ALAE 'HELP YOU NOW'

Alae’s fresh pop single Help You Now is proving to be a hit in the making after a hot debut through Spotify’s New Music Friday AUNZ, and their entry at #2 in the Most Added NZ radio charts last week. Alae now reveals a new layer to the Help You Now story, with the release of their masterfully crafted music video which has premiered through US tastemaker site, The Music Ninja. 

Starring Antonia Prebble, one of New Zealand’s finest acting talents, the visuals tell the mysterious tale of an unsuspecting ticket holder to an Alae show, who arrives to find out that all is not as it seems. “It’s amazing to have Antonia in the video,” Alex Farrell-Davey, songwriter and vocalist states. “She came to one of our first ever shows in Auckland, right when we first started, and has been super supportive ever since.”  

Shot in Avondale’s legendary Hollywood Cinema, the location lends an effortlessly eerie feel for what is about to unfold. Director Mikee Carpinter reveals; ”the Hollywood Avondale is over 100 years old, and we really got a spooky sense of that while setting up the shoot. It definitely added to the authenticity of the performances on the day.”

For Alex, the video is a metaphor for a frightening and confronting journey through the darker corners of the mind. “It’s like buying a ticket to the horror show that can be our own negative thinking. Indulging the curiosity and getting trapped there, with no one to help you out.” 

There will be a short film version of the music video released in the coming weeks.  

LOST TRIBE AOTEAROA 'BADMAN'

On Saturday the 13th of April Lost Tribe Aotearoa (LTA) are releasing their deb ut music video for their single ‘BADMAN’.  The video was shot in the picturesque area of Red Rocks in Wellington the day after a show.  Director William (Mumu) Moore who has shot videos for acts such as Electric Wire Hustle, wanted to take an organic approach to the shoot in order for the audience to make up their own minds for the underlying meaning of the song.

This song was initially written to bring a spotlight to domestic violence issues throughout Aotearoa, as we have some of the highest rates in the world.  The initial plan for the video was to give proceeds to White Ribbon so that LTA “weren’t just spreading a message, but also making a difference through donating to the cause”.  After the tragic events that recently happened in Christchurch in March 2019 however, the direction of the message changed to bringing an end to all violence full stop.  With this in mind, LTA are now giving proceeds from this video to both White Ribbon and to the Muslim Whanau who were victims of the Christchurch attack.

Although the message within the song is a very serious issue, the song has a very upbeat and happy sound to it.  The chorus has the words ‘Hey badman, won’t you put down the gun, you really know you don’t want to hurt no one’.  This is the hook in the song, and when played live the audience is singing the song halfway through the first chorus.  The actual song itself was released in August 2018 so is available on all musical platforms already.  LTA were lucky enough to obtain funding from New Zealand on Air for this video and hope this message can be spread around not only Aotearoa but the world.

Lost Tribe Aotearoa are a six-piece band based in Raglan, New Zealand.  Their main sound is roots reggae, but many of their songs have underlying tones of rock, hip-hop, pop and blues.   LTA are looking to create a new brand of reggae music bringing multiple genre in the mix to create one big sound.  LTA has many meanings as a name, but for the band Lost Tribe Aotearoa represents “Us coming together from different parts of Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands with mutual whakapapa/genealogy”.  Five of the six band members are of Ngai Tuwharetoa decent with one member being from Aitutaki. 

Links to Social Media:

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/LostTribeAotearoa/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/losttribeaotearoa/

GEOFF ONG 'SAVE ME THE WEEKEND'

Rising pop/R&B artist Geoff Ong brings forth his latest single 'Save Me The Weekend', a pristine pop banger, centered on the euphoric push and pull of newfound love. Ong’s new track is out now, released independently via DRM NZ.

The kiwi singer-songwriter’s slick R&B vocals ride high above undeniably infectious melodies, a bed of fuzzed out, squared basslines and glimmering synthesizers. An intelligent pop song for a modern audience with some old school flavour, 'Save Me The Weekend' cuts straight to the feeling with irresistible danceability.

2018 saw the release of Ong’s previous singles 'Fingerprints' and 'Don't Know You No More', which launched him into the Official NZ Music Charts with multiple entries. Ong shows no signs of slowing down in 2019, with 'Save Me The Weekend' showcasing true pop finesse, underpinned by Ong's distinct approach to pop music.

Often describing himself as a "pop star for dorks", Geoff Ong is intentional in his delivery of emotionally authentic and accessible music for the millennial generation. Ong shares: “...though the music I make is within the mainstream, pop sphere, I feel like I can’t relate to a lot of the people making that kind of music… so I want to bring a bit of authenticity and relatability back into pop music.”

As Muzic.net.nz put it, Geoff Ong’s music is “the kind of pop that makes you automatically want to get a groove on, it is so darn happy sounding.”

Sit Down In Front 'Rain'

Hard off the back of their first album “Red Light Runner” where the first single “Runaway Chair” racking up over 45,000 streams on Spotify and is still building, Sit Down In Front’s latest single “Rain” (out 12th April 2019) is a major step up. With emphasis on improving both their production and song arrangement, it still has that raw punk sound but also has a sense of style to go with it. Recorded at Roundhead Studio’s under the watchful eye of producer Greg Haver, mixed by Clint Murphy, and mastered by Ryan Smith, Rain is two and a half minutes of hard and fast punk rock with aggressive vocals that you would not normally expect from a singer who leads from the front in a wheelchair. The whole story is something truly special and rare to see.

Coming from the small surfing village of Gisborne, New Zealand it’s not surprising that Sit Down In Front produce a distinctive punk / surf vibe that is hard and fast. Having formed in early 2017 they are becoming well known for their tunes that cover everyday life stuff and the stories that come with all their songs.

Having recorded and self-produced their first album at the ripe old age of 14 years, the process taught them an awful lot. Although they have not yet received multiple awards and platinum sales, the future is bright. Their sound is built on the foundations of classic punk rock, a bit raw, but with a touch of youthful innocents. Sit Down In Front has developed a unique sound, capturing both old and new, which can often be lost in the pursuit of the next new thing!

LOUIS BAKER 'THE PEOPLE'

One of the most distinctive voices in modern music, Louis Baker releases ‘The People’, a humble anthem for the modern age. This heart-felt offering is out now, accompanied with a music video directed by Shae Sterling.

‘The People’ takes inspiration from the socially conscious songwriting cues of soul legends Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, alongside a powerful line from Oscar Wilde -

“Why should they be grateful for the crumbs that fall from the rich man’s table?”

“I felt a calling to write something that was all encompassing,” says Baker. “A song that could lift people up, a song for anyone. Music has a tremendous power to unite us as one people, and that is something I truly believe in.”

Baker’s new track comes off his long-awaited debut album, due to be released later this year. Written in his home studio, the track was later brought to life in London, and produced by The Nextmen’s Brad Ellis (Wilkinson, James Arthur, Jorja Smith). Influenced by James Gadson’s drum work for Bill Withers, the high Strat jangle of Mayfield and the Motown punch of Joe Messina’s stabs, this is a song forged in the feelings of our unsteady world. Louis Baker has created a hymn for a point in time when the people have never needed it more.

Speaking on the making of the music video, filmed in Baker’s hometown of Wellington, Baker reflects: “I wanted this video to be honest and upfront. I wanted it to reflect my norm, where I grew up, the diversity amongst our small but international city, the warmth, the art, the people. My dad makes an appearance, he worked for 43 years as a fireman, my best mates, many of my friends, and people I have never met are in this video. There are nods to musical minds that have paved the way before us.”

Baker will take his mesmerising live set around NZ and Australia, supporting American soul, R&B legend Allen Stone on a near sold-out Australasian tour. The tour will stop off in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, before wrapping up in Baker’s hometown, Wellington.

ALLEN STONE, SUPPORTED BY LOUIS BAKER

Sun 14th April - Melbourne

Wed 17th April - Sydney

Thurs 18th April - Brisbane

Wed 24th April - Auckland

Thurs 25th April - Wellington

Over the last 5 years, the world has watched in growing appreciation for the young singer-songwriter as he released a prolific volume of singles, which included ‘Rainbow’ (over 5 million streams on Spotify), ‘Fade’, ‘Gave It All Away’ (which premiered by MTV), ‘Addict’, and APRA AMCOS Silver Scroll-nominated ‘Black Crow’.

THEIA 'NOT YOUR PRINCESS'

Theia is back with her new EP, NOT YOUR PRINCESS, which made its debut overnight in Clash Magazine.

The six tracks that make up the EP are packed with attitude and sass, lyrical prowess, epic bass and crisp 808s against a backdrop of vocal distortion and layerings of exquisite harmonies.

It contains the singles 'Bye Bye', co-written with the legendary Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Dr Dre); 'Bad Idea', co-written with Grammy-winning Emily Warren (Chainsmokers), and the ultimate girl power anthems ‘Candy’and 'Not Your Princess’, from which the EP takes its name. There are also two new tracks, including ‘Honest' co-written and produced by Melbourne artist, Alice Ivy and 'Telling Everyone My Name', which was produced by Australian, ARIA-winning, LA-based producer Tony Buchen (Montaigne, G Flip, Courtney Barnett).

With hints of Charli XCX and M.I.A, this EP is THEIA at her most powerful.

Theia is rolling out a ‘track-by-track’ series of podcasts on the making of NOT YOUR PRINCESS. 

Here’s episode 1 talking about the track #1, 'Not Your Princess':

SOAKED OATS 'DRIFTWORLD'

Following the release of the last single, ‘Shuggah Doom', rammed to the gunnels nationwide shows and alternative radio chart-topping success, New Zealand’s indie sludge-pop rockers, Soaked Oats are back with new single ‘Driftworld’.

In stark contrast to the melodic, meandering pace and life observing lyrics of 'Shuggah Doom'; the instrumental 'Driftworld' draws the listener in with its whirling cymbal punctuated swirl-scape. A sharp turn of pace whips into the metaphorical twisting and disordered guts of the 34 foot 1980’s R.V. that Soaked Oats called home for their 10 week, 20 thousand mile, D.I.Y U.S. tour.

Drummer, Conor Feehly reminisces, “It often took a couple tries to get Driftworld going. The sudden jolt of initial movement would send everything that wasn’t weighted down flying through the interior of the vehicle, and once moving a choir of rattles coming from unknown sources would start to sing. The first few days were characterised by popped tyres on multi-lane freeways, setting the journey back hours at a time. The need to get to the next gig/city was all that really maintained any semblance of purpose in ‘Driftworld’.”

Vocalist and lyricist, Oscar Mein fondly reflects, “Originally called ‘Driftwood’, the R.V. quickly became known as the ‘Driftworld’ as whoever ended up on board - which reached its peak with 11 people for a couple weeks - lost all sorts of things including wallets, clothes, sense of time, direction, sleep, coherence, motivation, general wellbeing, all sorts. It slept 5 comfortably”.

‘Driftworld’ was recorded in Dunedin at the iconic Chicks Hotel, Port Chalmers by Tom Bell and produced in Auckland at Paquin Studios (The Lab) by Tom Healy (Tiny Ruins, Miss June, Finn Andrews) and Soaked Oats. Accompanied by a music video shot and directed once again by Jake Munro (Avantdale Bowling Club, Marlin’s Dreaming, Yukon Era), who himself headed into ‘Driftworld’ and shot the video as it happened in the U.S. in all its chaos and wonderland madness.

The band are heading to the UK’s largest showcase for up-and-coming band’s The Great Escape held in Brighton May 9-11. Following that Soaked Oats will be playing a London show on Monday, May 13th at the east London venue, Servant Jazz Quarters.

Calling all enthusiasts of New Zealand music, travellers, or fans of Soaked Oats abroad. Come and enjoy Soaked Oat’s penchant for joyous songwriting and high energy shows.
Tickets Available Here: https://www.musicglue.com/spacific/events/2019-05-13-soaked-oats-servant-jazz-quarters

Additional shows to be announced along with playing times at The Great Escape.

Soaked Oats are a young four-piece band hailing from Dunedin, New Zealand who have been described as "a southern stew of Kevin Morby and LCD Soundsystem with a good shake of Mac DeMarco“.
Their latest single ‘Shuggah Doom’ stormed to the top of Alternative Radio Charts in New Zealand, picked up by the astute RRR, FBi, Tone Deaf, Rage and MTV in Australia alongside student radio across New Zealand and RNZ.

After a solid 18 months touring NZ, Australia and the U.S, Soaked Oats are making their inaugural trip to the motherland in May to perform at the UK’s well-established music festival, The Great Escape.

Since forming in early 2017, the band have come to notoriety for writing songs about stone fruit ('Avocado Aficionado', 'I'm a Peach'). As well as touring prolifically, the band has released three EPs in their short existence. Tour Supports have included: Tiny Ruins (NZ) and Hockey Dad (AU).

The band is made up of lead vocalist Oscar Mein who scribes the smart, witty and thoughtful observations on life. And fruit. Guitarist, Henry Francis and his amazing pedal-board are on the noble path to tone mastery making the instrument sound like it was made by unicorns. Rhythm section Max Holmes (bass) and Conor Feehly (drums) provide the backbone, the funk and keep the party going.

"There’s something infectious about their sound; it’s happy, it’s relaxed and a little bit cheeky.” - Pilerats
“If you said it sounded like Mac DeMarco cruising around the South Island and playing loose pop in the back of a Britz camper you wouldn't be far off.” - Vice Noisey

“Bold colours and dancing beats cut nicely through the grizzly cold of the NZ winter, warming the bones with relevant words and pop/rock’n’roll rhythms." - NZ Musician

PACIFIC MUSIC AWARDS - FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Celebrating 15 years of Pacific musical excellence
Finalists announced for the 2019 Pacific Music Awards 

This week, the finalists for the 2019 Pacific Music Awards were announced at the Otara Music Arts Centre in Auckland, marking the 15th anniversary of the celebrated event. 

It’s been a strong year for Pasifika hip hop, with the genre experiencing a whirlwind of activity in recent times. Heavyweights Kings and SWIDT lead the finalists this year with five nods apiece. 

Kings is no stranger to the Pacific Music Awards, winning 5 awards including the NZ On Air Streaming Award in 2018. This year, he’s nominated for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Base FM NZ & Island Base FM Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, SIT/MAINZ Best Producer (with Tenei Kesha) and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album for his third album Lov3 and 3go as well as APRA Best Pacific Song for ‘6 Figures’. 

Onehunga’s very own SWIDT are back at the Pacific Music Awards off the back of their successful EP The Most Electrifying.

They’re nominated for PMN Best Pacific Group, Base FM NZ & Island Base FM Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album and NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video for ‘Who Run It’, directed by 10Daniel16. Producer SmokeyGotBeatz is also nominated for SIT/MAINZ Best Producer for his work on the EP.
 
Samoan born and bred rap artist Poetik won Most Promising Pacific Artist in 2018 and released HAMOFIED EP. This year, he’s a finalist for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist and Base FM NZ & Island Base FM Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist.

Both Melodownz (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist) and Church & AP (APRA Best Pacific Song) are also recognised for their contributions to hip hop in 2019. 

New Zealand R&B & soul duo Adeaze took a hiatus from music after the release of their second album and have been working in South Auckland performing arts programme for kids, Saintz Up.

The brothers Nainz and Viiz Tupa’i are back with their new album A Mother’s Love, dedicated to their late mother Selepa – their greatest supporter and fan. The brothers are nominated for PMN Best Pacific Group, PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist, and Sunpix Best Pacific Language. 

After being recognised for their widespread influence and significant contribution to Samoan music and culture as last year’s Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, Punialava’a are back for this year’s awards celebrations. 

They’re nominated for three awards including PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist, Sunpix Best Pacific Language and APRA Best Pacific Song for 'Ana le Seanoa'oe' by Rev Iosefa Lale Peteru.

Seven piece ‘sunshine reggae’ collective Tomorrow People won two awards at last year’s Pacific Music Awards (PMN Best Pacific Group, Sunpix Best Pacific Language). This year, they’re finalists for three awards - PMN Best Pacific Group, Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album. 

Mangere youth worker and singer extraordinaire Latoia Sasa-Tepania aka La CoCo is nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist and Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist for song ‘Waiting’, the lead single off her upcoming EP Out Of Time. 

Other finalists include Razé (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist, NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video), Villette (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist, NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video), Sonatane Kaufusi (NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video, NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist), Tree (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist), Lapi Mariner (Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), Revere(PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist), Sammy Atoa (Sunpix Best Pacific Language), Baccyard (Clinton Bently) (SIT/MAINZ Best Producer), Bobby Alu (FLAVA Best International Pacific Artist), Jaro Local (FLAVA Best International Pacific Artist), and Kaiit (FLAVA Best International Pacific Artist). 

The big change this year is the splitting of Best Pacific Urban Artist into three separate categories – Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist, Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, and Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist. 

This aims to highlight the ever-changing Pacific music landscape and acknowledge all the artists who are creating and composing music across a wide range of genres.
 
Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua said the sheer range of different talents on display across the finalists was something to be proud of. 

“First Solomon Islands and PNG artists join 12 first time finalist and seasoned veterans of our music scene and industry at the 15th anniversary for the Pacific Music Awards in 2019. 

“The diverse range of talents across the finalist reminds us of the richness of the star systems for our musical navigations of referencing the stars to bring us home like our Pacific mariner ancestors.  Our first-time finalists remind us of growth, richness and transition with our musical malaga ola music journey of life.” 

The awards event will also reveal the recipients of the four additional awards; the Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award, Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist, and the SunPix People’s Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist.   
 
The winner of the Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album category is presented with an official Tui and recognised at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards later this year. 
​
Tickets to the 15th Pacific Music Awards ceremony will be available through www.eventfinda.co.nz 
​​

​Pacific Music Awards finalists:

Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist:

• La Coco - ‘Waiting’

• Razé - ‘Not About You’

• Tree - ‘Can We’

• Villette - ‘Money’

NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist:

• Kings - Lov3 & 3go

• Melodownz - Melo & Blues

• POETIK - HAMOFIED EP

• Sonatane Kaufusi - ‘Birdie’

PMN Best Pacific Group:

• Adeaze - A Mother's Love

• SWIDT - The Most Electrifying

• Tomorrow People - BBQ Reggae

NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:

• Razé X Edy - ‘Not About You’

  • Directed by Kiel Tutin & Edward Liu

• Sonatane Kaufusi - ‘Birdie’

  • Directed by Dave Thomson, Imaginary Friends

• SWIDT - ‘Who Run It’ 

  • Directed by 10Daniel16

• Villette - ‘Not In Love’

  • Directed by Parker Howell, Baron VR

APRA Best Pacific Song:

• Church & AP - ‘Ready or Not’

  • Written by Elijah Manu, Albert Purcell

• Kings - ‘6 Figures’

  • Written by Kingdon Chapple-Wilson

• Punialava’a - ‘Ana le Seanoa’oe’

  • Written by Rev. Iosefa Lale Peteru

SunPix Best Pacific Language:

• Adeaze - A Mother's Love

• Punialava’a - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao

• Sammy Atoa - 'Samoa Finau’

Base FM NZ & Island Base FM Samoa Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist:

• Kings - Lov3 & 3go

• POETIK - HAMOFIED EP

• SWIDT - The Most Electrifying

Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist:

• La Coco - ‘Waiting’

• Razé - ‘Not About You’

• Villette - ‘Not In Love’

Pato Entertainment Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist:

• Lapi Mariner - ‘Go Back’

• Runtingz Family - ‘Runtingz Anthem’

• Tomorrow People - BBQ Reggae

PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist:

• Adeaze - A Mother's Love

• Punialava’a - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, O ananafi, O nei ma Taeao

• Revere - Revere

FLAVA Best International Pacific Artist:

• Bobby Alu - ‘Move’

• Jaro Local - Dakini Tangarareh

• Kaiit - Live From Her Room EP

Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album:

• Kings - Lov3 & 3go

• SWIDT - The Most Electrifying

• Tomorrow People - BBQ Reggae

SIT/MAINZ Best Producer:

• Kings & 10A (Tenei Kesha) - Lov3 & 3go (Kings)

• SmokeyGotBeatz - The Most Electrifying (SWIDT)

• Baccyard (Clinton Bently) - Melo & Blues (Melodownz)