THEIA 'THEIA'

Christchurch-born singer Theia (Nicole Thomas & Paula Yeoman) today releases her debut EP, simply titled THEIA, via Warner Music NZ. 

The EP includes her current single ‘Treat You’ along with her previously released tracks ‘Roam’, ‘Champagne Supernova’, and ‘Silver Second’.

All tracks on the EP, apart from 'Silver Second' - which was produced in Sydney by Alex Hope (Broods, Troye Sivan) - were masterfully shaped and crafted in Auckland’s Golden Age Studios with producer, Josh Fountain (Leisure, MAALA). The six songs showcase Theia’s knack for the seamless blending of genres and taking listeners on a personal journey.

Theia’s debut EP is available here: https://wmnz.lnk.to/TheiaEPPR

Directed and designed by Mardo El-Noor (Fish ’n’ Clips), the video for ‘Treat You’ sees Theia wearing outfits made by award-winning local fashion design graduate Tess Norquay. The pieces were part of a collection which featured in Italian Vogue.

Theia will perform on her first headline tour of NZ next week with shows in Auckland (July 6), Wellington (July 7) and Christchurch (July 8).

Tickets available here

PARABOLA WEST 'DISAPPEAR'

Parabola West releases her new single “Disappear” today along with some beautifully abstract visual accompaniment. 

“The song is the story of walking with someone through addiction, through the ups and the downs. It’s a complicated journey for everyone involved,” reveals West.

“Disappear” is the first release since West's 2015 single “Fire,” and both tracks will feature on her upcoming 7-song EP in September.

KNIGHTS OF THE DUB TABLE - WARM UP YOUR WINTER SHOWS

Its that time of year when the toe socks are frequent, the fire is cranking and good music always goes down a treat to keep the body moving and toasty warm.  The annual 'Warm Up Your Winter' shows goes down next month with Knights of the Dub Table (Kris Bryant) hitting 3 towns over a weekend!

• Malbas Nelson Thu 13 July - The infamous nightclub will turn into Dub Haven with lots of Bass and horns
• Wunderbar Lyttleton (Chch) Fri 14 July - Its a wonderful wee journey to bring this show to Christchurch, we've missed you all
• Mint Bar Wanaka Sat 15th July - Playing in one of the coldest spots among the mountains the Knights are definitely going to hot up this crowd

Playing all the favourites and a treat into the new Unity EP tracks soon to be released.
The Dubtable is ready for a roadtrip, are you?

Tickets on sale now at eventfinda.co.nz
For more info visit www.knightsofthedubtable.com

BALU BRIGADA 'COULD YOU NOT'

Balu Brigada (Rodney Fisher) have today released the video for their latest single ‘Could You Not’.
 
The four-piece has been whipping up a storm since bursting onto the Kiwi music scene in 2016 with their first two singles, the catchy-as-hell ‘Weekend’ and the high-energy ‘Ricochet’. Made up of three brothers (Henry, Pierre and Charles Beasley) and a bestie (Guy Harrison), they’ve won over audiences with their unique blend of alt-rock, hip-hop and compelling pop hooks.
 
Balu Brigada’s new single ‘Could You Not’, which has been part of their live set for some time now, tells the tale of two close friends who were “kind of seeing each other for a while”, says lead singer Henry.
 
“It was on the down-low for a few weeks and then it started to get a bit messy when she wasn’t totally honest with him. She ended up not-so-subtly telling me that she was more keen on seeing him as a friend, and he was in the room next door at the time, so I was very literally like: ‘Yo, Could You Not Speak So Loud’.”
 
Directed by Garth Badger from Thievery Studio, the video for ‘Could You Not’ features some iconic inner Auckland cityscapes and K Road’s lauded ‘155 Chinese Restaurant’. And in keeping with the sentiment of the song, it also provides a glimpse of ‘flat life’, with many scenes being shot in various flats across Auckland, including a house party in Henry’s garage.

CIARAN MCMEEKEN ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM AND TOUR

Ciaran McMeeken (Tony Cowper) is proud to announce a nationwide tour in support of the release of his self titled debut album set for release on August 4th.
 
With four dates around New Zealand, the tour will showcase hit tracks from his new album as well as fan favourites from his previous EPs.  A collection of 12 tracks, Ciaran’s debut album was recorded at Roundhead studios with a live band – the same band who will be sharing the stage and promise to bring a full-bodied experience for Ciaran’s first headlining tour.  With songs such as ‘City’ and ‘Which Way Shall We Go’ gracing New Zealand radio airwaves over summer, fans should bring their best voices for a lively singalong or two.
 
Diverging from Ciaran’s classic singer-songwriter sound, this debut release is genuinely genre-spanning, with songs that infuse the sounds of rock, blues, swing, soul, and jazz, all settled by his warm inviting vocals.
 
The live dates will no doubt be highly anticipated for fans throughout the country, and follow a sell-out show at Auckland’s Portland Public House to celebrate the release of his latest single That Feeling.
 
Last touring as opening act on the Avalanche City and Ronan Keating tours in 2016, this run of shows will mark the first chance for Wellington fans to see a full length set from the singer-songwriter, and will be a welcome return to his hometown of Dunedin where his last live show was May 2015.
 
Tickets are on sale now via Eventfinda for Dunedin, Queenstown and Wellington. Auckland tickets are available via Ticketmaster. More details on the album to come! 
 

CIARAN MCMEEKEN 
DEBUT ALBUM OUT AUGUST 4

CIARAN MCMEEKEN DEBUT ALBUM RELEASE TOUR
 

AUGUST         
Friday4           Dunedin           with Tom Maxwell         The Savoy         Tickets – Eventfinda

Saturday 5        Queenstown     with Tom Maxwell         Sherwood          Tickets – Eventfinda

Sunday 6          Wellington        with Graeme James      Meow                Tickets – Eventfinda
 
Thursday 10     Auckland          with Alae                      Tuning Fork        Tickets – Ticketmaster

I AM GIANT RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘PLAYING WITH FIRE’

I Am Giant (Teresa Patterson) are back with the second single ‘Playing With Fire’ from their highly anticipated third studio album.

With support from NZ on Air, the song was recorded between New Zealand, Germany and the UK, produced and engineered by band members Paul Matthews and Shelton Woolright, mixed and mastered in Berlin.

Paul Matthews explains that ‘‘Playing With Fire’ is‘Just saying fuck it and not worrying about what others think of how you choose to live your one and only life’.

The accompanying video, due for release in a couple of weeks,  was shot by Adam Jones at Homegrown Festival earlier this year. ‘Playing live is our passion, and for years we have toured non-stop around the world. But nothing really compares to the Homegrown Festival crowd. We wanted to capture that with this video and thank all our NZ fans, especially the I Am Giant Army, for their constant support’ says Shelton Woolright. 

I Am Giant returned after a two year hiatus with the explosive first single ‘Dead Flower’ that reached No 2 on the Spotify NZ Viral Top 50, No 2 on the NZ Heatseakers Chart, playlisted on a range of international Spotify Rock playlists including Rock Out, Rock This and Spotify Italy Novita Stadium Rock, as well as airplay on The Rock and Bayrock. 

New single ‘Playing With Fire’ out now on all digital platforms including Spotify and Apple Music/Itunes.   I Am Giant’s studio album third is due out late 2017.

TALI HAS A ‘POWERFUL’ MESSAGE FOR NEW ZEALAND AND WOMEN'S REFUGE

Well known Auckland based singer/ songwriter and MC - Taliwill this week release a new single to draw attention to the objectification of women and raise money for domestic violence charity Women’s Refuge.

Tali, who has an extensive career in the international electronic music scene spanning decades, hopes that the messages can motivate some social change and get New Zealanders to think about the impact of objectification and shaming women.

“As a feminist and someone who’s always trying to rise up and encourage and inspire women in this male dominated industry I work in – I’m sick of seeing our country view women as mere objects of sexuality, or subjects on which to lay hate or blame. I feel because of the message of this track, its contemporary vibe and the music video we are shooting, that it will connect with many different people and hopefully be shared many times over,” says Tali.

The track (produced by UK artistsMelinki and Verva) has a music video to accompany it featuring Tali, female dance crew 'Street Candee' and women from many different backgrounds- including deputy Labour leader Jacinda Ardern- looking defiantly into the camera. The song also features Melodownz; His rap describing how men must support and raise up the women around them. VICE Magazine will be premiering the video on Friday the 23rd.

Tali, Melinki and Verva will be donating their proceeds of this track to Women's Refuge New Zealand.

“I don't feel there is any point in singing about such a message without trying to do something for those who are at the heart of the subject" Saya Tali. "Violence and abuse against women is a huge problem in New Zealand so hopefully I can not only raise awareness, but also money to help the thousands of women, and their children, experiencing violence.”

Women’s Refuge Principal Adviser Ruth MacIntyre-Bardell says, “This sort of messaging is crucial to stopping violence against women. Everyone knows that punching and hitting is harmful; but equally damaging, is the way we talk about and objectify women, and Tali does an incredible job of illustrating this issue, as well as raising the much needed funds to support the 40,000 women and children that need our help every year.”

MODERN MĀORI QUARTET RELEASE TWO NEW SONGS FOR MATARIKI

After their Australian premiere at the Queensland Cabaret Festival 2017 and performances in Yeppoon, Queensland the good looking, suave and multi-talented quartet return home to release not one but two singles from their forthcoming debut album,
That’s Us!

Māreikura, released 23rd June is a waiata in Te Reo Māori featuring the stunning vocals of Awhimai Fraser and is an ode to all women globally.  Māreikura in Māori literally refers to the supreme Goddesses of the Twelfth Heaven. The band explain their choice in releasing this single in celebration of Matariki, "As  young men who have all been raised by strong women, we wrote this waiata to acknowledge women as the pillars that provide the foundation of our world.  Women are the doorway to life, the heartbeat of Māori culture and the first voice heard on the Marae".

The next single, Kai Song, to be released 30th June, is in typical Modern Māori Quartet fashion, charming and funny. The song celebrates one of the many things the bros love about their Māori culture;  sharing kai with their whānau! In Māori, those special people that prepare the food are called Ringawera. It is only with their hard work in the back that everything in the front can go smoothly: Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.

Matu, Francis, Maaka, Matariki and James say, "We feel blessed to have amazing ringawera in our MMQ whānau, keeping us fed both in body and sprit so it was only natural for us to write this delicious and hearty song to say thank you and we want to gift this song freely in that spirit of thanks."

Kai Song can be downloaded for FREE
from Friday June 30th
from the band's offical website
www.modernmaoriquartet.nz