REZWAN ASHRAF 'VORTEX PRISON'

Rock guitarist Rezwan Ashraf proudly announces the release of his new guitar instrumental Vortex Prison on 20 April 2020  amidst the nationwide lockdown. The single will be available on all major digital platforms. Vortex Prison is the first single from his upcoming instrumental EP.

Listen to Vortex Prison on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1nLcC1MRMyFVeER6uxVgSo?si=ScuUt2KFQcmD3qeApl9WDg

Rezwan Ashraf primarily focuses on writing guitar based rock music and produces his tracks himself. He always strives to collaborate with likeminded artists in an effort to make the best sounding tracks.  Vortex Prison is his third instrumental release so far. His musical vision is to add more value to the current guitarists' community of NZ .

Alien Weaponry announce European tour cancellation

Alien Weaponry, one of New Zealand's most prolific touring acts, has just announced the cancellation of its European and UK tour this coming season, citing travel restrictions and festival cancellations resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Due to kick off in June, it would have been their third season touring Europe and the UK since their 2018 début at Wacken Open Air. This year would have seen them playing main stages at festivals like Nova Rock in Austria and Mystic Festival in Poland, alongside the likes of Judas Priest, System of a Down and the Foo Fighters. 

“We are gutted that we won’t be able to make it over this summer, but rest assured we will be back among our fans as soon as we can. Stay metal, stay safe,” said frontman and lead guitarist Lewis de Jong in a statement released by the band's European promoters.

An extensive headline tour of Scandinavia, The Netherlands and the UK was also scheduled and is now cancelled.

"We are so bummed to be disappointing fans," says drummer Henry de Jong "but understand the importance of us all working together in this time of global crisis to do what's best for our communities"

He was also full of praise for New Zealand and how Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her team are handling the Covid-19 crisis at home "She's awesome. I'm so proud to be a kiwi at the moment, and urge everyone to stick to the plan and stay at home."

The band had just started recording their second album at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios when New Zealand went into lockdown; and will resume the recording and commence production of new music videos when lockdown restrictions are lifted.

"We have been taking the time in isolation to work on new ideas and material, which may find their way onto the album," says bass player Ethan Trembath. "We're making the most of being in our bubbles and getting stuff really pumping for when touring finally kicks off again, but in the meantime we're focused on staying healthy, staying safe and staying home."

The band is already working with agents and promoters for its 2021 plans, but say it's too early to make promises and, like many touring artists, they are taking things one day at a time.

Dianne Swann Solo album announcement and first single release

A Press Release of sorts, in the first person:

Dianne Swann Solo album announcement and first single release 

I am recording my first solo album and the first release is a song called ‘Show Your Heart’ and will be released on bandcamp  this Friday, along with a video put together by crowd sourced material. https://dianneswann.bandcamp.com/

The song was recorded in December 2019 with Tom Broome in Kumeu, Auckland and mixed in London by UK producer Steve Power (Blur, Baby Bird, Julian Cope, Robbie Williams, British Sea Power).

The album recording has stalled due to the lockdown – but I was keen to keep the project rolling – the song had already been mixed, and feedback from those who worked on it with me, was that this was a good time for people to hear it.

How to make a video in lockdown, without it being a “lockdown’ video?

 I contacted a few friends and family members and asked if their locked down children would be keen to work on a project. I sent them the lyrics from the song and asked them to visually interpret them in any way they wanted to - artwork, dancing, miming, acting anything!

This was in the second week of lockdown, and when the small iphone clips started rolling in on the email, it put some warmth and colour into a very grey week for me.

I enlisted the help of editor and musician Jared Kahi, who started putting the clips together and also put his own whanau to work with contributions for the video – I added some of my own iphone videos of my favourite things. I wasn’t 100% sure if this would all work – but the result works so well as a warm visual interpretation of the song.

The video was completed on Wednesday and I am going to release it tomorrow Friday April 23rd – why wait?

NEEKOH breaks the silence with his new single Dead City

- Made in Finland, revamped in Auckland, NZ -

After moving to New Zealand the Finnish artist NEEKOH aka Niko Helenius, shows up as a strong pop-artist with visually intriguing style yet to be seen in the NZ music market. He has come a long way musically as well as geographically since Finland’s Pop Idol finalist 2014.

·       Dead City single & music video release date 24.04.2020

·       Energetic 80s synth pop song that marks a new era for the artist

Dead City was inspired by a significant moment in NEEKOH’s life:

“It was dark and quiet back in the hotel room in Belgium. My partner was passed out on the bed. I thought
to myself how did I end up in this situation? I had so much love to give, yet loneliness burnt my insides.
I found myself in a loveless relationship. Blinded by the shining lights, searching for the passion, craving for life.”

TARN PK 'DAYLIGHT'

Tarn PK is a nineteen-year-old songwriter/musician/producer from Christchurch, based in Wellington.

Tarn blends musical genres such as RnB, Funk, and Pop with electronic production flair to create something that is accessible and musically interesting. He writes, sings, plays, and produces all his releases.

His single ‘Caught in the Wake’ was selected for NZ on Air’s New Tracks promotion and received community and commercial radio play. 

Third single, ‘Talk To You’, also made New Tracks and received commercial radio play.  It also made Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists in Aus/NZ, the UK and US in November 2018 and made the NZ Official Charts Hot NZ 20.

The ‘Fantasy’ EP was released in January 2019. Happy Mag called it “an expert study into funk and modern pop”.

In Feb 2019 Tarn started studying Commercial Music at University. After a year of study he’s returning to releasing his own tracks.

‘Daylight’ is the first single from an upcoming EP.  The song is about forgetting your problems for a night and giving in to your feelings. With a luscious backdrop of chords and smooth beats, the song paints a picture of the morning after a party with the sun rising over the beach. At the core of the song is the idea of escaping your problems together.

‘Daylight’ has been accepted for NZ On Air April New Tracks. Promotion will include Instagram/FB videos and an acoustic version with a YouTube video will follow.

Tarn currently has over 250,000 streams across all platforms

STRETCH PREPARES FOR ALBUM #2

Following his acclaimed debut album, which went Top 10 in the NZ independent album charts, Stretch prepares for recording Album #2. But given the current national/global situation, the project of making this album is now a moving set of plans...

One of those potential plans is recording the album on location in a suitable room in his local region of Hawke’s Bay. Stretch explains, ‘Although there are no full-time studios here, there is no shortage of amazing rooms, buildings and acoustic spaces. It could be that working to restrictions will see this album being made somewhere very different to a studio’.

Over 3 years of writing, constant touring and performing, including being selected to open for Elton John in front of a 25,000 strong audience, Stretch has developed these new songs and a new sound, alongside cellist Paula Sugden. ‘Her sound is incredible, she is playing a 300-year old cello, we’ve combined my folk/alt-country thing with her classical approach to create something special, we can’t wait to get it out there’.

Throughout the month of May, Stretch has partnered with NZ arts crowdfunding platform ‘Boosted’ to build the funds needed for this album. Boosted have an impressive track record of supporting and bringing art projects to life. ‘Well May is a pretty apt time to put the word out that there’s an album to be made and we’ll need some support to see it through, given what’s going on. Supporting local artists doing local projects couldn’t be more timely in NZ music month 2020’.

Stretch will be launching his Boosted campaign on Friday 1st of May. More information at:

https://www.boosted.org.nz/profile/5e26fdb40a7dbe1bb0ecf775

https://www.stretchsongs.com/

HARRY PARSONS 'PROMISE'

Melancholy was Harry Parsons first childhood friend. He doesn’t know whether it was this feeling that led him to music, but what he does know is that once he picked up the guitar, everything felt right.

Growing up in a small town in New Zealand he eventually made his way to Auckland City, It was there he linked up with producer/song writer Ben Malone and indie label 5AM. This collaboration has lead Harry in a new and exciting musical direction and he can’t wait to share his new body of work.

The vibe of the music is heart-on-your-sleeve story telling that uses poetic writing and dreamy melodies. It’s alt-pop at its finest with a bit of cinematic noir. Expect to hear strong rhythm’s, with a heavy focus on the Bass and Drums.

“Promise” follows a tragic love story of a person trying to leave their past behind so they can be with the one they love. But in a twist of fate their past catches up with them for one final showdown.

This song captures the thrill of being on the run and the drive to keep a promise. ‘Promise’ is the product of Harrys first writing session with producer Ben Malone, and the beginning of an exciting new journey.

TUTAHI - STAY

Stay Home, Save Lives

Created by over 20 artists in collaboration while in lock down, ‘Stay’ is a waiata created with one simple goal - encouraging the people of Aotearoa to “stay home, save lives”.

The brainchild of Te Māngai Pāho and Loop, the track & video were written, produced & recorded remotely by over 20 artists in just seven days, showcasing how New Zealanders are able to pull together in a time of crisis.

‘Stay’ was written and arranged by Anna Coddington, Rob Ruha, Scott Tindale and Brad Kora, Ara Adams-Tamatea & Joel Shadbolt (L.A.B), with a wide range of sixteen vocalists featured throughout including - Anna Coddington, Bailey Wiley, Hollie Smith, Ria Hall, Theia, Fran Kora (Kora), Jackson Owens, Joel Shadbolt (L.A.B), Kings, Logan Bell (Katchafire), Pere Wihongi (Maimoa), Rei, Rob Ruha, Stan Walker, Tiki Taane & Troy Kingi.

‘Stay’ is the final result, written, recorded & edited in seven days, remotely combining over 20 of New Zealand’s most exciting and well known artists together with a clear and simple message - “this isn’t forever, we’re in this together”.

All proceeds from ‘Stay’ will be donated to Music Helps, who are doing great things to help those in the music industry affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The idea for ‘Stay’ was inspired by the work of a Uganda music artist that Anaru Mill, Head of government fund Manaaki, had come across in his mahi at COVID Command. Anaru suggested to colleague Te Atawhai Tibble that Kiwi artists should do one. Atawhai called Nadia Marsh, Kaiarahi Puoro at Te Māngai Pāho, to see what could be done. She engaged Mikee Tucker from Loop, and the project began to come together.

“He wairua māhorahora tō te waiata nei, nā te hao kia whakakotahi tātau i a tātau.” (“The spirit of the song is warm & inviting, inspired by the desire to bring people together.”) - Rob Ruha, co-songwriter.

“It’s inspiring to see what can be achieved from lockdown in seven days! A fun project with an important message that utilised the full power of the internet.” - Mikee Tucker of Loop

“Te Māngai Pāho is proud to be able to support this kaupapa. What an achievement to capture so much love and talent in a song in such a short time. We thank and congratulate Mikee Tucker and all the incredible artists whose collaborative breath has given birth to this waiata. Mauri oho, mauri tū, mauri ora!” - Larry Parr, Chairman of Te Māngai Pāho

‘Stay’ Features Anna Coddington Bailey Wiley Hollie Smith Ria Hall Theia Ara Adams-Tamatea (L.A.B) Brad Kora (L.A.B) Fran Kora (Kora) Jackson Owens Joel Shadbolt (L.A.B) Kings Logan Bell (Katchafire) Pere Wihongi (Maimoa) Rei Rob Ruha Stan Walker Tiki Taane Troy Kingi