FABLES 'WE COULD BE ALL'

https://soundcloud.com/fablesnz/we-could-be-all

http://open.spotify.com/album/6XnPnVIEzz2W8WozycAwTC 

Fables (Finn McLennan-Elliot) produce a gentle and heartfelt indie-folk sound. Songstress Jess Bailey was taught by the Mackenzie Hills of the South Kaipara, dredged in the waters of Muriwai beach then hung out to dry in the plum trees at home. This imagery is littered throughout the band’s wistful lyrics. Jess’s velveteen voice intermingled with a collection of strings, harmonies and percussion should find you quite at home.

Portraits has been three years in the making and will feature a cast of musicians who have played a part in Fables development since its inception. ‘We Could Be All’ is the first single to be released since 2015’s ‘Home’ and shows a shift in tone for the band.

Jess Bailey’s velveteen voice radiates throughout a song that is deep in textures and ripe with assertive drums and tasteful strings. Oldest collaborator Laurence Diack plays cello, alongside James Geluk (The Frank Burkitt Band) on double bass. The vocal harmonies are provided by Victoria Vigenser and special guest and flat mate of the band Chris Dent (aka Albi and the Wolves). Albi also adds a smattering and sprinkling of tidy and colorful electric guitar. The man behind the kit is Peter Guidera (AK Samba, OrigiNZ).

Jess Bailey has this to say about the single,

“’We Could Be All’ was a means of making sense of my clumsiness and humour in comparison to my peers. It is very much a coming of age song.  It is a nod to lanky teenage-dom, feeling inadequate and then getting on with it anyway. I think it is entirely possible that I have written some kind of dorks unite anthem, to be honest. . . but that’s okay.”

Bailey has an elegant and poetic way of conveying such an unconventional and awkward message. She writes lyrics as some would take photographs. Capturing moments, one frame and phrase at a time. ‘We Could Be All’ is a perfect example of this mode of storytelling.

Fables will go on tour to celebrate the release in September and October. The most comprehensive tour they have done to date it will take them through 14 towns and include some of their favourite musicians and friends along the way.

Second Hand Records is the first true and exclusive folk music label in New Zealand and Fables are to be the first release. Based in Auckland, Second Hand Records is the brainchild of Finn McLennan-Elliott, who also acts as Programme Director for the Auckland Folk Festival. The label will spearhead the new movement of folk music in New Zealand and will see more of our music reach international festivals and audiences.

Second Hand Touring Presents

FABLES ‘PORTRAITS’ TOUR 2018

Friday 7th September - Katikati Folk Club

Saturday 8th September - Wine Cellar

Friday 14th September - Interislander

Friday 14th September - Picton - Le Café

Saturday 15th September - Nelson – House Concert

Sunday 16th September - Christchurch - Blue Smoke

Wednesday 19th September – Okarito – Donovan’s Store

Thursday 20th September - Oamaru - Grainstore

Friday 21st September - TBC

Saturday 22nd September – TBC

Sunday 23rd September - Dunedin – New Edinburgh Folk Club

Tuesday 25th Sep - Interislander

Wednesday 26th September - Wellington - House Concert

Friday 28th September - Palmerston North – Globe Theatre with Special Guests

Saturday 29th September - Paekakariki - St Peter's Hall with Special Guests

Saturday 13th October - Raglan – Community Theatre

Monday 15th October – Auckland – The Bunker

FOR KIDS BY KIDS

For Kids, By Kids, is an album that has been written and co produced by children - for other children to enjoy. (Ideal listening age 5 - 10)

Unlike typical children's albums which are usually written and sung by adults, on this album the kids are calling the shots! The children who feature on the album got to choose their subject matter, write and record it, and co produce the backing tracks, all with the help and guidance of music mentor and Drum n Bass artist Natalia Sheppard (aka Tali).

The concept came about after Natalia grew frustrated by the amount of pop music that she heard her students singing and playing - that she, (and other teachers and parents) felt contained inappropriate lyrical content for young children to be singing.

"Kids are super intuitive and have amazing imaginations. Radio and often Youtube is constantly assaulting them with pop music that actually isn't really that suitable content wise, there is literally nothing for them to realistically relate to - so why not let them decide what they want to hear and sing along to? And making the album a charity project, means that the kids (some who have spent some time in Starship themselves) learn about the joys of giving and creating art that has a real purpose"

Last week saw the release of the first single off the album with an accompanying music video. "Night Birds" featuring Maddison Tong can be found on Youtube and is already creating money for Starship Children's Hospital via Bandcamp.

Buy the single here: ttps://youtu.be/cKW2m9BnR3Y

The album is due for release August 17th and there will be a limited edition amount of physical CD's which also include a bonus lyric book.

The album has been made with the kind help of sponsors NSL - SHURE, Kog studios, and The Creative Alliance.

THEIA 'BAD IDEA' VIDEO

Theia (Paula Yeoman & Nicole Thomas) has just released the video for her latest single ‘Bad Idea’.
 
The video premiered overnight on the UK-based music and fashion magazine, Clash.
 
‘Bad Idea’ is a deeply personal song that draws on Theia’s struggle with self-harm. The song’s lyrics are raw and honest but they’re set to an epic soundscape of warm and uplifting synths and a gritty rolling bass.

Read Theia's interview with Lizzie Marvelly in Canvas Magazine (NZ Herald) here.
 
Co-written with Grammy Award-winning Emily Warren and produced in New York by Sean Turk, ‘Bad Idea’ was released on July 13, debuting on 13 Spotify New Music Friday playlists around the world and 18 international Apple Music ‘Best of the Week’ features.
It reached #8 in Spotify NZ’s Viral Chart and debuted at #9 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.
 
Theia’s vision for the video was to use skating as a metaphor for life: “Sometimes life gets you down and you have hard times. You fall over. Sometimes you dust yourself off and jump up again; other times you need a helping hand,” she explains.
 
The Kiwi singer and songwriter searched far and wide for an all-girl skate crew to help bring the video to life, and in her search came across a Vogue piece on Chicano style in LA and discovered fashion designer and professional roller skater Sailor Gonzales.
 
Theia contacted Sailor via social media and the pair began plotting the video over Skype and email. “Theia came to me with a vision, and without ever meeting me, she naturally trusted me in bringing it to life. I am eternally grateful for her allowing me to have the creative freedom to let my whole heart pour into every inch of this project,” says Sailor.
 
Soon LA-based DJ, artist, director and videographer Tragik was also on board to shoot, with Sailor directing, producing, styling and doing hair and make-up. 
 
The video was shot on a summer’s day in LA and features Sailor alongside skaters Natalia Ruiz and Miriam Morales. It’s a positive and vibrant video, full of colour and conveying strength and hope.
 
“The video completely embodies the message of the song. I love the camaraderie of the skaters; it’s so uplifting and perfect that it’s shot on such a sunny Californian day,”
says Theia.
 
Theia emerged in 2016 with her hit ‘Roam’. In 2017 she released her debut self-titled EP, which earned her three nominations at the 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, including ‘Pop Artist of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘People’s Choice Award’. 
 
In late 2017, Theia opened for Sia at Mt Smart Stadium. Over the New Zealand summer she played at some of the biggest festivals in New Zealand, including Rhythm and Vines, Bay Dreams and Homegrown. In May she opened for Portugal. The Man at the Powerstation in Auckland.

LI'L CHUCK THE ONE MAN SKIFFLE MACHINE LIVE! AT LYTTELTON RECORDS

Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine Live! at Lyttelton Records (including optional FREE Harmonica Workshop) & introducing Sarah Lawrence

25th August. showtime is 8pm tickets $15 from cosmic ticketing

Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine - Harmonica, National Resonator Guitar, Vocal, Kick ad Hi Hat - Simultaneously! This genuine one man band plays good time music with old time style.

Li'l Chuck is preparing to head to the UK to record his 3rd album.

This gig will give you the opportunity to hear the new album tracks... LIVE! for the first time.

Here's what they say about him....

"Sublime harp and heartfelt vocals leave the listener wanting more" Blues matters magazine (UK) June 2017

"Li'l Chuck combines almost every element of pure joy".  

4 1/2 stars (out of 5) NZ Listener. March 2017.

"A true multi-instrumentalist & multi-tasker

in addition to a talented artist".  

No Depression Magazine USA. March 2017. 

Your pre purchased concert ticket also includes a FREE HARMONICA WORKSHOP!

3-4pm at Lyttelton records on the day of the gig (25th Aug) 

Li'l Chuck will be holding a Harp workshop (for all levels).  Come along, pick his brains, get some tips, get inspired, play Harp and learn about The Blues.....

More about Li'l Chuck......

Having spent a lifetime rummaging through the drawers of 1930's - 50's music,  Chuck’s mostly original songs are inspired by the sounds of the era - Blues, Early Jazz, Western Swing, Ragtime etc. and are uniquely presented in the style of street performers from those glory days. Sticking to the traditional one man band format, Chuck plays all the instruments simultaneously. 

Captivating story telling intertwines effortlessly with heart stopping harmonica. Multiple guitar styles are underpinned by his left and right feet  frantically pounding the kick and hi hat. The listener is left simply wondering, "How the hell does he do that"?

Originally hailing from the UK, Li’l Chuck first stomped out his music in New Zealand in 2003.

Li'l Chuck has performed at may high profile events around New Zealand. He recently played support for American legend Jimmy Buffet, Bluesman  Jerron 'Blind Boy' Paxton and The Topp Twins. 

His 2017 album Utility Blues hit No’6 on the official NZ albums chart & he was the feature artist on  Jesse Mulligan's Radio New Zealand’s Friday live.

In an age where we are rushing around at breakneck speed, where everything is instant, sugar coated, airbrushed and overly polished, Li’l Chuck brings us down to earth with some organic, all natural, whole grain, naked goodness.

ISRAEL STARR PRESENTS THE PRODUCERS CHAIR VOL.2 'NEO90SFUNKADELICSOULDUB'

Israel Starr today releases volume two in the 'Producers Chair' Series titled 'Neo90sfunkadelicsouldub'. His first instalment in 2017 'Dancehall Vol.one' won 'Best Roots album' at the 2017 Waiata Maori Music Awards and 'Best Roots Artist' at the 2017 Vodafone NZ Music Awards. This project however sees Israel take a sabbatical from  the realm of Reggae and Dancehall and enters into Hip Hop, Soul, Rnb and Funk with colours of roots splashed across the canvas. 

The project also features a hand full of Aotearoas best artists, poets and musicians including Te Kahu Rolleston, Melodownz, Awa, Troy King aka The Hongi Slicker and Alistair Fraser who plays sacred traditional Maori instruments on the opening track.

To promote the project Israel  joins Che Fu on an Australian tour after coming off his first sold out headline show in South Auckland last week.

LATINAOTEAROA 'UNDER THE SUN'

Today, Latinaotearoa release the fourth single 'Under The Sun' feat. MELOWDOWNZ taken from their third studio album Influencis et Collabis - out Friday 27th July on Mucho Aroha Music. 

All the way from Avondale, half-Samoan, half-Māori hip hop lyricist Bronson Price AKA MELODOWNZ  is a storyteller with a uniquely Auckland sound. A year on from the release of his first solo EP Avontales, has generated a following that has seen him take the stage at Northern Bass and Laneway Festival, as well as headline slots  across the country and shows alongside his friend and collaborator Noah Slee in Europe. Most recently MELODOWNZ appeared on SWIDT’s new cut ‘Off The Top’.

Bobby says of the collaboration: " It was a beautiful musical bridge between genres and styles. Melodownz’s rap just made the song sound smooth and it connected so well with Jennifer’s vocals." 

Latinaotearoa's third studio album Influencis et Collabis collaborates with Kiwi music icons Nathan Haines and Laughton Kora, as well as hip hop artists Black Alien, Melowdownz and Team Dynamite
 

Influencis et Collabis is set to be released
on July 27 through Mucho Aroha Records.

Who: uckland band Latinaotearoa
What: 'Influencis et Collabis' album release
When: Friday July 27, 2018
Where: Available on CD, iTunes & Spotify

To celebrate the release, the band are taking their unique brand of latin soul on the road:

Thursday July 26th - Album Listening at Ante Social (Auckland)
Friday July 27th - Darkroom (Christchurch)*
Saturday July 28th - Yonder (Queenstown)
Friday August 3rd - Laundry (Wellington)
Saturday August 4th - The Common Room (Hawkes Bay)
Friday August 10th - Whammy Bar (Auckland)*
Saturday August 11th - Sly Fox (Sydney)
Sunday August 12th - Section 8 (Melbourne)

*Tickets on sale from undertheradar.co.nz

THE GREAT NEW ZEALAND FOLK REVIVAL TOUR

theSlacks & Ben Dixon • Frank Burkitt Band • Albi & The Wolves
Taranaki show SOLD OUT

MMF artists Albi & The Wolves (Chris Dent), along with The Frank Burkitt Band and theSlacks set off on their mini Folk Revival tour in just over a week. They are excited to announce that the Taranaki show has sold out!

Don't miss your chance to experience New Zealand's finest folk bands coming together for a night of kiwiana, foot stomping, blues inspired music!

AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON TICKETS SELLING FAST
Ticket links below.

July 26 - Tuning Fork / Auckland

July 28 - Paekakariki Hall / Wellington

This July, three of New Zealand's finest folk acts will join forces for a hearty live experience you won't want to miss. Their energy combined is enough to power a small village!

Exemplary New Zealand artists Nadia Reid, Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding and Delaney Davidson are now taking the world by storm with their variations of folk music, and there is more from where that came from on this fertile land. Folk is back, and it is not going away anytime soon.

Albi & The Wolves are the most recent recipients of the 2018 Tui for Best Folk Artist for their stunning debut album One Eye Open, which captures the Auckland trio's captivating blend of folk with modern sensibilities of neighbouring genres and styles. From Wellington via Scotland, The Frank Burkitt Band are no strangers to tour van life, having recently played Port Fairy Folk Festival in Australia off the back of their new album Raconteur. Taranaki's own theSlacks will be joined by fellow Taranaki musician Ben Dixon, spreading their hearty, good vibes and highly singable tunes to audiences both young and young at heart - with a bit of Kiwiana for good measure.

The collective character of these three groups has helped shape a community and a hearty camaraderie around the music. They love playing music, but most importantly they love playing it together.

Catch this big, fun-loving musical family when they hit a town near you!

The Great New Zealand Folk Revival

July 26  -  Tuning Fork / Auckland
Tickets on sale from Ticketmaster.co.nz

July 27  -  Kakaramea / New Plymouth
(SOLD OUT)
Event details here

July 28  -  Paekakariki Hall / Wellington
Tickets on sale from Eventfinder.co.nz

VALERE 'CIRCLES'

Auckland soul-electro artist Valere has released her uplifting single 'Circles', a danceable 'pep-talk' for everyone who feels stuck in a rut. It is her first single from her upcoming debut album, set to be released early 2019. Valere will also be part of Songhubs Sphere run by APRA AMCOS, joining extraordinary women locally and from around the world to create music in writing sessions for a week at Roundhead Studios.

Links to 'Circles':

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3cWYomhh0wxvLuwXKwPxcI?si=kAVH7_XVTlW7ceh1Vj_V9g

Apple Music:

https://geo.itunes.apple.com/nz/album/id1405457290?at=1l3v9Tx&app=music

iTunes:

https://geo.itunes.apple.com/nz/album/id1405457290?at=1l3v9Tx&app=itunes