NZ's MOST TALENTED MUSICIANS RECOGNISED AT THE 2017 VNZMAS

Lorde continues her reign on top of New Zealand music by claiming six Tuis at tonight’s 52nd Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards at Spark Arena in Auckland.

The 21-year-old, who performed her hit ‘Green Light’ during the show, claimed the Godfrey Hirst Album of the Year for her second album Melodrama, Vodafone Single of the Year for ‘Green Light’, Three Best Solo Artist, and The Edge Best Pop Artist. Her global success was also recognised with the International Achievement Award – a record extending fourth time she has won this award.

Lorde also won the coveted Vodafone People’s Choice Award, with the New Zealand public voting for her as their favourite artist from the past year.

With tonight’s haul, Lorde now has 18 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards to add to her brimming trophy cabinet which already includes two Grammys.

After bursting onto the New Zealand hip hop scene with SmokeyGotBeatz presents: SWIDT vs Everybody, SWIDT were finalists at the Awards last year.

This year, the Onehunga-based hip hop crew have been making bigger waves with the release of its debut album Stoneyhunga. Packed with humour, throwbacks and a personalised tour into what it was like growing up in Onehunga, SWIDT’s personality is what has seen them take home two Tuis tonight for Best Group and Best Hip Hop Artist.

New Zealand’s rising star Aldous Harding claimed Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Alternative Artist, following the release of her 2017 album Party and subsequent local and international touring.

She is currently performing in the United Kingdom before heading home for four shows at the end of November in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

All eyes were on Sharon O’Neill tonight as she received the Legacy Award and was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. The celebration was emphasised by a stunning rendition of her hit song ‘Maxine’ by eight-time Tui winners Stellar*.

Alongside Lorde, songwriter and lead vocalist of Te Vaka, Opetaia Foa’i, was recognised with an International Achievement Award for his work on the soundtrack for Disney’s smash hit film Moana.

His music on the soundtrack was led by the single ‘We Know The Way’ and he contributed significantly to all the music within the film. Earlier this year, Opetaia was also presented with the Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement at the Pacific Music Awards.

Devilskin has been recognised as New Zealand’s Best Rock Artist for 2017. The band’s high energy performance of ‘Pray’ rocked Spark Arena at tonight’s ceremony.

The band’s 2016 album Be Like The River reached #1 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart and has received critical acclaim both in New Zealand and abroad.

Teeks (Ngāpuhi, Ngāiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui) has been awarded the Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist. He is recognised for his debut release The Grapefruit Skies EP which is filled with his soulful style and reached #10 on the Official NZ Top 40 Albums Chart.

Last year’s summer smash hit ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout It’ by Kiwi hip hop artist KINGS has been celebrated again, winning the Tui for both Vodafone Highest Selling Single and New Zealand On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year.

This year, The Koi Boys have achieved phenomenal success with their debut album Meant To Be. Released in October 2016, the album has skyrocketed to the top of the sales chart as 2017’s Highest Selling Album.

After releasing her debut album in 2008, Ladi6 has remained a strong staple of the Kiwi music scene. This year she has earned the top spot for Best Soul/RnB Artist following the release of her six-track EP Royal Blue 3000.

New Zealand electronic duo Truth have received the Tui for Best Electronic Artist, while reggae musician Israel Starr was named the Best Roots Artist after a strong year of touring his new album The Producers Chair Dancehall, Vol. 1.

Curate Music won Best Worship Artist for their work on the album These Eyes, while Best Classical Artist was awarded to the NZTrio after the release of their album Sway.

Recorded Music CEO Damian Vaughan said 2017 has been another phenomenal year for New Zealand music, with a number of notable achievements internationally and here in Aotearoa.

“The sheer calibre of Kiwi musicians at the moment is astounding, we’re particularly thrilled to see such strong female representation amongst the finalists and the winners. Across all genres and musical styles, the sound of Aotearoa continues to evolve to encompass our diverse communities and reflect our identity as a country.

“The great number of first time finalists this year is a great sign for the bright future of Kiwi music. Today we’re celebrating each Tui win, but we’re already looking forward to seeing what our talented musicians are planning next.”

The 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards were hosted by comedians Jono and Ben and featured performances by Lorde, SWIDT, Devilskin, TEEKS, Theia, Opetaia and Olivia Foa’i performing ‘We Know the Way’ from the Moana film and a special tribute by Stellar* for the 2017 Legacy Award recipient Sharon O’Neill.

ALAE SETS LOOSE BRAND NEW SINGLE ‘TOO STRUNG UP’

Auckland three-piece band Alae (Mikee Carpinter) deliver their most anthemic song yet with the release of their brand-new track, Too Strung Up which premiered yesterday with Rolling Stone Australia and releases everywhere today.

Showcasing the progression of the band’s sound with the recent addition of drummer Jayden Lee, the Jol Mulholland produced single delivers a rousing chorus which frames the troubles with complacent love. Vocalist Alex Farrell-Davey explains; “Too Strung Up is a song that looks at relationships that are hard to move on from, and the realization that love isn’t a feeling you share with any one special individual. The relationship provides a sense of comfortability and acceptance which can be found in many other things.”

Providing the visuals to the track is director, Mikee Carpinter. “The concept of this video was to create a beautifully captured performance of the band while giving the camera a unique feeling of rolling over and over throughout each shot.” Tapping straight into the kiwi number 8 wire mentality, the use of rollerskating cameramen to achieve the concept provided an unconventional solution to the shoot, eliminating many of the budget and time constraints normally associated with this type of camera effect.

The release of Too Strung Up follows on from the release of previous single From 1 to 3 and a successful New Zealand tour with sold out shows in Christchurch, Nelson and Auckland plus a trip across the ditch where they wooed Australian audiences and industry alike with a showcase at Brisbane’s prestigious Big Sound Festival and Conference. Spot plays on radio stations Triple J, Double J and 4ZZZ have further bolstered Alae’s infiltration into Australian ears. Sharing their sound both at home and abroad is a priority for the three piece who consist of Alex Farrell-Davey, Allister Meffan and Jayden Lee.

“As a kiwi band, getting to play gigs outside of New Zealand is not only a goal, but a real privilege”, states Alex. “To be able to share out music with those who otherwise wouldn’t hear it, and to experience playing in front of a crowd of completely unfamiliar faces who love what we have to offer feels pretty amazing.” Alae will be playing shows over Summer, joining Fly My Pretties and Julia Deans at the North West Wine, Food & Beer Festival on Saturday 10 th February. The band will also be heading into the studio in the new year to complete their debut album which is set to release in March 2018. ‘Too Strung Up’ is available now through Spotify, iTunes and wherever good music is sold. Tickets for the North West Wine, Beer and Food Festival 2018 are available through Eventfinda now

DEVILSKIN AWARDS AND HOT SUMMER TOUR DATES

Last night at the second annual Artisan Awards Clint Murphy won the Best Engineer Tui for Devilskin’s Be Like The River.  A fantastic achievement and recognition for his exemplary work on the album.

Devilskin comment “We are delighted that Clint has been recognised for his effort and expertise producing and engineering our album Be Like The River. We were blown away with the global praise the album received and for it now to be honored at home with Clint winning a Tui for Best Engineer is great news.”

DEVILSKIN are also nominated in two categories at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards (VNZMA) for Best Group and Best Rock Album and they will perform at the VNZMA’s held at Spark Arena 16th November.

DEVILSKIN are also thrilled to announce they will play three additional live shows this Summer; New Year’s Eve in New Plymouth, January 2 in Wellington and January 3 in Napier.

This announcement follows the hugely successful NZ TOUR 2017. Devilskin sold out 5 of 7 live shows in New Zealand towns this month.  The overwhelming reaction to Devilskin’s Live Shows has led the band to schedule some additional dates to support the towns they didn’t get to.

DEVILSKIN will play: 

31st Dec NYE                                     The Mayfair, New Plymouth

2nd January                                       Walter Nash Stadium, Hutt Valley Wellington

3rd January                                        Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale, Napier

Tickets available from Eventfinda  www.eventfinda.co.nz

The band share "We had such a great time on this last tour that we don't want the party to stop. We are really stoked to announce a few more dates so we can hit some of the towns we couldn't get to on the last run. A devilish New Year’s Eve party in New Plymouth, a massive show in party central, Lower Hutt, and a return to see our friends in the beautiful Hawkes Bay sounds like a killer way to start 2018! Can't wait to see you all!"

COASTELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR 2018

Coastella Music Festival is proud to announce its line-up for 2018, for the return of the vibrant Kapiti summer festival on 17th February 2018. Building on the growing success of the first two festivals, the 2018 line-up showcases a diverse range of local and international music from energetic folk and indie rock to Japanese banjo, brass and Balkan madness!

Iconic New Zealand band The Black Seeds will bring their contemporary groove reggae rhythms, following the release of their new album Fabric. Singer/songwriter Nadia Reid (nominated for an Apra Silver Scrolls Award for her song Richard earlier this year) joins the line-up straight back from her UK/European tour, and the Hot Potato Band (Aus) blend world music influences with an Australian edge to create a sound of brass and drums ‘known to cause a severe case of happy fever’.

Other international offerings are George & Noriko (Jap/Aus) with a unique sound of Japanese banjo blues, their energetic and original music earning them a place as finalists on Australia’s Got Talent 2012 and favourites at CubaDupa 2017. My Baby (NZ/Nld) join us from Amsterdam with their roots driven hypnotic dance music, and The Young Folk (Ire) have a sound which has seen them compared with Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver and Crosby Stills & Nash. Jordie Lane and the Sleepers (Aus) play psychedelic rock reminiscent of The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper.

Our highly acclaimed homegrown talent includes Louis Baker with neo soul sounds, joined by his new band boasting some of the tightest, funkiest, and most solid of rhythm sections in the Wellington music scene. Mermaidens offer a mesmerising dip into the realms of post-punk and psych, and current radio favourites Glass Vaults blend subtle electronics and pulsating percussion to create a unique brand of transcendental psychedelic pop. The Frank Burkitt Band draw upon influences from folk, jazz, blues, swing, soul and all things American Roots, and Neko Ne Zna bring an energetic Balkan Gypsy brass extravaganza. On home turf in Kapiti are Jeep Road who play a mix of contemporary blues and soul. 

The music and dancing will continue into the night, with the Coastella After Party (R18), with Rhombus in Dub bringing their big rolling sound and lively stage show and Olmecha Supreme featuring New Zealandʻs champion Rap Boxer "King Home Boy" and Captain Imon Starr.

Coastella features a main stage set in a natural grassy amphitheatre, a lake stage offering an idyllic setting to relax with friends, and Tiny Town returns, the 10 foot shipping container converted into an intimate musical venue, offering a chance to get up close and personal with some of the bands. Food vendors will once again be hand-picked by Visa Wellington On A Plate.

With its stellar line up and unique natural setting, Coastella is a chance to enjoy a summer musical discovery in the heart of Kapiti.

A limited 500 Adult and 100 Family Early Bird tickets are now on sale from Eventfinda until sold out. Tickets are limited so pre-booking is recommended. Coastella Festival is at Southward Car Museum, on Saturday 17 Feb 2018 and is being produced with funding from Kapiti Coast District Council.

Return buses will travel from the Wellington CBD. All details at coastella.co.nz. The bus stop is outside Pipitea Marae across the road from Freedom Furniture. 

Full Coastella 2018 Line-up:

The Black Seeds
Hot Potato Band (Aus) 
Nadia Reid
Louis Baker
My Baby (Nld) 
George & Noriko (Jap/Aus) Mermaidens
Glass Vaults
Jordie Lane & the Sleepers (Aus) 
The Young Folk (Ire) 
The Frank Burkitt Band (Scot/NZ) 
Niko Ne Zna
Jeep Road

Afterparty with Rhombus In Dub Olmecha Supreme
NB: Shows after 9pm will be held in the venue and are R18.

Website: www.coastella.co.nz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/coastellanz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/coastella

ICONIC HEADLINERS ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF AUCKLAND CITY LIMITS 2018

Musical icons Beck and Grace Jones sit atop the lineup released for the 2018 AUCKLAND CITY LIMITS music festival.
 
The festival is back to Western Springs Stadium and Park on 3 March 2018 and headliners also include French acts with incredible festival pedigree in the form of house duo Justice and synth-pop stars Phoenix.
 
Auckland City Limits today released a first announce line-up featuring:
 
BECK – JUSTICE – GRACE JONES – PHOENIX – PEKING DUK – TASH SULTANA— GEORGE EZRA — THE LIBERTINES – THUNDERCAT – THE HEAD AND THE HEART – THE AVALANCHES – OH WONDER – THE D4 – CAR SEAT HEADREST – THE STAVES – SIGRID – AARADHNA – HEAD LIKE A HOLE – KATCHAFIRE – SWIDT – DRAX PROJECT AND THE RETURN OF THE GOLDEN DAWN @ ACL WITH FABULOUS/ARABIA, DISASTERADIO, SCOTT MANION (TOKEY TONES), MAGIC FACTORY, THE BETHS, JON LEMMON, HEAVY, TOURETTES AKA DOMINIC HOEY, DJ TINA TURNTABLES, DJ LINDA T AND MC PAUL AMOS & THE TALK SHOW AND TELL COMEDY GANG

Auckland City Limits will announce additional performers as well as details about Auckland Eats, local artworks, an artisanal market, Auckland Kiddie Limits and more soon.
 
A limited number of Earlybird tickets at $179.90 go on sale to the general public via Ticketmaster at 9am on 1 November, preceded by an exclusive pre-sale for Spark customers commencing on 30 October.
 
Inspired by and aligned with the world-class Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas, Auckland City Limits fuses the best elements of Austin’s premier festival with a New Zealand flavour and spirit, creating an event that celebrates the spirit and heritage of Auckland.
 
ABOUT THE LINE-UP:
 
Musical maverick Beck arrives in New Zealand for the first time in more than two decades, fresh off the back of the release of his brand new and critically lauded album “Colors”. Beck’s transformative influence on the musical landscape extends back to his hip-hop folk debut ‘Loser’ and classic albums of the 1990s like Odelay and Mellow Gold while his latest albums continue Beck’s brilliantly eccentric path between troubadour pop persona and wild funk fun. As US publication Journal Sentinel noted of a recent show, “from hip-hop prankster to futuristic funk master to sensitive folkie, Beck's chameleonic career, well represented across 90 minutes, has a consistent throughline. His strongest songs are imaginatively created, impeccably executed, incredibly catchy and as alive as music can be.”
 
Grace Jones needs little introduction. The Jamaican born star is one of the most unforgettable artists to emerge from the 1970s New York disco scene, going on to become one of the biggest acts of the 80s as, aided by Sly & Robbie, she created a string of reggaefied rock hits. Her stage shows are legendary – expect to see costume changes (or just plain old body painting!) and – yes – hula hooping along with all her classic songs. As the UK Telegraph noted of her recent headline performance at the Wilderness festival, the 69 year-old superstar has “become one of the most consistently entertaining festival headliners in recent years”.
 
Justice come to Auckland having played mind-melting sets at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Glastonbury this year packed with their spectacular visual effects and massive production. The duo manage to carve out a show encompassing elements with everything from rock to disco into a show at Coachella that Dancing Astronaut claimed showed they “aren’t simply good DJs – they’re the best dance-rock band in the f**king world”.
 
The '1901' and 'Lisztomania' hitmakers Phoenix have returned in 2017 with an acclaimed sixth album and an international tour showcasing old songs and new with breathtaking visuals packed with striking optical illusions that NME’s review of Shaky Knees festival in Atlanta said “had the power to turn a dusty park into a futuristic disco utopia”.
 
Heading deeper into the festival bill takes in acts as diverse as Los Angeles cosmic funkateer Thundercat, whose album Drunk featuring Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa and Kamasi Washington is one of many critics’ outstanding albums of 2017. Flying out from Seattle are indie folksters The Head and The Heart and lo-fi artisans Car Seat Headrest, the latter coming back on the heels of an inspired performance at Laneway 2017.
 
Its UK contingent boasts the ever-controversial indie guitar legends The Libertines making their first ever appearance here, blues-pop balladeer George Ezra, electronic pop duo Oh Wonder and Bon Iver-endorsed folk siblings The Staves.
 
Norwegian electronic pop sensation Sigrid promises not to kill our vibe and Auckland City Limits also brings out the most alluring Australian contingent to head over the Tasman in memory. Peking Duk have delivered a string of huge pop electronic hits in recent times, while few acts of the past decade can match the influence of The Avalanches. The wave of worldwide excitement for the phenomenon that is Tash Sultana is something very special and the multi-instrumental solo genius has sold out every show she has played this year including an incendiary NZ tour in May.
 
Highlights of the local lineup include the thrilling return of sweat-soaked rock’n’rollers The D4after a decade away from the stage, r’n’b soul diva Aaradhna, thundering veterans Head Like A Hole, globe-trotting reggae act Katchafire, Onehunga’s finest representatives SWIDT and Drax Project, the Wellington youngsters many pick as the most exciting new live act in the country.
 
Plus there is the return of a packed line-up of indie fun and comedy frolics in The Golden Dawn @ ACL, bringing Ponsonby Rd’s most legendary venue since the Gluepot back to pop up at the festival with musical highlights like Mike Fabulous of The Black Seeds and Lawrence Arabia’s joint offering and more.

HOPETOWN BROWN 'YOU KNOW I KNOW'

See Hopetoun Brown live with Finn Scholes
at WOMAD 2018!

In their brand new song ‘You Know I Know’, our favourite horn-tootin’ pair Hopetoun Brown ditch the stomp to share a drum-machine driven party saga about a weed-smokin’ womaniser.

In this speedy rap duet, the Hopetoun boys called up their neighbourhood synth scientist and MC, Sophie Burbery and Weird Together percussionist/bongo player Issac Chadderton. Alto sax player Callum Passells completes the lineup, playing a blistering solo in the first verse before a one-take improvised duel with Nick Atkinson’s tenor for the finale.

Curiously, Atkinson is also on lead-singer duties as Hopetoun Brown explore new sounds. Brass player and Hopetoun Brown’s usual singer Tim Stewart will be back on the mic soon enough, but for now, he’s overseeing production duties with the mercurial engineer Jol Mulholland, who recorded ‘You Know I Know’ at The Ovenin Mt Eden.

Also just announced - Hopetoun Brown are excited to be on this year’s artist lineup for WOMAD NZ, held in Taranaki’s idyllic Brooklands Park. They will be joined on stage by trumpet wunderkind, Finn Scholes for Taranaki’s biggest knees-up this March 16-18th. Come and party with our favourite pair, and stay tuned for more upcoming show dates!

HELEN CORRY RELEASES DEBUT SINGLE 'STRIKE'

She’s a familiar voice who has featured on some of New Zealand’s biggest bangers - now Helen Corry (Fenella Stratton) is set to blaze her own trail, with the release of her debut single ‘Strike’.
 
Combining a killer beat and an infectious hook with Corry’s flawless vocals, ‘Strike’ stands out from the crowd and promises to be one of summer’s ‘go to’ feel-good tunes.
 
Listen on Spotify HERE
 
“Strike was written with the insanely talented Rory Noble in our first session together,” says Corry of the single.
 
“It’s about inspiration. The fight for it to strike and the battle with it once it has struck.”
 
Corry has been a constant presence in the Kiwi music scene over the last four years. You can’t turn on the radio without hearing her vocals on chart-topping tunes like Jetski Safari’s ‘Like A Lie’, Jupiter Project’s ‘With You’, Stack and Piece’s ‘Burning Out’ and her recent collaboration on ‘She Said’ with Ryan Enzed.
 
A darling of the festival scene, Corry has performed at some of the country’s biggest events, from Synthony, Rhythm N’ Vines and Our:House to Deep Hard ‘N’ Funky and Homegrown.
 
‘Strike’ is her first foray into solo territory, and sets the scene for her debut EP, due for released in early 2018.
 
Get ‘Strike’ on iTunes HERE

ROB RUHA AND THE WITCH DR. WELCOME SUMMER WITH NEW SINGLE ‘KALEGA’

Iconic New Zealand artist, Rob Ruha (Cilla Ruha), is set to release a fresh new single, ‘Kalega’, on Thursday November 2 - the first since his union with The Witch Dr.

The Witch Dr. features an alliance of some of Aotearoa’s finest musicians Darren Mathiassen (Shapeshifter), James Illingworth (Bliss n Eso), Tyna Keelan (The Nok) and Johnny Lawrence (Electric Wire Hustle).

The single is the first track from Rob Ruha & The Witch Dr’s highly anticipated bilingual album, SURVIVANCE, set for release later this year.

APRA Maioha Award-winning composers Tyna Keelan & Rob Ruha teamed up to co-write and co-produce ‘Kalega’ a fun, upbeat summer anthem.

“Kalega is pidgin- Māori slang for ‘too much’ and is common lingo on the East Coast,” says Ruha.

“Kalega is the perfect soundtrack to a typical East Coast summer road trip. A pilgrimage back to the beach to chill and unwind to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the city”

Ruha is a composer and artist of a new generation of Māori. He is a product of powerful kapa haka traditions and indigeneity, who rooted in traditional knowledge transforms it into contemporary works of music. He has collected a trove of New Zealand Music awards and his unique style of ‘Haka-soul’ music has been performed and embraced all over the world.

Ruha is an ambassador for APRA AMCOS NZ and Waiata Māori Music Awards and mentor to many rising Māori artists including Kaaterama, internet sensations the ‘Rū-cru’ and New Zealand’s hottest male soul artist TEEKS.

It was today announced that Ruha is a recipient of the 2017 New Zealand Arts Awards. Alongside only 10 other extraordinary New Zealand artists, Ruha will be celebrated at the Arts Awards on November 6 in Auckland.

‘Kalega’ is at radio now, and will be available on all DSPs from November 2.