ALAE LAUNCH LUCY’S MIXTAPE WITH NEW SINGLE, PLEASE

Kiwi indie pop quartet Alae issue the sultry new slow jam Please, their fourth official single and one of 7 tracks to be included on Lucy’s Mix Tape. A brand new video, shot in the sumptuous surrounds of Auckland’s iconic theatre, The Civic, also releases today. 

Please shows yet another musical side to Alae, who have infused their latest collection of singles with a heady blend of pop, served with a side order groove. Please places full focus on Alex Farrell-Davey’s vocals, which are underpinned by Marika Hodgeson on bass, Allister Davey on Keys and Jayden Lee on Drums. Alex explains what drove the lyrics; “Please is about looking at your life, or current situation and putting things into perspective. Figuring out what you want and what YOU are willing to do to make that your reality.” 

Joining Please on the new mixtape are the radio hits Hit Me Where It Hurts, Summer Thing and Lucy, alongside fresh new reworks and collaborations with vocalist Nate Dousand with a hot acappella take on Lucy, and neo-soul songstress, Bailey Wiley lends golden voice to her own version of Please. Bailey says: “In my eyes, Alae as a band are a divine fusion of musical goodness, so when I got the call to create a version of their song 'Please,' I jumped at the opportunity. The song itself really did all the hard work. I simply just sang my own version while consciously trying to stay true to the original. Accompanied by Alae's bass player Marika, it felt like a match made in heaven.” 

Lucy’s Mixtape captures Alae as a band on the rise, and brilliantly showcases the relationship with Canadian producer Justin Gray, who’s work began with the band in 2019 after meeting at an APRA AMCOS Songhubs writing session. Says Alex of the compilation; ““I can’t wait to get the mix tape out for everyone to hear, this has been a year in the making and is something the band are really proud of.” 

To celebrate the Lucy’s Mixtape release, Alae are delivering some very special live shows at Auckland’s Tuning Fork on Saturday 19 September, and Wellington’s Meow on Saturday 10 October. Tickets available now through Live Nation. 

While it’s been a challenging year for musicians and artists in the wake of Covid-19, Alae have continued to make their mark. The band have issued a second remix of Hit Me Where It Hurts with local hip-hop hero Kings, and unleashed the radio smash hit Summer Thing in NZ, Australia and the US. 

Following single Lucy, accompanied by an eye popping video to match, has been reworked by Nate Dousand, who has created a special acapella version of the tune for Lucy’s Mix Tape and performs it alongside AJ and Harry Pualau from Brotherhood Musiq. Nate explains: “I’ve always enjoyed working in groups and creating music, sometimes without instruments. Marika reached out to me about the possibility of making an acapella version of ALAE’s Lucy. As we were in the lockdown period, I had all the time in the world to make something out of it. I absolutely love this jam. First time I heard it I knew it was gonna go off!!! And now that there’s an acapella version of it, it just gives it that extra push to acapella music lovers.” 

Expect another single from Alae, plus more summer gigs to be announced soon. 

Lucy’s Mixtape is available now through all digital streaming platforms. 

WASTE FREE WANDA HITS WAITAKI SCHOOLS

Waste Free Wanda is at it again, with the 2nd leg of her 3-leg tour.

With 11 schools expecting visits, the tour has been an exciting challenge to pull together in the midst of alert-levels and heightened awareness around covid-19.

With her ghetto blaster in tow, the tour will see Waste Free Wanda, aka Anna van Riel, deliver her 1980's inspired environmental rock opera to students in year 1-8, inviting young viewers to become an interactive part of the show.

The self-title album was launched on Spotify and all major listening platforms last month during the international event Plastic Free July, with the hope of creatively encouraging listeners to become superheroes in their own backyards.

Lake Hāwea-based Anna aims to deliver her show nationwide and support Aotearoa in becoming a single-use plastic free nation.

The tour sits under the banner of non-profit organisation Plastic Free Wānaka, with funding support from the Otago Regional Council and the Otago Community Trust

For more details on Waste Free Wanda, or to enquire about performances head to www.wastefreewanda.com

THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION Friend Ship tour of Aotearoa

On the band's first nationwide tour in 5 years, they will perform 8 dates across Aotearoa this November. Celebrating the expansive new album Friend Ship ; a post-apocalyptic love letter from the future to the present and the soundtrack to the swirling oblivion that is 2020.

Fri. Nov 6 - St Peter's Hall, Paekākāriki
Thurs. Nov 12 - Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
Fri. Nov 13 - Starters, Dunedin
Thurs. Nov 19 - Totara St, Mount Maunganui
Fri. Nov 20 - Sawmill Cafe, Leigh
Sat. Nov 21 - Powerstation, Auckland
Fri. Nov 27 - The Cabana, Napier
Sat. Nov 28 - The Opera House, Wellington

Tickets from Banished Music tickets on sale 9am Friday 14th of August
Friend Ship - Album out Oct 16, 2020

The Phoenix Foundation have lived many lives. From high school distortion addicts to indie folk trippers to masters of motorik dream pop. It’s been five years since GUYD but that down time has been spent writing, recording, touring with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, creating the acclaimed soundtrack for
Hunt For The Wilderpeople, building shrines to light, creating scores for VR, producing other bands, baking sourdough. Slowly, when they could, the six old friends found time to work together in studios, garages, forests, and sheds around New Zealand to put together the concise ten song set of that is Friend Ship. Featuring Nadia Reid, Hollie Fullbrook (Tiny Ruins) and Anita Clark (Motte) their 7th album is both a classic collection of Phoenixy songs and a new palette of sounds and characters.

Both Lukasz and Samuel’s songs delve into the dissatisfied confusion of contemporary content dominated life (a working title was The Age Of Anxiety). The album also features the full glory of the NZSO, a Polish choir, disco pop about archaic forms of communication and the true origin story of the band; Lukasz’s tale of moving to NZ from communist Poland and how hard that was until the arrival of cherry red strat in his life.

Friend Ship stands for the power of friends and communities to carry us through life, for better or worse. After 20 years the band has had its internal ups and downs but in this rather brutal time in history it’s our genuine friendships that can move us through to a potentially brighter, more equal, less pandemicy future. “I will answer when you call me on the Landline.”

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SILVER SCROLLS 2020 - TOP FIVE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

These remarkable songs were chosen as finalists for the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Award by New Zealand APRA members. The award recognises excellence in songwriting and has been presented for 55 years.

• 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 Kobalt Music Publishing obo Blue Raincoat Songs) 

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

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

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

Reb Fountain’s sultry, singular voice has been intertwined in the Aotearoa music scene for many years, but the release of her third, self-titled album that hit the top 3 spot on the album charts earlier this year, has cast a wide alt-folk spell and seen her connect with a whole new audience both locally and internationally. Don’t You Know Who I Am is a swirling, smoky, heart-stopping ballad, providing an intimate yet bold exploration of identity, calling on the listener to “dig deep, wake up, open your eyes and beat your own drum” as Fountain explains.
 
Previously a top 5 finalist in 2017 for her song Richard, Nadia Reid returns this year with Get The Devil Out. From her recently released third album Out Of My Province, which garnered serious international acclaim, Get The Devil Out is a thoughtful reflection on reconciling past and present selves – “making friends with who I used to be’ she sings. Capturing a quiet but powerful feeling of open space, it starts gently, but builds intensity as Reid’s alluring, wise voice imparts the mantra – “they will never take it from me”.
 
It was only last year that Stella Bennett (Benee) along with co-writers Djeisan Suskov and Josh Fountain, took out a top five spot with Soaked.  Now they’ve rolled right back in with Glitter, from her 2019 international hit EP Fire on Marzz. An easy-going pop-ode to the people you still want to party with after everyone else has left, it’s an aural evocation of slow turning glitter balls throwing multi-coloured circles of light around a room. Pairing Bennett’s wonderfully mischievous yet husky voice with the sunny, confident sound of Fountain and Suskov’s production, it highlights a seductive rhythmic playfulness that also manages to create a mellow post-party vibe.
 
Back in March L.A.B became the first local independent act to have a song hit #1 in NZ since 2012. A laid-back reggae and blues groove, In The Air showcases L.A.B’s talent for a catchy melody, and spent three weeks in that top chart spot. Combining vocalist Joel Shadbolt’s remarkable crooner skills with guest vocalist Lisa Tomlins, the song manages to be both a slow-burning nostalgic love song, and an old school dance floor spinner that also owes its success to the tight instrumental interplay between Brad Kora (drums), Stu Kora (guitar, keys), Ara Adams-Tamatea (bass), and Miharo Gregory (keys).
 
In 2018, Troy Kingi was a finalist for his song Aztechknowledgey, and this year he is once again in the top five for his compelling track Mighty Invader. From his 2019 reggae album Holy Colony Burning Acres, it’s an incredible, clear-eyed work exploring the painful legacy of colonization. It provides a visceral picture of Captain Cook’s arrival in the pacific, and the muddy oppression of indigenous people that followed, woven into Kingi’s smooth vocals, Marika Hodgson’s wonderfully melodic basslines, and rousing horns from Guy Harrison.
 
You can read about the history of the APRA Silver Scroll Award here.

The other awards presented on the night are:
 

• APRA Maioha Award, celebrating exceptional waiata featuring te reo Māori

• SOUNZ Contemporary Award - Te Tohu Auaha, celebrating excellence in contemporary composition

• APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award

• APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award
  
  

All awards will be presented on Wednesday 14th October.
 
The awards are proudly supported by NZ On Air.

LEE MARTIN’S NEW 360 VR MUSIC VIDEO #FALLINGDOWN

Singer/songwriter, Lee Martin, announces the upcoming 360-degree music video release of her new single titled “Falling Down”

Lee Martin is a Christchurch based singer/songwriter who has been impacting the music scene with her thought-provoking lyrics and storytelling writing style. Martin is an old soul with versatility in her song-writing which allows her to cross genres as she glides easily between folk, rock, blues, and country, all the while maintaining her unique sound.

Her new single, “Falling Down” has been turned into a one of a kind 360° VR music video that allows the viewer to choose which part of the video they wish to view at any given moment.

What makes it even more interesting is that there are multiple different “Lee Martins” in the video at the same time doing different things. 

Sounds interesting, and it is! This is one of the most technologically advanced music videos in New Zealand and the first of its kind. Tematara Smith and Jamie Crerar are the masterminds behind the video: 

“We have been pushing the boundaries of existing 360 video and post-production technology by compositing over 10 simultaneous 8K layers into a single scene. This has allowed the viewer to create their own experience by choosing what they focus on throughout a traditional narrative and ultimately decide what it means to them.”

“Falling down” is one of those songs with a strong lyrical focus. “This is one of my favourite songs and it is about the tendency of people these days preferring an online ‘ideal’ presence as opposed to making real physical connections. So much of our self-worth is based on something that isn’t real. I worry that we don’t notice the hurt in others as everyone is so self-consumed and occupied with their own image and phones. My favourite lyric in the song sums it up ‘I stared at a woman on a subway train, she was crying black tears and her make-up stained. Kids getting off at the next bus stop, they’re all looking down, they never look up’.

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

Instagram: @leemartinmusician

Website: www.leemartinmusician.com

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REIKI 'MILLER'

Raglan’s solo artist, Reiki has released his debut single, summer surf anthem, ‘Miller’.

LISTEN HERE

The lifestyle of the sleepy surf town of Raglan is reflected in the music of Reiki Ruawai, (also the lead singer of Masaya) bringing his free-flowing style of surf and skate to his sound.

To complement the enjoyable simplicity of the song, a clever, zero budget, one camera video was shot at a local Raglan cafe.

With soulful lyrics, a voice that soars, the track flows perfectly over bass, drums creating a song that is pure vibes.

The theme at the forefront of the song is a sense of relaxation, or as Reiki puts it “It’s a fresh, new style of harmonising that soothes a stress head.”

Written and produced during lockdown with the help of Reiki’s dad, Brian Ruawai (Cornerstone Roots), it captures the feeling of wanting to get outside, enjoy the sun and all the moment’s summer has to offer.

“Miller is about how the summer days are over and we go into our dull winter moments but can’t wait until the summer is back around.”

Originally set to be an acoustic ballad, the idea was completely scrapped and kick and bass were added instead. Combined with a new generation of R&B and bass, this is a sound that is the essence of Raglan.

With a lot to come from this Raglan artist, there is clearly something in the water.

LISA CRAWLEY RELEASES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘CLEAR HISTORY’

‘Clear History’ is the latest single from New Zealand born, Los Angeles based indie-pop songwriter Lisa Crawley.

Always an enthusiast for 90’s music, video games, synthesisers and retro cyberculture, Crawley has delivered her catchy new single ‘Clear History’ - an indie-pop gem about ‘pushing ctrl-alt-delete’ on past heartache and memories and making room for new beginnings.   

This is the latest single and video by one of New Zealand’s best melodic pop-writing expats. After spending five years writing and performing in Melbourne, a residency at the prestigious Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the starring role in the critically acclaimed theatre production of ONCE: The Musical in 2019, Crawley relocated to Los Angeles in 2020, two months prior to lockdown which continues on in Los Angeles.

‘Clear History’ is written and produced with Grammy nominated producer and frequent collaborator and Rob Kleiner in Los Angeles, who produced Lisa’s APRA Silver Scrolls finalist track ‘Best Thing In The Room’, ABC Stumptown’s ‘Tragedy Boy’ and recent single ‘Show You What Love Is’. 

The music video is heavily inspired by computer nostalgia, arcade sticker photo booths, Iris the cat (who has a higher screen time average than Lisa), and was created entirely by Lisa on her phone during week twenty two of lockdown.

Watch ‘Clear History’ here

Stream/Download ‘Clear History’ here

'Lisa Crawley’s mastered her own musical destiny from day dot.' – Huffington Post

‘A breath of fresh air, it’s no wonder Crawley has become one of the country’s most respected ladies in the game.’ – The AU Review

‘The positivity and creativity Crawley displayed throughout the pandemic certainly seems reflective of her journey as a musician – always imaginative, always open-minded and always a survivor.’ - AudioCulture

GEORGIA LINES DELIVERS NEW VIDEO FOR 'NEVER HAD LOVE'

Georgia Lines joins forces with director, photographer and creative director Cam Neate to produce a visual feast for the 70’s inspired, Made For Loving, a stand out track from Georgia’s self-tited debut EP. 

Shot on Super-8 film to capture the nostalgic feel of the single, Made For Loving is Georgia’s third visual partnership with Cam, who has previously directed the videos for Georgia’s debut single, Vacant Cities, plus follow up single, Never Had Love. Georgia elaborates on the video; 

“The concept is super simple and actually less about a storyline, but it really delivers an abstract yet romantic feel, particularly through the use of Super 8 film. It leans into some classic romantic symbolism, which was styled by a good friend of mine, Lizzie Turner. As a video, it couples perfectly with Made For Loving, the song I wrote as a reaction to getting engaged. I am so thrilled that this track has found its visual match, it’s a very special song to me.” 

Written and recorded in the space of two days in Houston, Texas with Abel Orta Jr (while collaborating via FaceTime with musical cohort Josh Turner, who is based in Mount Maunganui), Made For Loving is Georgia’s testament to trusting her gut, throwing caution to the wind and taking the plunge into unknown territory. With limited studio time left during the last days of the EP record, and a split decision to seize the moment and create something new, that pressure has produced a disco-inspired diamond which shows yet another dimension to Georgia’s singing and songwriting ability. 

Born and raised in Mount Maunganui, Georgia Lines’ musical story began with a Rockquest win in 2014. In the last year since the release of debut single, Vacant Cities, Georgia has appeared in over 10 major playlists across the globe, rolled out a single distribution deal in the UK and has amassed well over 1 million Spotify streams and climbing for her debut EP release. 

Expect to see Georgia’s levelled-up songwriting confidence and willingness to take risks underpin her next colleciton of tracks, which are currently incubating for a 2021 release, thanks to a NZ On Air project funding grant. 

Made For Loving, and Georgia Lines’ self-titled debut EP is available now through all streaming platforms.