Domingo Candelario releases ‘Sin Parablas’

Cuban Born Domingo Candelario is best known in NZ for his spoken word performance on Troy King’s ‘Grandma’s Rocket Poem, but internationally he’s known for performing with the likes of Yusa, Andres Cepeda and Amy Winehouse.

About the style of his music Domingo says ~

My music is a mix of different styles, I do not have a specific musical taste in terms of genre or style, but I like to see my music transcend my culture and my language, I think music is about expressing emotions honestly and I try to be as unique as I can. As a child, I remember my parents always listened to a lot of Brazilian music, and I was fascinated by the way they used harmonies. It was so beautifully put together, so soft and in connection with your soul. It was also more like American soul music at that time. If I must say where I feel most at home musically, I should probably mention my favourite singer songwriters, Stevie Wonder (US), Sting (English), Chico Duarte, Djavan, Caetano Velozo (all Brazil) and Jose Antonio Mendez (Cuba). I think I feel at home when I can express my music to others in the same way those musicians transcend language and cultural barriers. The same way Stevie Wonder and Sting's music used to speak to my soul before could speak English, music is not only about what you say, it's what you express. For me, coming from a theatre background, musically I will use whatever style best communicates the feeling of my lyrics even for somebody who doesn't understand the language, so whether that is funk, soul, Latin, Cuban rhythm or a ballad.

This record is a stripped back and personal record. Instead of the extravagant productions often found in Cuban music this is acoustic and intimate, yet still sizzling with emotion and movement. Says Producer Te Matera Smith “Even if you don’t speak Spanish, the feelings coming from the record are infectious. It’s impossible not to want to move as soon as you hear Domingo’s rhythm, and before you know it you’re bouncing around the room with a huge smile on your face”.

INDUNA 'STRANGE FRUITS'

Growing up in the slums of Johannesburg and Limpopo in South Africa, InDuna came to New Zealand at the age of 14. The new single ‘Strange Fruits’ speaks of his vulnerability as he recounts his experiences of shame, being bullied and fighting insecurities. Confronted with a big culture shock, InDuna had to adapt to his new surroundings whilst also remaining true to himself despite being told what he should be.

Acknowledging these feelings in ‘Strange Fruits’, he hopes to provoke listeners to consider their own experiences where they’ve been most vulnerable and bring them to light.

The track’s title takes inspiration from the lyrical content of Kanye West’s ‘Blood On The Leaves’ and Nina Simone’s ‘Strange Fruit’, though its meaning is much different with the title referring to people InDuna has had negative encounters with throughout his life.

On recording the single, InDuna recounts: “The song brought up a lot for me. But there were things I felt I was finally ready to let go of and start anew. As painful as it was for me, I felt a sense of responsibility to speak out and encourage – whether it’s my friends or anyone listening.”

Self-produced and recorded by InDuna, ‘Strange Fruits’ was mixed by Toby Lloyd at Tiny Triumph Recordings (Stan Walker, Louis Baker and Shapeshifter) and mastered by Chris Chetland at KOG Studio.

DON MCGLASHAN 'NOW'S THE PLACE'

From Upcoming Album

Bright November Morning

Out October 29 - Pre Save/Order Here

 https://linktr.ee/donmcglashan

Don McGlashan shares the first single, ‘Now’s The Place’, from his recently announced album, Bright November Morning, due for release October 29.

Don tells the story;

“This song came from an idea Harry Sinclair and I had for the kids TV series Kiri & Lou.

Most adults seem to live in the waiting room of what’s going to happen next.  When you’re brushing your teeth, you’re thinking about getting in the car; when you’re in the car, you’re thinking about arriving at work, and so on.  Before we teach kids that awful trick, they can still marvel at the ‘nowness’ of ‘now’.

“Harry and I had a ball writing a one minute song about that called ‘How Did We Get To Right Now?’ for Jemaine Clement and Liv Tennet to sing in the show - but another song came out at the same time: a loud, trippy rock song about the exhilaration of experiencing each moment, free from what’s behind or what might be up ahead.  Harry was into me using it on my album, so I sent a demo to the band. They went into Bob Frisbee’s studio in Auckland, and wailed away gloriously over my rough acoustic guitar and vocals.

“I love the power and joy in every note that Chris, Shayne and James play on ‘Now’s The Place’.  And I love the fact that, thirty-six years years after The Front Lawn started, there’s a brand-new Front Lawn song on this album.”

Listen to ‘Now’s The Place’ here: https://linktr.ee/donmcglashan

Don McGlashan & The Others

Bright November Morning  Tour Dates:

Thur Nov 11   Christchurch   James Hay Theatre                

Fri Nov 12      Dunedin            Glenroy Auditorium

Thur Nov 18   Hastings        Toitoi - Opera House 

Fri Nov 19      Wellington      Opera House

Sat Nov 20      Nelson             Theatre Royal  

Thur Nov 25   Tauranga      Totara St

Fri Nov 26      Auckland        Powerstation

Sat Nov 27      Leigh               Sawmill Cafe

Tickets On Sale Now from www.donmcglashan.com

Don McGlashan recently announced his eagerly-awaited new album, Bright November Morning, that will come out on October 29th, followed by an eight date tour across New Zealand, beginning November 11.

This will be McGlashan’s fourth solo album, and is an essential addition to his remarkable output. It has all the glittering McGlashan touches in place: from the detail-perfect narratives of local life (the neighbours looking in when we take the curtains down, swimming and seeing Russian container ships on the horizon) to the strummy melodicism with detours into something noisier (hello Shayne P Carter, ruffling the immaculate surfaces), and on to those welcome and welcoming choruses.

Recorded in Lyttelton, Auckland and Vancouver, and full of inspired playing from his band The Others: Shayne P Carter (Straitjacket Fits, Dimmer), Chris O’Connor (SJD, Phoenix Foundation) and James Duncan (SJD, Dimmer), Bright November Morning marks a new stage in Don McGlashan’s generous and humane songbook.

Don McGlashan has been weaving his stories for the last four decades, most recently with three acclaimed solo albums - Warm Hand (2006), Marvellous Year (2009), and Lucky Stars (2015). His soaring gospel song “Bathe In The River” (APRA Silver Scroll winner 2006), performed by Hollie Smith,  has become one of the biggest NZ singles of all time and has recently had a resurgence via the te reo Māori version, ‘Kōrukutia’,  released earlier in 2021.

McGlashan first stepped into the limelight as drummer and lead singer in the 80’s agit-punk outfit Blam Blam Blam, which produced a string of Top 20 singles and a well-loved album Luxury Length. Don’s hit song ‘Don’t Fight It, Marsha, It’s Bigger Than Both Of Us’ won Song Of The Year in the 1982 NZ Recording Industry Awards.

Next, McGlashan co-founded the acoustic duo, The Front Lawn, with Harry Sinclair.  Combining theatre, songs and much humour, they found fans the world over, and their 1987 album Songs From The Front Lawn was the soundtrack for a generation of young Kiwis getting lost around Europe in their Kombi vans.

McGlashan’s place in the Great Aotearoa Songbook further solidified as, fronting The Mutton Birds, he created a string of now iconic Kiwi anthems including ‘Anchor Me’ (APRA Silver Scroll winner 1994), ‘Dominion Road’ (1992) and their inspired cover of The Formyula’s ‘Nature’ (1992).

COVID-19 Financial Help Reminder

As we all head into another week of Level 4/Level 2 - here is a little reminder for all our members of what financial help is out there for your business and your artists business. This is whether you or they are self-employed, partnership, limited liability company etc

A third Wage Subsidy Scheme payment for eligible businesses has been announced and will open this Friday 17th September. This is because Auckland is remaining at Alert Level 4 (the Wage Subsidy Scheme is available to all businesses while any part of the country is in Alert Levels 3 or 4).

Businesses and self-employed people must expect a 40% drop in revenue to be eligible to receive the wage subsidy. 

The wage subsidy is paid in a 2 week lump sum. You can get:

• $600 per week for each full-time employee

• $359 per week for each part-time employee

A second round of the Resurgence Support Payment will also open for applications on Friday 17 September 2021. The COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment helps to cover wages and fixed costs for businesses who have been directly affected when there is an increase to Alert Level 2 or higher for a week or more. 

To be eligible, your business must have experienced at least a 30% drop in revenue or a 30% decline in capital-raising ability over a 7-day period, due to an increase in Alert Levels.

• You can receive $1,500 per business plus $400 per full-time employee (FTE), up to 50 FTE.

• The maximum payment is $21,500.

• If you're a sole trader, you can receive a payment of up to $1,900.

Businesses anywhere in New Zealand can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria.

You can apply for both the COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment and the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme if you meet all the eligible criteria..

This lockdown is really taking its toll on our wonderful industry and also on all of our mental wellbeing. Please remember that you, your crew and your artists are all eligible to use the MusicHelps Wellbeing Service for FREE. 

The Wellbeing Service offers free counselling sessions with trained counsellors available 24/7. You can contact them either on line at MusicHelps or via phone, toll free on 0508 MUSICHELPS

LUNAVELA SHARES NEW TRACK 'SIX-OUT-OF-TEN-FRIEND' / ANNOUNCES ALBUM

Lunavela, the moniker of ex-Collapsing Cities vocalist/songwriter Steve Mathieson, is proud to share his latest single, 'Six-Out-Of-Ten-Friend', a 90's-esque indie dream with tongue-in-cheek lyrics celebrating weirdly uncomfortable social encounters.

Speaking of the track, Steve says "Six-Out-Of-Ten Friend is not a misanthropic song, it's more a celebration of setting better boundaries with people who don't get you and laughing about social awkwardness. Y'know celebrating that awkward conversation of small talk in the pet food aisle of Countdown with an ex- work colleague, music punisher or an ex-girlfriends husband. This is my idea of a pop song".

The track, also featuring drummer Alistair Deverick (Boycrush), bassist Hannan Carter (Steriogram, NO) and mixed by Ben Lawson, comes ahead of a full album release, Imposter Syndrome, later this year. A mixture of pop songs about universal themes; sexuality, sobriety and sad tearjerkers, Steve credits getting sober as the driving force for writing songs again. Admitting that making the second Collapsing Cities album gave him a "massive chip on his shoulder", he is happy to be in love with the process of making music again and is enjoying the creative freedom of working on his own.

"My M.O with songwriting on this project is to make you feel something in some form whether that's make you smile, laugh, cry, sing along, resent me, whatever. It's taken me so long to do this album as it's all self- funded, I'm so proud of it, grateful for the people who helped and it's the best thing I've ever done" - Steve Mathieson

JAMES HUNTER 'THE ALMOST SUMMER TOUR'

2021 has been a year of milestones for Te Whanganui-a-Tara(Wellington)-based alt-folk artist James Hunter. Hot off his sophomore EP, ‘You’ in January, and highly successful shows in both Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) and Tāmaki Makaura (Auckland), James is taking to the roads of New Zealand, accompanied by his two-piece band featuring Taylar Mallo (Bassist) and Emerson McCullough (Drums).

4 Destinations, 4 Shows, 6 phenomenal opening acts, and James’ back catalogue of both successful EP’s ‘Last Little While,’‘You’ and some new material, performed in ways you’ve never heard before. Tell your friends, family, animals as you don’t want to miss out on this!!

Online tix are $13-$14, and $15 at the door!

Please note all shows are R18 as we are playing in licensed venues.*

October 7th: Wellington - @ Meow w DEE & the Sweet somethings, Danica Bryant

October 15th: Dunedin - @ Inch bar (Koha at door)

October 22nd: Christchurch - @ Wunderbar w MAKA, Jaz Paterson

Date TBC: Auckland - @ Wine Cellar w Marmalade

Tickets for AKL and CHC can be found at https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/76817/James-Hunter----Almost-Summer-Tour.utr 

Tickets for Wellington are available here at https://moshtix.co.nz/v2/event/james-hunter-the-almost-summer-tour/131212

PRINS announces 20-date tour of New Zealand

Kiwi singer-songwriter PRINS is returning to the stage this September with a 20-stop trip around Aotearoa - her biggest tour to date.

PRINS has taken the local music scene by storm this year, scaling the charts with her electro-pop anthem 'Follow Me' - which peaked at number 8 on Hot New Zealand Singles Charts - and racking up over 1 million streams on Spotify. Her smooth synth-pop sound has seen PRINS become a firm fixture on the festival circuit, and now, the pop powerhouse is coming to a town near you.

Teaming up with Redbull and the Rockshop, the Auckland-born artist is taking a trip around Aotearoa for a 20-date, nationwide tour. With her charismatic stage presence and repertoire of R&B-meets-retro-electronica anthems, it's guaranteed to be a good night.

"This is something I've been wanting to do for a really long time," PRINS says.

"My team and I have been working really hard to make this happen and I'm excited to play some new songs in a whole bunch of new places that I've never played before. It gets me very fired up."

Revved up and ready to rock, PRINS embarks on her nationwide tour this September, starting in the south in Oamaru and taking a bow at Auckland's premier live music venue, the Tuning Fork.

PRINS Tour Dates:

Sep 24: Oamaru - The Loan & Merc
Sep 25: Invercargill - Southland Musicians Club
Sep 26: Timaru - The Sail & Anchor
Oct 1: Dunedin - Bark!
Oct 2: Wanaka - Water Bar
Oct 8: Nelson - Liquid Bar 
Oct 9: Christchurch - Dux Central
Oct 14: Hamilton - Nivara Lounge
Oct 15: Mount Maunganui - TBC
Oct 16: Gisborne - Smash Palace
Oct 17: Whakatane- The Boiler Room
Oct 21: New Plymouth - Butlers Reef
Oct 22: Raglan - Yot Club
Oct 23: Ohakune - Kings
Oct 24: Hastings - Common Room
Oct 28: Wellington - Moon
Oct 29: Palmerston North - The Royal
Oct 30: Taupo - The Storeroom
Nov 5: Whangarei - The Butter Factory
Nov 6: Auckland - Tuning Fork.

TICKETS

Judi Cranston’s Happy Minds project – perfect for these challenging times!

Judi Cranston, award winning children’s composer, music educator and director of kindyRock is about to release three affirmation videos for children with support from NZ on Air. These will be out just in time for Mental Health Awareness week (27 September – 1 October). The songs are all from her Album “Amazing Affirmations for Kids”; are fun and encouraging and are very fitting for 4 – 8 year olds.

Entitled I Can Be Anything, Step Right In and Put it in my Head these videos remind children that they can be whatever they want to be, and that they can choose how they respond to the world around them – with a smile or with a frown. The timing of this release is also perfect in these challenging times of Covid-19 when children can become very anxious and fearful.

The videos in the ‘Happy Minds Project’ feature a talented group of children singing along with Judi to reinforce these important messages. ‘Step Right In’ also includes Claymation created by Dunedin’s Parry Jones, who has worked on a number of Judi’s videos in the past plus a cameo appearance from Judi’s 85 year old father, Bob Thomas who joined in “just for fun!”

Judi is passionate about using music because “Not only does it help us feel good, it also enhances our learning, creates stronger brain connections, improves our emotional intelligence and has an enormous power to heal” says Judi. “By singing the messages children will retain the information better than just being told about it”. Think of a 96 year old who can remember all the words to songs from their youth, but can’t quite remember our names!

The videos will be premiered on Wednesdays 8th, 15th and 22nd of September on www.youtube.com/kindyRock and include a resource pack for teachers and parents wanting to use the songs.

If Covid-19 levels allow, the Happy Minds project will be wrapped up with a celebration event at Orere Primary School, close to Judi’s home in Kawakawa Bay, Auckland on Thursday 30 September. All but one of the Happy Minds stars attends this school and were excited to be involved in this project which was filmed in the school’s  beautiful sensory garden that the children along with their teachers helped to create in 2021.

Find out more about Judi Cranston and kindyRock, her well-loved brand of kids music at www.kindyrock.com.