FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2020 NZ CHILDREN’S MUSIC AWARDS

A tiny pony with a lofty goal, shuffling worms underground and Te Reo Māori are all thoroughly explored by this year’s finalists for the 2020 Children’s Music Awards – an annual presentation celebrating music written for kids.

The Children’s Music Awards celebrate the storytellers, the rhymers, the singers and groovers who write and perform the songs that ignite a love for music in New Zealand children.  Music universally brings a magical joy to the senses and plays an especially pivotal role in our children’s lives, spinning their stories and swaying their souls.

We are very pleased to announce the finalists for the 2020 APRA Best Children's Music Song, the Recorded Music NZ Te Kaipuoro Waiata Tamariki Toa / Best Children’s Music Artist, and the NZ On Air Best Children's Music Video.

APRA Best Children's Song finalists:
- Kath Bee and Doug Stenhouse for I Love Life (feat. Joelle)
- Aro for Korimako written by Emily and Charles Looker
- Ben Sinclair and Jeremy Dillon for Tony the Tiny Pony

Recorded Music NZ Te Kaipuoro Waiata Tamariki Toa / Best Children’s Music Artist finalists:
- Anika Moa
- Captain Festus McBoyle
- Chris Sanders

NZ On Air Best Children's Music Video finalists: 
- Little Ripples for Read To Me video by Emily Benge
- Chris Sanders for Tahi Tahi Tahi Ambulance Song
- Ben Sinclair and Jeremy Dillon for Tony the Tiny Pony, video by Ned Wenlock
- The Nukes for Worms, video by Parry Jones and Christian Tjandrawinata

Presented by Recorded Music NZ, APRA NZ and NZ On Air, the awards have the support of Kiwi Kids Music, the national association of children’s songwriters, creators and producers.  Formed by some of the most passionate creators of music for Kiwi Kids and currently chaired by Suzy Cato, the association supports NZ children’s music creators and seeks to advance the potential of all our children to live healthy fulfilling lives.

NZ On Air have created a special spotify playlist celebrating this years finalists available here.

Winners will be announced later this month at a special virtual awards ceremony – more details to come.

MUDBELLY SET TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM

Mudbelly’s debut dirty blues album is set for release May 22 Available online and on CD alongside 3 music videos.

Mudbelly haven’t been around for long, but they’re rapidly filling a gap in the NZ market for an unapologetic female-led hard-rock band. Their self-titled debut album is the result of 2 productive years in the studio, the band only taking time out last year to tour on the UK’s summer festival circuit - under their previous name Hypnumb. Engineered by the talented Thom O’Connor after a strong recommendation from Ben Edwards, the resulting singles range from soul-filled dirty blues (Bullet) to edgy power-rock (Crooked Magic). Three of the songs come with accompanying videos, all DIY jobs that stand on their own - guitarist/drummer John coming from a design background knew how to rig a team or 2. The songs are all co-written by vocalist Bex and John, both of whom started the band together in 2018, Bex often choosing the subject material with John “dirtying things up” to fit their edgier sound. Themes cover an unexpected spectrum: the angst-ridden remorse of a woman who’s just shot her partner, flipping the bird to judgmental institutions, or just singing about a good ol’ dirty hangover.  We hope you like it.

“GRITTY, NOSTALGIC, SEXY ROCK - FIVE STARS *****” Corrine Rutherford - music.net.nz

The Majestic West Coast Takes Centre Stage in New Katie Thompson Video

Award-winning country artist Katie Thompson today releases the new music video for her popular track, West Coast, featuring stunning scenery and live performances filmed at community events. 

The video is now available on all streaming platforms and via links at www.katiethompson.co.nz Appearing on Thompson’s third studio album Bittersweet last year, the track, which won her an MLT Songwriters’ Award for in 2016, has been an instant fan favourite and one of her most-requested live tunes. 

The music video incorporates footage from the 2020 Wildfoods Festival and the opening of the Paparoa Track in Blackball, something Hokitika-raised Thompson was determined to capture.

“Both were really cool community events and it shows that music brings people together,” she says. “As a fifth-generation coaster, the West Coast is so important to me, and, as the song says, ‘it’s in my blood and in my bones’.”

To keep the project central to the West Coast, she worked with three local videographers, Dave Kwant, Daimon Schwalger and Jase Blair, to capture the energy of the live events, and the beautiful, sweeping mountain shots that show the region at its very best. 

Thompson has been a well-respected figure in the New Zealand music scene, since the release of her 2009 debut album, Tall Poppy. This led to an opening performance act for Sir Elton John. Her talent was quickly recognised by Global Rockstar and the young musician was soon flown to Vienna to write and record with other artists around the world. 

For her third album, Bittersweet, she collaborated with award-winning producer Ben Edwards. It was recorded at The Sitting Room in Lyttelton with the added input of local musicians. 

www.katiethompson.co.nz

Mazbou Q shines on the release of his powerful new EP, AFROTERNITY

Nigerian-Kiwi hip-hop artist, rapper and producer Mazbou Q has today released his highly-anticipated debut EP, AFROTERNITY, which includes the new single ‘Bad Energy’.

Listen to the full EP HERE

Mazbou Q describes ‘Bad Energy’, which features Oklahoma rapper and producer Kevin Posey, as one of the more sonically darker tracks in his discography. But in keeping with the Auckland-based artist’s modus operandi, the message is as powerful and as positive as ever. “The main theme is to not let negativity into our lives and focusing on the positive in any given situation”, says Mazbou Q.

“Ironically, it plays on mainstream hip-hop’s historical tendency toward violent themes by which its usage of violent imagery against an abstract embodiment of ‘bad energy’. The idea is that if we figuratively kill the negativity in our lives, we will be better off for it,” he adds.

The man behind the Mazbou Q moniker – Hugh Ozumba – is no stranger to Aotearoa’s music scene. After carving out a name for himself as Unchained XL, he made the bold move earlier this year of revealing a new stage name and new music.

“When I chose the name Unchained XL, it represented whom I was at the time. However, a small but growing part of me was never able to fully embrace it and I have struggled to sit in that discomfort. My response was to retrospectively pack extra layers of meaning into the name, hoping it would resonate more fully with whom I was becoming as an artist. Nevertheless, the more ‘me’ I became through my art, the less ‘me’ the name felt. It was for this reason, as I entered a new year, decade and season of life, I chose my new artist name Mazbou Q - encoded from my birth name,” he explains.

The EP’s first single, ‘To The Gates’, accompanied by a powerful and exquisitely shot video (watch HERE) premiered on NZ’s top hip-hop and R&B station Mai FM and was added to bFM. It was followed by the second single ‘Blacklight’ feat. Mo Muse and Phodiso. Combined both tracks and their videos have received tens of thousands of streams across multiple platforms.

It laid down the foundations for the release of AFROTERNITY, which officially marks a new chapter in the journey of one New Zealand’s most unique artists.

“My music remains unapologetic in its political message - one of anti-racism and black consciousness. On previous records it hasn’t left much space for confidence in self, perhaps as a subconscious concession to New Zealand’s tall poppy syndrome. In AFROTERNITY, I evolve past that - I’m not afraid to shine on this EP.”

ALT ROCK GROUP, CITY OF SOULS, RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM - SYNAESTHESIA

Auckland alt-rock outfit City Of Souls have dropped their mammoth 16 track debut album SYNAESTHESIA.

Listen HERE

The band has been teasing the album with the singles ‘Sleep’, ‘Water’, ‘Long Gone’, ‘Wolf’, ‘Ferryman’, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, ‘Shimmer’ and ‘Cruelty’. Now with the release comes the brand new single ‘Whispers’.

A collaboration between City of Souls guitarists Trajan Schwencke and Marcus Powell, ‘Whispers’ is a dramatic soundscape that depicts the memory of a friend who took her own life.

SYNAESTHESIA has been an album five years in the making. Marcus Powell elaborates: “City of Souls have hit every single obstacle and block you can imagine. For us, this album is about endurance, passion, and a deep love for music.

“We have had these songs written and recorded with (producer) Forrester Savell for a long time but for whatever reason our timelines and plans kept changing. What I love is the solidarity and persistence within the City of Souls family has pushed through. No matter what happened with the cancelled tours, shows, album deals and record labels we, as a collective, have stayed strong and loyal,” Powell says.

“To say we are excited to release this album is an understatement,” Powell continues.

“I am so proud of the boys and the extended families for sticking this out and being here for each other. I am grateful for the support of the fans for carrying us through as well. I can't wait for everyone to hear and experience our journey to date. Thank you to City of Souls, the Street teams, the fans and everyone involved to bring this Taonga (treasure) to life!”

City of Souls have built a solid reputation as a live act to be reckoned with and developed a strong fanbase in New Zealand and across the world. With support locally including The Rock and Radio Hauraki, the band continue to push the envelope with their sound single by single, resulting in a solid collection of 16 tracks for the debut album.

City Of Souls formed in August 2015 by guitarists Trajan Schwencke (Cold by Winter, In Dread Response) and Steve Boag (In Dread Response, Blacklistt). Vocalist Richie Simpson (New Way Home) found their existing tracks immediately captivating and joined the band. Guitarist Marcus Powell (founding member of multi-platinum bands Blindspott and Blacklistt) then joined, and the line-up was complete with Daniel Insley on Bass (Solstate) and Drummer Corey Friedlander (In Dread Response / 8 Foot Sativa).

The City Of Souls sound is a true amalgamation of the members bringing something from each of their projects. Creating one of New Zealand’s heaviest and most loved rock bands.

Get SYNAESTHESIA HERE

Record number of entries showcase outstanding year for Pacific music

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s plenty to celebrate in New Zealand’s Pacific music scene. The finalists for the 2020 Pacific Music Awards were announced today after a record number of entries, resulting in 24 finalists across 13 categories.

Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua said that despite the challenging situation we find ourselves in, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the successes of our artists.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt, even by our humble 2020 Pacific Music Awards, requiring us to navigate through these times of uncertainty and great sadness. We acknowledge our traditional role and contribution to uplift the spirit and well-being of our people.

“We also take on the challenge of navigating the new economic reality and technology opportunities for our awards. Today we’re immensely proud to recognise this year’s finalists, who are exciting new and seasoned Pacific artists, that are making waves and taking Pacific music to new heights and realities. ”

Leading the finalists are hip hop duo Church & AP who are the fresh faces behind the next wave of New Zealand and Pacific hip hop. After being nominated for Best Hip Hop Album at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards in 2019, they released their debut album Teeth the following day on 15 November.

Since then, they’ve been nominated for four Pacific Music Awards including Flava Best Pacific Group, Base FM NZ & Island Base Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, Best Producer and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album.

Alongside Church & AP, international Pacific star Olivia Foa’i is also in the running for four Pacific Music Awards. As the lead female singer and dancer for multi-award winning Polynesian band Te Vaka, she’s seen success for her contributions to Disney’s Moana soundtrack alongside her father Opetaia Foa’i, who received the Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the film at the 2017 Pacific Music Awards.

She released her debut solo album Candid in 2019 and has been nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, SunPix Best Pacific Language, Best Producer (with her brother Matatia) and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album.

Hip hop artist commonly referred to as ‘Poly Pac’ (in reference to West Cost hip hop legend Tupac Shakur), Poetik achieved huge success with his album HAMOFIED 2 EP last year and has been nominated for three awards at the 2020 Pacific Music Awards – NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Base FM NZ & Island Base Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album.

In a Pacific Music Awards first, Shepherds Reign are the first Polynesian heavy metal group to be nominated as finalists.

They’re up for Flava Best Pacific Group, SunPix Best Pacific Language and APRA Best Pacific Song for their single ‘Le Manu’ is inspired by the legend of an ancient Samoan warrior and is quite possibly the first heavy metal song sung in the Samoan language.

Recipients of the 2018 Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award Punialava’a are back this year, proving their staying power as icons of the Pacific music community. This year they’re nominated for both PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist and SunPix Best Pacific Language for the album Sili’aga I Fa’atufugaga, Beyond Our Stories.

Having carved a place for herself within Auckland’s vibrant music community over the past six years as a proud, second generation Samoan New Zealander, Lou’ana’s voice carries the stature of an old soul. She released her debut solo material in 2019, is nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist and NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video, and has plans to release her first album this year.

Both Noah Slee and Lepani are nominated for Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist, as well as NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, while rapper Melodownz is nominated for Base FM NZ & Island Base Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist for his song ‘No Mercy’ featuring American rapper Denzel Curry.

Other finalists include Lani Alo (SunPix Best Pacific Language, PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist, APRA Best Pacific Song), Tomorrow People (Flava Best Pacific Group, Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), General Fiyah (Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist, APRA Best Pacific Song), Bella Kalolo (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist), JXN (PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist), Jordan Gavet (Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist), Lomez Brown (Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), Raggadat Cris (Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), Disciple Pati (NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video), SWIDT (NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video), KINGS (Best Producer), Mikey Mayz (Best Producer), HP Boyz (PMN Best International Pacific Artist), Josh Tatofi (PMN Best International Pacific Artist) and Kaiit (PMN Best International Pacific Artist).

There will be six other awards  announced for the 2020 Pacific Music Awards: Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Pacific Artist, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award, NZ On Air Streaming Award, SunPix People’s Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist, Special Recognition Award and the Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award.

The winner of the Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album category is presented with an official Tui and recognised at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards later this year.

Pacific Music Awards finalists:

Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist:

• Bella Kalolo - ‘Ends of the Earth’

• Lou’ana - ‘Move Along’

• Olivia Foa’i - Candid

NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist:

• Lepani – ‘Pockets Full of Love’

• Noah Slee- Twice

• Poetik – HAMOFIED 2 EP

Flava Best Pacific Group:

• Church & AP - Teeth

• Shepherds Reign – ‘Le Manu’

• Tomorrow People – ‘Fever feat. Fiji’

NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:

• Disciple Pati - ‘The Boy Who Cried Woman’

  o    Directed by Shae Stirling and Sapati Apa

• Lou’ana- ‘Eye To Eye’

  o    Directed by Annie Duckworth

• SWIDT - ‘Bunga

  o    Directed by Anahera Parata

APRA Best Pacific Song:

• General Fiyah - ‘It’s You feat. Three Houses Down’

  o    Written by Charlie Pome’e and Nicholas Pome’e

• Lani Alo - ‘Alo I Ou Faiva’

  o    Written by Metitilani Alo and Livingstone Efu

• Shepherds Reign – ‘Le Manu’

  o    Written by Oliver Leupolu, Filivaa James, Joseph Oti-George, Gideon Voon, Shaymen Rameka

SunPix Best Pacific Language:

• Lani Alo - ‘Alo I Ou Faiva’

• Olivia Foa’i - Candid

• Punialava’a – Sili’aga I Fa’atufugaga, Beyond Our Stories

• Shepherds Reign – ‘Le Manu’

Base FM NZ & Island Base FM Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist:

• Church & AP – Teeth

• Melodownz – ‘No Mercy feat. Denzel Curry’

• Poetik – HAMOFIED 2 EP

Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist:

• Jordan Gavet - ‘Hesitation’

• Lepani - ‘Pocket Full of Love’

• Lou’ana - ‘Move Along’

• Noah Slee - Twice

Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist:

• General Fiyah - ‘Its You feat. Three Houses Down’

• Lomez Brown - ‘Tell Me’

• Raggadat Cris - I Swear

• Tomorrow People - ‘Fever feat. Fiji’

PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist:

• Lani Alo - ‘Alo I Ou Faiva’

• Punialava’a - Sili’aga I Fa’atufugaga, Beyond Our Stories

• JXN - ‘Talako Dragon’

PMN Best International Pacific Artist:

• HP Boyz - ‘Engineers’

• Josh Tatofi - Ua Kui A Lawa

• Kaiit - ‘Miss Shiney’

Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album:

• Church & AP - Teeth

• Olivia Foa’I - Candid

• POETIK – HAMOFIED 2 EP

Best Producer

• Church & AP - Teeth

  o    Producer: Dera Meelan

• Kings - ‘Hit That’

  o    Producer:  Kings

• Mikey Mayz - ‘Wild People’

  o    Producers: Tia Drumma and EDY

• Olivia Foa’i - Candid

  o    Producer: Matatia Foa'i

MILLY TABAK & THE MILTONES 'HONEST WOMAN'

Milly Tabak & The Miltones channel a classic Americana sound in brand new single ‘Honest Woman’. The song is Tabak’s first release since winning the Taite Prize Best Independent Debut for The Miltones, and is the title track from the band's forthcoming album Honest Woman, set for release in July.
 
The warm and uplifting track showcases Tabak’s growth within herself and as a storyteller, and gives a glimpse into the truthfulness and maturity that music lovers will hear when they get to sit down with the full album.

“‘Honest Woman’ is about the new version of myself that I’ve discovered. I’m proud of her,” Tabak says. “The song perfectly captures the pure joy I’ve had from recording my dream record.” 
Tabak and her extraordinary band The Miltones (Liam Pratt, Chip Matthews, Guy Harrison and Tom Broome) recorded  Honest Woman live to tape at Roundhead Studios with Paddy Hill, to capture the musical mastery and emotion that’s so evident in their live performances. The album is expected to be released in July on vinyl via Border Music and digitally via DRM.

TAITE MUSIC PRIZE AWARDS CEREMONY CONFIRMED FOR MAY 5TH

The 11th
TAITE MUSIC PRIZE

2020

Streaming live on Facebook
Tuesday 5th May 2020
Watch the Taite Music Prize awards ceremony live straight from your living room on May 5th!

Today, Independent Music NZ (IMNZ) confirm details of the Taite Music Prize awards ceremony taking place Tuesday, May 5th at 6:30 pm. Alongside the main Taite Music Prize, winners of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut, Independent Music NZ Classic Record and the Independent Spirit Award will accept their awards via live stream at the following media outlets: 95bFM, APRA AMCOS, Auckland Live, IMNZ, Native Tongue, NZ Music Commission, NZ Music Month, NZ On Air Music, Radio NZ, Recorded Music NZ, Red Bull Studios AKL, The Label NZ, Undertheradar. 

Save the date and celebrate the 11th annual Taite Music Prize with some of New Zealand's finest musicians. You won't want to miss it! Full list of finalists below.

Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand’s most respected music journalists, the award recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one recording. The prize-winner will receive a cash prize of NZ$12,500 to be spent as they wish, thanks to Taite Music Prize founding partner Recorded Music NZ; recording time at Red Bull Studios Auckland; and a year’s supply of Red Bull product. This year’s ten finalists, from a list of 54 nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:

Aldous Harding - Designer (Flying Nun Records/4AD)Beastwars - IV (Destroy Records)JessB - New Views (JessB/The Orchard)L.A.B. - L.A.B. III (Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa)Lawrence Arabia - Lawrence Arabia’s Singles Club (Honorary Bedouin Records)Louis Baker - Open (Louis Baker Music/Ditto Music)Mermaidens - Look Me In The Eye (Flying Nun Records)Miss June - Bad Luck Party (Miss June/Frenchkiss Records/The Orchard)Tiny Ruins - Olympic Girls (Ursa Minor)Troy Kingi - Holy Colony Burning Acres (Triple A Records)

The three finalists for the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut are:

Tom Ludvigson & Trevor Reekie - Roto (Jazzscore)Repulsive Woman - Relief (Independent) Mousey - Lemon Law (Independent)

Previous Taite Music Prize finalists returning with their latest albums include; Lawrence Arabia (three-time finalist and winner of the first-ever Taite Music Prize in 2010 for Chant Darling), Aldous Harding (two-time finalist and winner of the Taite Music Prize 2018 for Party), Beastwars (twice nominated for their self titled debut in 2012 and Blood Becomes Fire in 2014), Tiny Ruins (Taite finalist in 2012 for Some Were Meant For Sea and in 2015 for Brightly Painted One). 
Alongside the main prize, three additional awards will be presented at the ceremony: the Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award, the newly created Independent Spirit Award, awarded to a New Zealand person who assists our NZ musicians to grow and find their own unique pathways, and the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2,000 cash prize and a live performance opportunity with thanks to Auckland Live.