Julia Deans is heading South

Julia Deans is heading South this August and September for a series of intimate shows to make up for songs unsung and gatherings ungathered.

One of many artists whose April plans were cancelled due to Covid-19, she’s excited to be heading out to road-test new material for an upcoming album, alongside favourites from her critically acclaimed solo catalogue. With the 20th anniversary of Fur Patrol’s platinum-selling debut album ‘Pet’ looming (yes it has been that long!), she will also be diving into the Fur Patrol song archives to play songs of “youthful exuberance” alongside her more “grown-up” recent work.

Fortunately, these are small gatherings and are able to safely proceed at Level 2. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and mask wearing is encouraged.

Tickets are strictly limited, don’t miss out!

Sat 22 Aug – Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru

Tue 01 Sep – Grater Goods, Christchurch* SOLD OUT

Wed 02 Sep – Grater Goods, Christchurch* SOLD OUT
Thu 03 Sep – Dog With Two Tails, Dunedin
Fri 04 Sep – Tuatara Café, Invercargill

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Saturday September 5th sees two of NZ’s biggest voices – Laughton Kora and Julia Deans – joining forces for a very special, one-night-only sing-off/mash-up at Queenstown’s very own Sherwood.

In light of Covid-19 and the impact it has had on the Queenstown region’s tourism workforce, Deans & Kora are offering tiered ticket prices, inviting guests to pay as they can. Firm believers in the value of joining forces (and voices), and with a mutual appreciation for a good tune and a cheeky joke, this will be the perfect night to gather together and chase the winter blues away.

Best known as former front man and woman for platinum-selling bands Kora and Fur Patrol respectively, the pair first met way (waaaaaaaay) back at the national Rockquest finals in the early ‘90s. Both have gone on to forge their own long & unique paths in Aotearoa’s music history, crossing paths on many occasions both on and offstage – including as Judas & Mary Magdalene in Auckland Theatre Company’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, and with the Auckland Philharmonic and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras’ spectacular David Bowie tributes. Laughton has clocked up hits & accolades for his work with Fly My Pretties, Kinetic and Team Dynamite; and Julia with The Adults, and for her own critically acclaimed solo albums.

Fortunately, this is a small gathering and is able to safely proceed at Level 2. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and mask wearing is encouraged.

Doors from 7:30pm, show starts 9:30. Don’t miss out!

HINA 'SCRATCH'

Igniting the interest sparked with her first soul-infused single ‘Libertine’, HINA releases ‘Scratch’, the second single from her upcoming EP, on all streaming platforms. After being swiftly written by the artist in one sitting, ‘Scratch’ was organically developed over the course of a few weeks with the help of Seth Haapu, Ria Hall, Troy Kingi and Francis Kora as part of the Pao Pao Pao music mentoring program in 2019.

HINA has been performing a stripped back version of ‘Scratch’ as part of her live set for Auckland Live’s Summer in the Square series earlier in the year, during lockdown on Ed Waaka’s livestream show E NOHO Live, and last month as part of The Weekly Mix in Aotea Center. 

Excited to finally release the self-produced track, HINA says the sentiment behind ‘Scratch’ has been evolving since its conception. “Fran [Kora] really helped me to define who I’m speaking to in this song - it can be taken very literally or more metaphorically. It may seem lyrically straightforward, but for me personally, the conceited attitude is super tongue in cheek. The core idea is really about valuing myself in order to both give and receive love that’s safe from ego.”

‘Scratch’ is now available on all streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. You can listen here: https://smarturl.it/schna.

Keep in touch - www.hinamusic.co.nz and @hinabeaming on Instagram and Facebook.

Aro 'He Manu Anō'

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 was released last Thurs, 13th August and is now available for streaming and download on all platforms, 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.

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. They are also delivering a virtual school tour around our country this September free for schools, involving a performance and workshop around Identity, Connection, and Responsibility, informed by whakatauki and stories of our manu taketake - our native birds, through the medium of contemporary waiata Māori.

Tour details, and lyric translations can be found at aromusic.co.nz

SOAKED OATS Announce Nationwide Tour "SAY HEY AND PLAY SOME NEW ONES"

Having recently finished the first wave of recording for their debut album, Soaked Oats are taking to the road this October for a string of shows up and down the country. The 'Say Hey and Play Some New Ones' tour will see them greeting faces throughout Aotearoa and trying out some new material for the first time.

The band will be supported and joined on stage by DJ and friend 'Hot in the City' + a few surprise support acts.

OCT 8th - Thursday -  DIVE, DUNEDIN

OCT 9th - Friday - BLUE SMOKE, CHRISTCHURCH

OCT 10th - Saturday - YONDER, QUEENSTOWN

OCT 14th - Wednesday - THE PLANT, BLENHEIM

OCT 16th - Friday - LUCKY BAR, WHANGANUI

OCT 17th - Saturday - HAWKES BAY ARTS FESTIVAL, NAPIER*

OCT 23rd - Friday - TUNING FORK, AUCKLAND**

OCT 24th - Saturday - LONGLINE CLASSIC FESTIVAL, GISBORNE***

OCT 25th - Sunday - LEIGH SAWMILL, LEIGH

NOV 28th - Saturday - SAN FRAN, WELLINGTON

Tickets on sale from undertheradar 
*Napier Tickets available from September 1 - http://www.hbaf.co.nz/
**Auckland Tickets available from Moshtix
***Gisborne Tickets available from Ticket Fairy

Soaked Oats are a young four-piece band that percolated into existence in Dunedin, New Zealand in 2017. Catapulted by their infectious and joyful shows and fast-evolving song-writing chops, the band’s profile and fanbase are on a steep rise. 

The indie sludge-pop group have become known for endearing live performances, music that has given the band access to tours throughout the UK and America. 2019 saw the release of their most accomplished work to date, the Sludge Pop EP. The band’s single ‘Coming Up’ was discovered by indie-rock icon Sharon Van Etten who shared to her 90 thousand plus fans and lead to sell-out shows across Australasia. 

“Soaked Oats rather neatly push the parameters of pop-rock into interesting corners which gently have reference points in alt.country, post-New Wave atmospherics and moody dream-pop.” - Elsewhere

“A healthy dose of familiar southern jangle, a wry sense of humour and a bold rhythm section.” - NZ Herald 

“There’s something infectious about their sound; it’s happy, it’s relaxed and a little bit cheeky.” - Pilerats

AUDIENCE SONG helps emerging songwriters connect with their audience and tell uplifting stories during COVID-19

Eight songwriters from around Aotearoa are taking part in a new collaborative online creative project turning our countries personal stories into songs.

Song Conversations Co-Founder, Kiri Eriwata, says AUDIENCE SONG supports newly established songwriters to connect and grow their audience despite the uncertainty communities across the country are facing.

“Due to COVID restrictions, the live music scene has had to rapidly adapt, with more musicians connecting online with their audience. This is an online project designed to nurture each songwriter’s individual journey through online collaboration, peer support and professional marketing assistance,” she says.

Each songwriter brings different interests and life experiences, ensuring a range of audiences and communities can connect with them and have their stories told.

The eight songwriters include:
● Grace Duncan, Alt-folk songwriter based in Paraparaumu/Kapiti
● Isla, Indie songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Callum Lee, Eclectic nostalgic songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Eli Moore, Indie jazz songwriter based in Kaitaia
● Odds & Ends, Upbeat indie pop rock band based in Tāmaki Makaurau
● Steve Tofa, Blues songwriter based in Kirikiriroa
● Em Joy, Folk songwriter based in Ōtautahi
● Brayden & Leea, versatile duo bridging styles from pop rock to Musical Theatre based in Tāmaki Makaurau)

“By the end of this project, each songwriter will have grown their online audience and gained a sense of belonging within a supportive songwriting collective,” Eriwata says.

People are now invited to submit their stories via www.songconversations.com/audience-songEight stories will be selected and the songwriters will then have three weeks to write and record their song before a web-showcase on Wednesday 30 September. 

For more information visit www.songconversations.com

Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) announces the annual Going Global Music Summit will not be going ahead this year

Upon the return of COVID-19 and alert level 3 restrictions for Tāmaki Makaurau, IMNZ and the NZ Music Commission have made the decision to cancel this year's Going Global Music Summit, originally to take place in September. 

Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) General Manager, Dylan Pellett says "Sorry to say, IMNZ and the NZ Music Commission have decided to cancel this year’s in-person edition of Going Global 2020. It might not come as much of a surprise given the current circumstances unfolding here in Auckland and we are all looking forward to brighter days ahead. There are no current plans to offer the conference in any other capacity until 2021. We’d like to acknowledge Roundhead Studios and our suppliers for being so understanding, and to thank the speakers for their time in developing their panel discussions to date."

Full refunds for ticketholders are currently being processed.
See you in 2021! Kia kaha.

DEVA MAHAL 'STAND IN'

The wisdom of Mahal’s Mother graces this beautiful track - a lesson for us all in replacing fear with love.

Out today 28 August, “Stand In” is heavily rooted in Mahal’s upbringing between Hawaii and New Zealand, as well as her Afro-Caribbean heritage and background in American Folk Music. This gentle track with its powerful message was co-produced by Marika Hodgson (Troy Kingi, Kora, Alae, Hollie Smith) who describes Mahal as ‘one of the most amazing performers in the world’. Hodgson enhances Deva's raw emotion, words and performance while delivering the song's powerful message of self love.

Mahal was born with blues in her blood. She shares, “I come from a long line of storytellers and musical conjurers”. Mahal’s vision of becoming an artist was solidified here in Aotearoa performing alongside Fat Freddy’s Drop, Rhombus, Sola Rosa, The Little Bushman, Ladi6, Lisa Tomlins, Hollie Smith, Anika Moa and Olmecha Supreme. 

Mahal's CV on an International stage is impressive, with a solo show at Carnegie Hall, performing on Later with Jools Holland, and at the Hollywood Bowl, North Sea Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival and Byron Bay Blues Festival. She's also performed alongside; The Roots, Ceelo Green, Bjork, Etta James, Ledisi, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, TV on the Radio, Bilal, Living Color, Tedeschi Trucks, Mavis Staples, Meshell Deogeocello and Lizz Wright. 

Mahal returned to Aotearoa from the States early 2020 on the back of a successful release of her debut studio record Run Deep. She was however struck with devastating medical news which challenged her identity as a woman. Then the pandemic hit which led to her rediscovering her Aotearoa roots and reimagining her future. What emerged was a time of deep healing emotionally and physically and the inspiration to write “Stand In”. This song is an important work because the message is an empowering one that many people can connect with.

In Mahal’s words, “They say that art should reflect the times. “Stand In” comes at a time of increased awareness of the problem of systemic racism and inequality. I am often moved to tears unable to remember a time in my life where race and inequality have been more at the forefront of every news station, social media outlet, blog, television shows etc. In my life, I’ve never known what it feels like to not be aware of my skin colour.” 

Mahal shows up for herself and inspires us to join her, in being nobody’s  “Stand In”. Watch her video here. Courtesy of NZ On Air, directed by Petra Cibilich.

Alongside this release of Stand In, we are delighted to announce two live shows:29 October at The Tuning Fork 30 October at The SawmillGo here for tickets.

Alien Weaponry Announce New Bass Player

New Zealand power trio Alien Weaponry have announced the departure of bass player Ethan Trembath and the arrival of “good mate” Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds as his replacement in the lineup. The announcement was made on the band’s social media this morning with a video by all four band members (outgoing and incoming) giving the news to fans and introducing “the new guy.”

“Not everyone is going to like it ... and there is no easy way to say it ... We love you guys and we REALLY love this guy ... and ultimately we have to respect what's best for him ... in our metal family FOREVER!!! ... a new chapter begins \m/\m/” they wrote on the Facebook post accompanying the video.

Ethan: “This is a decision that I’ve been considering for quite a long time. I have really struggled with touring and being away from home so much, and I know that it’s only going to get more intense as the band grows, so I’ve decided to focus my energies on getting work in a recording studio or the production side of things, as that’s what I’ve enjoyed most during my time with Alien Weaponry. It’s been an awesome experience, and I know we’ll always remain good friends. And I really want to thank our fans all over the world for their amazing support, which has been truly humbling.” 

The band has been riding high in the global metal scene, having played the main stages at a number of the biggest metal festivals in Europe and America in 2018 and 2019. “A world tour that took in 21 countries and spanned seven months was pretty punishing” says singer/guitarist Lewis de Jong. “We played to literally hundreds of thousands of fans, meeting many of them in person and sharing the stage with some of our all time favorite bands like Lamb of God, Gojira and Slayer.” 

Lewis continues “Ethan is one of the OG crew and we are really going to miss his massive presence. But we get it, we have to respect his wish to spend more time with family and have a home life. The thing is, he lives just up the road so it’s not really goodbye. We fully expect to see a lot of Ethan on our visits back home to Waipu, New Zealand.”

Henry: “Tūranga was in my class in school and we had some mean times together playing music. We ran auditions with 10 different bass players and in the end it came back to our home boy from Bream Bay College, We are stoked to have him with us as we gear up for the next phase in our journey. Ethan has been a beast helping with the audition process and fully getting into choosing his replacement. We love him like a brother and he will always be part of the AW family.”

Tūranga: “I know Henry and Lewis from high school and Ethan is a good mate too. He has been so engaged and supportive during the handover and I feel privileged to be picking things up where he left off. Ethan is one of metal's most energetic and charismatic bass players and I know he will be a hard act to follow.”

Tūranga states in the video that he grew up in the neighbouring town of Ruakaka and is of Māori descent, with Ngati Rarua, Ngati Wai and Ngati Hine tribal affiliations.

The band are currently working on their second album in which Ethan has played a big part. Newcomer Tūranga will also feature on the album, adding his voice to some of the background vocal parts. The band have been tracking vocals ready for mixing and mastering by Hammerhead in their studio in Waipu New Zealand.

“It's been a godsend having our own studio now, especially with what has been going on with Covid-19. It’s meant we have been able to focus and get on with things without the need to travel,” says album producer Hammerhead. “And being able to work with Tūranga and Ethan here at the same time has been pretty special for us all.”

Covid-19 saw the cancellation of this year's European/UK tour for Alien Weaponry but the band will be touring New Zealand later this year. 

“NZ, we are coming for you for sure,” says Lewis..”The album is going to be massive and we hope 2021 sees a return to the world stage in whatever form it has to take to make it work. We can't wait to get back out amongst it and rip shit up.”

The band will be holding a live video Q&A with all four of them at 8.30am Sunday 23 August (Auckland, NZ time) to discuss Ethan’s departure and talk face to face with fans.

Check their Facebook or Patreon for details of the live Q&A