Gawn Deep - Barry Finklestein
Coming from the darkest depths of the dirty south, comes the brand spanking new EP from New Zealand’s very own Gawn Deep (Donna Shearman).
Coming from the darkest depths of the dirty south, comes the brand spanking new EP from New Zealand’s very own Gawn Deep (Donna Shearman). These three have been hiding out in a studio crafting a new flavour for their fans. Spending the past two years producing bass heavy tunes together, the boys knew it was time for a fresh release, showcasing their attentive and intense, drops and hard heating beats, following the massive success of their debut EP. With their minds constantly blown by the new wave of halftime Drum & Bass hitting the scene “Barry Finklestein” was born. The boys bring you 3 brand new, bass heavy halftime Drum & Bass tracks to make any party delicious!
They have drawn on the inspiration of half time and delivered their own, distinct take on the sub-genre. For the lads, pushing the limits of the Drum & Bass genre is the name of the game. Drawing on inspiration from all aspects of the genre, melting them into their own distinct mashup of Halftime - Jump Up and Neuro Funk. “We want to make music that still fits in the Drum & Bass frame, but when you hear our tunes, you will know, that’s Gawn Deep” to put it in their own words. Barry Finklestein’s heavy weight bass lines complimented with dark stuttered snares sends shivers down the listener’s spine. Evil Eric’s similar dark tones and upbeat aggressive pace is a must have on your set list. With beautiful bass lines rolling through the tune, you know this is one for the dance floor. Wild West Wesley lightens the tones from dark to dirty with hard hitting snares and bouncing bass lines taking you back to the “dirty west”.
With the successful release of their first EP “Tales from the Deep” in 2017 hitting number 9 on the Beatport Top 100 Drum and Bass release chart, earning them nods from the worldwide Drum & Bass community. This latest assortment of musical mayhem demonstrating their commitment, hard work and attention to detail, serves as a warm up for how massive 2018 is going to be for Gawn Deep. Whilst they continue to grow their fan base, have international releases on Mindtech Recordings and Kinetik records under their belt, they are earning their place within the NZ Drum and Bass scene. It comes to no surprise that some of NZ’s elite artists such as Concord Dawn and Optimus Gryme have shared the stage with these lads. They are continuing to push limits and set dance floors alight every time, so be sure to stay tuned, because are Gawn Deep are just getting started.
#StayDeep
CHORES 'SURRENDER'
Kiwi duo Chores (Nicole Thomas & Paula Yeoman) have premiered the video for their new track ‘Surrender’ on Australia’s famed music discovery site, Triple J Unearthed. Also, the song has now been added to the Unearthed playlist there for radio!
Kiwi duo Chores (Nicole Thomas & Paula Yeoman) have premiered the video for their new track ‘Surrender’ on Australia’s famed music discovery site, Triple J Unearthed.
A through-and-through banger, featuring the powerful vocals of up-and-comer Abby Wolfe, ‘Surrender’ debuted on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist and peaked at #13 in the Viral Chart. It was added immediately to New Zealand’s tastemaker radio station George FMand playlisted at ZM. It also debuted at #4 on the NZ Heatseekers Chart.
Now Chores (Sam Saunders and Thom Simmons) are following it up with a masterfully crafted video, made by acclaimed multi-disciplinary visual artist, Mardo El-Noor.
“I wanted to present the band in a high-energy overly-stylized manner. To me the lyrical hook of ‘Surrender everything to you’ conjures images of devotion and suffering; of biblical figures from Baroque and Renaissance paintings,” says El-Noor.
For Saunders and Simmons, who have commissioned El-Noor to work on branding and visuals for their new live set-up, it was also important that he captured the essence and energy of a show. “We wanted to create a performance-based visual piece, but one that looked like a fashion or a sports-branded video. We also wanted it to feel almost like a rock video, rather than electro-pop.”
‘Surrender’ signals a new chapter for the award-winning dance act, as they up the ante on their approach to songwriting, coupled with bigger, bolder and better production. They’ve also revealed a new-and-improved live show, which features graphics made by El-Noor, and sees Chores blending elements of live instrumentation and arrangement with custom-made visuals and guest appearances from vocalists.
In the last 12 months Chores have released a string of hits, including ‘Away’, ‘By Your Side’ and their last single ‘Losing You’, which debuted on seven Spotify New Music Fridayplaylists and peaked at #9 in the New Zealand Viral Charts.
ANDREW PAPAS 'TROUBLEMAKER'
2017 MMF Mentoring Achievement of the Year winner Andrew Papas has released the video for his new single ‘Troublemaker’.
2017 MMF Mentoring Achievement of the Year winner Andrew Papas has released the video for his new single ‘Troublemaker’.
“The main vision for the video was to create something that was fun, colourful and left people feeling good. The song is catchy as, and it was important that we made a video that reflected the same kind of energy,” says Papas.
Meanwhile, Day and Oxton’s vision began with the title of the track - ‘Troublemaker’: “Having been teenage boys, and having caused a fair bit of trouble, we took our interpretation of the song. We didn’t want to exactly show a typical guy-girl music video clip. We wanted to portray the girl winning and not giving in.”
Shot at White Studios in Auckland, the video is brought to life with illustrations by Dan Fastnedge and animation by Wanyi Chen and Nadya Sastrawinata, who spent two weeks working into the early hours of the morning animating and rotoscoping, to bring the vision to life.
A fun track that glistens with 80s pop, ‘Troublemaker’ debuted on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist on February 2, going on to reach #2 in the NZ Viral Chart and also debuting at #2 in the New Zealand Heatseekers Chart.
It also caught the attention of the notable Swedish blog Pop Musik, which described the song as “playful dancing pop… that offers contagious melody and beautiful beats”.
‘Troublemaker’ was co-written and produced by two of New Zealand’s most successful pop writers and producers, Josh Fountain and Djeisan Suskov. It is the second single from Papas who launched his career in the Kiwi boy-band Titanium.
A ‘MIDSUMMER’ RELEASE FOR PAPER CRANES
Paper Cranes 折り鶴 (Fraser Browne) are pleased to release a new single, ‘Midsummer’ – the perfect accompaniment to the season.
Paper Cranes 折り鶴 (Fraser Browne) are pleased to release a new single, ‘Midsummer’ – the perfect accompaniment to the season.
A dreamy, breezy love song, filled with shimmery guitars and keys, ‘Midsummer’ evokes images of long, hot, summer nights and the happy confusion of new love.
In Europe, Midsummer is traditionally the time young people get together to celebrate life, and let loose. Having spent time in Stockholm, singer, Fraser Browne began reminiscing about his time in the Swedish city; long, never ending summer nights filled with midnight football games, dinners and parties.
Written by Fraser Browne and Naomi Browne, ‘Midsummer’ was performed by Fraser (vocals) and Naomi (piano and vocals), Nic Manders (guitars, synth, bass) and Adam Tobeck (drums). The track was recorded and mixed by Nic Manders at Smoke and Parachute studios, and mastered by Nathan Tiddy.
The single is released as part of a forthcoming album, due out later in 2018.
‘Midsummer’ is available from iTunes, Spotify and all good digital outlets.
JULIA DEANS 'CLANDESTINE'
After performing Clandestine during her recent live performances on both Jesse Mulligan’s National Radio show and Russell Brown’s Orcon sessions at Golden Dawn, Julia was inundated with requests from fans to release the song, which is from her forthcoming album ‘We Light Fire’, due out in May.
After performing Clandestine during her recent live performances on both Jesse Mulligan’s National Radio show and Russell Brown’s Orcon sessions at Golden Dawn, Julia was inundated with requests from fans to release the song, which is from her forthcoming album ‘We Light Fire’, due out in May.
“Clandestine is about that moment when it dawns on you that you've been behaving like a complete & utter dick – that you've hurt someone you deeply love, and that loves you. It's about acknowledging your actions & preparing to ask forgiveness.
Recorded live at Roundhead with Sean Donnelly (SJD) on bass, and Tom Broome on drums, Clandestine was mixed by David Wernham (Shihad, The Adults, Salmonella Dub) and mastered by Evan Short (Concord Dawn), and is available to stream/download today.
Fans from around the country will soon get to experience Clandestine and other material from the new album live on stage when she joins Marlon Williams on his New Zealand tour.
Marlon Williams– featuring Julia Deans
Tickets from www.MarlonWilliams.co.nz
Sat 19 May Marlon Williams tour – Wellington, Hunters Lounge
Tues 22 May Marlon Williams tour – Dunedin, Glenroy
Wed 23 May Marlon Williams tour – Christchurch, Foundry
Fri 25 May Marlon Williams tour - Auckland Town Hall
JULIA DEANS – CLANDESTINE
Download the single on iTunes
Stream the single on Spotify
IT’S FRENCH, IT’S GYPSY SWING – IT’S LA LUNA & THE GADJOS
French song and gypsy swing is descending on somewhere near you as NZ's premier vocal manouche band, La Luna & the Gadjos (Caro Manins), hit the road on their Bite-Sized Tour.
French song and gypsy swing is descending on somewhere near you as NZ's premier vocal manouche band, La Luna & the Gadjos, hit the road on their Bite-Sized Tour.
Vintage Piaf sung by Chanteuse La Luna recreates the drama of Chanson together with an irreverent mix of French gypsy classics from the steamy hot clubs of Paris, coloured with the sound of New Orleans jazz.
The line-up features Caro Manins as La Luna, award-winning sax-man Roger Manins, and the extraordinary gypsy talents of Phillip Beatson - lead guitar, James "le Prof" of the burning violin, Sam Swindells - la pompe, Eamon Edmundsen-Wells – contrabass
“Sensational, just sensational!” - Flounders Park, Nelson Jazz Festival
“I defy anyone to keep their feet still” – Jazz Local 32
La Luna & the Gadjos plays:
Thur 22 Feb 8pm Venue: Raglan Old School Arts Centre Bookings: https://raglanartscentre.co.nz Tickets: $20
Fri 23 Feb 8pm Venue: 4th Wall Theatre, New Plymouth Bookings: www.4thwalltheatre.co.nz Tickets: $30/25
Sat 24 Feb 8pm Venue: The Rogue Stage, Rotorua Bookings: https://theroguestage.co.nz/ Tickets: $30
Sun 25 Feb 3pm Venue: The Incubator, Tauranga Bookings: www.theincubator.co.nz Tickets: $20 (Family Event)
Sat 2 March 8pm Venue: The Vic Theatre, Devonport. An Auckland Fringe Festival Event Bookings: www.aucklandfringe.co.nz Tickets: $28/25
Sat 17 March 8pm Venue: The Meteor Theate, Hamilton Bookings: www.themeteor.co.nz Tickets: $30
LEVI AT THE THIRSTY DOG
Following the hugely successful first show of Levi's (Jeanette Bramley) new project at Backbeat in February, here's another chance for you to experience it.
Following the hugely successful first show of Levi's new project at Backbeat in February, here's another chance for you to experience it.
During a 10 year music career playing in different bands, including his main band Tribal State, Levi has also pursued a solo career where he can really let loose with his creativity.
Levi's latest project, Awakening, is centered around self-development, self-awareness and humanitarian compassion, taking inspiration from all that is beautiful and chaotic in this world. As usual, his songs are unique and diverse but will be performed in a way that you will never have seen before from Levi. This truly is music for enlightenment and the enlightened. Intrigued? You should be! This is one show you do not want to miss!
The next show for the Awakening project is on Friday 9th March at The Thirsty Dog on K Road. Doors open at 8.00pm and admission is $15. Tickets also available at http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/58785/Levi.utr.
Like Levi’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/levisesga/) in order to hear about more gigs coming very soon.
CALLUM GENTLEMAN - HEADING TO AMERICA
After seven years touring New Zealand and a successful debut Australian tour last year, Callum Gentleman is now venturing out further into the big bad world. The USA is beckoning. In April Callum will finally heed that call, and stay there until 2019 at least.
The So Long, See Ya, Goodbye Tour & EP release
Touring America 2018
16 Feb – 16 March are last New Zealand shows till mid 2019
Digital release of 1st EP
After seven years touring New Zealand and a successful debut Australian tour last year, Callum Gentleman is now venturing out further into the big bad world. The USA is beckoning. In April Callum will finally heed that call, and stay there until 2019 at least.
But before he saddles up his horse and rides into the sunset, he’ll be throwing a few parties in a So Long, See Ya, Goodbye mini tour. And he’s bringing along some of his favourite artists: Mice on Stilts, Erny Belle and the wonderful Jasmine Bulmer aka Being.
“I’ve loved cutting my teeth in the taverns and town halls of Aotearoa, but it’s time to look over the horizon. It’s funny to think that so much of the music and culture of America is in my work, but I’ve never set foot there. “
“I need to see, hear, and taste New York, New Orleans, Texas, and everything else in that vast land. It will be a great adventure playing gigs in the U.S.A, especially in the current climate. After that, who knows…?”
Callum has also released his self-titled debut EP across all platforms, featuring songs with Reb Fountain and the sensational Alayna. Until now it has only been available as a physical album at shows or through Bandcamp. But it’s 2018 now, and while Callum has an old-fashioned heart, he will still make concessions for progress.
“We kept the first EP on the low-down, like a special thing at shows. But since I’m riding into the sunset I think it’s the right time to get it out there into new pastures.”
All tickets are $15 through undertheradar.co.nz, except for Cook’s Beach.
Wine Cellar - Auckland
with Being.
Friday 16 Feb 8pm
Eggsentric Café – Cooks Beach
Saturday 10 March - 6pm dinner 7.30 show
$45 dinner plus show, $20 show only
Tickets from Eggsentric 07 866 0307
Leigh Sawmill
with Mice on Stilts and Erny Belle
Sunday 11 March - 4.30pm
The Refinery - Paeroa
Friday 16 March - 6.30pm