MUSIC WITH MICHAL - I FEEL EXCITED
The world can be a very overwhelming place - and it can be difficult for children to recognise, understand and learn to regulate their big emotions. With this in mind Michal has four new songs and music videos on their way - the first song out this week is I Feel Excited!
The latest release from children’s music artist Music with Michal is EXCITING!
The world can be a very overwhelming place - and it can be difficult for children to recognise, understand and learn to regulate their big emotions. With this in mind Michal has four new songs and music videos on their way - created to teach children how emotions can feel in their body and offer ideas of how to move through their feelings in a positive and comforting way.
The first song out this week is I Feel Excited!
Supported by NZ On Air through New Music Kids, 'I Feel Excited' is the first track of Michal's four-part emotional wellbeing series. This bilingual song (in te reo Maori and English) will have kids up and dancing their hearts out as they explore what it feels like in their bodies to be excited!
The I Feel Excited video is colourful, educational, fun and captivating - featuring an easy to understand educational introduction from Michal and her friends (a stunning line up of children) followed by a super cool stop-motion brick animation for the music video. You'll hear Michal sing: "Kei te hiamo ahau" - which means, I am excited in te reo Maori.
I Feel Excited is out on all platforms April 30th with subsequent tracks - I Feel Angry, I Feel Sad and I Feel Happy releasing over the coming three months.
Catchy, thoughtful and fun - 'I Feel..' by Music with Michal is not only a beautiful collection of music, but a fantastic resource for parents, teachers and children everywhere!
Based in Christchurch, Michal has been creating children's music for the past 8 years. With three young daughters to inspire her, Michal has a beautiful way of connecting with both children and their families through her meaningful songwriting and vibrant performances. This project follows on from Michal's debut solo album 'Can You Make Music' from 2020.
SING THE MONTHS - A NEW TRACK FROM FORTHCOMING SERIES LITTLE WILD LEARNING
Taking a cue from the age old mnemonic to help us remember the days in each month, Sing The Months weaves a new acapella chant with counterpoint harmony to help kids remember the order of the months and the days in each month.
Children’s songwriter Claudia Robin Gunn turns her melodic inspiration to the world of early learning, with this acapella ear worm Sing The Months, the first of a new series of sweet and simple songs for young listeners. They say the years go fast and the days go slow. But learn the months and you’ll always have a handle on father time..
Just as the leaves are falling here in the southern hemisphere right now, this is tune drifts into parents and teachers laps with a dose of sing a long goodness for early childhood mat times and home learning music times alike.
Taking a cue from the age old mnemonic to help us remember the days in each month, Sing The Months weaves a new acapella chant with counterpoint harmony to help kids remember the order of the months and the days in each month.
Sing The Months is a sweet and simple way to trick our brains into remembering complex calendar time, whatever our age.
SmartURL: https://smarturl.it/crgstm
Anna Hawkins announces new album and tour dates - ‘Dreamer'
Accompanied by a three piece band featuring, finger-style guitar, mandolin, fiddle and tin whistle, Anna’s live show promises to move and inspire.
Anna Hawkins releases an album of uplifting quality and depth in a time when the healing power of music is sorely needed.
"For those partial to female folk singers, Anna Hawkins is a real deal homegrown talent." (Keeping Up With NZ) Known for her expressive tone "with a voice that has the power to uplift - irrespective of the song being sung” (NZ Musician) Anna’s music has been described as captivating and ethereal. Dreamer is no exception.
Appealing to fans of 60s folk singer-songwriters Joan Baez and Judy Collins Anna has also been described as the daughter of folk singer Loreena McKennitt. In a clever combination Dreamer captures an authentic folk style while showcasing Anna's colourful range and haunting voice.
The musical landscape and lyrical content of Anna's original songs evoke feelings of exploration, playfulness and calm seeing Anna embrace her New Zealand upbringing and Irish heritage to serve up her most original work to date. The catchy title track Dreamer hints at her country music roots in an anthem to the dreamers of society with lyrics "I'm on the run, always looking ahead, dreaming of a brighter sun" relating her own story. Wide Open Spaces follows, composed while living in London, Anna recorded the demo with UK artist Roo Panes during a songwriting retreat to the English countryside. Feeling reminiscent of folk songs of old are single I Am, a beautiful ode to nature and Sophia, partly recorded in Israel, which speaks of wisdom personified in female form calling out in the streets. Anna shares intimately in I Knew which chronicles her marriage to her childhood sweetheart and again in Where Do Dreams Go To Die composed in lockdown, this time exploring the frailty of our humanity. Other songs of note are the feel-good Beyond The Borders and the haunting part cover - part original Wayfaring Stranger / Yea Though I Walk which beautifully combines dark and light to close the album in cinematic fashion.
The Dreamer project first began while Anna was living in London recording with longstanding producer Pawel Zarecki at his home studio in Warsaw, Poland.
Six years previously, Anna first traveled across the globe to work alongside Pawel and other world class musicians in Poland, London and Israel.
A daring move that brought her recording dreams to life with albums Journey On, Bold Brave & Beautiful and Divine, the latter of which earned five weeks in the NZ album charts with a song clocking over 1.5 million views on youtube for its music video filmed in Israel.
After moving back to New Zealand Dreamer was completed with singer-songwriter Luke Thompson producing and Nic Mander’s mixing and recording vocals at Parachute Studios. Four years in the making Dreamer features a talented and eclectic group of musicians from Poland, Israel and New Zealand. While the album is mainly guitar driven it also includes a string orchestra, cello, fiddle, percussion and keys alongside instruments such as the mountain dulcimer, melodica, ukulele and tin whistle with some foot stomping, hand clapping, whistling and atmospheric vocals thrown in for good measure.
Taking a page out of Walt Disney’s ‘Three Rooms’ approach to creativity, Dreamer reminds us the importance of allowing ourselves the freedom to explore ideas without limitations. With its uplifting and soothing qualities this album is for the dreamer in us all.
Accompanied by a three piece band featuring, finger-style guitar, mandolin, fiddle and tin whistle, Anna’s live show promises to move and inspire. Featuring songs from Dreamer alongside folk classics the concert will appeal to fans of Joan Baez, Loreena McKennit, Judy Collins and Civil Wars, Joy Williams.
ANNA HAWKINS - DREAMER - TOUR DATES
FRI MAY 21st - 7pm | RAGLAN - TICKETS
(Support from Parabola West)
SAT MAY 22nd - 7.30pm | MORRINSVILLE - TICKETS
FRI MAY 28th - 7pm | CAMBRIDGE - TICKETS
SAT JUNE 5th - 7pm | TAURANGA - TICKETS
40th ANNUAL MLT SONGWRITING AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
With just 5 weeks till their much-loved event, the NZ Country Music Awards are proud to announce the Top 10 finalists of the MLT Songwriting Awards. Congratulations to our MMF members Jenny Mitchell and Tami Neilson!
Event Details: 7pm, Thursday 3rd June, 2021
Tickets: https://www.nzcountrymusicawards.co.nz/attend
With just 5 weeks till their much-loved event, the NZ Country Music Awards are proud to announce the Top 10 finalists of the MLT Songwriting Awards; an award that celebrates the unrecorded songs of NZ & Australia. The annual NZ Country Music Awards are held in Gore and recognise the best of the broad genre of Country Music in the Southern Hemisphere. Audiences who gather in the South each June witness the announcement of the Tui for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Artist, APRA Best Country Song and the MLT Songwriting Award Winner with performances from the finalists for all three awards.
Jeff Rea, Chairman of the NZ Country Music Awards Committee and the first ever MLT Songwriting Awards Winner (1980), is excited to be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Awards with a finalist list of world-class songs.
“I’m amazed at the ever increasing standard of songs entered in the MLT NZ Songwriting Award and this year with close to record high entries of 117, we can’t wait to hear the top 10 finalists perform their song on the theatre stage,” (Jeff Rea, NZ Country Music Awards Chairman)
The Official Top 10 Finalists for the 2021 MLT Songwriting Awards are:
Look But Don’t Touch – Marian Burns (Auckland)
Gonna Turn – Nicky Moran (Hamilton)
If You Were a Bird – Jenny Mitchell (Gore)
Imperfect Lovers – Mia Jay (Napier)
Trouble Finds a Girl – Jenny Mitchell (Gore), Tami Neilson(Auckland), Chris Wethey (Christchurch) and Tali Enjalas Jenkinson (Christchurch)
Old Bones and New Strings - Carylann Martin (Otaki)
Alexandra Road – Chad Robinson (Queenstown)
What It Does – Michael Young (Auckland) Dixie Dolejs(Auckland)
Downsizing – Eric Reid (Pelican Waters, Australia)
Tired as a Possum – Ron Mitchell (Gore)
The NZ Country Music Awards are delighted to be nearing a sold out theatre for their event and welcome and encourage music lovers of all ages to secure their seats as soon as possible.
Budding songwriters of all experience levels are also invited to attend the MLT Songwriting Seminar on Thursday 3rd June (10am – 2.30pm). The Seminar will feature guest speakers Ant Healy (APRA), Country Music superstar Kaylee Bell and award winning folk songwriter Jenny Mitchell.
CHRIS LAM SAM DROPS FIRST ANIMATED MUSIC VIDEO FOR KIDS!
If you don’t know what sound an octopus makes, you might want to let Chris Lam Sam’s new music video teach you.
If you don’t know what sound an octopus makes, you might want to let Chris Lam Sam’s new music video teach you.
After more than two decades performing shows for young audiences, the Wellington-based family entertainer has launched his first cartoon music video using the talented team at Mukpuddy Animation Studio.
‘This project wouldn’t have happened without the support of NZ On Air’s New Music Kids fund’, says Lam Sam.
‘Their support of children’s music in NZ is unsurpassed. They really do lead the world in nurturing artists who make music for young listeners.’
The Octopus Song has proven to be a family favourite on his first independent debut album Silly Funny Songs For Kids, and says the process for choosing an animator to do the song justice was easy.
‘The team at Mukpuddy are really at the top of their game right now. They’re working with international artists like Chris Ballew (former lead singer for Presidents of the USA and now working as the Grammy nominated children’s musician Caspar Babypants), they have a series airing on Netflix right now, and they recently gained the rights to produce the first animated version of Spike Milligan’s Bad Jelly the Witch.’
Mukpuddy Director, Ryan Cooper says the video was a joy to work on.
'Music videos are such a great creative outlet for us. When Chris brought The Octopus Song to us, we were immediately inspired to jump in and bring it all to life.’
The video received over 3,000 views within the first 48 hours of its native launch on Facebook on April 17th.
‘We were very happy with that,’ says Lam Sam. 'The feedback from parents is that it makes their kids laugh a lot which is incredibly rewarding.'
REI 'DRIVE SLOW'
Rei is stoked to present to you his second release for 2021, a new tune called ‘Drive Slow’.
Rei is stoked to present to you his second release for 2021, a new tune called ‘Drive Slow’.
‘Drive Slow’ is an earworm of an RnB/Pop waiata all about taking your time with both life and love. This is something that many of us need to hear in our ever-busy lives where we hop from one thing to the next and forget to enjoy the process. Filled with catchy hooks and high-end production, this cruise-ready tune will have you singing along in no time.
‘Drive Slow’ is a reminder for me to take my time, to not rush things, and to be present in the journey.’ - Rei
Released as a double single, with an English version and Te Reo Version[Urungi Autō], Rei is continuing his mission to increase Te Reo Māori music on the airwaves. ‘Drive Slow’ is the latest single from Rei’s upcoming 3rd studio album Enjoy The Ride, due for release late 2021.
He’s had a big start to 2021, touring the country playing at festivals such as AUM, Kotahi, Splore and Newtown Festival, as well as opening for Netsky at his sold out arena show.
Georgia Lines and LAIIKA announce NZ tour
One of the most mesmerising new voices in New Zealand music Georgia Lines is teaming up with rising pop duo LAIIKA for a double-headlining tour.
GET TICKETS HERE
One of the most mesmerising new voices in New Zealand music Georgia Lines is teaming up with rising pop duo LAIIKA for a double-headlining tour.
Georgia Lines and LAIIKA will kick off their tour at Meow in Wellington on April 29, before heading to Totara Street in Tauranga on April 30 and Auckland’s Tuning Fork on May 1. Georgia will complete the tour on her own at Grater Goods in Christchurch on May 7.
With both acts touted as ‘ones to watch’ in 2021, the tour promises to deliver some of New Zealand’s best pop in some of New Zealand’s best live venues. Each act will take turns at headlining the North Island shows, with Georgia performing on her own with an intimate solo show in Christchurch.
Georgia fills spaces with her soulful, dream-like vocals and distinctive pop, laced with touches of R&B. She’s received well over a million streams on Spotify, with tracks like ‘My Love’, ‘Vacant Cities’ and ‘Never Had Love’ from her self-titled debut EP released in last year’s COVID lockdown.
In March, Georgia featured on the single ‘In Bloom’ by renowned Kiwi producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Pacific Heights (AKA Devin Abrams). Now she is set to release new music, which she has been working on with award-winning producer Djeisan Suskov (BENEE, Matthew Young, Mitch James, LEISURE). The first single ‘No One Knows’ (out on April 16) is a stunning song, which puts Georgia’s exquisite vocal front and centre.
Pre-order ‘No One Knows’ HERE
An experienced live performer, Georgia will be joined on this upcoming tour by her band, which includes her brothers Mackenzie Lines on drums and Nathan Mavroyannis (keys/bass/guitar).
Exciting new pop act LAIIKA (consisting of best friends Grace Moller and Heidi Simpson) are also no strangers to the spotlight, drawing attention with their first two singles ‘Crush’ and ‘Any Way You Want It’.
LAIIKA’s modern take on pop music recounts the whimsical feelings of youth with cutting truth. Sonically cohesive, yet eclectic, LAIIKA write and co-produce all of their own songs, ranging from upbeat funkalicious dance tracks to stripped back intimate power ballads. Drawing inspiration from 70s disco, dreamy 80s synth pop and punchy 2000s classics - think Avril Lavigne’s teenage angst meets the electro-pop power of The Veronicas with a touch of Taylor Swift’s folklore delicacy and you’ve got LAIIKA pinned.
Expect big things from both Georgia Lines and LAIIKA this year so don’t miss the chance to witness both acts live, up close and personal.
Georgia Lines and LAIIKA – NZ tour dates 2021
Thursday April 29 – Meow, Wellington - TICKETS
Friday April 30 - Totara Street, Tauranga - TICKETS
Saturday May 1 - Tuning Fork, Auckland – ALL AGES - TICKETS
Friday May 7 - Grater Goods, Christchurch (Georgia Lines only) – TICKETS
Tickets for all shows are on sale now - HERE
Tomorrow People 'Õku Rā'
Aotearoa chart-toppers Tomorrow People pause their #FirstFridays campaign to address an important topic prevalent in today’s society
a waiata to acknowledge and raise awareness for the Maori military personnel who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder
Aotearoa chart-toppers Tomorrow People pause their #FirstFridays campaign to address an important topic prevalent in today’s society. After teaming up with Wellington-based director Brandon Te Moananui (The Maori Sidesteps, Under The Korowai), they discovered that nearly 80% of Maori soldiers had experienced symptoms of PTSD, with only 10% seeking support for mental health issues. For the most part, the majority struggled to integrate back into society affecting their employment opportunities and personal relationships.
Tomorrow People felt compelled to bring awareness through their music and video. “Õku Rā” is their 4th Maori language song and it talks about a healthy relationship breaking down since returning back from service. The extended music video portrays the journey of this soldier who suffers from PTSD and rejects his partners support, but eventually finds solace at the beach where they first met.
Director Te Moananui says “When I first heard the track and read the lyrics, it gave me the inspiration to explore and use this opportunity to bring awareness to a very important topic. It’s a reminder as we celebrate ANZAC Day, that more support is needed for the large number of New Zealanders who are serving, or have served in the military but now suffer from PTSD”.
It is only fitting that the song is released on ANZAC day where our military personnel are honoured.
WATCH OR LISTEN HERE
Tomorrow People are a seven-piece band, made up of Kenape Saupese, Te Aranga Savage, Snow Chase, Avina Kelekolio, Duane Te Whetu, Hennie Tui and Tana Tupai - is one of Aotearoa’s most loved reggae bands, with a string of Gold and Platinum hits to their name, including ‘Souljah Feeling’, ‘Feel Alright’ and ‘Take It Away’.