ELI MOORE 'HOME SKILLET'

Eli Moore went from international cruising musician to bedroom producer this year, recording, producing and mixing ‘home skillet’ in his bedroom up in fair Northland.

With complex lyrics and jazzy changes simmering over crispy beats, the record symbolizes a shift for Eli. “I still love what I did with Ship Life [his 2017 debut release] but with some twenty other people involved on that one, and writing arrangements for everybody, that way is a lot of stress and even more money. I just figured for this one, I’d do it all myself”.

Inspired by a scene in the film ‘Baby Driver’, Eli jumped into sampling himself, taking the old advice to 'put her in a song' literally, on lead single “The Thought”. Following that, there’s the parody rap of "CATHOLIC PLAYAH" and the throwback RnB flavors of "Babe, You Should Be With Me" and "Simple Love”. Ending with an intimate bit of bedroom pop, "Tîi Rák" goes out to his foreign sweetie.

Pushing that commitment to DIY even further, Eli drew up a storyboard and sent it to a friend, Kenzie Alan. Both in love with 90s cartoons, ‘The Thought’ became a canvas for anime-inspired storytelling. “Kenzie handled the whole project by himself over the last two months, which is ridiculous - nobody does that! And it was just two guys geeking out, sharing stuff over Google Drive until we found the thing we wanted it to be. COVID sucks…but I just don’t think we would have dug this deep, creatively, without being stuck in one place.”

‘home skillet’ is available across all digital platforms

ASHY reaches new heights with her track ‘D.N.L. (DON’T NEED LOVE)’

Following her successful ‘EGO’ release ASHY has been sought after as an exciting new pop artist. She was interviewed for Apple Music’s platform as their ‘New Artist of the Week’ and has just been announced on the line up for one of NZ’s major summer music festivals, Electric Avenue in 2021.

ASHY explores another twist on her pop sound with ‘D.N.L. (Don’t Need Love)’. Calling back to her roots, this single showcases her songwriting talents and gives another dimension to her sound. 

BUY OR STREAM D.N.L. HERE

Co written & produced with Sydney-based producer Liam Quinn (Ruel, Guy Sebastain, BOI) with Universal Music, the creation of this song holds an interesting story. “I was on a writing trip in Sydney and this was my last day. We had spent all morning trying to come up with something and nothing seemed to click. I was getting the feeling that maybe we wouldn’t come up with anything until Liam pulled out the guitar. The song was written within an hour, it came so naturally and I think it’s because I always used to write with a guitar.” - ASHY

D.N.L. is about a girl that decides she wants to leave her relationship. The smooth electric guitar, sweet melodies & enchanting vocal delivery give this song a sense of hope and relief. 

ASHY has worked with top producers like Josh Fountain (BENEE) and released singles that have earned her over 1.9 million streams & views across all platforms. ‘Pretty Lies’ raked over 340,000 streams on Spotify and her first 2020 single, ‘EGO’ gained significant attention across multiple platforms. Being featured on the Apple Music platform on ‘Today’s Top Hits’ & ‘A-List for Pop’ for multiple weeks, the music video with over 91,000 views on Youtube, 40,000 views on Tiktok and over 318,000 streams on Spotify. 

SOJØURN - 'HOW IT GROWS'

“How It Grows” is the latest release from the new look SOJØURN. Lead singer & songwriter Isaac Hunter showcases the band's new found connection to Indie Rock / Pop with this fresh new track. The song builds off an acoustic platform, with Hunter’s distinctive voice taking you on a wee journey of uplifting positivity . Add in a solid rhythm section, with layerings of silky lead guitar and backing vocal harmonies from James Finlay, the song peaks with a pop-driven synthesiser solo from keys player Elias Giles. This track has summer vibes written all over it. Pre-Save “How It Grows” here.

“How It Grows is about all that life has to give and take, and the forever changing circumstances that get in the way. It’s about our consciousness growing and expanding to learn new ideas, values and beliefs. Taking on new challenges and doing anything we want with our lives by letting things that are meant to be just be” (Isaac Hunter)

JEREMY REDMORE 'ONE AMONGST 1000'

Jeremy Redmore opens the door for young producers with his new collection of remixes out today.

Today Jeremy Redmore releases a remix bundle of one of the standout tracks from his sophomore album, The Brightest Flame - and it sees his voice taken to places it's never been before.

One Amongst 1000 lends itself perfectly to reinterpretation, its chorus hook screams for a throbbing kick drum underneath, and Redmore has chosen to highlight the talents of four young producers with this latest release.

The bundle is highlighted by up-and-coming New Zealand group Coldroom who have produced an electro anthem certain to bring a fresh sound to dancefloors while Joseph Snook (Toronto), Vanguard One (NZ) and Hahko (NZ) have shown immense creativity in creating moody new soundscapes for Redmore's vocals.

"There’s a big energy lift vocally that felt like it would be a great transition to build into an intense hard-hitting drop." - Coldroom (NZ)

"I wanted to musically reinterpret the raw emotion in his voice and run with it down the rabbit hole into a bass heavy gospel church." - Joseph Snook (Toronto)

"I tried to make it sound like a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk landscape-painting made by a schizophrenic on LSD, but also listenable." - Vanguard One (NZ)

This remix bundle continues a busy year of creative collaboration and releases for Redmore, this will be the seventh as part of his 'The Brightest Flame' project. 'One Amongst 1000 - Remixes' is available on all platforms today.

WELLINGTON INDIE-ROCK PROJECT VOODOO BLOO ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM

Indie-rock project Voodoo Bloo has taken the New Zealand music scene by storm with its unique blend of hard-hitting sounds, emotional songwriting and danceable distorted chaos. 
 
After dropping a string of singles, Voodoo Bloo is now upping the ante with the December 4 release of debut album JACOBUS, which has a strong focus on mental health. 

Ahead of the album release, the Wellington-based act will play two shows in support of LIfeline Aotearoa, whose mission is to reduce distress and save lives; with a focus on increasing awareness and understanding of suicide prevention in New Zealand. 
 
Voodoo Bloo will play Auckland’s Neck of the Woods on Saturday October 17 with Skinny Hobos and Animalhead; and at Wellington’s Meow on November 28 with Miss June and Curlys Jewels. Tickets available HERE
 
Created and fronted by Rory McDonald (who many will remember from his days as the frontman of the rock band Lucifer Gunne), Voodoo Bloo is influenced by the likes of Marilyn Manson and System of a Down, combined with the songwriting style of Car Seat Headrest and Neutral Milk Hotel.
 
“I started Voodoo Bloo as I wanted to start a new chapter in my musical career, whilst still using the knowledge I gained from my previous band, to try and make something really special to me,” says McDonald. 
 
To date Voodoo Bloo has two singles from the forthcoming album, including ‘MMA’ and ‘Her Name Is Human’. New single ‘Ha Ha Ok OK’ is set for release on November 20, followed by the album JACOBUS on December 4.
 
The album was recorded at PlasticGroove studio, mixed by Scott Seabright and mastered by Ryan Smith; with Greg Haver acting as the mix production advisor. Working on the upcoming album has helped McDonald process the loss of a close friend.
 
“Last July, a close friend of mine for many years, took his own life while I was away overseas. This was obviously a massive shock to myself and the people around me. But being isolated from my friends while in a different country led me to writing a lot of lyrics during one of the strangest and scariest points in my life. The writing of JACOBUS was a very cathartic process at a time when I didn’t have many people around me to talk to,” says McDonald.
 
“The first half [of the record] is about how I believe a lot of young people in this country (and even worldwide) get into these situations where they feel lost or that the world is against them. The second part, describing the grief and acceptance of the loss of a very dear friend, who I promised would not just become another statistic in a problem that doesn’t seem to be declining.”
 
McDonald hopes the album will be relatable to someone who may be struggling with mental health or who has experienced an event similar to what he has been through. 

LOVE IS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL -
CHARITY GIGS IN SUPPORT OF LIFELINE AOTEAROA

Skinny Hobos, Voodoo Bloo, Animalhead - 
Neck of the Woods, Auckland - Saturday October 17

Miss June, Voodoo Bloo, Curlys Jewels - 
Meow, Wellington - Saturday November 28

Tickets, in support of Lifeline Aotearoa, available HERE

TREE TREE 123 'TOGETHER WE CAN'

Together We Can is a Covid-Collaboration from Tree Tree 123 - a Kiwi kindie super group of seven kids musicians dotted throughout New Zealand.  

During lockdown, ideas flowed from Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Takaka and Christchurch. Lyrics and music ideas were shared in a Messenger group, then vocals were recorded from each artist’s home studios and expertly mixed by Levity Beet.

Some of their children “next generation kiwi kids musicians” joined in and recorded their sweet voices. There was a real feeling of togetherness and the song is an embodiment of the reason behind the song... bringing us together, bringing hope and reminding us personally as songwriters that “together we can make music”!

It is the artists' hope that this song brings energy and hope to families across the New Zealand and the world as we fight this virus together. As well as positive messages about togetherness, the song also gives suggestions of things we can do together during this time eg. gardening, telling stories, learn new things etc.

Together We Can is full of enthusiasm, optimism and friendship. May it be an anthem for this difficult time and bring a smile and a sense of togetherness across the globe.

THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION RELEASE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM FRIEND SHIP

INCLUDING HIT SINGLES
'DECISION DOLLARS', 'LANDLINE' & 'HOUNDS OF HELL'.

TICKETS FOR NOVEMBER NEW ZEALAND TOUR
ON SALE NOW

STREAM FRIEND SHIP HERE
+ WATCH VIDEO FOR 'DECISION DOLLARS' HERE

“multifaceted yet seamless pop-minded indie rock”
Uncut
 
"A fabulous meld of power-pop, electronica and US West Coast harmony” 
NME
 
"A dreamy soundscape that is both immersive and richly textured”
Earmilk

New Zealand's award-winning internationally acclaimed sextet, The Phoenix Foundation have just released their first album in five years with Friend Ship which features a slew of singles including 'Decision Dollars', 'Hounds of Hell' and 'Landline'. The new album features 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.

Earlier in the week they released a brilliant music video for 'Decision Dollars',  The video was directed, shot, and edited by Bryson Rooney and features Phoenix Foundation member Lukasz Buda playing a lonely, middle-aged man who finds joy in the uplifting chorus of a classic power ballad - WATCH HERE.

In the time since their last record in 2015, Give Up Your Dreams, the band have scored the music for Taika Waititi's award-winning film Hunt For The Wilderpeople – as well as contributing further tracks to Waititi's Boy, Eagle versus Shark and What We Do In the Shadows – written, recorded and toured with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, built shrines to light, created scores for VR and produced other bands. 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.

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.”

The role of collaboration is key to the record, not only because of the weight and character that each brings to their performance but because the album is rooted in friendship. The record is of course named after it. “The title refers to friendships not being these passive social interactions but ever-evolving living vessels which carry us through life,” says Scott. “After the mosque attacks in Christchurch, this was something I was thinking about a lot, that sense that in order to move forward as humans we actually need to actively support each other.” 

However, whilst the album is a beautiful and often tender one, sometimes rooted in immersive and dreamy ambient soundscapes, it’s also one that captures the strangeness of the modern world. “These themes of modern anxiety started to emerge in my songs,” says Scott. “The album is sort of a post-apocalyptic love letter from the future to the present. Looking back into the past for that sense of human connection we have lost in our screen-based existence."

Much like many things in the world of Phoenix Foundation, the new record is nuanced, multi-faceted, distinct and idiosyncratic. And it’s yet another album in their increasingly expansive cannon that exists on its own terms. “I don’t quite know how we pulled this record off,” says Scott. “But I love it. For songwriting, I’d place it alongside Buffalo and Pegasus but it also sounds nothing like those albums. It’s very much its own thing.”

Friend Ship is out now via The Phoenix Foundation/Universal NZ

FRIEND SHIP TRACKLIST

1. Guru
2. Miserable Meal (with the NZSO)
3. Hounds Of Hell (with Nadia Reid)
4. Decision Dollars (with Hollie Fullbrook)
5. Transit Of Venus (with the NZSO)
6. Tranquility (with Hollie Fullbrook)
7. Landline
8. Former Glory (with Anita Clark)
9. My Kitchen Rules
10. Trem Sketch

Phodiso releases Goat Curry a preview to his upcoming EP Act II

Goat Curry out today and a week before Phodiso will open Avantdale Bowling Club’s show at The Hollywood Avondale. A hard earned and well deserved nod from hip-hop legend Tom Scott.

Botswana-born, Auckland-based emcee, Phodiso is a multi disciplinary artist and multilingual emcee. He began learning Tswana percussion styles growing up in his Grandmother’s village in Eastern Botswana. Elements of his culture are always woven through his music, the bedrock for his narrations of the human experience.

Goat Curry is a homage to Phodiso’s home Botswana. A proud celebration of who he is and where he comes from. It was produced by Mueslibeats, RL Beats and Ledger Beat and features vocals by Diana Simumpande and Hillary Osei.  

Phodiso’s upcoming EP Act II is preceded by Act I which includes tracks Running Lines and Sô Rite which charted on Student Radio Network stations including 95bFM and Radio Control.

Phodiso takes influence from Motswako (a Southern Afrikan subgenre of hip-hop), various other styles of hip-hop, Afro jazz and poetry. He is heavily involved in steering the production alongside his production collaborators. “We (Tswana artists) act as a mirror, the key is having a curious mind. The world around us is vast, our job is to explore and present our findings. Reflecting back what already exists both within ourselves and the outer world. That may come through in the varying rhythms, styles and thought patterns. I hope for the journey to be as enjoyable for the listeners as it is for me.”

Listen to Goat Curry