Mecuzine release new single Blue Skies

As Mecuzine slimmed down from a more conventional 5-piece band into a duo, Joseph and Tony Johns similarly honed in on the sounds and styles which they considered worth exploring to form the core sound of the new line up. Although drawn from various eras, the shimmering sound of 80’s synths, the indie guitar tones the 90’s, timeless piano lines and all manner of samples and beats of more recent times, they forged these together to create a cohesive and creative signature sound.

But that is not to say that these building blocks were always found within their existing comfort zones and it is the very act of embracing the unfamiliar, of turning to new instruments and grappling with new genres which gives their music a welcoming rawness. Not to mention some unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes it is less about deliberately not following the rules, often their unique approach comes from not knowing what the rules were in the first place. Innocents is bliss, perhaps.

Their latest release, Blue Skies, is the perfect coming together of all these sonic ideas and musical explorations. A loose and languid, slow-burner, one that skitters along on electronic beats but is also grounded with shards of chiming guitar and a meandering and mysterious bass lines.

A dark song, for sure, more reflective and wistful rather than melancholic or morose. Brooding, is perhaps the word, and Blue Skies feels like the perfect descendant of the post-punk artiness of the early 80’s merged with the fledgling alternative rock sound of the 90’s

It’s late era Bowie on a chill pill. It’s downbeat, trip-hop merging with chilled, stoner rock. It’s a David Lynch-esque soundtrack just waiting for a call from an underground filmmaker. It is all of this and much more.

And for all its past reference points, it is the sound of underground music heading into a bright new future. One filled with exploration and invention. One where genres are irrelevant and the sonic palette is drawn from any genre, style or sound that takes their interest. The guitar hasn't gone away, it is just not the center of the story anymore.

LOU’ANA UNLEASHES SMOKIN’ NEW SINGLE, WOLVES

Straight off the back of the release of Lou’ana’s funk and soul-drenched debut album Moonlight Madness comes the steamy new single Wolves – her six single release from the album, which carries a brand new video in tow.  

Fuelled by the themes of temptation and addiction, Wolves turns Lou’ana’s lingering feelings behind a personal experience into a curious play with words – and wraps it all up in a blanket of sultry funk.

The video is directed by Anna Rose Duckworth and leans in to the metaphorical lyrical themes of the song. Lou’ana explains the narrative of the clip: “Four creatures, faces hidden by geometric masks, are playing black jack and betting their all. They are fuelled by the highs of temptation and are up against the powerful, strategic wolf. Who will win? The powers hidden behind the mask don’t always have our best interests at heart. The dangling of apples before us can steer us away from our own power – beware!”

With two soul-packed Moonlight Madness album release shows in November 2020 resulting in a sell-out and rave reviews, Lou’ana’s reputation as a formidable live act continues to grow. After wowing crowds at Nest Fest in the Hawkes Bay in January, Lou’ana now takes her full 8-piece band on the road for a string of Festival dates. Kicking off in fine celebratory style at Splore in Tapapakanga Regional Park on 26 – 28 March, Lou’ana and band will then take the stage at Earth Beat Festival in Ātiu Creek Regional Park in Kaipara and Waimauku’s Spirit Festival in April. With more live dates to be announced, and new music set for release, audiences are set for a spellbinding year ahead.

Moonlight Madness is the culmination of two and a half years’ worth of meticulous attention to detail and dedication, and features previous singles Eye to Eye, Move Along, Summer in May, Feel This and Love Bind. Lou’ana was a finalist in three categories at the 2020 Pacific Music Awards, with nominations for Best Pacific Female Artist, NZ On Air Best Music Video (for single Eye to Eye), and Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist. Her single Feel This has spent seven weeks in the Radioscope Alternative Chart, with Love Bind debuting in Spotify’s New Music Friday AUNZ, the Local List NZ playlists.

“Moonlight Madness has filled an Amy Winehouse shaped hole in my heart I didn’t know I had” – Undertheradar.co.nz

“Rarely, in New Zealand, does a singer come along whose voice is so big, so beautiful and so luminous it contains worlds within worlds.” – Mike Alexander, Muzic.net.nz

“Lou’ana with her cigarette-soul voice is spellbinding” – Radio13

“What a night, what a band and what a performance” – Marty Duda, 13th Floor

Moonlight Madness is available through all digital outlets, with vinyl available through Holiday Records. Thanks to NZ On Air.

MEG THERON 'SELF CARE'

Wellington singer, rapper, songwriter, producer and musician Meg Theron is starting 2021 on a high note by releasing new single ‘Self Care’. After a very exciting release of single ‘CRUSH’ at the end of last year, Meg is extremely proud to share a new, refreshing Pop project that's very close to her heart.

During 2020, along with most people around the world, Meg experienced an abundance of personal problems and heartache. ‘Self Care’ is a song about reflecting on oneself and making the decision to focus on your personal health. “I think a lot of the time, we attribute our own success and happiness to how others perceive and treat us, this song was a huge part of me letting go of that and fully taking on my own happiness” Meg says. Self Care will be available on all streaming platforms on March 5th with a music video releasing the same night.

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EMILY RICE 'ARISE'

Tāmaki Makaurau multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Emily Rice is releasing ‘Arise’ - the second single from her upcoming EP, AUAHA, on Friday 5th March.

Listen to ‘Arise’ HERE from Friday 5th (or here's the presave link if you'd rather include this - https://smarturl.it/rcem)

An empowering and uplifting song, which blends silky, smooth melodies with soulful and dreamy beats
and inspiring lyricism, Emily describes ‘Arise’ as “a bit of a personal mantra.”

‘Arise’ was written during the first lockdown in 2020 as part of a creative project, in which Emily
challenged herself to create daily throughout the entire month of April. What emerged from the ‘Auaha
April challenge’ were the waiata for her upcoming body of work, aptly titled AUAHA.

Carla Werner makes a return with new reggae dub inspired single ‘Time’ under the moniker Native Soul Project

Multi-genre singer, producer, writer and performer Carla Werner has made a return to New Zealand after 20 years and today releases new music under the moniker Native Soul Project.

‘Time’ sets up the dub-sensibility of what is to come from the electronic, dub, reggae-inspired album TRUE NATURE, created alongside Californian bassist and primary member, Alison Wunderland. 

Watch the Video and listen to ‘Time’ HERE

On the single,‘Time’, Werner says; “Alison’s hypnotic bass parts define the sound, and that meditative groove is everywhere,” and the track “speaks to the realisation that change is necessary to grow and that old habits die hard but die they must”.

Written, produced and mixed by Werner mostly in Los Angeles, the track was finished in Auckland under quarantine when Werner returned home after living in LA for 20 years, enlisting long-time friend Lucius Borich (Cog) to mix drums and bass.

Penning a deal with Columbia Records, Sony Music (US) in 2000 and later releasing DEPARTURE with the help of Coldplay Producer, Ken Nelson, the artist gradually began to emerge as a serious singer/songwriter. The collaboration with UK DJ, Paul Oakenfold on the iconic trance song, ‘Southern Sun’ fortified Werner as an internationally-acclaimed artist. The track has gone on to become one of the biggest trance songs of all time with DJ Tiesto’s Remix garnering 4.7 million streams on Spotify and 2.5 million views on Youtube.

Catch Native Soul Project live as main support on all three dates of the Marley NZ All-Stars Tour happening Easter Weekend (April 2, 3, 4) in Hawkes Bay, Palmerston North and Mount Maunganui. Werner will perform in two-piece mode, playing live instrumentation to track with interspersions of free-form DJ moments throughout. Tour dates for TRUE NATURE coming soon. 

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Estère announces rescheduled tour dates for her Archetypes release tour

After two snap Level 3's caused a great tour-date reshuffle, Estère is happy/excited/relieved to announce new tour dates for March/April/May!

Tickets on sale now from www.esteremusic.com

March:

26.03 Paisley Stage, Napier

27.03 Splore (ALL AGES)

28.03 *Jam Factory, Tauranga (ALL AGES)

*Solo

April:

11.4 Newtown Festival, Wellington

15.4 Festival of Colour, Wanaka

May:

05.05 DIVE Music Bar, Dunedin

06.05 Wunderbar, Lyttelton

07.05 The Plant, Blenheim (ALL AGES)

08.05 East St Café, Nelson

09.05 Roots Bar, Takaka (Note venue change)

Estère's band is comprised of über-talented cast of creative characters Zoe Moon Mahal (Brockaflower), Ben Lemi (Trinity Roots, French for Rabbits, Dawn Diver) and Cory Champion (Borrowed CS, Clear Path Ensemble). Their on-stage chemistry sparks the delivery of Estère’s magical music to main centres and regions new to her performance.

Archetypes is a departure from the bedroom beats of Estère’s previous two albums. Co-produced with Massive Attack producer, Stew Jackson, each track on the album comes alive through the Wellington-based artist’s deft production. Defying categoristion, her music is a mixture of folk, R&B and electronica, blended in a unique fashion, easily identified as ‘Estère’. Archetypes is the sound of an artist who entirely commits to creative instinct.

TURKEY THE BIRD - THIS AND THAT

The brand new single from NZ happy folk trio "Turkey the Bird" is called "This and That" and will be available on all digital music platforms from Friday 5th March 2021.

The song takes you on a journey of life's answers to life's problems, but slants to the positive on its way, from "Where you go when you're belly up? , to "Hope you see there's a new direction" to "Sayin what you're thinking is a way to put it right", and "Smiling at a stranger, always gets them smiling back", you can't help but get absorbed in the lyrics and the band's excellent harmonies, "Life can be a carnival-you know just where it's at", reminds you of the Winter Shows with its carnivals and sideshows.

Another great melody from Turkey The Bird to sweep you along with a smile on your face. This is the band's 4th single release from their upcoming debut album due to be released in May 2021.

ORO

APRA NZ is joining forces with songwriters, broadcasters, funders, record labels and other music entities, to support the emergence of a bilingual music industry.

Head of NZ Operations, Anthony Healey says “Waiata connects us all to Māori language and culture, and we want to embrace the opportunity to celebrate our Aotearoatanga through music.

"We are blessed with a rich history of waiata reo Māori and we want to support our kaitito waiata (songwriters) who have been fostering the language in song for many years. We also want to encourage those who are not so confident yet with the reo to write, record, and perform more”.

ORO (meaning to resound, resonate or a musical note) is APRA's strategy, as part of a shared music industry approach to increase the repertoire of waiata reo Māori and waiata reorua (bilingual songs).

Initiatives include the translation and recording of existing songs, as well as collaborations between artists and mātanga reo (language experts) to write new waiata.

Leading APRA’s Māori music development, Hinewehi Mohi says “Whether artists are already recording and performing in Māori, or have just started their reo journey in this way, we want to celebrate their work and create more opportunity for it to be heard.

"We’re pulling together a maramataka/calendar to create awareness and opportunity for waiata punctuations around the country, throughout 2021”. https://apraamcos.co.nz/news/2021/february/maramataka-calendar/

APRA will also conduct a research initiative and review of data collation for legacy waiata and songwriters, as well as greater engagement with kapa haka communities, and taonga puoro (traditional instrument) practitioners to support them in registration and recognition of their works.

“Music is a great connector, and is a way we can express our unique cultural identity. By supporting the production, promotion and broadcast of waiata, we may all one day be singing from the same song sheet!”