LAURA-MAE 'RUG OF NUMBERS'

Following the success of her national tour and the release of debut single Betsy, Laura-mae has unleashed Rug of Numbers on the world. The indie pop track is the second in a stream of singles planned for a 2020 release.

Listen to Rug of Numbers here.

Laura-mae believes that “one of modern society’s downfalls is its tendency to measure worth in statistics… (it’s) obsessed with followers, likes and quantity over quality when it comes to connections.” She describes Rug of Numbers as “an introspective  track about how it feels to be ‘just another number’ to somebody”.

Hailing from the haven of Golden Bay, singer-songwriter Laura-mae weaves the sunshine from her hometown into her music. She is set for a November December New Zealand tour which will roll over to Australia in January and February 2021.

Laura-mae recorded Rug of Numbers in Wellington with Toby of Tiny Triumph Recordings (Estere, Louis Baker). Laura described Toby as “a lovely, kind and patient guy… passionate about creating Rug of Numbers into this beautifully artistic piece that is both soothing to the ears, yet heart wrenchingly emotional... He’s a true musician who helps other story tellers send their message to the world.”

Keep up with future releases on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Spotify.

The Sixteenth release debut EP ‘The 16th EP’

Wellington collective The Sixteenth are proud to announce the release of their debut EP ‘The 16th EP’ today on all major platforms, as well as a limited run of vinyl available via Bandcamp and in select stores. Years of collaboration resulted in this final product which includes singles Afterglow  and Oxygen released in mid-2020.

The band create post-apocalyptic sounds from the mind of Richard Walley  (programming/keys/production) with core collaborator Miriam Alice (vocals), and are known for their vast soundscapes, crafted textural instrumentation and stunning melodies.

The group was formed in the mid 2010’s to perform a set of Walley’s compositions. A live line up toured and they realised there were deep pockets of inspiration in the collaboration. The incisive expertise of Ali Isdale (bass & audio engineer) and Louis Thompson-Munn (keys) fed the hungry machine and with Walley’s extensive library of rare records underarm, the collective embarked on a unique sonic journey hoping to capture their experience and add some new vinyl to the library.

‘The 16th EP’ is the result of that sonic journey.

The Sixteenth - Links

Spotify | Apple Music | Website | Facebook | Instagram

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN VALKYRIE’S NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘GOOD THING’

Tāmaki Makaurau’s Valkyrie are back with a brand new track ‘Good Thing’, their most infectious bop of a track yet (really – try not to dance to this, we dare you), accompanied by a vivacious and decadently alluring video directed by Shae Sterling. 

The track is written about the sexiness of Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger, and is overflowing with good vibes and energy. 

Speaking of the idea behind ‘Good Thing’, Valkyrie’s front woman Omer Gilroy says, "Imagine being stuck in isolated nature for a week, surrounded by the Beatles, the Stones and Jimi Hendrix... No cell service, just vinyls of the classics and friends. We had a good thing going and what you hear in the song is how we felt while writing it. " 

Valkyrie are a 3-piece hailing from South Auckland, known for their immersive eclectic sound which brings together elements of arena rock, pop and RnB. Featuring members Rebel Reid, Omer Gilroy and Brandon Haru, their stage energy captivates and has seen them grace the stages of Splore, George in the Park and Big Gay Out. They are currently working hard towards the release of their EP due for release in 2021. 

SAM CULLEN 'ALL NIGHT LONG'

This week, Wellington-based Sam Cullen has dropped ‘All Night Long’, the second single from his upcoming debut EP. 

‘All Night Long’ tells the story of a person drinking alone in a bar, reflecting on a past love and attempting to will new love to come about. The accompanying music video, all one continuous-shot, captures the man (Sam) deep in thought while the night of others in the pub plays out around him. The music video was directed by Tessa Keenan and filmed by Ben Stewart. The striking cover art for the release is an original artwork from Christchurch-based artist Molly Halpine.

Listen: https://smarturl.it/smna

Watch: https://youtu.be/49My7zvuGYs

With a small-town upbringing at the bottom of the world in Invercargill  - Sam Cullen writes and produces over candid subjects, drawn from a place where everyone knows everyone. A background playing covers in pubs and clubs across NZ since the age of eleven has ingrained in Sam an ear for catchy melodies, unlabouring production and a demanding work ethic which drops him somewhere between the anthems of Springsteen, 80’s pop and propulsive rock. 

After relocating to Wellington in 2019 and with early releases; ‘Small Town’, and the NZ On Air funded, ‘Shut The Door’, Cullen’s debut EP is an unapologetic foundation for things to come. The 6 track release is expected in September.

“Rapid up-and-comer Sam Cullen is a fire with a heap of fuel behind him, showing us why his alt pop tunes may just be the next big thing to come out of New Zealand.” - Happy Mag (AUS)

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

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

KIWI MUSIC MERCH - ENABLING MUSICIANS AND BANDS TO CREATE AND SELL MERCHANDISE

Kiwi Music Merch enables musicians and bands of all shapes and sizes to create and sell merchandise with zero upfront cost or commitment. The t-shirts and other apparel are manufactured on an order-by-order basis in New Zealand using the highest quality printing technology around.

All you need to do is decide how you want the apparel to look (ie create a design - which we can help with if required), we will put it on our website alongside many other NZ bands/musicians.  When an item is sold, all of the additional selling price after costs have been covered (typically $20 -$30 for a printed t-shirt - dependent on complexity and volume) will go to you, the artist. No storage costs, no minimum orders, no fuss. Just your fans wearing your merch, happy they get to support you.

Kiwi Music Merch will assist in marketing the merchandise to your fanbase for no additional cost and will cover the costs of initial special offers such as free delivery for multiple products, free delivery to local music venues etc. This is a project designed to help bring Kiwi bands and musicians of all shapes and sizes some additional revenue, and make it easier than ever to get high quality merch in the hands of your fans.

There is currently no cost to feature on the website and any bands who sign up in August will never pay. We want to get as many bands as possible on the website before making the products available and launching to the public later in the month. If you're interested or have any questions, please email james@kiwimusicmerch.com.

INVESTIGATOR 'BAD LUCK'S SHOEBOX'

INVESTIGATOR is the brainchild of singer/songwriter and producer, Adrian Drew. 

The debut EP has been picked up by a dozen radio stations in N.Z. & throughout the US, Canada, South Africa, UK, France & Australia. ‘Livin’ in a Magazine’ was #1 for a record breaking seven weeks on Spiderweb Radio’s Top 15 & made KB Radio’s Song of the Year chart!

Now with a full band made up of experienced rockers, earlier this year playing the Auckland Council’s ‘Music in Parks’… INVESTIGATOR is back with a brand new single, ‘Bad Luck’s Shoebox’. This grimey little blues rock number is about a down and out bar, hidden away from normal society where the underbelly reside and the reprobates thrive.

It's all about the melodies and soaring choruses, with catchy riffs & driving guitar... but within the dark brooding space there is always a hint of optimism.  

Released on all digital platforms this Friday 7/8/20

IMPOSTOR SYNDROME UNLEASH ‘THE SHRINK’

If their last single ‘The Hole in Your Head’ had guts, then Impostor Syndrome’s new track ‘The Shrink’ is the knife that tore them out. Pulling together the rough textures of 70’s underground punk, and coating them in languid wall-of-sound, with relief coming from tinkling piano lines, Impostor Syndrome have really found their sound, and it hits right where it hurts (in a good way). The Auckland 3-piece, featuring members Ryan Culleton, Shannon Coulomb and Scott Nicolson, have grown up together experimenting with music and playing with abrasive rock and metal soundscapes, finally finding their feet collectively with this new project.

Speaking of the track, front-man Ryan Culleton says, “The Shrink explores the misinformation age that we live in today. Where the truth is seemingly pushed more and more into the sidelines, but it is out there, somewhere.”

SOJOURN 'STAND UP'

SOJØURN are excited to announce the release of their latest single "Stand Up". This track was recorded at Roundhead Studios in Auckland. "Stand Up" is available on all major streaming platforms via our distributor’s DRM.  "Stand Up" was included in the NZOA August NewTracks release and is available via that platform for Radio Playlist selection.  Click here to listen to this track. 

“Stand Up” is the party-starting new tune by east coast groovers SOJØURN. "Stand Up" reflects the upbeat dub/reggae sound and good vibes the band has become synonymous with. 

"The song is about uniting and coming together in our search of happiness, escaping everyday social pressures and letting go of our worries. "Stand Up" is an ode to the people and moments that have brought us to where we are today as a band, and is also an invitation to those in the future to jump in our waka."

The band have been busy playing to big audiences at Leigh Sawmill & a sold out show at home in Mangawhai in July. SOJØURN have also just announced their "SPRING SEND" Tour including headline shows at Wunderbar (Lyttelton) and Dive (Dunedin). 

The band also have 2 unreleased singles ( "How it Grows" and "Saturday Sipping") both of which will be released in the coming months leading up to summer.  SOJØURN are already looking ahead and booking some larger NZ venues along with taking some interest from a number of Summer Music Festival promoters. 

"Mā pango, mā whero ka oti te mahi"

With unity the work will be completed.

E tū!