ARO 'ARO EP'

Aro (Emily Looker) are an amalgamation of stories in song expressing the people, the culture and the land of Aotearoa. Love defines this couple, and their musicianship is their signature.

The pair met studying music at Auckland University in 2014, and two years later the Lookers were married and Aro was born. Before getting hitched, reggae and blues was Charles' rocking chair, jazz and pop was Emily's coffee cup, and now the mix feels like a rocking coffee kick; sometimes mellow, often cheeky, but always a treat!

On July 28th 2017 , they released their debut ‘Aro EP’ , a four track album with “lots of playful aroha from this bicultural pairing of talented musicians”. The release party was held in their very own ‘Looker Nook’ courtyard for family, friends and neighbours. An intimate and dreamy afternoon. The EP was home-recorded, then mastered with Vivek at Gabriel Audio in his homely Mt Roskill Studio. A very DIY style piece of work down to the EP cases which were entirely hand crafted; folded, spray painted and stamped, in the Looker garage.

“Aro are a warm, fun and talented husband/wife duo who have something positive to say through their music, and who value creating an inviting environment for their listeners”. Over the past year the couple have played at Festival One, been part of two national ‘TearFund’ tours, two national tours with ‘Hope Street’, and at numerous intimate venues around the North Island to their growing fan base.

Heading into full time music at the end of 2017, the Lookers are taking off on a national tour of garden and living room gigs, campground pop-up shows and some of their favourite spots such as ‘The Refinery’ in Paeroa, and ‘The Bunker’ and ‘Portland Public House’ in Auckland. Up until then, this Auckland-based combo have gigs booked most weekends and are working on their Manu album, an album inspired by the native birds of New Zealand. The idea for this came one night when they were writing on Maungawhau (Mt Eden) and a tui call inspired the melody of a song for them.

“My favourite thing about music is the space it can create. When I lived in Berlin I fell in love with busking, simply because the stage was taken away and it was just human to human. I shared my songs, my stories, and often people would share with me a bit of theirs. Music is such a powerful tool to connect people, when we’re all in an environment listening and breathing and being together. I have to do this full time because it’s SO on my heart to do, and i’m so glad I have someone who’s on the same buzz as me to partner with - to drop it all and go!” - Emily

Charles is M ā ori and has a huge heart for his people, with dreams to work alongside NZ youth, using music as the tool to connect. The pair have a heart for community, for storytelling and for connecting with people. Before taking their sounds abroad, Aro have decided to make Aotearoa their starting point. 

They are now planning their summer tour- starting with a campground tour around Aotearoa over summer as well as booking venues local to each campground we're playing at! Dates soon to be released on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aromusicao/

ALAE RELEASE BRAND NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO ‘FROM 1 TO 3’ ON THE EVE OF NZ TOUR

Folk inspired outfit Alae (Mikee Carpinter) release their sublime new single and music video for ‘From 1 to 3’ today, which was launched this morning.

‘From 1 to 3’ perfectly captures the feeling of spring that’s looming just around the corner and demonstrates yet again the heartfelt evolution of a band on the rise. Written during the few months that vocalist Alex Farrell-Davey spent living in Melbourne, the song is equal parts dark and light. Alex states, ‘At the time of writing, lyrically the tone of the piece was a mopey kind of cynical, but over the years the song and it’s theme have evolved entirely. The chorus listens to the first verse and it’s cynicism and responds with a more positive idea.’

Long time visual collaborator, Director Mikee Carpinter has again worked with the band to create a moodier visual pallate for the single, utilizing silhouettes, heavy block colours and projections of the bands single release artwork to add gravitas to the track. The self funded video is also the first time viewers will get a glimpse of the new band lineup, with drummer Jayden Lee joining Alex Farrell-Davey and Allister Meffan as a full time member of the group.

Following on from acclaimed single ‘Things Change’, ‘From 1 to 3’ is the first release from their upcoming debut album, and is delivered on the eve of their 6 date nationwide tour which is due to kick off in Christchurch on 18 August. Alae then continue across the ditch for 3 dates in Australia where audiences are being seduced for a second time by Alae’s emotive live sound.

18 August Orange Studio | Christchurch | NZ 19 August Rhythm & Brown | Nelson | NZ

24 August
25 August
26 August
2 September 6 September 7 September 10 September

Caroline | Wellington | NZ
MUSA Lounge | Palmerston North | NZ Totara Street | Mount Maunganui | NZ

Golden Dawn | Auckland | NZ

Greaser Bar | Brisbane | QLD Sonny’s House Of Blues | Brisbane | QLD The Grace Darling | Melbourne | VIC

Tickets to the NZ shows are available now through undertheradar.co.nz and cosmicticketing.co.nz (Christchurch only).

‘From 1 to 3’ is available now through Spotify, iTunes and wherever good music is sold. 

PARABOLA WEST 'PURITY OF WEAKNESS'

Parabola West is to release her new EP, Purity of Weakness, on 8th September - an upcoming 7-song EP from this emerging artist, showcasing her unique blend of ethereal soundscapes and well-crafted songwriting.

Parabola West has carved out a sound of her own with the upcoming 7-track EP.  The official release event will be held at Galatos on September 8th, and will include a live performance of the EP along with accompanying visual art.

Purity of Weakness features the breakout single, 'Fire', as well as her latest singles,  'Disappear' and 'Do you want to know?'. West’s piano-driven singer-songwriter bones combine with an ethereal and electronic edge to create something truly unique.  

Originally from East Coast America, Parabola West began writing songs as a teenager.  She moved to New Zealand in 2003 and after a 10 year "corporate world" break from music, she returned to her musical roots and launched her solo career as Parabola West in 2013. Her debut EP Did You Hear? was released in March 2014 to great reviews.  The much anticipated follow-up was her hit single 'Fire' in October 2015, which received a $10,000 recording and video grant from NZonAir.

With the help of fans who supported her successful 2016 INDIEGOGO crowd funding campaign Parabola West was able to record Purity of Weakness earlier this year and will release the EP on 8th September, 2017.

And as for the name? The self-confessed “math and science nerd” says that she experiences music as “a combination of emotion, science, and math – a mixture of precise structure and imperfect elements.”

“One day, whilst researching how to build my own parabolic solar heater, I became incredibly interested in the way a parabolic curve focuses light onto a fixed point. It reminded me of the way I focus my emotions and experiences into music... and the name Parabola was born.”

GRAEME JAMES – THE DIFFERENCE

Graeme James (Zoe Crehan) has released the video for his stunning new single The Difference
 
Featuring vintage footage from the 1920’s and 30’s, this video captures the classic feel of Graeme’s unique brand of atmospheric folk while transporting us to a bygone era.
 
Death defying stunts, delightful animals, and all manner of showmanship feature in these gorgeous black and whiteclips, showing that while the world has become a very different place since the advent of cinema, the things people love to capture on camera has remained remarkably unchanged.
 
The new track, with its passionate lyrics, restless electric guitars, punchy mandolin, and a driving rhythm section, signals the start of a new phase in Graeme’s career, as his first release since signing to indie record label Nettwerk in May. 
 
Released on July 7, The Difference follows on the success of his debut album of original songs, News From Nowhere, which was a finalist in the 2017 Vodafone Music Awards for NZ Folk Album of the Year.

KNIGHTS OF THE DUB TABLE UNITY TOUR AUSTRALIA 2017

Electro Dub shakers Knights of the Dub Table (Kris Bryant) are on the cusp of releasing their anticipated new EP ‘Unity’, today have announced they’ll be bringing it around Australia on their first headlining tour ever across the ditch, kicking this off September 2017.

Following their annual Warm Up Your Winter tour, Knights of the Dub Table will embark on a nation-wide run of dates starting in Melbourne including stops in Rye, Perth, Margaret River, Maroochydore, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with a Sydney show to be announced at a later date.

Joining the Knights in Melbourne will be the distinctive talent of Rachel By The Stream and Hiphop Femcee Emerald playing at both venues, Ding Dong Lounge and Baha Music Bar Rye.
Perth stages will be shared with the very cruisey sound of, Qld – Maroochydore, Brisbane and the Goldcoast will feature the exciting and hippytrippy Hemingway!

Knights of the Dub Table will release their next single and video ‘Get Your Walk On’ before they commence their tour, following the success of their single ‘Let You Know’.
 

For all tour dates and ticketing visit Natural Touring

Sat 30 Sept - Ding Dong Lounge MELBOURNE

Sun 1st Oct - Baha Music Bar RYE

Fri 6th Oct - Indi Bar PERTH

Sat 7th Oct - Settlers Tavern PERTH

Mon 9th Oct - Beach Hotel BYRON BAY

Fri 14 Oct - SolBar MAROOCHYDORE

Sat 15th Oct - Backroom Chardons Corner BRISBANE

Sun 16th Oct - Mo's Desert Clubhouse GOLD COAST

DEVILSKIN ANNOUNCE SUMO CYCO AS SUPPORT ACT FOR NZ TOUR

Canadian hard rock band SUMO CYCO have been invited out to NZ to support DEVILSKIN (James Southgate) on their October Tour.

SUMO CYCO is a four-piece, female fronted, hard rock band from Hamilton, Ontario. SUMO CYCO fuse hard rock guitar riffs with in your face blast beats and dance hall rhythms, topped by electric female vocals.

DEVILSKIN and SUMO CYCO co-headlined a tour in the UK earlier this year. DEVILSKIN thought the band kicked ass with their live performance and so they wanted to get them out here to share with their NZ fans. 

"Well this just gets better and better!" DEVILSKIN bassist Paul Martin enthuses "we are really happy to announce our good buddies from Sumo Cyco will be travelling from Canada to join us on our NZ tour. These guys put on such a powerful, high energy, fun show every night and their infectious songs and party atmosphere will blow the good people of New Zealand away. We have picked some killer Kiwi acts to share the bill as well so this tour is now officially one big party on wheels!! We are so amped for this. Make sure you join us!"

SUMO CYCO comment "Sumo Cyco are thrilled to announce we will be joining our friends Devilskin on tour in their home country of New Zealand! Get ready for the madness to begin!"
"After an awesomely successful tour in the UK with Devilskin, we couldn't be more excited to experience New Zealand the passionate fans and rocking with a band that knows it best! We can't wait to see you at a show!"

Also joining Devilskin and Sumo Cyco will be some great NZ talent; opening in Invercargill will be EMPIRE who put on one hell of a performance, in Christchurch SETTING FIRE TO STACEY, Wellington CURLYS JEWELS, Mt Maunganui CORIDIAN and Hamilton and Auckland will see HIS MASTERS VOICE playing their brand of the Devil’s Blues.

Tickets are selling fast so don’t delay!

Devilskin NZ tour visits:
5th October Tillermans, Invercargill  
6th October Uni Union Hall, Dunedin  
7th October The Bedford, Christchurch
13th October San Fran, Wellington
14th October Altitude, Hamilton
20th October Bay Park Stadium, Mt Maunganui
21th October Powerstation, Auckland
Tickets on sale now through Eventfinda www.eventfinda.co.nz for all events excluding the Powerstation gig which are available from AAA ticketing www.aaa.ticketing.co.nz

SOL3 MIO ANNOUNCE CHRISTMAS SUMMER TOUR

Sol3 Mio (Scott Maclachlan) are delighted to announce that they are extending their traditional end of year concert season, with an eight-date tour in December 2017 and January 2018, celebrating Christmas and the beloved kiwi summer.
 
In the first section of the tour, Pene, Amitai and Moses will bring their annual pre-Christmas festivities to Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, as well as a stop in Havelock North. The boys will perform their signature mix of opera arias, traditional songs, a selection of hits from their albums, and everyone’s favourite Christmas carols in stunning outdoor venues.  Christmas On The Harbour will return to Wellington’s Waitangi Park. The Christchurch show will move to the heart of the city, with Hagley Park hosting Christmas In The City for the first time. They will be followed by two Christmas In The Vines shows, the first at Black Barn Vineyard in Havelock North, and the second just two days before Christmas Day at the venue that kicked off the annual tradition in 2014 - Auckland’s Villa Maria.
 
After a short break celebrating Christmas with their families, Sol3 Mio will join the rest of the country; throw on their shorts and jandals, and head to the beaches and holiday hotspots. The Summer Series will showcase the hits along with a hot summer’s worth of material and will stop in four more glorious venues: The Queenstown Events Centre, Kainui Road Vineyard in Kerikeri; Williamson Park in Whangamata; and Wharepai Domain in Tauranga.
 
Promising the unique, iconic and musically top shelf live show that has seen them pack in the crowds across their five year career, Sol3 Mio can’t wait to get back on stage in front of their home fans, in the warmth of a kiwi summer.
 
Moses MacKay says of the Christmas/Summer tour; “Playing these annual summer shows is the highlight of our year, and each year it gets better and better.  This will be our biggest summer run yet and to commemorate that we’re going to have a very special new surprise for everyone. Stay tuned for an announcement very soon!”
 
This tour will mark the first performances in 2017/18 for the trio, who have spent the majority of the last two years furthering their individual opera careers - with stunning success. Tenor brothers Pene and Amitai Pati have been in the United States performing as Adler Fellows at the world renowned San Francisco Opera, while their Baritone cousin Moses Mackay worked on a variety of projects at home, including taking a lead role in Carmen as part of Napier’s Festival of Opera.

The Sol3 Mio Christmas/Summer tour welcomes fans of all ages and families are encouraged to attend. 
 
For Havelock North, Kerikeri, Whangamata and Tauranga, one child under 12 will be admitted free with a full paying adult.
 
For Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland, one child under 12 will be admitted free with a full paying adult in the General Admission Field section.  All patrons must hold a ticket for the General Admission Seated section,
 
All patrons must hold a ticket for Queenstown, as this is a reserved seated venue.
 
Tickets go on sale Monday 21st August at midday
  

Civic Events presents Sol3 Mio - Summer Series

 Christmas On The Harbour – Wellington
Thu 14 Dec     Waitangi Park                          
 
Christmas In The City – Christchurch
Sat 16 Dec      Hagley Park Entertainment Triangle    
 
Christmas In The Vines – Havelock North
Thu 21 Dec     Black Barn Vineyards
 
Christmas In The Vines – Auckland
Sat 23 Dec      Villa Maria Winery
 
Summer In The South – Queenstown
Thu 28 Dec     Queenstown Events Centre
 
Summer In The Vines – Kerikeri
Sat 30 Dec      Kainui Road Vineyard
 
Summer At The Beach – Whangamata
Thu 4 Jan        Williamson Park
 
Summer In The City – Tauranga
Sat 6 Jan         Wharepai Domain

SOUNDSPLASH RELEASES FIRST LINEUP FOR 2018 FESTIVAL

Following last year’s sold out event; Soundsplash once again brings the heat, announcing an epic first lineup of international and local talent for the three-day January festival. 

Leading the charge are Shapeshifter, bringing their legendary party-rocking skills to headline the main stage. Joining them will be Perth duo Slumberjack, returning to New Zealand off the back of sold-out shows to deliver another dose of bass-heavy club anthems. Melbourne’s DUB FX will unleash his wicked one man sound system, while Katchafire bring the Aotearoa reggae niceness. Soundsplash favourites Ocean Alley also return to play their only all-ages show in the country this summer. 

Fresh from shows across the UK , Europe and the US, Pierce Brothers are set to make their Soundsplash debut, as will Poland’s Dreadsquad, promising the best in riddim and bassline madness. Now based in Jamaica, Australia’s Nattali Rize makes a welcome return with new band in tow, and Raglan locals Cornerstone Roots will once again continue their fine tradition of blazing Soundsplash performances.

Melbourne’s Fortunes. will be dropping a hit of fresh R&B, while Bailey Wiley and TEEKS will serve up some of Aotearoa’s finest neo and old-school soul. Tunes Of I will be holding it down roots reggae style, and hip hop will be represented by Stoneyhunga’s finest, SWIDT, and rising queen JessB. Alien Weaponry are sure to get the mosh cranking with their unique brand of thrash metal, much of it delivered in Te Reo. 

Guaranteed to keep you dancing are Aroha & Tali and Jamin-I, while Sunshine Sound Systemreturn for what will doubtless be another killer set.

Located at Raglan’s Wainui Reserve with stunning coastal views, on-site camping, beach access and a great all-ages environment, Soundsplash is the must-do summer festival of 2018.  

With earlybird tickets already sold out, advance tickets are on sale from eventfinda.co.nz as well as Camping and Parking passes. 

Stay tuned for further line-up announcements, and head to soundsplash.co.nz to learn more.

Soundsplash Festival

January 19, 20, 21

Wainui Reserve, Raglan

Tickets on sale now from eventfinda.co.nz