FLAMINGO PIER ANNOUNCE DEBUT SELF-TITLED ALBUM , AND SHARE NEW SINGLE 'ETERNAL'

Serving up euphoric disco hooks, to classic house choruses and forays into Latin funk, balearic and psychedelia - Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland-based party throwers, DJs, and music makers Flamingo Pier will release their debut self-titled album on June 4 on London’s Soundway Records.

Today, the group share the first single ‘Eternal’, an ecstatic, energetic track infused with crunchy keys, hypnotic vocal lines, and saxophone played by Aotearoa Jazz legend Nathan Haines. As with the majority of the new album, ‘Eternal’ came to life in lockdown last year and is a joyful ode to falling in love and the healing power of the dance-floor.

“Eternal is a track channelling emotive, classic house music that celebrates the world being closer to dancing together again,” says group member Luke Walker. “We wanted to make positive music to elevate people's spirits and we’ve been lucky enough to play it live in our DJ sets since events have resumed around the country”

In 2019 and 2020 Flamingo Pier released two widely lauded EPs on Soundway Records, garnering support from UK electronic duo Maribou State (Ninja Tune), American radio host, DJ, and producer Tim Sweeney (Beats In Space), BBC 6 Music DJs, The Blessed Madonna, and JD Twitch to name a few. But like many artists in the last 12 months, the group had to navigate the unfamiliar territory of intermittent lockdowns to write and record an album. The silver lining of this however, was that this was the first time that members Luke Walker, Brad Craig, and Dominic Jones were able to create the record in person together instead of collaborating over the internet - because usually at least one of them has been travelling overseas.

They wrote most of the album together in 2020 in Auckland with a swing of local musicians contributing to the recording, including fellow Soundway act Julien Dyneon drums, saxophonist Nathan Haines, as well as Jess Penson (Kédu Carlö). The group centred the album around the power of shared joy, after what has been a very difficult year for many people. “By being a source of joy for others, you amplify that joy for both yourself and those around you, rather than losing anything,” reflects Walker.

Channelling classic emotive house, to disco, Afro and jazz funk on their debut album, Flamingo Pier cite a wide range of musical influences such as Khruangbin, Roisin Murphy, Peven Everett, house legends Masters at Work and Brazilian artist Tim Maia. This translates into an uplifting but nostalgic current running throughout the album - reflecting on last chances, soul-searching and longing for the carefree days of the dance floor.

The group were lucky enough to host the annual Flamingo Pier festival on Waiheke Island just before another lockdown came into force in February 2021. While this year did not allow for international acts to perform, the vibrant local scene delivered. The power of music, with its ability to create and heighten joy amongst a crowd of people could not have been more apparent, or more needed in this time - something that this album aims to spread even further.

Flamingo Pier, the album, is out 4 June 2021, and 3 September 2021 on vinyl. Pre-order at your fave record store or soundwayrecords.com and flamingopier.bandcamp.com.

MEOW PRESENTS LABEL SHOWCASE AT POWERSTATION

Brand new record label Meow presents a not-to-be-missed label showcase this May in celebration of New Zealand Music Month. The line-up features an exciting and diverse mix of the label’s talented roster, including The Butlers, Molly & The Chromatics and There’s A Tuesday, as well as Michael James Keane. To be held at Auckland’s Powerstation on Saturday the 22nd May, the event goes on sale to the general public in early April via AAA Ticketing.

Meow is a venue based in Wellington, New Zealand and a staple on the New Zealand touring circuit since 2008. Meow ‘the label’ was conceived during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, as an outlet while the live music industry was on hold. ‘The Label’ is a natural progression for the owners Rahine O’Rielly and Damian Jones as they continue to support emerging & established artists through label services, management & live performance.

Meow presents

SATURDAY 22nd MAY, 2021

POWERSTATION, AUCKLAND

THE BUTLERS

MOLLY & THE CHROMATICS

THERE’S A TUESDAY

MICHAEL JAMES KEANE

In Celebration of New Zealand Music Month

Tickets on sale to general public early April via AAA Ticketing

TEEKS RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM ‘SOMETHING TO FEEL’ ANNOUNCES NEW ZEALAND ALBUM TOUR

ARTIST PRE-SALES MARCH 30 – APRIL 1

TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 1

VISIT THISTEEKS.COM

Released today in full, one of New Zealand’s most compelling voices of modern soul TEEKS (Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi) shares his long-awaited debut album ‘Something To Feel’ via Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand.

To mark this special milestone, TEEKS is proud to announce a very special, six date album tour, seeing the celebrated Māori artist perform in some of New Zealand’s greatest concert venues of all time. Following last year’s ‘The Invitation Tour’ which sold out in under 7 days, this is TEEKS in full force, backed by full band and string quartet in a headlining tour that is not to be missed.

“poised to become New Zealand’s next international superstar” – North & South

“New Zealand’s soulful singer to know” – VOGUE US

‘SOMETHING TO FEEL’ NEW ZEALAND TOUR

June 4 – Municipal Theatre, Napier

June 5 – The Civic, Auckland

June 11 – Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

June 12 – Opera House, Whanganui

June 18 – Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch

June 19 – Regent Theatre, Dunedin

TICKETS ON SALE:

ARTIST PRE-SALES, MARCH 30 – APRIL 1

GENERAL SALES, APRIL 1

Visit thisteeks.com to purchase

STREAM / PURCHASE ‘SOMETHING TO FEEL’

Written and produced by TEEKS with acclaimed Producer and Engineer Simon Gooding, ‘Something To Feel’ is deliberate and bold in its purpose. Walking into an instrospective period of his life, TEEKS found relief in surrendering to emotion, rejecting the colonised ideals of ‘masculinity’, while embracing the duality of Te Ao Māori, the worldview of his indigenous people. The result; a raw and confronting work of art.

Unveiled in 12 elegant songs about love, self-knowledge and emotional vulnerability, TEEKS delivers an album that points to the ways forward, proving there is a way to step up and out of the past, leaving hurt behind, and embracing something new.

The album’s first single ‘Without You’ set off the waves for what unfolded over the next six months. The single was quickly followed by the release of ‘I’ in the middle of a lockdown, offering some emotional comfort in a time of uprooted living. This was followed up by ‘II’ and a very special tour announcement. Giving audiences in select New Zealand towns the chance to experience ‘Something To Feel’ up close and personally before release, TEEKS hit the road late last year. The tour sold out in an unprecedented 7 days. Backed by the acclaimed Black Quartet, TEEKS performed in beautiful, historic venues from the Far North to the Deep South.

Before long, TEEKS revealed his greatest love song to date, ‘Remember Me’. Between the bars of this soaring, expansive anthem, he bleeds emotional vulnerability in a bold statement of modern masculinity. Watch the music video here, in which TEEKS made his directional debut, working alongside Director Ray Edwards and Producer Mia Henry-Teirney.

Arriving at a crucial time, ‘Something To Feel’ is an album of deep emotion, showcasing the artist’s connection to family, heritage and his home country through the lens of Te Ao Māori. Cast from the most isolated corner of the earth – a private universe away – TEEKS shares a songbook destined to connect the world.

CONNECT WITH TEEKS

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

ADAM HATTAWAY AND THE HAUNTERS Release New Album 'WOOLSTON, TEXAS'

DON'T MISS THEIR TOUR THIS AUTUMN!
Friday April 9 - Wellington - Rogue and Vagabond
Saturday April 10 - Whanganui - Musicians Club - w/ MeanOwls
Friday April 16 - Christchurch - Cassels Blue Smoke
- w/ Daniel Armstrong and The Monsoons
Saturday April 17 - Auckland - Thirsty Dog
- w/ Daniel Armstrong and The Monsoons
Saturday April 24 - Blenheim - The Plant
Friday May 21 - Dunedin - BARK! - w/ Tahu and The Takahes
Saturday May 22 - Oamaru - Grainstore Gallery - w/ Mads Harrop

Tickets onsale at Undertheradar.co.nz

Today, Christchurch's Adam Hattaway and The Haunters unveil their third full-length album Woolston, Texas ahead of the alt-rock band's nationwide release tour this Autumn.  

Following a fuzz-ladened debut album All Dat Love, Adam Hattaway's second album Crying Lessons, produced by the acclaimed Delaney Davidson, stripped back the noise to focus on their rock'n'roll roots. With their third album, Woolston, Texas, the band have found their sound. With Hattaway's songwriting following a more organic process, it channels all of the raw emotion that defines their hypnotic live shows. "We wanted this album to be the rocking album - if you want to rock out, put on Woolston, Texas," says bandleader Adam Hattaway. "It’s mostly upbeat with lots of guitar solos. Our producer, Ben Edwards, really wanted to capture the chaos and craziness that this band threatens to erupt into, without going overboard."

Taking inspiration from dreams, love, mental health, gyms and rats, the energetic and soulful ten-track collection serves up a platter of stories embedded in alt-rock goodness. A heartfelt lament to highs gone by, Woolston, Texas is a reminder for those times when spectres creep out of the darkness and try to grab you - there's more than one way out. "I like the idea of juxtaposing high tempo music with quite sad and dark themes, in a Beach Boys-esque kind of way" explains Hattaway. "Half of the album is about having dark thoughts aka Big Night, the other half is about nostalgia and trying not to look back fond teenage memories.." 

Out today, Woolston, Texas was produced by Ben Edwards, mixed by Ryan Fisherman and recorded at The Sitting Room in Lyttelton. Tickets for the band's 'Woolston, Texas Tour' this April-May are on sale now at Undertheradar.co.nz - see above and below for tour dates. 

WOOLSTON, TEXAS is out now via all online streaming platforms

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, and Nest Fest, they are now embarking on their third national album release tour. 

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.

VGB 'THE GIVER & THE GIFT'

‘The Giver and The Gift’, a song on polarity, is fuelled by driving guitars and bass work you’ll remember long after the final note. It’s a fitting return for the ex-Lucid3 front woman Victoria Girling-Butcher, in collaboration with Tom Healy (Tiny Ruins/Terrible Sons/Finn Andrews/Julia Jacklin and more).

After a lifetime of having to spell her name, she’s opted for the ease of VGB. Life in the last 10 years has certainly brought changes – disbanding Lucid 3, moving to Paris, returning to NZ, marriage and a daughter, guitarist in Sir Dave Dobbyn’s band, and becoming a ‘dudette’ for Th’Dudes final shows.   

MEG THERON 'STAR GAZING'

Having faced challenges with mental health most of her life, 20 year old upcoming artist Meg Theron is diving deeper, following her most recent release, ‘Self Care’. Expressing thoughts and feelings that once came along with contemplating life, Meg feels empowered giving listeners a look into part of her journey, with new single, ‘STARGAZING’.

With hip hop production, ‘STARGAZING’ is a fresh look at the young artist. Featuring vulnerable lyricism and an intimate, spoken second verse, you can’t help but feel the weight behind the personal track.

‘STARGAZING’ will be released alongside a promotional visualiser on the 26th of March. As well as being available on all major streaming platforms. This is a must listen for the upcoming artist.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram

Spotify

Facebook

Youtube

THE DOODAHS BIRTHDAY TOUR

Captain DooDah is coming for a birthday party... what could possibly go wrong? Doo and Dah are on a mission to throw a super duper birthday party and we need your help! Come along and celebrate with us on this laugh-out-loud adventure. Kids and parents all over town are raving about the newest kids entertainment sensations... THE DOODAHS!

We are inviting families to come and enjoy a visual and musical ride with captivating characters and songs to “rock your socks off.” You can dance, sing and play along with the Doodahs at their first live shows, 1:00pm, on Saturday March 27th at Mount Maunganui College. Tickets cost $15 each or $50 for a 4 ticket family pass from Eventbrite visithttps://www.eventbrite.co.nz/o/the-doodahs-32256869487to purchase tickets. Book now as seats are limited! More shows to be announced so keep in touch by visitingwww.thedoodahs.co.nzor on Facebook & Instagram @DooDahSuperstar

HOW TO WRITE A SONG

The Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to have partnered with renowned producer and singer/songwriter Chris Sanders of Angel Star Publishing House on this unique and timely project.

A four-part series, complete with accompanying activity sheets, for use in primary school classrooms or at home to teach young children the basics of writing their own song.

Utilising the children’s song and picture book, The World's Greatest Teddy Bear Hunt, celebrating community spirit and kindness in Aotearoa; learn about how rythmn, mood, tempo and pitch make up the essential elements of writing a song.

Teddy Bear Hunt came about in response to the COVID 19 lockdowns and the song and accompanying picture book celebrates the spirit of kindness and community which emerged out of the grassroots Teddy Bear Hunt campaign. These videos were produced during COVID Alert Level 2.

See all four 'How to write a song' videos at the link below, plus the music video for the 'Teddy Bear Hunt' song

https://www.apo.co.nz/community-education/schools/teddy-bear-hunt-videos-and-activity-sheets/