"Muimui Ki He Fetu'u" - New Original Tongan Christmas Lullaby for Kids!
Ōtautahi-based children’s music duo, Leah and Siu, of Loopy Tunes Music, are excited to release four new Christmas songs for kids that will be added to their very first Loopy Tunes Christmas album - "Whero: Kirihimete|Kilisimasi".
Ōtautahi-based children’s music duo, Leah and Siu, of Loopy Tunes Music, are excited to release four new Christmas songs for kids that will be added to their very first Loopy Tunes Christmas album - "Whero: Kirihimete|Kilisimasi".
Their second offering, "Muimui Ki He Fetu'u", is a sweet Tongan Christmas lullaby. It translates to ‘Follow The Star’ and is the duo’s first original full Tongan language song, collaboratively penned by Siu and their Māmā. The lullaby is sung by Leah’s eldest daughter, Olive, and Siu’s youngest child, ‘Ilaisaane. The girls’ gorgeous vocals are beautifully captured in this song, accompanied by the lovely harmony of their mothers. The guitar work of Toa Siulangapo is effortlessly stunning and complements the soft harmonic tones of the song superbly. .
The new Christmas songs include elements of the sisters’ Māori and Tongan cultures, and they all have a uniquely Aotearoa flavour, that will be enjoyed by all tamariki/children in many different settings. They have been created with the support of funding from NZ on Air Music.
As mentioned, the four new releases will be added to a compilation of already released Loopy Tunes Christmas songs, to become their first Christmas album. The album has a fantastic mix of songs that reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity well. Entitled, “Whero: Kirihimete|Kilisimasi” (whero being red, in Māori; with Kirihimete and Kilisimasi being Christmas in the Māori and Tongan languages, respectively), it is the second in the Loopy Tunes ‘Rainbow Collection’ of children’s music albums, following on from their debut album, “Kākāriki: Simply Us” (kākāriki meaning green, in Māori).
These Christmas songs are guaranteed to become new favourites in so many kiwi kids’ households and will be the new Christmas anthems for the coming festive season!
A quick intro to the other new releases:
Pōhutukawa Christmas Tree is the first of the four new songs and was released last week. It's a great rock 'n roll vibing song that puts our beautiful homegrown Christmas Tree in the limelight! It celebrates the pōhutukawa's uniquely festive qualities while paying homage to its significance i te ao Māori (in the Māori world), with a reference to ‘Te Rerenga Wairua’, the leaping place of spirits, in the bridge. Produced by Thom O'Connor and an awesome music video is on its way - currently under construction by animator extraordinaire, Ross Payne.
Christmas Dance is an upbeat and super catchy song that will absolutely have all children and adults alike on their dancing feet! This fun song encourages everybody to try out four different dance moves inspired by the different Christmas characters in the song, including a donkey. Giggles will be shared when they try to figure out how to dance like a Christmas tree?! Haha! This song was also produced by Thom O’Connor, who had a lot of fun putting this one together!
We Jingle is a simple jingle bell song that is perfect for use in preschool music sessions. It assists in the development of children motor skills through interactive movement with real jingle bells! It will be a total hit in preschools everywhere with its jazzy Christmas beat!
SONG RELEASE DATES (hit the links below to have a listen on your favourite streaming platform):
Wed, 26 Oct - Pōhutukawa Christmas Tree
Wed, 2 Nov - Muimui Ki He Fetu'u
Wed, 9 Nov - Christmas Dance
Wed, 16 Nov - We Jingle
Fri, 18 Nov – “Whero: Kirihimete|Kilisimasi” album
JP PRESENTS: “PULL UP” (REMIX) FT. BBYDRECO
Almost a year following the release of the original track, JP proudly presents - “PULL UP (REMIX)” feat. South African born rapper Bbydreco.
Almost a year following the release of the original track, JP proudly presents - “PULL UP (REMIX)” feat. South African born rapper Bbydreco. In most cases, releasing a Remix a whole year later might be considered too long a wait but with feature film “Red, White & Brass” (executively produced by Taika Waititi and Carthew Neil’s Piki Films), South Pacific Pictures TV series “Far North'' and hit theatre show now turned Webseries “Inky Pinky Ponky” on the horizon it would definitely be an understatement to say that JP has been booked and busy!
Nevertheless, he’s remained persistent with this release we’re thankful for it!
With Bbydreco’s effortless flow, JP’s smooth RnB Pop vocal performance and a sexy cinematic music video to match Abraham Kunin’s fire beat production, we’re reminded of our favourite Artists and their ‘movie-like’ music videos. Epic cinematography, choreography, slick fashion looks and a climactic ending; it is clear that JP is an Artist influenced by the legends and a vision that goes beyond just the music.
Not only is the Remix a dope collaboration, the music video hints at certain issues that are rarely explored in NZ music; the toxic male gaze and the power dynamics that exist from that, how comfortable we are watching people embrace their sexuality and perhaps even a subtle commentary on society's obsession with transbodies and female bodies in general. We can’t take our eyes off leading lady Leah Pao and her girls and they know it. That’s why their plan works.
If this is what we can expect for future releases, both JP & Bbydreco have promising careers ahead of them.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpgotmusic/
MIDAS MIND delivers his debut EP ‘COMING UP’ ahead of his LIVE PERFORMANCE AT WHAMMY BACKROOM
‘COMING UP’ is a unique blend of MIDAS MIND’s Westie accent and hyperactive lyricism, over bassy, bouncy, EDM-influenced beats. The result is a one of a kind sound that is as equally suited to an international festival stage, as it is to a local West Auckland garage.
Listen to ‘COMING UP’ online here
MIDAS MIND is poised to set the Auckland music scene alight with his debut EP - ‘COMING UP’ out November 4.
Having already established himself as an intricate and explosive lyricist, with a string of diverse singles and creative self-produced music videos, as well as live-to-air radio performances, his eagerly anticipated debut EP is sure to cement his position as one of Auckland’s hottest MC’s to watch.
Adding to the lead singles from the EP, is a music video for ‘2SICK’, and a collaboration with Aoteroa hip hop powerhouses ‘Spell’ and ‘LNGSLV’ on ‘NAWTY’ - all dropping with the EP on November 4.
‘COMING UP’ is a unique blend of MIDAS MIND’s Westie accent and hyperactive lyricism, over bassy, bouncy, EDM-influenced beats. The result is a one of a kind sound that is as equally suited to an international festival stage, as it is to a local West Auckland garage.
Born and raised at the foothills of the Waitākere Ranges, MIDAS MIND lived on the border of two different worlds. The rugged, wild west coast on one side, and the temptations of big city suburbia on the other. From far too young, beach and bush collided with drugs and sex, and Midas gained a lifetime of stories and some pretty harsh lessons by his mid-twenties.
Driven by a focus on mental health and a passion for his community, MIDAS MIND explores the more enjoyable aspects of his journey on his EP ‘COMING UP’.
Having been made with live shows in mind, COMING UP performed by MIDAS MIND at Whammy Backroom on December 2nd will be a show you do not want to miss.
MILLER YULE REVEALS VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE ‘HOLD ON / FIX YOU’
Hot on the heels of the release of his explosive debut album Let It Burn, singer-songwriter Miller Yule drops new single ‘Hold On / Fix You’, an acoustic rendition of his album track ‘Hold On’, with a sparkle of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ to end the song.
A SONG FOR ANYONE WHO KNOWS THE DEPTHS OF DEPRESSION
"All the seeds you buried in darkness will find the light to grow...Don't give up”
Hot on the heels of the release of his explosive debut album Let It Burn, singer-songwriter Miller Yule drops new single ‘Hold On / Fix You’, an acoustic rendition of his album track ‘Hold On’, with a sparkle of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ to end the song.
Miller’s work continues to demonstrate his ability to deliver strong hook-driven melodies, insightful and personal lyricism, and an innate talent for excellent arrangements and musicality. This raw stripped-back to its bare bones recording of Miller’s very personal song weaved with another, is a heartfelt and soulful performance, resplendent with beautifully blended harmonies and backing vocals, gentle percussion, foot-stomps and handclaps.
The track was recorded at Parachute Studios, and engineered, mixed and mastered by Scott Seabright. Miller recruited talented musicians Mark Steven on organ with backing vocals by Dean Tinning, Nathan Boston and Michael White to record this special acoustic version, and the video was directed and edited by Grégoire Aubourg with technical assistance from Miller’s brother Elliot.
Miller says: “’Hold On’ is a personal song about holding on to hope during the struggle of depression. It’s inspired by my own experience managing, as well as trying to help friends and family who are going through their own struggles in life. The segue into ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay is a fitting and moving outro to the track, giving the message that things can get better. I love weaving these two songs together – ‘Hold On’ is all about hope and resilience, and ‘Fix You’ complements and reinforces that meaning.”
Miller’s debut album Let It Burn features singles ‘Dynamite’, 'Tangled Up', ‘Evergreen’, and 'Lock Me Up'. The album itself was recorded at Auckland’s Roundhead Studio A and Big Pop Studios by Scott Seabright, mixed by Clint Murphy at Roundmead Studios, UK, mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound Mastering, Nashville and produced by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Melanie C, Opshop).
This first studio album has been a long time coming for Miller, and with this latest body of work he has perfectly captured his continuing development into a musically and lyrically strong, contemporary songwriter.
Estère releases single/video “Oh Well” - second release from Mākara Peak
Estère’s track "Oh Well” is a funky millennial lament about the current state of the world. Inspired by early 2000’s Hip-Hop and RnB production - as are many of Estère’s songs - it flits between existential conundrums and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.
Estère releases new track
"Oh Well"
on Thursday 3 November, 2022,
second track from forthcoming EP Mākara Peak.
Click here to listen to "Oh Well"!
Click here to watch "Oh Well"!
Estère’s track "Oh Well” is a funky millennial lament about the current state of the world. Inspired by early 2000’s Hip-Hop and RnB production - as are many of Estère’s songs - it flits between existential conundrums and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.
Estère says, "I wrote "Oh Well" during a lockdown. I'd grappled with a string of disappointments due to cancellations and the general feeling of being trapped at that time. I was thinking about how there are so many things we learn to be ambivalent about as a generation and a society - If we truly took everything on, we would mentally and spiritually implode from the pressure. But where's the line? Am I too apathetic? Do I care enough about things? Those are the questions I was asking myself when I wrote 'Oh Well'."
If pop were an urban centre, "Oh Well" would sit comfortably on its inspired outskirts, combining underground elements of RnB, cafe culture, a modicum of romance language and a dance-floor rhythmic groove.
"Oh Well" will be released by Blue Riot Records on Thursday 3 November across all streaming services.
Wāhine Asians Are Here Tour
Reshma Martin, Ersha Island 二沙岛, Miss Leading and DJ RNG + sus are teaming up for WAAHT! (Wāhine Asian Are Here Tour!) A power line-up of feminine Asian energy set to take North Island stages.
Reshma Martin, Ersha Island 二沙岛, Miss Leading and DJ RNG + sus are teaming up for WAAHT! (Wāhine Asian Are Here Tour!) A power line-up of feminine Asian energy set to take North Island stages. The group will be touring Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington Friday 18 November, at Meow Bar, Whanganui on the 19th of November at Porridge Watson, and Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland 26th November at Basement Theatre. This is a collaborative production between Peach Promotions, the Eastern Sound Collective, SquareSums&Co and Where The Asians At‽.
The three groups have teamed up as they recognise the need to promote unheard voices in Aotearoa, with Asian women still missing from most festival line-ups and few represented in main-stream music media.
Audiences should prepare to be blown away by the talent-stocked line-up of some of New Zealand's best emerging female artists playing an eclectic mix of pop that borders with classical music and indie to avant-guarde.
RESHMA MARTIN
Reshma Martin's career launched in 2016 after she appeared on the final season of the Malaysian singing competition "Akademi Fantasia." After this event, she went on to achieve music awards nominations and notable success in Malaysia, Japan and Los Angeles before moving to Whanganui Aotearoa and now Tāmaki Makaurau. In Aotearoa, Reshma was involved with NZ reality show Popstars in 2021, released her first English single titled 'Loneliest Girl', and is gearing up to release her second single 'Where My Asians At?'. The new song is an appeal to the NZ music industry, calling out the lack of Kiwi-Asian visibility, opportunities and representation in the sector.
Follow Reshma Marin on:Spotify•Instagram•TikTok•Facebook•YouTube
Miss Leading
Miss Leading is a New Zealand-born songwriter and music producer of Indian and Pakeha heritage living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She plays live electronic art-pop using an NZ made synthstrome deluge. Her live performances blend melodic synth lines with intricate percussion, poetry and sultry singing with the juxtaposition of heavily conscious lyrics. She has played both NZ and UK festivals and her album "Minor Thing" and her recently released music video "Woke" have both had editorial acclaim internationally, with Minor Thing receiving five-star reviews.
Follow Miss Leading: Spotify • Website • Instagram • YouTube • Facebook
Ersha Island 二沙岛
Ersha Island 二沙岛 is a Chinese-Kiwi duo who live in Tāmaki Makaurau. Having chalked up early achievements in Classical Performance at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing, sisters Dani 丹丹 and Tee 婷婷 now create mesmerising and memorable soul-pop compositions featuring their piano and violin pedigree. Ersha Island 二沙岛 have been writing new music in both English and Mandarin; they released their debut singles "Gut Feeling" and "Good Day" in February this year on both Western and Asian/Chinese platforms.
Follow Ersha Island 二沙岛 on: Spotify • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook
DJ RNG+sus
Each of the three events will close with a pop-up nightclub as the WAAHT resident DJ RNG+sus. They will bring an assortment of fresh tunes to the dance floor. When asked what she may be playing RNG+sus answered "Devine intervention/hellish chaos? Who knows." Either way, it will be the ultimate end to an incredible night of powerful female Asian-fronted music.
All artists have been played on New Zealand and international radio and are seasoned performers who each bring their own unique music flavour and personal stories of navigating multiple cultural identities. The desire to find belonging where they live and within their cultural communities is the diaspora that is echo'd in their music and personal narratives.
Renée Millner releases EP FLY ME BACK + powerful single ‘Cambodia’
Talented and soulful Taranaki-based Australian singer-songwriter Renée Millner has today released her gorgeous EP FLY ME BACK.
Talented and soulful Taranaki-based Australian singer-songwriter Renée Millner has today released her gorgeous EP FLY ME BACK.
Listen to ‘FLY ME BACK’ HERE
FLY ME BACK is a stunning collection of songs filled with Renée’s distinctively smoky vocals and lyrics that reverberate, empower and mesmerise. It includes emotive singles ‘Not Ok’, ‘Out Their Windows’, and ‘Fly Me Back’, as well as “stirring soul-folk anthem of resilience” (Under the Radar) ‘So Much’. It also features previously unreleased single ‘Cambodia’ - a powerful and beautifully written song about resilience.
“This song was written after my first trip to Cambodia pre-pandemic, inspired by a woman who shared her story of heartache and loss during the war,” says Renée. “I didn’t know a great deal about the history of the country but learnt so much about the genocide that occurred there. It was very humbling and reminded me of my time in Bosnia & Herzegovina - the incredible resilience of the people was impressed on my memory. I ended up completing a master's in Refugee Studies and Forced Migration, and worked in that sector for a number of years whilst living in Melbourne.”
Recorded with Sam Johnson of Rhythm Ace Studios, the EP’s production shines. This successful partnership between producer and artist has resulted in the exploration of new sonic territory - particularly with singles ‘So Much’ and ‘Fly Me Back’, which have a more pop-electronic sound, that brilliantly amplifies Renée's talent as a folk singer-songwriter, showcasing her versatility.
A celebrated live performer, Renée has a string of very special shows lined up, featuring Wellington-based multi-instrumentalist Jarrod Bakker (keys). Tickets are available HERE
New Plymouth - The Most FM - Saturday 29 October
Whanganui - Space Studio Gallery - Friday 18 November
Wellington - Moon - Sunday- Sunday 20 November
Auckland - Kumeu Live - Saturday 26 November
Tauranga - The Jam Factory - Sunday 27 November.
With several standout releases under her belt already, Renée is a talent set to soar - winning hearts with each chord she plays and story she tells. Listen now to the full EP FLY ME BACK HERE and make sure you’re following her socials!
FIND RENÉE MILLNER
WEBSITE | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD | APPLE
Olivia Foa’i sings a new song of hope in Sunlight, an English-Tokelau pop anthem.
Following in the footsteps of her prior tracks like Hau La and My Way, Olivia is back with another feel-good, bilingual track featuring lyrics in both English and Gagana Tokelau; a Polynesian language with only 4,000 speakers.
Olivia Foa’i releases a warm song of optimism and gratitude, written on the rainiest of days.
Following in the footsteps of her prior tracks like Hau La and My Way, Olivia is back with another feel-good, bilingual track featuring lyrics in both English and Gagana Tokelau; a Polynesian language with only 4,000 speakers.
Olivia is passionate about her Tokelau heritage and language, so it was appropriate that it was released in time for Aotearoa’s Tokelau Language Week celebrations.
Although ironically, the song was written on a stormy day during the second lockdown in Australia, Sunlight exudes undeniable warmth, gratitude, and optimism. “Sometimes we think that emotional depth lies only in sadness and hurt, but I think joy is profound. I think peace is incredibly profound. If you can still find light in all the darkness, if you can nurture peace amongst all the chaos. That’s deep.” - Olivia Foa’i (on the inspiration behind the song).
The song is written by Olivia and produced by her brother, Matatia. Mixed in with the modern drum kit is the Polynesian Pātē (log drum) played in Matatia's signature style. The upcoming music video will feature the rarely-seen-on-the-world-stage Tokelau fatele (Tokelau dance) and will carry the beauty - but also the uncertainty of preserving the culture/language in modern day.
The song and music video were made with the support of NZ on Air.
AfterMyriagon (No Photos Please), Sunlightwill be the second single from Olivia’s 2023 sophomore album and follows the success of her debut album, Candid, which earned her the Tui for Best Pacific Album in the 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards and Best Female Artist in the Pacific Music Awards of the same year.