LIVE NATION AND VODAFONE ANNOUNCE LOUNGE JAMS

Live Nation and Vodafone New Zealand are bringing the joy of live music straight into your home with Lounge Jams, in support of MusicHelps - a registered charity that provides crisis relief and professional counselling services to directly affected Kiwi roadies, artists and music workers.

Taking place every Thursday at 7pm on Facebook for the next three weeks, the sessions will feature some of the biggest names in Kiwi music coming live from their home, to yours – starting this week with Tiki Taane.

Lounge Jams is happening to raise awareness of MusicHelps Live, the New Zealand music industry’s response to the devastation that has resulted from the many show cancellations due to the pandemic. In the past month, the live music industry has been wiped out and New Zealand musicians and those who work behind the scenes are facing an uncertain future. MusicHelpsLive is calling on those New Zealanders that can to help, visit www.musichelpslive.co.nz to make a donation or find other ways to support the live music industry.

Vodafone Lounge Jams

Tiki Taane – Thursday April 2, 7pm

Hollie Smith – Thursday April 9, 7pm

Dave Dobbyn – Thursday April 16, 7pm

Vodafone spokesperson: “The social distancing and self-isolation we are experiencing right now is extremely hard, and we wanted to find a way to bring everyone together through the power of live music.”

MusicHelps board chair and MusicHelpsLive spokesperson Campbell Smith says: “Even though we are apart this is an opportunity for Kiwis to stay connecting by listening to great music, and at the same time supporting some incredible musicians and the wider music industry through a difficult time."

Possibly one of the country's most well-known and diverse artists and producers, Tiki Taane is considered an influential element in the pioneering of New Zealand’s bass culture. First rising to prominence as a live engineer and front man of Salmonella Dub, Tiki is renowned as much for his powerful live performances as he is for the anthems he writes. Although affectionately known in NZ as ‘King of the Dubs’, Tiki’s musical influences and appeal are broad, traversing from dubstep, reggae, drum n bass and hip-hop, to more contemporary pop/rock sensibilities. No matter the set he performs, the audience is always reminded of the sheer power of Tiki’s ability to unify, warm and wow as he seamlessly delivers a unique performance experience.

Hollie Smith is a prolific hardworking singer, songwriter, and performer who has always maintained a highly respected reputation of creating music with the utmost integrity and passion. Her incredible live performances and powerhouse vocals have made her one of the most sought-after acts in the New Zealand music industry. After the success of her performance on Don McGlashan’s song Bathe in The River which showcased Hollie’s soulful talent, she has spent over a decade cementing herself as one of New Zealand’s most iconic and top artists.

LEADING NZ REGGAE BAND GIVES BACK TO THE ISLANDS

The chart topping and award-winning reggae band TOMORROW PEOPLE are using their platform to give back to the islands. Their smash hit song ‘Fever’ has now been remixed 4 times with 4 different artists. “All of these artists are massive in their own country, but we wanted to help these artists gain a new audience beyond their borders.” says lead singer, Kenape Saupese. At the same time, the band wanted to do something different again. Two years ago, they released “Don’t Wanna Fight It” in 3 different languages (English, Maori and Samoan) and that was a world first.

This time around, they decided to experiment and collaborate with artists from French Polynesia (Tahiti), Samoan, Tonga and the Solomon Islands. Each artist was given the same song and was asked to write and record a verse. The original version of ‘Fever’ has been a big hit for Tomorrow People over the past summer, and they are expecting a similar result for their new EP Titled “Fever – Island Remixes”.

Tomorrow People have done what they can to help other artists progress their careers, so they are very excited about the traction these songs will get. The four-track EP includes collaborations with Jaro Local (Solomon Islands), Wayno (Samoa), MoloTry (Tonga), and Eono (Tahiti).

You can listen to “Fever – Island Remixes” HERE

Tomorrow People – Kenape Saupese, Te Aranga Savage, Snow Chase, Avina Kelekolio, Duane Te Whetu, Hennie Tui and Tana Tupai -  are one of the country’s most-loved reggae bands, with a string of popular releases to their name, including ‘Souljah Feeling’, ‘Feel Alright’ and ‘Take It Away’.

They made headlines when their EP BBQ REGGAE toppled Ed Sheeran from the charts and drew praise for releasing single ‘Don’t Wanna Fight It’ in three languages - English, Te Reo and Samoan, as a mark of respect to the band members’ heritage and the diversity of their audience.

Follow Tomorrow People - www.tomorrowpeople.co.nz

KIWI INDIE FAVES BEACHWARE REVEAL FIRST SINGLE FROM THEIR DEBUT ALBUM

After generating a name for themselves on the local indie scene, Auckland five-piece BEACHWARE today release ‘The Arcade’ – the first single from their upcoming debut album.

Listen HERE

Recorded at Auckland’s famed Roundhead Studios, ‘The Arcade’ is a slice of alt-indie-pop, perfectly balancing fast and energetic guitar, with three-part vocals, double-time keys, and in the words of the band themselves “the fastest arpeggiator setting we could find”.

This is good ole’ Kiwi power-pop at its finest!

The song itself is all about a friendship/romantic relationship going south. “It's about being mature and knowing it's not one person to blame, but actually, maybe it's the other person who's really at fault?! Nothing seems straightforward when love is involved, and sometimes the search for it can take a few turns,” says the band.

BEACHWARE - comprising of Rob Hartnell, Alexandra Selkirk-Hanna, Phoenix Guava, Julia Morris and James McDonald – have been making waves on the Auckland scene since mid 2017. They started as a group of friends who wanted to be part of a relaxed, DIY project.

The ‘DIY project’ has, however, grown to b so much more than that, earning a reputation as a tight, energetic live act, which has turned out a handful of cracking singles, including ‘Want Somebody’ and ‘Respite’, as well as their debut EP TWIN COAST DISC DRIVE and RNZ’s winning 2019 Christmas song ‘Take Away The Tree’. Watch BEACHWARE perform it live on RNZ.

Now ‘The Arcade’ leads BEACHWARE one-step closer to the significant milestone that is the release of their debut full-length album. Watch this space!

IVETA AND SIMONE 'PSYCHO BABY'

Power duo Iveta & Simone are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of their highly anticipated new single, entitled “Psycho Baby”.

Iveta & Simone are the edgy female vocalists behind tracks including “Sunshine”, “More Than A Man”, and “L.O.V.E”. Their music is upbeat and thought provoking, often centering around relationships and the challenges that come along with them. Their music is best described as a fusion of contemporary, alternative rock, and new age and offers an eclectic sound that is loved by their many fans, to whom the duo serves as inspirational role models.

They cite influences such as Madonna, Shakira, Celine Dion, and Fergie but have crafted a sound that is entirely unique to their music.

“Psycho Baby” is no exception, with its mellow yet striking rhythm and sound that capture the attention of listeners right away. The track will be available on all major streaming platforms beginning when it officially debuts on April 3, 2020.

The two are currently touring, with upcoming shows slated for Takapuna Bar, Kalah Bar, Cambridge Cosmopolitan Club Inc., and Hamilton Workingmen’s Club Inc., and “Psycho Baby” is being implemented into Iveta & Simone’s latest shows, giving audiences a first glimpse at their newest track.

Iveta & Simone are excited to offer their newest track for their many loyal fans. More information, including touring dates and times, can be found at https://www.ivetasimonemusic.com.

MURMUR TOOTH RELEASES DEBUT FULL LENGTH ALBUM A FAULT IN THIS MACHINE

The first solo album by New Zealand musician and producer Leah Hinton (formerly El Schlong and Kobosh), was self-released on 19 March through Bandcamp (CDs) and all the usual music streaming and download sites: https://linktr.ee/MurmurTooth

Leah wrote, recorded, produced and mixed the album, which she loosely describes as “doom-pop”, in her lounge in Berlin.  She also directed and edited the music videos.

Leah began her music career as a guitarist.  At university she formed avant-metal band El Schlong, then spent the next 10 years touring around Australasia and Europe.  She eventually settled in Berlin where she became fascinated by the possibilities of the recording, producing and mixing process as an extension of the creative songwriting process.  She built herself a home studio and started making music. She credits A Fault in This Machine to “DIY attitude, perseverance and Youtube tutorials”.  The self-imposed isolation of being locked away by herself making the album resulted in a someone pensive documentation of the social distance people often drift towards in their 30s.

The album includes the singles Memory, Weak Knees and Rain Rain released as music videos in February and March 2020. 

SAM BARTELLS 'BLESSED AND BROKEN'

International singer/songwriter Sam Bartells shares song of awakening and spiritual change on April 10. In his new single Blessed + Broken, Sam Bartells shares his humble journey with addiction and coming clean.

“It’s a recollection of my very last rock bottom before I went to rehab,” shares the New Zealand native. “It’s about fighting for life, letting go and hope.”

Passion and purpose are prevalent in Blessed + Broken as the country-alt-rock artist tells a tale of flight and spiritual discovery. Full of soul, authenticity and fierceness, the renegade displays his raw and earnest vocals in a stripped down track generous in grit and genuine emotion. With arms open wide, Sam Bartells embraces renewal and change while staying open about his struggles and becoming an advocate for addiction.

A remarkable journey from the brink of despair to beginning his career with the launch of a new song alongside Reslau Records, Marathon Talent Agency and Kore Public Relations - spanning from Auckland to Nashville.

“Sam Bartells and I met back in September of 2019, his presence and character stood out,” says Owner/CEO of Marathon Talent Agency and former Chief Marketing Officer of Warner Music Nashville, Peter Strickland. “Listening to his music I heard passion and honesty in his lyrics sung with his bold and gripping voice. I look forward to watching his career develop from Nashville and abroad.”

Theia releases experimental fan track ‘Frat Boyz’

Theia has dropped a ‘fan track’ called ‘Frat Boyz’. It is the second song from her 99% Angel mixtape, which is being rolled out over the next two months.

Listen to ‘Frat Boyz’.
 
‘Frat Boyz’ is not for the fainthearted – think of it like the good ole’ days when B-Sides existed. It’s edgy and experimental and allows Theia to showcase another side to her creative talents.
 
“I know this song isn’t mainstream and I’ve been told it doesn’t really fit anywhere. But I had so much fun writing and recording ‘Frat Boyz’. It's also one of the best songs to perform live. Basically, I’ve made it for my fans and I hope they love it as much as I do.”
 
Set to a voguing industrial beat, warped and twisted synths collide full force with brazen distorted vocals, giving way to a haunting post-chorus and Theia’s trademark ethereal harmonies. All the while, the message screams loud and clear – “stop your s***, just shut it down!”
 
‘Frat Boyz’ is the second song from Theia’s new body of work – the 99% ANGEL mixtape – which she is releasing across a number of weeks. The first single ‘Kitty Kat’ received high praise from the likes of triple j Unearthed: “This track is fire! She's another singular-name artist but I reckon we could easily add a hyphenated surname to make it Theia Stefani-XCX. Bad arse attitude that doesn't f around”
 
Christchurch-born, Sydney-based Theia is fast making a name for herself on both sides of the Tasman with her fresh and unique PC Music-esque alt-pop, which blends razor-sharp and provocative lyricism with hard-hitting production.
 
Theia is also a live force to be reckoned with, opening for the likes of Sia, Tones And I, Mika and LEON. She recently headlined the Heaps Gay Pardi Gras at Sydney Mardi Gras alongside Dorian Electra. She’s also currently a finalist in two categories in the International Songwriting Competition with her song ‘Not Your Princess’.
 
The next song from the 99% ANGEL mixtape will be released in April.

GASPER SANZ 'CHERYL'

'Cheryl' is the first single for 2020 from Sydney indie-rockers Gaspar Sanz.

Known for their energy and infectious sense of play, the band's newest song draws inspiration from an unlikely source.

"This song was inspired by a cat called Cheryl who used to live with Jimmy (singer) and Sammy (drummer). Cheryl was a stray who was living on the roof of our other flatmate's previous residence and after a period of time, he ended up adopting her. She was very old and had a litany of health issues, but was a beautiful and gentle old soul, who had clearly seen some shit. The meows that are featured in the song are from Cheryl herself. Jimmy followed her around the apartment with a microphone for about half an hour to capture them."

Despite the simplicity of the song's namesake, the lyrics delve deeper, exploring the parables between human relationships and those we have with feline companions.

"Cats are extremely complicated and difficult. Loving anyone, in any capacity, is never unconditional or uncomplicated, it requires constant attention and comprise, much like a relationship with a feline."

'Cheryl' was recorded at Golden Retriever Studios in Marrickville with producer Oscar Dawson, and released through Helium Records.

Listen here - https://linktr.ee/gasparsanzband