Going Gold with MMA

A chat with Rory from Voodoo Bloo about the recent rise on Spotify and how they achieved this. Some good advice for other bands as their very first single MMA has gone Gold and on its way towards 30,000 streams!

“After a huge year for us, touring around Aussie and New Zealand, as well as releasing our second album, the band and I reached a point where we could grasp normalcy again, and with normalcy, comes a lot of admin. We loved every minute of what we did this year, but we realised that to make next year even bigger we needed to increase our reach even further, which in itself is a very vague concept, and one without a lot of focus or thought. 

We decided in the end, something that would be cool to try, was trying to get our music onto playlists that we really loved, and to increase our follower count on Instagram. With that goal in mind, it helped us focus our efforts to increase our reach to one specific area.

Going about Spotify playlist submissions isn't exactly an easy task, but as we saw after spending a lot of downtime finding ones that were right for us, it can really help you get your music out to the right people, without having to go through the normal means of promotion for your content (posting to specific groups, your music falling on cold shoulders etc…), this also lead to a healthy amount of new followers on all our platforms at the same time, whilst trying to upload consistent content.

It really should go without saying, but if you don't care about your content, then no one will. Spend time digging for gold on socials, videos or photos that actually make you think, or at least you admire in some sort of fashion. Giving any sort of visual passion project a go will really show off who you are as people, what the band is like outside of the music, and gives the people who follow you a real chance to see a completely different side of what you do.

Building your audience is about as much focus and goal setting as possible, don't spend your time doing a one hundred things with 1% effort into each, but just focus on 3 or 4 things with at least 25% effort when working on your project, people will see the love your putting into it more, and that love will resonate.”

Taylor Roche continues to free-fall in new single “lovemesober”

On a social media rise like no other, New Zealand pop artist Taylor Roche has been on an ascending slope thanks to TikTok (now sitting on 73.5k followers and growing by the day). While he’s become better known for his humor and turning audios into viral videos, his latest releases “similar feeling” and “day&night” haven’t gone unnoticed amongst his following.

His upcoming single “lovemesober”, dropping November 18th, is a sequel to the crumbling relationship and mind games told in “day&night” – which saw acclaim from Milky, MusicFeeds and AAA Backstage, as well as playlisting on Fresh Finds US and at #6 on Fresh Finds Pop. Co-written and produced by key collaborator Joel Jones, “lovemesober” is grounded by acoustic guitar and crosses into more indie/pop territory pulling from inspirations like Bazzi and The 1975.

On the making and inspiration behind the song, he says “it’s a song we wrote immediately after ‘day&night’ was released and the story kind of picked up from where that left one off. It really focuses on the insecurities that are brought on by not knowing if it is love or just disguised by the euphoric nature of a night out.”

Working towards an EP to be released in 2023, Taylor Roche has landed on his own authentic sound and platform – and if the numbers show anything, it’s that people seem to keep coming back for more.

MURMUR TOOTH & LARS MOSTON SHARE ELECTRO-POP BANGER AND FAUX SPAGHETTI WESTERN MUSIC VIDEO

Hot on the heels of their Berlin lovesong 'Antidote', comes the latest track from Murmur Tooth and Lars Moston, a bouncy electro-pop banger of a track, 'Now Is Love'. The music video is a faux spaghetti western epic, filmed in the desert in Egypt and the mountains of Central Otago, and three stonking remixes from international producers complete the single package.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3UuUlC5

Music nerds might get the reference to ‘What Time Is Love’ by The KLF, and 'Now Is Love' is a shoutout to this tongue-in-cheek twist to dancey pop music. Built on a rock solid foundation of stompy beats and an 80s funk stab, the track oozes good times. The vocals are a sassy invitation to join the party, and, with bouncing hi-hats and a massive bass it's very clear that the party starts now.

While Murmur Tooth began as a doom-pop project of Leah Hinton, things have taken a more experimental/indie-dance approach since teaming up with British-German DJ and producer Lars Moston. Since meeting during the pandemic, the duo have explored how their polar-opposite musical backgrounds could clash and combine, with an upcoming full length album, No Time To Explain, combining Leah's composition skills and vocal hooks with Lars's production magic. The tracks drip with layered harmonies, and burst with weird and wonderful sounds of half-broken instruments, salvaged childhood toys, and repurposed household appliances. The first track, 'Antidote', released on the 7th of October via Motor Music entered the German Club Charts at #21 on release weekend, was Top 10 in the Apple Music / iTunes charts in Mexico, Greece, Nepal and Niger, and was also Claptone’s “Claptune of the week”.

'Now Is Love' is available on all digital platforms from Friday 11th November, 2022.

Info: https://www.murmurtoothandlarsmoston.com/

KORA 'GONE'

KORA’s new song Gone is a classic piece of broken-hearted soul that speaks of someone coming to terms with the end of a romance.

It is a song that follows a person’s struggle to save a doomed relationship.

The song and its accompanying video, however, show that there can be rhythm with the blues, and there is nothing wrong with dancing your sorrows away while you look to new horizons for the next mountain to climb.

Sometimes the answers never come, so you must find the strength to make peace within yourself and move forward a find a new groove.

A blend of timeless keys, acoustic guitars, groovy drums, and mellow bass creates a song that could be a hit in any decade. Mixed and mastered by Scott Banks (Studio DMI), the song has been a live favourite in KORA sets since the summer of 2021/2022 and is a hotly anticipated release.

The inspiration for this song is simply life. The highs and lows of love and loss have been sung about since the beginning of time, but how we come out the other side is the journey that makes us stronger.

LISTEN HERE

 summer festivals:

Dec 31st Rhythm And Alps, Wanaka

Jan 5th Rocking Horse, Whitianga

Feb 5th Beach Break, Nelson
Feb 25th Splore, Tāpakapanga Regional ParkMarch 4th Six60, DunedinMarch 18th Homegrown, Wellington

"We Jingle" - New Christmas Jingle for Kids and "Whero: Kirihimete|Kilisimasi" Christmas Album release!

Ōtautahi-based children’s music duo, Leah and Siu, of Loopy Tunes Music, are excited to release their fourth new Christmas single that will be added to their very first Loopy Tunes Christmas album for kids - "Whero: Kirihimete|Kilisimasi". 

​This final single release, "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!

All of the new Christmas songs have included 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 and have been created with the support of funding from NZ on Air Music. 

They have been 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).

The sisters will be celebrating the release of their Christmas album with an online album launch party on their Facebook page, on Friday morning at 10am! Come along with your tamariki and join them for a fun, interactive, festive-themed music session for tamariki, with giveaways and spot prizes!!

The whole "Whero" album is guaranteed to become a new Christmas fave in so many kiwi kids’ households and you'll be toe-tapping along to it, too, this 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. 

• 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. .

• 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!

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 

BRIAN BAKER RELEASES NEW SINGLE - “I WON”T BACK DOWN”

New Zealand singer-songwriter BRIAN BAKER today celebrates the release of his latest single, “I WON’T BACK DOWN”. 

LISTEN TO "I WON’T BACK DOWN"

For an artist who is abundant in the creation of his original music and songs, it seems a counter intuitive move to release a cover version, especially one as highly regarded as Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”. However Brian brings some new elements to the song, his evocative guitar playing for one, as well as a new, laidback feel. “ I’ve been a fan of Tom’s since I purchased his first album on the day it was released in New Zealand. Following his progress avidly from there led me to falling in love with his solo album, “Full Moon Fever”, and this track in particular since it featured two other favourite artists of mine - Jeff Lynn and George Harrison. Jeff’s production, in particular has been an inspiration over the years. “I Won’t Back Down” brings all those elements together for me, an absolute honour and pleasure to record and perform, a tribute to Tom Petty and all those guys fantastic work. I’ve tried to keep the essential elements of the track and still put my own stamp on it.”

ON SPOTIFY.   ON YOUTUBE.    INSTAGRAM.    FACEBOOK   BRIANBAKER.NZ

The consummate journeyman musician is also a laid-back bohemian life-styler, living off-the-grid on his permaculture farm in the picturesque heart of the Kaipara and using his considerable musical talents recording and producing artists in his production studio, ‘The Bakery’.

A naturally gifted, hugely experienced musician, Baker can lay claim to a catalogue of songs, (signed to Origin Music), sure to warm the musical soul of any audience member. Now he’s made a return to performing live creating a fantastic live show highlighting his uplifting vocals and amazing guitar skills, that has delighted audiences at The Bay Of Island jazz and Blues Festival, Whangārei Fringe Festival and is booked for the Okura Forest Festival in Feb 2023 in Auckland.

Masaya 'Black Sheep'

Masaya have dropped their latest music video off their debut album “Chronicles of Youth ''.

Supported by NZ on Air, Groove Merchants Masaya have followed up with their second video release of ‘ Black Sheep’, filmed by Beach Thurlow-Meyer and shot at Auckland's speakeasy bar Sly, on K Rd. 

‘Black Sheep’ is so groovy and calm with warm and expressive vocals. 

After a revolving door of constant global confusion of the past two years ‘Black Sheep is about being left in the unknown during uncertain times. The video shows Masaya playing in a 1930s jazz bar, whilst the viewer is being transported into the singer’s mind gambling with decisions over an uncertain future. 

Masaya opted to create an atmosphere where you were taken back in time, which meant that it was important that style was vintage inspired.

Masaya is currently on tour with fellow kiwi legends Katchafire on a 21 date tour across Australia.

The Change in Musical Direction That Delayed Chris Sanders EP Release by Almost 7 Years!

Chris Sanders is releasing his first “grown-ups” music since 2013, a 5 song EP called ‘In My Arms.’ Recorded at the Lab Studios in Auckland in 2015/16, the songs were recently mixed and mastered and are finally ready to be released to the world.  So why did it take so long?

When recording started in 2015, Chris’ plan was to record his debut album and release later in 2016.  But as can happen in life, the plan took a sharp turn.  Half way through the recording process, one of the songs that was going to be on the album just didn't sit right with the other songs, that song was called Angel Star.

“I had a bit of an epiphany (if that's what you want to call it) that Angel Star should actually be a stand alone children's song with a picture book. Then I would get back to finishing my album,” says Sanders.

6 years later, Chris has become one of New Zealand’s most well known children’s songwriters, authors and performers.  He has released 3 children’s albums, 6 picture books, 2 children’s musicals, toured extensively, received an NZ Honour from the Governor General for his charitable work for St John, performed with the APO, been nominated for a TUI Award and had 4 songs in the Official NZ Music Charts! He’s also written some pretty iconic children’s songs in that time such as the ‘111 Ambulance Song’ and ‘Mittens’ about the famous Wellington Celebrikitty.

“Talk about a change in musical direction!!! But now I think it’s time to release the songs that have been sitting on a shelf for all those years – I guess Anika Moa went from writing ‘grown ups’ songs to kids music, so I’m just doing things in reverse,” says Chris.

The first single ‘In My Arms’ which features the award winning Black Quartet is also the name of the EP and quite an appropriate song given that for the last couple of years, holding those we love close to us hasn't been as easy as it would normally be.

To celebrate the launch of the first single, Chris has created a beautifully scented Limited Edition ‘In My Arms’ candle, available excusively through his Bandcamp page. The song is all about remembering those we love and cherish. Whether its someone you have missed through being disconnected during lockdowns or someone who has passed away, then it’s a lovely way to remember and celebrate those you love.

The other songs on the EP include ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’ a song about breaking through all the barriers to success, no matter how many people tell you that you will fail, you should never let anything stop you from achieving your plan.  And the second single ‘Try As you Might’ is a pretty succinct description of the world as it is today, living in the moment and not thinking or caring too much about the future repercussions.

The EP was mixed by Rikki Morris.

The EP and Candle are available now exclusively through Chris’ Bandcamp page

https://chrissanders2.bandcamp.com/album/in-my-arms

The EP is also available to pre-order now on several platforms  (full release Nov 26)

https://bfan.link/CS-in-my-arms