Mirrors 'Love In My Own Time'

Ōtautahi alt-pop duo ‘Mirrors’ are proud to present the release of their new single, “Love In My Own Time’, out on March 5th on all streaming services. This marks the third release since the band began releasing original music in May 2020. However, ‘Mirrors’ have been established long before this, having formed as a highly successful covers band in 2017. The duo focuses on writing, producing and mastering their music from their home studio, a method which emerged from the 2020 lockdown.

‘Mirrors’ have gained notable attention from various media outlets, including national radio airplay. The duo also performed their debut live show supported by a full band, to a sold-out audience in Ōtautahi’s city centre. Alongside the excitement of releasing ‘Love In My Own Time’, the first of new music for 2021, the duo will also be debuting their first ever music video on all social platforms.

Love In My Own Time is a song about independence. It discusses the importance of people being able to succeed and be happy without the reliance on others, particularly in relationships. Vocalist Susie Farmer channels the energy of powerhouses Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato through her ranging melodic lines. Love In My Own Time has been compared to Christina Aguilera’s ‘Fighter’, both through the enticing melodies and strong messages to inspire the listener to see past the “love cliches” and see their worth as an individual. While the message is loud and clear, the harmony and rhythm within the instrumentation makes it a song worth dancing to.

While ‘Mirrors’ has had positive success so far, upcoming artists within Aotearoa’s music scene rely on the support of the wider community. Through your contribution to the sharing, reviewing or distribution of Love In My Own Time, ‘Mirrors’ hopes to continue this success with the support of their music industry whānau.

Introducing Gig Starters - It’s All About All Ages Gigs

NZ Music Commission has created a new seminar series called ‘Gig Starters’, talking with young people about putting on all ages gigs. The initiative is hitting the road in March visiting Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin with a FREE seminar, workshop and all ages gig in each centre.

Designed as an introduction to creating and producing all ages live music shows, the Gig Starters up-skilling events kick off with a 4pm seminar featuring a panel of industry professionals, a local recording artist and a production technician (sound and/or lighting) discussing the basics of putting on your own all ages gig.

After the seminar, there will be a workshop around the soundcheck to prepare for a show that evening, with opportunity for the participants to observe and be part of a live production set-up, with the all ages gig starting at 7pm.

‘Creating live gigs is an awesome way to make first steps into the industry as a musician or someone who is interested in a career behind the scenes in music. You’ll get to be part of putting on an event showcasing great local music, and learn new skills at the same time’ - Rodney Fisher, NZ Music Commission

The event is FREE, but you will need to register via Eventbrite for safety and contact tracing purposes.

Register for Gig Starters in your town here:

March 11 – Hamilton https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-hamilton-tickets-141231640639

March 12 – Auckland https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-auckland-tickets-142814908235

March 18 – Palmerston North https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-palmerston-north-tickets-143041339497

March 19 – Wellington https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-wellington-tickets-143064536881

March 26 – Christchurch https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-christchurch-tickets-143062982231

March 27 – Dunedin https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-dunedin-tickets-143071136621

MMF March Members Hangout

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa are pleased to announce the March Members Hangout.  These hangouts are more intimate on-line sessions, held via Zoom for 10 to 15 MMF members.  This allows for a more intimate group learning environment where our members can be upskilled in important areas of music management.

The Hangout for March is:

APRA AMCOS with Victoria Kelly  - Director of Members Services NZ

In this session Victoria will talk about what APRA AMCOS does; explains what copyright is; the various methods of song splits; venue, gig, touring and festival music licensing,;what mechanical rights are and much more!   

Date: Tuesday 9th March

Time: 6.00pm – 7.00pm

RSVP: For MMF members only lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz. Limited to 10 – 15 places, but if there is demand we will schedule a second session

ADAM HATTAWAY AND THE HAUNTERS 'I NEED YOUR NEEDS'

+ Announce 7-date Album Release Tour:
Woolston, Texas - out March 26th

Christchurch's Adam Hattaway and The Haunters today announce a nationwide tour this coming April and May in celebration of their forthcoming album release, Woolston, Texas, out March 26th. 

The month-long 'Woolston, Texas Tour' will take the band across Aotearoa, performing their soulful alt-rock tunes to seven lucky locations with a superb line-up of local support including Auckland indie outfit Daniel Armstrong and The Monsoons, rising Dunedin musician Mads Harrop, and more. 

Keeping audiences charmed till then is another taste of Woolston, Texas by way of 'I Need Your Needs', surely the prettiest single to come from their third full-length release, following rowdy stomper ‘Big Night’ and despairing ‘Wasting Our Time' out last year. 

As much as a love song as any, ‘I Need Your Needs’ swoons with the band’s twanging guitar, tight-coiled rhythms, and Hattaway’s signature vocal growls, as an old romance is fondly remembered: “When you were young sometimes you look so sweet / Still remember the time everything felt complete.” 

With all that Stones-esque swagger, the melodic track lays downs a shimmering guitar break from the frontman - rare compared to previous albums - that was “smashed out on the first take," and features in the final version. 

The accompanying video, directed by Christchurch artist Nick Lowry, is a kaleidoscope of colour, runaway disco balls and glitzy silver tinsel. Out of place in his black skinny jeans and scuffed-boots, Hattaway’s crooning form strikes through the cool acid blue backdrop as he writhes and lingers like smoke; his only company a melting ice-cream cone.

Tickets for the celebratory 'Woolston, Texas Tour' are on sale now at Undertheradar.co.nz, with dates listed above and below, and on the website.  

Based in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, Adam Hattaway (The Eastern, Wurld Series) has been building a reputation in the world of alt-rock n roll. With sweltering hooks and raw emotional narrative, their sound says “put your arm around the one you love and remember that they won’t be there forever – but maybe that’s a good thing.’’

Adam Hattaway is for lovers. A born frontman, he performs alongside three Haunters; Elmore Jones, Liam Quinn, and Ryan Fisherman. Their hypnotic live performances are punctuated by high kicks and borderline-biblical healing sessions. After moving festival goers at Electric Avenue, Nostalgia, The Others Way, releasing fuzz-laden album Crying Lessons (produced by the acclaimed Delaney Davidson), and 12-date nationwide tour in 2020, they now prepare for the release of their new album, out March 26th, and 8-date nationwide tour this April.

Woolston, Texas, the third full-length album from Adam Hattaway and The Haunters, is a multifaceted alt-rock jamboree that is equal parts chaotic as it is forgiving. By track two you will be well acquainted with the scope of journey that follows, from anti-romance swooning to Spanish rock n roll... there is no time to rest.

It’s on songs like ‘Wasting Our Time’ that you hear Adam Hattaway’s subtle growls and desperate melodies wrapped in Beach Boys-esque soul. The slight torment “love and affection is wasting our time” is perfectly glued together by The Haunters’ guitar-heavy grooves. Darker themes are brought to light on ‘Big Night’ with its many hopeful moments “sometimes you have to try” quickly followed by the foreboding “sometimes you wanna die”. Crashing rhythms, bewitching vocal lines and layered harmonies are sovereign on Woolston, Texas, and sometimes we’re treated to Hattaway’s special falsetto vocal bashing, like on opening track ‘You Know You Will’. Adam Hattaway has mastered his own distinctive valour and turned it into an album with songs inspired by dreams, love, mental health, gyms and rats... Woolston, Texas is a platter of stories embedded in alt-rock goodness, a lament to highs gone by.

Out next month, Woolston, Texas was produced by Ben Edwards, mixed by Ryan Fisherman and recorded at The Sitting Room in Lyttelton.

April 9 - Wellington - Rogue and Vagabond
April 10 - Whanganui - Musicians Club - w/ MeanOwls
April 16 - Christchurch - Cassels Blue Smoke
- w/ Daniel Armstrong and The Monsoons
April 17 - Auckland - Thirsty Dog
- w/ Daniel Armstrong and The Monsoons
April 24 - Blenheim - The Plant
May 21 - Dunedin - BARK! - w/ Tahu and The Takahes
May 22 - Oamaru - Grainstore Gallery - w/ Mads Harrop

Tickets onsale via Undertheradar.co.nz

LIVING STATE 'ONE SIDED'

NZ based rock band, Living State, presents their debut single One Sided.

Bringing a Euro rock style with textured guitar riffs and clean, powerful vocals, Living State is bringing back solid rock in 2021!

Comprised of Peter Krupek on guitar, Cameron Swan on drums, Lex Ujdur on bass and Marissa Holder providing the vocals, the ragtag multi-cultural group established after Peter’s move to NZ from Poland. His passion for music and desire to make music he wanted to hear on the radio more fuelled him to seek out similar people.

One Sided was written by the band, with the boys providing the melodic structure and Marissa introducing the lyrics and the melody to the song. She says, “One Sided is about an experience I’ve had a few times where you’re in a professional scenario and the person (your boss/teacher, etc.) seems to be sending out signals and you’re not sure if they really are or not. So you end up all confused but you secretly dig it!”

They’ve performed with the likes of Thunderground, Mudshark, States and JP and the Drag Kinds at venues like Ding Dong Lounge and Anthology.

The release of the single will be followed by a music video that sees a scenario that has played out too many times for many of us! Marissa says, “One Sided is about an experience I’ve had a few times where you’re in a professional scenario and the person (your boss/teacher, etc.) seems to be sending out signals and you’re not sure if they really are or not and you’re all confused but you secretly dig it!”

Living State are currently working on their EP, due to be released sometime in 2021.

Listen here: https://smarturl.it/LSonesided

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

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

TARN PK 'INDIGO DREAMING'

Painting a peaceful picture of the world standing still for a moment – this is what NZ artist, Tarn PK, wanted to do. To take a step back from a chaotic world to create music that feels personal, meaningful, and real.

Releasing his first EP in 2019, funk-pop single “Talk to You" gained Spotify playlist success on New Music US, UK and NZ/AU, getting over 175,000 plays to date.  2019 provided plenty of inspiration for new music, but for some reason the creativity wasn’t flowing. Feeling swamped in synthesisers and modern pop, the key was discovering the likes of 70’s songwriters; Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, and John Martyn.

 The aim became to make something which called back to these ideas but made in a way that felt modern, mixing natural elements such as acoustic guitars, with modern production effects and techniques. Lyrically the ideas were focused on the experience of moving away from home and starting university.

Tarn released the first single from the EP – “Monarch” - in October, 2020.  “Serenity” is a ballad about the weight of the world coming off your shoulders.  It made Spotify NZ’s Local List, NZ student radio stations , a range of other Playlists and has over 75,000 streams on various YouTube channels to date.

“Sky Is Falling”, the second release in December 2020,  took form as something melancholy and wistful, building on top of the picked guitar. It was premiered by Acid Stag - the Sydney music blog, made Spotify AU’s Chill Afternoons (personalised) playlist and had a number of good write ups.

“Indigo Dreaming” is the third release from the 'Monarch' EP/collection. It’s a mixture of indie folk elements with additional pop production provided by Neil MacLeod, an NZ artist/producer. Also recorded in lockdown, the song was based around an electric guitar riff. Tarn plays guitars, bass and drums, but also wove more electronic elements into this song than the previous releases. Lyrically the song is about living in a time of anxiety and stress, trying to be okay with that and how being with someone you love can help alleviate those feelings.

The track has been selected for NZ on Air’s February New Tracks promotion and will be featured on Acid Stag again as well as some other blogs and playlists.

THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION RELEASES NEW SINGLE 'BESIDE YOURSELF'

The role of collaboration was key to The Phoenix Foundation's last record Friend Ship, with guest turns from Nadia Reid, Hollie Fullbrook (Tiny Ruins), Dave Dobbyn, Anita Clark and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

The group have now extended the arm of friendship to fellow Wellingtonian and dream-pop-star Fazerdaze for new single 'Beside Yourself'.

"I really enjoyed working with Samuel on this track. We recorded the vocals one morning at his place after we drank green juice and joked about how bougie and salubrious we were. It was special for me to see the inner workings of their creative process while they were still in the thick of their new material. Really chuffed to have this track out now, I've been a massive fan on The Phoenix Foundation for years.”

The Phoenix Foundation have lived many lives. From high school distortion addicts to indie folk trippers to masters of motorik dream pop, releasing 7 albums over the course of nearly two decades. They are also known for their soundtrack work, most notably for Taika Waititi's Hunt For The Wilderpeople.

Their last album, 2020's Friend Ship, was a collection of masterfully crafted songs, beautiful and often tender, sometimes rooted in immersive and dreamy ambient soundscapes. It’s also captured the strangeness of the modern world. “These themes of modern anxiety started to emerge in my songs,” says Samuel Flynn 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."

Dance floor favourites Chores release genre-busting debut EP, WORKING FROM HOME

WORKING FROM HOME is the debut EP from New Zealand award-winning dance duo Chores, released today Friday, February 26.

The EP was recorded during lockdown in Melbourne 2020, where Chores - Sam Saunders and Thom Simmons - have been based for the last few years. It features the singles ‘Tremble’, ‘Girls’ and ‘Forever’ as well as new single ‘Twenty-Three’.

Chores collaborated with Melbourne producer Simon Moro on the 6-track EP, which features vocals from some of Australasia’s hottest new talent, including DOOLIE, Akacia and LALKA.

Although now living in Australia, Sam and Thom have been back in New Zealand for summer, performing at some of the country’s biggest festivals and events, including Rhythm and Vines, Deep Hard and Funky, and the George fm Summer Series.

“We are so excited to release our first body of work!” says Thom.  “Having been producing for seven years and after 10 singles we thought it was the right time.

 “The work draws heavily on all our favourite artists and can be seen to references of household favorites like that of Flight Facilities, Peking Duk, and Pnau.”

The WORKING FROM HOME EP is all-encompassing and expands on Chores’ crafted sound and former singles. Not bound by genre, the record delivers full-blown pop, dance, and a six minute house track, which they describe as a homage to the genre which started their production.

 The work took place during the seven-month lockdown in Melbourne, and the majority of the vocal recordings/production was done at home - hence the title of the EP.

"This got a stadium rock kinda feel going on!”
- The Aston Shuffle – triple j (AUS)

"A bolt of euphoria penetrates through that clattering chorus rush. Big vibes.”
- Dave Ruby Howe – triple j Unearthed (AUS)

‘Tremble’ featuring LALKA was the first single from the EP and was warmly embraced by triple j unearthed as well as tastemaker site, Pilerats. Dance anthem ‘Girls’ followed featuring DOOLIE and became a Spotify favourite, also receiving traction at ZM and George fm as well as triple j unearthed.

‘Forever’ was the dreamy third single released from the EP and continues to grow across the DSPs with strong playlistings and further support from George fm, ZM and The Edge radio.

The new single ‘Twenty-Three’ onces again showcases the signature Chores sound and the latest single features the vocals of Ariela Jacobs.

The duo have also won several awards, including ‘Best Electronic Act’ at the 2018 New Zealand Music Awards and ‘Breakthrough Artist’ at the Georgies in 2017.

Chores have spent years honing their craft, DJing and performing as a full band at New Zealand festivals Rhythm and Vines, Northern Bass, Bay Dreams and Deep Hard N Funky, as well as supporting dance music luminaires Basement Jaxx, What So Not, Duke Dumont, Peking Duk, The Chainsmokers and A-Trak.

WORKING FROM HOME is out now, available on DSPS HERE