Vince Harder and Abby Lee release debut duo single ‘Closer’

One thing 2020 has done is slow us down and for better or worse brought us closer. With lockdowns and uncertainty many creatives have harnessed this time to create and collaborate in new ways. Producer and songwriter, Vince Harder and his wife, singer songwriter Abby Lee have done just that with their debut single, 'Closer’.

“2020 has been a crazy year for us all, but for us as a couple we were faced with both personal and professional challenges. Writing music together has opened an opportunity to deal with these challenges on every level and has been a really fun and exciting process. We can’t wait to share what we have been up to!”

‘Closer’ tells the story of being in love and figuring out the boundaries of one’s relationship. Set to finger clicking rhythms, driving electronic beats and a catchy melody ‘I want you to hold me closer now…’ unleashes into a light-filled, freeing chorus that will have you dancing in your seat or at the least sliding across your car bumper! Created and recorded in their home studio which has seen many hit songs and collaborations in the past from P Money to Stan Walker, this track is set to be the next addiction for Pop and R&B lovers everywhere.

The music video, directed by Abe Mora and shot in a warehouse in the mighty Waikato, brings a whole lot of dance moves, so get ready Tiktokers.

Closer is out now on all platforms today.

SoundCheck Aotearoa - developing a safe and inclusive culture in the music community.

Today organisations from across the Aotearoa music community are announcing the creation of a new action group SoundCheck Aotearoa with the aim of developing and growing our industry through a safe and inclusive culture in the music community. 

We acknowledge that action is needed to address inequitable representation, challenge systemic discrimination, and advance impactful change across the music industry, and we are committed to working together to achieve this.

In recognition of Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa and as partners of Te Tiriti o Waitangi we are working with Māori industry leaders to address these issues together along with the unique challenges facing Māori within the industry. 

SoundCheck Aotearoa has been formed by Recorded Music NZ, APRA AMCOS NZ, NZ Music Commission, Music Managers Forum NZ and Independent Music NZ in collaboration with Te Māngai Pāho, Māori Music Industry Coalition, NZ On Air, SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music and NZ Promoters Association.  We have also reached out to organisations that share our aspiration: Pacific Music Awards Trust, Te Vākai Collective, Music Producers Guild of NZ and MusicHelps, and we are inviting others to join us as our work progresses.

Our aspiration | Tō Mātou Wawata

We want all people in the Aotearoa music community to benefit from:

·        fair representation:  equitable opportunities, treatment and representation for all people regardless of their attributes including gender, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability (including illness), regional status, paternity/maternity and marital status

·        an inclusive culture, with practices and behaviours to ensure that individuals feel respected, included and heard

·        an environment where they are safe from discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and violence

·        access to advocacy on behalf of their specific needs and challenges

Our commitment | Tō Mātou Takohanga

We have created SoundCheck Aotearoa to work towards meaningful positive change both within our organisations and across the industry. 

The group will consult openly with the artists and organisations that we represent and the wider music community including proactively and specifically seeking participation from and interaction with minority groups and voices.  We want to hear from our music community - from artists and songwriters to sound engineers and crew, from educators and administrators to studio and venue workers, and everyone in between – about their experiences.

It is vital that the many cultures and diverse groups in our community have a voice in these conversations to help us identify priorities for action through the consultation, gathering data and undertaking research.  

Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it will take some time to reach out across our community, listen to everyone’s views, develop a collective strategy, and find the resources and funding we need to implement it. 

We are currently forming our Steering Committee and Leadership Group and will have more to say on that soon. 

Safety in workplaces | Te Noho Haumaru I ngā Wāhi Mahi

All of our people must be safe at work, whether in a recording studio, at a venue or in an office.  Our first project is an initiative to help prevent sexual harm in our music community, and to provide support for those who have experienced it. 

We have appointed a specialist in the area of sexual harm prevention, Rachel Harrison, to guide and support us, and key staff from our organisations have undertaken initial training.  We hope to roll out a training programme more widely, provide shared resources and consult across our community to develop a code of conduct.  We will update you on this work soon.  In the meantime, if you need to talk to someone please refer to the phone numbers listed below.

SoundCheck Aotearoa will make further announcements about how those in our community can participate in consultation and advisory processes in the new year. 

In the meantime, for anyone interested in our work, or for media enquiries please contact: info@soundcheckaotearoa.co.nz | www.soundcheckaotearoa.co.nz

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP OR INFORMATION ABOUT SEXUAL HARM:

Music Helps Wellbeing Service: Call 0508 MUSICHELPS

Safe To Talk:  Call 0800 044 334 | Text 4334 | Email support@safetotalk.nz 

HELP: Call 24/7 (Auckland) 0800 623 1700, (Wellington) 04 801 6655

Rape Crisis: Call 0800 88 33 00

Aviva: Canterbury Sexual Violence Crisis Service - Call 0800 284 82669

Tu Wahine: Kaupapa Māori Sexual Violence Crisis Service – Call 09 838 8700   

Korowai Tumanako: Kaupapa Māori Survivor and Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service – Email: korowai@korowaitumanako.org  

Te Puna Oranga: Kaupapa Māori Sexual Violence Crisis Service – Call 0800 222 042 | Email: info@tepunaoranga.co.nz    

Male Survivors Aotearoa: Support for the well-being of male survivors of sexual abuse  

Shama:  National Sexual Harm Support Service for ethinic communities – Call (07) 843 3810 | Text 022 135 9545 

Human Rights Commission: Call 0800 496 877

Employment Relations Authority: Call 0800 209020

NZ Police: Call 105

MINI – TANGERINE DAYS EP

TANGERINE DAYS is the debut EP from Christchurch artist mini. Sonically described as “chill with a hint of indie pop”, the writing reflects on mini’s experiences at high school, with social media and of the last year as a whole.

Of the title track, mini says “It’s about wanting to go back to a time when things were better. I was just in my room thinking about how terrible and strange 2020 has been, and it all came out. To me, Tangerine Days means brighter days.”

The EP was recorded in Christchurch under the guidance of Sarena Close (Mousey), who encouraged her to start writing, and is being released through Winegum Records.

TANGERINE DAYS is available now to stream on Spotify and Apple Music, or to purchase on iTunes. Follow her on Instagram to keep up with her following the release.

LOMEZ BROWN 'READY'

FeJoint Productions are excited to release a new reggae single “Ready”, featuring new artist, Folau and NZ artist, Lomez Brown (LBM), which will be available on all digital platforms on Friday 20th NOV 2020 (NZT). 

LBM and FeJoint Productions have a history of works together prior to this release collaborating on songs such as – ‘aint what i'm looking for’ and ‘can you be mine’. 

However, the new release “Ready” is the first single Lomez Brown features as an official FeJoint artist, signed under the label FeJoint Productions. 

“Ready” is an original tune inspired by old school soul music greats like Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Bitty McClean. “We really tried to blend in some nostalgic elements to this song. I think it’s a helpful way of creating music that can be loved for years and years to come” – Lomez Brown. The song is romantic. With harmonies that melt the soul and a smooth groove to keep you moving.  

You already know what to expect from Lomez, and your ears will be refreshed by young talented artist Folau. “Ready” is another beautiful piece of music by the FeJoint family. A must have for the summer time playlist.

BENEE and The Beths win big at the Aotearoa Music Awards

BENEE claims the most Tui awards in back-to-back years

For the second year running, Kiwi pop juggernaut BENEE has taken home four Tui at the Aotearoa Music Awards at Spark Arena, Auckland tonight.

After making a huge splash last year, the singer songwriter has been recognised as one of New Zealand’s fastest rising stars, taking out Te Waiata Tōtahi o te Tau | Single of the Year for her smash hit ‘Superlonely’.

She also won Te Kaipuoro Takitahi Toa | Best Solo Artist and Te Kaipuoro Arotini Toa | Best Pop Artist and was recognised with the International Achievement award for her global accomplishments over the last year.

Following the release of their second album Jump Rope Gazers earlier this year, Auckland indie pop band The Beths won three Tui at the awards this evening, including the coveted Te Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year. The group also won both Te Roopu Toa | Best Group and Te Kaipuoro Manohi Toa | Best Alternative Artist for the second year running.

Viral sensation and international acclaimed artist Jawsh 685 has had an incredible year, with his track ‘Laxed – Siren Beat’ topping charts globally. He is the first Pasifika person and the third New Zealand person ever to top the UK Singles Chart.

Jawsh 685 won Spotify Te Kaituhura Puoro Toa o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year and was the second recipient of an International Achievement award.

The supergroup collective of Rob Ruha, Ria Hall, Troy Kingi, Bella Kalolo, Majic Paora, Kaaterama Pou, the East Coast Tira Waiata sensation Ka Hao, and The Witch Doctor & Friends Mōhau were recognised with two Tui at the Aotearoa Music Awards - Te Kaipuoro Kairangi Toa | Best Worship Artist and Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo Tui.

Summer circuit favourites L.A.B won Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa | Best Roots Artist as well as the 2020 People’s Choice Award, while Haz & Miloux took out the Tui for Te Kaipuro Awe Toa | Best Soul/RnB Artist and City of Souls won Te Kaipuoro Rakapioi Toa | Best Rock Artist.

After winning a Tui for Best Pacific Group at the Pacific Music Awards earlier this year, hip hop duo Church & AP have taken out Te Kaipuoro Hipihope Toa | Best Hip Hop Artist.

Other 2020 winners include Lee Mvtthews for Te Kaipuoro Tāhiko Toa | Best Electronic Artist, Maimoa for Te Māngai Pāho Te Kaipuoro Māori Toa | Best Māori Artist, and Andrew Beer & Sarah Watkins received Te Kaipuro Inamata Toa | Best Classical Artist.

Cementing themselves as Kiwi favourite, Six60 have secured the hattrick and won Te Toa Hoko Teitei, | Highest Selling Artist for the third consecutive year. And Drax Project have secured NZ On Air Te Rikoata Marakerake o te Tau | Radio Airplay Record of the Year for their song ‘Catching Feelings’ which features Six60.

Recorded Music NZ CEO Damian Vaughan says this year’s awards celebrate both newcomers and past favourites showing that the New Zealand music scene is continuing to grow and achieve great things despite COVID-19.

“It was a privilege to share a night with some of Aotearoa’s most creative musicians and celebrate their successes. There have been some major challenges posed not only to our industry, but New Zealand and the world.

“Being able to see such deserving artists receive recognition for their art is an honour and something I think we should be proud of as a nation. Not to mention the amazing line up of performances we’ve seen tonight across a range of genres, a true cross section of Aotearoa’s incredible music scene.” 

The 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards were hosted by Jesse Mulligan, Sharyn Casey and Jayden King, with performances from BENEE, The Beths, CHAII, Church & AP, City Of Souls, Jawsh685, L.A.B, Mohau, Paige, Six60, Stan Walker, Tami Neilson, Tiki Taane and six special Hall of Fame performances by The Levites

For those who missed the show, the entire broadcast of the Aotearoa Music Awards and a selection clips from the live performances will be available to view on threenow.co.nz.

Unsung heroes of Aotearoa music celebrated tonight at the Artisan Awards

Five big winners announced during pre-recorded Three broadcast

The fifth annual AMA Artisan Awards were held this evening, celebrating the Kiwis behind some of our most successful musicians.

In place of a live event, this year’s Artisan Awards were pre-recorded at Massey University’s School of Music and Creative Media Production in Wellington and broadcast on Three this evening.

This year’s winner of Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa | Massey University Best Producer is Josh Fountain, one of Aotearoa’s most in-demand producers and a powerhouse of production and songwriting.

Winning the award for the second year running, he’s worked with international success story BENEE on some of her biggest hits, as well as previous Tui winner MAALA and 2020 AMA finalist Paige.

Taking out Te Kaipukaha Toa | Best Engineer was Simon Gooding for his work on Reb Fountain’s self-titled album, which is up for three Tui at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards on Sunday.

First time Artisan Award nominee Anahera Parata received the Tui for Te Puoro Ataata Toa | NZ On Air Best Music Video after creating a powerful music video for Onehunga hip hop group SWIDT’s song ‘Bunga’.

Wellington-based artist Lily Paris West was recognised for her work on Mermaiden’s album artwork for Look Me In The Eye and was presented with the Tui for Te Toi Ataata Pukaemi Toa | Best Album Artwork.

Recorded Music New Zealand CEO Damian Vaughan said Aotearoa is lucky to have such gifted behind-the-scenes talent.

“Our music is finding success all over the world. Our artists deserve immense credit, but they wouldn’t be where they are without the efforts of our incredible producers, engineers, creative artists and managers.

“It’s been a challenging year but it’s essential to take a step back, to reflect and acknowledge the incredible work that’s been released. Thank you to our winners and finalists for collaborating with our musicians and bringing their creative visions to life.”

The Kaiwhakahaere Puoro o te Tau | Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year was presented at the Artisan Awards by the Music Managers Forum (NZ) to Paul McKessar from CRS Management.

For the past 15 years he has been a director of CRS Music Management and currently manages several high-profile artists like BENEE, Miss June and Brooke Fraser among others.

Music Managers Forum (NZ) chair Teresa Patterson said it was exciting to celebrate Paul’s career at the 2020 Artisan Awards.

“Music managers are an important part of an artist’s success, someone to share in the highs and the lows that come with working in the music industry. It’s great to be able to celebrate their contribution to the careers of our favourite Kiwi musicians,” says Patterson. 

The 2020 Artisan Awards is available to stream now on ThreeLive. The Aotearoa Music Awards will take place Sunday 15 November at Spark Arena and will be broadcast live on The Edge TV from 7pm and continue on Three from 8.30pm.

The entire broadcast will be streamed on ThreeNow, and public tickets are also available from Ticketmaster for only $25.  

Thanks to the official Aotearoa Music Awards audio streaming partner Spotify please check out all the finalists via these links: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lHXsFEotTOtAntq8bdY2O?si=NH8XfF8lRMyU2cP65NWbjA

2020 Artisan Award Winners

Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa | Massey University Best Producer

-        WINNER: Josh Fountain

-        Brad Kora – L.A.B III (L.A.B)

-        CHAII & Frank Keys – Lightswitch (CHAII)

Te Kaipukaha Toa | Best Engineer

-        WINNER: Simon Gooding – Reb Fountain (Reb Fountain)

-        Lee Prebble – Manawa Wera (Ria Hall)

-        Lee Prebble & Ara Adams-Tamatea – L.A.B III (L.A.B)

Te Puoro Ataata Toa | NZ On Air Best Music Video

-        WINNER: Anahera Parata – ‘Bunga’ (SWIDT)

-        Callum Devlin & Annabel Kean – ‘I'm Not Getting Excited’ (The Beths)

-        Connor Pritchard – ‘All Your Ships Have Sailed’ (Troy Kingi)

Te Toi Ataata Pukaemi Toa | Best Album Artwork

-        WINNER: Lily Paris West – Look Me In The Eye (Mermaidens)

-        Karin Canzek - Reb Fountain (Reb Fountain)

-        Mike Braid - The Brightest Flame (Jeremy Redmore)

Kaiwhakahaere Puoro o te Tau | Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year

-        WINNER: Paul McKessar (CRS Management)

o   BENEE

-        Dan Woolston (Richmond Music)

o   Montell2099, MELODOWNZ, SACHI, SmokeyGotBeatz, Trey Bond

-        Nicole Thomas & Paula Yeoman (NicNak Media Ltd)

o   Theia, Chores, Paige, Abby Wolfe, & Neko

Tami Neilson releases Christmas song “ Pretty Paper" by Willie Nelson, and encourages fans to donate to Auckland City Mission

“You Blew his Mind Tami! We love you from Here!” Willie Nelson’s Family

“Last year, I was asked to perform a Christmas song for the Sirius XM Canada live sessions with my brother Jay.

I instantly chose "Pretty Paper", a powerfully understated song of empathy and compassion penned by one of musical heroes, Willie Nelson. It has always transcended the usual Christmas fare of snow, sleighbells and Santa Claus, instead, being a voice for the voiceless- sung from the perspective of someone who is homeless. It has always pierced my heart.

Growing up on the road with my family band, there were some hard challenges and we were homeless numerous times throughout my childhood, sleeping on couches or mattresses on people's floors, eating from food banks.

I remember that powerless feeling of loss of dignity and while we always had a roof over our heads due to the kindness of friends, family or even strangers, I have always had deep empathy for people without a place to call their own.

This Christmas is going to be hard enough on those of us privileged enough to have a home, so many of us are struggling with loss of jobs and income, let alone those who are powerless and have to rely on the kindness of strangers to assist them through this holiday season. At a time when many of us celebrate the birth of a baby who was the personification of love, acceptance and compassion, this song embodies those reminders that we need to extend those same things to each other.”

Tami Neilson

Tami is donating her Bandcamp sales of the song to Auckland City Mission whose work she admires. The Mission has been supporting Aucklanders for 100 years, from families living in poverty by WWI and the Spanish Flu through to today where the organisation focuses on supporting people in three key areas of homelessness, hunger and health.

City Missioner Chris Farrelly welcomes this gift from Tami and her fans. "It's absolutely wonderful to have a Christmas song dedicated to the Mission. Christmas is our busiest time of year, bringing the festive season to Aucklanders in desperate need. Having this support from Tami will help us provide food parcels and presents to families when they really need it the most. As the city faces one of the hardest Christmases in 100 years, the Mission is so grateful for Tami's gift."

Tami Neilson "Pretty Paper “ was recorded last December as a SiriusXM Canada live session at the Dine Alone Records Store in Toronto and will be released Digitally Nov 13th

Bandcamp Link to Listen/ Buy/ Donate to Auckland City Mission

You can also Listen & Watch here : Spotify / Apple Music / Youtube

Visionary New Zealand producer Estère shares new single "Mad About Your Sea"

Imagine self-destructive romance as a confrontingly sparse mixture of cinematic piano and haunting vocals, and you’ll hear Estère's new single, "Mad About Your Sea." Sexy and sensuous, heart-wrenching and tender, evocative of summer love in foreign lands, it can be heard worldwide on 13 November through all streaming services.

This song pushes new production boundaries for Estère whilst exploring the archetype of dependency and desire. Estère says ‘this song is about being addicted to someone who is no good for you - and wanting to save that person, despite the hurt that they have caused you.’

Filmed in Mannheim, Germany, the stunning cinematography of the accompanying video expresses the essence of the song through shadow and languid, moody and textured shots. It's a tantalising glimpse into a surreal yet relatable scenario.

Often likened to both Little Dragon and St Vincent, in 2019 Estère's songwriting and producing prowess grabbed the attention of esteemed Massive Attack producer Stew Jackson. Together, they created the future forward throwback album, Archetypes, featuring Estère's soaring vocals, body-moving R&B grooves, dense production and engrossing narratives.

Mad About Your Sea is the second single from Estère’s upcoming and highly-anticipated third album, Archetypes, to be released on 22 January 2021 on Blue Riot Records.