ADAM TUKIRI AND HOR. TEAM UP ON NEW PROJECT HARIRŪ!
Adam Tukiri & Hor. (Aka Hor. Beats) collaborate on new project HARIRŪ. This is not the first time Adam and Hor. have worked together, as they are both part of the rap group Valleyside Boys.
Adam was also recently announced in the Top 20 for the Apra Silver Scroll Award for his track ‘Anna (On My Life)’ Ft. Rizván.
Adam Tukiri & Hor. (Aka Hor. Beats) collaborate on new project HARIRŪ. This is not the first time Adam and Hor. have worked together, as they are both part of the rap group Valleyside Boys. Harirū is an album/mixtape that was created while Adam was finishing off his previously released album ‘Son’. The project allowed Adam the chance to rap about whatever came to his mind, rather than creating concept-heavy songs like on ‘Son’.
The first single off the project ‘Jesus Pesus’ landed on 3 Spotify playlists: +64 Flow, Beats n’ Bars and Fresh Finds AU & NZ. This was a surprise to both of them with Adam saying “I didn’t even write a hook”. However for Hor. it is the first time he has had any of his work playlist.
Rather than release another single before the release, they dropped a video for the track ‘Pops’ which was a one-shot black & white video. The video was shot on Karangahape Road before Adam performed his set at ‘Heavy Rotation’, held at Neck of the Woods.
“Harirū came about when I was trying to make music, fresh after becoming a dad and not being able to make my own beats as much. It felt natural to me, as Hor. is able to knock out beat after beat. So I figured we'd just do a whole bunch and release them.
We basically just wanted to showcase our skills and have some fun while life was at a buzzy spot. Our group Valleyside Boys has not been active due to our Friday night sessions being cut due to work & covid. Things are definitely changing.”
Adam was also recently announced in the Top 20 for the APRA Silver Scroll award for his track ‘Anna (On My Life) Ft. Rizván.
Widely considered the most prestigious accolade in New Zealand music, the APRA Silver Scroll Award recognises outstanding achievement in the craft of songwriting.
Past winners include Benee, Lorde, Marlon Williams, Dave Dobbyn, and Bic Runga.
This Top 20 list was chosen from over 250 entries by a judging panel of 10 fellow songwriters, who have each made wonderful contributions to the NZ music community. The judging panel were (in alphabetical order): Anji Sami (She’s So Rad), Finn Andrews (The Veils), Hollie Fullbrook (Tiny Ruins), Marika Hodgson (Sorrento, Troy Kingi, Kora, Teeks), Natalia Sheppard (MC Tali), Phil Bell (DJ Sir-Vere), Sarena Close (Mousey), Sean Donnelly (SJD), Tom Scott (Avantdale Bowling Club), and Tyna Keelan.
GRAEME JAMES Releases New EP Field Notes on an Endless Day
Today, internationally acclaimed folk artist and multi-instrumentalist Graeme James releases his new EP, Field Notes on an Endless Day on Canadian label Nettwerk.
Early praise for Field Notes on An Endless Day EP:
"It’s the summer we all dream of escaping to once more in the not too distant future, and as such this EP is a beacon of hope and the perfect way to end this stunning series of evergreen tracks." - Elsewhere
"The songs are exquisitely arranged, with lush instrumental background anchored by fiddle and acoustic guitar achingly well picked. Could be the finest NZ musician I’d never heard of before now..." - Music.net
Today, internationally acclaimed folk artist and multi-instrumentalist Graeme James releases his new EP, Field Notes on an Endless Day on Canadian label Nettwerk. Listen HERE. With sold-out shows across New Zealand and over 40 million streams on Spotify, Graeme is one of New Zealand’s most streamed indie-folk artists.
Celebrating the release on a whistle-stop nationwide tour, James has been on the road since June dodging snap lockdowns and wild winter weather. His Wellington show earlier this month was rescheduled due to flooding at local music venue Meow. It will now take place on Saturday August 14th at Meow, see full tour dates below.
James, who spent years busking the Capital's city streets, says he was "unbelievably gutted" but adding, "nothing quite like 140km winds and torrential rain to make you feel like home".
Meow owner, Rahine O'Rielly estimates about 20,000 litres of water came through the building over the weekend with her staff rallying together to clean up the damage. "It’s really hard, we're in a time of cancelling shows with Covid. It has a big financial impact on us and there's a loss of income for the artists too," says O'Rielly.
Returning to New Zealand after a two-year stint in Europe, James is delighted to be back in New Zealand to reconnect with fans and share new songs and stories. His new Field Notes on an Endless Day EP is the final installment of a four-part EP series about the seasons.
James shares: "Field Notes on an Endless day explores the timelessness of summer. As the flirtations of Spring ripen into the romance of summer, life takes on an endless quality. It is a season of abundance, fulfillment and joy, where the days blend into one another and life stands still under the slow summer sun."
Graeme James Seasons Tour
6 dates left - don't miss out!
Friday July 30th - KUMEU, Kumeu Live
Saturday July 31st - NEW PLYMOUTH, 4th Wall
Thursday August 5th- TAURANGA, Totara Street
Friday August 6th - HAMILTON, The Meteor
Friday August 13th - AUCKLAND, The Tuning Fork
Saturday August 14th - WELLINGTON, Meow *New Date Added
Tickets Avaliable Now via www.graemejamesmusic.com
Field Notes on an Endless Day is the fourth and final in a series of seasonal EPs, starting with Old Storms in New Places, which came out in September 2020 at the same time as the autumnal equinox (listen here). Next came The Weight Of Many Winters (listen here), which, as the title suggests, is inspired by the emotional and physical landscape of the winter season. This EP featured 'The Voyage Of James Caird,' which Rolling Stone named a “Song You Need To Know,” saying Graeme “revives the lost art of the shipwreck song.” And most recently, he released the Spring-themed A Sea of Infinite Possibilities, which he described as “an exuberant celebration of life and all of its joys.” Now, with Field Notes on an Endless Day, Graeme explores the timelessness of summer as evidenced by previously released tracks; 'The Wild' and 'The Angel of St. George.'
Though he is now based in the Netherlands, Graeme spent the last number of years building a large and loyal fan base throughout his native New Zealand and beyond with his carefully crafted multi-instrumental soundscapes. His captivating and dynamic live shows are performed as a one-man band with the aid of a loop pedal to layer violin, guitar, bass, baritone ukulele, banjo, mandolin, accordion, harmonica and percussion.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see him play live in his home country.
Praise for Graeme James:
"His records tend to be calm and ruminative, recalling the work of fellow modern balladeers like Nathaniel Rateliff (during his unplugged moments) and Phoebe Bridgers." - Rolling Stone
"Striking and evolved alternative folk" - Glide Magazine
"James’s impressive vocal delivery ranges from brooding and grounded, to floaty and ethereal; his voice the perfect instrument to ignite emotion in the core of his listener." - When The Horn Blows (UK)
"It’s a beautiful record that renders you helpless to its appeal, with tints of scenic bitterness sprinkled throughout that mimic the rural, blanched landscapes charmingly adorning the EP’s cover art." - Everything is Noise (UK)
“One of the most interesting songwriters on the current scene.”
- Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy)
DEEP WATER CREEK ON TOUR
Winegum Records, Under the Radar and Lyttelton Records present Deep Water Creek on tour this September and October as they celebrate the release of their debut full-length album ‘News From the South’.
Winegum Records, Under the Radar and Lyttelton Records present Deep Water Creek on tour this September and October as they celebrate the release of their debut full-length album ‘News From the South’. With a 6 date tour throughout NZ, they will be sounding the trumpet, banging the drum, and bringing their mastery to the masses.
Deep Water Creek is the project of Christchurch based Singer/songwriter Matthew Smith. With a strong evocative sense for words and melody, Smith has a burning desire to celebrate, commiserate, and communicate. Since recording his debut E.P with Ben Edwards (The Sitting Room), Smith has been crossing the country developing a fearsome reputation as an electric performer full of dark energy and insight not often seen. One of New Zealand's rare and underrated talents, Smith’s band Deep Water Creek are a powerful and fitting foil for his restless inner vision.
Tour Dates:
Friday 10th Sept - Christchurch - Blue Smoke
Friday 17th Sept - Oamaru - Grainstore Gallery
Saturday 18th Sept - Dunedin - Bark!
Friday 15th Oct - Auckland - The Wine Cellar
Saturday 16th Oct - Tauranga - The Jam Factory
Sunday 17th Oct - Leigh - The Leigh Sawmill
Tickets are available from Under the Radar and Winegum Records
Wellington-based band, Voodoo Bloo, join forces with Boneface Brewery to create their own beer!
Wellington-based indie rock band, Voodoo Bloo, have joined forces with Boneface Brewery to create a beer of their own, a hazy pale ale.
Wellington-based indie rock band, Voodoo Bloo, have joined forces with Boneface Brewery to create a beer of their own, a hazy pale ale.
The idea came about from Tony McDonald, manager of Voodoo Bloo, and his passion for craft beer.
“I approached the owner, Matt Dainty and he was so keen that the same night he and Sophia, jumped in their car and drove down to Valhalla to see Voodoo Bloo play a gig. They loved the music so much that they said yes immediately. The band also love craft beer and are very excited to be part of this,” says Tony.
McDonald also used to be the proud owner of 1500 empty bottles strong beer collection but sold the collection to convert his bar into a studio. This allowed them the recording of the first album, JACOBUS during the first Covid-19 lockdown
Wellington has been praised for its inherent coolness for decades and is famously known as Aotearoa’s Craft Beer Capital. It also boasts an incredibly vibrant music scene with a strong sense of community and a wide range of talent.
With a lot of musical inspiration behind many of the Boneface Brewery beer names, it was a match made in heaven.
“The band possess a sound that is both unique and yet familiar, marrying influences of eclectic indie melodies with heavy punk distortion and youthful, raucous energy (think Arctic Monkeys meets IDLES). When these guys reached out to us about a potential collaboration, it was certainly a no-brainer,” says Dainty.
“Brew day” took place on July 22 and 23 with the band being invited into the brewery to help assist with the creation of the beer.
It’s still in the early stages of brewing so a release date is yet to be confirmed, but Boneface is hoping it will be ready to roll out just in time for Beervana (August 13, 14) where Voodoo Bloo are set to perform.
Voodoo Bloo recently released their debut album, JACOBUS, which features current punk-rock favourite, ‘MMA’.
Catch Voodoo Bloo live:
Friday August 6 - St Peters Hall, Paekakariki - All Ages - Tickets
Saturday August 7 - Snail, Palmerston North - All Ages - Tickets
Friday August 13, Saturday 14 - Beervana Festival, Sky Stadium, Wellington - Tickets
Saturday August 28 - Ohakune Lodge, Ohakune - Door sales only
Saturday October 9 - You Am I (support slot) - San Fran, Wellington - Tickets
LEFT OR RIGHT
Left Or Right, one of the biggest musical prides of the South are venturing up to Christchurch in August, to bring long awaited Cantabrians another taste of their nuggety tunes!
Left Or Right, one of the biggest musical prides of the South are venturing up to Christchurch in August, to bring long awaited Cantabrians another taste of their nuggety tunes!
Left Or Right are the definition of flow, with seriously hard hitting rhythms and seamless transitions into smooth realms of groove with multi-dimensional 3-way harmonies. To attend a Left Or Right gig, is to be whirled in to an effortless blend of funk, reggae, rock, metal, jazz, dub, doom and more. This tight-knit trio creates a fun, down to earth atmosphere inside a unique multi genre soundscape.
With support from a growing local funk/dub/rock favorites SCROOGE, jazz/funk/rock fusion extraordinaires ‘Themeta’ and a debut performance from the psych/blues/rock act ‘New Electra’, you’ll want to head down to this show early to catch every riff!
Tombstone Entertainment will once again team up with COSMIC, holding this special occasion on Saturday, 14th August at The Embankment Tavern, $20+bf through COSMIC Ticketing, or $30 door sales.
This act answers with a ‘must bring’ to any audience member pondering “hmm, what about my dancing shoes?!” In fact, anyone attending a Left Or Right show will walk out their next biggest fan. With over 10 years, 3 albums and many amazing shows under their belts, heavyweights Left Or Right are excited to be bringing brand new tunes with them for this show, which no doubt all their fans will freak out to.
This night wouldn’t be happening without the crew and sponsors Mothman Lighting and Razor Sharp Sound NZ, CANNA, Slick Burgers, Eagle Brewing NZ, Waghorn Builders, RDU98.5FM.
Georgia Lines releases gorgeous new single and video, ‘Call Me By My Name’
Aotearoa vocal powerhouse, Georgia Lines, today releases her stunning new single, ‘Call Me By My Name’.
Aotearoa vocal powerhouse, Georgia Lines, today releases her stunning new single, ‘Call Me By My Name’.
Listen HERE
The hypnotic piano driven ballad showcases Lines’ exquisite vocals and emphasises why she is one of the most mesmerising voices in the country right now.
Written at the end of lockdown in 2020, Tauranga-based Lines teamed up with acclaimed writer and producer Djeisan Suskov (LEISURE, Benee, Paige) to create the understated, yet powerful ‘Call Me By My Name’.
The song explores human relationships and the challenges we all feel as humans.
“It’s about the tension that is felt in every relationship where as individuals we want to be seen, understood and valued for who we are,” says Lines. “... But knowing that compromise, sacrifice and a willingness to learn and grow is necessary to love another human.
“I am so incredibly proud of this one,” Lines continues. “Djeisan [Suskov] is such an incredible writer and producer, and it has been such a privilege working together on ‘Call Me By My Name’.
The single is accompanied by a music video that is best described as a visual piece of art and features the directorial debut of Georgia Lines herself.
“I loved being a part of the directing process in this video. My inner bossy 12 year old self came to the surface in the director’s chair.
“We filmed the video whilst doing a photoshoot for ‘Call Me By My Name’ and thought it was such a fun concept of splitting screens to create strange and wonderful silhouettes of myself with all the moments that happen behind the camera.”
To celebrate the release of ‘Call Me By My Name’, Georgia Lines will headline Anthology Lounge in Auckland on Saturday, July 24. Tickets are selling fast, available HERE
‘Call Me By My Name’ continues a stellar 2021 for Georgia Lines. The recently released ‘No One Knows’ achieved top 100 radio airplay and saw performances across a range of media outlets in Aotearoa. Lines also embarked on a co-headline tour with LAIIKA and was one of the performers at TUAWAHINE alongside Anika Moa, Annie Crummer, Paige and Tami Neilson.
Georgia Lines is a star on the rise with an exquisite voice that promises even more to come. Watch this space!
Follow Georgia Lines:
Website / Facebook / Instagram
YouTube / Apple / Spotify
KATH BEE TO RELEASE 2 ALBUMS IN 2021
Kath is releasing two albums this year, with a bit of a catch - she is releasing them all as singles. From the 21st July, she will release one song per week for 20 weeks, alternating between each album. ‘It’s a musical feast’ says Kath.
Kath Bee is one of New Zealand’s most loved children’s songwriters. A generation of Kiwi kids have grown up with Kath’s songs, including ‘Individuality’, ‘Dad I wanna be a Camel’ and ‘Dragons Under My Bed’. More recently she has drawn in 100s of schools and new young fans with ‘Sprinkle A Little Sunshine’, ‘I Love Life’, ‘E Tū Tāngata – We Stand Together’ and ‘Magic in Me’.
Kath has a list of awards including 3x winner of the APRA Children’s Video of the Year, winner of the 2020 APRA Children’s Song of the Year, finalist 2018 APRA Children’s Song of the Year, 3x finalist in the Australian Songwriters Association Competition and a 3x finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
Kath is unique, in that her songs are loved by children of all ages. She loves writing for the 5-10 year age group and enjoys the challenge of capturing them all, in one hit. She has a way of crafting clever lyrics and melodies that get inside the hearts and minds of children - songs that tend to stick with them into adulthood.
Kath is releasing two albums this year, with a bit of a catch - she is releasing them all as singles. From the 21st July, she will release one song per week for 20 weeks, alternating between each album. ‘It’s a musical feast’ says Kath, with both albums being quite different from each other and each song being very different from the next. Kath is creating simple lyric videos to accompany all 20 songs on her YouTube Channel. “The best thing you can do is to Follow me on Spotify and Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and get notifications – then you’ll stay up-to-date with each new release.”
“In 2020 I received funding from Creative New Zealand to write 10 songs, from ideas given to me by children and their families, about their feelings and thoughts during our first COVID Lockdown in April-June 2020.” Kath was inundated with suggestions and from them, wrote 10 very different songs. A good chunk of the funding was for producing the instrumentation for each song so hired on of NZ’s best, Doug Stenhouse from Doghouse Tunes. “Doug is an incredibly talented musician, writer and producer who has lifted each song to another level. The album is a roller-coaster ride through different emotions, genres, feels and creativity, with each song being such by different children.” The songs and instrumentation were complete by the end October 2020, as per the terms of CNZ’s Funding.
The album is called, ‘Children: Our Voices IntertwineD’, a play on the acronym ‘COVID’. “The songs are definitely enhanced by the children’s vocals and each voice is so different and interesting. Most of the children had never been in a recording studio before, so the experience was new and exciting and one they will never forget. Each child embraced their song and could relate to it in their own way. They made it their own. The children will be listed as ‘featured Artists’ on online platforms and each will get their own Spotify Artists Profile, which will be cool for them to share with their friends and family.”
Kath says “I wanted to recreate the feelings of the 2020 Lockdown period, but also wanted each song to stand alone. Two songs however, directly relate to that time, ‘The Teddy Bear Team’, a song about the soft toys placed around to cheer people up on their walks, is written from the Teddy’s point of view (a video, funded by NZOA will be released for this song later this year) and a song called ‘So Quiet’, a goosebump-inducing, haunting tune about the emptiness and quietness of playgrounds, schools and streets.”
The album has been a year in the making and a labour of love, coordinating and recording all the children and for Doug especially, editing, mixing and mastering each song. ‘We are both so happy with the finished product, knowing that listeners will be taken on an emotional, musical ride. We have pushed the boundaries of children’s music on this album, but totally love the diversity.’
The first song to be released on 28th July is a pop song called ‘Sisters & Brothers’ and is sung by Doug’s daughter EMIKA. Kath wrote it from the idea given to her, that you can be friends with your sister/s and brother/s because in lockdown they were the only friends children had to play with.
Kath’s second and solo album is called ‘Something for Everyone’ and has some songs that came to her in a flash and also unfinished songs she’s had sitting in a folder in her drawer for a while. ‘In Winter’ is her first release on 21st July, a warm, cozy, folk-meets-blues song.The album includes some action songs, a fun upbeat country counting tune about Pear Pickin’ (inspired by the fact that Kath really does pick pears in the summer!), a meditative number called ‘Waterfall’ which will mesmerise young and old, a song about our beautiful shadow and a wistful song about paper planes.
Produced by The Sound Room in Auckland with Kath on guitar and ukulele, Tom Fox on slide, acoustic guitar and bass, Marshall Smith on piano, Thomas Botting on banjo and Rosalind Manowitz on violin, this album has got, well, something for everyone!
Website: https://www.kathbee.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathbeesongs/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kath_bee_songs4kids/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pYeD8r1vE9mMyA9qAs7qk?si=T8Jr-ZqoTuevQG94CvJLFQ&dl_branch=1
INNOVATIVE LEISURE SIGNS NEW ZEALAND DUO ARJUNA OAKES & SEREBII FOR NEW EP OUT AUGUST 27
Arjuna Oakes & Serebii are the newest artists joining the Innovative Leisure family. On August 27, the duo will release their First Nights EP. You can hear "Even When You're Gone" now.
Stream "Even When You're Gone"
Pre-Order First Nights EP out August 27
Arjuna Oakes & Serebii
"Even When You're Gone"
Arjuna Oakes & Serebii are the newest artists joining the Innovative Leisure family. On August 27, the duo will release their First Nights EP. You can hear "Even When You're Gone" now.
Arjuna & Serebii are based in Wellington, Aotearoa in New Zealand. Serebii is the alias of Callum Mower, an accomplished musician and producer. Arjuna Oakes is an award winningsinger/songwriter and producer. Meeting in the summer of 2017, the pair became fast friends and started working on music together.
After years of collaborating indirectly on each other's solo projects, the two decided to knuckle down and complete a project together, perfectly marrying Arjuna’s skills as a songwriter, keys player and vocalist, and Serebii’s skills as a producer and beat maker. The resulting EP is an in-depth musical journey which takes you through feelings of heartbreak, self discovery and acceptance.
On "Even When You're Gone", you can feel the heartache and sense of loss, a melancholic mood supporting Arjuna's vocals. Arjuna cries, "Pushing through this pain, it feels so wrong // I know that this love will keep us strong."
Arjuna & Serebii will also be opening for TOI this Sat at Meow: https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/76321/Toi---Ep-Release-Tour.utr
Arjuna Oakes
(Bandcamp // Instagram // Facebook)
Serebii
(Instagram // Facebook // Spotify)
Innovative Leisure