The newest big name in New Zealand music ‘Loane Records’, opens its doors to artists
Loane Records is a record label and recording studio that opened its doors to the public in late 2021 and is now taking bookings with artists from all over New Zealand.
Co-founders Jacob Loane and Zhayne Candy-Doolan are both artists and wanted to create a space where artists are free to express themselves through their music with as much support as they need to boost their music careers. Jacob and Zhayne both know how hard the music industry can be and offer much needed support to those who may be struggling with the concept of being signed to major labels.
Loane Records is a record label and recording studio that opened its doors to the public in late 2021 and is now taking bookings with artists from all over New Zealand.
Loane Records is an independent label which means the artists keep all their creative freedom, rights to their music and get the most royalties from their projects.
Loane Records are currently working with some upcoming and established artists in New Zealand and abroad and are looking for new artists to add to their roster of releases.
If you would like Loane Records to join you on your musical journey, would like to book studio time or would like to know more please visit www.loanerecords.co.nz
Music industry bodies call on government to urgently reinstate financial support
Yesterday music industry bodies wrote to the Prime Minister and Ministers Grant Robertson, Carmel Sepuloni, and Kiritapu Allan, on behalf of Aotearoa’s contemporary music industry: artists and songwriters who write, perform and record; and the many workers and organisations who support them. The letter asked the government to urgently reinstate the Wage Subsidy and Resurgence Support Payments for music sector businesses and sole traders while New Zealand remains is in the red traffic light setting.
Yesterday music industry bodies wrote to the Prime Minister and Ministers Grant Robertson, Carmel Sepuloni, and Kiritapu Allan, on behalf of Aotearoa’s contemporary music industry: artists and songwriters who write, perform and record; and the many workers and organisations who support them.
The letter asked the government to urgently reinstate the Wage Subsidy and Resurgence Support Payments for music sector businesses and sole traders while New Zealand remains is in the red traffic light setting.
The change to red light means that all imminent significant size shows, festivals and events have been cancelled or postponed, with no certainty as to whether any event will be able to safely proceed in coming months, which is already having a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of artists and the entire music sector.
While the music sector is very grateful for the targeted assistance from the government to date, and supports the government’s health response to protect all New Zealanders, the current move to Red sees the music sector in the most precarious position it has faced since the start of the pandemic. The summer festival and touring period accounts for the majority of annual live music income and provides a financial buffer for the rest of the calendar year. The 2022 ‘earning season’ has been drastically reduced, and many have already depleted their reserves surviving the uncertain times so far.
The MCH Event Support Scheme and the MBIE Events Transition Support Payment scheme (ETSP) are useful tools which provide assistance to the live sector, but only within certain parameters and criteria.
A reinstatement of the Resurgence Support Payment and Wage Subsidy would assist artists and music sector businesses and sole traders to survive through this next phase of the government’s health response to COVID-19. It would support artists and performers, music venues, live music workers and technical crew, along with assisting the rest of the music sector who will be affected by the ensuing impact.
We are respectfully asking government to act urgently, and we stand ready to provide any information or assistance that is needed.
The Resurgence Support Payment and Wage Subsidy schemes have already proven to be effective tools which can be quickly and efficiently implemented for the music sector. The eligibility criteria centred on decreases in revenue and income ensures the support is being targeted at the most affected people, and artists themselves can access both schemes.
The music industry bodies are united in their support of this request, and ready to provide further information to the government should they need it.
HAVE YOU LOST SIGNIFICANT INCOME DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS? (UPDATED 20DEC21)
If so, you can apply for financial assistance from the government via both the Wage Subsidy AND Resurgence Support Payment.
If so, you can apply for financial assistance from the government via the Resurgence Support Payment.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re self-employed / a sole-trader, a small business, or have employees, you are entitled to apply for this support if you have lost income.
We know many of our members have been severely impacted by the lockdown, and we want to make sure you’re getting all the financial support that’s available, so in collaboration with the other music organisations and some helpful accountants (thanks Entertainment Accounting!), we’ve put together some detailed advice and FAQs which should help you to access the $$.
We’ve got info about what you’re entitled to, what you need to apply, how to get an NZBN if you need one, deadlines, tax ramifications, helpful contact phone numbers, and even a video to show you how straight forward it can be.
The PDF below provides guidance and information about the Wage Subsidy, Resurgence Support Payment, and other available financial support (hot tip, read this one first):
This is a handy video which gives you the lowdown on applying for the Resurgence Support Payment, with thanks to Bruce Earle at Accountants Wellington.
'LEVEL LIFE' - STAR CHART
Frustrations of lockdown in Auckland 2021... what do the musos do? Purge it all into song! In a cathartic process, artist Chrissie Hart and producer Jess Haugh collaborated over Zoom to create Star Chart’s new single ‘Level Life’. This light-hearted recount of the sh*tty year had by Aucklanders will get your feet tapping and smile rising.
“Level life... where the regions live in paradise... Level life.... where we don’t decide, we just bide our time, inside!”
Frustrations of lockdown in Auckland 2021... what do the musos do? Purge it all into song! In a cathartic process, artist Chrissie Hart and producer Jess Haugh collaborated over Zoom to create Star Chart’s new single ‘Level Life’. This light-hearted recount of the sh*tty year had by Aucklanders will get your feet tapping and smile rising.
Since the debut EP release and North Island tour in 2019, Star Chart has pared back the band to work with Jess on a more produced indie-pop sound. These ladies met at the creative community group ‘Women About Sound’ (run by Jess). Their partnership has been pushed into hyper-gear with them winning ‘New Music Development’ funding from NZ on Air. Stay tuned for new releases on the horizon, with more cleverly-crafted lyrics and cheeky song subjects on the way in 2022.
Spotify pre-save:
https://smarturl.it/prestarchartLL
YouTube
Bandcamp:
https://starchart.bandcamp.com/releases
Social Media:
Kiwi Drum & Bass giants Lee Mvtthews release a remix package of their breakout hit and festival favourite, Takeover FT. NÜ
With three new official remixes of Takeover, Lee Mvtthews wanted to give fans fresh experiences of the song and right in time for summer.
Taken from their 2019 debut album ‘Bones’, Takeover is now certified Platinum, has amassed over 7 million streams, peaked at #1 on the NZ dance radio chart, charted in the Top 10 on the Pop radio chart and has spent three months in the Top 100 at radio in New Zealand.
Blasted throughout Aotearoa at festivals and shows over the last two years, Takeover has grown from a fan favourite to pop radio mainstay with its uplifting and infectious hook becoming synonymous with good times.
The boys are not done with it yet and are stoked to give it the remix treatment, recruiting some of the hottest electronic music producers to put their spin on the biggest Drum & Bass song out of NZ in recent time.
With three new official remixes of Takeover, Lee Mvtthews wanted to give fans fresh experiences of the song and right in time for summer.
Hailing from NZ, QUIX has fast become a global name in the electronic music scene. His remix of Takeover features his signature trap blend of Drum n Bass.
Andromedik is one of Belgium’s brightest young talents in the drum and bass scene. With a distinctive ‘festival’ sound design, his remix of Takeover is surely set to be a hit this summer.
And from the UK, breakout producer & KISS FM host Mollie Collins. Mollie’s remix of Takeover brings a new ambience to the track and with NZ shows slated for this summer, fans can be sure it will feature in her set.
SmartURL : https://smarturl.it/takeoverremixes
Find Lee Mvtthews :
Facebook Instagram Spotify TikTok Apple Music
James Hunter and the Gatherers is pleased to present, A MIDNIGHT SUMMERS GIG, live with Edera
Fresh off his successful debut NZ Tour, James Hunter and his live band The Gatherers are teaming up with Edera and starting 2022 strong.
Fresh off his successful debut NZ Tour, James Hunter and his live band The Gatherers are teaming up with Edera and starting 2022 strong.
The two musical forces are playing at MOON in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) on the 8th of January, 2022.
Both James and Leona will be serenading the locals of Welly with familiar and new material, with their band members bringing the whole night to life! James is accompanied by Taylar Mallo (Bassist) and Emerson McCullough (Drums). Leona is accompanied by Will Thompson (Bassist) and Eli Henderson (Drums)
Online tix are $15, and $20 at the door! Buy tickets at https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/
*Please note all shows are R18 as we are playing in licensed venues.*
*As a 100+ capacity venue, MOON will be requiring and checking vaccination certificates on entry.*
James Hunter is an alternative folk musician hailing from Wellington, New Zealand. Hunter writes, records, and produces records that are minimal in scope, but intimate through his vocal delivery. Hunter’s sounds are created in narratives that allow listeners to journey with him through vulnerable places in the human soul: love, fear, faith, joy, pain.
James Hunter performs with His live band, The Gatherers. The four-piece consists of Hunter on Lead Vocals/Guitar, Taylar Mallo on Bass/Guitar, Emerson McCullough on Drums and Maxime Calderbank on Backing vocals/Guitar.
Edera
Glamourising her sadness with soft-yet-angsty lyrics for your listening pleasure, Edera’s tunes will have you wondering “is she okay lol?”. Accompanied by her spectacular band, Edera plants a seed to have you dancing along or shedding a tear to some freshly harvested Ederacore
TJ TAOTUA ENDS THE YEAR WITH A NEW EP & VIDEO - OVERDUE!
TJ TAOTUA has been working away on his original music and kicked off sharing what he created, earlier in the year, with the release of his track & video - ‘You and I’. To finish off the year strong, today he releases a new video and a completed EP – OVERDUE.
BOTH THE SINGLE AND VIDEO WAS DONE WITH THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR
TJ TAOTUA has been working away on his original music and kicked off sharing what he created, earlier in the year, with the release of his track & video - ‘You and I’. To finish off the year strong, today he releases a new video and a completed EP – OVERDUE. The EP is a collection of tracks that TJ has worked on over the past few years, most unreleased and some released over the past 2 years. It is a reflection of the musical journey that he has been on, throughout his travels overseas (Hawaii) and collaborations with different writers & producers.
The OVERDUE EP shows TJ’s different styles but are all a reflection of his creativity and artistry. The title is literal, in thatvit is all well overdue to be released. But he is proud of what he has created.
TJ & HIS BAND ‘MINISTRY OF TONE’ WILL CELEBRATE THE RELEASE AND WRAP UP THE YEAR WITH A PERFORMANCE AT WOODSIDE IN MANUKAU ON FIRDAY NIGHT. LIMITED CAPACITY SO BOOK IN NOW!
Overdue, the single itself, reflects some of TJ’s influences growing up, particularly using the falsetto as the key tool to drive the song – Artist’s such as the Isley brothers, Prince, Eric Benet, Maxwell to name a few. The lyrics of the song have been written with an encouraging message behind it, for everyone and anyone that may have had aspirations or dreams but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen when you wanted it too. This track is about encouraging you and sending the message that its not too late. Your time to shine is well overdue. It is a song for everyone but more particularly our Pacific sisters – with lyrics like – “I wanna let you know, that its time to show the world that you’ve got what it takes to go all the way again, and make amends, dust yourself off and get up again….”
The last video TJ released for ‘You & I’ was a love story, but not your everyday typical story. However in this video for ‘Overdue’ TJ kept it simple but still personal:
“For a lot of my friends, and myself, we all grew up in the 90’s. So the video reflects 2 passions, Our love for RNB 90’s (which is reflected in our sharp approach to our dress code and ambient background) and our passion for our Pacific Culture (where we have the amazing Natalie Tovai setting the tone with her graceful Samoan siva and culture attire as a Taupou Manaia). I am also backed by my amazingly talented band The Ministry of Tone – Ben Tameifuna and Moses Atiola on BV’s, Isaac Etimani on Bass, Tim Samau on Drums and Jireh Falaniko on keys”.
TJ TAOTUA was born in Samoa, raised in Porirua and now resides in Auckland with his family. He grew up in the church which is where he learnt to play instruments and sing. At 19 TJ got into the Wellington covers scene and continues to perform covers and originals today. With influences that range from Boys to Men to The 5 Stars (Samoan band), there are elements in his music that appeal to a wide audience. In 2013 TJ released his first R&B soul single called ‘Foreign Queen’, followed up in 2014 by a Gospel EP, which went on to win a number of awards at the 2015 Pacific Music Awards. When it comes to performance, TJ just wants to share his music wherever he can, whether it be weddings or even opening shows for Eric Benet (2017), Musiq Soul Child (2012) and KC and Jojo (2007).
ARJUNA OAKES // I Got Mine
The long-awaited and highly anticipated EP Recovery Pt. 2 is finally on its way for release on February 4th, 2022 and the first single ‘I Got Mine” is out this Friday, December 17th 2021.
The long-awaited and highly anticipated EP Recovery Pt. 2 is finally on its way for release on February 4th, 2022 and the first single ‘I Got Mine” is out this Friday, December 17th 2021.
Written in 2018 by Arjuna Oakes at the age of 19, ‘I Got Mine’ is on the surface a classic soul song with clever use of subverted tropes, modern musical elements and an acute awareness about Arjuna’s own personal struggles with identity and global problems such as climate change and social media-induced anxiety. Backed by a bouncing and infectiously groovy performance by Arjuna and his band, the song never feels heavy-handed with its themes and is sure to elicit an enjoyable surface-level response, as well as a thought-provoking experience for the listener.
EP: Recovery Pt. 2
‘Recovery Pt. 2 is the highly anticipated follow up to Arjuna Oake’s 2020 EP Recovery Pt. 1. Recorded at the same sessions as Recovery Pt. 1 back in February of 2020, Recovery Pt. 2 continues delving into the same themes such as climate change, identity and the journey of healing, which are all themes that seem more timely today than when these songs were recorded. Largely performed live in studio by Arjuna and his band of talented young musicians, these songs are exploding with an intense youthful energy and feature a unique mix of creative songwriting and explorative improvisation. Recovery Pt. 2 provides an exciting climax to the themes and musical ideas introduced in Recovery Pt. 1 and solidifies both records as an important piece in Arjuna’s discography.
About Arjuna
Arjuna Oakes is a singer-songwriter and producer based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand). Following the release of his debut EP The Watcher in 2019, Arjuna has released another two projects both to widespread acclaim, 2020’s Recovery Pt. 1 and 2021’s First Nights. The latter is a collaboration with longtime friend and co-producer Serebii, released by LA-based record label Innovative Leisure (Badbadnotgood, Bambii). First Nights debuted at #5 on KCRW’s Top 30 Albums chart and has had extensive play on BBC6 and BBC1xtra.