LUCIFER GUNNE SPEAKS ON 'THE RED KING'

The Red King, released on April 29 is my first ever EP, and after many long months of hard work I’m super excited to have it finally released! The standout songs to be found on The Red King are track 2-Angels Mark, and track 4-Lucifers Ward. Angels Mark is the real heavy hitter of the EP, truly captivating the energy of The Red King, whilst track 4, Lucifers Ward, brings some needed relief in the form of a primarily vocal and acoustic driven song.

Lucifer Gunne is me, Rory McDonald, a singer/guitarist/songwriter from Wellington NZ. Originally from the UK, I have been playing guitar since 2008, and started writing songs in 2014. Written in an alternative style with metal influences, The Red King is my first EP and is a collection of songs which swing between Angels and Devils/ Good and Bad, with a pendulum between the two. My style has been shaped by listening to artists such as Marilyn Manson, Stone Sour and Gorillaz. Though The Red King did start out as a solo project and until very recently was one, I have finally met some fellow musicians I’m happy to work with, and play gigs with in the future. We haven’t been a full band project for long, but myself and Don Mackenzie, lead guitarist for the band, are already writing new material, and some of this will be played at our upcoming gig at the Thistle Hall, June 10th. This gig will also double as our EP release party, so anyone wanting to get their hands on The Red King will be able to come down, listen to the show, and buy the EP. Our current plans aren’t set in stone for now, but what we do know is that we will keep writing and performing for as long as we can, and keep writing the music we love.

Interview Questions:
Q: How did you become involved in music?

A: Both my parents are musicians, my dad a drummer and my mum plays clarinet and saxophone. Music was something that always appealed to me even from a young age. I have a vivid memory of watching the American Idiot music video on TV and everything just kind of clicked from that point. It’s always just been a great outlet for me to do whatever I want without any creative limitations.

Q: If you could perform with anyone in the world who, would it be and why?

A: Marilyn Manson is definitely a name that comes to mind. Whether you’re a fan or not there’s no denying that he’s a smart man if you choose to listen to what he has to say, rather than judging a book by its cover, plus I just love his music full stop.

Q: Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?

A: I would have to say on this release it would definitely have to be Lucifers Ward. Without trying to sound cocky, I feel like I brought something original to an acoustic piece, which is something I haven’t heard from any artist in a while.

Q: How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?

A: My short answer here is probably gonna be Alternative, but I wouldn’t stick it to just that. I listen to a lot of different music, I’m really into rap type music, and Kendrick Lamar being a huge influence on me (To Pimp a Butterfly is one of my favourite albums released in recent times). Nu and Industrial Metal also play a big part, such as System of a Down, Slipknot, and previously mentioned Marilyn Manson. I’m not sure how these influences come into play, speaking in terms of my music, but there are definitely a variety of sounds I hear in my music, not usually from the same person or genre.

Q: What can we expect to see from you in the next year?

A: Nothing is set in stone at this point, but I’d really love to try and get some material out with my current band, even some touring outside of Wellington would be awesome to do. I’m just going to be trying to get this project up and running and see where I can take it for the most part.

Q: What local albums have you been enjoying recently?

A: Mishaps killed their last EP. I’ve been listening to it a lot recently and really love it. I can’t wait to hear more from those guys. Nothing else local has been appealing to me recently to be fair.

Q: Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?

A: I haven’t got anything really substantial here, just get up there and if you’ve put the effort in beforehand it’s really gonna show when you’re up on the stage. It’s always good to have nerves to make sure you’re not going overboard, just don’t let it get to you and you should be sweet.

Q: How do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc?

A: I feel extremely lucky with my current position musically. Both my parents are helping out where they can, my dad especially, who helped with the majority of the recording at our home studio as well as trying to get my music out there. Without his help there’s no way this EP would’ve been released. My Job doesn’t get too much in the way either, as everything the band does is usually in the afternoon anyway. All of us band members just talk on social media about ideas for songs and gigs as it is, so I’m not really juggling my Job and music career at the moment. It mainly just comes down to practice and writing, and nothing else gets in the way.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

A: Anything, really. Anything that bugs me or makes me feel a certain way will usually be written down to be used as lyrics. I also love concept albums as well, such as American Idiot or Antichrist Superstar. It’s just like fitting a movie into 8 or so songs, and each track is a scene from the film. That is something I really want to try and go for on whatever we release next.

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

A: I don’t have much, but I think the best thing to do is just go for it, y’know? I didn’t even have a band during the whole process of writing and recording The Red King, but I still took the opportunity up because I knew I had to go for it. I have to at least try and see where I can take this. Whether I have a band or not, I’m still going to keep writing and releasing music because it’s just something I love. If you love music then there shouldn’t be any limitations, and it took me a while to realise that, but it’s true. 

MERRIN 'SIN'

Following on from the release of their 1st single for 2017 'Mr.Dominant', Merrin (Heather Wood) are excited to introduce their 2nd single “Sin” due for release the 7th of May. “We love our video, we had a blast making it and meeting some great people” says Karl Wotton.

Everybody has a limit, and when that limit is reached, something has to give. It can force us to do things we regret, and other times it can help us take control and give us a sense of empowerment.

A bar, testosterone, alcohol and aggression, is it really the best answer? You be the judge.

May Events:
With STRIKEMASTER
The Grand: Fri, 12th May 2017
The Grand: Sat, 13th May 2017
The Angus Inn: Fri, 19th May 2017
Playing a special May Music Month gig with friends. 

TAKITIMU KARANGA ON MOTHER'S DAY

Toni Huata is very delighted to invite you to an event celebrating Māori music and performance with artists from Ngāti Kahungnu and Tākitimu canoe on a day for our mum's, on Mother's Day.

The month of May also happens to be New Zealand Music month so the wish is to engage with all in the spirit of togetherness, our connections, our language, our arts and love. Through this we connect on all levels!

Bring your mum and wider family to purchase a beautiful lunch in the Karaka Cafe and then be entertained by this exceptional array of musical artists and kapahaka from Te Haeata Awatea - Wellington College and Wellington Girls High School.

As a special addition to this celebration, there will be a buffet hangi available for $20, first in first served at 1pm. 

This is the second time the Karaka Cafe has offered the hangi  (having a new pit) and it was a hit on Anzac day, selling out in 40 minutes with no advertising.

RSVP is essential to waahuu@xtra.co.nz for seating asap.

SETH HAAPU 'NATURE' AND 'VOLUME II'

A vintage manuscript composed and handwritten by his Grandfather over five decades ago, found in the pocket of a family keepsake was the inspiration Seth Haapu needed to embark on a journey to discover his family legacy.

Exploring to find the legacy’s heart he visited Whangara for the first time in his life where his ancestors settled following their passage from Huahine, French Polynesia. 

Seth says of the experience “It was spiritual.  And in it I found a sense of belonging across time, connecting with those gone before and those who are yet to come”.

'Volume II' – The second EP in a series of three – is about this journey. A memorial to Seth’s Grandfather, his father, their bloodlines and a generational message that speaks, with love, to those yet to come that they can be better. 

‘Nature,’ the lead track, is about living in the present and trusting your intuition – and is available now.
 

Seth Haapu – Volume II

Nature

Crimewaves

Sunday Best 

'Volume II' will be available May 19

LUCIFER GUNNE EPK

Lucifer Gunne (Tony McDonald) is Rory McDonald, a singer/guitarist/songwriter from Wellington NZ. Originally from the UK, Rory has been playing guitar since 2008, and started writing songs in 2014. Written in an alternative style with metal influences, The Red King is his first EP and is a collection of songs which swing between Angels and Devil's/ Good and Bad, with a pendulum between the two. Rory's style has been shaped by listening to artists such as Marilyn Manson, Stone Sour and Gorillaz.

The standout songs to be found on The Red King are track 2-Angels Mark, and track 4-Lucifers Ward.

Angels Mark is the real heavy hitter of the EP, truly captivating the energy of The Red King, whilst track 4, Lucifers Ward, brings some needed relief in the form of a primarily vocal and acoustic driven song. 

METAL GIANTS HEAD NORTH

Northland metal fans are in for a treat this weekend, with two of the country’s top metal bands playing in Kaitaia and Whangarei.

On Saturday May 6, Northland’s own metal heroes, Alien Weaponry, will be joining forces with Wellington’s Bulletbelt for the first ever heavy metal show in the Far North. 

Promoter Francis Malley decided to organize the event at the Waipapakauri Hotel, North of Kaitaia, so that local metal fans wouldn’t have to travel long distances to see “some decent metal.” 

Alien Weaponry were an obvious choice – the Waipu teenagers made history in 2016 by winning the National finals of both the Smokefree Rockquest and Pacifica Beats competitions with their unique brand of thrash metal and Te Reo Maori. They have released two singles since the win – ‘Urutaa’ and ‘Raupatu’ – and their music has been embraced by iwi radio stations and metal fans throughout New Zealand and beyond.

The band sings only original material, about half of which is in Te Reo Maori, and were recently named one of the top 10 metal acts in New Zealand by UK based Metal Hammer magazine. 

Alien Weaponry is double billing with Wellington Black Metal band Bulletbelt, who are infamous for writing and performing the title track to the cult zombie movie ‘Deathgasm’, and have just released their second album, ‘Rise of the Banshee’. 

“It will be our first time playing with Bulletbelt,” says Alien Weaponry frontman and lead guitarist Lewis de Jong, who celebrated his 15th birthday recently, “and it will also be our first time that far North. We actually haven’t played a full show in Northland for three years, and a lot has happened in that time, so we’re looking forward to blowing the place apart.”

The night promises to be an unforgettable one, with a large number of tickets already sold and interest high.

“Accommodation and camping are available at the venue,” says promoter Francis Malley, who expects many fans to stay over. “It’s more of a mini festival than a gig.”

Bulletbelt will also be playing at the Old Stone Butter Factory in Whangarei on Friday May 5, where it is rumoured Alien Weaponry may be making a surprise guest appearance along with Whangarei locals Eolithic Relapse.

Saturday May 6 – Waipapakauri Hotel, Kaitaia. Tickets $20 at the door or $15 pre-sales (contact Francis Malley - malley64nz@hotmail.com)

SONIC DELUSION ALBUM RELEASE TOUR

Too funky for folk and too folky for funk - that’s Sonic Delusion's (Andre Manella) Latin-infused, pop-laced, funky, electroacoustic folk. He is on an album release tour and will be coming to play at the Brew Craft Beer Pub in Tauranga on Friday 28th April, Waihi Beach Hotel on Saturday 29th April and Brew Craft Beer Pub in Rotorua on Sunday 30th April. The vibrant, high-energy live performer, Sonic Delusion (Andre Manella) blends dynamic layers of rhythm, tones, bass lines and vocals, carving out “his own unapologetically ambitious and intriguingly experimental sound” (NZ Musician).

The New Zealand-based Swiss-Kiwi is one of the original one man banders; he has been looping for over ten years and still digs the challenge of building up a song in front of a live audience.  He loves to exploit dynamics in a live scenario, stoking the groove with funky bass or beats to really get the audience going .  Sonic Delusion’s uniquely upbeat, funky folk is full of irresistible atmospheric joy; even scorching Aussie temperatures of 47 degrees couldn’t keep people from dancing!

Sonic Delusion kicked off his touring career in 2013 with an epic 9-month, 70-venue tour of New Zealand, and now has over 500 gigs in New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland and Germany, several international festivals under his belt. He’s also known for his unorthodox gig venues, having played concerts from a purpose-built stage on the roof of his family’s housebus, a shop roof, a lake, and at auctioned gigs in lounges around the country.   

This Material World is Sonic Delusion’s 4th Album and he will be touring nationwide throughout April, May and June and Europe in September 2017.

KENINGTON 'GOING NOWHERE (FASTER THAN YOU)'

UK born, Auckland based indie musician Kenington (Mark Kenington) is pleased to release his debut album Going Nowhere (Faster Than You).
 
Mark writes honest, reflective songs of a timeless nature wrapped in lush, catchy melodies. Songs that often mix a positive vibe with a darker and deeper lyrical message.
 
Moving to NZ in 2004, Kenington adopted the kiwi ‘give it a go’ attitude and took up singing, guitar and piano lessons. He honed his songwriting skills and began frequenting open mic evenings.
 
A chance meeting with Mike Chunn put Mark in touch with award winning producer and engineer Andrew Buckton. What started as a vague idea of making an EP turned into a full album project and well and truly planted the music making seed.
 
Says Kenington, “This collection of songs are reflections about dreams morphing into an energetic reality that fails to meet our expectations. We think what we’re working towards is going to be the answer but often it’s not what we are really looking for or need.”
 
Lead single ‘Dollar For My Daydream’ is a track inspired by the exchange between Mark and a café waitress and the fantasy that ensued. Punchy electric guitar and memorable melodies punctuated by Mark’s distinctive voice evoke the likes of Brit pop/ indie rock bands such as Supergrass and Blur.
 
With the help of Andrew Buckton at the helm (Midnight Youth,The D4, Sommerest, Ekko Park), the result is a body of highly crafted, insightful catchy songs translated into beautifully sonic guitar pop soundscapes.
 
Going Nowhere will be available for purchase from iTunes, Bandcamp and all good digital service providers, plus physical CDs will be purchasable from Bandcamp and live shows.
 
Kenington performs on Friday the 28th April at The Thirsty Dog from 8PM.