Will McClean to release 'DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE'

An Album Diving into the Depths of Vulnerability.

Prepare to embark on a soul-stirring musical journey as Wellington Hip-Hop artist Will McClean, announces the release of his album titled DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE.

Set for release on July 21st, this album is an exploration of vulnerability and growth, inviting listeners even further into the world through the lens of Will McClean, as he embraces the world around him and finds solace in the power of music.

The lead single MAN ON A MISSION was released in September '22 and is a deeply personal track that set the tone for the whole album, offering a glimpse into the journey that awaits.

On the lead single we hear McClean recount his realisation of the fragility of life from a young age, forced by the passing of his father. 

The second single + music video SEEM ALRIGHT was recently released on June 23rd, and is receiving praise from both new, and long-time listeners. With SEEM ALRIGHT, Will McClean continues to showcase his introspective lyrics and evocative melodies. Its laid back, yet fierce nature explores the importance of taking a moment to slow down and realise that when we stop stressing over the little things, the present moment does in fact, seem alright. SEEM ALRIGHT marks the first time Will McClean has received Spotify playlist placement on top playlists such as “New Music AUS/NZ” and “Jazz Rap”.

Will McClean produced the album alongside close collaborator Nikau Te Huki (Casual Healing), and it marks a shift in his step as he is spending more time, taking time to focus and create a cohesive body of work, rather than just writing the lyrics. Keyboard player Sam Hunter played a key role in turning the album sketches and ideas into reality.

In anticipation of the release of DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE, Will McClean has planned a captivating album roll-out that will immerse listernes in a multi-dimensional experience. The journey began with the two released music videos, each visually capturing the essence of the accompanying singles. These videos serve as a visual companion, deepening the emotional connection between the music and the artist as a whole. The combination of visual storytelling, intimate live performances + videos and interviews will undoubtedly create an immersive experience, solidifying Will McClean’s place as an artist to watch.

DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE is deeply rooted around vulnerability and family. The album features a poem at the end of LET GO, written and spoken by his Nana, which then leads into YESTERDAY which includes a heart wrenching voice memo of both grandparents when his Papa was ill. Will McClean’s mum closes the album with some beautiful words (that seem to make most cry), leaving faint laughter to fade into silence, finishing the album.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and lessons, Will McClean has crafted an album that is as cathartic as it is relatable. By fearlessly exploring the depths of vulnerability, they invite listeners to reflect on their own journey and find solace in the shared human experience.

"Music has always been a safe place for me, a place where I can truly be myself and express the full range of my emotions," says McClean. "With DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE, I wanted to create something that not only speaks to my own learnings and vulnerabilities, but also provides a space for others to find comfort and understanding. It's a reminder to take a moment, a deep breath, and embrace the beautiful hecticness of life."

DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE will be released on all available streaming platforms on

July 21st 2023.

Tipene 'Kupe'

Tipene’s ‘Kupe’ is more of an animated film than a music video. Funded by TMP it explores a new medium - flexing creative abilities given the context of the waiata being about exploration and discovery.

It features many subtle references - Kupe's anchor stone is in there, Uenuku (the pou), our navigation birds, poutiriao around Kupe and lots of beautiful nuances to honour our people as masters of the moana & whenua.

Directed by Anahera Parata, with key creatives from WHEKE FORTRESS (of Aroha Bridge popularity), the video was produced by Coco Solid (Jess Hansell) and lead animator Tokerau.

The track itself is an ode to KUPE the master navigator and Polynesian voyager. The video has a more abstract take on a futuristic Aotearoa; where there a turbo / street canoes and a cityscape of traditional statues and marae-turned mansions. Where the world view is naturally Maori, for this is Aotearoa our home and place of belonging. There are subtle easter eggs for the academic viewer (Kupe's anchor stone which is housed at Te Papa), various Polynesian nuances, and reference to our taonga being on display in museums.

At time code 01:36 the Welcome to the 'cook' islands sign is muted, it is Rarotonga not an island owned by Captain Cook.

At time code 02:00 our female character designs her pou (statue) , dismantling Cook's mana and replacing it with KUPE. Our hero and protagonist.

Ultimately this film is about Tino Rangatiratanga; it relates to Matariki as it is a reflection of the past whilst honouring the present and future ambitions. 

"Reiki Ruawai's 'PAPATUĀNUKU': Where Music, Culture and Environmental Consciousness Intersect"

Like a musical sorcerer, Reiki weaves an enchanting spell. “PAPATŪĀNUKU” emerges as a powerful musical creation, transcending the realm of mere song and standing as a profound testament to the deep-rooted love and reverence for our Earth Mother. This inspiring composition resonates with a timeless message, calling forth the next generation, our rangatahi, to rediscover their primal connections forged by the footsteps of our ancestors. It is a melodious narrative that carries the weight of cherished traditions and an unyielding devotion to the land, forging a compelling bond with today's listeners.

Under the deft hand of renowned producer Chris Faiumu from Fat Freddy's Drop, this captivating song infuses the venerable traditions and the earth's reverence with contemporary relevance, spinning them into a poignant narrative for today's audience.

Backed by the unwavering support of Te Mangai Paho, “PAPATŪĀNUKU” unveils the transformative power of music in bridging the chasms between the past, present, and future. It serves as an impassioned call to action, heightening our awareness of the critical importance of environmental stewardship.

In a time when music often seems ephemeral and detached, this exceptional track breaks through the noise, delving deep into the essence of humanity's relationship with nature. It transcends being a mere composition; it becomes a profound movement set to a captivating beat, ensuring that the wisdom of our forebears echoes loudly within the minds of the next generation. “PAPATŪĀNUKU” epitomises a legacy we must strive to uphold and pass on, resonating with an unwavering spirit of preservation and reverence for our Mother Earth.

Reiki Ruawai, a bona fide talent hailing from the vibrant West Coast of Raglan, takes centre stage with his mesmerising vocals and soul-infused melodies. His music embodies a mesmerising fusion of R&B, dance, and soul, with raw emotion and an infectious rhythm that strikes a chord deep within the heart. With “PAPATŪĀNUKU,” Reiki captures the essence of his artistry, delivering a sonic experience that is both irresistible and deeply resonant.

day13n comes out swinging with a powerful debut. the autobiographical concept album - ‘\7/13\7/’ promises to leave a mark

A storyteller at heart, day13n’s desire to create a cohesive overarching plot directly contradicts the fact that recovery is a lifelong, never ending journey… but that doesn’t stop him from trying.

Spending every day putting effort into recovery means that day13n is no stranger to hard work, or the benefits it reaps, and that is evident in the work required to create the snowballing momentum that he’s built leading up to his debut project.

On top of an active array of creative social media campaigns, tailored specifically to each single, day13n has embarked on aggressive guerilla marketing, through use of stickers and posters around Auckland, and has created a distinct, and recognisable brand, through the character GRUMP13, who features on all his stickers, merch, album covers, and even has his own TikTok account.

Layers of poetic meaning, and unfiltered, raw vulnerability define the sound of this album, which takes listeners through the story of day13n’s battle with mental illness and addiction, showing us all that even at our lowest points, there is always a glimmer of hope, and all it takes is a little bit of belief in ourselves to pull us out.

The album is rich with collaborations and support from both new and experienced members of the New Zealand music scene, such as Abraham Kunin, and Bronson Price, all funded through the support of community programs such as Te Karanga, and Toi Ora, which further lends itself to the message the project represents.

This is a tale of discovery, marred with guilt, self-loathing, and a plethora of mistakes… but through it all, a desperate yearning for something more, and an honest desire to make amends shines through, and asks listeners if they too can find the strength within to forgive themselves for their own wrongdoings, and learn self-love regardless of it all.

Recovery is a story with no ending, and the finale of this album ‘past 71V3$’ draws this into focus. Reusing the lyric “I market my marred arms at walmart” which is present in the first track of the album as well, reminds listeners of the cyclical, non-linear nature of the healing process; and the content of the song, focusing simply on reflecting on the past, and accepting it radically, shows us that there is no clear-cut happy ending, but instead, a feeling of peace in the blunt acceptance of what is, and what was.

This genre-bending project had its release show hosted at the multidisciplinary underground arts Mecca ‘Nicegoblins Collective’ on July 7th, with a blend of multimedia showcases, support from across artistic pursuits, no alcohol sales in celebration of sobriety, and entry by koha to showcase community, and accessibility.

The captivating project, which both harrows and enraptures, relates to all through it’s raw, sometimes unpolished sound. It invites us to be an active part of the creative process, as we develop together as artist and audience. \7/13\7/ leaves a lasting impact, hoping to inspire us all to be the best versions of ourselves, and come together in mutual growth.

Follow day13n’s journey…

https://linktr.ee/day13n

Jordyn with a Why’s bilingual Matariki single ‘Hey Love’ featuring MOHI

Jordyn with a Why, releases her latest bilingual single ‘Hey Love’ featuring MOHI.

The single was funded by Te Māngai Pāho as part of the ‘Waiata Takitahi’ initiative and is a part of Waiata Anthem’s Matariki release.

Jordyn says the song is an 80s reclamation ballad.

“Hey Love gives words to the calling I could feel to reclaiming my reo Māori.

It’s written from the perspective of our tūpuna and acknowledges the difficulties of reclaiming at the same time as offering hope.”

The release of ‘Hey Love’ marks Jordyn’s 5th release of original music. The emerging artist is a finalist for both 2023 Pacific Music Awards Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist and the 2023 APRA Maioha Award.

LOUIS RHIAN 'GORSE INTO FLOWERS'

Emerging artist Louis Rhian releases debut project ‘Gorse Into Flowers’, a spoken word infused hip hop release centered around mental health. 

The intimate five track project takes the listener through a journey of heartbreak, hardship and heaviness to emerge on an uplifting note with Unity - a spoken word piece featuring euphonious singer Sophie Gibson - as the final track on the project.

“For myself as an artist it was really important to put out a project with a theme and a story, not just singles. That comes from my ‘why’ around music. I wanted to share my story and be completely vulnerable around what I’ve been through, so that it can hopefully help others out there who have experienced similar challenges in life.”

Gorse Into Flowers is a raw and intimate listen, with Louis Rhian sharing his experience of depression and the hurdles that he has had to overcome, in order to find more peace and acceptance within himself. 

“I hope that by putting myself out there and sharing in this way, it might spark some conversations with others or give hope to someone out there who is struggling. I wanted to show you can go through dark hardships and emerge from them stronger. We have the highest suicide rates in the world here in Aotearoa, so this project was a priority for me to get out there. It’s about the kaupapa, and if I can help one person with this, then my work is done”

Louis has found community and a sense of purpose through music, relishing the learnings taken from the journey as an artist and is feeling grateful to have a means in which to express himself.

“I started addressing my mental health around five years ago, and in that time a lot has changed and I have found much more peace, purpose and direction, particularly since making music and creating video content. It was something that was always missing in my life. I’ve shed a lot of tears through songwriting, and creating music and expressing myself has given me great fulfillment and purpose. Self expression is a beautiful thang!”

Reflecting more on the project and what’s to come, Louis Rhian is excited to move on to the next project:

“This project was really a reflection of some of the times in my teens and mid-early twenties, as opposed to how I am now, so I’m excited to move on from this and start creating some fresh music that’s more of a reflection of where I am at now.”

Gorse Into Flowers, mix and mastered by Jordan Tannen, and featuring vocalists The AJ Sound and Sophie Gibson, is now available on all major streaming platforms.

Tami Neilson - “Kingmaker” Live with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Tami Neilson  - “Kingmaker” 
Live with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra 

Recorded By Radio New Zealand at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland, July 30th 2022

To be released on all Digital Platforms : July 14th 2023

Experience the magical evening when Tami Neilson premiered her cinematic album Kingmaker, bringing it to life with the soaring 80-piece Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to a sold out crowd at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand. Recorded for broadcast by Radio New Zealand, it is now being released for her fans around the world to enjoy. 

Released July 15th 2022,  KINGMAKER marked Neilson’s most provocative and powerful album to date. 

Fueled by the world-changing events of the previuos two years, the album’s songs expose and explode the patriarchal structures that pervade the music industry, family life, and society as a whole. While Neilson has previously explored these themes on such acclaimed albums as 2018’s SASSAFRASS! (hailed by PopMatters as “a potent social and political statement dressed up in catchy melodies and infectious choruses that sometimes belie the more serious elements taking place deep within the choruses.”),  KINGMAKER draws these challenging ideas out even further, shining a dramatic musical light on what the late bell hooks referred to as “the politics of domination” that render women nameless and voiceless. 

Songs like “Baby, You’re A Gun” and the cinematic title track, see Neilson giving her own resonant voice to women everywhere – to their strength, power, fierceness, and resilience in the face of structural and cultural barriers to their full participation in society. 

CRYSTAL teases new EP with latest single ‘Break’

Auckland based alternative pop artist and producer CRYSTAL has shared her second single of the year ’Break’ ahead of her sophomore EP ‘Dead Ends’, due for release on the 25th of August.

Following on from her first release of the year ‘Skin’, her newest instalment ‘Break’ captures CRYSTAL’s signature introspective lyricism. With the chaos of life becoming too much, CRYSTAL finds herself on the verge of a breakdown while dealing with the stress of finding a new flat, on top of working full time and pursuing music. Co-written and co-produced alongside Joel Jones (YAHYAH, Dallas James) in October last year, the track explores the days leading up to moving flats and how disconcerting big life changes can feel.

“I was supposed to move flats, and I was having the worst luck finding a new one. It got to the point where I was going to be homeless within a matter of days. The tenancy ended because the landlord was useless with fixing many things which were in need of repair, so we all decided it was best to leave. I was gutted because I felt like I had finally settled and found a home after being there for 8 months. At the time, I had a lot going on with working full time at a cafe and working on my music project. I was going to as many flat viewings as possible trying to secure my next home. I felt super desperate and vulnerable not having my parents in the same city to lean on for support. This time period really tested my ability to push forward. In the end, I found a flat two days before I had to move out”.

CRYSTAL will be playing her first Auckland show, opening for indie- pop artist Sofia Machray on the 19th of August at Whammy.

 Te-Whanganui-A-Tara/Wellington-raised and Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland-based CRYSTAL made her live music debut in 2019 while studying Commercial Music at Massey University, playing Wellington festivals, Cuba Dupa and Newtown Festival, and supporting Australian artist KIAN, before ever having released music online. Her debut single, ‘My Flowers Are Dead’ featured on TVNZ’s body swap comedy series ‘Life Is Easy’, while her previous release ‘Expectations Suck!’ landed on Spotify's 'New Music Friday AU & NZ', 'Pop n Fresh', and ‘EQUAL AU & NZ’ playlists and featured on ZM’s Late Night Show.