The NZ Music Managers Forum Mentoring Programme to be extended into Australia

The NZ Music Managers Forum are proud to announce a mentoring collaboration with AAM (Association of Artist Managers) in Australia.  NZ MMF self managed artists or managers who have an artist targeting the Australian market, can now apply to be mentored by an experienced AAM Music Manager.

This is an extension of one of the NZ MMF’s most popular members benefit – the Mentoring programme, where members book to receive confidential one on one mentoring from a range of industry professionals.

NZ Music Manager Chair, Teresa Patterson, says; “This is the natural next step for our hugely successful Mentoring programme which has been running for over 10 years.  The ability to receive expert advice from successful AAM Music Managers in Australia will be of extreme benefit to our members who are planning to focus on Australia as a key territory.”

Catherine Haridy, Executive Director of the AAM agrees; “We are extremely proud to be partnering with our friends at the NZ MMF on this important mentoring opportunity, and to nurture collaboration between our Australian and New Zealand Music Managers while giving first hand advice and guidance to help navigate the Australian market.”

The Australian mentoring sessions are for NZ MMF members who/ their artists:

• Have a single/EP/album release in Australia, with an Australian label, that includes a promo and marketing plan

• Are planning to tour Australia (either headline or support)

• Have signed a deal with an Australian booking agent, label, publisher, promoter

 Australian and New Zealand Mentoring are for NZ MMF members only.

For more information on AAM www.aam.org.au

MMF (NZ) is dedicated to growing and supporting artist managers and self-managed artists. We do this by mentoring, networking, education and advocacy.

he Association of Artist Managers (AAM) unites the Australian music industry’s managers providing a peak body that develops, protects and promotes the reputations and interests of music managers and their artists.

MOLLY DEVINE 'CALL ME UP'

Molly Devine is proud to share her new single ‘Call Me Up’, a refreshingly uplifting pop track accompanied by an official video shot and directed by Shae Stirling, capturing the beauty of Aotearoa’s natural scenery. 

With an impressive resume of singing with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra performing with the likes of Martin Phillips (The Chills), Shayne Carter (Straightjacket Fits), Nadia Reid and Anthonie Tonnon, Molly more than finds her feet in this danceable ode to new love, co-written and performed by Will Henderson. 

“’Call Me Up’ is the first song Will and I wrote together. I showed up at his studio with a whole lot of ideas and lyrics, and then he lay down a beat. it was so fresh and fun that I put all my ideas aside and we just went with it. 

We chose the theme of new love, which is hilarious because I was going through a breakup at the time... but it’s a magical song, because not long after it all came true and I found a new love. 

This track comes from such a soft and gentle place and is so full of gratitude, which is exactly how it feels to be in love, when everything is such a surprise and you’re trying to work out what you did to deserve all this goodness!” - Molly Devine 

Accompanying the release of her single, Molly will also embark on a four date South Island Tour, with full dates below: 

• 28th February // Dunedin // Bark 

• 11th March // Dunedin // Ubar 

• 12th March // Invercargill // Muso’s Club 

• 13th March // Queenstown // Yonder 

MERV PINNY 'PINK ELEPHANTS'

Following on from his single Lover released late last year, award-winning social action rocker Merv Pinny is back with his latest track Pink Elephants this month.

Both singles share a similar theme about social media and the effect that this very powerful medium has on our lives, especially for our younger generations.

As the name suggests, Pink Elephants is about a world of make believe - fantasy vs reality - which Pinny says is happening constantly on social media, playing a part in why it is so addictive. How do we know anything is real anymore? So, can pink elephants fly? Have a few drinks and then have another think about it.

This upbeat rock song mastered by Grammy award-winning engineer Gary Calbi is an excellent addition to Pinny’s growing collection of top-streaming singles.

In the last three years, Pinny has spent over 177 days on the charts, making it into iTunes Top 5 across multiple genres in New Zealand, South Africa, Norway and the USA.

With each single release, Merv Pinny is making headway into new territories and regularly hitting the charts, making him an artist definitely worth watching.

VÏKÆ 'LIAR'

BEHIND THE VIDEO

the music video (prod. & edited by Veronika herself) features 2 unique locations as well as an important homage to her Ukrainian heritage. Veronika's family sought refuge in New Zealand post the Chernobyl disaster. The video was shot in Melbourne (AUS) after taking inspiration from the street art on the streets and in Ohakune (NZ). Veronika's aim was to visually personify the internal battle between the different sides of her mind and the representation of the chaos that cause lies in the first places. The video finishes with Veronika dressed in Ukrainian traditional dress revealing her truest and most authentic identity.

BEHIND THE SINGLE

Liar, produced by Mazbou Q (Formally Unchained XL) takes influences from TaylorSwift, Sabrina Claudio and Ella Fitzgerald featuring lush R&B tones mixed with raw and honest lyrics. Unashamed of her diagnosis with Bipolar, Liar is a confronting story exploring self awareness of toxic behavioural traits such as lying; the poison of allthings good leaving damage beyond repair.

Born in Ukraine and seeking refuge in New Zealand post Chernobyl, Veronika Bell [who goes by the pseudonym VÏKÆ ] was introduced to the beauty of classical music from an early age. Veronika began studying the piano (Royal Schools ABRSM). Veronika attended ballet school and had already finished a drama programme before the age of 12. An inspiring opera singer, Veronika was enrolled in a Classical Performance programme at University. However, she quickly became fed up with being put in a box, so switched to a Contemporary Performance programme in her 3rd year. Veronika obtained a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Performance Voice) and a Diploma for Graduates in Music (Jazz) in 2016 from The University of Otago. She became a resident vocalist of The Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra and began releasing her own music as well as managing her and VTMNK . The band released their own music and spent the majority of their time together gigging around the wider Dunedin area. Recently, Veronika has moved to Auckland to pursue a solo career in music. As a freelancing singer songwriter, Veronika now works as a recording artist and teaches privately in her home studio as well as being contracted to teach singing in schools.

AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S SONGWRITER, KATH BEE, RELEASES AMAZING ANIMATED VIDEO ON 1ST MARCH TO CELEBRATE CHILDREN’S DAY

For almost 20 years, Kiwi Kids have grown up singing Kath Bee’s unique children’s songs and they are still some of the most sung songs in NZ schools.

Kath believes children have the power within to achieve anything they want to in their lives and that’s the message in her song, ‘Magic in Me’. 

The song, released in September 2019, is co-written by Luke Tawera Epapara aka The Kurnel MC and Ryan Beehre (ex Minuit) and has over 5.2K streams on Spotify which ‘is fantastic for a NZ children’s song’ Kath says.

‘Magic in Me’ is sung by 9 year old Mika Elley. ‘Mika’s pitch is perfect.  She has a special ‘husky’ quality and brings tears to my eyes every time I hear her sing’ says Kath. 

Kath received funding from NZ on Air to make the animated lyric video and promptly employed Traci Meek of ‘Meek and Wild Creations’, to help her manage the project.  With outstanding illustrations by Wyatt Black, aka ‘BubbleZer0’ and animation by the amazing Tyler Baikie, a student at SITs Film Production Department, this video will definitely work its magic on everyone – young and old.

Mika, now 10 years old, is a Type 1 diabetic, which means up to 8 blood tests and 4 injections per day - but that doesn’t stop her zest for life!  She loves horses and plays keyboard, guitar and bass.  Her Dad Ryan says ‘she has a big heart, is very creative and sings non-stop’. 

She joins Kath on stage whenever she can, to perform ‘Magic in Me’ to young audiences and Kath says ‘It’s inspiring for children to see young Mika singing her heart out on stage.’  The song is an upbeat, funky electronic dance track and never fails to get kids AND their Mums and Dads up dancing!

Kath is a three-time APRA Children’s Video of the Year Award winner, with ‘Individuality’ in 2010, ‘Dragons Under My Bed’ in 2014 and ‘Sprinkle A Little Sunshine’ with Suzy Cato in 2019. 

She has over 60 original songs online and 70 YouTube videos.  Kath’s new focus is to help young people record, perform and write their own songs.  She will be touring her ‘Magic in Me Show’ in the Canterbury region in May 2020.

GHOST WHO WALKS DEBUT EP RELEASE PARTY

Ghost Who Walks (Nichole) are taking this summer by storm with the release of their self-titled debut EP, Ghost Who Walks.

Toe tapping and groove saturated, the EP will take you on a journey through to another dimension. Filled with sonics consisting of funk, rock, reggae and blues. Driven by a psychedelic vehicle for the soulful vocals with lyrics the listener can relate to, this is music made to make you feel.

Produced by front man and creative driving force Sam Fowles and recorded and engineered at Surgery Studios by Lee Prebble the band is super excited to share their creation with you. Kicking off with an EP Release Party in their hometown Wellington, Ghost Who Walks have been painting the city green in the excitement of the lead up leaking event details through guerrilla advertising.

With G Major on the decks and support from Dr. Reknaw this is a force to be reckoned with, so come get your groove on to the good vibes at local venue Valhalla.

Tickets available from undertheradar. 

EP available now for pre-order via Bandcamp or streaming everywhere September 21st.

Thursday 20th September at 8pm
Valhalla, Wellington
Tickets available from undertheradar

$5 Student Presales
$10 General Admission
Door Sales $15

SAHARA SKYE TO MAKE GUEST APPEARANCE ON P!NK’S NZ TOUR

Fresh off the back of a national radio tour in support of her debut single Expectations, Dunedin-born singer songwriter Sahara Skye (Tony Cowper) will now make her hometown stadium debut with a guest slot on P!NK’S Beautiful Trauma Tour, which kicks off at the Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow.

Sahara will make a special guest vocal appearance with Australian and NZ support act The Rubens, to perform their latest single ‘Never Ever’, after being approached by The Ruben’s management to fill the female vocal of the duet which is originally sung by decorated Aussie songwriter, Sarah Aarons. P!nk herself has shared her love for this gold selling single through social during the tour last month, highlighting the track as a high point of The Ruben’s live set.  

Sahara will then travel back to her new home base in Auckland for a further 6 performances during P!nk’s Spark Arena shows next week.

This is not the first time Sahara’s flawless vocals have opened new and unexpected doors. Initially igniting attention with her impressive covers on YouTube, Sahara has since spent the last few years working with some of the best in the business to hone her songwriting craft. After successfully securing funding support from NZ On Air, her debut single Expectations premiered on Spotify’s prestigious Australia and New Zealand New Music Friday playlist, an impressive debut for a first solo release.

Sahara’s next single Messy Love, again supported by NZ On Air will be released in the coming months. 

KIWI ARTIST THEIA TO PLAY 'POP UP' SHOWS

Theia (Nicole Thomas & Paula Yeoman) is playing a series of special 'pop up' shows this September in small and intimate venues. The Kiwi alt-pop artist is at Ante Social in Auckland on September 12; NivaraLounge in Hamilton on September 13 and The Stomach (all ages) in Palmerston Northon September 14. 

Tickets are on sale now at Under The Radar

Theia will be performing as a two-piece for the shows, rather than with her full band, giving fans the chance to see her up-close-and-personal. They will also be among the first in the world to hear new music from her upcoming second EP, including the recently released singles, Bye Bye and Bad Idea, alongside yet-to-be released material.

The Christchurch-born singer and songwriter emerged in 2016 with her debut single ‘Roam’. It went on to become one of the biggest songs released by a New Zealand artist that year. She followed it up in 2017 with the release of her debut EP, which also included the singles 'Champagne Supernova' and 'Treat You'.

The EP earned Theia three nominations at the 2017 New Zealand Music Awards (Single of the Year, Pop Artist of the Year and People’s Choice Award). She was also nominated as ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ at the 2017 George FM Awards.

Theia supported The Kite String Tangle on an Australian tour last year and played shows in the US and Asia. Over summer, she performed at some of New Zealand’s largest festivals, including R&V, Bay Dreams, Homegrown and Electric Avenue. She also opened for Sia, alongside Charli XCX and MO at Mt Smart Stadium, and Portugal. The Man at the Powerstation.

Theia – Pop Up shows 2018:
 
Wednesday September 12 – Ante Social – Auckland

Thursday September 13 – Nivara Lounge – Hamilton

Friday Septemebr 14 – The Stomach –
Palmerston North *all ages

Tickets are on sale now at www.undertheradar.co.nz