LOUIS BAKER releases EP, MEDICINE

shares Music Video and announces 22 dates with Fat Freddys Drop UK / Europe

Louis Baker (Ngāruahine, Ngā Puhi), one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated soul artists, releases his new EP, MEDICINE.

LISTEN HERE

Medicine reflects the bond Baker has with his craft—music is his remedy, allowing him to connect with himself and communicate with the world. Each of the 5 tracks on the EP serves as a dose of this therapeutic power, exploring themes of perseverance, self-awareness, and emotional intimacy.

Influenced by artists like D’Angelo, Bobby Caldwell, and Marvin Gaye, Baker’s modern soul approach and exceptional musicality as a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist infuse the EP with depth and emotional resonance, creating a rich tapestry of sound that pays homage to these musical pioneers.

Accompanying the EP is the title track, Medicine which is complemented by an uplifting music video directed by Tom Grut, featuring dancers Ollie Caruthers and Helena May.  Baker's creative process for the track began with a steady drumbeat, before evolving with a groove-driven bass line, Rhodes keys and a distinctive guitar melody that elevates the track.  Lyrically, Baker explores the pressures of daily life and how music offers a sanctuary in those moments.

WATCH VIDEO HERE 

Medicine is Baker's third EP and his first as the sole Producer. Fans have already received a preview with singles Been and Gone featuring Wallace, which earned a place in the APRA Silver Scrolls Top 20 and his follow up single Fools Expectation which was described by Rolling Stone as “retro soul with Leon Bridges-like warmth”.  

In support of the release Baker will perform a special hometown show in Wellington on October 5th,  bringing his full band to the stage performing tracks from Medicine along with fan favourites from his past records.  

WELLINGTON TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
MOSHTIX

Louis has been announced as tour support for Fat Freddy’s Drop, internationally regarded as one of the world’s finest live draws, on their 22-date Slo Mo headline tour across the EU and UK this November and December.

Vinyl enthusiasts will have the opportunity to get their hands on a limited edition run of the record which includes bonus track Misty in Matakana released in 2023.

Order 'Medicine' vinyl HERE

Ōtautahi Grim-Hop Pioneers ‘Slimivich’ and ‘Throng’ ignite Audio Visual Collaboration ‘Wound Tight

Sit back and let deep reaching bass, over saturated synth, strings and slick lyrical licks wash over you as Ōtautahi’s finest Grim Hop heads Slim Jenkins of Slimivich and Aaron Hogg of Throng serve up their inaugural collaborative audio visual track  “Wound tight” to your favourite flavour of steaming service

LISTEN SPOTIFY         LISTEN - BANDCAMP        WATCH - YOUTUBE

A luscious vibrating track riven with hip hop, downbeat and and ambient influences, “Wound Tight” expresses the deep need to commune with the natural world through intense physical exertion in an effort to achieve quiet in  a mind wound tight by the trials of life in our late capitalist world.

Accompanying the track is the full length music video directed by Luis Castanon, shot by Bevan Triebels and leveraging Aaron’s digital arts skill set. Contrasting lush landscapes with harsh studio footage the team blends performance, which constitutes the very core of the artists musical experience, with imagery of the natural spaces that help keep them centered, functioning human beings.

“Wound Tight” marks the first in a series of collaborative tracks from Slimivich and Throng seeking to explore Grim Hop, where these artists roots in Aotearoa rock, punk and metal intersects with Hip Hop, Drum & Bass, Breaks and IDM.

So relax, listen and unwind, and let “Wound Tight” be just what you need to calm the scream in your mind wound tight.

Vince Harder to release new track Be My Girl feat. Myshaan

Teaming up with Hawaiian based Myshaan, Vince Harder is dropping another feel good R&B jam this Friday 4th October.

Vince and Myshaan connected after performing at Coca Cola Christmas in the Park together in 2023 and talked about the possibility of joining forces on a track; this has now come to fruition with “Be My Girl”.

An online collaboration, “Be My Girl” features organic guitar riffs with poly reggaeton influenced production. 

Listen to Be My Girl here.

Pre Save link here.

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About Vince:

RnB legend Vince Harder is responsible for 3 #1 hits and an array of Gold and Platinum certified NZ songs for artists such as Stan Walker, Titanium and his own timeless house party anthem ‘Everything’ with P Money. Vince has twice won ‘Best Male Artist’ at the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards, along with ‘Best Urban Artist’ and ‘Best Producer’ in 2016. He has also picked up the APRA Maioha award for writing and producing the Te Reo chart-dominating anthem ‘Aotearoa’ with Stan Walker.

Vince’s solo artistry has received love from across the motu, with single ‘Not Gonna Let Go’ (2018) and ‘Next To You’ (2019) both topping charts and dominating airwaves. Vince adds ‘accomplished musical theatre artist’ to his bow, having played lead roles in both Australia and Aotearoa. Roles have included Simba in Disney’s The Lion King (Australia) and Barry Belson in the Australia/NZ tour of Jersey Boys. In 2021, he was a panelist for TVNZ’s popular Popstars reboot, alongside Grammy winner Kimbra and NZ rock royalty Nathan King. He’s toured four times with Guy Sebastian, and his third studio album HORIZON (2022) has now racked up over 712,000 streams on Spotify! Vince Harder is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars from Aotearoa. 

Find Vince Harder

Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Spotify

About Myshaan:

Hailing from Hamilton, young Maori singer Myshaan has always been drawn to music. After experimenting with different sounds and genres he found his vibe with the hit single “Sway” that became a viral sensation on Tik Tok. It caught the attention of US based singer Dinah Jane who featured on a remix of the track that has taken on a life of its own.

Now based in Hawaii while he studies, Myshaan continues to write and record wherever he can.

Find Myshaan

Instagram  | TikTok | Spotify

My Love by Avya

24-year-old independent artist Avya is earning her place in Aotearoa’s music scene one song at a time.

Her single ‘You Don’t Get It’ received nationwide success in early 2023, landing her three weeks on the Hot NZ Singles Chart, while her previous single ‘Green’ was included in curated playlists by Spotify and Apple Music, including ’Self Care’’, New Music Daily’, ‘New in Pop’ and ‘New in Singer-Songwriter’.

Since placing fifth in TVNZ's Popstars, she has been a three-time recipient of NZ On Air funding, opened for artists such as Jeremy Redmore, Georgia Lines, and Jamie McDell, and expanded her collection of original material in collaboration with world-class songwriters and producers such as Joseph Faris, Noema Te Hau, Joel Jones, William Henderson, and more.

My Love is the first instalment of Avya's upcoming 3-track EP, set for release in late November.

A folk-pop anthem about learning one's worth through neglect in a relationship, My Love tows the line between foot-stomping folk and catchy pop music. Inspired by the likes of Noah Kahan, Matt Corby, and Kacey Musgraves, My Love is a love letter to story-driven songwriting and guitar-heavy production.

Hilariously, the song was inspired by an emotional episode of Australia's Married at First Sight 2024. Stepping into the shoes of one of the cast members, Avya tackles the push and pull of this particularly dysfunctional relationship through her songwriting

My Love is not a breakup song but rather a recognition that in a relationship, each party needs to learn to love themselves in order to let somebody else in - otherwise, you'll both end up in the trenches.

This felt like a message that ought to be backed by a solid guitar strum, a catchy hook and a belt-worthy melody. With this, Avya penned the chorus in her home studio in Tāmaki Makaurau

She brought the chorus to a session with co-writer Joel Jones, and the rest of the song came together beautifully

My Love is available to pre-save now. Out on all streaming services on October 4th 2024

Avya’s 3-track EP, titled She, is available to pre-save here. Out on all streaming services on 22 November 24

Following this series of releases, you can catch Avya performing at Festival One at Hartford Farm in January 2025. Tickets are available here.

PSYCH-SURF ROCKERS SOJØURN DROP ENERGETIC NEW SINGLE ‘HIPPIE CHICK’

Aōtearoa indie-surf-psych rockers SOJØURN drop a free-spirited and vibrant vibe with new rock-pop track ‘HIPPIE CHICK’.

The first single off the band’s upcoming debut album due out early 2025, ‘Hippie Chick’ is a fast-paced sonic throwback that sees SOJØURN bust out their bell-bottoms, and lean into their varied rock influences to deliver a sparkling rock-pop gem deftly fused with their unique East Coast surf-inspired spin.

The 5-piece band hail from the sun-drenched surf town of Mangawhai Heads, and comprise Isaac Hunter (vocals/guitar), James Finlay (lead guitar), Visko Bryers (drums), Tony Baker (bass), and Jacob O’Brien (sax).

‘Hippie Chick’ was recorded by Noah Page at Depot Sound, mixed by Paul ‘the Kid’ Jonassen and mastered by Chris Chetland at KOG Studios. Characterised by sweet vocal harmonies, break-beat style drums, and blistering guitar solos, ‘Hippie Chick’ might just be the band’s most energetic release to date!

‘Hippie Chick’ sees Isaac, SOJØURN’s singer, at odds with the world-view of the song's subject; a carefree, hippie girl who is struggling to come to grips with rapidly changing times, as she tries to navigate her life and relationships within a modern world.

SOJØURN bring a fresh blend of cruisy psych-surf-rock and reggae, characterised by catchy lyrical hooks, strong vocal harmonies and psychedelic guitar and saxophone interplay, stemming from their diverse musical backgrounds blending ska, blues, classic rock and reggae to deliver a sound that is distinctly their own.

Since creating SOJØURN in 2018, the band has been busy releasing singles and EP’s in quick succession, starting with the highly regarded SUMMER TAPE EP featuring their top streaming single ‘Still A Mess’, 2021’s MYSTIC WAYS EP, and the KAIPARA LIVE SESSIONS EP released in August last year. Their ultra-cruisy reggae-dub infused Dec ‘23 single ‘Where We Go’ became a student radio fave, topping and inhabiting 95bFM’s Top 10 for several weeks over the following couple of months.

Garnering a solid reputation as a crowd-pleasing live act, SOJØURN have enjoyed blitzing summer tours at mainstay venues, and gracing festival stages coast to coast across the motu as they cement a solid live fan base with their energising and uplifting live sets.

Now with summer fast approaching, SOJØURN are busy booking shows in preparation to hit the road over the coming holiday season. Keep your ear to the ground, live dates to be announced soon! 

Kiwi Rhymes book reimagined in music Lead singles 'Modern Success Angitu O Ēnei Rā' and 'Angitu O Ēnei Rā ' by Huia Hamon, aka Māori Māmā release today

The two albums of Kiwi Rhymes Music inspired by NZ children's book ‘Ētahi Rotarota o Aotearoa | Kiwi Rhymes for Modern Times’ will be released in 2025. 

The Māori and bilingual albums feature a collection of completely new songs performed by a range of incredible New Zealand artists. A new track from a different artist will be released every couple of months, inspiring lounge dance parties across the motu. The first singles 'Modern Success Angitu O Ēnei Rā' and Angitu O Ēnei Rā by Huia Hamon, aka Māori  Māmā release today (September 30).

‘Ētahi Rotarota o Aotearoa | Kiwi Rhymes for Modern Times’  the book, was written by Māpua Mum, Janet Horwell and released in 2021.  Horwell shares “When my first pēpi was born, I sang nursery rhymes as a fun way to connect and play with her. The stories our tamariki hear shape their understanding of the world and their place in it, and some of these old nursery rhymes were so outdated.  

When I read, Peter locked his wife in a pumpkin shell, from ‘Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater’, or ‘See Saw Margery Daw’ singing about having a ‘Master’ in 2021, I wanted to update these stories. I started making up my own versions of rhymes and stories that shared a world I wanted my pēpi, and our future generations to grow up in. One of modern stories and nursery rhymes that celebrated diversity of race, gender, size, shape, sexuality and ability. Stories that highlight Aotearoa's native bush, bird life and the Māori language. The more we learn about them, the greater desire we have to protect them.” 

Following the book's release, Horwell was inundated with requests from teachers, parents and caregivers to share the correct pronunciation and rhythm of the rhymes so they could sing along and share the languages with their children. This was the inspiration for turning the book into the musical albums. 

The bilingual album 'Kiwi Rhymes Music - your everyday lounge dance party!' includes 16 tracks and the Māori album and 'Ngā ruri kiwi - He reo kanikani, he reo whakahihiko wairua!' is the Māori versions of the same 16 tracks as it’s own separate album. 

Horwell worked with matanga reo, Lois McIver with the support of the talented translator of the book, Tamati Waaka. “We went to great lengths to ensure this is high quality te reo Māori for next generations.”  The first feature tracks 'Modern Success Angitu O Ēnei Rā ' and 'Angitu O Ēnei Rā' is completely original audio created by Huia, and the lyrics are a reimagined version of ‘Old woman who lived in a shoe’. 

The lead single, from the bilingual and Māori albums 'Modern Success Angitu O Ēnei Rā' and 'Angitu O Ēnei Rā' by Huia Hamon, aka Māori  Māmā release today (September 30).  

The Kiwi Rhymes for Modern Times version of the waiata is about two friends or lovers who have chosen a different path to the traditional one of marriage, buy a house and have children, that we often see or hear in children’s stories. Instead they set themselves free of any mortgages or traditional plans and live to snowboard and ski around the world ‘chasing winters’

“As the author, I hope these rhymes now in waiata form share stories for alternative paths in life, to create new ways of thinking about children’s futures and the possibilities.” shares Horwell. “This story suggests an alternative path in life, hinting that you don’t need to buy a house, or have a mortgage, and that following your dreams, or designing your own unique future is possible.”   

Huia Hamon, aka Māori  Māmā performs these tracks, she shares “I tried a few different types of styles! But I kept returning to a disco feel, retro and fun as I could see the characters travelling the world, hitting the slopes and just living life. I also loved adding in some stacked 3 part harmonies to give it a retro feel. I like the result and I hope the listeners do too.” 

Hamon was keen to support the albums kaupapa “I  hope that tamariki and their whānau have a groove to the funny base line, get down to the party vibes and enjoy the rhyme in two languages, te reo Māori and english. This aspect is very important to me as a bilingual artist myself.” 

The kaupapa behind the Kiwi Rhymes for Modern Times book and albums is to make learning accessible, share stories that reflect our diverse kiwi culture and advocate for Māori language. 

“As a parent” adds Horwell “I care about creating an entertaining alternative to screen time, so tamariki can sing along with a book, and to ultimately inspire more lounge dance parties!” 

After donating 300 books to libraries and Kōhanga reo/kura across NZ, Horwell is on a mission  to extend the reach of her work by providing free access through listening. The book ‘Ētahi Rotarota o Aotearoa | Kiwi Rhymes for Modern Times’ is available online and at all good bookstores across the country. Both albums will be available for free on streaming services. 

The immersive world of THE UNDERWATERMELON MAN AND OTHER UNREASONABLE RHYMES lives on with digital release of ‘The Hide & Seeky Bird’

Listen to ‘The Hide & Seeky Bird’ HERE

Watch the video HERE

Pre-save the full album HERE

Quirky treasures for adults and children alike await with the digital re-release of legendary art project THE UNDERWATERMELON MAN AND OTHER UNREASONABLE RHYMES on November 1 - and today fans are treated to ‘The Hide & Seeky Bird’ featuring late great Aotearoa comedian John Clarke!

The cherished collection of songs is set to be digitally released for the first time this November, 25 years from its original CD release which features some of Aotearoa’s finest musicians and entertainers including Neil Finn, Tim Finn, Chris Knox, Bic and Boh Runga, Dave Dobbyn, Jenny Morris, Don McGlashan and many more. 

Now, as a tribute to its creator NZ artist Fane Flaws, who passed away in 2021, THE UNDERWATERMELON MAN AND OTHER UNREASONABLE RHYMES will be released for the first time via all streaming services worldwide.

What started as a series of illustrations and rhymes written by Fane Flaws and lyricist Arthur Baysting, quickly got set to music alongside composer Peter Dasent, before the album was finally recorded by Fane and Peter under the band name The Bend in 1998. The star-studded track listing went on to see huge success with whānau across Aotearoa, as a CD and with its accompanying songbook designed by Fane - which sold 16,000 copies, before being followed by a Pantomime under Peter Dasent’s musical direction, and then an animated film made by Fane and producer Jane Byrne.

Today, the wacky and wonderful re-released single ‘The Hide & Seeky Bird’ joins quirky track ‘Neville The Enchanted Rug’ in the digital streaming world, offering a slice of kiwiana nostalgia and fun for all ages before fans dive into the whole album on November 1!

Pre-save THE UNDERWATERMELON MAN AND OTHER UNREASONABLE RHYMES HERE              

Listen to ‘The Hide & Seeky Bird’ HERE

Watch the video HERE

MAVERICK INDIE ARTIST EMMA DILEMMA DELIVERS POP PERFECTION WITH CHEEKY NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘LIBRA’ OUT TODAY

‘LIBRA’ by Emma Dilemma is a sassy pop anthem with retro 00’s emo vibes that channels the spirit of unapologetically feminine and bratty artists like Charli XCX, Avril Lavigne, and Paramore.

Effortlessly blending girly and tomboy vibes, ‘Libra’ is Punk Meets Princess – a perfect mix of attitude and charm that’s as fun as it is fierce. Dropping just in time to welcome in the zodiac season of Libra, ‘LIBRA’ is the pop banger to add to your summer soundtrack for sticking your tongue out and flipping the bird with your besties.

Co-written and produced by fellow Christchurch powerhouse duo Victoria and Andy Knopp (The Response, Imperial April), the song is a bubbly, fun, and irresistibly catchy singalong that celebrates divine feminine energy and the empowerment that comes from realizing you’re better off alone.

It’s the kind of track you can imagine women joyfully screaming, “I Guess You Can’t Date A Libra?!” at a pyjama party, sipping prosecco, snacking on candy, and rocking their boldest outfits—just because they can.

Emma's art is a playful blend of absurdity, melody, and storytelling, crafting music that is both sincere and delightfully light-hearted. Drawing inspiration from 90s grunge, bubble-gum pop, hip hop, and a dash of dance, Emma creates music that resonates with her own heart, and it's an added bonus that her fans enthusiastically come along for the ride. Her musical journey is a tale of embracing irreverent self-acceptance and reclaiming ownership of her image.

“I used to try and define myself by my dreams or what I wanted to be, but now I realise a large strength of mine is that I can do anything I put my mind to," shares Emma.

Currently based in the bright and sunny bliss of Los Angeles, the Ōtautahi native revels in her rebellious and free-spirited musical journey. Fearlessly taking a bold personal and professional leap, Emma plans to move between both countries, investing in her international career by focusing on building her creative networks and expanding her presence in the music industry.

Says Emma: “My 9-year relationship came to an end in April and I realised I could do whatever I wanted; so I did something for me and after spending 3 weeks in Bali for a friends' wedding, I decided to head to LA for a few months! I'm here to play shows and meet other artists and just have some new experiences that I haven't been able to have before – and it feels great!” 

Shot amidst the vibrant and flamboyant aesthetic of internationally acclaimed drag queen Trixie Mattel’s Trixie Motel in Palm Springs, California, and against a colourful mural in Downtown Los Angeles proclaiming the most relevant message: “YOU ARE GOING TO BE FINE!!!,” Emma brings the song to life with her visible talent for expressive performances.

Adds Emma: If this song were a colour, it would be a violent candy pink so I wanted a video that embodied the vivid energy and spirited vibe conveyed in ‘Libra’, and it fulfils the brief perfectly.”