KY 'Shining'

KY is an upcoming Filipino artist based in Ōtautahi, who is passionate about R&B and representing his Filipino culture through his artistry.

KY’s professional experience includes featuring on the award winning gospel album “ANTHEM” alongside well-known Kiwi artists Marley Sola, Vince Harder, Adeaze, Tone6 and Whenua Patuwai. He has performed as a soloist at Coca Cola Christmas in the Park in 2021/2022 and performed backing vocals on RNZ live sessions for Marley Sola in 2021. 

March 2023 saw the release of his debut single “You Are” followed by his sophomore release, “Missing You” in September 2023. Ky is currently working on new music with producers such as Marley Sola and EDY and has signed with Mellow management.

More recently, KY has been writing music for Thursday Collective, a group of 17 song-writers from Mellow Studios, who are set to release their debut album in 2024.

Today, Friday the 11th October, Ky will be releasing his 3rd single “Shining” made with the help of NZ on Air.

Shining is a soulful R&B slow jam about his “personal and rather unfortunate shot at love” featuring layered BV’s with Ky’s signature vocal acrobatics.

“I wrote this song to bring some life to the hopeless romantic version of me.  There was a point in my life where I wanted to pursue someone romantically, only to realise that they had already been claimed as somebody else’s treasure. As unfortunate as it sounds, I believe this is a common experience. Through this waiata, I wanted to create a safe space, for all those who have been rejected in love, to let our emotions out”.

LEE MARTIN Releases New Single “Last October” + announces ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

Aotearoa's indie-soul sweetheart Lee Martin releases her deeply emotive new single, “Last October.” With its strong folk feel and melancholic undertones, the song weaves a haunting narrative of reflection and loss, capturing the experience of feeling discarded and used.

Accompanying the release is a moody, intriguing VISUALIZER that enhances the song's contemplative atmosphere. The track is one of those rare songs that listeners will find themselves playing on repeat, captivated by its emotional depth and melody.

“This is a song about reflection and about a situation where you feel like you've been used and thrown away. The chorus lyrics ‘Breathe me in, breathe me out, throw me in the bin’ reiterate this. This is probably one of my favourite songs on the album because of the emotion it evokes, ‘Staring down the barrell of Last October, pouring down the whiskey to numb the pain’ I just love that opening line to set the tone of the song” shares Lee Martin.

In addition to today’s single release, Lee Martin has announced a special album release show to celebrate her forthcoming 3rd studio album, Dreamers Dawn (Release date 25 October). The show will be held at The Piano in Christchurch on October 30, 2024, featuring an 8-piece band, including a stunning 3-piece horn section, promising an unforgettable live performance at this iconic venue. A Nation-wide tour will commence straight after. Details available via www.leemartinmusician.com

LEE MARTIN “DREAMERS DAWN” RELEASE PARTY
October 30
Ōtautahi – The Piano
BUY TICKETS HERE

DREAMERS DAWN is available for digital pre-order and on
Vinyl and Compact Disc via Bandcamp.com
PRE-ORDER HERE

DEBUT ALBUM FROM ŌTAUTAHI’S GOODWILL - ‘KIND HANDS’ OUT NOW

Prolific Ōtautahi producer Goodwill (Will McGillivray) has unveiled his debut full-length album “Kind Hands” today - a project which has found its way to completion in bits and pieces - being constantly added to, tweaked and nudged toward the finish line over the last few years while he worked as a producer for hire.

Following his 2022 EP “Incontrol”, McGillivray set out to create a record which challenged him “to write in a way where a feeling of hope or positivity isn’t far away at any point, even if the song is on the moodier side”. The album covers themes of gratitude, committing to yourself, “prioritising the good stuff” and is woven with stories  seemingly unassuming things which, upon reflection, still hold a lot of meaning.

“Kind Hands” came together in small pieces over time, and despite initially intending to hand the reigns over to another producer, the album graduated from ‘perpetual demo mode’ to the point of no return. Aside from a smattering of guest performances and some mixing from Andrew Maury (Victoria Canal, Lewis Del Mar, Shawn Mendes), McGillivray recorded, produced and performed all instruments for the entire album on his own.

Will reflects on the experience: “The recording process is truly a blur to reflect on… progress is often made in big waves, few and far between. There’ll be an hour of pure inspiration where everything I try works and I know exactly what to do, and then 3 weeks where I’m not quite sure what the next move should be. This record is the sound of one person spending unknown amounts of time in one living room studio - running back and forth from a synth to the computer to press record, lying on the couch in moments without inspiration. There’s always some hope in these songs, and I’m proud of that.”

Masterfully blending the laid-back energy of his beach-side studio with the polished production that comes from years of honing his craft, Goodwill’s “Kind Hands” is an album as cohesive as it is varied. It covers huge ground with sparse, intimate moments of folk over a bed of classic Alex G and Andy Shauf-esque Lo-fi Indie, littered with dramatic flourishes evocative of Perfume Genius. All guided and tied together by McGillivray’s unique ability, and his living room studio.

KIND HANDS, is out NOW via Winegum Records, and features all previous singles Kill the Guilt, Obamas, Plans, Goner and title track Kind Hands. Vinyl is available online and in all good record stores across Aotearoa.

Wellington Post-Hardcore band Adult Friends to release new single ‘Smart People’

Adult Friends take on a Pixies-esque sound on their new song, ‘Smart People’, with break-neck dynamic shifts, guitar squeals and vocals frys. The band describes it as “a song that shifts between eerie restraint and empowered emotions”.

The new single moves away from their earlier releases, such as ‘Ryan Gosling’ or ‘Brittle’. After recently releasing a cover of Have a Nice Life’s ‘Bloodhail’, the band are marking a shift in their sonic influences.

‘Smart People’ drops the guise of metaphor and subtlety, delivering its themes on the nose. With lyrics regarding suicidal ideation and the reverence we have for those who die too young. It’s about one’s longing to be at the centre of a great, dramatic tragedy; and for their memory to be met with grief and regret by all those who knew them.

‘Smart People’ will be available on all major streaming platforms as of October 4th.

Adult Friends seek to find solace in a sea of noise. The Wellington-based four piece blends the cacophony of Post-Hardcore with gothic and melancholic tendencies. Influenced by bands such as At The Drive In, Failure and The Cure, Adult Friends create music that challenges listeners to derive what they like from the songs, so long as they keep coming back for more.

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.