Member News Sarah Leota Member News Sarah Leota

Get out of the way! Aotearoa band Revulva are coming through with their new single "Beep Beep"

The song was inspired by aggressive driving and honking, Revulva composer and lyricist Phoebe Johnson encountered on a rainy Wellington night. The lyrics “When you’re protected by some metal / Have a foot on the pedal / Say goodbye to hospitality / And hello to hostility” sprung to mind in response, and from there the song was developed.

Eight-piece femme-fronted soul/funk band Revulva release "Beep Beep" today, 19 July.  

The song was inspired by aggressive driving and honking, Revulva composer and lyricist Phoebe Johnson encountered on a rainy Wellington night. The lyrics “When you’re protected by some metal / Have a foot on the pedal / Say goodbye to hospitality / And hello to hostility” sprung to mind in response, and from there the song was developed.
“Beep Beep is my attempt to unpick aggression on the road” Phoebe shares. “I wanted to convey how being inside a car can make you feel invincible, on a pedestal, and very high and mighty. But I wanted to convey the nuance of this behaviour and lean in on the satire and make fun of those who participate in it - ‘those people’ is also sometimes me!” 

“The car is also a safe place for us to let it all out, to cry, to scream, or to just shut out all the noise, and there is plenty to escape from these days.”

The "Beep Beep" music video was co-directed by Phoebe Johnson and her partner Daniel Kingston and shot on an old Sony handycam.  “Our first music video ‘Bush Bash’ gave us a (potentially false) sense of confidence so we got to work on our second music video together” they shared.  Phoebe adds “ever since writing this song I had the visualisation of 8 clowns doing a driving test together. Something about it felt necessary to release the song - to really lean in on the satire of it.”

"Beep Beep" is the second single from Revulva's forthcoming self-titled album releasing later this year.  

Flirting with funk music, dining with disco music, and jaywalking toward jazz music Revulva are an eight-piece progressive soul/funk band from Te-Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington.

The band consists of New Zealand’s finest musicians including Phoebe Johnson (Ebony Lamb, Dateline, HEAVY CHEST), Lily Rose Shaw (The Teskey Brothers, The Gallery, OdESSA), Tobias Leman (Hummucide, The Gallery, Earl Green), Hector McLachlan (The Teskey Brothers, Rachel Andie), Kaito Walley (Bret McKenzie, TOI, L.A.B), Lennox Grootjans (Hummucide, Arjuna Oakes, Len Blake), Mysty Cooke (Exploding Rainbow Orchestra, Esbee, Richter City Rebels), and Zane Hawkins (Hummucide, Len Blake, Tusekah) and is always bursting with heart, snarky remarks, sexuality, burning improvised solos, feminist ethos, and a punk attitude. 

Revulva’s single and music video "Beep Beep" is available now  (19 July) from all streaming platforms. 


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Member News Sarah Leota Member News Sarah Leota

Troy Kingi Announces ‘Leatherman & the Mojave Green’ Nationwide Tour

Troy Kingi and The Cactus Handshake will be touring the country with his new album ‘Leatherman & the Mojave Green’ 

Troy Kingi and The Cactus Handshake will be touring the country with his new album ‘Leatherman & the Mojave Green’ 

Tour Dates

Fri 6 Sept | Whammy, Auckland

Sat 7 Sept | Butter Factory, Whangarei

Sun 8 Sept | Upsurge Festival, Turner Centre, Kerikeri

Thu 12 Sept | San Fran, Wellington

Fri 13 Sept | Errick’s, Dunedin

Sat 14 Sept | Loons, Christchurch

Thu 19 Sept | Totara St, Tauranga

Fri 20 Sept | Last Place, Hamilton

Sat 21 Sept | Cabana, Napier

Sun 22 Sept | Smash Palace, Gisborne

Ticket info at www.troykingi.com

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 

“Silicone Booby Trap”  is out June 28th

 “Leatherman & the Mojave Green ” is out August 16th 2024

CD / LP through AllGood Absolute Alternative Records (AAARecords) / Border and available on all digital platforms.

Pre save the Album Here 

“A Powerhouse of Talent” - Ambient Light 

“One of Our Finest Songwriters” - NZ Herald

 "a new spiritual awakening”. RNZ Music 

“a pivotal catalogue in our country's arts & culture scene” Muzic.net.nz

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music  / Bandcamp

Follow: Website  / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

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Member News Sarah Leota Member News Sarah Leota

Murmur Tooth 'Sharks'

Hitting a rarely explored sweet spot between Electronica and House, "Sharks" combines crisp beats with a freaky fusion of digital synth grooves and a big old SH101 bassline.

Murmur Tooth & Lars Moston, the Berlin based, genre-bending team up of Leah, the vocalist / classical pianist / heavy metal guitarist from New Zealand, and Lars, the House DJ / producer from Germany, is back with a very big fish. Hitting a rarely explored sweet spot between Electronica and House, "Sharks" combines crisp beats with a freaky fusion of digital synth grooves and a big old SH101 bassline. The vocals are an intimate invitation to a floating dreamscape that hints at things just under the surface… Add to that a lead melody that bites harder than a Great White and you’re going to need a bigger boat!

 Listen: https://spoti.fi/462NeaP
 Website: http://www.murmurtoothandlarsmoston.com

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Member News Sarah Leota Member News Sarah Leota

The Boonies have returned with a ferocious new track 'Sticks and Stones'.

South Auckland's rapidly-rising, high-energy rock duo, The Boondocks, are proud to release 'Sticks and Stones' - their first release since unearthing their self-titled debut EP in early 2024.

South Auckland's rapidly-rising, high-energy rock duo, The Boondocks, are proud to release 'Sticks and Stones' - their first release since unearthing their self-titled debut EP in early 2024. Over the past year, Scott Parker (Bass and Vocals) and Branden Pritchard (Drums and Backing Vocals) have been making a ruckus with their captivating and live shows across the country, as well as having their tunes blasted on NZ’s major rock radio.

Channelling the gritty and aggressive tones from their debut EP, 'Sticks and Stones' is a riffy and encapsulating song that explores the realities of the cynic within. On this track, The Boondocks open up on being disappointed when your desires don’t fall into place, and feeling overwhelmed with a difficult situation you never anticipated.

‘Sticks and Stones’ was written by The Boondocks, and produced by nationally acclaimed producer Scott Seabright.

Check this track out now, and keep your eyes peeled for more news from the Boonies in 2024....

Presave link:

https://music.drm.co.nz/sticks-and-stones

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Member News Sarah Leota Member News Sarah Leota

Adam Hattaway Releases New Single + Video 'High Horse' + 7" Vinyl with b-side 'She's Gone'

Adam Hattaway has released a new single and video today. 'High Horse' produced by hometown friend Marlon Williams is a track that carries a hint of country, accented by cowbell and rancher hats and features vocals by Tāmaki Makaurau's Erny Belle. 

Adam Hattaway has released a new single and video today. 'High Horse' produced by hometown friend Marlon Williams is a track that carries a hint of country, accented by cowbell and rancher hats and features vocals by Tāmaki Makaurau's Erny Belle. 

After the release of Anthology 2018-2023, this promises a new sound from the band. 
''We’ve always strived to make simple catchy music covered in stringy noodles of distortion. I think we get the closest we’ve gotten thus far to the sound we hear in our heads with High Horse''

Hattaway’s vocal melody is infectious and fun while reflecting his journey of searching for answers and singing to those who still don’t know what they are looking for. 

Today's release comes accompanied by another Marlon Williams directed video featuring no shortage of denim, cowboy hats, cleaning and Hattaway and Jones' on screen chemistry.

High Horse is available on 7" vinyl with b-side 'She's Gone'via Leather Jacket Records.

Order High Horse 7" on Bandcamp

Hattaway and his band The Haunters are playing two live shows
in celebration of the release. 

July 25th
Auckland - Wine Cellar
w/ Milan Borich

July 27th
Christchurch - The Wunderbar
w/ Just Janie

Tickets at Under The Radar
Unwaged and waged tickets available

ADAM HATTAWAY ONLINE
Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Bandcamp
Follow: Facebook / Instagram / Youtube

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Member News Sarah Leota Member News Sarah Leota

ERIN G RETURNS WITH PRODUCER EL! ON NEW RELEASE ORDIMASU

The sky’s the limit for Erin G as she returns with electronic producer El! on their track - Ordimasu.

The sky’s the limit for Erin G as she returns with electronic producer El! on their track - Ordimasu. The duo, who first met years ago at Rockquest, have maintained a strong musical partnership, consistently supporting each other's creative endeavours. Now, they are ready to share a song that has long been in their possession. This track combines electronic synths with indie alternative vocals and uplifting beats, showcasing Erin and Eli’s diverse musical influence and unique voice creating a truly distinctive experience for her listeners.

Stemming from a multi-instrumental background, Erin G isn’t defined by one particular sound or movement, cultivating her genre-bending tracks, delving into Indie and Drum and Bass paving her way with great success. Since debuting, she has been collaborating with artists all over NZ, recently featuring on EMWA’s ‘Show Me The Way’, which earned praise from influential figures like Zane Lowe, Apple Music's creative director, calling it 'a f***ing heatrock' on George FM.

El! Is a producer whose work is characterized by its innovative use of synthetic and acoustic instruments, often incorporating field recordings, ambient textures, and live instrumentation to craft richly layered compositions.

Together, Erin G and El! are set to deliver a truly distinctive musical experience with "Ordimasu," blending their respective talents to create a fresh and memorable track. Stay tuned for this exciting release, as Erin and Eli continue to push the boundaries of their musical artistry.


In anticipation of this release…
Two self funded and directed visualisers will be premiered on YouTube and Instagram offering a visual and auditory experience of this song

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Dillastrate release stunning and personal new waiata ‘Māwherangi’

'Māwherangi' is about social disconnection and the importance of looking out and caring for those lost souls that just can’t seem to find their way back into the fold.

Ōtautahi legends Dillastrate have today released a special new waiata, ‘Māwherangi’.

Listen to/download ‘Māwherangi’ HERE

The new waiata has emerged following a run of heavy-hitting waiata reo Māori releases, including ‘Ko Tātou Te Ahi’ (selected as the international theme song for New Zealand Cricket (Black Caps and White Ferns), Hot 20 NZ Singles, RadioScope Te Reo Māori & Alt, Waiata Anthems, Te Māngai Pāho), which Rolling Stone AUS/NZ featured as a “Song You Need To Know”. ‘Māwherangi’ is another release that showcases what incredible artists Dillastrate’s Henare ‘H‘ Kaa (lead vocals/drums) and Tim Driver (keys/bass synth/loops/vocals) are.

Connecting with Dillastrate’s background as stalwart writers and session musicians in the New Zealand roots scene, the track captures an uptempo reggae flavour, filtered through a modern production approach. The waiata balances warm keyboard layers against a dense and heavy rhythm section, with H’s voice soaring above and carrying the narrative of the waiata. The sonic landscape serves as a hat tip to the reggae/roots music that has inspired and underpinned Dillastrate’s musical journey to-date.

'Māwherangi' is about social disconnection and the importance of looking out and caring for those lost souls that just can’t seem to find their way back into the fold. It tells the story of the hawk soaring through the skies that, while a taonga and a majestic creature, carries a burden of loneliness that cannot be easily shaken. Through the narrative, the listener witnesses the journey of the hawk and connects with its flight through empty skies as it searches for its identity and home. Made with support from Te Māngai Pāho, the waiata also took inspiration from the band’s kaupapa and mission to support and uplift te ao Māori.

A forthcoming video to accompany the kaupapa of the waiata is also set to be released in the coming weeks – stay tuned for more details!

Born from the late great Aaron Tokona’s Ahoribuzz, Dillastrate have been making waves since the release of their 2017 EP, BLACK DIAMOND. ‘Māwherangi’ joins previous releases 'Taku Ngākau' (Te Māngai Pāho) and previous release ‘Ko Tātou Te Ahi’ (theme song for international New Zealand Cricket, Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart, RadioScope Te Reo Māori & Alt Charts, Te Māngai Pāho) as fantastic addition in their quest to uplift te ao Māori, joining bilingual hit ‘Party In My Head’ (Tāwara Ana), and waiata ‘Taku Aroha’ (RadioScope Te Reo Māori Chart, NZOA, Te Māngai Pāho). It is also joining other recent releases - pop hit ‘I’m Crazy’ (Hot 20 NZ Singles, NZ on Air New Tracks) and single ‘Way To Flow’ (NZOA NewTracks). As well as recording artists, their experience as live musicians include extensive festival, headline and support tours - seeing the duo playing repeatedly to crowds of over 20,000. A live Dillastrate performance is a finely-tuned and explosive experience that can transform entire venue crowds from stationery to dancing-their-asses-off in a matter of seconds. They’ve featured on national TV, commercial, iwi and alternative radio, boast a strong digital presence, and have placed in both the Official NZ Top 20 Singles and RadioScope charts multiple times. With much more on its way, Dillastrate are always ones to watch!

'Māwherangi' was made thanks to funding made available by Te Māngai Pāho. Produced by Connor Jaine (Mako Road, No Cigar) at CJ's Studio, Ashburton, and mastered by Benny Tones at Organik Muzik Workz, Wellington. Pitching and publicity services were provided by Acts Agency, with additional support from FiveAM Music. Distributed by Waave. Cover art by Paris Tutty Design.             

Listen to/download ‘Māwherangi’ HERE

Find Dillastrate

Facebook |Instagram | Website | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

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Member News Sarah Leota Member News Sarah Leota

Indie-Rockers Fan Club Release Debut EP, Towards the Sun

New Zealand indie-rock band Fan Club proudly announces the release of their highly-anticipated debut EP, "Towards the Sun".

New Zealand indie-rock band Fan Club proudly announces the release of their highly-anticipated debut EP, "Towards the Sun". This exciting collection of songs, produced by Andrew Isdale, has been made possible through support from SmokeFree RockQuest, NZ on Air, and proceeds from the band's dynamic live shows.

Fans will be treated to three brand-new tracks from the EP:

  • "Beach Weather": Written during the height of the New Zealand summer, this song features a bouncy beach-rock vibe perfect for any summer playlist.

  • "Sedate": An instant indie classic about an unhealthy relationship with a narcissistic individual. Lead singer Emma Wagner co-wrote this track with Jesse Sheehan and Bella Bavin as part of the NZ on Air's New Music Development scheme. It blends dynamic shifts and a mix of heavy and pop sounds with a playfully punk edge.

  • "DYK (Do You Know)": A hauntingly angry song about a doomed relationship, inspired by Radiohead's "My Iron Lung" with its glitchy guitars and dissonant harmonies.

Recorded at Big Fan, Parachute, and Tom Broome studios,  previously released tracks include:

  • “No Caller ID” (2023)- made possible by SmokeFree RockQuest (Top 30 finalist): This track was mixed and mastered by Seattle legend Barrett Jones.

  •  “Westbound” (2023) made possible by a NZ on Air New Music Single grant.

  • “Rough”, a fan-favourite. 

This compelling collection of six songs will be available worldwide on all digital platforms on July 12th. To celebrate the EP release, Fan Club will headline a gig at Big Fan on July 14th.

About Fan Club

Fan Club, a four-piece band from Auckland, has been making waves in the local indie-rock scene. They won the 2023 Auckland Regional Final of the SmokeFree RockQuest and placed second in the AJ Hackett “Live More, Fear Less” Competition. Known for their dynamic and engaging live performances, they have opened for notable acts such as Ekko Park, Double Parked, Coast Arcade, and recently Borderline at The Tuning Fork, where they were joined by special guests Frankie Venter and Spencer Coyle.

The band is set to headline their EP Release Party at Big Fan on July 14th, 2024. This all-ages event will also feature special guests The Boondocks and Kliff’s, promising to be a must-attend show for fans of indie rock.

Pre-save "Towards the Sun" here: https://music.drm.co.nz/towards-the-sun

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