SAHARA SKYE MAKES SOLO DEBUT WITH HOT NEW SINGLE, EXPECTATIONS

Dunedin-born singer songwriter Sahara Skye (Tony Cowper) releases her official debut single ‘Expectations’ today – an R n B infused pop banger brimming with chart promise. 

Expectations took Sahara back to the studio with Jimmy Wong, writing partner and producer of the 2016 Ryan Enzed hit Crawling, which additionally featured Sahara as guest vocalist. Sahara elaborates; “Jimmy and I jammed chords on the guitar and piano and ended up coming up with the chorus and melody of Expectations very quickly. We both felt the vibe of creating a song that has a universal message for all ages and something that people can hear and say 'yup I'm guilty of that’.”

The Shae Stling directed video, is also out now. Choreography by Rina Chae, styling by Sammy Salsa and a vibrant set courtesy of Royal Oak burger joint Happy Boy solidifies the impeccable end result. Sahara states, “Putting this video together was so much fun. The collaboration between such a talented and hard-working team produced exactly what I envisioned. I couldn’t be more proud.”

The release of Expectations is the culmination of 2 years of Sahara Skye’s ambition and drive, after initially catching the attention of industry heavyweights in 2016 through an array of covers released on YouTube. The following months spent honing her song writing craft reads like a who’s who of some of the hottest song creators in music today, with mentorship from writers and producers behind tracks from Tove Lo, Troye Sivan, Kanye West and Jay Z. Top it off with a move to Auckland, and Sahara is now poised to take her music to the world. 

Produced by CLOUDS and Alex Wildwood (Sachi), Expectations is a strong debut that officially marks the arrival of Sahara Skye.

THE SLACKS 'YEAH NAH'

The song Yeah Nah came to the Slacks (Scott Armstrong) when listening to our brothers and sisters interact and the lyric springs from the interesting and unique way KiwIs talk to each other.

It takes a handful of well used New Zealand phrases and words in English and Te Reo to pull the proverbial out of the way we communicate. The song also hints at a coming change in our thinking and culture that is overdue and will be for the good.

Light hearted, fun and irreverent ; Yeah Nah is a follow up in the same vein as our
last single 'Big Aroha'

It  builds on the concept Kiwitanga; which is a loose term coined to paint a picture of what the unification of our Bicultural roots might look and sound like in a future Aotearoa.

The modus operandi for any Slacks video is to get people together, and turn the day into something of a celebration that tends to run twice as long as the video shoot itself.

For Yeah Nah, a gorgeous Waitangi Day sun was smiling down on us and with cold bevvies in hand and some spare ribs for the BBQ, we set about capturing the song in visual form.

Given the nature of the song lyric, it seemed appropriate to chuck in some home-grown beach cricket and touch rugby as well as an early evening performance on the deck of the New Plymouth Yacht Club, all of which made it into the final cut.

On top of the day-shoot at Ngamotu beach, the band members and central characters in the video (Dinnie and Pierre) spent a second day cruising around Back Beach and Lake Rotomanu in New Plymouth. theSlacks were rolling in the very same car that was used in OMC’s “How Bizarre” and rather chuffed to be doing so.

Much of the inspiration for the song and video comes from the nature of the band. theSlacks was conceived at the tail end of the grunge-y, whinge-y 1990’s and the focus was firmly on having a good time and not taking the band too seriously. Forget about hating on your mum and dad and throwing stones at billboards; try instead stoking a chilly bin to the brim and high-fiving your neighbour as you re-string your old acoustic guitar.

The resulting video is bright and sunny, full of smiles and all the other things we like to surround ourselves with.

IVY RED 'FADED WORLD'

Following the success of his first single ‘ABSENT’, IVY RED (Jade Keywood) is gearing up to release his high energy single FADED WORLD, released today.

After his debut ‘ABSENT’ landed placements on Spotify’s R&B Connect, R&B Feels and Mellow Styles playlist, IVY RED was soon spotted peaking at No.9 on Spotify’s Viral Top 50 playlist earning him 50,000 streams in his first month.

Off the back of his success with his debut track ‘ABSENT’, IVY RED brings contrast to his world with this high energy single ‘FADED WORLD’. In this powerful sonic recreation of losing control IVY speaks from a place of confusion and anger, he channels this energy to give his listeners not just a song but an experience.

“It’s more or less based on situations I’ve had where I’ve been surrounded by so much confusion and chaos that my brain short circuits and I black out.” - IVY RED

BERNIE GRIFFEN AND THE THIN MEN 'MY BRAIN EXPLODED'

'My Brain Exploded' is Bernie Griffen and The Thin Men’s (Kirsten Warner) first single release from Bernie’s third album, Doors Wide Open, a self-portrait, he says: “I’ve given up the H, now just struggling with the ADD, it drives me crazy!." 'My Brain Exploded' is a jaunty exploration of scrambled thinking and relationship negotiation, set to a Latin rhythm. It’s a testament to both his own sense of imperfection and to his long-standing relationship with Kirsten Warner, emerging member of his band The Thin Men. 

The video features one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed dancers and choreographers, Arts Laureate Michael Parmenter in a new role – dancing tango with partner Diana Bain.

Diana is a life-time model - one of the eternally beautiful women.

The little dancer is Ava Mauger, the daughter of DOP Chris Mauger who showed up on the day of shooting in her pretty dress and was an extraordinary dancer, gymnast and screen presence!

The drummer boy is an AC/DC fan who plays drums himself and is son of the Thin Men drummer drummer Chris Kemp.

"The crew are our lifetime friends, they did it for nothing" - says Bernie. "They made it look cinematic with just a smoke machine, some overhead spotlights and a stage. We dressed up in tuxedos and that was that!"

Doors Wide Open may be overall light, brighter and less melancholic than his first two albums. But mortality is sometimes on Bernie Griffen’s mind. 'When I Die' is a love song honouring a lifetime with Kirsten Warner. The ‘sweet sorrow’ of the song is an enduring quality of both their voices and music. 

Dubbed Southern Gothic, Bernie Griffen mines a terrain of his own that could also be described as swamp folk or psychedelic country and shows his understanding and feel for his American and Kiwi music roots. It travels from the classic driving blues 'Truck Song' to the whimsical country swing of 'Wedding Waltz', the classic folk 'Emigrants Song' to the Latin-feel of Bernie’s ADHD exploration 'My Brain Exploded'. 

'Doors Wide Open', the title track, is another love song and a pop-ier offering full of Beatles harmonies and lyrics that describe his wandering, Sagittarian leanings. 

Griffen and Warner recorded the 10 songs during an emergency stopover in Australia when Bernie Griffen got sick en route to a European tour. The album’s big ballad 'I Fell Out of the Sky' draws on that life-and-death experience. In Melbourne they joined the Brunswick Old Time String Orchestra and a network of community musicians. They were lucky enough to be introduced to virtuoso mandolin player Luke Plumb from Celtic superband Shooglenifty.

Luke Plumb produced and played various strings on the album. It was recorded in a day and a half at Echidna Studio in the Yarra Valley with New Zealander Rob Mahoney (bass) klezmer specialist Judy Gunson (piano) and Ben McAtamney on drums, with vocals laid down in a day in Luke Plumb’s home studio in Footscray.

It’s the first time the couple have recorded an album together, although Kirsten Warner contributed backing vocals on Griffen’s previous albums Salvation (2014) and Everything so Far (2012) with Bernie Griffen and The Grifters.

LITTLE EYES 2018: A Matariki Concert and Auction

Thursday June 14, 2018, 7-11pm
Grand Central, Ponsonby, Auckland
Tickets and info: www.ritimana.com

Ritimana Kōhanga Reo is proud to present Little Eyes 2018, a multi-zoned evening of music and entertainment featuring performances from Anika Moa (Rodney Hewson), Julia Deans and Anna Coddington, Fairies After Dark cabaret, renowned DJ Dick Johnson and a Mega Matariki silent auction.

Little Eyes is one of two translations for Matariki (the other being Mata Ariki- ‘eyes of god’), which is celebrated annually as the Māori New Year. It is a time for new beginnings, remembrance and celebration, and is the perfect occasion to bring together all the generous performers, volunteers and sponsors who are making this event possible to fundraise for our tamariki.

Anika Moa is a beloved taonga of NZ music and television. A māmā to 3 sons who are all in Māori language education, she will have you laughing as well as singing along to her untouchable catalogue of waiata.

Julia Deans is a similarly treasured songbird of Aotearoa whose new album We Light Fire takes her already divine writing and singing talents to new heights. Known for her pin-drop performances, a solo set from Deans is not to be missed.

Anna Coddington is māmā to two of our kōhanga boys. Regarded for her songwriting nous, stirring vocals and appearances in supergroups like Fly My Pretties and NZ Marley All Stars, this is a special chance to see her solo on the stage.

Dick Johnson is one of NZ’s most experienced DJs and has filled floors from his tūrangawaewae (homeland) of the UK, to the far corners of the globe and Aotearoa.

Also expect some unexpected entertainment in the courtyard outside from an array of colourful characters from Fairies After Dark Cabaret.

MEGA MATARIKI SILENT AUCTION

Book your ticket online now at www.ritimana.com and get ready to bid! We are humbled to have an amazing range of premium items and experiences from our generous sponsors including:

Trilogy Products, Boh Runga Jewelery, Auckland Live, Auckland Zoo, Baduzzi Restaurant, Daniel Tippet, Fairies Inc., Flox, JB Hi-Fi, Misery, Nature Baby, Pipi Mā, Reo Pēpi, Vada Hair, and more...

Go to www.ritimana.com for more information and to buy your tickets to this exclusive one-off event.

For enquiries contact info@annacoddington.com

About Ritimana Kōhanga Reo

Ritimana Kohanga Reo is a Ponsonby based, Māori language medium early childhood centre operating under the Ministry of Education. Ritimana has an absolute commitment to tamariki and whānau. They are committed to the retention and enrichment of te reo and Tïkanga Māori, and believe in a holistic approach to education, whereby tamariki learn through play, developing creativity and imagination. 

JED PARSONS 'EVERYBODY'S STUPID'

Jed Parsons (Mel Parsons) is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing new acts on the Kiwi indie-pop scene and today, the singer-songwriter firms up that reputation with his new single, ‘Everybody’s Stupid’.
 
Listen on SPOTIFY or iTunes
 
The colourful accompanying video has this week premiered on respected Australian music site, Tone Deaf.
 
“I made the video with a local Christchurch-based film maker, Eugene Lee,” says Parsons.
 
“I came up with the video concept while scrolling mindlessly through social media - the only thing I actually took notice of was a basketball trick-shot video, probably 'Dude Perfect' or something.”
 
“The lyrics of 'Everybody's Stupid' are intended to shine a light on the psychological consequence of the toxic and destructive aspects of first-world life, with a big nod to social media, therefore the concept of a deadpan basketball trick-shot video seemed to fit.” 
 
'Everybody's Stupid' follows-on from Parsons first single ‘Get Lost’, which debuted on Apple’s ‘Best of the Week’ playlist. On radio, it was added immediately at Hauraki and received widespread love from the bNets.
 
Parsons has had an action-packed summer playing live, with more shows in the works, leading up to the release of his debut full-length album later this year.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2018 MUSIC MANAGERS AWARDS

Tonight The Tuning Fork hosted managers, self managed artists, industry professionals, artists and bands, to celebrate the people working hard behind the scenes in the New Zealand music industry at the NZ Music Manager’s Awards.

For 14 years the awards have been held annually to celebrate the achievements of artist managers and self managed artists and the awards have become one of this country's most respected music industry events. Judged by over 50 people who work in all areas of the NZ Music Industry (Media, Labels, Publishers, Promoters, Agencies), we are proud to announce the winners are:

Alastair Burns was awarded the prestigious Recorded Music NZ ‘Manager of the Year' award for the second consecutive year. It honoured his work predominately with Julia Jacklin and Marlon Williams, who's critically acclaimed new album debuted no 1 in NZ and No 8 in Australia.  Marlon is currently in the middle of a world tour.

The New Zealand Music Commission ‘International Achievement’ award was given to Niel de Jong for his work with Te Reo metal band Alien Weaponry. Amongst their many achievements over the last year they signed with Napalm Records, one of Europe’s two biggest independent metal labels as well as German based agency das Machine, and are about to embark on a big European tour.

The ‘Emerging Manager of the Year’ award is for managers who have just started managing in the last two years.  The award was won by Chris Chetland and Callum McDougall for their co-management of Rei. Rei’s release, ‘A Place to Stand’, went straight to #1 on the iTunes Hip Hop album charts, beating Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Damn’ for the top spot. It also reached #14 on the NZ Albums charts. The remix of his single ‘Up2’ reached #3 on the Whitelabel.net world charts. Rei won Best Urban Album at the Waiata Māori Music Awards in 2017, and was also a finalist at the 2017 NZ Music Awards.  He has just released his groundbreaking Te Reo Maori EP ‘Rangatira’.

The award for ‘Breakthrough Manager of the Year’ went to  Rikihana Douglas. His roster of SACHI, Montell2099, L.A. WOMEN and Matthew Young have had a busy year- SACHI have become a staple act in New Zealand fostering #1 viral ratings on Spotify. The first single from Montell2099 was a collaboration with US based 21 Savage who sports over 10.5 Million followers. Matthew Young's two singles 'Collect' and 'Hey' both went to #1 Air Play on Triple J. L.A Women’s debut single 'Hurricane Love' has over 4.4 Million streams. Rikihana has just signed SACHI to Casablanca US and L.A Women to Island UK.

Tana Tupai and Avina Kelekolio from Tomorrow People won the APRA AMCOS ‘Best Self-Managed Artist’. Their EP ‘BBQ Reggae’ debuted No 1 in the NZ Charts. On top of their massive international and domestic touring schedule that saw them headline many festivals, they garnered cross over radio play and were also finalists in the 2017 VNZMA’s.

The JLT ‘Best Independent Tour Award’ was won by Nick Atkinson for the Hopetoun Brown ‘Round the Horn’ Tour. The groundbreaker sold out tour was a very bold but successful concept as the band sailed from venue to venue in their own yacht, rowing all their instruments and a small PA into each new coastal venue in a tiny dinghy.

Tonight the music venues were also in the spotlight, with the ‘Best Small Venue’ award going to Neck of the Woods, and the ‘Best Large Venue’ award going to The Civic, both Auckland venues.

The Industry Champion Award sponsored by NSL distributors of Shure & QSC in NZ was awarded to NZ Music Foundation, recognizing their contribution in helping musicians in need and the opening of The Wellbeing Service which provides caring, confidential and practical assistance to kiwi music people from all parts of the music industry who are experiencing illness, distress and hardship and have nowhere else to turn.

The MMF NZ Mentoring Program provides opportunities for new artists to have one on one time with industry specialists, and the Achievement Award recognises the efforts of a member who utilises the resources provided by the program and shows great initiative. This year the 'Achievement Award' was presented to Pennie Black who was mentored to help her band Hex with their USA tour and SXSW appearance.

The 2018 MMF Music Managers Awards winners are:

Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year – Alastair Burns (Marlon Williams, Julia Jacklin, The Weather Station, Phantastic Ferniture)

NZ Music Commission International Achievement Award – Niel de Jong (Alien Weaponry)

Emerging Manager of the Year – Chris Chetland and Callum McDougall (Rei)

Breakthrough Manager of the Year – Rikihana Douglas (SACHI, Montell2099, LA WOMEN, Matthew Young)

APRA AMCOS Self-Managed Artist of the Year – Tana Tupai and Avina Kelekolio (Tomorrow People)

JLT Best Independent Tour – Nick Atkinson ‘Round the Horn’ Tour (Hopetoun Brown)

Best Small Venue – Neck of the Woods, Auckland

Best Large Venue – The Civic , Auckland

NSL distributors of Shure & QSC in NZ Industry Champion Award – The NZ Music Foundation

MMF NZ Achievement Award – Pennie Black (HEX, The Echo Ohs)

The awards would not be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors, who recognise the key role that managers play in the success of New Zealand music. In 2018 our premium sponsors are:

• The NZ Music Commission
• Recorded Music NZ
• APRA AMCOS
• JLT
• NSL distributors of Shure & QSC in NZ

A special thanks to our supporting sponsors 95bFM, Dancing Sands Distillery, Eventfinda, Eyecatch, Going Global Music Summit, Hallertau, Indium Design, Libel, NZ Musician, Parachute Studios, Phantom Billboards, Red Bull, Roundhead Studios, Stebbing, The Production Company, The Tuning Fork.

SABOTAGE THEORY AT U BAR

Christchurch band Sabotage Theory, normally better known as New Zealand's Rage Against the Machine tribute band, are coming to Dunedin's U Bar at Otago University with their Soundgarden / Audioslave / Linkin Park tribute show.

After their recent successful event at the New City Hotel in Christchurch Sabotage Theory will be playing the music of Chris Cornell (Soundgarden & Audioslave) and Chester Bennington (Linkin Park), who both tragically took their own lives last year, to raise money and awareness for the NZ Music Foundation's Wellbeing Service.

To assist them on the night Sabotage Theory have recruited musicians from various other local bands to join them to form a 6 piece "super group”.

"So we are doing something a little different for our next show... after tragically losing 2 great musical influences last year to suicide we were thinking about how issues with mental health affect so many musicians; from teenagers picking up a guitar for the first time to even rock gods like Chris Cornell & Chester Bennington.

And we thought about how important music is as an outlet and how for those who are affected it can provide a sense of belonging to a community.

We then thought it would be cool to put on a show to bring our local music community together and raise awareness of the great work the NZ Music Foundation’s Wellbeing Service does and hopefully (if enough people show up!) we could raise some $ to donate to them"

Saturday 12th May: U Bar, Dunedin

Tickets available from Cosmic Ticketing; instore or online www.cosmicticketing.co.nz