New Song ‘Ticking Bomb’ by Iveta & Simone to be released in February

New Zealand Duo are not keeping cool as they seek to imprint their names in the arts and entertainment industry, and they are coming through with yet another single this February

New Zealand music artists are hardly reckoned with in the global scene, unlike their United States, Canada, and Europe counterparts. Most of them may have the skillset but lack the discipline and composure to shoot to the limelight with their craft. Iveta & Simone are a different breed from the pack of New Zealand musicians as the duo are taking holistic steps to ensure their music goes beyond the borders of New Zealand to the ends of the world.

In the fall of 2021, they released 'Obsessed,' which has gained massive appraisals from fans and followers for its quality and voicing. Not ready to relent, Iveta & Simone are thrilled to announce that all is now set to release their first track for 2022, titled 'Ticking Bomb.' The new track is an attestation of the versatility of the music duo as they continue to prove to the music world that their talent is not worthy of the domestic entertainment scene alone.

With high-energy performances and flirtatious stage presence, Iveta & Simone are already making headlines at shows. This new single is sure to add to the hype of this dynamic duo. In Ticking Bomb, they linked up with Kenny MacDonald and Hermann Unterwurzacher. Fans are bound to be thrilled by the energetic, lyrical prowess and music mastery of Iveta & Simone when Ticking Bomb gets released on February 18.

For inquiries, please visit www.ivetasimonemusic.com or send an email to ivetasimone@gmail.com.

About Iveta & Simone

Iveta & Simone are New Zealand’s edgy female vocal duo taking the region by storm. They hope to inspire others to push through dark times and rise above challenges. Through their social media profiles, Iveta & Simone share inspirational quotes and encouragements to get people to wade through difficult times.

Find out more about what that duo does by connecting with them via the social media handles below:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivetasimonemusic

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ivetasimone

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCUlUBmp6KvmLqpmMEWpWkzw

CLAUDIA ROBIN GUNN - Upside Down Seasons - Winter Snow Video Release

Children’s songwriter Claudia Robin Gunn is delighted to sprinkle some more seasonal fun out into the world just in time for Groundhog Day with the brand new animated video for Winter Snow. Continuing her upside down series about the seasons for children, released in sync with the northern hemisphere seasonal cycle, it’s another cute and funny kids music video, made by her frequent collaborators Kitty and Simon Wade with support from NZ On Air Music

Winter Snow stars a little blue penguin family getting up to gentle mischief in a winter wonderland - perfect as an antidote to the more frenetic visual content that saturates children’s media, this song and video combo provides a calming, soothing and intriguing break for little eyes and ears. Visuals feature a mix of beautiful hand drawn illustration by Kitty Wade, and the original watercolour snowflakes painted by artist Elise De Silva for the accompanying songbook 'Sing Through The Year - A Little Wild Childhood’. The intricate audio arrangement is by Tom Fox at The Sound Room - part of the wider album created in 2020 with support from Creative New Zealand.

This video premiered this week on the US blog ‘Geekdad’ and you can also find a matching visual edit as the canvas for this song.

Find the songbook and digital album Sing Through The Year - A Little Wild Childhood on BandCamp:

https://claudiagunn.bandcamp.com/album/sing-through-the-year-a-little-wild-childhood

KAUPAPA ANTHEMS PAYS HOMAGE TO THE OGs

Tirotiro kau au mōu e ngaro nei. E Huta, kei whea rā koe?  

Te pou whirinaki o te mano. E Huta, kei whea rā koe?

Kua riro atu rā koe ki a rātou mā ki te te wahangūtanga o te mate!  

E Huta, nōu te pō me ōna rerehua manomano katoa.

Mai i tō whānau o te ao puoro e tangi atu nei, e moe, moe mai rā!  

Kaupapa Anthems LIVE will kick off Waitangi weekend by paying homage to the OGs of kaupapa music from the 80s and 90s. 

The concert revamps groundbreaking waiata such as Nuclear Waste, Ngā Iwi E, In the Ghetto and features performances by Chad ‘the Boogieman’ Chambers, Sianne, Wi Te Tau Huata, Nai McGregor, Monz Tepaea, and Amba Holly with Musical Director, Hāni Totorewa a.k.a. Hāni Dread at the helm.   

“Kaupapa Anthems captures the legacy of aroha and sacrifice of those brave enough to change the course of Aotearoa” says Te Whenua Harawira, Creative Director. “Speaking with the composers about the motivation and concepts behind these waiata was an important part of the process. These waiata sustained our Aunties and Uncles through some of this country’s most racist history - they were a collective expression of hope. I’d like to think we did them justice”

Kaupapa Anthems LIVE is a collaboration between Creative Nātives and Hāni Dread and is the first in a series of online concerts that will be happening throughout the year. Waiata Anthems Collective have brought the full force of their industry expertise to support this initiative.

“In this significant year of celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language petition that was presented to Parliament in 1972, we are thrilled Creative Nātives are showcasing some of the legacy waiata that have paved the way for waiata reo Māori today,” says Dame Hinewehi Mohi, Pou Arahi of the Waiata Anthems Collective. “This online concert of kaupapa anthems provides a wonderful opportunity to reminisce, and to be inspired by the power of music as a platform for the revitalisation of te reo Māori, now and for future generations”.  

Kaupapa Anthems LIVE plays out 8pm Friday 4 February across the Creative Nātives, Hāni Dread, Waiata Anthems Facebook pages and will be available on all major music streaming platforms from Saturday 5 February. 

Government delivers further support for arts and culture sector

The Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme will be boosted by $70 million, enabling the coverage of the Scheme to be extended right through to 31 January 2023 for events that were planned before the move to Red. Key eligibility criteria have also been extended.

• The Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund has been provided an additional $35.5 million to fund more direct support for individuals and organisations

• The limit on funding for individual organisations has been increased from $100,000 to $300,000.

• A one-off grant of $5,000 will be available to eligible self-employed individuals/sole traders in the arts and cultural sector who have lost income or opportunities to work.

• The Screen Production Recovery Fund has been boosted by a further $15 million.

Following the Government’s shift to the Red traffic light setting and ongoing pressures on the arts and culture sector, the Government is moving swiftly to cushion the blow, providing further support for the sector, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni announced today.

“The Government has been actively engaging with the arts and culture sector to understand their needs as the pandemic has progressed, and we’re responding by delivering much-needed financial relief,” Carmel Sepuloni said. “The arts and culture sector contributes approximately $10.9 billion to the New Zealand economy, making up about 3.4% of GDP.

“Our strategy continues to be to slow the spread of Omicron down. New Zealanders have helped put us in a position to fight Omicron, but as we’ve said before, when COVID changes, we change. 

“The Red traffic light setting, whilst needed to protect the health and safety of New Zealanders, has had an impact on the livelihoods of those who make a living out of arts and culture. That’s why we’re committing to a one-off $5,000 grant for self-employed individuals/sole-traders who can show proof of a loss of income or opportunity to work.

“We’re also extending the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme, the Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund, and the Screen Production Recovery Fund.

The Arts and Cultural Event Support Scheme will receive a financial boost, extending coverage to events scheduled to take place before 31 January 2023, that were planned before the move to Red. This also includes extension of criteria to cover cancellations due to a lead performer getting Covid or needing to isolate.

“It’s important to reassure artists and crew that they will get paid despite their event being cancelled due to Red. The Scheme includes an obligation to make full payment, as if the event had gone ahead, to artists, performers and production crew and/or organisations.”

The Government are also making it easier for people to apply for the Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund and increasing financial support available for organisations by making changes to payment limits and the eligibility criteria. This will include setting up an application stream dedicated to self-employed people and sole-traders, in addition to the application stream for organisations.

“Internationally, Omicron is having a significant impact on the film industry, with cast/crew sickness in some cases causing productions to shut down, resulting in higher costs. Aotearoa New Zealand’s screen industry will not be immune from these pressures, so we are acting now to provide extra support for this key sector of our economy.

“The Screen Production Fund will receive a boost to enable an extension of the fund through to 31 December 2022, to maximise production activity and minimise the impacts of any COVID-19 outbreaks.

“I’m confident that our move to extend critical support schemes for New Zealand’s arts and cultural event sector will provide some relief and help our wonderful creative communities to get back on their feet. 

“I want to acknowledge the huge financial and emotional strain and uncertainty that everyone in the sector is facing, but I want to underline our Government’s commitment to supporting the revival of the arts and culture sector,” Carmel Sepuloni said. 

 HEADLINE DETAILS

·         The Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme will be boosted by $70.7 million – giving arts and cultural sector event organisers the confidence to deliver planned events right through to the end of January 2023. Key eligibility criteria have also been extended and consideration is being given to how new events can be supported in the latter half of 2022. 

·         The Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund has been provided an additional $35.5 million to fund more direct support for individuals and organisations most affected by the restrictions introduced in January 2022 to slow the spread of COVID-19.

·         The limit on Emergency Relief Funding for individual organisations has been increased from $100,000 to $300,000.

·         A one-off grant of $5,000 will be available to eligible self-employed individuals/sole traders in the arts and cultural sector who have lost income or opportunities to work as a result of the restrictions introduced in January 2022 to slow the spread of COVID-19.

·         The Screen Production Recovery Fund has been boosted by a further $15 million.

TOM LEE-RICHARDS’ NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘HUMAN’ IMMERSED IN THE WARMTH OF MINAS GERAIS

Whilst joining a big Brazilian family and navigating a new culture and language, Kiwi Alt-folk artist Tom Lee-Richards releases 'Human,' a song about being out of his depth. Recorded in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil with acclaimed producer Leonardo Marques the song features a team of accomplished brazilian artists in their own right: Bernardo Bauer (Bass, BVs), Felipe D'Angelo (Keys, BVs), Pedro Hamdan (Drums), Matheus Felix (Violin) and Fabio Ogata (French horn).

In the accompanying music video, 'Human' is given a face or rather helmet as the story follows the stumbling journey of a 1930s Deep Sea Diver. Sourced and edited by Tom the video continues his passion for marrying music and image as seen in the last 'Out of the Oddness' collaboration with NZ filmmakers Phoebe Mackenzie and Emily Berryman as well as the MTV Upload favourite 'Beside You' and 'Madness' featured in the Auckland International Film Festival.

Human is the 1st single from the upcoming E.P 'Spinning for Shape' which is more open and live sounding than his last album collab with producer Pip Norman (Jarryd James). The new E.P hums with warmth and harmony distinctive of his Brazilian collaborator's home state Minas Gerais. Oscillating synth and sliding, blooping progressive bass make the e.p an almost psychedelic experience yet this 1st track Human has the lyrical lucidity of a confession.

In it's honesty, Human feels like an invitation for you and your faults and begins the E.P's larger story of immersion as Tom dives deeper into this New Zealand, Brazilian relationship. After flying through the pandemic Tom is now home living in NZ however his follow up singles will introduce more forms of Kiwi Brazilian collaboration.

Listen to ‘Human’ through Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp or Apple Music

Samson Live channels the vibrant energy of K’ Road in new single.

Auckland House duo Samson Live are back with their new track Down, hot off the back of their successful debut release, Breathe.

Breathe showcased the duo as more than just a live act and now their follow up release Down is solidifying the talents of this team.

Down brings a refreshing take on Auckland’s nightlife, “it’s about a night on K’ Road, a gig with your favourite DJ, and a euphoric understanding of the force that is house music,” says singer Sam Allen.

On top of the vibe of the track, Kiwi humour creeps into the lyrics with a slight nod to New Zealand’s beloved Flight of the Conchords.

Down is out now, kicking off a big year for the duo.

Link to ‘Down’

https://smarturl.it/SamsonLive_Down

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonlivenz/

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3fXgS7P

Ashy 'Mirror' feat. Vallé

Christchurch pop star ASHY shares her new single ‘Mirror’. Enlisting the slick rhymes of fellow Christchurch artist Vallé, ‘Mirror’ is effortlessly cool. Foot tapping bass transforms the song into a feverish groove, laying a platform for ASHY’s poise vocals to narrate her experiences of representation in mainstream media. Written at an APRA Songhubs alongside Tami Neilson, Vallé, Name UL & Josie Moon, with production credits to Name UL (Emanuel Psathas) and Liam Quinn. 

On the single, ASHY details; '‘Mirror’ is a song about representation. I have subconsciously wanted to share this story that I’m talking about in this song for a long time. It’s about me as a kid seeing someone on TV that looked like me for the first time and realising I’d never seen that before. 

It’s a story that is more empowering than anything. I wanted to take a celebratory approach to this narrative and say that I want to be a mirror for people that don’t otherwise see themselves.

In the song, Vallé talks about his own story and how he’s dealt with the conflict between his roots & materialism. This sonically has a confidence that is also expressed through the lyrics, melody and narrative overall. ‘Mirror’ is about feeling seen and being heard, no matter what your story. I hope the listeners have a lot of fun with this track.'

LISTEN TO 'MIRROR' HERE

ASHY has amassed over 2 million streams across all platforms, enjoyed chart success & has worked with leading pop producers on both sides of the Tasman.

She has worked with the likes of producers Josh Fountain (BENEE), Liam Quinn (Ruel, G-Flip, Illy, Rita Ora, Keith Urban) in Sydney & Sam Trevethick (Shapeshifter).

In 2021, she played Christchurch summer festivals ‘Electric Avenue’, ‘Go Live!’, and opened for the Harper Finn & LA WOMEN NZ Tour. ASHY has also completed a NZ tour for ‘Gig Starters’ with the NZ Music Commission alongside Rodney Fisher (Goodshirt). She participated in the APRA Songhubs curated by Delaney Davidson and APRA’s Sync Posium curated by Greg Haver at Roundhead Studios.

THE SAM LOVERIDGE BAND ' RECOVERY'

‘Recovery’ is the debut album by Auckland based, The Sam Loveridge Band. Melding influences of synth infused indie rock with pop and folk, makes for a varied but cohesive listen. A combination of both reflective and sassy song writing is displayed by Sam Loveridge and sometimes co-writer Loren Black.

The first single ‘Run To You’, received high critical acclaim with Muzic.net.nz awarding it 5 stars and saying “The musical hooks are massive, with the vocals in the chorus both plaintive and powerful.”

‘I Wanna Dance’ was the second single from the album. When asked about it, Sam said “My friend Loren, who I'd written a couple of songs with, had expressed an interest in writing a pop banger, so we met up for a writing session. I'd spent a little while playing with funk ideas and after playing a couple to Loren she had the lyrics sussed. It was a really fun session, and the song pretty much wrote itself. I love the spirit of defiant joy that came out of it”.

February 18th will see The Sam Loveridge Band release their live music video for “Better Man”, which was filmed at Luma Studios.