JULIA DEANS RETURNS WITH POWERFUL NEW SINGLE WALKING IN THE SUN

With her first solo release since her acclaimed 2010 album Modern Fables, Julia Deans is delighted to announce her brand-new single Walking in the Sun - available October 13th! 
 
Julia Deans continues to surprise and enchant with her wonderfully versatile voice in Walking in the Sun, a track full of sharp observations about generational roles and behaviours that serve only to restrict people, and especially women. Written from a place of frustration at these stifling traditions, Julia has penned a social commentary in the track - a challenge to reassess how we treat each other.
 
“The song is really saying, ‘Think of all the amazing things we could be doing if we stopped holding each other down’.  It’s mind-boggling that the world seems to be going so far backwards at the moment.”
 
Having gathered many fans with her heartfelt songs over the past 25 years, Julia has captivated everyone with her transition from iconic rock chick as front-person for the beloved Fur Patrol (who have just begun to release their catalogue digitally for a new generation of fans to discover) to glorious songbird.

She is a commanding and impressive solo artist, having earned herself a Taite Prize nomination for her first solo album Modern Fables, and an APRA Silver Scroll finalist spot for the single, A New Dialogue, alongside glowing reviews. Since then, Julia has kept herself busy in a variety of musical projects – working with the likes of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, The Adults, Tiki Taane, and SJD, as well as performing in Jesus Christ Superstar, Play On, and a variety of art festival shows paying tribute to the likes of Jacques Brel, Joni Mitchell, and Billie Holiday.
 
Walking in the Sun will be released on October 13th and is the first single from Julia Dean’s exciting sophomore album We Light Fire.  More details to come.

MERRIN '1'

It’s been a crazy year for 5 piece Wellington Rock band Merrin (Heather Wood) from Wellington, NZ. After releasing 2 hot singles, a tour throughout some of NZ’s beautiful landscape and finding time to write new content, Merrin decided it was time to hit the studio to track their 8 song album, simply titled “1”.  

 “Rock’n’Roll, true story! We were kind of dared to do it and always up for a challenge. So with only 3 months it seemed crazy, but we did it and had a blast!. We wanted to achieve a sound that was unique to us, something that had a true creative spark that could lure your mind away from the mundane for half an hour and leave you wanting more. We think we’ve done this and we can’t wait to share it with you all. We know the title has been used before, we don’t mind. It felt right because we feel a true sense of unity and alignment, as a band.” says Charlie Phillips (Female vocalist).   

Merrin are excited to be performing our album release at Valhalla (Wellington) this Saturday, 23rd of September.  

 Album “1” was physically released to CD 15th of September 2017 and will be available online 01 October 2017

CHAINSMOKERS ANNOUNCE CHORES AND LDRU FOR AUCKLAND SHOW SUPPORTS

Chores (Nicole Thomas and Paula Yeoman) and LDRU have been announced as the support acts for the Chainsmokers only New Zealand gig at Spark Arena in Auckland, on Tuesday October 24th. 
 
Hailing from Sydney’s sunny Northern Beaches, LDRU has not stopped since releasing his first single in 2013 which caught the attention of Skrillex, A-Track, Diplo and What So Not.  Since then he has released official remixes for Flume, Lorde, Jack Ü and Miami Horror and has been tearing up stages across major Australian festivals including Splendour In The Grass, Stereosonic, Field Day, Listen Out, Southbound and Falls. In 2016 his double platinum single "Keeping Score’ reached 12 million Spotify streams, received 3 ARIA nominations and was the highest selling Australian single for that year!
 
Fresh off their win for ‘Best Breakthrough Act’ at George FM’s‘The Georgies’, Auckland electronic duo Chores have been wowing crowds at some of NZ’s biggest festivals including Rhythm & Vines, Northern Bass, Bay Dreams, Deep, Hard N Funky, and with key supports for artists like A-Trak, Dusky, Peking Duk, Cut Snake &  Touch Sensitive. 
 
Both bands will be joining Grammy Award-winning and multi platinum selling global sensation THE CHAINSMOKERS, who are bringing their massive sound and spectacular all ages show to Auckland’s Spark Arena on Tuesday October 24 for one night only.
 

LiveNation and CRS Music present
CHAINSMOKERS ‘DO NOT OPEN’ TOUR
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND
TUESDAY OCTOBER 24
 
For complete tour and ticket information, visit:
 www.thechainsmokers.com & www.livenation.co.nz

ARO 'A HYMN OF FAITH'

Aro (Charles and 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.

Charles and Emily met studying music at Auckland University in 2014, and two years later they were married, becoming the ‘Lookers’ and their musical duo, Aro, was born. The pair have both been writing music for several years. Emily,  formerly miss Rice, released her single ‘Moab’ along with her debut EP ‘Find me Here’ in 2015, and followed this release with her Psalm influenced EP ‘A Little Salt’ written and recorded in Berlin.  She was also half of the duo ‘We Stole the Sun’ with Sam Burrows (Fends). Charles has also written numerous songs, some based on Psalms, and often songs that address social issues that he is incredibly passionate about.

The pair are about to release their single ‘A Hymn of Faith’, a song inspired by Habakkuk 3:17-19. The lyrics are simply taken straight from this verse, and they have paired them with an equally rich arrangement and instrumentation. The song takes the listener on a journey, going from a place of acknowledging the fact that it can be really difficult sometimes, but then comes the hope, which is found in the joy of The Lord -“Yet, I will rejoice in The Lord”.

The Lookers have recently released their debut Aro EP (28/07/2017) and are about to head into full time music at the end of 2017. A national summer tour is approaching and they will continue working on their next set of songs which will create the ‘Manu’ Album mid 2018.

This is their first single together, ‘A Hymn of Faith’.

FACEBOOK:facebook.com/aromusicao

BANDCAMP:aromusicao.bandcamp.com

EARTHFEATHER 'LEGACY'

Earth feather (Melissa TeKani), a New Zealand music artist releases her first single and Music Video ‘Legacy’.  Mentored by Maisey Rika, Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi, Laughton Kora and Tama Waipara. Earthfeather is a unique talent and on 20th September the release of ‘Legacy’ is the beginning of a solo EP to launch at the end of 2017. The EP will be available for purchase on iTunes, Spotify and Bandcamp.

Earthfeather is a raw talent; her distinct vocals delivering strong and direct messages of political mistrust encouraging the New Zealand public to think hard about the leadership of our country.  In the midst of a changing political landscape the timing could not be better. The single mixed by Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots) is an artistic blend of heavy percussion and electric guitar vibes reminiscent of the verberating sounds of the sixties and seventies classics.

In contemporary times, never, has a Māori musician created a sound that could change the propulsion of the music scene.  A voice like no other and artistic experimentation; bring you a single that changes you from the inside out.  Get your copy of ‘Legacy’ now on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon music, Google Play, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Tidal and Napster.

KENDALL ELISE - 'I DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE'

I Didn't Stand A Chance is the title track from Kendall Elise's debut EP released in March this year, and the follow up to Heart Full Of Dirt - one of three finalists in this years APRA Best Country Music Song at the Country Music Awards in June 2017.

The video was shot at the beautifully haunting Karangahake Gorge on the Coromandel Peninsula in an old railway tunnel, and edited by Tony McKay.

..I walked from the greenery into the tunnel it was so beautiful and eerie... Water quietly tricking through grooves that had worn out over time, every little sound reverberating right throughout. I started whistling the melody from I Didn't Stand A Chance and it filled the whole tunnel. It felt perfect for the mood of the song.' - Kendall Elise

 Kendall Elise - I Didn't Stand A Chance Tour

Thurs 7th Sept, video / single release - The Golden Dawn Tavern of Power
Fri 6th Oct, The Refinery - Paeroa
Sat 7th Oct, The Incubator - Tauranga
Thurs 12th Oct, The Common Room - Hastings
Fri 13th Oct, Raglan Old School Arts Centre - Raglan
Sat 21st Oct, Freida Margolis - Auckland
Thurs 26th Oct, Purple Rain - Dunedin
Fri 27th Oct, Sherwood - Queenstown
Sat 28th Oct, Space Academy - Christchurch

Buy tix from Under The Radar

GREG JOHNSON & MEL PARSONS - TOGETHER IN CONCERT

11 New Zealand shows this November!

Greg Johnson and Mel Parsons – a dream New Zealand tour of songs and swagger takes place over 9th - 26th November with 11 dates from north to south!

Plus1 is delighted to present Mel and Greg alongside their super-talented, hybrid band featuring: Ted Brown, Josh Logan and Jed Parsons.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster (Auckland and Devonport shows) and Eventfinda for all other shows.

For Mel, 2017 has been a busy year of touring New Zealand, Australia, and Europe in support of her highly acclaimed third album Drylands. She’s looking forward to wrapping up the year with this national tour - her first with Greg.

“We’re going to have great fun with each other's songs. Touring around some of my favourite NZ venues on the cusp of summer with Greg and a great band – bring it on!”

“I met Mel when she opened for me in Queenstown in 2011," says California-based Greg. "She impressed me a lot as a wonderful songwriter and since then she’s gone from strength to strength building an audience all around the world.

“I’m sure my crowd and her's will cross over a fair bit, while the uninitiated are in for a great night of discovery”.

Greg’s forthcoming EP Low Frequency Word will be released ahead of the tour, and will be available on CD at all shows.

Expect plenty of songwriting gems from the pair responsible for the likes of 'Save Yourself', 'Isabelle', 'Far Away', 'Don’t Wait Another Day', 'Get Out Alive', 'Now The Sun Is Out', and many more!

See full tour details at: plus1.co.nz, melparsons.com & gregjohnsonmusic.com

LOUIS BAKER RELEASES LIVE VIDEO OF 'GAVE IT ALL AWAY'

New Zealand’s most soulful heartbreaker Louis Baker is making a return to Australia next week.  In the lead up to his Melbourne and Sydney shows, Baker has shared a little glimpse into his band’s captivating performance dynamic with a live video for his single ‘Gave It All Away’, as well as revealing some killer Australian talent Allysha Joy and Ella Haber who will be opening for him.

 
After teaming up with Fat Freddy’s Drop member Mu for an electronic remix of the track that would go on to make Red Bull Music’s 20 before 17 list, ‘Gave It All Away’ accumulated some serious nods both at home and abroad, cementing Baker’s place at the forefront of New Zealand’s soul scene and accumulating some 8.5 million collective Spotify streams from fans across the world.

Now, avid fans and future punters alike can revel in the exquisite ache of a Louis Baker live show with this excellent teaser video of ‘Gave It All Away’. Recorded and filmed at the The Sound Department at Park Road Post Production in Wellington and shot by young filmmaker Caleb Corlett, it captures Louis Baker’s emotive delivery and his band’s natural energy that draws you in and holds you there.

Having graced stages across the globe including Field Days, Sziget Festival, Sonar Festival, Berlin Festival, The Great Escape, and here in Australia at Splendor In The Grass, Louis Baker will play two headline shows with supports by Melbourne jazz-soul singer and 30/70 collective member Allysha Joy in her hometown, and fresh up-and-comer who draws heavy Amy Winehouse comparisons, Ella Haber in Sydney.

 
Louis Baker Australian Tour Dates

Melbourne
The Grace Darling Hotel
Wednesday 20 September
Support: Allysha Joy (30/70)
Tickets on sale now via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/louis-baker-nz-tickets-36580710891
 
Sydney
Oxford Art Factory, Gallery Bar
Thursday 21 September
Support: Ella Haber
Tickets on sale now via http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/louis-baker/97533
 
Tickets from www.louisbaker.co.nz