Christchurch Dream-Rock Band Lunar Intruder Release Melancholic Single 'Phases' as Prelude to Debut Album, "Smokechasers"
Christchurch-based four-piece band Lunar Intruder returns with their latest single, 'Phases,' an exploration of personal evolution, leading up to the release of their upcoming debut album "Smokechasers."
Christchurch-based four-piece band Lunar Intruder returns with their latest single, 'Phases,' an exploration of personal evolution, leading up to the release of their upcoming debut album "Smokechasers." Building on the success of their previous hits 'What You Wanted' and 'House,' Lunar Intruder invites listeners into another chapter of their musical journey.
Listen To ‘Phases’ HERE
Embracing influences from the shoegaze genre, 'Phases' delves into the complexities of transformation and self-acceptance. Guitarist and singer Cameron Buyers, alongside bassist Matthew Genet, lead guitarist Max Wolvekamp, and drummer Ricki Allan, collectively known as Lunar Intruder, share, "Phases is about going through the motions of changing as a person and learning to accept and resist fighting the person you are becoming. 'Wait out your phases' is basically a way of saying; there’s more to our lives that we haven’t experienced yet."
The band's recent surge in popularity on New Zealand's student radio stations and streaming platforms underscores their growing influence within the local scene. Following their successful 'Good Dogs Go To Heaven Tour' in New Zealand and the release of their recent singles, Lunar Intruder is establishing themselves as a crowd favourite.
Join Lunar Intruder in celebrating the release of 'Phases' and anticipate the full album release of "Smokechasers" in April 2024.
Lunar Intruder is Cameron Buyers (Rhythm Guitar and Vocals), Matthew Genet (Bass), Max Wolvekamp (Lead Guitar) and Ricki Allan (Drums), hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand.
Their music carries a profound emotional depth and a sweeping, introspective quality that immerses listeners in a realm of nostalgia and contemplation. Renowned for their explosive and energetic sets, Lunar Intruder started from humble beginnings in a cold Upper Riccarton garage during the first Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, where they set the cornerstone for their influence of music: haunting melodies, introspective lyrics, and powerful instrumentation.
The band was first introduced to the Christchurch Music Scene in 2020, starting out in the backyards of University flats, playing for friends and clubs. From there, they were awarded First Place at the annual University of Canterbury “Battle of the Bands” competition. Since then, Lunar Intruder has gone from strength to strength; hosting a handful of memorable backyard gigs, featuring on TV shows (The Feed), and performing at a multitude of Music Festivals, including Golden Bay's Twisted Frequencies and UCSA's Summer Stein and Tea Party.
This has led them to share the stage with New Zealand and Australian heavyweights: Mako Road, The Grogans, The Butlers, Old Mervs, Surf Trash, Lazy Ghost, Dolphin Friendly, There's A Tuesday, Summer Thieves, and The Raddlers.
The band released their 2022 debut EP ‘Moonlight’, followed by two more EPs: 'Solar Hangover' (2020) and 'Outerworlds' (2021). In 2022, they embarked on a nationwide 'The Moonlight Tour'. August 2023 saw them wrapping up the 'Good Dogs Go To Heaven Tour,' another nationwide tour.
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French for Rabbits to bring ‘In the End I Won’t Be Coming Home’ EP to life with string quartet on three-date tour
Te Whanganui-a-Tara luminaries of ethereal dream-pop/folk French for Rabbits will be bringing their new EP In the End I Won’t Be Coming Home to life accompanied by string quartet at three shows in March and May.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara luminaries of ethereal dream-pop/folk French for Rabbits will be bringing their new EP In the End I Won’t Be Coming Home to life accompanied by string quartet at three shows in March and May.
In 2023, they recorded a new collection of songs with the Black Quartet and following a pre-release tour with Chamber Music New Zealand, they have decided to do an encore run of shows to locations beginning with W - Whanganui, Wellington and Waiheke Island - to celebrate the EP’s vinyl release for 2024.
The vinyl release also includes their much loved 2012 EP Claimed by the Sea on the B-Side, and records will be available at the show. They are also available now in record stores.
Their music, which has been nominated for the Taite Music Prize, NZ Music Awards and APRA Silver Scrolls has seen the understated group perform internationally through the USA and Europe, open for the likes of Lorde, Marlon Williams, Agnes Obel and The Tallest Man on Earth.
For the tour, they are traveling as an extended 9-piece including a string quartet led by award winning composer, arranger and performer Elliot Vaughan (Canada/New Zealand). The group will join the band to reinterpret material from previous releases alongside those from the EP - adding detail and colour to the already cinematic soundscapes and intimate folk songs of songwriter/vocalist Brooke Singer.
Elliot has contributed arrangements for over 30 records with Canadian and New Zealand artists, and countless performances around the world, and holds a Master’s of Musical Arts from the New Zealand School of Music and a Bachelor’s of Fine Art from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.
From the band: “we don’t have many shows planned for 2024, so we’d love to see you at these three - including our first on the beautiful Waiheke Island. We can’t wait to take our string playing friends on tour with us!”
French for Rabbits with the Elliot Vaughan Strings
In the End I Won’t Be Coming Home - Release Tour
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Whanganui - 1 March - presented by Sarjeant Gallery at St Peter’s
Waiheke Island - 2 March - Artworks Theatre
Wellington - 5 May - Meow
More information and tickets from frenchforrabbits.com
2024 MLT Songwriting Awards Entries Open
Calling all songwriters, do you have an unreleased song that could be our next winner?
Calling all songwriters, do you have an unreleased song that could be our next winner?
Each year, songwriters from all over New Zealand, Australia and the US put their hat in the ring for the MLT Songwriting Award, presented at Gore’s Country Music Honours each May. Past winners and finalists include Kerryn Fields, Tami Neilson, Barry Saunders, Jenny Mitchell and 2023 Winner; Matt Joe Gow.
Open to all songwriters, the top 10 finalists will perform their song live at the Country Music Honours Awards evening on Friday May 24th 2024. The Mataura Licensing Trust (MLT) sponsors cash prizes to the Winner ($2500) and Runner Up ($500), to support their songwriting future.
Entries must be unreleased and recorded with one vocal and one instrument (with the exception of songs written as duets).
Entries open: 5thFeb 2024
Entries close: 18thMarch 2024
BACK TO BASICS SEMINAR IS BACK FOR 2024
Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, with support from Recorded Music New Zealand, New Zealand Music Commission and NZ On Air, is proud to announce the return of the free Back to Basics seminar. The first seminar for the year will take place in Kirikiriroa | Hamilton, on Tuesday 5 March 2024.
Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, with support from Recorded Music New Zealand, New Zealand Music Commission and NZ On Air, is proud to announce the return of the free Back to Basics seminar. The first seminar for the year will take place in Kirikiriroa | Hamilton, on Tuesday 5 March 2024.
Aimed at all who are in the early stages of artist management, including self-managed artists, this seminar explores the fundamentals and inner workings of the music industry. Topics will cover planning a release, artist development and the business of music.
Lorraine Barry (manager of Sir Dave Dobbyn, Avantdale Bowling Club, Aaradhna, Aidan Fine, Home Brew, Rizvan) will be joined by Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau (manager of Tiki Taane). They will present and share their indispensable knowledge, and answer questions from attendees.
Back to Basics Seminar Kirikiriroa
When: Tuesday 5 March 2024
Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Venue: Nivara Lounge, Basement 266 Victoria St, Hamilton Central
Lorraine Barry began working with Sir Dave Dobbyn 19 years ago. Avantdale Bowling Club, Aidan Fine, Home Brew, Rizvan and Aaradhna complete her current roster.
She’s a keen mentor for the MMF Aotearoa and sits on the Board of the Music Commission.
In her former life at Virgin Records in London she was International Marketing Manager for acts including Ice T, Spice Girls, Massive Attack, Neneh Cherry, Placebo and The Verve before taking on the role of running the International Department.
Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau (Ngāti Maniapoto) is an older sister to popular award-winning artist and producer Tiki Taane, and has managed her brother and his company Tikidub Productions since 2007. A current Board member of the MMF Aotearoa, Ninakaye is also an executive member of the Maori Music Industry Coalition and a Trustee of Soundcheck Aotearoa.
Ninakaye likes to draw upon all her life experiences for her work with Tiki, but also in her mentorship approach. In 2023 Ninakaye began working one day a week as a Harmful Sexual Behaviour Therapist for Auckland based Korowai Tumanako. A resilient mother and grandmother, Ninakaye is a Trustee for the Tiki Taane Trust and an Ambassador for the global “My Sisters Are Warriors” movement.
FREE ENTRY to all (come armed with your questions!).
RSVP to admin@mmf.co.nz is essential.
Email here to secure your seat.
Skindred Live in NZ for the first time ever, and looking for support acts!
UK metal stalwarts Skindred are coming to NZ for the very first time - ONE SHOW ONLY - you are gonna want to be there!!!
To pitch for a support slot please contact Paul Marshall, squidinc.records@xtra.co.nz
UK metal stalwarts Skindred are coming to NZ for the very first time - ONE SHOW ONLY - you are gonna want to be there!!!
Widely acknowledged as one of the most enthralling live bands on the planet, Skindred, produce the toughest and most infectious metal riffs colliding with the biggest, phattest hip hop and reggae grooves, cutting edge electronics and a razor-sharp pop sensibility.
Skindred in the last few months have achieved some massive milestones, having recently appeared live on, Later... with Jools Holland, toured with US band KISS and now, Skindred are set to perform their own headline show at Wembley Arena with support from P.O.D.
Skindred then head to Australia to play all 3 Knotfest festival shows in front of 30,000 music fans a day. Then if all that wasn’t enough they are then gracing our shores in New Zealand to deliver a one of a kind club show. This will be the only time you will get to see this band live up close.
Skindred most recent album “Smile” went straight to number 2 on the official UK album charts upon its release, with the lead single “Gimme That Boom” amassing over 9 million streams on Spotify alone.
As well as recently topping the UK album charts, the band went to number 1 on the new alternative album charts in the US. Showing that their truly unique sound is rapidly expanding globally.
Benji Webbe and his loyal henchmen – bassist Dan Pugsley, guitarist Mikey Demus and drummer Arya Goggins have created the ultimate spark-spraying state-of-the-art soundclash.
Combining all manner of seemingly disparate musical elements into an irresistibly exhilarating explosion of energy and cross-pollinated cultural fervour has rightly earned them a reputation as a band capable of uniting people from all corners of the globe and making every last one of them tear up the dance floor with a giant grin plastered across their faces.
Benji Webbe frontman of Skindred has promised to bring his most famous invention of all to NZ “the Newport Helicopter”. If you don't know what that is, you will certainly find out on the night.
“There’s nothing better than being on stage with these guys,” says Arya. “Skindred is my favourite band and I’m so lucky to be part of this thing we’ve created. We’ve been all over the world but there are always new places to visit and new crowds to play for. Aotearoa, we can’t wait!”
Skindred Tickets Eventfinda - https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/skindred-live-in-nz-for-the-first-time/auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsula
Website - https://skindred.net
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Skindredmusic
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/skindredmusic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/skindredofficial
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/skindred
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jTlKw98Ql1jGRPYqhqHap
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/skindred
ZED DELIVER ETHEREAL NEW TRACK ‘INTO THE OCEAN’
Following the bands first single in 20 years, ‘Future You’, ZED are back for 2024 with their new ethereal track ‘Into The Ocean’.
Following the bands first single in 20 years, ‘Future You’, ZED are back for 2024 with their new ethereal track ‘Into The Ocean’.
The second single from their forthcoming album, the track and video were inspired by a recurring dream lead singer Nathan King had. “I’m underwater, holding my breath, and eventually my lungs are bursting, I just have to breathe. So I draw breath and realise (in my dream) I can breathe underwater!”
Produced by Nic Manders, the track dives into a narrative of escapism, and finding peace in a space of worry. Accompanying the new single is the music video created by Lukas Kelly, showcasing animations of the band underwater, that explores the narrative even further.
Written in reflection, Nathan explains, “we’ve probably all had times of high stress, or when everything feels like it’s going wrong, when we wish we could have somewhere to hide away, where the worries of the world can’t touch you.”
Catch ZED’s rescheduled show for the final leg of the ‘Future You Aotearoa Tour’ this March 1st at Leigh Sawmill. Tickets are on sale now from moshtix.co.nz.
Made with the support of NZ On Air, ‘Into The Ocean’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
Listen to ‘Into The Ocean’
Tickets to the ‘Future You Aotearoa Tour’ Leigh Show
https://www.moshtix.co.nz/v2/event/zed-future-you-tour-leigh-new-date/157972
FIND ZED
MOUNTAIN BOY DELIVERS DEBUT ALBUM ‘THE DAYS’
Today Mountain Boy delivers his debut album ‘The Days’, a 9-track reflection on the ebbs and flows of life and the necessity of gratitude.
Today Mountain Boy delivers his debut album ‘The Days’, a 9-track reflection on the ebbs and flows of life and the necessity of gratitude.
Featuring already released tracks ‘Let It Lie’, ‘Lucky’, ‘Noom’, ‘Dais’ and ‘Keel’, the album includes four brand new tracks ‘Millions’, ‘Very Like You’, ‘Good Night Babe’ and ‘These Are The Days’.
The musical nom de plume of Aaron Clarke, Mountain Boy is a project that's garnered praise from all corners, and his debut record is undergirded by his journey as a songwriter and producer. “Compared to my previous bodies of work, I leant into my tastes more and embraced the quirks, rather than shying away from them,” Clarke explains.
Lead track for the album ‘Millions’ unfolds as an honest narrative, inspired by thoughts of a late night drive. Free from doubles and delays the artist usually favours, the track offers a pleasant point of difference on the project, that elevates the record from folk, to folk rock.
To celebrate the release, he'll be hitting the road across the North Island to perform the album in full with his band. Starting in Raglan at The Yard on 15 February and finishing in Auckland at Big Fan on 22 February. Tickets are on sale now through undertheradar.co.nz.
Reflecting on the project, the artist explains “The result is a record that will have you gazing off into the distance and leave you feeling less alone and hopefully, more grateful.” ‘The Days’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
Link to ‘The Days’
Tickets to ‘The Days’ Tour
https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/tour/22919/Mountain-Boy--The-Days-Tour.utr
FIND MOUNTAIN BOY
ADV takes creativity to new heights, with the empowered debut release of sensational album ‘Trust Issues,’ and announces visuals on the way.
Inspired by music and filmmaking in equal parts, ADV’s passion for artistry knows no limits. The debut project ‘Trust Issues’ explores deeply human reflections on trust and failing relationships, as well as relaying the highs and lows of personal growth in a refreshingly captivating, sensual yet sensitive manner
Inspired by music and filmmaking in equal parts, ADV’s passion for artistry knows no limits. The debut project ‘Trust Issues’ explores deeply human reflections on trust and failing relationships, as well as relaying the highs and lows of personal growth in a refreshingly captivating, sensual yet sensitive manner
Listen to Trust Issues Here
Born in South Africa and creating out of Aotearoa, New Zealand, ADV hits the scene with a clear sense of identity and purpose. The established sound and visual aspects of ‘Trust Issues’ ring loud, and with eight music videos to support the launch, ADV connects the dots between deeply moving songwriting, ethereal production, and the importance of sharing more queer stories and experiences.
Released on 2 February 2024, the eclectic songs of ‘Trust Issues’ fuse elements of Soul, RnB, Pop and Funk, across a rich tapestry of design flowing with equal parts uncertainty and fun. The likes of ‘Just Tryna Be’ lift the mood with a strong groove and falsetto front-line, while ‘Shimmer’ adds an infectious hook and a powerful unity between dance and a gospel-choir warmth.
Elsewhere singles like ‘Sweater Song’ dig into relationship turmoil with fearless vulnerability, and the leading single ‘Do It Over’ strips things back to the bare essentials of piano, voice and story - before evolving into an uplifting anthem of celebration and optimism.
Far from purely a solo endeavour, collaboration was key in bringing ‘Trust Issues’ to life, with an extensive list of additional musicians, performers and creatives helping craft and edit the visual journey. The full visual album experience will release on 14th March 2024, alongside a zine called ‘The Trust Issue’, designed by Lulu Qiu, featuring work from a collection of photographers, as well as lyrics, credits, a poetic letter from ADV, and a foreword by renowned poet and playwright Nathan Joe.