ZED RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘PLAY’
Zed’s latest single uses a playful melody and lyrics to explore the risks of deciding to bet on someone that has already let you down.
Is it worth playing a game with someone that doesn’t play by the rules?
Zed’s latest single uses a playful melody and lyrics to explore the risks of deciding to bet on someone that has already let you down.
Ben says “putting a song to Andy’s funky disco inspired grooves was such a treat, we’re stoked with where this track ended up, exploring something of a new sonic direction for Zed. It’s gonna be very fun to play live”.
Play is out now, with the album Future Memory out this August.
https://ffm.to/zedplay
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Troy Kingi releases Silicone Booby Trap single from forthcoming album ‘Leatherman & the Mojave Green’
Album no.8 ‘Leatherman & the Mojave Green’ is a homecoming of sorts for Troy, returning to the genre of music that ultimately enticed him in to the music industry, rock music.
Album No.8 ‘Leatherman & the Mojave Green’ for release August 16th 2024
For Media - Stream / Download “Silicone Booby Trap”
Album no.8 ‘Leatherman & the Mojave Green’ is a homecoming of sorts for Troy, returning to the genre of music that ultimately enticed him in to the music industry, rock music.
Inspired in his mid teens by so many artists that have come from or created in the Mojave Desert regions ( Kyuss, QOTSA, Eagles of Death Metal) it was an easy decision for Troy to record this album in the home of Desert Rock: Joshua Tree, in a studio synonymous with that sound 'Rancho de la Luna'.
Rancho is run by Dave Catching,a legend in his right(QOTSA, Eagles of Death Metal, The Mojave Lords etc), and being entrenched in that environment with such deep folklore and rich rocky tapestry, Troys album seemingly formed itself - borrowing sweaty heat from the sandy desert, eclectic melodies from the sunlit mountains, ancient rhythms from sacred caves and a sharp pointy punch from the Joshua Tree Cactus.
In the midst of song writing Troy was asked to write and perform a song with Dave Catching on the forthcoming Rancho De La Lunas 30th Anniversary Album along side many of Troys musical Heroes. In addition, he will now be playing shows in Vegas and LA, along side those same legends.
Troy Kingi is a story teller, each album immersed in rich worlds, which inform the writing. ‘Leatherman & the Mojave Green’ takes us out into the desert, where we hear a myriad of stories, one in particular talking of the Sunshine Community Cult tattooing their eyeballs allowing them to stare at the sun and receive its many blessings.
The album, is accompanied by a 4 part documentary series “Troy Kingi’s Desert Hikoi”, directed by Tom Hern (The Panthers, The Dark Horse, Guns Akimbo, Shadow in the Clouds), featuring Serj Tankian, Brant Bjork, Dave Catching and many many more OG's of the Califiornian Rock scene. “Troy Kingi’s Desert Hikoi” Premiers on TVNZ+ on demand in May 1st.
Troy Kingi, on his time in the Mojave Desert
“The trip to Joshua Tree was a timely Godsend - at a pivotal point where I had hit a wall, a blockage, I was waning, struggling creatively with were to go to next with my music, the whole 10/10/10 thing, had it finally broken me?
Being in this place - one of the holiest of holys for me, the birthplace of the greatest rock album of all time ‘ songs for the deaf’ - it was hard not to be inspired by it all - by the crazy Martian like landscape, the people, the foreign-ness, songs started forming in my dreams, rushing to me from the heated horizon, I found my thing again - and it seemed to flow easily like it once did when I first started my journey 8 years ago. The sound we found is definitely different, it’s the most aggressive sound I’ve ever created. “ Troy Kingi
Produced with long time collaborator TeMatera Smith, AllGood Absolute Alternative Records (AAARecords). Ocelli is out May 24th on all Digital Platforms
“Leatherman & the Mojave Green ” is out August 16th 2024
CD / LP through AllGood Absolute Alternative Records (AAARecords) / Border and available on all digital platforms.
Lazy Fifty – Sitting In The Shadows
This song is pure rock. Kick back, blow up that air guitar and let loose. Sitting In The Shadows is telling you to own it.
Kiwi rockers Lazy Fifty release
another banging rock anthem with
new single Sitting In The Shadows
Sitting In The Shadows is “a song that wakes you up” says composer and frontman Adrian Athy.
“I love the intro’s feel, it’s a hybrid of Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden.”
Adrian says “the lyrics are about releasing your ego and doing what you want to do without worrying about what others think.”
“‘Makes no sense to the asinine, they’re walking blind’ refers to the fact that so many of us waste time worrying about what “they” think. But who are “they” and are “they” thinking at all.”
Thoughtful lyrics, melodic guitar phrasing and memorable choruses combine to create a rock anthem that by the second chorus you’re singing along.
This song is pure rock. Kick back, blow up that air guitar and let loose. Sitting In The Shadows is telling you to own it.
Sitting In the Shadows is the fourth single off Lazy Fifty’s upcoming album Neighbour of the Beast. This album is the second collaboration between Adrian and renowned producer Greg “not my problem” Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Tom Jones (Reload), Catatonia, Bullet For My Valentine, Devilskin).
Greg says “it was great to revisit the world of Lazy Fifty again after previously working on their ‘2021: A LAZY ODYSSEY’ album.
“It’s always encouraging to see a band refresh and continue on their musical journey, a path that Adrian constantly treads in his desire to expand his virtuosity and push the boundaries of the genre.”
Adrian wrote all of the songs, sang lead and backing vocals, played lead, rhythm and bass guitar on the new album.
In addition to producing the album Greg also performed drums and percussion, bringing a huge sound with the help of his vintage Ludwig kit and Zildjian ‘crash of doom’ cymbal.
Neighbour of the Beast was recorded at Roundhead Studios, Auckland, New Zealand (owned by Neil Finn Crowded House/Fleetwood Mac)
ALLANA Goldsmith Unveils Waiata for Matariki: MANAAKITIA
Contemporary Māori artist ALLANA Goldsmith releases ‘MANAAKITIA’, a beat-heavy waiata (song) produced by Juse. True to herself, the singer and songwriter once again transcends genre boundaries, letting the story of ‘MANAAKITIA’ unfold through beautifully woven lyrics, imbued with integrity and mana throughout the track.
Contemporary Māori artist ALLANA Goldsmith releases ‘MANAAKITIA’, a beat-heavy waiata (song) produced by Juse. True to herself, the singer and songwriter once again transcends genre boundaries, letting the story of ‘MANAAKITIA’ unfold through beautifully woven lyrics, imbued with integrity and mana throughout the track.
Stream MANAAKITIA here
The waiata is a call to cherish and care for one another and for all of us. It speaks of te aka matua, the parent vine that Tāwhaki climbed to reach the heavens. To nurture our taonga—precious tangible and intangible treasures—so we are never lost, e kore e ngaro. ALLANA shares, “This single is for you to feel secure and embraced in eternal threads that bind us all. You’re invited to soak up metaphors of well-known and ancient wisdoms passed down over generations. This soothing waiata is a powerful message speaking to us all through the unity of mankind, ngā tāngata katoa”.
Accompanying the release is a stunningly intimate music video directed by Shivani Karan and filmed in Auckland at Unitec’s Te Noho Kōtahitanga Marae and Te Rangimārie Pā Harakeke. The visuals introduce us to ALLANA’s taonga, her whānau, and feature them making putiputi (flax flowers) on the mahau (front of the wharenui).
Today’s Matariki release is the first of three te reo Māori singles all funded by Te Māngai Pāho, due for release this year ahead of ALLANA’s trip to Mundial Festival (Canada) as a creative New Zealand delegate.
MUSIC VIDEO launch party for MANAAKITIA
3rd July 2024. At TE NOHO KOTAHITANGA MARAE, Unitec.
Hosted by UNITEC.
Matariki Celebration - Puna Kōrero: HERE
Midwave Breaks are Standing Inside Out
Standing Inside Out, the second single and title track from the band’s recent EP, delivers an exhilarating up-tempo ride, with ascending guitar motifs, intricate melodies, and a hook-laden chorus that harks back to the layered vocal harmonies of iconic 1980s pop-rock anthems.
Standing Inside Out, the second single and title track from the band’s recent EP, delivers an exhilarating up-tempo ride, with ascending guitar motifs, intricate melodies, and a hook-laden chorus that harks back to the layered vocal harmonies of iconic 1980s pop-rock anthems.
Singer-songwriter-guitarist Bruce Conlon and drummer Paul Russell have been riding a wave of support at Rock Radio, with five independent singles in the Top 10 Radioscope Rock Chart and a further five in the Top 20. Their hard graft and growing success was recently acknowledged with a Best Rock Act finalist nod at the prestigious Aotearoa Music Awards in May.
Fans can catch Midwave Breaks performing Standing Inside Out Live for the first time as they return to the stage in Mount Maunganui on Saturday July 13.
Reflecting on the challenges of translating the studio sound to the stage, drummer Paul Russell shared, “As a duo, we construct our songs layer by layer in the studio. With Standing Inside Out it wasn’t until afterwards we realised the unique live challenge for Bruce, balancing vocals and guitar at the same time, as there’s a lot going on. Thankfully, Bruce is a pro, but I may need to take over the mic between tracks so he can catch a breath after this one!”
The Totara Street headline show marks Midwave Breaks’ first hometown performance in over a year, with support from rising local talent Bloody Overalls from Otumoetai High School. The event is open to both 18+ and supervised under 18s, offering younger fans a chance to experience a full-noise rock 'n' roll show when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Rising country stars Steffany Beck & Miranda Easten partner up for a powerful country duet single – ‘Hell & Back’
Ōtautahi-based country singer-songwriters Steffany Beck and Miranda Easten have released their new duet single ‘Hell & Back’ – a song about hard times, sticking together and girl power!
Ōtautahi-based country singer-songwriters Steffany Beck and Miranda Easten have today released their new duet single ‘Hell & Back’ – a song about hard times, sticking together and girl power!
Individually, these rising country stars have been making waves with their latest releases, Beck’s ‘What Would Dolly Do’ (NZ on air New Tracks, Juice TV, CMT AU/NZ, Southern Cross Country Radio)an anthem of unapologetic confidence, complete with 10 references to Dolly Parton songs, as part of her fiery sophomore EP PILLARS, and Easten’s cleverly-crafted toe-tapping hook ‘Kip Moore Smile’(NZ on air New Tracks, Newstalk ZB, Southern Cross Country Radio) a light-hearted swipe at the male ego and wannabe player who’s full of himself, as part of her sophomore album’ Concrete & Honey’ due for release in July.
These Saddle up Sisters first met through following each other online and eventually met up in person one night at a music networking event. “It was sister love at first sight, we just clicked and became instant best friends”, Said Easten. “It felt like we were long lost sister’s finally being reunited, and we’ve been inseparable since,” said Beck.
With a newfound die hard friendship and a long list of things in common, the dynamic country sirens co-wrote ‘Hell & Back’, alongside with Chris Childs (Toured with the Spice Girls), with a message of hope for those burned by the music industry, going through the highs and lows of being a self-managed artist and how important it is to reach out find your tribe or a sister you can rely on to ride the rollercoaster alongside with you.
This song was recorded at Rockfield Studios, UK (Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen, Coldplay) and at Parachute Studios, Auckland, produced by Greg Haver and mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, Nashville.
Alongside an invitation to judge the prestigious Golden Guitar Awards, upcoming live performances for the duo start with a show at Gore’s Tussock Country followed by a national tour through June/July ‘to celebrate the release of Beck’s EP PILLARS and their duet single ‘Hell & Back’.
The two are partnering up on the Saddle Up Sisters Tour, bringing their new original cowgirl country music to the major centers with a full band in tow. So, round up your friends, dust off your boots and saddle up to join them for an unforgettable night of country music at a town near you!
SADDLE UP SISTERS TOUR DATES:
Fri 31 May - Gore - Tussock Country Music Festival
Thu 20 June - Wellington – Meow with Danica Bryant
Sat 22 June - Auckland - Big Fan with Jenni Smith
Fri 28 June - New Plymouth - TSB Festival of Lights
Fri 5 July - Christchurch - A Rolling Stone with Karra Rhodes
For more information + tickets, go to: https://mirandaeasten.com
Anna van Riel 'The Nurdle Song'
Aotearoa’s Environmental Superhero Waste Free Wanda is releasing a colourful new music video for tamariki in conjunction with Plastic Free July 2024
Aotearoa’s Environmental Superhero Waste Free Wanda is releasing a colourful new music video for tamariki in conjunction with Plastic Free July 2024
The Nurdle Song, written by Anna van Riel (NZ) & Katie Herst (USA) shares the story of an unfortunate turtle, named Myrtle who is impacted by microplastics in the ocean.
Although this cabaret-style track is both humorous and uplifting, the reality of Myrtle’s scenario is a growing concern globally.
A 2022 report from oceancare.org states that:
“There are an estimated 5.25 trillion plastic particles floating on the surface of the ocean, which together weigh 269,000 tonnes. That is equivalent to the weight of about 2,150 blue whales. Bacteria and algae gradually colonise these plastic fragments, which in turn become heavier and sink. Even the depths of the ocean are now contaminated with microplastics.”
But it’s not all doom and gloom.
Waste Free Wanda takes a solutions-based approach around what we CAN do, using her ‘Simple Swaps’ philosophy.
Using the Rule of Thumb, Wanda helps us to understand how we can be the change.
RULE OF THUMB
REFUSE- say no to single-use items
REDUCE- take less of what you can when it comes to single-use plastics
REUSE- reusable cups, bottles, beeswax wraps, straws etc. are the answer
REHOME- find a new home for items you no longer use
RECYCLE- rinse, recycle and repeat. Reducing means less in all bins and oceans
ROT- find a compost to put food and green waste in for the worms
With plastic Free July upon us, we have a fantastic opportunity to make some ‘Simple Swaps’ in our homes, schools and communities to impact a real and positive change for Papatūānuku.
“My hope is that, through the modalities of song and the creative arts, I can help tamariki and their whanau to understand the life cycle of plastics, and what they can do to reduce the negative impacts of single-use items on the planet. Children are incredible advocates for Mother Earth and it’s important that we provide them with solution-based tools so they can step confidently into the future”, states Waste Free Wanda.
Created with the help of the Southern Institute of Technology's animation team, and Meek & Wild Creations, The Nurdle Song officially launches on July 1st where it can be found on all major platforms including YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music.
Presave link to The Nurdle Song here: https://music.drm.co.nz/the-nurdle-song
Holly Arrowsmith shares single 'Blue Dreams' - title track from upcoming album
Holly Arrowsmith releases moving Americana single 'Blue Dreams', completing her trilogy of deeply personal tracks from her upcoming album, also entitled Blue Dreams, scheduled for release on 26 July 2024 on Leather Jacket Records.
Holly Arrowsmith releases moving Americana single 'Blue Dreams', completing her trilogy of deeply personal tracks from her upcoming album, also entitled Blue Dreams, scheduled for release on 26 July 2024 on Leather Jacket Records.
Holly's storytelling in 'Blue Dreams' explores her experience of first-time parenthood, her honest narrative and intimate vocals caressing the song's imagery into the ether. Although these moments are very much her own, they are profoundly understood by many others. Holly says, "I was a first-time parent in the middle of a pandemic, surviving in those early days of chronic sleep deprivation. I realised I had never heard a song about this transition, especially about how hard it can be in those first months when you are so exhausted and trying to work it all out. I felt this huge burden of responsibility, bringing life into such a turbulent world." Finding solace in community, Holly sought refuge in conversation with other people. A repetition of themes emerged: loneliness, worry, exhaustion, loss of identity, evolution, awe, deep love, protectiveness, responsibility. "I wanted to show a real domestic scene, not a glorified one. The often invisible work of Mothers, especially. Those messy, imperfect, sometimes lonely, tender and mundane days with your beautiful baby, time in suspension - for a time."
'Blue Dreams' begins with multi-tracked acoustic guitar, followed by the warm resonance of Holly's vocals, creating an Americana groove reminiscent of early 1970s Neil Young. Holly's lyrics skillfully paint a narrative depicting the challenges of retaining your sense of self that is suddenly and unexpectedly consumed by new parenthood. The scenarios are familiar, the ending uplifting.
Holly's journal of musical ideas is teeming with words and phrases, jotted down as they bloom. "The two words ‘Blue Dreams’ were so beautiful to me that I wrote them down for safe keeping. Sometimes a song just springs from two words like this, and the meaning is revealed in the process."
Holly's innate and honed songwriting talents were celebrated in May, the second time she has taken home the coveted APRA Country Music Song of the Year; on this occasion, Holly's song 'Desert Dove', also on the upcoming Blue Dreams album, nabbed the award.
Produced by Tom Healy (Marlon Williams, Bic Runga), and accompanied by an all-star cast of New Zealand musicians (Cass Basil, Anita Clark, Alex Freer), 'Blue Dreams' transports us through the essence of early parenthood isolation to a hopeful and positive familial future.
BLUE DREAMS MUSIC VIDEO
The music video for 'Blue Dreams' was shot on film in the beautiful Mackenzie Country of Southern Aotearoa. The wide-open spaces are a contrast to domestic life which can feel constricting at times. Under the direction of Naomi Haussman and Si Moore, Holly wades into an icy cold pond of swans to take a dip in mid-winter; maybe it was a baptism, which becoming a parent is.