Troy Kingi Announces New Album “Black Sea Golden Ladder”

Troy Kingi announces the fifth,( “folk” ) installment, in his 1O 1O 1O Series ,(10 albums in 10 years in 10 genres)

A collaboration with award winning artist and producer Delaney Davidson, this album was written and recorded as part of the Matairangi Mahi Toi Artist Residency in Wellington – a partnership between the Governor General and Massey University that was established in 2016 to encourage and promote the development of Māori and Pasifika visual arts and creative practices. As artist in residence Troy had the opportunity to live as a guest in a cottage at Government House and also to be involved in workshops and outreach programmes with secondary & tertiary students.

Troy and Delaney speak on the project:

"This album was a collaborative effort between Delaney Davidson and I. It was relatively quick in the making. We met properly for the first time 3 days before going into song writing mode having only met briefly earlier in the year.”

I was lucky enough to receive the Matairangi Mahi Toi Artist Residency in Wellington. This would be my first time writing outside of the comfort of my beloved Kerikeri. (Troy)

“Troy and I spent 4 days out at the end of Clyde Wharf in the international residency apartment, writing non-stop. It felt like we were in the water. The songs would wash around us. I spent a few days there a week later, and could still feel it all hanging in the air. Intense to spend such intimate time together and also get to know each other. There were times we would look across the room thinking “Who is this person?” (Delaney)

The initial concept of the album was to have poetry written by Troy, with all poems speaking about different facets and stages of life that the majority of humans could identify with. Each poem would be the foundation for each song in the album. Songs that would range from birth to sleep ultimately culminating in death.

“As it turned out – my poetry wasn’t quite up to scratch and not where I wanted it to be, but we still had to create. So Delaney took it on himself to be somewhat of a shrink, digging deep into my memories, deep into my subconscious to find my own experiences of these different facets which in the end led us to this album ‘Black Sea Golden Ladder’ “ (Troy)

“Troy said he wanted these songs to be about the human experience. What is life? What are the things people unite over? The common threads that weave a life together. I started asking him what his thoughts on these times were; fatherhood, love, work, childhood etc. I was trying to get to the essence of what he thought, we always started by talking and stripping it back to get to the core of the message.” (Delaney)

The Album was written in 4 days. We gave ourselves 10 days to digest and tweak the compositions and then headed into the new Massey studio to lay the tracks over a 7-day period with Jol Mulholland. With 3 days mixing, the album took 2 weeks from seed to tree.

“It is the most personal of all my albums – the first one I feel that is truly about me.” Troy Kingi - KeriKeri, April 2021

“Call My Name” is the first track to be released from the album. The video was shot during the YAMI (Youth And Adults In the Music Industry) Summit, in Wanaka this May. Troy and Delaney performed songs from the album and took part in various workshops with the kids.

Director Lynne Christie reports being ‘stunned and staggered” by the bravery and skill set of the participants, adding that it was fantastic to see a heightened level of collaboration between students and tutors from all around the nation.

"Troy and Delaney were phenomenal - not just in their talent but their commitment to the cause and ability to see the big picture.”

Black Sea Golden Ladder

1. Sleep (Slumber)

2. Call My Name (School)

3. You In My Arms (Birth)

4. Fork in the Road (Choices)

5. Never Take Me Away (Love)

6. Hunt Down Happiness (The Meaning)

7. Come Around (A Father Through a Childs Eyes)

8. Twilight (Retirement)

9. Forgotten Like A Dream (Mortality)

10. Sea of Death (Death)

11. Daddy’s Comin Home (Work)

12. Gimme Hell (Relationships)

Troy Kingi – Guitars, Vocals, Bass, Piano, Percussion

Delaney Davidson - Guitars, Vocals, Organ, Piano, Percussion.

Marika Hodgson – Bass

Iraia Whakamoe - Drums

Dave Khan - Strings

James Coyle - Organ

Ryan Pebble - Percussion

Leo Coghini- Piano on “Sleep”

Jol Mulholland - Classic riff on You in My Arms

Mark Russell – Finger of Death on Hunt Down Happiness

All songs Davidson/Kingi, except “Call My Name”- Davidson/Kingi/Kingi,

and “Forgotten Like A Dream”- Kingi.

Produced by Delaney Davidson

Engineered by Jol Mulholland

Assistant Engineer: Ryan Prebble

Studio Coordinator: James Coyle

Technical Lead: Mike Gibson

Black Sea Golden Ladder - Out June 18th - CD / LP through Border and available on all digital platforms.

Pre Save Call My Name on your favourite Digital Platform!

Follow Troy Kingi and order the new album “Black Sea Golden Ladder"

TROY KINGI

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Bandcamp

Follow: Website / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021: ACCESS ALL AREAS

Access All Aotearoa

Great local music for all New Zealanders – in every place, for every age & in every genre this NZ Music Month

S @ SPARK ARENA & online – SATURDAY 29 MAY – 10AM TO 4PM - FREE

The NZ Music Month Summit is back for 2021 with a packed one-day programme featuring panel discussions and presentations around music industry topics and information. The Summit will be held live at S @ Spark Arena on Saturday 29 May with free attendance for registrants.

Presented by the MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS, NZ On Air and Recorded Music NZ, the NZ Music Month Summit provides useful, practical information for emerging artists and music professionals to grow and thrive in their careers.

The theme for NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2021 is Access All Aotearoa: Great local music for all New Zealanders – in every place, for every age & in every genre this NZ Music Month. The NZ Music Month Summit is picking up that theme and will present both in-person and online, so you will be able to watch and participate wherever you are in Aotearoa.

The live stream will be available on the day through the MMF Aotearoa and Music Commission Facebook and YouTube channels, with online moderators to take your questions and feed them through to the live panels.

Alongside the live stream, this year’s NZ Music Month Summit will be held for a limited live audience at S @ Spark Arena – above the Tuning Fork – in Auckland. To secure a ticket for the in-person event you can register at Eventbrite – click the link here.

Topics covered at the NZ Music Month Summit will include booking and promoting tours across Aotearoa, funding support for music from the government agencies, working as a producer with people near and far, an update from SoundCheck Aotearoa and more. Stay tuned for the full programme and speaker reveal next week!

NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021: ACCESS ALL AREAS

SAT 29 MAY FROM 10AM - FREE

KATH BEE 'E Tū Tāngata - Stand Together'

We have a good reputation. New Zealanders are generally known as friendly, hardworking and laid back. But live here for a while and you’ll also discover we have a bad habit of criticising one another. This criticism can range from good-natured ribbing amongst friends to brutal slurs towards strangers on Facebook and everything in between.

Otherwise known as the Tall Poppy Syndrome, this culture of criticism is so entrenched in our society that individuals self-deprecate in order to beat others to the punch (so to speak). We have become our own harshest critic and we live with the erroneous belief that, somehow, your success is a threat to mine. But just because something is, doesn’t mean it should be.

Our song is enjoyed by tamariki up to Year 8 and embraces the kaupapa of E Tū Tāngata.  We all know that music and singing helps to instill ideas into the heart of a child like no other learning tool does.  As each child shouts out 'I have value' and sings 'I lift you up, you lift me up and we will rise together', the idea will become part of them and they will take these values with them as they negotiate their lives.

We would like to thank Junior Tana, our te reo Māori advisor.

https://smarturl.it/ettangata?fbclid=IwAR3CqmmWMEny7W3Pr8Nrd2DrFF_p1m9eIi_aNj05CNsMm7aY7zK6IthXJos

Stars Are Born

The fifth Yami Sounz Summit, held in Lake Wanaka Centre during the weekend, showcased phenomenal homespun musical talent from Dunedin through to Kerikeri.

150 students over the 8th and 9th of May workshopped their song writing, production and vocal skills alongside mentors and tutors from L.A.B, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds, Sola Rosa, Sea Mouse and more.

Troy Kingi and Delaney Davidson were supported by a teenage band and a 22-strong choir led by Deva Mahal and Bella Kalolo. The next night at the Sunday Showcase, Shapeshifter frontman P Digsss alongside band-mate Sam Trevethick performed ‘One’ backed by a 20-piece YAMI student band and choir. The whole weekend has sent students, mentors and crew buzzing with renewed energy and aspirations for the future of the NZ music industry.

YAMI’s purpose is to facilitate a musical weekend that creates light bulb moments of inspiration to both students and mentors alike, the achievement of this Kaupapa coming to light is perfectly summarised by local mum Bridget Legnavsky about her daughter Zora’s experience. “I dropped Zora off Saturday morning all by herself with no musical skills but a passion to sing. At lunchtime I called and her comment was, ‘I'm here by myself but I am not alone… I have found my tribe’. The next evening I watched her stand on stage with a group of insanely talented mentors who helped her perform an original song that she was part of creating. What’s even better is the confidence she gained in herself and knowing that music will be a huge part of her life going forward.”

The not-for-profit event received essential funding support from the music industry, including New Zealand Music Commission, NZ on Air and Recorded Music New Zealand. Director Lynne Christie reports being “stunned and staggered” by the bravery and skill set of the participants, adding that it was fantastic to see a heightened level of collaboration between students and tutors from all around the nation.

Christie also adds that none of it could have been possible without the outstanding crew, technicians and volunteers who worked tirelessly (even on Mother’s Day!) to produce the top-quality weekend summit.

The next YAMI (Youth and Adults in the Music Industry) will be back MAY 2023. 

ANNA VAN RIEL TO FIND OUT RESULTS OF ASA NOMINATION THIS SUNDAY

Lake Hawea children's songwriter Anna van Riel will find out this Sunday if her song 'If you were a tree' will take out best Children's Song at the Australian Songwriters Association awards in Sydney. Uncannily, the Australian Awards fall on the very same day as the NZ Children's Music Awards at Spark Arena in Auckland.

Written with Kiwi songwriting legend Arthur Baysting (1947-2019), it is particularly meaningful that this song has made it to the ASA finals this year. Arthur Baysting was the founder of Kiwi Kids Music, a charitable trust growing children's music in NZ, where Anna currently sits as chair.

"To have our song celebrated in Australia on the very same day as the NZ Children's Music Awards, which Arthur worked so hard to provide for our children's sector, is fantastic! I wish he were here to celebrate with all of us", Anna shares.

Anna has also been nominated in 3 other categories of the ASA's for her folk and bluegrass works. The awards ceremony can be streamed online this Sunday HERE from 7pm Sydney time.

2021 BAYSTING PRIZE FOR CHILDREN’S CHAMPION GOES TO: WHAT NOW!

In 2019, APRA AMCOS NZ announced a new award to be presented at the New Zealand Children’s Music Awards. The Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion is in honour of the late Arthur Baysting - a well-known children’s author, songwriter and advocate who has championed children’s content creators in Aotearoa on behalf of our tamariki, working to provide kiwi kids with accessible art of all varieties that reflects their home and culture, while also inspiring and educating.

The Baysting Prize is presented to an individual, group, or organisation each year who has made a significant and outstanding contribution to the development and wellbeing of New Zealand children, through the creation of or support for music, TV programmes, films, live shows, books, education, or advocacy.

In 2021, the Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion is going to What Now.

“We are thrilled that in their 40th year of production we can recognise the awesomeness that is What Now. We believe that for generations of kids in Aotearoa, What Now has been an enormous source of fun, gunge, and laughter!” says APRA AMCOS Head of NZ Operations Anthony Healey.

“It’s given New Zealand children an incredible sense of community and togetherness across the whole country each week and it’s showcased amazing music and talented artists, told inspirational stories and developed incredible role models.

“What Now has given our tamariki a beautiful appreciation and exposure to te reo Māori and our unique kiwi culture and sense of humour. It is both irreverent and educative. These are all qualities that Arthur Baysting held close to his heart, and displayed himself, throughout his life.”

Congratulations to the What Now team, past and present, Whitebait Productions, TVNZ, and everyone who has been involved over the past 40 years on such a fantastic achievement.

The award will be formally presented at the NZ Children’s Music Awards on Sunday 16 May at Tuning Fork, Spark Arena.

Announcing the Aotearoa Sync-Posium

Aotearoa’s first annual music for screens ‘SYNC-POSIUM’ will bring together international music supervisors in film, gaming, TV and advertising together with musicians, songwriters and composers at Auckland’s Roundhead Studios on June 15th-18th 2021.

The SYNC-POSIUM is organised by acclaimed music supervisor Karyn Rachtman and music producer Greg Haver and will cover all areas of writing and placing music in film, TV, games, and associated media. 
 
Academy Award-winners Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) and Andrew Adamson (Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia) will appear at the event along with composers and artists who have cracked the code at synching their music to screen.   
 
The first two days will be comprised of informative panels, interviews, and discussions about scoring, songwriting and licensing your music globally.  
 
Among the many international speakers and panellists who will be joining virtually are:  

• Steve Schnur - Worldwide Executive President of Music at EA Games

• Mary Ramos - Music Supervisor (Kill Bill, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood)

• Daniel Cross - Adidas Global Music Manager & Brand Music Supervisor

The third and fourth days will feature writing and recording workshops in which participants will have an opportunity to write to brief, score demos, write songs, and learn how to properly submit their catalogue, culminating with a listening session where music supervisors and industry insiders can share feedback and insight.

On hand throughout the day will be mentor songwriters and composers with experience in licensing and creating music for screen: Sam Scott (composer) Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper (composer) Chantal Claret (artist / songwriter) Chaii (artist / songwriter) Peter van der Fluit (composer). Music Supervisors Karyn Rachtman and Amine Raimer will also be present to give their feedback.

Attendance is by application only. Space for the workshops will be limited.

Attendance to the event is free thanks to our industry sponsors: NZ Music Commission, NZ On Air, Recorded Music NZ, Auckland UNESCO City of Music, APRA AMCOS NZ, SAE Creative Media Institute and Music Producers Guild NZ.

A full timetable of speakers, panellists, and workshop leaders will be posted in the lead-up to the event. For more information email contact@mindyourmusic.com

SUBSTAX 'ELECTRO SOUL PLANE'

Auckland based breakbeat outfit Substax re-emerge with their 2005 vintage debut album Electro Soul Plane now arriving on streaming platforms for the first time May 14th.

The band have been in studio steadily developing their catalogue, ever since the days this record was released through Sugarlicks Recordings Aotearoa in 2005. Featuring guest vocals by the likes of Souljah Sista, Mahinarangi Maika, Poppy Holmberg and DJ Ster, along with core producers/songwriters Nick Farrands, Jason Johnston and Claudia Gunn, the band has always been about collaborations and community and are excited to be breaking new ground in 2021.

This historical release paves the way for a slate of new works, including the first new single Space Drift, a cowrite between Substax members Nick Farrands and Claudia Gunn with video produced by Rachel Dreyer.

Nick Farrands will be also be appearing for a DJ set and previewing some of the new tunes with Claudia on the mic, at Ante Social Ponsonby on May 29th for the Videotech show hosted by collaborator Rachel Dreyer (DJ and VJ). The DJ line up includes Open Ocean Audio, Rachel Dreyer, DJ Mantis, DJ Pronghorn with visual works by Janine Randerson, Rachel Dreyer, Wilken Schade (Berlin) and Toby Jackson.

SmartURL: https://smarturl.it/sstaxesp