Macho Macho release danceable, groove-focused new single ‘Blink’
Te Whanganui-A-Tara's four-piece legends Macho Macho have today released their new single ‘Blink’. A danceable, groove-focused song that has already been celebrated by audiences nationwide, but has now been given a whole new lease of life with this studio recording.
Te Whanganui-A-Tara's four-piece legends Macho Macho have today released their new single ‘Blink’.
A danceable, groove-focused song that has already been celebrated by audiences nationwide, but has now been given a whole new lease of life with this studio recording.
Produced, engineered and mixed by Toby Lloyd at Tiny Triumph Recordings, then mastered by Robin Schmidt, the band says it captures the essence of their live performance. “Toby’s efforts on the recording present the song as razor sharp and loud, just as it has been performed to sweaty rooms since its conception,” the band explains. “‘Blink’ is about the moments spent resisting and/or engaging with the social scenarios we find ourselves in. The screeching of a speaker, the blinking of an eye, a feeling of real togetherness achieved through little more than a bit of silly music.”
Macho Macho is made up of Logan McAllister - guitar/vocals, Lachlan Burne - guitar/vocals, Connor Lyttle - bass/vocals, and Dayne Robinson - drums. ‘Blink’ was brought to life in a dark Mt. Victoria garage in Te Whanganui-A-Tara, and the band says it was their most collaborative effort to date, with all four band members taking on songwriting duties for the first time. “We’re thankful we managed to keep the neighbours happy long enough to complete it!”
Proudly belonging to Te Whanganui-A-Tara's thriving alternative music scene for four years & counting, Macho Macho have become known for their irregular, left-turning live shows. Catchy, but unmistakably angular songwriting, coupled with high energy and relentless gigging, has seen the band develop a cult fan base across both islands of Aotearoa. Excitingly, ‘Blink’ is part of an upcoming EP - a collection of recordings from the band's back catalogue. “These songs have been given love by audiences nationwide, so we felt like rewarding those audiences with studio-quality recordings.” Macho Macho have shared the stage with acts such as The Garden (US), Same Name Confusion and Daffodils; completed two of their own national headline tours; and played festivals CubaDupa, Newtown Festival & Welcome to Nowhere. After spending some time tinkering with and developing melodies, Macho Macho are thrilled to be returning to stages in 2023, delivering a stronger live show than ever before, plus a full set of spangly new material!
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Ahead of International Showcases in Australia and the US, Jenny Mitchell releases charming “on the road” music video for "Tug of War"
Alt-country artist, Jenny Mitchell, has released a charming new music video for the title track of her award-winning record, Tug of War.
Listen to ‘Tug of War’ HERE
Alt-country artist, Jenny Mitchell, has released a charming new music video for the title track of her award-winning record, Tug of War.
The video release comes at the beginning of a new international chapter for Jenny, who is travelling to the Tamworth Country Music Festival this week as a finalist for Alt Country Album of the Year at the Australian Golden Guitar Awards, before making the journey to Kansas City in February to perform an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance International.
The Golden Guitar Awards are the pinnacle of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Australia’s biggest celebration of country music. This year, after opening for various award-winning artists at the festival for over a decade, Jenny will play her first headline show on Friday 20th Jan at the Tamworth Regional Art Gallery.
The new video clip takes audiences on the road with Jenny and her sisters, The Mitchell Twins. The candid video was created in collaboration with The Small Hall Sessions, a concert series bringing live music to rural Hawkes Bay, and was recorded by P J Shepherd (Hawkes Bay) while the Southern sisters were on tour in late 2022.
“The clip feels like a bit of a journal entry of the past year,” explained Jenny. “It’s been such a joy to take my new music on the road and taking music to rural communities has always been important to us, so working with Jamie and the Small Halls team just made sense.”
Driven by acoustic guitar and Jenny’s signature warm, smokey voice, Tug of War tells the story of running into an old flame and navigating the battle between head and heart.
“Tug of War is an honest little tune. It admits that old feelings can come up when you run into somebody who used to be an important person in your life,” says Jenny. “I think that happens to everybody somewhere along the line, whether they admit it or not.”
Hailing from Southern NZ, and now based in Wellington, Jenny Mitchell has had an impressive career to date. Her 2018 album WILDFIRES, produced by Sydney’s Matt Fell, was awarded the 2019 Tui for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist. Following her first Tui, the album became the first NZ album to receive a nomination for Alt-Country Album of the Year at the 2020 Australian Golden Guitar Awards. She has now been nominated for an AMA in the Best Country category, for 2022.
Jenny Mitchell On Tour
* Tamworth Country Music Festival, Australia
18 January 9.30am - Toyota Fanzone
18 January 5.00pm - The Press
20 January 6.00pm - Tamworth Regional Gallery - Tickets Here
* Folk Alliance International Conference 2023, Westin Crown Center Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Wednesday 1st Feb 11.10pm - Room #732
Thursday 2nd Feb
10.30pm - Romm #839
12.30am - Stone Room Concerts Room #736
Friday 3rd Feb
9pm - Official Showcase | Brookside
10.30pm - World of Music | #848
It’s clear this is just the beginning for a young artist who, “knows exactly who she is and feels no need to give way” - The Southland Times.
"She is dynamite.” - Felicity Urquhart, ABC Australia.
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Emerging RnB artist KRISTN releases hot new single + video ‘Chasin’
Emerging RnB artist KRISTN (Kristin Paulse) has today released her hot new single + video ‘Chasin’. A flirtatious single that the singer describes as a ‘little more risque’, ‘Chasin’ is inspired by a great first (and last) date.
Emerging RnB artist KRISTN (Kristin Paulse) has today released her hot new single + video ‘Chasin’.
A flirtatious single that the singer describes as a ‘little more risque’, ‘Chasin’ is inspired by a great first (and last) date. Once again showcasing what an incredible talent KRISTN is, this strong single is the follow-up to her hit debut ‘Seasons’ - which placed #13 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart.
“I’m normally not the type of person to ‘chase’ after someone, but I went on one really good date with my dream guy at the time and I was determined to make it work,” explains KRISTN. “After waiting a little bit, I messaged him to see if he wanted to catch up. He said he was keen, but was seeing someone. I was crushed. A couple of months later, I was thinking about it and laughing at myself about how ridiculous I was. Then I just started singing. I don’t normally show this side of myself, but wanted to do something out of my comfort zone.”
For the single, KRISTIN teamed up with Auckland-based producer Will Henderson, and for the video, Melbourne-based director/videographer Murray Enders, DOP Garrett Eckerson, choreographer Tony Oxybel and stylists Garth Ernstzen and Zahrah Andrews.
“The video’s all focused on me, which I suppose in simple terms is saying ‘you should be with me, case in point.’ I’m currently in Hairspray the Musical in Australia and was in Melbourne when I was introduced to Murray through my best friend and her boyfriend. Tony’s one of my castmates in Hairspray, and the dancing he does is so amazing I knew from the get-go I wanted him in my team.”
Born in South Africa and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, Kristin is usually based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland - but the singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer has been touring NZ and Australia in musical theatre over the past year. She has also released music with partner Nick Taylor, as duo Citris iNK. An exciting up-and-coming talent, be sure you’re tuned in and stay tuned to KRISTN!
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Singer-songwriter Sabreen Islam releases sweet new indie bop ‘still love you’ + announces debut EP
Auckland singer-songwriter Sabreen Islam has released her super sweet, catchy new single ‘still love you’. Following on from popular singles ‘you will never see this’, ‘count me out’ and ‘like a movie’, this fresh new offering from Sabreen is about pining for a childhood crush who’s moved on.
Auckland singer-songwriter Sabreen Islam has released her super sweet, catchy new single ‘still love you’.
Following on from popular singles ‘you will never see this’, ‘count me out’ and ‘like a movie’, this fresh new offering from Sabreen is about pining for a childhood crush who’s moved on.
“I wrote it sort of making fun of myself,” says Sabreen, “and so it’s a bit of a comical take on not being able to move on from someone. It’s very self-aware and self-deprecating, and I have a lot of fun performing it. The vibe of the track is incredibly fun and upbeat, with themes of youth and high school woven throughout. I wanted it to sound like the feeling of standing on the precipice of childhood and adulthood, and not feeling like you fully fit into either.”
Recorded at Parachute Studios with Sophie Bialostocki, it was then mixed and mastered by Ariki Perana at Poynton Studios. “We recorded tabla for this song, which is a traditional Bangladeshi drum. I really want to start incorporating my culture into my music,” explains Sabreen, who is Muslim, “as the subcontinent I come from has such a rich musical history and is a huge part of who I am. My friend’s dad agreed to play it for me, which was such a special experience. It’s one of the elements I’m the proudest of about this song. It’s the first song where I’ve included a hint of my culture. I’m so excited for people to hear that part of me for the first time.”
Along with releasing ‘still love you’, Sabreen has announced that her debut EP ROOM SERVICE is on its way. “It comes out in March and is a real eclectic mix of all the styles I love. I worked with Sophie Bialostocki to produce the whole EP, and she’s absolutely incredible. I had a blast working with her and can’t wait for people to hear all six songs we did.”
Auckland-raised, Sabreen weaves her signature style with inspirations from the likes of Hozier, Conan Gray and dodie. Her single ‘Glow’ was selected as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition 2020 and she has performed at Auckland’s popular Others Way Festival. Not only a talented singer-songwriter, Sabreen is also a published poet. In July 2022 she published a critically acclaimed collection of poetry called spring clean. With a debut EP and much more on the horizon for this talented creative, be sure to follow her socials!
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Genre Fluid 'Bonafide Lover'
Dynamic Kiwi duo, Genre Fluid, have just independently released their second single 'Bonafide Lover' from their debut album, coming out in February 2023. And over the next 3 months they will be bringing their unique synergy onto stages all over Aotearoa for 'The Groova Meista Tour 2023'.
Dynamic Kiwi duo, Genre Fluid, have just independently released their second single 'Bonafide Lover' from their debut album, coming out in February 2023. Check it out here: https://linktr.ee/genrefluid
The Nelson-based funk-rock duo who fuse music and theatre into high-energy anthems and improvised acts, are super excited to be riding into summer with the release of their debut music, which they have been crafting for over a year at 'garage turned music venue/studio, Room Twenty5 in Richmond NZ.
Over the next 3 months they will be bringing their unique synergy onto stages all over Aotearoa for 'The Groova Meista Tour 2023'. Be part of a captivating experience and book a Genre Fluid show in your diary now! Visit www.genrefluid.co.nz/live to find tickets.
The duo consists of Wellington-born vocalist and performance artist, Silk Satin Suede, and Nelson-born multi-instrumentalist and looping artist, Bosho. Their journey began in 2020 where they quickly found a synergy within improvised music in Bo’s jam room in Nelson, New Zealand. Max and Bo are both heavily inspired by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads and Fat Freddy’s Drop, with all Genre Fluid songs being born with the channeling of one feeling and the passion of another; contributing to a multi-genre’d catalog of music.
Genre Fluid’s engaging theatrical street performances found them early local success, becoming well recognised for their creative musicality in live looping, improvisation, theatrics, humour, and their ability to adapt to all environments, making them an act well-loved by all ages. This led them to playing on festival stages and opening for legendary Kiwi artists such as Bic Runga, Julia Deans, Mako Road, The Narcs, and Albi & The Wolves.
Oh, and remember to always strive to be a Bonafide Lover!
Spirit Boy release debut single ‘Adolescence’
Lyrically, ‘Adolescence’ speaks to finding contentment in your current surroundings. Oscillating between the perspectives of a frustrated teenager and their adult self, the song is a call to not just accept but celebrate where you’re at, both in space and time.
Ōtautahi-based indie-rock outfit Spirit Boy released their debut single ‘Adolescence’ on 25 November.
‘Adolescence’ brings together frontman Ethan Mead’s Americana-style vocals with an anthemic 80s-inspired soundscape.
Lyrically, ‘Adolescence’ speaks to finding contentment in your current surroundings. Oscillating between the perspectives of a frustrated teenager and their adult self, the song is a call to not just accept but celebrate where you’re at, both in space and time. While not entirely autobiographical, the track is partly inspired by Mead’s journey of having a child at 17.
“I’ve spent a long time wishing I was older, or wishing I was somewhere else, and when I got there I realised I was still just wishing for something else,” says Mead. “Finding that moment of clarity can be truly life-affirming.”
‘Adolescence’ is available to stream on all digital platforms, and provides a taste of the band’s nine-track album, to be released in mid-2023.
To celebrate the release of ‘Adolescence’, Spirit Boy played a sold out show at Christchurch’s Darkroom on Thursday 1 December, with support from Leah Kelsey and Holly Kimber.
Shot in Lyttelton by Caleb MacDonald of Kita Films, the song’s accompanying video shows the joy of living in the moment. The video was released on 16 December.
Spirit Boy are: Ethan Mead (vocals/guitar), Regan Barker (guitar), Sam Burt (keyboard/piano), Talon Adams (bass), and Mason Head (drums).
Adult Friends Release New Single: Brittle
Brittle is a post-punk belter, but with more emphasis on the “post” this time, drawing from legends Echo and the Bunnymen, Gang of Four and Bauhaus. The song details a failing relationship where one partner mistakes the effects of their own controlling behaviour as weakness in the other partner
Brittle is a post-punk belter, but with more emphasis on the “post” this time, drawing from legends Echo and the Bunnymen, Gang of Four and Bauhaus. The song details a failing relationship where one partner mistakes the effects of their own controlling behaviour as weakness in the other partner. A brooding track with its spiteful lyrics, it’s heavy groovy, focus on texture and witty song writing that makes it more than just angst. Andy Gill of Gang of Four’s influence can be heard most in the wild lead guitars that spot the track with colour. Brittle is a mature release with grander production, structure and a greater understanding of their own strengths as a band.
“It was a weird time for the band given we’d lacked a drummer for almost a year at that point. We were all listening to goth leaning music at that time and could only write moody songs. The bassline came to us almost immediately after setting off the drum machine. The rest came naturally. We knew we had a solid song, all we needed was a drummer.” - Jackson Kidd
Brittle was released on December 9 on all major platforms.
Proteins of Magic remix of Neil MacLeod
Proteins of Magic are excited to share with the second instalment of Te Whanganui-a-Tara songwriter / producer Neil MacLeod's EP ‘We Have Known Lost Days' Remix EP, with Proteins of Magic reimagining ‘Mouthshut’.
Proteins of Magic are excited to share with the second instalment of Te Whanganui-a-Tara songwriter / producer Neil MacLeod's EP ‘We Have Known Lost Days' Remix EP, with Proteins of Magic reimagining ‘Mouthshut’.
Mouthshut, as MacLeod explained in his feature on BBC Radio 6 Music, is a track with ‘beautiful complex sonic artefacts’, that sits in the ‘space between the genres’, and it is in this liminal space where Proteins of Magic thrives.
Living between Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Nashville, Tennessee, Proteins of Magic is a multi- faceted artist who blurs the boundaries between innovative alt-pop and contemporary art music. Her recent single ‘Lethal’ on Particle Recordings, was Number 1 in the Radioscope Alternative charts, Number 2 in the bFM top 10, and had radio support across the airwaves in Aotearoa.
Created in the woods of Nashville, Proteins of Magic leads the track through the back of the wardrobe into another parallel world. The electronic textures and fragments are replaced with lilting flute and piano, while the stuttering beats are transformed into cymbals, drums and percussion, it is only MacLeod’s delicately processed vocals that bears any resemblance of the original, creating an otherworldly genre-less composition.
"Kelly Sherrod puts her own ineffable spin on 'Mouthshut' — reimagining the electronic soul ballad with playful instrumental arrangements, downtempo screwed / vaporwave vocals and colourful synthetic swirl. - Under The Radar