatre - Dunedin - February 23 – Tickets available from www.eventfinda.co.nz and the venue
 
SIT Centrestage - Invercargill - February 24 – Tickets available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz

ALBI & THE WOLVES 'ONE EYE OPEN'

When Chris Dent a.k.a. Albi, moved to Auckland in early 2014, he fortuitously made the acquaintance of Micheal Young, Pascal Roggen and Matt Owens. These four unlikely fellows started something that immediately had a force unto itself: Albi & The Wolves – a dynamic acoustic folk ensemble infusing elements of country, soul, indie-rock and pop.
 
Having since made waves around the country and beyond, the band (now Chris, Micheal and Pascal) celebrate their debut album One Eye Open – out December 9th, a labour of love that has been in the works for nearly two years. The band will also be back on the road from December through to the end of January, bringing their new songs to a town near you.
 
“There is something to be said for that initial excitement when you first pack the car - it’s like being back in school again with all your friends. A certain energy that comes with fitting a double bass in a tiny Toyota and placing your self beside it” states Albi. “When we first took that car to Raglan, New Plymouth and Hamilton, our collected audience over the weekend would have probably been 40 people. But at the end of that trip something had changed, we were in for something bigger even if we didn’t know what. We had become the close knit unit that most of our fans will be familiar with now.”
 
The entire album’s recording process took place in Micheal Young’s Studio 27A Ltd, from tracking of the band and talented guest banjo players Nat Torkington and Bryan Christianson, to mixing and mastering.
 
Says Albi. “ To survive as a band we had to adapt. This boiled down to one simple fact: you need to make people move. As we began to play around the country we started to get good at that, and began to tailor songs to that cause. Each new track would have two different aims: to leave people moved or to make them move.”
 
Albi & The Wolves want to take listeners on a journey and want them to feel as though the band are there with them, live.
 
“What makes this summer special is we are going further than ever before to a lot of new places.  We hope to see you on our travels and we hope that you like the album we have made.” AATW
 
One Eye Open is available for purchase from iTunes, Amazon and all good DSPs, plus CDs will be available from their website and at live shows.

ALBI AND THE WOLVES ONE EYE OPEN NZ TOUR DATES:

9th December 2016 - Nectar - Auckland - Album Launch Partyw/ Miller Yule
16th December 2016 - Common Room - Napier w/ Julia Morris
29th December 2016 - Rhythm And Alps Campsite – Wanaka
30th December to 2nd Jan 2017 - Whare Flat Folk Festival - Dunedin
5th January 2017- House Concert - Invercargill
6th January 2017- The Sherwood – Queenstown
7th January 2017- The Grainstore Gallery - Oamaru
8th January 2017 - Alvarados Mexican Cantina – Christchurch
11th January 2017 - House Concert – Nelson Koha
12th January 2017 - East Street – Nelson
13th January 2017 - TBA - Wellington
14th January 2017 - Coro Sonic Lab Fest - Coromandel
19th January 2017 - Nivara Lounge - Hamilton
20th January 2017 - TBA - New Plymouth
21st January 2017 - The Rogue Stage – Rotorua w/ Jim Jones & the People's Temple
22nd January 2017 - The Hop House - Mt Maunganui
26th January 2017 - The Old Stone Butter Factory – Whangarei w/ Otium
27th January 2017 - Thirty/30 – Paihia
28th January 2017 - Rocksalt - Kerikeri

AUCKLAND MUSEUM PRESENTS THE VOLUME SUNDAY SESSIONS

Sit back and celebrate local music with the Volume Sunday Sessions at Auckland Museum in partnership with the Music Managers Forum and The Rockshop. Pull up a bean bag and settle in for the sounds of some of our most talented musicians on the last Sunday of each month for the duration of Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa. Enjoy an afternoon of some of our finest artists alongside emerging talent, and then visit Volume, a hands on, ears on exhibition exploring seven decades of New Zealand music. Free with Museum entry.

SUN 29 JAN, 12.00-200PM

January will feature master collaborator Gareth Thomas, dynamic folk artist Graeme James, and captivating singer-songwriter Ciaran McMeeken.

SUN 26 FEB, 12.00-200PM

In February, hear the unique sounds of kiwi duo Alae, the velvet voice of singer-songwriter Seth Haapu and critically acclaimed singer Iva Lamkum.

SUN 26 MAR, 12.00-200PM

Join us in March to hear the Latin swings and pop ties of Rubita’s modern day take on jazz, the sounds of dynamic live performer Helen Corry and epic South Auckland artists Vallkyrie.

SUN 30 APR, 12.00-200PM

April sees MsDLite take the stage with her hip hop/soul, neo-soul style, followed by the internationally renowned, soulful drum and bass artist MC Tali and later hip hop talent and dynamic live performer Diaz Grimm.

SUN 21 MAY, 12.00-200PM - LAST DAY OF VOLUME

At our final Sunday Session, you’ll enjoy the lyrically sharp tunes and fuzzy guitars of Shakes, Dave Weir’s psychedelic pop and the catching grooves and indie pop diamonds of Dictaphone Blues.

The Black Seeds and L.A.B play Papamoa

Aotearoa party favourites The Black Seeds (Craig Pearce) backed up by LAB (James Southgate), will have you all getting down in the newly refurbished, fresh looking Papamoa Beach Tavern. This is going to be a New Years eve party not to miss.

Long established as one of New Zealand’s finest acts and pioneers of a South Pacific reggae/roots sound, The Black Seeds have carved out their reputation on the back of multi-platinum albums and a masterful live show that’s been filling dance floors for over a decade.

While firmly based in the island grooves that inspired the birth of the band over a decade ago, their music has cast a wide net, winning fans and wowing audiences across the globe. Layering funk, soul, afro-beat, and other eclectic elements over their dub and reggae foundations, The Black Seeds infuse raw energy and good vibes wherever they go making the band a regular fixture at the world’s leading music festivals and venues.

Since 1998, vocals led by Barnaby Weir and Daniel Weetman have been the driving force behind expressing The Black Seeds message. Conscious lyrics convey personal triumphs and failures, relationships good and bad, and are underpinned by a constant optimism.

An epic catalog of albums lead by their 2001 debut Keep On Pushing, backed up by On The Sun, Into the Dojo,Solid Ground and most recently Dust And Dirt The Black Seeds are at the forefront of reggae today and tomorrow.

Backing them up on support duties the the Kora brothers, Laughton and Brad. Know as LAB these boys have been stunning festival slots throughout the country and will defiantly make you not want to be late.

Rounding out the DJ support we have Killamanraro and DJ Nero. They'll be sure to keep ya booty shaking!

Tickets available here