Corrella, L.A.B team up for Te Matatini on the powerful anthem, ‘We Belong’

The official song for the world’s largest Kapa Haka Festival

‘We Belong’ is the brand new waiata created especially for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025. Commissioned by Te Matatini, the official song has been created by Corrella and L.A.B, a song which emphasises the collective strength and spiritual unity represented by the event and the host iwi.

The biennial Te Matatini national kapa haka festival is the largest celebration of Māori performing arts excellence in the world. ‘We Belong’ will serve as the soundtrack to this installment of Te Matatini.

Written and recorded in Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, the waiata is a collaboration between two of New Zealand’s most popular acts, Corrella and L.A.B.

Featuring vocals led by Joel Shadbolt (L.A.B) and Pipiwharauroa and Ngawaiwera Campbell (Corrella), the waiata embraces the feeling of unity and togetherness which Te Matatini brings, with the track being started in Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington, before being completed in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

Speaking about the project, Corrella’s Pipiwharauroa Campbell says - “This song was written as a dedication that Te Matatini belongs to everyone here in Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad, and that all are welcome.It touches on the stories we tell using kapa haka and the feeling you get from watching and being at Te Matatini, and we ask that all come and share in this.

“This song is a little bit different to other Te Matatini songs with it being predominantly in English, even though we have the utmost respect for the Māori language. This was to convey that even if you don’t speak Te Reo Māori, you still belong. We also pay homage to where Te Matatini is being held this year - under Taranaki maunga. Te kahui maunga, kahue tupua kahue wairau.''

Speaking about working on the project, L.A.B frontman Joel Shadbolt says - “We went into the studio in September to work on the waiata, and working with the Corrella team was an awesome experience. We really wanted to capture the vibe and unity that Te Matatini brings to Aotearoa, and ‘We Belong’ is the result. Te Matatini is something that we as New Zealanders are incredibly proud of, and hopefully this waiata can help bring a taste of Te Matatini to people across Aotearoa and the world.”

Tā Herewini Parata, Chair of Te Matatini says - “It’s exciting to have Corrella and L.A.B collaborate on the official waiata for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, He Kāhui Tupua, He Kāhui Wairua 2025. The waiata ‘We Belong’ is about Kotahitanga (unity) and champions a place for us all in Aotearoa including a place for te reo Māori and traditional Māori performing arts. Te Matatini is where we belong.”

Capturing the summery and reggae-inspired feel expected from both Corrella and L.A.B, the waiata is set to be the soundtrack to Te Matatini, an event which will be attended by over 70,000, and broadcast worldwide to an audience of over 2.5 million. The festival is being held in 2025 from February 25 – March 1. (More information HERE).
The track not only embraces and celebrates Te Matatini, but serves as a taste of New Zealand culture to the rest of the world.

Currently on tour across New Zealand and Australia, this special release comes after a busy 2024 which saw both Corrella and L.A.B perform shows across the world, and release new albums, both of which featured in Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Albums of 2024 (L.A.B #12, Corrella #46).

Catch L.A.B and Corrella live in Whangārei this Saturday January 25 at Semenoff Stadium, alongside Stan Walker, Aaradhna and AJA. Limited tickets still available HERE

Sanoi and Bonzich kick off the year with a collaborative bang on house track, ‘Chill Bill’

Sanoi begins the year with a collaborative bang, teaming up with fellow DJ/producer Boznich for ‘Chill Bill’, the third single from his forthcoming LOOSE CHANGE EP. Released on Loop Electronic, this track continues Sanoi’s run of club-focused music, building on his reputation as a rising force in the alternative house and indie dance scenes.

“‘Chill Bill’ was created over a couple of days with Boznich," says Sanoi. "Our idea was to write something that doesn’t lean into the big dramatic buildups and drops dominating dancefloors today. Instead, we aimed for something that carries a certain ‘cool’ while still driving hard and full of energy."

Following the recent singles ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ and ‘Ratatat’, alongside acclaimed remixes for Kon Faber and Boy Oh Boy, Sanoi has further solidified his place as a key figure in contemporary electronic music. Drawing inspiration from his extensive touring across New Zealand, Australia, and Europe, ‘Chill Bill’ channels sleek, rhythm-driven energy into a track perfect for late-night sets and festival dancefloors.

The coming summer will see him take the stage at Rhythm & Alps, Shipwrecked Festival, Golden Valley and over a dozen other shows across Australasia, promising a vibrant season for fans of his genre-blurring sound. Sanoi will also play two special shows in NZ summer hotspots alongside renowned German-club DJs Simon Tober & Fabian Krooss.

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UPCOMING SHOWS:

Friday January 24 - Yard Bar, Raglan w/ Simon Tober

January 31 - Leigh Sawmill, Leigh w/ Fabian Krooss

February 7 - Shipwrecked Festival, Te Arai

February 15 - Naked In The Trees, Taumaranui

February 21 - Golden Valley Festival, Waihi Valley

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ABOUT SANOI:

Originally hailing from Germany, Sanoi aka Jonas Fischer is a producer, DJ and a key member in the electronic music scene in Aotearoa. He has graced the stages of many New Zealand, Australian and European festivals & clubs where his deeply danceable DJ sets see him move seamlessly across warm, melodic, groove-driven techno and beyond.

Sanoi has released a multitude of his own productions on a variety of respected local and European-based electronic-focused labels, including Tube & Berger’s Zehn Records, Stil Vor Talent and New Zealand’s Beat & Path, with his album ECHOES OF HOME coming from Loop worldwide. These releases have seen Sanoi be featured on an array of digital platforms and reach Number One on various Beatport single charts.

Constantly developing as an artist and finding expression through music are some of the key factors that drive him, whether it be in the studio or behind the decks, Sanoi has proven he’s dedicated to the craft of providing meticulous, melodic and mischievous sets and sounds.

Follow Sanoi:

Spotify Bandcamp Instagram Soundcloud

Club Ruby release 'Heartbreak Overtime', out February 14th

“The anti-love anthem you didn’t know you needed this Valentine’s Day.”

Looking to break up on Valentine's Day? Club Ruby’s latest single is the perfect soundtrack.

The Auckland pop-punk band is set to release their highly anticipated "Heartbreak Overtime" on February 14th, 2025.

With its tongue-in-cheek, anti-Valentine’s Day theme, the song captures the frustrations of a toxic relationship where one partner is left working “overtime” to save what’s already broken in a doomed relationship.

The single delivers Club Ruby’s signature mix of biting lyrics and high-energy riffs, recorded with Christian Tjandrawinata at his home studio and finalised at the iconic Roundhead Studios.

"You said you’d change your sheets but it’s been three months and it’s getting filthy. You said you want six kids and a house in the suburbs but you don’t have a job," the chorus snarls.

Pre-save "Heartbreak Overtime" now, and don’t miss Club Ruby breaking hearts live in Auckland this February!

“We wanted to create a breakup anthem that’s sad, sarcastic, and danceable all at once,” says President Ruby. 'Heartbreak Overtime' captures the chaos of giving your all to someone who gives nothing back—but with a beat you can mosh to.”

“This song is dedicated to my ex who I stayed with way too long that it really felt like clocking in overtime, referring to the line “I guess it’s time and a half for me!”

Vice President Hon adds with a grin, “Anytime love has felt like working back-to-back double shifts at a thankless full-time job, this one is for you!”

South For The Winter 'Of Sea & Sky' Album Tour

South For Winter are back in New Zealand for their 4th national tour to celebrate their new album, Of Sea and Sky - Independently released on the 16th of May, 2024. This album was co-produced with multi-GRAMMY award-winning producer Matt Leigh (Willie Nelson, Sister Sadie) at The Sound Emporium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Since it's release, the album has reached hundreds of thousands of listeners, raised over $20,000 via a Kickstarter campaign, and sold-out shows across North America, Europe and New Zealand. Comprised of Nick Stone, Dani Stone, and Alex Stradal, together these multi-instrumentalists combine elements such as percussive guitar, cello, mandolin, and effortless harmonies into a genre-bending sound described by American Songwriter as "impeccable".

Emerging Artist Unleashes Thirty Years of Creativity

On her 30th birthday, Hannah Virk bought a guitar. Getting the guitar unleashed a creative side to Hannah and she challenged herself to create her own songs.

The result? Thirty songs written, recorded and produced touching on moments in time, thoughts, memories and experiences that have shaped Hannah and which she believes we can all connect with in our own way.

Hannah will be performing her sweet and fresh indie-pop songs in her show 30 Songs:30 Years as part of the Wellington Fringe Festival 2025. Come along to discover what is possible in one year when planets align and worlds combine, get inspired and enjoy the show.

Hannah will be performing two shows at Meanwhile Gallery on Saturday 22nd February and 8th March at 6pm.

JENNY MITCHELL UNVEILS NEW SINGLE ‘SQUARE & PLAIN’ AHEAD OF NATIONAL TOUR WITH KASEY CHAMBERS

Award-winning artist Jenny Mitchell has released her stunning new single ‘Square & Plain’ via Civilians. The track comes ahead of her special guest spot opening for Kasey Chambers on the highly anticipated national ‘Backbone’ album tour, kicking off in Tamworth on January 23. 

The acclaimed storyteller explains, "Square & Plain is about the realisation that the person you’ve been betting on doesn’t feel the same. I love its simplicity and loungey feel, a new sound for me."

The accompanying video was shot and produced by Wellington based creative Nikki Parlane. 

Discussing her forthcoming 30-date tour with Kasey Chambers, Jenny said, "Like everyone in my generation of folk/country artists, Kasey has been a huge influence on my music. I am so deeply honoured to be able to share the stage with her and to see so many parts of Australia that I’ve dreamed of exploring!"

The Backbone album tour will visit every state in Australia over 5 months with Brisbane, Sale (VIC), Wyong (NSW) shows already sold out and tickets selling fast for Perth, Melbourne, Devonport, Launceston, Port Pirie (SA) and Penrith (NSW).  Jenny is also performing at Sydney’s Metro Theatre on Wednesday 29th January as part of the venue’s free ‘Country’s Always Been Cool’ series with Raechel Whitchurch and Denvah. 

Having carved herself a strong following in both New Zealand and Australia, this new single follows a huge past year for Jenny which included the release of her single ‘Where The Water’s Cold’, a performance at the Groundwater Country Music Festival on the Gold Coast and a tour support slot with Australian country star Adam Harvey across NSW.  Jenny also received a scholarship from the Australian Academy of Country Music and Sister Cities Nashville, to perform at Nashville’s iconic AmericanaFest and co-write with Nashville locals in September last year. 

Originally from Gore, Jenny’s musical upbringing was firmly planted in country but her songwriting and material is a unique blend of folk, Americana and country. After winning the NZ Gold Guitar Award at just 18, Jenny has steadily carved herself a place in the New Zealand and Australian music scenes. Her 2022 album Tug Of War earned her a legion of new fans in Australia, showcasing her emotive songwriting. With an Aotearoa Music Award and 2 x Australian Golden Guitar nominations under her belt, the future is bright and bold for this unique artist. 

Kiwi reggae/rock band Pineja are excited to announce the release of their self-titled debut EP

Following on from their previous singles released in 2024, this 4-song EP showcases the funk fuelled, reggae-dub, rock sound of the Pineja crew.  The EP features two previously unreleased tracks “Grey Days”, and live-show crowd favourite “Burning”

Pineja, a four piece Reggae/Rock band have influences from Dub, Ska, Indie and Jazz. The band's current lineup includes: Ben Bonetti, Jack Beaumont, Cameron Stoddart and Grace Gillanders all hailing from Cambridge, New Zealand. Pineja are known for their engaging live performances, stage presence and musicianship. With an ever improving all original live set, the Pineja multi genre magic is not one to be missed. The band have already played four headline shows(three of which were sold out) at their local venue Nivara Lounge. They also have supported acts such as Strangely Arousing, Kurilpa Reach (AUS), Odessa, Albert Street, Borderline and Coast Arcade on their New Zealand tours.

The Pineja sound has been captured by Regan John McKinnon at The Porch Recording Studio. This is where the EP was recorded over a 3 day session and where the “Porch Sessions” youtube video was filmed. Pineja are growing a passionate fan base through their live shows, streaming and across all social media platforms.

Upcoming Tour dates to support the EP release are:

●      9th Jan at the Yard in Raglan/Whāingaroa. 

●      10th Jan at Totara Street in Tauranga.

●      17th Jan at Neck of The Woods in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaura.

●      24th Jan at Nivara Lounge in Hamilton/Kirikiriroa. 

Suzy Cato and Claudia Robin Gunn present ‘The Mountain Song’

Suzy Cato and Claudia Robin Gunn present ‘The Mountain Song’ out on Jan 17th

With this release, Suzy and Claudia aim to inspire a new generation of little folkies to sing, dance and find joy in simple singalong songs.

The Mountain Song is a folk tune about finding your calm in nature and the great outdoors, encouraging kids and families to embrace the wonder to be found, and resilience gained, up in the mountains both real and metaphorical.

This brand new cowrite will be played live for the first time in Suzy and Claudia’s sets for kids at Auckland Folk Festival next weekend. 

With a focus on sensory engagement and actions you can participate in through the song - feel, breathe, taste, hear, sing, feel, dance, and twirl, it is recommended for kids yoga sessions, circle dances and calming scarf play