KAYLEE BELL TOPS TIME SQUARE NEW YORK
Recently Spotify unveiled their new commitment to fostering equity for women in music globally. aylee Bell has been selected to represent Australian and New Zealand artists as the face of this Spotify Playlist and been profiled on a massive billboard in Times Square New York. "I was mind blown when I got the news , it’s a big moment for sure and it’s very surreal.”
Hits 5 Million Streams on Tribute to Keith Urban
Recently Spotify unveiled their new commitment to fostering equity for women in music globally. Acknowledging how integral women artists’ influence has been on Spotify and the music industry at large and has begun to upend this disparity and amplify the work of women creators by extending their resources and generating more opportunities for these artists, which they’re doing by creating a global, cohesive, branded experience with the EQUAL Global Music Program. Kaylee Bell has been selected to represent Australian and New Zealand artists as the face of this Spotify Playlist and been profiled on a massive billboard in Times Square New York. "I was mind blown when I got the news , it’s a big moment for sure and it’s very surreal.”
In correlation with the massive profile, the award-winning country pop artist has hit 5 million streams with her 2019 tribute to Keith Urban across all streaming services. Kaylee Bell joins Kasey Chambers as the first two Australasian female country artists exceeding five million streams on a song.
New Zealand-based, Kaylee is a big fan of Keith, even performing a duet with the superstar on two separate occasions – his 2014 Light The Fuse tour in Narrabri, Australia and his 2016 ripCORD World Tour in Wellington, NZ.
The artists have a common thread, both born in New Zealand, both relocated to Australia for some time, and both won Australia’s biggest country music talent search Star Maker - Keith in 1990 and Kaylee in 2013.
"Keith is an artist I have always idolised. He is the reason I moved to Australia to pursue my music and lead me to enter and win Toyota Star Maker. I sat on the song for over a year before I had the courage to release it as I knew that any song written as a tribute holds a lot of weight, but I love that the fans have embraced this song and given it a life I could never have imagined. It’s the song people request and the one they love to ask about which is so cool as the idea started as a two-o’clock-in-the-morning voice memo with a melody, and me trying to cram as many song titles of Keith’s into the song to make a story. I think I peaked at 13 titles hidden throughout. It’s a song we love to play live and it’s so cool to see how this song has been embraced by both my fans and Keith fans alike.”
Kaylee Bell is part of a young troop of artists in Australia and New Zealand who are inspired by Keith Urban songs and his success. Artists such as Morgan Evans, Seaforth, Brad Cox, Casey Barnes and Melanie Dyer all of whom have enjoyed crossover airplay on contemporary radio networks. Kaylee’s recent single That Summer was the most added song to mainstream radio in New Zealand for the month of May. Five million streams are an amazing achievement for a self-funded and managed independent artist.
Kaylee Bell will perform at the Groundwater Country Music Festival Gold Coast
November 12-14
Kaylee Bell's current single Before I Met You featuring The McClymonts is out now.
Yet another cool offering by 15-year-old Jackson Boswell
15-year-old singer, songwriter, producer Jackson Boswell releases ‘Not Quite enough,’ the brand-new track from an already impressive line-up of releases this year paving the way for his third EP ‘Afternoon’ to come late 2021.
15-year-old singer, songwriter, producer Jackson Boswell releases ‘Not Quite enough,’ the brand-new track from an already impressive line-up of releases this year paving the way for his third EP ‘Afternoon’ to come late 2021.
Tugging at the heart strings ‘Not Quite Enough’ delves into the familiar territory of break ups, a topic we can all relate to. “It’s how sometimes you feel like you were never enough for that person,” says Boswell.
Slightly heavier than previous works, Boswell still sprinkles the track with signature airy synths and powerful guitars that provide the soundtrack for his lyrics to shine through. The thumping bassline in the bridge helps deliver a suitably teen grunge vibe.
‘Not Quite Enough’ is available today on all major platforms.
Christchurch-based alternative artist Jaz Paterson follows up her lonely debut with second single Ache
Christchurch-based alternative pop artist Jaz Paterson is quietly making waves and gathering momentum with every release of her unapologetic emotive songs. Her debut single lonely has already caught the attention of NZ On Air who have selected it for New Tracks and her 2nd single ache, released today, has the emotional punch that would make any grown man cry.
Christchurch-based alternative pop artist Jaz Paterson is quietly making waves and gathering momentum with every release of her unapologetic emotive songs. Her debut single lonely has already caught the attention of NZonair who have selected it for New Tracks and her 2nd single ache, released today, has the emotional punch that would make any grown man cry.
ache, created with upcoming production wizz Will McGillivray, is a raw honest confession of how Jaz nearly married her ex boyfriend. “The engagement ring was in the mail...we had a wedding savings account and I had my bridesmaids all picked out in my mind. ache is about me realizing how close we got to spending our whole lives together. It’s about the relief of the relationship breaking up while still having an an ache, a bruise left from the toll of it ending”, says Jaz.
The catchy single begins with a bittersweet melancholy piano riff, leading through to an intensely crafted driving synth beat, an intimate emotionally held together vocal with sobering lyrics which get you right in the gut. Her refreshing take on original music instantly captivates and intrigues.
The singer-songwriter draws influence from the likes of Banks, Tove Lo, James Blake and Bon Iver, enabling her to deliver a spellbinding, yet honest and confessional style of music that explores the intricacies of various production techniques.
Jaz has made huge steps in her development as an artist since attending SOLE Music Academy where she has worked on her new direction from being a folk singer-songwriter through to exploring a more electronic pop sound. A recent performance with other SOLE artists saw Jaz perform an energy-driven set at the 2021 Christchurch City Council Edge New Year’s Show, which garnered a crowd of 20,000.
Jaz’s impressive vocals and gifted songwriting prowess has been showcased on the track Horizon, a collaboration with Sniffer approved artist SHLI and has recently caught the attention of MC Tali whom she has an upcoming collaboration with.
With Jaz’s music career starting to heat up, be sure to keep an eye out for an upcoming single’s Lonely, Ache & LA from her upcoming debut EP ACHE due out on the 19th of Nov. Set to intricate melodies and harmonies, Jaz’s music will have you hooked from the very first beat as she recites stories about the ups and downs of life in her early twenties.
MISSY releases new video for This Isn’t Love
Last week, MISSY dropped her latest track, Don't Get Me Wrong. The chorus’ refrain is “Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t love…” and so it is that This Isn’t Love becomes the title of the mirror track – the same song recorded in-studio with a live band.
Mirror track to Don’t Get Me Wrong produced by 3-time Grammy® winner Andrew Scheps
Last week, MISSY dropped her latest track, Don't Get Me Wrong. The chorus’ refrain is “Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t love…” and so it is that This Isn’t Love becomes the title of the mirror track – the same song recorded in-studio with a live band.
This Isn’t Love was produced by 3-time Grammy® winner Andrew Scheps (Adele, Lana del Ray, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ziggy Marley, Beyoncé, Metallica and many, many more). The track was recorded at Roundhead Studios, Auckland during the Aotearoa Music Producer Series with a dream-team live band comprising Manic Street Preacher producer Greg Haver (Gramsci, drums), Mike Hall (Pluto, bass), Jol Mullholland (Gramsci, guitar) and legendary producer/arranger Stephen Small (keys).
The video, a juxtaposed lighter take to the previous video’s darker vibe, was produced by Corey Fleming at long-time MISSY collaborators, The Umbrella Creative.
This Isn’t Love audio is exclusive to Bandcamp, with the track also being available on YouTube.
MISSY’s debut album, Major Arcana, will be out on 8 October.
Substax release new tune and visualiser for the track Space Drift
Following their re-release of the debut album Electro Soul Plane earlier in 2021, for the first time on streaming since it was released in 2005 on Sugarlicks Recordings Aotearoa, the Substax duo of Nick Farrands and Claudia Robin Gunn are rolling out a new crate of tunes created across the intervening years.
Following their re-release of the debut album Electro Soul Plane earlier in 2021, for the first time on streaming since it was released in 2005 on Sugarlicks Recordings Aotearoa, the Substax duo of Nick Farrands and Claudia Robin Gunn are rolling out a new crate of tunes created across the intervening years.
Space Drift - released Sept 17th with DRM NZ - is an atmospheric drop of electronica accompanied by a hypnotic visual, the first of many more on the way.
Under The Radar’s Chris Cudby suggests the tune evokes "feelings of future-gazing expansiveness and better-than-life synthetic textures, while lyrically alluding to the masses of space junk zooming above our heads"
Ōtautahi-based Loopy Tunes Music released new single ‘Ngā Kaitiaki o Papatūānuku’ for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Sister duo, Leah and Siu, of Loopy Tunes Music, kicked off Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, with the release of their reo Māori waiata, “Ngā Kaitiaki o Papatūānuku”.
Sister duo, Leah and Siu, of Loopy Tunes Music, kicked off Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, with the release of their reo Māori waiata, “Ngā Kaitiaki o Papatūānuku”.
Now out on all digital music platforms, this new waiata teaches tamariki the importance of being kaitiaki of Papatūānuku, our Mother Earth. The duo, who whakapapa to Ngāpuhi and the friendly islands of Tonga, perform to tamariki across Ōtautahi and Aotearoa through their community-based outreach sessions and live streams, have released bilingual children’s books, and eleven children’s albums, ten of which are in different Pacific Island languages. Earlier this year they were finalists at the NZ Children’s Music Awards and are currently finalists at the Pacific Music Awards to be held next month.
The duo collaborated with Ana Faau, a local kaihaka expert and kaiwaiata, who co-wrote the song, with Siu. Produced by another local, Thom O'Connor, the waiata features a beautiful taonga puoro soundscape, provided by talented Wellington-based musician and writer, Ruby Solly.
Siu was first inspired to write this song, back in 2019, when her tamariki were becoming more aware of the effects plastic, and pollution, were having on te taiao/the environment. Her whakaaro at the time was to write a waiata that was positive, and encouraging, and that would showcase the beauty of our earth, and naturally, of Papatūānuku, and all that she provides us. The goal is for this song to inspire tamariki (and us all) to fall in love with Papatūānuku, to appreciate te taiao, and to grow to become ngā kaitiaki/guardians of both.
Siu and Leah want to thank NZ on Air Music for the funding they received that made this whole project possible. A bilingual version of this waiata, “Guardians of Papatūānuku” will be released next Thursday (30 September), and production on a music video was delayed, due to lockdown, but is now in the works, with Lasskohl Visuals, and will be released in November.
‘Ngā Kaitiaki o Papatūānuku’ is a waiata that will resonate with all and will inspire a sense of pride and environmental justice for our beautiful whenua, to all who hear it. We can be, and all are, the kaitiaki of Aotearoa. Listen, share and immerse yourself in this inspiring waiata.
First Artists Announced WOMAD NZ 2022
WOMAD returns delivering world-class performers from Aotearoa, for the award-winning three day festival.
18 - 20 March, 2022
TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Park
New Plymouth, Taranaki
WOMAD 2022 Early-Bird tickets on sale now
WOMAD returns delivering world-class performers from Aotearoa,
for the award-winning three day festival.
For its 17th presentation in New Zealand, WOMAD NZ is back in full force with all of its eight stages that will feature close to 100 hours of music, with the diverse and rich range of talent that WOMAD go-ers have come to expect. Over three days of March 18-20, Ngāmotu's stunning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands will once again be transformed into a village of colour, energy and inclusion.
A unique opportunity has presented itself with the constraints caused by the global pandemic as WOMAD programmers have dug into the wealth of Aotearoa's musical talent to present a unique array of artists that will deliver the sense of discovery the festival is so well known and loved for. This first announcement includes a collaboration of New Zealand and Indian musicians, Shades of Shakti combining traditional Indian music and jazz. Festival favourites, Fat Freddy's Drop return for the first time in 12 years along with WOMAD first-timers; modern R&B extraordinaire, Deva Mahal and jazz-hip-hop mastermind Avantdale Bowling Club.
WOMAD International's Head of Programming, Paula Henderson says, "For WOMAD, we are usually very spoilt, we have the whole world at our fingertips in terms of programming. When we first thought about doing WOMAD with a mainly national event over a year ago initially, I thought no way… but, I was wrong. It will sound a little strange, but, although challenging (as there were no gigs to go to), spending hours scouring the internet to find new artists that would suit the festival has been really exciting and I am confident that we have a programme that our audience will be overjoyed with."
Fat Freddy’s Drop are excited for their return to the festival commenting, “Taranaki, we’re stoked to be coming back to perform our new and classic tunes under the watchful eye of the mighty maunga. It's been 12 years since we performed there, and even though we've played WOMAD around the world nothing beats Taranaki. Chur Aotearoa”
In addition to the musical line up, the increasingly popular offerings of the World Of Words stage and STEAM Lab return. Iconic kiwi artist, product designer and author, Dick Frizzell makes his performance debut at WOMAD. As does now household name, microbiologist and science communicator, Dr Siouxsie Wiles who leads the line up for STEAM Lab. Taste The World, Kidzone, and Te Pae Pae will also return with programming to be announced. The full artist announcement is scheduled for October 20, 2021.
WOMAD NZ’s Associate Programmer, Josie Hunter Annand adds “As a festival attendee next March, you can definitely expect that, despite the current global restrictions we’re all facing right now, WOMAD will take you on a journey outside of these confines, with a much-needed chance to reconnect to the people, places, tastes and sounds of our world, right here in Aotearoa!”
OUTFIELD MUSIC, FOOD & ARTS FESTIVAL 2022 - MUSIC LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT!
Now in its third year, Outfield is evolving and growing into an experience to ignite the senses. Delivered with sunny Hawke’s Bay spirit, the festival prides itself on sustainable practices, care for the local environment, and the people who flock from far and wide.
In the crook of Māui’s hook something special is cultivating. Stretching from the Tuki Tuki River to Kidnappers’ dramatic cliff faces, the Cape Coast is one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. Home to a thriving community of artists and artisans, worshippers of surf and sun, the coast is lined with laden vines to produce some of the region’s finest wines. It’s an eclectic place with curiosity and potential adventure around every corner. Venture into its rolling hills to discover a veritable eden, Te Awanga Downs, whose bucolic meadows play host to Outfield Festival - a celebration of music, food, arts and community.
Now in its third year, Outfield is evolving and growing into an experience to ignite the senses. Delivered with sunny Hawke’s Bay spirit, the festival prides itself on sustainable practices, care for the local environment, and the people who flock from far and wide.
Outfield’s headliner is Young Franco, the Brisbane producer hot on the tongues of the global electronic music scene and charming his way into your hearts. On high rotation across streaming platforms and Australia’s airwaves, he’s sold out shows worldwide, winning himself fans and friends wherever he goes. Bringing the crowd and building a vibe with smiling stage presence, epic jam sessions and fantastic original productions, Young Franco is one to watch.
Keeping it closer to home, Outfield presents Dunedin band The Chills, spreading quality original NZ-sounding, melodic rock music across the global stage since way back. The presence of these legendary staples of Kiwi rock on the Outfield main stage will thrill their ever expanding fan base and cult following. Fronted by the rare talent of Martin Phillipps and furnished with the highest standard of musicians, The Chills explode with essential consistent energy delivered with intensity and conviction.
Speaking of Kiwi upstarts, Outfield will also feature the dynamic hip-hop stylings of JessB, whose effortless stage presence and natural bars, rhythms and flows endear her to audiences everywhere. Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, she’s taken her initial momentum and whipped it into a whirlwind, making her a force to be reckoned with at home and around the globe.
Sourcing the best from the world stage, Outfield is excited to bring you Weird Together, a seamless blend of organic musical discovery and collaboration. With UK Producer/DJ Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson at the helm, curating and producing the group’s eclectic global focused sound, Weird Together will spread a smile across your face and get your body moving on the dance floor.
Other musicians on the Outfield lineup include; Shag Rock (Aus), Mermaidens, Eno x Dirty, Dolphin Friendly, Masaya, Body Ocean, Headland, Witters & MC Crafty, Halfqueen, Guardian Singles, O & The Mo, Arahi, Dateline, Hurricane Emily, Wattsson, Techno Tradie, Aunty El, Halps, Ruffhouse, Levi, Skye, Waja, Sammy W, Deep Fried Funk, High Rotation DJs, Sneeky, Larry Nobody, Snowjob, The Cellars, Danica Bryant, Atlantic Wave and Sindee Voo.
Outfield’s team are veterans of the New Zealand music scene, with over a decade of touring top notch international acts under their belts. Continuing their legacy of joy creation, they turned their skills to curating a festival experience at home that is uniquely Hawke’s Bay.
Set in the nation’s fruit bowl, they tap into the abundance of local producers to provide the finest craft beers, wines and artisan delicacies delivering a feast of quality food and beverage options for festival fuel. Drawing from the burgeoning local arts scene, the space is transformed into a playground of delights for the young and young at heart alike. With a host of attractions on its doorstep, including a world class golf course, vintage car museum, and the world’s largest, most accessible gannet nesting place at nearby Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, Outfield isn’t just a festival. For out-of-towners, it’s the gateway to an idyllic summer holiday in the bay.
Outfield’s gates open at 1.00pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
This is a family friendly, licensed All-Ages* event.
Grab your tickets from - www.outfieldfestival.co.nz
(*Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by parent or legal guardian.)
