LAUREN GIN 'REMEDY' FT. JANAYAH

LAUREN GIN KICKS OFF THE YEAR OF THE TIGER WITH A NEW SINGLE

Auckland music producer and songwriter Lauren Gin starts off her 2022 release schedule with brand new track ‘Remedy’ featuring JANAYAH. Uplifting and energetic, ‘Remedy’ accentuates her widely lauded production skills and songwriting prowess.

Lauren Gin describes ‘Remedy’ as "a transformative upbeat tune with fiery and dynamic flavours -  this song is pure hype”. She collaborated with JANAYAH, a 16-year-old singer, who delivered an intensely powerful vocal performance well beyond her years - and brought Lauren’s lyrics to life.

'Remedy' is a significant step up in Lauren’s music career as a Trap producer and songwriter. It showcases her ability to create unique powerful sounds with heavy undertones, accompanied by captivating melodies. ‘Remedy’ has already been shortlisted for NZ On Air’s NewTracks and was premiered on George FM on March 10th and has been playlisted for Kick (iHeartRadio).

Check out ‘REMEDY' on Spotify.

Lauren Gin has steadily carved out a name for herself as one of New Zealand’s most well-known DJs. She’s made regular appearances at the country’s biggest festivals (Rhythm & Vines, Splore, Bay Dreams & Electric Avenue) as well as having performed internationally in LA, Bali and Portland (Oregon).

Lauren is passionate about raising the voices of females both in - and outside - of the music industry. By day Lauren is a formidable advocate for women in business at Icehouse Ventures, NZ's most active venture capital firm, personally raising millions for NZ's first fund exclusively investing in female founders.

A showcase of her diverse musical intentions, ‘Remedy’ is a landmark release from an artist destined for great things.

SAM BARTELLS ‘SOUL BURDENED SOLDIER’

‘Soul Burdened Soldier’ is the latest song from ever-evolving New Zealand  contemporary alt-rock musician SAM BARTELLS.

LISTEN TO / PURCHASE ‘SOUL BURDENED SOLDIER’ HERE

Recorded with his talented band at Roundhead Studios, and with Producer Dave Rhodes once more at the helm, ‘Soul Burdened Soldier’ is the follow up from his last single, the highly successful, radio-friendly ‘Bring You Down’.

Sam has never shied away from wearing his heart on his sleeve, fearlessly delving deep inside to share his life journey as he navigates the path on his road to redemption.

Along the way, Sam has met many people, some of whom have shared that road with him and also worked through challenging times in their lives to overcome their own personal demons.

This song is a tribute to one of those friends.

“I wrote this song for a close buddy of mine, a fellow addict who also battled mental health issues but sadly, lost that fight and took his own life. He was an awesome friend, and although he had huge dependency obstacles to overcome himself, he selflessly helped me though some of my darkest times also”, says Sam.

Ultimately, Sam hopes that his music, and this track, is a source of relatable comfort to others, saying “this is really a song for anyone who has lost someone to mental health and addiction, but then has to carry on with life on life’s terms and just keep going, having to soldier on. And of course, it’s a salute to my mate Joey. We were a great support for each other during some truly tough times.”

Bartell’s body of work to date is testament to the healing power of music, and the strength that can be drawn from raw, honest lyricism. Through this real-life inspired process, Sam is using his creative voice to build the soundtrack to a new narrative for his life, and for his young family.

Meanwhile, while waiting for the live touring circuit to come back to life, Sam plans to keep the music coming and is looking forward to releasing a new album later in the year.

It’s a long road for this troubadour, and Sam intends to keep his musical chronicle going strong, a narrative based on finding, and keeping hope.

FOLLOW SAM BARTELLS:  Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube

French For Rabbits tour The Overflow this April

New Zealand dream-pop luminaries French For Rabbits are thrilled to be able to announce tour dates for their 2022 Taite Music Award Nominated third LP, The Overflow.

Says songwriter/vocalist Brooke Singer of the nationwide tour; "after a quiet few months for us and our friends in the live music industry, we’re looking forward to returning to the stage to celebrate our new album in some glorious locations including the historic Old St Paul’s in Wellington. We can’t wait to be back in that magical spell-binding space - the spontaneity, and the feeling of community and communion that comes with live events”

Brooke continues “your optimistic ticket-purchasing would be spectacular - ticket sales help us, the ticketing agents, booking agents, and the venues get back on our feet after these Covid-19 disrupted months”.

French For Rabbits - The Overflow tour
Thursday, April 7th • New Plymouth @ 4th Wall*
Friday, April 8th • Hamilton @ Never+
Saturday, April 9th • Auckland @ Tuning Fork^

Thursday, April 28th • Dunedin @ Dive (early show, 6 pm doors)+
Friday, April 29th • Christchurch @ 12 Bar+
Saturday, April 30th • Wellington @ OSP+

^ Auckland tickets available from Moshtix
+Tickets on-sale from undertheradar.co.nz
*4th Wall tickets onsale from 4th Wall Theatre

(In the event of a show cancellation or postponement, ticket holders will be contacted directly and a full refund available at the point of purchase)

French for Rabbits have dedicated nearly a decade to creating warmly detailed and expansive music together. They emerged from a vibrant local folk scene alongside Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding and Tiny Ruins.

Led by songwriter and producer Brooke Singer, the project came to life when she started working with guitarist John Fitzgerald in the coastal township of Waikuku Beach back in 2012. His minimalist, shimmering guitar lines proved to be the backbone of their early work, and over the years the band has expanded to include multi-instrumentalists Ben Lemi and Penelope Esplin alongside drummer Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa.

Together they’ve toured in the US and Europe, opening for acts such as Lorde, Agnes Obel and performed at SXSW, Iceland Airwaves, WOMAD and in a castle for a fan’s wedding in Switzerland.

Their 2021 release The Overflow breaks into sophisticated but introspective pop territory following their elegantly stated second LP, The Weight of Melted Snow (2017), their 2014 break-out Spirits, and the 2012 New Zealand Music Award-nominated EP Claimed by the Sea.

On The Overflow, the group offer up their most compelling, vibrant work, receiving critical acclaim from national and international music reviewers and audiences alike.

The album was recorded with NZ producer/musician Jol Mulholland (Tami Neilson, Neil Finn, Delaney Davidson, Troy Kingi) in Wellington at The Surgery and in Auckland at The Lab, with mastering by Carl Saff in Chicago.

FRENCH FOR RABBITS ONLINE

Website / Facebook / Instagram
Twitter / YouTube / Spotify / AppleMusic

GRETA O'LEARY 'OUTNUMBERED'

Greta O'Leary is an honest songwriter, unafraid of vulnerability and the power of negative space. The alt-folk musicians' debut single 'Outnumbered' is out now, released February 25th, and an EP is on its way in winter. Outnumbered is a delicious journey through life as an outcast, a weighty and dream-like landscape is painted offering a window into her unique inner world, with strong lyricsim and shimmering instrumentation. Produced by Toby Floyd of Tiny Triumph Recordings (Hollie Smith, Louis Baker).

Greta says "Outnumbered is a dedication to my fellow introverts, an offering to those living in a different world and slower pace. I love the world we created in this song, to me my songs are like big paintings and I feel we nailed it with Outnumbered".

Wellington alt-folk artist Greta O’Leary's music is rich and penetrating. With her captivating voice and dark humour she creates haunting, yet relatable human offerings. Sometimes likened to folk artists Mountain Man and Tiny Ruins, Greta grew up on a rural property where her imagination has alway been her closest friend. With hefty range and a little grit, it's fun, tragic, and pure life.

'Outnumbered' released 25 February, 2022

NZ MUSIC T SHIRT DAY 2022

NZ Music T-shirt Day 2022 is on  27 May.  MusicHelps are inviting any bands who have t-shirts and would like to be included in the listing of where to buy t-shirts to get in touch.  Send the name of your band and a link to the online store to carmelb@musichelps.org.nz by 31 March to be included.  They’re also on the look out for photographs of local acts wearing other local acts t-shirts.  If you have any that can be used publicly – please send them to the same email address.

NZ Music T-Shirt Day is a nationwide celebration of kiwi music and the power music has to make a positive difference in our lives. It also highlights the work of MusicHelps, a charity that supports projects across Aotearoa that use the power of music to help disabled people, people with serious health conditions and people that are at risk and vulnerable. MusicHelps also provides a 24 hours, seven day a week helpline, professional tailored counselling, crisis support and emergency financial assistance to kiwi music workers experiencing illness, distress and hardship.

MARCH MEMBERS ONLY SESSION - MUSIC PRODUCERS GUILD AOTEAROA

How we can assist producers navigate all aspects of the music industry?

Chris Chetland and Greg Haver will be discussing the role of the MPG NZ and how it can assist producers to navigate the business, music and technical areas of the industry.

Chris Chetland has been working in music for over 25 years, working in engineering, writing and producing. He has been a finalist at the NZ Music Awards twice for best Engineer and also for best electronic artist (as Baitercell), and won best emerging manager (with Rei) at the MMF awards. He also mixed the NZ record holder for weeks of a single at #1 (for Scribe ‘Stand Up/Notmany’). Specializing mainly in mastering these days he has mastered songs for the likes of Reb Fountain, Jakob, Benee, Muroki, Shapeshifter, Rei, Tami Neilson, Poetik, Troy Kingi, Dua Lipa and Bebe Rexha

Greg Haver is a Welsh music producer now based in Aotearoa. His diverse work has included Manic StreetPreachers, The Chills, Melanie C, Troy Kingi, John Cale, Devilskin, Bullet For My Valentine and SuperFury Animals. Since relocating he has been involved in setting up several music industry initiatives such as the APRA SongHubs writing camps, The Aotearoa Music Producer Series (AMPS), The Aotearoa Sync-Posium, the NZ On Air New Music Development Grants and the MPG NZ.

March Members On Line Session - The Music Producers Guild of NZ / Aotearoa

Date: Tuesday 15th March
Time: 6pm 
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.

ADAM TUKIRI RELEASES NEW ALBUM ‘UNLESS.. SURELY’!

A very personal follow-up to his last album ‘Son’.

Adam Tukiri releases his second album under his own name ‘Unless.. Surely’. Like his previous release Son, this album was completely produced, mixed & mastered by Adam. There is a lot of self-reflection and honesty in this album with Adam talking about things he hasn’t even said out loud to himself, let alone publicly. With the inclusion of audio of his son, as well as the things he has experienced since he was born, this can seem like a follow-up to his last release. But that wasn’t necessarily the intention

Following the release of ‘SON’, Adam was shortlisted in the TOP 20 for APRA Silver Scrolls with his track ‘Anna (On My Life) Ft. Rizván’. The album itself was also nominated for Best Hip-Hop Album at the Waiata Maori Music Awards. Though not directly mentioned, Adam does touch on his achievements in this album.

“'Unless.. Surely' is the title, which sort of speaks to the lack of understanding I have about my emotions, which I touch on in the project.”

Adam Tukiri is a rapper and producer from South Auckland, who created quite a name for himself under his previous moniker Dharmarat. There is just as much range in his discography as he has projects under his belt, having released 21 projects as Dharmarat, if you include his work with his group Valleyside Boys.

Adam Tukiri is bringing the focus back to the music and letting it speak for itself.

Welcome to Anderson Rocio’s world.

Following the successful release of her sophomore EP ‘We’re Fine,’ Anderson Rocio is kicking 2022 off by showcasing a new side to both her talent and her world.

The upbeat, high-energy track ‘My World’ brings a sense of self-empowerment and living life her own way, an important mentality the world often needs a reminder of.

'My World' was written by a ridiculous trio of twenty-somethings, sipping coffee and sliding in-between two worlds, of which Anderson explains, “One world of being a kid, filled with questions and imagination, and the other being in this adult world full of 'shoulds' and 'don't asks'. Landing us at; it's time to care less about what other people think!! So let's do it our way. Welcome to My World.”

A true world citizen, Anderson spent her formative years living on both land and water, sailing the globe with her family. After her teen years were spent in New Zealand, she’s now relocated to Los Angeles and is making waves in the industry.

Made with the support of NZ On Air, ‘My World’ is out now on all streaming platforms.