THE KELBURN VIADUCT MUNICIPAL ENSEMBLE JUG BAND 'ROUND YOUR DOOR'

Kelburn Viaduct Municipal Ensemble Jug Band (KVMeJB) music is a mix of original songs, which intentionally and vaguely follow the styles of Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, the Jim Kweskin Jugband and other inspirational pioneers of blues and jug band music, and cover versions of the above-mentioned heroes.

The Kelburn Viaduct Municipal Ensemble Jug Band is releasing their new CD and online album Round Your Door, featuring all original compositions by members of the band on Friday 31 July 2020. The CD will be launched at the Wellington Bluegrass Society in Petone on Saturday 1 August 2020.

Neil Worboys

Neil began performing in bands and composing songs in Wellington in the early ‘70s and has been involved in New Zealand Pop / Rock and Roots music continually ever since.

Neil sang and played in jug bands initially, one of which, the Bulldogs Allstar Goodtime Band, became successful in the mid-1970s with New Zealand Top 10 hits Everyone Knows and Miss September. (Members of Bulldogs and Hogsnort Rupert - The Hogsnort Bulldogs Goodtime Band continue to perform to this very day!).

Neil continued to play jug band and roots music in the 1980s and early 1990s while living in Gisborne, teaming up with Maurice Priestley and Steve Carlyle in the Trizonal Space Warpers and The Customliners.

Neil returned to Wellington in 1993 and formed the Wellington Heads, a jazz / rhythm n’ blues band which also includes Bill Wood.

Carol Bean           

Carol Bean is no stranger to the blues music scene. 2019 saw her performing with an assortment of musical collaborations at the Auckland Folk Festival, Coastella, and Cuba Dupa. Her favourite fun-time band is the KVMeJB!

Having grown up in California during the 60s, Carol aspires to replicate the spirit and fun of the old jug band songs she heard being played by the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Geoff and Maria Muldaur, Taj Mahal (a family friend) and Ry Cooder (her first guitar teacher).

Her latest album ‘Next Bus Out’ pays tribute to Buffy St Marie, Eliza Gilkyson, and Memphis Minnie to name a few of her musical influences.

Bill Wood

Bill Wood plays tea-chest bass and dobro and adds backing vocals to the mix. Bill also has another life (but not as we know it) in the 3rd Octave Band.

He spent some time with the Bulldog’s All Star Goodtime Band with Neil and is also a core member of the Wellington Heads. That’s a fake goatee, he keeps the real one in a drawer at home.

Maurice Priestley

Maurice Priestley plays guitar, mandolin and banjo in the KVMeJB. He was born and raised in Gisborne and joined the Folk Club there in the late sixties where he gained his guitar playing skills from folkies at clubs and festivals.

Maurice toured NZ in Hamilton based Climax/Red Herring in the mid-'70s, and later hit the pub circuit with Easy Street and Ha Ha Bonk from hometown Gisborne.

When he moved to Wellington in 2000 Maurice helped Neil develop some of his blues-based songs leading to the production and release of the critically acclaimed CD Some Day Soon by Neil Worboys and the Real Time Liners. Bill was also part of that project and Steve later replaced original bass player Geoff Keith. Maurice, Neil and Steve successfully toured the North Island in 2018 as the TimeLiners, a plugged acoustic version of the Real Time Liners.

Steve Carlyle

Steve has had a long musical relationship with Maurice in various Gisborne based combos including the Trizonal Space Warpers, the Customliners, Ha Ha Bonk, and as mentioned above the TimeLiners.

As well as all these collaborations Steve has contributed his own songs to the KVMeJB.

https://www.facebook.com/kvmejb

AWARD-WINNING KIWI SONGWRITER RELEASES DEBUT EP

The young Hawke’s Bay local is shaking up what a girl with a guitar can do

AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE MUSIC

After her stellar support slot for Elton John in February, Kiwi singer-songwriter Danica Bryant is releasing her debut EP, Cider. Its first single, Birthday Girl, was released in June, and it introduced a fresh pop-rock sound to the fiercely emotional lyrics which have defined Bryant’s work so far.

Cider is “the culmination of years of musical growth”, a body of work created throughout Bryant’s high school years and finally shaped into an EP as she moved out of home. Across its four tracks, it covers heavy themes from mental health, sexuality and the music industry, to addiction and toxic relationships. Bryant reveals the title represents growing up, but still feeling like a child. “Alcohol is very symbolic of adulthood, and so now, I’m allowed to drink… but I’m only drinking the fruity, super palatable stuff. It feels like a denial that I’ve grown up, but an acceptance, at the same time.”

Bryant’s writing has been well-received by many, making her a national Play It Strange winner, and a member of Bic Runga’s 2019 songwriting mentorship group. Her track Dizzy took out the Smokefree Rockquest Best Lyrics Award in 2018, and appears in its studio form for the first time on Cider.

Described by Rosheen Fitzgerald of The Hook NZ as “a young Patti Smith… all hard guitar and pain-filled howl”, it’s apparent that Bryant’s new work will be a defining step in her journey. Produced by Tiny Triumph Recordings, and mastered by Munki Studios, Cider is the new sound you certainly don’t want to miss.

Raglan groovers Masaya release fun new single ‘Soda Dreams’

Quintessentially Raglan-based band Masaya has released the fun new single ‘Soda Dreams’ and it’s set to be a summer floor filler. 

Filled with catchy hooks, ‘Soda Dreams’ was written during the lockdown period and is all about what is at the essence of the five-piece band, going out dancing and socialising with friends but they say it’s also a state of mind.

“It’s about when you’re trapped in a mental state that is too boring or annoying so you drift into your Soda Dream and that’s where you actually want to be,” says lead vocalist for Masaya, Reiki Ruawai.

Sonically, ‘Soda Dreams’ is a new in-between genre sound for the band.  “This single was about finding a new and funky genre of music to jump into, kind of in-between our unique style of indie reggae with a touch of funk.” 

The single is a follow-up from their 2019 EP, TONGUE & GROOVE, which they released two singles from - ‘Tale of the Moonshine’ and ‘Shake the Sun’, picking up thousands of streams on Spotify. 

Alongside the single release, the band will be performing on August 14 at Wellington’s Meow and at Turoa Lodge in Ohakune on August 15. They have also been announced to play at the Rhythm & Vines Warm Up on the Garden Stage in December, as well as Soundplash in Raglan in 2021.

Masaya was formed in 2019 when lead singer Reiki Ruawai needed to put together a band for a university assignment. He coaxed his sister, Kaea, to jump on the drums and friend Muroki Pearsall to play bass. Performing as a three-piece for a short time before they were joined by Jules Blewman (Tunes of I) on lead guitar and Joe Kaptein on keys. As a five-piece, they recorded their 2019 EP, TONGUE & GROOVE and have been playing wildly successful live shows and festivals ever since.

Catch them touring over the coming months, starting with Meow in Wellington on August 14, tickets available HERE and Turoa Lodge in Ohakune on August 15 (free entry).

Announcing Waiata Anthems - Live!

Annie Crummer, Bic Runga, Che Fu, Don McGlashan, Drax Project, Hollie Smith, Katchafire, Melodownz, Stan Walker - with more to be announced!

SEPTEMBER 17 – THE CIVIC
In partnership with Auckland Live
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

The NZ Top 40 Number 1 album Waiata Anthems is being reimagined live at The Civic this September for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2020 - Māori Language Week.
 
One year on from the iconic album release, Annie Crummer, Bic Runga, Drax Project, Che Fu, Hollie Smith, Don McGlashan, Katchafire, Melodownz and Stan Walker are just some of Aotearoa’s most loved artists set to perform their songs in Te Reo Māori for Waiata Anthems Live September 17 at The Civic in Auckland, in partnership with Auckland Live and the support of Te Māngai Pāho and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. 
 
The artists will be performing their waiata in celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2020 and it promises to be a very special event.
 
100% of proceeds from the show will be donated to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre who provide music therapy services to help people with disabilities.
 
Bic Runga says of the inaugural event; “I'm so excited to be part of the first ever Waiata Anthems show, it will be a great chance to share the beautiful Civic stage with so many fellow musicians for the first time live on our shared te reo Māori musical journeys."
 
Waiata Anthems album project manager Hinewehi Mohi agrees;  “This music has unlocked massive potential for the way we might perceive, create, produce and consume music in Aotearoa. It’s shown how powerful music is as a way to popularise, normalise and revitalise te reo Māori and that we have the capacity to wow the world through waiata.”
 
In 2019 Waiata Anthems debuted at #1 in the NZ Top 40 chart - the first 100% Reo Māori album to do so - achieved Gold status record sales, spent 16 weeks in the NZ Top 40 chart and received three Māori Language Awards including the Supreme Award.
 
Many of the songs featured at Waiata Anthems Live will be recorded as part of a documentary series screening on TVNZ OnDemand next year.
 
Tickets to this very special event go on sale 9am Tuesday August 4th with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

WAIATA ANTHEMS LIVE
September 17
The Civic, Auckland
Tickets from www.ticketmaster.co.nz
More information from www.aucklandlive.co.nz
Presale August 3rd
General Onsale 9am August 4th

Proceeds from the event will go to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre



Madeleine Howard 'Reaching Out to You'

Following a 5 star review of her 2nd single, today Madeleine Howard launches her third single, Reaching Out which is the final single off her much-anticipated debut EP Just Reaching Out. Embodying a true kiwi singer-songwriter sound, previous singles have been included in NZ On Air’s NewTracks compilation and has gained recognition from the likes of Ladyhawke.

"This is a special song for me. It's about two people who I was once really close with and for various reasons have since drifted from. The song is my way of essentially 'reaching out' to them."

Originally from Hawke’s Bay, Madeleine moved to Christchurch in 2017 and is now a part of the SOLE Artist Development programme, working alongside artist mentors Sacha Vee and Will McGillivray (NOMAD).

Reaching Out was produced by Will McGillivray (NOMAD). "It's my favourite track on the EP. It's the one I was most happy with in terms of production,” Madeleine says. “He captured exactly what I had envisioned for this song and I'm so pleased with the end result."

The announcement that her earlier single had been picked up as part of NewTracks with NZ On Air was already a highlight, she says. The compilation of new songs from New Zealand artists is made available to broadcast media. “It’s definitely a boost,” Madeleine says.

Reaching Out launches on 31 July on all streaming platforms. Next month, Madeleine will release her debut EP Just Reaching Out featuring one more song, a collection of personal and emotive songs.

The launch will be celebrated with an EP Release show on the 3rd Sep at darkroom in Christchurch.

You can find the single here: https://linktr.ee/madeleinehoward

NYE20 - THE OTHER SIDE ANNOUNCING THE FINAL LINE-UP

ALL NZ LINE-UP TO JOIN L.A.B AND SHAPESHIFTER IN THE COROMANDEL!

*** OVER 30 ARTISTS PERFORMING OVER TWO NIGHTS OF CELEBRATIONS ***

NYE20 - The Other Side are thrilled to announce the full line-up of top-tier New Zealand artists set to ring in 2021, in the beautiful Coromandel this summer. Joining headliners L.A.B and Shapeshifter over two celebratory nights, are some of the most sizzling NZ talents on offer across a multitude of genres - guaranteed to ignite a firecracker start to the New Year!

A blisteringly good selection of bands, DJ’s and MC’s will be there with you and your bestie mates, to collectively shake off all the turmoil of a chaotic year. Aural and visual delights on offer include the eclectic electronic hip hop of Chaii, the powerhouse talent that is Avantdale Bowling Club, the mind-blowingly dynamic JessB, the hard-hitting electro-experimentalism of Montell2099, hot new drum n bass duo Lee Mvtthews and classic festival favourites Concord Dawn and State of Mind. The original skool soul and funk of Sunshine Sound System, the urban hip hop poetry of Melodownz, the smooth stylings of David Dallas, first-class DJ’s Aroha, P-Money, General Lee, Sin, Dick Johnson and Chiccoreli, the renowned MC talents of the uber crowd-pleasing Tali, Silva MC, Tiki Taane and many more! Read on to see the full array of performers. Click HERE for bio briefs and images.

By announcing this completely local line-up, New Year’s Eve revellers can be assured that they will be partying with the artists they have bought tickets to see. “I’m really happy that any issues around the state of our borders opening or not, is of no consequence to the stability of our festival line-up. We are able to offer some sense of security that you will see the bands you have purchased your ticket to see”, says promoter Clayton Spence.

Limited Early-bird tickets are still available but only until 5pm Wednesday 29th July when tickets roll onto full price, so get in quick! Also from Wednesday, and in recognition for those that may need the option, you will be able to pay for your tickets via layby, by making a number of smaller payments over the next few months – just talk to the friendly ticketing team at NYE20 - THE OTHER SIDE for more information.

Now is the time to plan your escape to The Other Side of this challenging year. Secrete yourself away with your friends and immerse yourself in the stunning surrounds of a lush Coromandel valley at Joe’s Farm. Lose yourself in the freedom of music, friends, nature and good times. You know you deserve it!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM: NYE20 - THE OTHER SIDE

CHIKA 'QUIT SLEEPING'

Quit Sleeping is the latest single from Chika Adeosun. The song is a part of her soon to be released Ep project In My Head featuring her unique blend of Rnb and Afro beat. The project reflects the space of mind the singer was in before she says and the vibe of her early 20s.

You really get a sense of the creative mind of the artist as the listener is taken through a 5 track ‘dip and dive’ of a ride.The single Quit Sleeping will be released on Thursday 30th of July. Give it to dem bad is another single released from this project, Listeners can find the music video for that song on Youtube

LAUREN GIN 'SUPERNOVA'

Lauren Gin, the electronic producer/DJ from Auckland released her debut EP called "SUPERNOVA" last week, premiering on George FM.

LISTEN HERE

Lauren has been DJing for 5 years, starting when she was 20 years old. She is a prominent DJ in the New Zealand scene, with regular gigs in Auckland's nightlife as well as playing at annual festivals (Splore 2016-2020) and Rhythm and Vines (2017). Lauren have also played overseas in LA, Portland, Bali, and Mexico. 

SUPERNOVA is a collection of 4 songs that combine Trap and Future Bass, mixing heavy basslines and thick synths to create unique sounds with catchy vocals). Lauren worked with various vocalists in LA and New Zealand that added the final touch to this EP.