TAYLAH’s new single ‘Graphic’ is a revitalizing RnB Summer song

TAYLAH is back with another delectably soothing musical morsel. Her brand new single, ‘Graphic’ is the expressive RnB song we’ve been waiting for, evoking summer road trips and the wafting aroma of a backyard barbeque. The track is produced by Toby Lloyd of Tiny Triumph Recordings (Hollie Smith, Rob Ruha, Shapeshifter). TAYLAH’s narrative is a refreshingly satirical take on social media’s effect on mental health. This summer tune reveals a more stripped back sound from TAYLAH portraying a harmonious blend of dreamy RnB flavours and charmingly cadenced vocals.

TAYLAH says:

“I’m stepping into my own space with this song. It has a sort of cynicism that I get caught up in, and just drips with attitude. Graphic is one of my favourite songs to sing now.”

TAYLAH is the motivational, self-loving, aunty-energy you never knew you needed. Her music transcends the NZ pop genre into a realm of soulful riffs and memorable hooks. Her effortless vocals cradle your ears as they are carried along the warm waves of her melodies. When you put all of the elements together, you get an auditory cuddle.

'Graphic' to be released March 12, 2022.

GOLDSMITH BAYNES RELEASE NEW JAZZ SINGLE ‘TŌ IHU’

ALLANA GOLDSMITH & MARK BAYNES COMBINE FOR PROJECT & ALBUM

Goldsmith Baynes are set to release the up-tempo jazz single ‘Tō Ihu’, the second single & video off their forthcoming album, out Friday 11th February on Meow Jazz. An exciting new project created by the renowned jazz artists Allana Goldsmith and Mark Baynes with vocals containing a beautiful mix of Māori and English language, their debut single Tīpuna was released last year and featured on the Waiata Anthems 2021 compilation. A wonderful collaboration between two modern favourites of the jazz world, Goldsmith's soulful jazz vocal combines with British pianist Baynes' contemporary jazz stylings to produce this truly uplifting and remarkable record.

‘Tō Ihu’ is a punchy and memorable slice of modern contemporary jazz which features an authentic and colourful use of te reo Māori woven within the lyrics, and is accompanied by a fittingly lively and fun video, directed by Shivani Karan. Humorously, ‘Tō Ihu’ translates to ‘butt out’, an idiom to tell someone not to interfere. The track and video acts as a celebration of culture and music all rolled into one, brilliantly performed as well as produced by Goldsmith and Baynes, and backed on the recording by fellow musicians Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (drums), Alex Griffith (electric bass), Cameron Allen (saxophones), Jono Tan (trombone) and Mike Booth (trumpet and horn arrangement).

The Goldsmith Baynes project is a celebration between two musical souls. The talented pair have worked together for over 10 years and their musical bond comes from freedom, a shared trust, and mutual respect. Goldsmith and Baynes have written a stunning collection of songs together, which will culminate in a debut album to be released early this year.

Goldsmith Baynes have performed at renowned festivals including the Waiheke Jazz Festival and Tauranga International Jazz Festival, and have been programmed for the 2022 Auckland Arts Festival. They also were invited to perform at the recent Aotearoa Music Awards 2021

– watch performance here.

“Allana Goldsmith is a rare gem, the kind of artist one hears for the first time and is immediately captivated. In many ways she is reminiscent of the great singers of the past. What is not redolent of past singers, however, is her preparedness to tackle adventurous modern projects”.

– the Creative Jazz Club (2013).

IN THE SHALLOWS 'LET IT GO'

Let It Go is a sweet kiwi summer song with a deep message that invokes a timely reflection upon unity and an acceptance of uncertainty. It encourages us to let go of expectations and attachments to how we think our lives ‘should’ look and realise we never really had ‘control’ anyway. Certainty is an illusion. Nothing is a given and in a time where there is so much division, we would benefit more from realising that we are all more the same than we care to admit.

It was in August 2019, when Welsh singer-songwriter Danni Parsons found harmonic delight in the raw vocals of Kiwi rock and roller Lance Shepherd....Wellington based Indie Folk-Pop band 'In The Shallows' was born. The studio recordings also feature Andrew Bain (Fur Patrol) and Nick Brown (Eb & Sparrow, Vorn). 

Together they offer up an exquisitely diverse and silken sound that weaves together soaring harmonies, mesmerising vocals and acoustic guitars with relatable lyrics about intricate tales of love, loss, connection, redemption and empowerment. Danni's voice described by LA reviewer Edgar Allan Poets as having 'a high, delicate timbre that mesmerised him as the mermaids did with Ulysses in Homer's Odyssey'

Their 5* rated debut album produced by Steve Rokosh (Calgary, Canada and Nashville, USA) and released in Nov 2020, won over the ears, heart and soul of muzic.net.nz's Kev Rowland who said "..anyone who enjoys acoustic music, performed by some wonderful singers, containing songs with a purpose yet so varied that the album never gets tiring, will find this simply essential". 

2021 was full of highlights for the duo as they made the 'Top 10 Live shows of 2021' list by Kev Rowland of Muzic.net.nz. ‘Let's Not Start a War’ received a 10/10 review from UK's House of Prog , ‘There You Are’ is crushing it in the US reaching over 35k streams on Spotify, also received a 5* review from Muzic.net.nz and was place in Kev Rowland’s ‘Top 10 Singles of 2021’. Both tracks have also been reviewed enthusiastically by many media outlets around the world, including HappyMag AU, BuzzMusic LA, Indie Criollo Equador, Sinusoidal Music, India and many others.

Their debut album tour took them to 22 festivals and venues throughout NZ in summer 2020/21 including NZ Spirit, Earthbeat Festival, Resolution NYE Festival, Performance Arcade - Wellington. The duo recently opened for Tui Folk award winner Amiria Grenell , had support from NZMA’s Best Country Music Artist Jenny Mitchell and NZ talent Jocee Tuck and TOMMY and they are showing no signs of slowing down as 2022 has started strong with sell out shows around the country!

MOUSEY Shares new video 'My Hands Are Made of Glass'

Today, Ōtautahi/Christchurch-based artist Mousey shares the video for her chilling new single ‘My Hands Are Made of Glass.’ The release follows the recent announcement of her sophomore album My Friends out March 11. See pre-order details below.

Directed by Martin Sagadin (Aldous Harding, Marlon Williams, Tiny Ruins, French For Rabbits), the 'My Hands Are Made of Glass' video is an intimate portrayal of the song's heart-wrenching message about wanting to hide away from the world. It features the local screen talents of Poppy Washington, and Sienna Braid.

Martin Sagadin elaborates: "The video aimed to combine a very naturalistic and real feeling of a sheltering child with a kind of theatrical delivery. Everything depended on Poppy’s performance and we were blown away as soon as she started singing along to the song. There is a sadness and an implied intensity that speaks true to Sarena’s experience. I think a lot of people growing up in rough circumstances are seeking refuge on the cold tiles of their home bathrooms."

Released last Friday, ‘My Hands Are Made of Glass,' follows lead single 'The Bench,’ which spent multiple weeks at the top of NZ’s Alternative Airplay Chart. Both singles are taken from Mousey's forthcoming album My Friends, her first offering of new music since 2019's Silver Scroll nominated debut album Lemon Law. Produced by Ben Edwards at The Sitting Room (Marlon Williams, Julia Jacklin, Nadia Reid), My Friends was written by Mousey in lockdown and holds a strong focus on her friends and her relationships with them. “While my last album was about ‘being let down and being a let-down’, this album is about ‘being let down but being loved,“ says Mousey. “I initially hoped the new record was going to be really light, cute and wholesome. But even though there are many ‘sweet’ songs, my year was really hard and some of my long-time friends left me with some nasty scars - so obviously the record reflects that too."

Pre-orders for My Friends are now available on Bandcamp and include CDs, tapes, and limited edition translucent green vinyl.

Pre-order the album here: https://mouseynz.bandcamp.com/album/my-friends
Pre-save the album here: https://bfan.link/my-friends

Mousey is the project of Christchurch songwriter, Sarena Close. With a strong sense of melody and emotionally raw sincerity, Mousey cherishes the art of communicating the human experience above all else. She is inspired by local artists Aldous Harding, Tiny Ruins, and Anthonie Tonnon, as well as Big Thief, Lomelda, and Eels. And yet her sound defies the restrictions of genre and her music provides a unique and powerful insight into this wonderful and confusing world.

Her 2019 debut album Lemon Law marked a significant milestone for Mousey, and earned her a nomination at the 2019 APRA Silver Scrolls for breakout track, ‘Extreme Highs’. 2020 would also see her as a finalist for the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut prize at the Taite Music Prize Awards and performing at the Silver Scroll awards with a captivating live performance of L.A.B’s 'In the Air'.

As a live act, Mousey has played headline tours in New Zealand and Australia and opened for acclaimed artists such as The Beths, Reb Fountain, The Chills, and more. Her performances are characterised by her faultless vocals, her multi instrumental musicianship and raw emotional energy.

Mousey is celebrating her recent signing to Native Tongue Music Publishing.

FEBRUARY MEMBERS ONLY SESSION - MUSIC PRODUCERS

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa are pleased to announce the first of the monthly Members On line Seminars for 2022.  And the February session is around MUSIC PRODUCERS.

The speakers in this session will look at the business side of Music Producers  - What are the different hats a producer might wear? How are producers paid for their work ? Producer fees vs producer points? What are producer points - and how are they calculated?

A music producer is in charge of the overall sound and feel of a record or album. They help to create and deliver recordings. They make sure that the recording is the best it can be when a band or musician is recording a song or album. 

The role requires talent and expertise, and it includes wearing many hats (not always the same hat either). The producer often gives performance advice and direction to musicians or makes sure the studio engineer is on track. Their job is to oversee every detail of a song or album in the hope of producing a ‘hit’. 

The panel of speakers for this session are:

Joost Langeveld - Bigpop Music

Joost is co-director of Bigpop Music - a resourceful ‘umbrella’ company assisting creatives realise their artistic dreams and aspirations and providing viable pathways to enable artists to share their art with the world. Bigpop’s activities include A&R, music publishing, label services, music production and operating music/sound recording studio facilities.

Joost’s history is varied and encompasses most facets of the music industry. Whether as a musician, composer, producer, A&R, collaborator and/or record label entrepreneur he has been (and is) integral to a wide range of local and global facing projects.

Cushla Aston - Aston Road Management
Cushla Aston, of Tainui and Te Arawa descent, is the founder of Aston Rd, a boutique management company managing Louis Baker, alongside music management consultation and special projects.

Since joining the NZ Music industry in 2011 after a decade in the UK, she has worked with notable New Zealand artists such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, Julia Deans, Kora and Trinity Roots.

In 2012 Cushla won ‘Upcoming Manager of the Year’ and was a finalist for ‘Manager of the Year’ in 2015 and 2021. Cushla is a mentor and Executive Committee member for the MMF NZ and teaches the Artist Development paper at Massey University for the Bachelor of Commercial Music.

Collectively Aston Rd’s clients have been winners and finalists for the APRA Silver Scroll awards, Aotearoa Music Awards, Taite Music Awards and NZ Music Critics Choice awards.  They have toured in the UK, Europe, Polynesia, South Africa and Australia.

tephen King - Media Arts Lawyers

Stephen practises in all facets of commercial and entertainment law; with a particular focus on music, particularly within the independent sector through his representation of the Australian and New Zealand label associations and numerous independent record labels within Australia, New Zealand and internationally. Stephen combines his legal knowledge with his vast experience in the music industry, including in private practice in the UK representing major artists, labels and industry bodies and in Australia as the Business Affairs Manager for Festival Mushroom Records. Stephen is a supporter of local music and provides pro-bono services to Music NT and Arts Law members. Stephen is the manager of the multi award winning artist, Georgi Kay and of ARIA Award winning producer, Dean Tuza and co-owner of Wilson Street Studios

Music Managers Forum Aotearoa
February Members Online Session - Music Producers

Date:            Tuesday 22nd February
Time:            6.00pm – 7.00pm
RSVP:          For MMF members only lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz
                     RSVP essential as spaces are limited

Due to the limited places please note if you RSVP and then fail to attend the session without notifying us, unfortunately you will not be eligible for future sessions.

ARJUNA OAKES // Recovery Pt. 2 EP

The long-awaited new EP from Arjuna Oakes, Recovery Pt. 2, is finally on its way, due for release this February 4th, 2022.

Recovery Pt. 2 

Recovery Pt. 2 is the highly anticipated follow up to Arjuna Oakes’ 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 the studio by Arjuna and his band of talented young musicians, these songs explode with 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 chapter in Arjuna’s discography.

ABOUT 

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.

MOUSEY Announces sophomore album My Friends out March 11 + Shares new song 'My Hands Are Made of Glass'

Ōtautahi/Christchurch-based artist Mousey has announced her new album My Friends, out on March 11th, and today shares an exquisite new single ‘My Hands Are Made of Glass.’ The song is the follow-up to lead single, ‘The Bench,’ which spent multiple weeks at the top of NZ’s Alternative Airplay Chart, and was Mousey's first offering of new music since her Silver-Scroll nominated debut album, Lemon Law.

‘My Hands Are Made of Glass' presents Mousey's faultless vocals atop a haunting arrangement of strings by Lyttelton-based violinist and composer Anita Clark. Christchurch lo-fi pop multi-instrumentalist Pickle Darling lends an eerie, punchy drum machine sound adding to the beautifully poetic yet wrenching admission of Mousey wanting to hide away from the world. “This song is me at my lowest,” reveals Mousey. “I love people so much but sometimes I hurt them and it makes me want to lock myself away so I can’t hurt anyone anymore. I wanted the strings to sound like fingers on a chalkboard, screeching up and down. The peak of the song feels like inner chaos incarnate. This song also has a drum machine, programmed by my friend Lukas (Pickle Darling). I’ve never used one in my music before but having it sit as a layer underneath the song helps make it more cold and disconnected.”

Listen to 'My Hands Are Made of Glass' HERE

Both ‘The Bench’ and ‘My Hands Are Made of Glass’ are taken from Mousey's forthcoming album My Friends, the anticipated follow-up to 2019's Silver Scroll nominated debut album Lemon Law. Produced by Ben Edwards at The Sitting Room (Marlon Williams, Julia Jacklin, Nadia Reid), My Friends was written by Mousey in lockdown and navigates the emotional baggage of her life-long friendships, the highest highs and the lowest lows. “While my last album was about ‘being let down and being a let-down’, this album is about ‘being let down but being loved,“ says Mousey. “I initially hoped the new record was going to be really light, cute and wholesome. But even though there are many ‘sweet’ songs, my year was really hard and some of my long-time friends left me with some nasty scars - so obviously the record reflects that too."

Pre-save Mousey - My Friends: https://bfan.link/my-friends

Pre-order Mousey - My Friends: https://mouseynz.bandcamp.com/album/my-friends

Mousey is the project of Christchurch songwriter, Sarena Close. With a strong sense of melody and emotionally raw sincerity, Mousey cherishes the art of communicating the human experience above all else. She is inspired by local artists Aldous Harding, Tiny Ruins, and Anthonie Tonnon, as well as Big Thief, Lomelda, and Eels. And yet her sound defies the restrictions of genre and her music provides a unique and powerful insight into this wonderful and confusing world.

Her 2019 debut album Lemon Law marked a significant milestone for Mousey, and earned her a nomination at the 2019 APRA Silver Scrolls for breakout track, ‘Extreme Highs’. 2020 would also see her as a finalist for the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut prize at the Taite Music Prize Awards and performing at the Silver Scroll awards with a captivating live performance of L.A.B’s 'In the Air'.

As a live act, Mousey has played headline tours in New Zealand and Australia and opened for acclaimed artists such as The Beths, Reb Fountain, The Chills, and more. Her performances are characterised by her faultless vocals, her multi instrumental musicianship and raw emotional energy.

Mousey is celebrating her recent signing to Native Tongue Music Publishing.

BAYNK ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM ADOLESCENCE LAUNCHES ADOLESCENCE.WORLD

After amassing over a quarter of a billion streams on his first three independently-released EPs, New Zealand-born, London-based artist BAYNK has finally announced his long-awaited debut album for release in January 2022. Titled ADOLESCENCE, the album will include previously released singles ‘Esther’ feat. Tinashe and ‘Mine’ feat. Cub Sport. New single ‘When I’m Alone’ was released Friday completing the double-single with ‘How Does It Feel?’ feat. Cosmo’s Midnight.

BAYNK describes the album as, “A collection of stories from my youth, recorded in my adulthood.”

To accompany the announcement, BAYNK has launched an immersive listening experience and bespoke playlist generator. A collaboration with Pretty Good and featuring the art of Swiss design agency EUROSTANDARD, fans are able to learn about the tracks in BAYNK’s own words and hear a preview of the upcoming album.

View the ADOLESCENCE experience here: adolescence.world

As with many of BAYNK’s past releases, ADOLESCENCE features a mixture of well curated collaborations throughout the album, as well as some stunning solo recordings. The previously released ‘Esther’ featuring R&B powerhouse Tinashe has over 4 million streams and is showing no signs of slowing down. Iconic Australian artists Cub Sport, Cosmo’s Midnight, and past collaborator Golden Vessel join tracks ‘Mine’, ‘How Does It Feel?’ and ‘Till It’s Even’ respectively - adding their own flavour to BAYNK’s driving beats. Rainsford, the artist name for Rainey Qualley, adds her ethereal vocals to ‘Remember’ and Chicago duo DRAMA lend their R&B vibes on ‘1Chance’. Consistent with his track record of solo releases like ‘go with u’ and ‘Poolside’, some of the most special moments come from BAYNK’s own lush and dynamic vocals on tracks ‘When I’m Alone’ and the forthcoming lead single ‘Naked’.

BAYNK’s upcoming 26-date headline tour of the United States and Canada has been announced for next year. After his largely sold-out run in 2020, and forthcoming sold out debut performance at XOYO in London this November, his ADOLESCENCE tour sees his triumphant return to the road in early 2022. Cosmo’s Midnight, NASAYA, Two Lanes, and more artists to be announced will be opening on the upcoming tour. In addition, several dates in Europe in April of 2022 have just been announced.

Tickets on sale now at baynk.me.

 BAYNK ‘ADOLESCENCE’ TOUR 2022

With Special Guests Cosmo's Midnight + Two Lanes + NASAYA + More TBA

Thu 1/20/2022 - San Diego, CA - Casbah - SOLD OUT

Fri 1/21/2022 - Tempe, AZ - Shady Park

Sat 1/22/2022 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre

Sun 1/23/2022 - Santa Cruz, CA - Catalyst Atrium

Tue 1/25/2022 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom

Wed 1/26/2022 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox

Fri 1/28/2022 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater

Sat 1/29/2022 - San Diego, CA - Casbah - SOLD OUT

Wed 2/2/2022 - Santa Barbara, CA - SOhO Restaurant & Music Club

Fri 2/4/2022 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre

Sat 2/5/2022 Santa Fe, NM - Meow Wolf

Fri 2/11/2022 - Dallas, TX - Trees

Sat 2/12/2022 - Austin, TX - The Concourse Project

Thu 2/17/2022 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In

Fri 2/18/2022 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West

Sat 2/19/2022 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground

Tue 2/22/2022 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

Wed 2/23/2022 - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry At The Fillmore

Fri 2/25/2022 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall

Sat 2/26/2022 - New York, NY - Brooklyn Steel

Thu 3/3/2022 - Montréal, QC - L'Astral

Fri 3/4/2022 - Toronto, ON - The Axis Club

Sat 3/5/2022 - Detroit, MI - The Magic Stick

Thu 3/10/2022 - Columbus, OH - Skully's

Fri 3/11/2022 - Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall

Sat 3/12/2022 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall

Fri 4/1/2022 - Paris, France - Popup!

Sat 4/2/2022 - Berlin, Germany - PrivatClub

Fri 4/8/2022 - London, England - Earth Hall