WAIATA INSPIRED BY AOTEAROA’S NATIVE BIRDS TO BE RELEASED IN NEW EP FROM ARO

In a celebration of Aotearoa’s wildlife, the tales and melodies of our native birds will be translated into unique storytelling waiata by musical duo Aro. The lead single Kōtare is available for streaming and download on all platforms from 13 August, including on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. 

The five track EP He Manu Anō, will be released on 27 August and is an extension of their bilingual debut album Manu, which told the tales of 10 native manu, playing on the birds characteristics and some of their significance for Māori – through a mixture of vocals, Māori rhythms, chants and instrumentation. The EP will consist of songs of the most requested birds that did not appear on their first album, and will be entirely in te reo Māori.

The duo have spent time researching the stories and sounds of each bird, and understanding their character to create upbeat waiata inspired by nature, and wholly original to Aotearoa. The kaupapa behind this project is to address identity, and to encourage people to be proud of who they are as Māori and as New Zealanders. Using the birds characteristics and Māori legends about the birds, the waiata tell a story of trying to find one’s place in the world.

The first single Kōtare is a showcase of the distinctive sound that Aro has become known for; a warm blend of pop, R&B, jazz, and taonga pūoro. The track is a jubilant guitar driven melody, inspired by the kōtare (kingfisher). The gorgeously harmonious dual vocals carry the song, Emily’s honey-voiced jazz blending with Charle’s; full throated haka sound, allowing the poetic te reo Māori lyrics to truly shine. Punctuated with percussive clicks and joyful whistles, Kōtare is an uplifting and beautiful example of the energy of the manu.

Aro consists of husband and wife Charles (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Te Ata, Te Ati Awa) and Emily Looker. The pair share a passion for the power of language and music to tell stories and remind us of our cultural identity. The duo were finalists for the Maioha Award at the Silver Scrolls (2019) and the APRA Best Children’s Song Award for their song Korimako (2020).

Aro will celebrate the release of their forthcoming EP with a show in Auckland at the 13th Floor Studio on 29 August, followed by a three centre tour in September to New Plymouth, Tauranga and Onewhero. Information and ticket details will be announced soon.

“The musicianship throughout – haunting and interlocking vocals, stick percussion, evocations of
taonga pūoro, touches of Latin rhythms – is clever and diverse”
– Graham Reid, Elsewhere - Manu album review

TOUR DATES:
Auckland
13th Floor Studio
29 August –  https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/71324/Aro-EP-Release-Show-He-Manu-An.utr

New Plymouth
4th Wall Theatre
September 5th – https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/71379/Aro-EP-Release-Tour----He-Manu-An.utr

Tauranga
The Jam Factory
September 11th – https://www.eventspronto.co.nz/Aro2020
Onewhero
Onewhero Society of Performing Arts
September 26th – Tickets available through aromusic.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND’S NEWEST SUPERHERO

This Friday July 17th heralds the launch of the dynamic debut album by New Zealand newest superhero Waste Free Wanda.

With the growing concern around single-use Waste on the planet, Lake Hāwea singer/songwriter Anna van Riel has launched an 1980’s inspired rock opera for children, that teaches them how to lead on into a cleaner, brighter future.

Written and performed by van Riel, the one-woman show is designed to support schools, councils and communities to consider simple swaps they can make to create a huge change for the planet, through the use of theatre, music and actions. 

The show follows character Wanda, after she learns that she is the lost heir of an ancient tribe of earth-keepers. Upon finding the lost crystal of her tribe, our heroine makes the transformation into Waste Free Wanda, and goes on to save her town from an overwhelm of single-use Waste. 

With super catchy songs, great morals and a good sprinkling of humour, Wanda’s show teach our children how to be superheroes in their own back yard.

The self-title album can be heard on all listening platforms.

More details can be found at www.wastefreewanda.com

YASAMIN SHARES NEW TRACK ‘BAGHDAD BOY’ + VIDEO

Yasamin unleashes her sweet-sounding but politically charged new track, ‘Baghdad Boy’, a love song set amongst a backdrop of war, turmoil, murder and heartbreak. The single, mastered by Elliot James (Ne-Yo, T-Pain, Maroon 5), is accompanied by a collage of footage introducing Iraqi protestors in a light the media often chooses to ignore.

Yasamin speaks of the meaning behind her very personal track and video:

“In October 2019, peaceful protestors flooded the streets of Baghdad (my birth city) asking for an end to government corruption and for true democracy in Iraq. Their peacefulness was met with lethal force which, to date, has left over 700 peaceful protestors dead.

“Seven months on, the protests are continuing daily and the protestors remain peaceful despite the violence used against them. I found that so inspiring; especially since, in theory, this should be the most violent generation Iraq has ever produced having grown up under dictatorship, an American invasion and 3-year ISIS control of northern territories which ended in 2017.

“This is a love song to that peaceful protestor; the new Baghdad Boy.

“The track starts with the question “Baghdad guy, were you born to die?” I felt that something monumental was happening in Iraq, yet the violence used against the protestors was not getting any coverage. It felt as if the world was over Iraq; “This whole damn world didn’t say a thing ‘cause killing you is now normal” the song continues before it changes tone into a cheeky “bit of a player, you were never my type, but since I’ve seen October, you are all that I want” “Now the whole world can try, but I’ve only got eyes for my Baghdad guy”

“The track shifts from joy to sadness to reflect the daily situation on the ground in the protest squares (I’ve been following the protests daily through youtube vlogs and social media updates); one minute a protestor could be singing patriotic songs and dancing and the next the protests squares could be attacked and they find out they’ve just lost a friend or a brother. It happened all the time. But it’s not an action movie, it’s real people and its real lives.

“The music video for the song introduces these protestors and footage from these inspiring protests. The classic Baghdad Boy has been portrayed in the media as an angry violent man which is a lazy and irresponsible generalisation of over 40 million people. The music video shows a different narrative; it show these guys as they are; human. All footage in black and white is of protestors who lost their lives during the protests and subsequently became icons of this October revolution.

“It is the most moving and exciting thing I have ever witnessed. You can’t help but be moved and inspired by it all and the songs just started pouring out of me about this new gorgeous new generation of modern, arty, fashionable Iraqi youth peacefully fighting for a new Iraq using nothing but their voices.”

Yasamin is a Aotearoa-based ‘artivist’, musician and songwriter who is incredibly dedicated to using her artistic voice to draw attention to what is happening in her birth country, and to her people every day. Her album is due for release later in the year, with further singles to come.

2020 APRA Silver Scroll Awards - Top 20 Songs

• Best Thing In The Room, written by Lisa Crawley and Robert Kleiner, performed by Lisa Crawley (Published by St Music ANZ Pty / Songtrust Blvd) 

• Bone Dat Needs Pickin’, written and performed by Steve Tofa (Published by Songbroker) 

• Don’t You Know Who I Am, written and performed by Reb Fountain (Published by Mushroom Music) 

• Get The Devil Out, written and performed by Nadia Reid (Published by Blue Raincoat Songs / Kobalt Music Publishing) 

• Glitter written by Stella Bennett, Joshua Fountain and Djesian Suskov, performed by Benee (Published by Universal Music Publishing / Sony/ATV Publishing) 

• Guilty Talk, written by Stephanie Brown and Fen Ikner performed by Lips  

• Hands, written by Bella Cook and Shannon Fowler, performed by Belladonna (Published by Native Tongue Music Publishing) 

• I Might Disappear, written by Gussie Larkin, Lily West and Abraham Hollingsworth, performed by Mermaidens  

• In The Air, written by Arapekanga Hayden Adams-Tamatea, Brad Donald Kora, Hiriini Stuart Kora, Joel Charles Shadbolt, and Miharo Boaz Gregory, performed by L.A.B (Published by Loop Publishing / Kobalt Music Publishing)

• Let’s Just Stay In Bed, written by Cass Mitchell and Bic Runga, performed by King Sweeties (Published by Mushroom Music) 

• Mighty Invader, written and performed by Troy Kingi (Published by Loop Publishing / Kobalt Music Publishing) 

• Remote, written by Annabel Alpers and performed by Hamerkop (Published by Native Tongue Music Publishing) 

• Ruffle, written by Matthew Barus and Lauren Barus, performed by Terrible Sons (Published by Native Tongue Music Publishing) 

• Superfan, written by Chelsea Jade Metcalf and Leroy Clampitt, performed by Chelsea Jade (Published by EMI Music Publishing Australia/ Stellar Songs) 

• Take, written by Finn Scholes, Tam Scholes, Siobhanne Thompson, Cass Mitchell and Alistair Deverick, performed by Carnivorous Plant Society 

• Trouble, written by Mona Sanei and Frank Eliesa, performed by CHAII (Published by Big Pop Music Publishing / BMG Rights Management) 

• Walk, written and performed by Ria Hall (Published by Loop Publishing / Kobalt Music Publishing)

• War Outside, written by Elijah Manu, Albert Purcell and Rory Noble, performed by Church & AP  

• Who?, written by Lance Fepuleai, Tony Tz, Harry Huavi and Stephen Atutolu, performed by Team Dynamite feat. Diggy Dupe

• You Were Mine, written by Tamara Neilson and Joshua Neilson, performed by Tami Neilson (Published by Native Tongue Music Publishing) 

This Top 20 list was chosen from over 200 entries by a judging panel of 10 fellow songwriters, who have each made wonderful contributions to the NZ music community.  

The judging panel were (in alphabetical order):

Amanda Cheng (Wax Chattels), Abigail Knudson (Missy), Cherie Mathieson, Delaney Davidson, Estere Dalton, Mark Williams (Slave, Fat Freddy’s Drop), Marlon Williams, Mel Parsons, Ned Ngatae (The Black Seeds, Fat Freddy’s Drop), and Shayne Carter.

All APRA members are now invited to vote for their top five songs from this list of 20. 

These votes from the APRA membership will determine the five finalists and winner of the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Award. 

You can listen to a Spotify playlist of all 20 songs HERE.

You can read more details on judging and voting processes for the Silver Scroll Awards HERE.

“We’re thrilled to find that there are plenty of established songwriters who are still surprising and delighting with their work, finding new stories to tell, and new ways to tell them. We’re also very excited to see so many new songwriters bringing fresh ideas and sounds to the landscape of music in Aotearoa” says APRA Head of NZ Operations Anthony Healey.  

“Of course it was a tough job for our judging panel to select these 20 songs from all the entries, and there are plenty of songwriters who missed out, who continue to create great and valuable work. The standard of songwriting we’re seeing in New Zealand is incredibly high, and we applaud everyone for their craft.”    

Past recipients of the esteemed award include a long list of iconic Kiwi music stalwarts - from Dave Dobbyn, Don McGlashan and Shona Laing to Neil Finn, Bic Runga, and Ray Columbus. They’re joined by a younger generation of music makers that include James Milne & Luke Buda, Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde) & Joel Little, Tami Neilson, Ruban & Kody Nielson, Marlon Williams, and Aldous Harding.  

The APRA Silver Scroll Award will be presented at the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday October 14. The other awards presented on the night are: 

• APRA Maioha Award, celebrating exceptional waiata featuring te reo  

• SOUNZ Contemporary Award, celebrating excellence in contemporary composition 

• APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award 

• APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award  

BACK TO BASICS SEMINAR – AUCKLAND

The NZ Music Managers Forum with support from Recorded Music New Zealand is proud to present the return of the annual Back to Basics seminar in Auckland on Tuesday 28th July.

Aimed at all who are new to artist management including self managed artists, this seminar explores the fundamentals and inner workings of the music industry. Topics will cover; contracts – band, manager, live etc, setting up a management business and the business of a band, information on APRA AMCOS, Recorded Music NZ’s Direct to Artist Scheme, funding, the differences between marketing and promotion, essential music industry agencies, income and royalties, and artist management in general. 

Two experienced music industry professionals will be presenting and sharing their indispensable knowledge and answering questions from attendees.

Lorraine Barry – Manager Dave Dobbyn, Tom Scott, Team Dynamite, Milly Tabak &the Miltones

Teresa Patterson – NZ Music Managers Forum Chair

Back to Basics Seminar – Auckland

When: Tuesday 28th July 2020

Time: 6 – 7.30pm

Venue: APRA AMCOS NZ

MMF members free. Non members $10.00

To RSVP for your place or for more information on joining the NZ MMF contact lorraine@mmf.co.nz or visit www.mmf.co.nz

STEFFANY BECK 'I HAVE A DREAM'

Following the highlighted release of Christchurch based singer-songwriter Steffany Beck’s debut EP Blue Eyed Girl,  comes the next exciting addition to her music repertoire, the official release of her single I have a Dream.

This upbeat feel good song won a national songwriting competition providing funding for the final production, music video and mentoring with New Zealand artists Johnny Barker and Jared Kahi. 

“This song is all about believing in yourself, your dreams and never giving up, which is a very timely message in our current world and circumstance. I have a Dream was written from the perspective of what the world would look and feel like if Neighbour loved thy brother, no more greed and hatred infesting our nation, LOVE is everywhere.” quoted lyrics from I have a Dream.

Due to Covid-19 this pop country rock fusion artist will be doing a Live streaming tour performing I have a Dream on all the major social media platforms. Follow Steffany Beck on Facebook, Instagram,Twitter, Youtube and or Spotify for Live streaming tour announcements, upcoming UK TV show placement and radio interviews. 

Live shows to be announced.

I have a Dream Available Now!

Spotify/ iTunes/ Apple Music  - https://smarturl.it/SteffanyBeck

RNZ’S NEW WEB SERIES ‘NZ HIP HOP STAND UP’ CELEBRATES ICONIC AOTEAROA MUSIC

RNZ have today announced a brand new web series titled NZ Hip Hop Stand Up. The seven-part series is an exploration of some of the greatest songs released over the 30-year history of hip hop music in Aotearoa. Launching on Thursday 23rd July, all episodes will be available to view on RNZ’s website.
 
Featuring 30 artists from the 30-year history of Aotearoa hip hop, each episode of NZ Hip Hop Stand Up will showcase a significant song, with artists of all generations discussing its importance and relevance to New Zealand and NZ hip hop.
 
Starting in 1988 with ‘E Tū’ by Upper Hutt Posse and ending in 2019 with ‘Ready or Not’ by teen sensations Church & AP, the series talks to all of the major players involved in some of the most influential and loved tracks this country has ever produced.
 
Director Chris Graham, who made some of NZ’s most well-known and award-winning music videos for artists including Scribe, King Kapisi, Dei Hamo, Smashproof and Savage, commented on the series: “We set out to do justice to the creative breadth of New Zealand’s hip hop culture, but one of the most surprising and humbling parts of the experience was capturing the authentic stories that each artist shared about how these songs were conceived and made, these musical taonga that have touched our hearts, and shaped the unique sound that is specifically hip hop from Aotearoa.”
 
RNZ Music Content Director, Willy Macalister added: “We’re excited to bring this dynamic series to New Zealand audiences. I’m sure local audiences are going to really enjoy reflecting on the iconic songs featured that have shaped Aotearoa’s hip hop music history.”
 
NZ Hip Hop Stand Up is produced by The Down Low Concept, whose credits include 7 Days and Rū Ana Te Whenua: Alien Weaponry Shake Europe. Featured artists include King Kapisi, Sheelahroc, Sisters Underground, Scribe, Smashproof and Church & AP.  Three of the biggest names in Aotearoa hip hop; Ladi 6, Scribe and King Kapisi, acted as consultants on the series.

NZ Music Recovery Package: COVID-19 NZ Music Month & Outward Sound Make Good Funds

The NZ Music Month and Outward Sound Make Good Funds are to provide support for NZ artists and music businesses who had outlaid funds for planned activity in NZ Music Month 2020 or for Outward Sound projects that were unable to proceed as a result of COVID-19.

The NZ Music Month Make Good Fund is available to NZ artists, sole traders and music businesses who had confirmed original NZ music activity to occur in May 2020, that was cancelled due to COVID-19.  Over 1,000 original NZ music events are usually held during NZ Music Month each year. The Fund is available for recoupment of confirmed outlaid costs and to compensate fees for contracted work that was unable to proceed due to COVID-19.  The Fund will also provide a contribution towards confirmed lost income for NZ artists for performances in NZ Music Month as a result of COVID-19.

The Fund will not cover wages or other general business costs that can be addressed through alternative initiatives in the Government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Package.

Applicants must provide evidence of expenditure or loss of income (i.e. invoices for expenditure, contracts for services and confirmation of cancellation or similar), and demonstrate the expenditure or loss incurred is due to COVID-19. Applicants must agree to be subject to audit if required.

Application does not guarantee payment or a full reimbursement of costs.

The NZ Music Month Make Good Fund is open until 5:00pm on Monday 20 July 2020 and the application form is available here. This Fund is for one round only and all applications will be assessed after the closing date.  All applications will be processed within 28 days of the Fund closing.

The total investment for the NZ Music Month Make Good Fund is $1million and the full list of successful applicants will be published on the Music Commission website on Monday 17 August.

There are three parts to the NZ Music Month Make Good Fund:

1. Reimbursement of Eligible Costs (with evidence)

2. Contribution Of Contracted Fees (with evidence)

3. Contribution Towards Lost Income Relating To Cancelled Performances (with evidence)

These all related only to original NZ music performances that were confirmed for May 2020 and cancelled because of COVID-19

1. Reimbursement of Eligible Costs (with evidence)

NZ artists and music businesses can apply for reimbursement of eligible costs for activity scheduled occur during NZ Music Month that could not be undertaken due to COVID-19 related cancellations.

These eligible costs are:

·      Accommodation (where the costs are not held in credit)

·      Air travel (where the costs are not held in credit)

·      Ground transportation

·      Ticketing fees and inside charges

·      Promotion including paid publicist fees

·      Advertising and marketing costs

·      Artwork

·      Insurance

·      Venue deposits

·      Expenditure on non-CAPEX equipment for events in May 2020. 

The Fund will not reimburse per diem costs anticipated to be paid in May 2020.

2. Contribution Of Contracted Fees (with evidence)

NZ artists and music businesses can apply for a contribution towards compensation of contracted work fees for original NZ music activity scheduled to occur during NZ Music Month that could not be undertaken due to COVID-19 related cancellations. This includes:

·      Sound engineer fees for confirmed dates

·      Tour manager and crew fees for confirmed dates

·      Booking agent fees

·      Publicist fees for confirmed campaigns

·      Advertising fees for confirmed campaigns

·      Session musician fees for original NZ music performances (i.e. a drummer who performs with a musician performing original NZ music can apply for lost income due to the cancellation of confirmed shows).

3. Contribution Towards Lost Income Relating To Cancelled Performances (with evidence)

NZ artists can also apply for a contribution towards lost guaranteed performance fees, or lost ticketing income that has been refunded to audiences for shows scheduled occur during NZ Music Month that could not be undertaken due to COVID-19 related cancellations. (NB. The Fund will not contribute to events where the sold tickets have been transferred to a performance at a later date.) Evidence of income and subsequent cancellation will be required.

One application per band or activity will be accepted. If an application relates to a multi-band or multi-artist line up event, only one application will be accepted for the event.

If you are submitting an application for the NZ Music Month Make Good Fund, please ensure you read the Acknowledgement and Confirmation section at the end of the form, which outlines the release of information pertaining to grants and legal confirmation.

The NZ Music Month Make Good Fund application form is here.

The NZ Music Month Make Good Fund closes at 5:00pm on Monday 20 July 2020.

The Outward Sound Make Good Fund is for for artists who had active Outward Sound grants where the artist had incurred costs, and the international activity was cancelled or disrupted due to circumstances related to COVID-19.  All eligible artists have been contacted directly by the Outward Sound team. The total investment for the Outward Sound Make Good Fund is $400,000 and the list of supported artists will be published on the Music Commission website on Monday 17 August.