HANA THE GLOWWORM AND THE AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA TO LIGHT UP THE WORLD OF MUSIC.
Hana the Glowworm is a collection of original songs with accompanying teaching resources, that follow the adventures of Hana, a curious glowworm, who is drawn out of her cave by the beautiful sounds of a faraway orchestra.
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) and award-winning children’s musician Chris Sanders have teamed up again for a new education project that will be distributed free to primary schools across New Zealand.
Hana the Glowworm is a collection of original songs with accompanying teaching resources, that follow the adventures of Hana, a curious glowworm, who is drawn out of her cave by the beautiful sounds of a faraway orchestra. She embarks on an adventure to find the music, discovering and making new friends amongst New Zealand’s unique native fauna along the way and all while learning about the instruments of the orchestra.
“The Hana story is full of fantasy, adventure and drama intertwined with magnificent orchestral music” says musician Chris Sanders.
“It will be a huge sensory experience for children that will help them learn about different sections of the orchestra, celebrate our native wildlife and there’s plenty of opportunities for them to sing along and dance too!”
Hana the Glowworm will be released in three parts, with the first instalment available now, and it is free to all primary schools across the motu.
This first release includes two original songs ‘Curious Creature’ and ‘World of Wonderful’ and stars 11-year-old Auckland singer and performer Emerson bringing the part of Hana to life.
Included alongside these recorded tracks is a teaching kit of 10 accompanying lesson plans and additional education resources for teachers to use in their classroom.
A second tranche of songs, stories and accompanying education kit will be released in 2024 and audiences can look forward to meeting Hana the Glowworm live on stage in 2025.
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra has always taken a pro-active role in bringing music into all corners of the community. Through its education, outreach and community programme, APO Connecting, Auckland’s orchestra is breaking down pre-conceived ideas around orchestral music and showing why this artform remains relevant within today’s cultural landscape.
“All of us here at the APO know that music opens minds” says Director of APO Connecting Thomas Hamill “and what better way to share this with teachers and students throughout New Zealand than through an inspiring, fun, locally-produced resource like Hana the Glowworm.
Our APO Connecting team recognise the difference music education can make to our communities and we are grateful to have received funding from the Douglas Goodfellow Charitable Trust enabling us to partner with Chris and ensure Hana the Glowworm will be a very special and unique offering for our tamariki.”
This is the third collaboration for award-winning creator Chris Sanders and the APO. Previous projects include the ‘111 Ambulance Song’ and the creation of the Teddy Bear Hunt Songbook.
The Hana the Glowworm project is a multifaceted collaboration showcasing creative talent from across Aotearoa. Music has been written by Chris Sanders and scored by New Zealand-based arrangers Adrian Hollay and Linda Dallimore respectively. Kiwi music icon Rikki Morris is in the music producer seat and breakthrough artist Natalie Conaty has developed the original illustrations for use within the teaching resource kits and in a future picture book.
Hana the Glowworm is available now for FREE download via the APO website:
https://www.apo.co.nz/community-education/schools/hana-the-glowworm/
Sam Cullen releases catchy new love song ‘Forever’
Emerging songwriter Sam Cullen has today released his infectiously catchy new single ‘Forever’. This new offering, from an exciting up-and-comer, is an absolute confession of love - snapshotting the moment in time when a person realises they’re head-over-heels, but also scared to admit it.
LISTEN HERE
Emerging songwriter Sam Cullen has today released his infectiously catchy new single ‘Forever’.
This new offering, from an exciting up-and-comer, is an absolute confession of love - snapshotting the moment in time when a person realises they’re head-over-heels, but also scared to admit it.
“It’s too fun for its own good!” says Sam, who hails from Invercargill but now Auckland-based. “There’s a huge chunk of nostalgia in this one, with it’s organic feel and raucous backing vocals. It’s meant to be played as loud as possible, and screamed at the top of our lungs.”
‘Forever’ came to life during the first session Sam had ever done with songwriter/producer Ben Malone (Blake, Luca George, BEXY, MACEY, Rory Noble) and songwriter Harry Parsons (MACEY).
“We were lucky that it kind of just fell out from the main riff that I’d been playing around with on guitar the day prior. The whole song was written in an hour and really came to life once Ben and I got in the live room at Parachute Studios and recorded a heap of live instruments.” Sam says this experience has been a catalyst for wanting to get a few more people onstage to bring the energy and vibes. “I’d never played live with a band, always just a one-man-band setup. I adore the production that Ben has crafted for this track. The guitar sounds and backing vocals are right up my alley, and the up tempo energy gives it that driving sound I love. ”
Sam Cullen is a 22 year-old musician who was born and raised on the edge of the world in Invercargill - the bottom of Aotearoa New Zealand. With genuine lyrics drawn from lived experience and a rock and roll meets pop driving energy, the now Auckland-based artist is a force to be reckoned with. Since his EP RUN (2022), Sam has honed his stadium rock influences and has begun a new era of releases with single ‘Forever’ - the first track from Sam’s next body of work. Over the past 3 years, he has released two EP’s, played on some of NZ’s biggest stages (including main stage at Rhythm & Vines), sold out a number of headline shows and played support slots around the country. Previously a solo performer, Sam now has a 5-piece live band that brings an incomparable onstage energy - so make sure you don’t miss out and follow now!
Coast Arcade drop much-anticipated debut EP NEXT TO ME
Adding to the NZ Music Month excitement, indie pop-rock band Coast Arcade have dropped their electric 5-track debut EP NEXT TO ME!
LISTEN HERE
Adding to the NZ Music Month excitement, indie pop-rock band Coast Arcade have dropped their electric 5-track debut EP NEXT TO ME!
Perfectly capturing the fun, vibrant and energetic vibe of Coast Arcade, each track on NEXT TO ME is a certified banger. Including previously released hit singles 'Surf Club' (Official NZ Charts #20 Hot NZ 20 Singles) and ‘Highest Heights’ (Official NZ Charts ‘Ones To Watch’, #2 Hot NZ 20 Singles Chart + #37 Hot 40 Singles, #7 RadioScope Most Added + #24 NZ Airplay), it also has brand new tracks ‘Salty Blonde’, ‘Just Peachy’ and new single ‘Next To Me’ - made with the support of NZ on Air.
Coast Arcade is made up of Bella Bavin (vocals + lead guitar), brothers Chris (rhythm guitar) and Nate Tims (bass), and Thom Boynton (drums + backing vocals). All songs were written/produced by Bella over a number of years (she wrote ‘Just Peachy’ at 14). “I think this EP is an insight into where we’re at currently - a band of four friends who are 17-19 years old - and will be cool to look back on,” says Bella. “The meanings behind each song vary from struggling friendships, love, a reflection on yourself and trying to find your way as a young person in the world today. I feel like these are ideas relevant to anyone but specifically kids our age.”
Recorded at Joel Little's BIG FAN studio with engineer Noema Te Hau, then mixed and mastered by Jono Pearce (The Beths) and mastered by Oliver Devlin (Hans Pucket). “When we recorded the EP, the boys were about to start their Uni and NCEA exams, so spent most of their time studying in BIG FAN’s main communal space, coming into the studio to record their parts. It was a pretty weird atmosphere to record an EP in but really worked for us.”
New single and title track ‘Next To Me’ is a love song that, at 180bpm, is the fastest song yet for the band. It’s also a bit heavier than previous singles, introducing the bands more pop-punk side. “We love a fast upbeat song with driving drums and loud guitar, ‘Next To Me’ does that all perfectly, while being your typical teenage love song about being fine as long as that one person is beside you.”
To celebrate the release, Coast Arcade have an EP Release Show 27 May at Auckland’s BIG FAN. Sure to be a great night, book in your friends and grab your tickets now at Under the Radar HERE
Coast Arcade formed in early 2021 at high school, bursting onto the music scene with their debut single ‘Tattoo’ (#11 Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart, RadioScope Most Added) and going on to open for Aussie legends Teenage Dads, Bootleg Rascals and The Grogans, as well as kiwi icons The Beths and Princess Chelsea. They secured spots on the Rhythm and Vines festival and Spring City festival line-ups - alongside well-established acts such as Groove Armada, Zane Lowe and Ladyhawke. Coast Arcade are definitely ones to watch!
Ōtautahi 1 Drop Nation release feel-good music video for single ‘I’m Home’ + get ready for their headline show!
This NZ Music Month Ōtautahi six-piece 1 Drop Nation released their anthemic roots-reggae single ‘I’m Home’ - now they’ve released a fun, feel-good music video for the track!
This NZ Music Month Ōtautahi six-piece 1 Drop Nation released their anthemic roots-reggae single ‘I’m Home’ - now they’ve released a fun, feel-good music video for the track!
Made by Whisko Creative, the video perfectly fits the feel-good vibe of the single - featuring the band with whānau and friends, enjoying a gathering with plenty of laughs, good kai and water fun!
1 Drop Nation have been gaining lots of attention over the summer with their live shows, so if you’re in Ōtautahi on Saturday 20 May make sure you don’t miss out - as it's almost sold out! Head HERE for more info and tickets now! They have special guests The Hootź & Tay Renee + it will be hosted by Furious Hori.
The release of ‘I’m Home’ follows on from some huge performances by the group (ZM Electric Avenue, Ōtautahi 4 Aotearoa) as well as 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 Thompson (keyboards, backing vocals / Nga Tai Ki Torere), Paerau Hemopo (guitar / Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa, Ngā Puhi), Burke Goffe (guitar / Ngā Puhi, Te Ātiawa) Marc Hansen (drums), Dru (bass, backing vocals), and Kanei Johnson (lead vocals / Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu), who says that ‘I’m Home’ was written to acknowledge how beautiful Aotearoa is. The single was recorded and mixed by Dr Lee Prebble at Wellington’s Surgery Studios, and mastered by Josh Llewellyn at Downbeat Mastering.
FIND 1 DROP NATION
Indie dream-pop fantasizer Sofia Machray releases her latest ‘sonic landscape’ with her brand new single and video, ‘Petals In The Rain’
‘Petals In The Rain’, written by Sofia Machray and expertly co-produced with engineer Robbie Pattinson, is about reminiscing on memories and times in our lives that shape and change us into who we are.
The new music is the first off her highly anticipated debut record ‘Language Of Flowers’ due for release in July 2023!
‘Petals In The Rain’, written by Sofia Machray and expertly co-produced with engineer Robbie Pattinson, is about reminiscing on memories and times in our lives that shape and change us into who we are.
“At times I think we underestimate the significance a single moment can have when we’re in it. These moments can suck us in and spit us out, shaping us into the people we are and want to be. There’s a lot to learn through these experiences beyond what’s seen as good and bad.”
Due for release on May 12th, ‘Petals In The Rain,’ is the first single off her highly anticipated forthcoming 6-track EP, ‘Language of Flowers,’ set for release in July 2023.
Often described as an “electric master of an indie singer-songwriter gone rouge”, Machray has delivered a captivating, dreamy track, tornado-ing through powerful sonic spheres, with feelings of reminisce. The music is well paired with a nostalgic and uplifting music video, created by freelance filmmaker Taylor Nixon, who was honored to be able to take on the task of bringing Sofia’s lyrics to life. “Sofia was an absolute delight to work with, our shared determination to push the boundaries and ambition to create something special made the shoot not only fun but a great challenge of striving for the best possible representation of the song.” The music video for the single will be out on the 15th of May.
The beginning of 2020 saw Sofia release her debut single ‘Handstands.’ The single charted at number 1 on various independent radio stations and was featured in the SRN Top Ten. Machray was quick to become a hot topic in Poneke’s thriving independent music scene, releasing two more singles to great review, touring nationally on multiple occasions, and supporting the likes of Anna Mac, Wax Mustang, Ha The Unclear, Dolphin Friendly, and Racing. Rapidly solidifying herself as a tactful, femme-led outfit in the forefront of New Zealand’s alternative indie scene.
Pre-Save Sofia Machray’s debut record ‘Langauge Of Flowers’ here
ISLA returns with dream-folk single “Overthinking”
Tāmaki Makaurau based ISLA worked with the inimitable Morgan Allen to produce her dream-folk single “Overthinking”.
Tāmaki Makaurau based ISLA worked with the inimitable Morgan Allen to produce her dream-folk single “Overthinking”. It is the first in a series of five tracks exploring the soundscape of seasonal depression and the memories that return with it. Some days getting out of bed is too much to ask, and “Overthinking” is the cosy answer to this feeling. Sad, but also a little optimistic, the track offers a lyrical and pensive listening experience. As the weather packs in, “Overthinking” is exactly what you ordered, ideally with breakfast. Out May 12
Following her debut EP “Weirdo”, “Overthinking” is the first single of a new EP that communicates a shift in sound. This is a new era for ISLA. Supported by her five piece band of sisters “The Kindred”, ISLA will host an autumnal backyard release on May 13 in Tāmaki Makaurau. Tickets include caramel popcorn, a hot drink of your choosing, and a seat among the cosmos. The gig will conclude with korero and marshmallows around the brazier.
ISLA has made a name for herself through building communities. Alongside partner Isaac O’Callaghan, ISLA launched collaborative project “Tag Your Folks” in 2020. Her gigs and music aim to foster spaces for conversation.
Gisborne Artist Yung Maac releases 'MAD MAX'
Yung Maac is back with a brand new release that is sure to keep fans and new listeners alike on the edge of their seats.
Yung Maac is back with a brand new release that is sure to keep fans and new listeners alike on the edge of their seats. Following the success of his previous release "HANDLE", which debuted at number 13 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart and amassed over 40,000 views on YouTube within the first week, Yung Maac is looking to continue building on that momentum with his latest release "MAD MAX".
Produced by Versa, who has previously worked with Nardo Wick and earned a platinum award, "MAD MAX" features an energetic and uptempo beat with a sample from L'A Capone's "Play for Keeps". The lyrics touch on Yung Maac's current come-up stage, with themes of cleaning up his surroundings and moving on to bigger and better things.
In addition to working with Versa, Yung Maac also had a hand in producing the track himself. As is typical for him, Yung Maac tweaked the beat to add his own unique style, making it a collaborative process between him and the producer.
"MAD MAX" is available on all major streaming platforms, here.
To keep up with Yung Maac and his music, follow him on Instagram: @Yung_Maac
LAUREN GIN presents ‘Flight’ ft. Reshma
Aotearoa-based electronic music producer and songwriter, Lauren Gin, is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of her latest single, ‘Flight’ featuring Reshma.
New Zealand Electronic Producer and Songwriter Lauren Gin Releases Third Single ‘Flight’ ft. Reshma.
Aotearoa-based electronic music producer and songwriter, Lauren Gin, is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of her latest single, ‘Flight’ featuring Reshma. This high-energy track is the third release off her forthcoming EP titled ‘Adrenaline,’ and promises to deliver the hard-hitting Trap and Future Bass sound that Lauren Gin is known for.
The single is a sonic journey that takes listeners through a range of emotions, building anticipation with a beautiful, angelic leadup with Reshma's powerhouse vocals adding an extra layer of depth before diving into a filthy-heavy drop.
The songwriter and producer says,“'Flight' is intensifying but also euphoric, and each listener will interpret the sound in their own unique way. For me, I feel uplifted and energised, and I hope the song elicits similar feelings with listeners." A rising star in the genre, Lauren Gin is no stranger to the local electronic music scene, having already carved out a name for herself in the New Zealand festival scene with her blend of hard-hitting Trap and Future Bass sounds. Her previous releases, 'Walk Away' and 'Remedy' ft. JANAYAH, have already gathered critical acclaim and have set the stage for the highly anticipated 'Adrenaline' EP scheduled for release this July.
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