Pickle Darling Shares New Single/Video “Invercargill Angel”
Pickle Darling (Lukas Mayo they/them) shares their synthy new single "Invercargill Angel", which premiered on U.S. magazine FLOOD Magazine.
“A just reward for a musician who’s been on the cusp of a big breakthrough for several years now.”
- ROLLING STONE AU/NZ
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- FLOOD MAGAZINE
“Pickle Darling looks to the sky, exploring outer space and elevating their songwriting prowess with a rounded-out sound and lyrics that combine specific moments with broader existential feelings.”
- BANDCAMP DAILY
“Soothing and lyrically beautiful like Lomelda’s or Tomberlin’s ballads, with a nice lo-fi twinkle and alluring harmonies courtesy of Marcus Burton.”
- STEREOGUM
"Teems with an infectious melancholy; curly synths and bittersweet melodies sing along with the tune and guitar, the result short but very, very sweet and leaving us eager to hear more." - FLYING NUN
Today, Pickle Darling (Lukas Mayo they/them) shares their synthy new single "Invercargill Angel", which premiered just hours ago by U.S. magazine FLOOD Magazine.
The latest single is accompanied by a celestial video directed by Aimee Cooki Martin.
On the track, Mayo offers: “This was one of the last songs I wrote for the album. I came up with the kind of repeating mantra bit on a long drive and just sang it in my head for an hour so I wouldn’t forget it. It came together reasonably quickly, maybe the quickest song on the album to write! As for the video, uh me and my friends got some burgers and went to hang out on the beach to celebrate the album being finished, and I have no memory of what went down but luckily my friends captured it all on film…”
Last month the Ōtautahi/Christchurch artist & producer Pickle Darling announced their new album and shared their vulnerable lo-fi pop celebration,"Head Terrarium", accompanied by an abnormally delightful video, directed byMartin Sagadin(Aldous Harding, Marlon Williams, Nadia Reid, Soaked Oats).
Preempting the album announcement was the release of the first single,King of Joy,as their signing to U.S. label, Father/Daughter Records was made official and Lukasjetted off one music industry’s largest festival events SXSW held in Austin, Texas toperform at his new label’s showcase.
Geoff Ong releases latest pop hit ‘Waiting On What To Say’
Aotearoa pop artist Geoff Ong has today released his catchy new single ‘Waiting On What To Say’.
“His songs are an antidote to the lack of authenticity in modern pop music - they’re refreshingly genuine, connecting with listeners who feel like they aren’t “one of the cool kids”. This is the mainstream, for misfits.”
- Radio New Zealand
“Eminently danceable and packing emotional heft, the self-described "pop star for dorks" has delivered the catchy goods again with his hook-packed latest number.”
- undertheradar.co.nz
“The sky’s the limit for the New Zealand artist. World, welcome pop music’s newest prodigy, Geoff Ong.”
- The Pit London
Aotearoa pop artist Geoff Ong has today released his catchy new single ‘Waiting On What To Say’.
This fantastically bright, upbeat indie pop song is an exciting continuation and evolution from this talented artist, who says that he feels super poppy music gives him license to be vulnerable with his lyrics - like a sugar rush to help the honesty medicine go down a bit smoother.
“I wrote this song during a prolonged bout of social anxiety,” says Geoff, “when every interaction I had felt like a knife edge between trying to play it cool - and coming off aloof and disinterested - and oversharing way too much, and making the other person very uncomfortable! I really find that songwriting is one the most powerful tools in my mental health toolbox, and writing this song helped me work through these feelings to identify the root of it all - which was that I was so worried about how other people perceived me that I almost was paralysed by it.”
‘Waiting On What To Say’ was written, mixed and mastered by Geoff, with the support of Fred Calzada and Kris ‘Zion’ Ortega from Los Angeles-based independent label Yo! Records. “Yo! Records got in touch with me via Instagram for this release, and I’m so stoked to be working with them. They are a new boutique record label whose goal is to release music from up-and-coming Asian American artists and celebrate our unique community. I feel like the visibility of Asian artists in western media is really starting to come to the fore at the moment, and I’m very excited to be a part of this movement. Diversity and representation in the media are things that I think are super important, and I really want to be able to create some dialogue about this.”
To celebrate the release of ‘Waiting On What To Say’ and NZ Music Month, Geoff is performing a special set at Auckland Live’s Wintergarden (The Civic) tonight, Thursday 11 May. You can find more details HERE
Over the last 4 years, Geoff has been cultivating a passionate fanbase through online engagement, electric live performances, and his own brand of quirky pop songwriting. With 5 songs from his 2020 debut album MAYBE IT’LL BE ALRIGHT placing in the Official NZ Music Charts Top 5, and consistent radio airplay across NZ commercial hit music stations, it’s clear that there is big love for Geoff and his music!
Ōtautahi supergroup 1 Drop Nation release feel-good tribute to Aotearoa ‘I’m Home’
They’ve performed live shows alongside some of Aotearoa’s best and released an epic debut album, now Ōtautahi six-piece 1 Drop Nation are back with new feel-good single ‘I’m Home’.
LISTEN HERE
They’ve performed live shows alongside some of Aotearoa’s best and released an epic debut album, now Ōtautahi six-piece 1 Drop Nation are back with new feel-good single ‘I’m Home’.
An anthemic roots-reggae-funk Aotearoa tribute, ‘I’m Home’ steps it up and sets the scene for some exciting things to come - including a second album and upcoming (almost sold out!) TAHU FM presented headline show at A Rolling Stone. It also follows on from some huge performances by the group (ZM Electric Avenue, Ōtautahi 4 Aotearoa), and their impressive 5-Star reviewed self-titled debut album (Dec 2022) - with hits ‘Groove Show’, ‘The Children’ ‘Runaway’ and ‘Good Doctor’ (ZM Locals only, NZOA New Tracks).
1 Drop Nation is made up of talented musicians Derin (keyboards, backing vocals / Nga Tai Ki Torere), Paerau (guitar / Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa, Ngā Puhi), Burke (guitar / Ngā Puhi, Te Ātiawa) Marc (drums), Dru (bass, backing vocals), and Kanei (lead vocals / Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu), who says that ‘I’m Home’ was written to acknowledge how beautiful Aotearoa is.
“I’ve travelled to so many other countries and for me, there’s no place like home. I love Aotearoa.” The idea for the song came to Kanei while on holiday with his whānau. “We were in Hamner Springs and the chorus came to me while I was in the pool with my baby. My wife had taken our two boys to the hydro slide, so to make sure I wouldn’t forget the song, I swam around the pool for 30 minutes singing it to my baby before I could record it into my phone. I then took it to rehearsal with the band and the boys brought it to life.” Returning to the same team who did their debut album, ‘I’m Home’ was recorded and mixed by Dr Lee Prebble at Wellington’s Surgury Studios, and mastered by Josh Llewellyn at Downbeat Mastering.
1 Drop Nation have been gaining lots of attention over summer with their live shows, so if you’re in Ōtautahi on Saturday 20 May make sure you don’t miss out. Head HERE for more info and tickets now! They have special guests The Hootź & Tay Renee + it will be hosted by Furious Hori.
WELLINGTON ROCK BAND UNDERWIRE RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘GRAVITY’ 26 MAY 2023
Wellington indie rockers Underwire are pleased to announce the release of their new single 'Gravity', coming out on 26 May.
It's been a long time coming!
Wellington indie rockers Underwire are pleased to announce the release of their new single 'Gravity', coming out on 26 May.
Recorded at Massey School of Music amid lockdown mayhem in 2021, by the mighty Mike Gibson and engineer Robbie Pattinson, and mastered by esteemed producer Scott Seabright, ‘Gravity’ is a power house of dark matters, and the first of four tracks coming out over the coming weeks with assistance of label PlasticGroove HQ.
Songwriter Johnny Mills says ‘Gravity’ is a song about impulsive attractions that lose their charm, and bad situations drawn out by co-dependence and self doubt - ‘cling to me like gravity’. Great fun on the dance floor!
Mel Parsons releases heartwarming new single and video, ‘Tiny Days’, just in time for Mother’s Day
The award-winning Mel Parsons has today unveiled the heartwarming new single ‘Tiny Days’, alongside a gorgeous accompanying video. A nod to working parents of the world, the song lands just ahead of Mother’s Day and marks the start of a three-date New Zealand tour.
+ tickets for Aotearoa tour HERE
The award-winning Mel Parsons has today unveiled the heartwarming new single ‘Tiny Days’, alongside a gorgeous accompanying video. A nod to working parents of the world, the song lands just ahead of Mother’s Day and marks the start of a three-date New Zealand tour.
Listen to ‘Tiny Days’ HERE
Watch the video for ‘Tiny Days’ HERE
Emotive, uplifting and reflective, ‘Tiny Days’ sees Parsons making a rare departure from her trademark melancholic indie-folk, as she explores family life and the “extreme challenge” of juggling work as a musician, while raising small children.
“‘Tiny Days’ is about the slow realisation that you can’t be all things to all people all of the time, especially when you have little ones,” reflects Parsons. “It’s me accepting that there are a lot of things that I have to let go of. Expectations, perfection, time - all in the bin. Meantime, battling to stay present and remember that these ‘Tiny Days’ days will soon be just memories and photographs.”
Parsons and her partner have four children aged nine, four, three and two, and describe their house on a good day as “absolute chaos”.
“Amongst it all, we are learning to just be in it, stay sane and enjoy it as best we can,” says Parsons.
Watch the heartfelt video for ‘Tiny Days’ HERE
"The video concept was just capturing the tiny moments as they were. When our son was born we had a 1 year old and a 2 year old, which made life relentless, sleep scarce, and work nearly impossible. The video is a record of a few of those moments - beautiful, boring, funny, exhausting and delightful."
‘Tiny Days’ features friends and fellow Fly My Pretties alumni Anna Coddington on backing vocals and LA Mitchell (Terrible Sons) on piano, alongside CSO cellist Naomi Hnat.
As one of Aotearoa’s favourite touring acts, the award-winning indie-folk artist is embarking on a three-date tour to celebrate the release of ‘Tiny Days’. The TINY DAYS TOUR opens in Auckland on May 19 at Galatos; Parsons will then perform in Christchurch on May 20 at The Piano and wrap up the tour in Wellington on May 28 at Meow.
Tickets are available HERE
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the magic of Mel Parsons live, who just last year released her critically acclaimed album SLOW BURN which debuted at #3 in the Official Top 40 album charts and #2 in the Top 20 NZ album charts. This fifth album follows up her acclaimed record GLASS HEART, which saw her win Best Folk Artist / Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa at the 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards. GLASS HEART was also a finalist for the 2019 Taite Music Prize and Top 20 finalist at 2019’s APRA Silver Scroll Award.
Listen to ‘Tiny Days’ HERE / Tickets for the TINY DAYS TOUR available HERE
Corrella release empowering Te Reo Māori waiata ‘Ko Au’
Popular Aotearoa group Corrella have today released their new uplifting and anthemic Te Reo Māori waiata ‘Ko Au’.
LISTEN HERE
Popular Aotearoa group Corrella have today released their new uplifting and anthemic Te Reo Māori waiata ‘Ko Au’.
Made with the support of Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air through Waiata Takitahi funding, ‘Ko Au’ was written by Corrella’s lead singer Pipiwharauroa Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pukenga). “It’s all about being happy with who you are, where you’re from and your own culture - and being proud of that,” says Pipiwharauroa. “There is a power to knowing who you are and accepting that. ‘He waiata e kaha akiaki i te tangata ki te whakanui I tōna ake nei tuakiritanga.’ For some it’s easier said than done, but hopefully ‘Ko Au’ speaks to people about this.
“For me personally, I went through my own identity crisis, and for a while I didn’t really want to be Māori. But I’m thankful that that period of my life was short-lived. So, this waiata speaks to me personally on that and my real want to get this message out there. It also reflects our diversity in the band and our commitment to normalising Te Reo Māori. ‘Kaua e huna, patua te taniwha’ which for me translates to ‘Don’t waste your time being afraid and don’t hide who you are’ and speaks to being brave.”
This vibrant waiata has been skillfully crafted to ensure the perfect marriage between music and lyrics. It was recorded at Parachute studios, produced by Jimmy Colbert, mixed by Christian Tjandrawinata and mastered by Vivek Gabriel. Pipiwharauroa says ‘Ko Au’ is another good taste of what’s to come in Corrella’s upcoming debut album - out May 26. “The quality of music is lifting with us as a band and is showcased in this track. We hope people can vibe with it.”
‘Ko Au’ is the latest in a line of hits from Corrella, such as ‘Skankin’, ‘We On (Catch-22 Remix)’, ‘Raumati’ and ‘Raumati (Isdale Remix)’ and ‘Little Circles’ - all having featured in the Official NZ Charts, RadioScope Charts and NZ Shazam Top 200 for multiple weeks. Corrella formed in 2017 and is made up of Te Naawe Tupe (Ngāi Tūhoe) - rhythm guitarist and hype man, Pipiwharauroa Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pukenga) - lead singer, Codi Wehi-Ngati (Ngāti Maniapoto) - bass guitarist, Rebekah Brady (Te Arawa, Nga puhi) - lead vocalist, Taula Schuster (Samoa, Niue) - piano and keyboard, “Ulu” Tom Scrase – drummer and proud Wellingtonian who creates and play’s Taonga Puōro, and Joshua Faletutulu- lead guitarist. Their summer single ‘Skankin’ (released December 2022), has been filling the Aotearoa airwaves, and consistently placing in both RadioScope and Official NZ Charts alongside ‘Raumati’, the group's first full Te Reo Māori Waiata, which featured in Waiata Anthems 2022. They released their debut single ‘Summertime in Aotearoa’ in late 2020, which quickly made it onto the NZ Music charts. They then went on to release their debut 5-track self-titled EP in 2021, with an impressive three tracks off the EP making it onto the NZ Music Charts. With a much anticipated debut album soon to be released from this fast rising Aotearoa super group, make sure you’re following!
Ōtautahi artist Phoebe Vic releases ‘Strange Rituals’ EP.
Phoebe Vic is an accomplished singer and musician based in Ōtautahi, steadily gaining recognition for her pop sensibilities, powerful vocal and dynamic performance.
Phoebe Vic is an accomplished singer and musician based in Ōtautahi, steadily gaining recognition for her pop sensibilities, powerful vocal and dynamic performance.
Strange Rituals features the singles ‘Starting Again’, ‘Closure’ and ‘Strange Ritual’.
"My anxiety tended to manifest in the songs Emily and I were working on at the time," Phoebe says, reflecting on what inspired her during the writing process. "The common thread I found was that each track held at its core a ritual of some kind - the narratives I tell myself, the way I self-soothe in the same familiar, destructive cycles or the very literal interpretation of a ritualistic chant. You can hear this metaphorically (sometimes bluntly) in the lyrics but also heavily in the production.
‘Strange Rituals’ was created alongside producer, musician and APRA Silver Scroll nominee Emily C. Browning, with thanks to the NZ On Air New Music Development grant.
"The production on Phoebe’s EP ‘Strange Rituals’ is something I am incredibly proud of," says Emily. "Phoebe has such a strong vision of soundscape and underlying emotion, making it easy for me to weave in production elements that represent her theme of daily ‘rituals’ and cycles."
"We worked somewhere within the realm of alternative and hyper-femme pop, with our biggest references being Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, Jessie Ware and Allie X. The EP contains a wealth of sonic themes from ethereal and romantic, through to dance and tribal, while all remaining cohesively ‘pop’."
Strange Rituals EP is available on all streaming platforms.
Ella Pollett New Single “Sunny Days”
“Sunny Days” is the second single that Ella has released so far in 2023 and tells the story of having someone special in your life that can change your bad days to good days, as if they were changing your rainy days to sunny days.
Ella Pollett is an emerging singer/songwriter from Hawke’s Bay. The 17 year old tells her story of life through her songs. In 2021 and 2022, she won first place at the prestigious Rockquest competition, representing Hawke’s Bay in the solo/duo category. Ella has just recently performed at the Mission as the opening act for Rod Stewart where she charmed the crowd with her powerful and enthralling country vocals.
“Sunny Days” is the second single that Ella has released so far in 2023 and tells the story of having someone special in your life that can change your bad days to good days, as if they were changing your rainy days to sunny days. Ella hopes that this song will connect with her listeners and hopes that there is someone in their life making their bad days sunny.
Facebook or Instagram - Ella Pollett Music.
Sunny Days song (private sound cloud link)
https://bfan.link/sunny-days-E-P (Link to new release)