James Hunter and The Gatherers announce Auckland Show with Marmalade

The infamous tour date that never happened… with COVID-19 restrictions easing up, James Hunter and The Gatherers are picking up where they left off, and completing their debut tour (Almost Summer Tour, Oct 2021) in Auckland with local Indie-pop band, Marmalade.

The two musical forces are playing at Wine Cellar in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) on the 22nd of April, 2022.

With an extremely limited capacity of 50-100 tickets (dependant on government restrictions,) this is a show that you do not want to miss!

Tickets are $13 and can be purchased at:  https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/ 

(Limited door sales available at $15)

*Please note the show are R18 as we are playing in licensed venues.*

*As of the time being, Wine Cellar will be requiring and checking vaccination certificates on entry. If this changes, updates will be made*

ARTIST BIOS:

James Hunter is an alternative-folk musician based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Drawing from musical influences such as Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver and Jeff Buckley, Hunter creates songs with lyrical narratives that look into his own vulnerable experiences of love, fear, faith, joy and pain. 

Sit for a while and open yourself up to listen and to feel.

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.

Marmalade

We’re a group of friends from Tamaki Makaurau here to pour music flavoured marmalade on your perfectly toasted toast. Go chuck your favourite yellow T-shirt in the wash and have it ready to boogie with us on the 22nd of April! Bound to make your winter cosy and summer even sunnier with florescent lyrics backed by an even brighter band.

2022 Taite Music Prize: Independent Music New Zealand Classic Record Announced + NZ On Air Outstanding Journalism Award Finalists

Independent Music NZ announces the 2022 recipient of the Classic Record which aims to acknowledge Aotearoa New Zealand's rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and define who we are.

This annual award acknowledges one Aotearoa New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. Whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album, these records have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history. Like the Taite Music Prize main prize the Classic Record is a critically judged award for originality considering the artistic merit, creativity, innovation and excellence of an album in its entirety irrespective of album sales, artist popularity, previous awards or international achievements.

This year's judging panel has recognised the 1994 New Zealand album; PROUD - An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation.  Encapsulating and showcasing the incredible talent of young artists from South and West Auckland that were yet to come into mainstream consciousness, producer Alan Jansson worked with Tim Mahon (from Otara Music Arts Centre and Blam Blam Blam) and Phil Fuemana to bring in a range of artists representing the contemporary Māori and Pacifica music of the time. The result was the hugely influential 1994 compilation PROUD, featuring Sisters Underground, Pacifican Descendants, Semi MCs, MC Slam, Radio Backstab, DJ Payback, and Otara Millionaires Club.

In his book, 100 Essential New Zealand Albums, music writer and broadcaster Nick Bollinger wrote, “It was Jansson’s instinct to emphasise elements of the music that reflected the Pacifican background of the artists, and throughout the album one could hear log drums, ukuleles and the so-called ‘Māori strum’ which Jansson had first encountered at after-work parties on the building sites where he had worked as a teenager. The result was a sound uniquely New Zealand, and strikingly different from the R&B and hip-hop coming from anywhere else at the time.”

The most successful tunes off the compilation were Sisters Underground’s ‘In The Neighbourhood’ and ‘We R The OMC’ by The Otara Millionaires Club.

Jansson continued working with Pauly Fuemana, who had taken the OMC name after the group had split. Their collaboration eventually gave the world ‘How Bizarre’, described on British TV show Top Of The Pops as “the biggest song ever to come out of New Zealand”. ‘How Bizarre’ reached the Top 10 in 15 countries, and reached No.1 in many places, including Australia, NZ, Austria, Canada, Ireland and the United States.

Listen to PROUD - An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation

 on Apple Music HERE  or on Spotify HERE

The NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award is the first of its kind for Aotearoa New Zealand and comes with a $2500 cash prize. The ground-breaking addition to the Taite Music Prize for 2022 celebrates special individuals who made a creative contribution and significant impact with coverage of Aotearoa music in 2021. For the award’s inaugural year, finalists are shortlisted by the IMNZ board.

The finalists for the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism awards are:

●       Undertheradar.co.nz – Editorial Team; Chris Cudby and Annabel Kean

●       'Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History' - Podcast creators; DJ Sirvere and Martyn Pepperell

●       RNZ Music’s The Sampler - Producer and journalist; Tony Stamp

●       95bFM’s Long Player “Milk III - Reuben Winter” episode - Producers; Jess Fu and Reuben Winter

IMNZ chairperson, Pippa Ryan-Kidd, says, “ The addition of the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism award is in the spirit of legendary broadcaster Dylan Taite and our wish to congratulate those who give media space to New Zealand music. We found the decision on finalists a difficult one as many dedicated individuals do much of this work purely out of passion with no recompense. Our criteria for this award is to highlight “creative contribution and significant impact” and our judges had to hone in on the best of the best under this guise. Our hope and aim is to encourage new and young writers to take up the voice that some of our leading music journalists have worked so hard to give a platform to over the years. ”

The Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award and the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award will be presented at the official Taite Music Prize 2022 online ceremony on April 20th, 2022 broadcast via the IndependentMusicNZ YouTube Channel. More information to come.

Georgia Lines joins Nic Manders & Luke Thompson for Music at Manderville

Following a postponement, Music at Manderville is back, and bigger than before, with an immediate new date and exciting addition to the line-up.

For one night only, catch the epic line-up that is Luke Thompson, Nic Manders & Georgia Lines at Music at Manderville, next Saturday 9th April.

In partnership with The Production Co., this show will be a unique experience, and a chance to see world-class entertainment in an intimate and spectacular environment.

Come along to support the music & events industry and enjoy a reason to connect, at a time when we all need it most. Bring your picnic blankets, family & friends, and enjoy the show in the picturesque environment that is Manderville.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM EVENTFINDA.CO.NZ

FOLLOW THE ARTISTS

LUKE THOMPSON: Instagram | Spotify

NIC MANDERS: Instagram | Spotify

GEORGIA LINES: Instagram | Spotify

Sister duo’s fun new lemony song for kids!

Growth Mindset – Social Emotional Learning – Optimism/Positivity 

Children’s music duo, Leah, and Siu, of Loopy Tunes, are excited to release their latest waiata, “Let’s Make Lemonade” - a song to help tamariki turn those not-so-fun situations in life into something a little sweeter!  

Leah and Siu are known for their bilingual Māori and Pasifika children’s music, and this is their first full English song release in a couple of years. It’s a fun, upbeat waiata with an awesome calypso vibe that will get the whole whānau having a kanikani together or at least head-nodding and finger-tapping along to it! 

It was written by Siu during Aotearoa’s first lockdown, in 2020, when many whānau were all at home together, which, naturally, presented some ‘sour lemon’ moments – boredom, anxiety, misunderstandings between siblings, to name but a few! The waiata was born out of a desire to teach tamariki how to take those ‘sour lemon’ moments and make them into ‘sweet lemonade’ moments!  

The sisters are grateful to NZ On Air Music for funding this release, giving them the opportunity to work with fellow Kiwi Kids Music artist, Levity Beet, who produced the song. Levity has a flair for instrumentation and took the song to another level, incorporating ukulele, double bass, maracas and a guiro.  

Out TODAY on all digital major music platforms, tamariki will love this poppy new waiata and will no doubt have it on daily replay!  

Release date: Friday, 1 April, 2022 

 Written by Siu Williams-Lemi 

Produced by Levity Beet Music  

Mixed by Jules Evans and mastered by Chris Chetland  

Performed by Leah and Siu of Loopy Tunes 

Collaboration at the core of new artistic residency by award-winning musician Delaney Davidson

Te Rewa O Puanga, the School of Music and Creative Media Production, have invited Delaney Davidson to be Artist in Residence at Massey during 2022 and 2023.

This position follows on from his highly successful work at Massey Studios as part of the Matairangi Mahi Toi residency with Jol Mulholland on Troy Kingi’s album Black Sea Golden Ladder. Mr Davidson and Mr Mulholland went on to win the 2021 Aotearoa Music Award Tui for Best Producer.

Mr Davidson says he sees this residency as an opportunity to create legacy work with key artists, at a time where the bottom has fallen out of the industry, and set in place major foundations building the artistic goals to extend past the pandemic, as part of our cultural future.

“I am hugely honoured to receive this invitation and really excited to think of what will happen during this year. I am also very proud when I look at the artists who have agreed to be part of this work with me.

“Live music is trying to find its feet on a floor that never stands still, and international travel has become a cautious memory. The things that once held my career together seem all but impossible to hold onto. Artists have become reliant on market approval, focusing output on an instant sharing of personal everyday life to garner favour and make ends meet. This residency is a chance to create work that will survive beyond this crisis and the support from Te Rewa O Puanga is a bridge to build this work on.”

Mr Davidson’s focus during his residency is to build a stronger national identity, forge visible bonds between Māori and Pakeha, explore multidisciplinary collaborative projects with a strong emphasis on music as well as incorporating graphic design, film, photography, painting and performance.

“Taking the concept of a creative discussion between Māori and Pakeha and opening up this conversation into an artistic setting will provide possibility for inclusion and participation without intimidation. At a time of division and isolation, a return to sharing, to collaborating, to team work and to extending whānau are a welcome relief and provide a way forward beyond the current limitations.”

Focusing with each collaborator, Mr Davidson will be looking at an impressive body of work including: Graphic propaganda with former Massey Activist in Residence Tame Iti; the next Sad But True album with Marlon Williams; an album of waiata in te reo Māori with Anika Moa; Instigating trance ritual to examine first generation immigration and missing whakapapa with Dr Karl Steven; Theia stands as kaitiaki for the journey into the personal exploration of fellow Laureate Shayne Carter’s work I Know Not Where I Stand; and returning full circle to realise a te reo Māori verison of Troy Kingi’s album Black Sea Golden Ladder.

Professor Andre Ktori, Head of the School of Music and Creative Media Production says, “We are really fortunate to have Delaney as Artist in Residence in the school and Massey Studios. Delaney’s openness and experience in collaborating with major artists, our staff and students, is really exciting.”

Previous awards:

• 2021 - Aotearoa Music Awards Producer of the Year - Troy Kingi’s Black Sea Golden Ladder

• 2019 - APRA Professional Development Award

• 2015 - Arts Foundation Laureate Award

• 2013 - New Zealand Music Awardsa Country Music Almbum of the Year – Sad But True, The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Vol One, a collaboration with Marlon Williams

• 2014 - APRA New Zealand Country Music Song of the Year – Whiskey and Kisses, cowritten with Tami Neilson, from her album Dynamite, produced by Delaney Davidson.

• 2013 - APRA New Zealand Country Music Song of the Year – Bloodletter, cowritten with Marlon Williams and from his album Sad But True, The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Vol One

• 2012 - APRA New Zealand Country Music Song of the Year – You’re a Loser from the album Bad Luck Man

• 2011 - One Man Band Champion, Zurich

• 2010 - Saddest Song Competition Winner, Berlin

The late starters RELEASE NEW SINGLE

Christchurch rockers The Late Starters further their growing reputation for producing catchy new Kiwi, old school music with their new single Quarter to Ten.

Quarter to Ten is a punchy, sing along follow up to their 2021 single Blistered Hills and is the first single off their upcoming EP, due for release later this year. It has proved a live favourite right from lead guitarist Lowell Mallon’s gripping intro riff, through the stonking drum based bridge from Scott Lucas with David Stacks soaring vocals – all  glued together by Paul Mallon’s thumping bass.

Recorded and expertly engineered at Cannon Hill Studios by Steve Fowler, the track was produced by the band who also wrote the music. Rhythm guitarist Ian Cartwright’s lyrics chart a full circle journey from youthful late nights and curfews through to early nights for “blokes of a certain age.”

The video for the track was filmed at Musclecar Madness in January 2022 and captures the band doing what they do best – giving pub rock fans a great night out.

Blistered Hills garnered international attention for the band being playlisted on over 80 indie radio stations and growing their following and capturing local attention.

2022 is shaping up as a busy year with the band joining the Jordan Luck Band for four gigs in August on their Winter Road Trip, before opening the Otautahi Smokefest BBQ Festival in Hagley Park on 17th December 2022.

Quarter to Ten represents a polished, evolution for a band described as an enjoyable nostalgic trip into the future.

Listen:                   Spotify               Apple Music                   Bandcamp                         Soundcloud

Connect:            Facebook                Twitter                Instagram                            You Tube

APRIL MEMBERS ONLY SESSION - SOUNDCHECK AOTEAROA

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa are pleased to announce the Aprils Members Online Session with SoundCheck Aotearoa.

SoundCheck Aotearoa is an action group formed in 2020 with a mission to foster a safe and inclusive culture for the music community. They believe that action is needed to address inequitable representation, challenge systemic discrimination, and advance impactful change across the music industry, and are looking at ways to work together across the music community to achieve this.

Rachel Harrison and Wairere Eruera Iti from the SoundCheck Aotearoa working group will be giving an update on the work to date, what resources and tools are available, and what plans the group have for the year ahead. 

Rachel Harrison

Rachel lives in Pōneke Wellington and works with organisations and communities across Aotearoa to help prevent sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence and child abuse. Rachel believes that harassment, violence and abuse are preventable and that the best solutions are tailored to each specific community and workplace, making use of their strengths and minimising specific risk factors. Rachel started at Auckland Rape Crisis in the 1990’s, and since then has worked at Netsafe, the Hauraki Family Violence and Child Abuse Prevention Services Hauraki. She is now self-employed and works with a range of public and private sector organisations including ACC Injury Prevention, the New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Rugby, BNZ, and the Screen Women’s Action Group as they work toward making their communities safe and free from harassment and abuse.

Wairere Eruera Iti

Wairere has more than 30 years' experience in the Music industry. This has included Wairere being a saxophonist, booking agent, tour manager, industry board member and funding assessor. A key focus for Wairere is supporting and empowering Maori on how to navigate their way through the music industry.

Date: Tuesday 12th April

Time: 6.00pm–7.30pm

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

RISING SINGER-SONGWRITER SAM HESELWOOD RELEASES SINGLE ‘18’

LISTEN HERE

“Sam’s songs are solid.”  - NZ ON AIR    “Acoustic pop magic.” - Doc Landry

Emerging onto the scene with a golden voice and an intimate pop sensibility, rugby player turned singer-songwriter Sam Heselwood is ready to turn heads.

Sam Heselwood gives us a taste of his upcoming project Bloodline with the emotive new single ‘18’. Vulnerable and intimate, ‘18’ gives us an introspective view of Heselwood’s carefree youthful days ‘full of big dreams’ and no money.

The uplifting catchy chorus immediately transports you back to your younger days without life's pressures. It’s the perfect light relief from the reflexive verses filled with the stresses that come with growing up. '18' is the perfect nostalgic kickback jam. On '18', Heselwood paints a picture of the blissful ignorance youth can bring.

Speaking on the track Heselwood explains, “I came up with the chorus first when I started thinking about when I was younger and a bit reckless. Life just gets a bit full these days and it makes me appreciate how much of a walk in the park it was back then,” says Heselwood.

The now 24-year-old recorded the single with producers Will McGillivray (nomad and now GoodWill) and Josh Logan at LOHO Studios. “It was pretty eye-opening. Being in a room with such talented people collaborating and watching them work….especially when they would get excited over little ideas and the song itself was pretty humbling,” says Heselwood.

Influenced by the likes of Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi, Sam Heselwood’s single and upcoming project is nothing short of breathtaking. The definition of a humble kiwi lad, Heselwood is trying to break down boundaries through his music. Fighting the stigma that ‘men don’t cry’, Sam Heselwood isn’t afraid to expose his inner feelings to help others.

“I love writing because it’s a way to express what I’m thinking. I’m an overthinker and I get way too carried away in my thoughts” Sam says.

With the support from SOLE Music Academy and an EP expected this year, the future looks bright for Sam Heselwood.

CONNECT WITH SAM HESELWOOD:  INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

Sam Heselwood’s music is warm and intimate, showcasing a refreshingly authentic sense of vulnerability. Heselwood captivates his listeners with honest and relatable lyrics and his powerful voice. Exploring themes of family, love, and mental health Heselwood has the unique ability to leave the listener with goosebumps.

Growing up in the small rural town of Darfield, music didn’t come first for Heselwood. Encouraged by his primary school teacher Chrissy Badger, Heselwood developed a love for music.“I would run away every lunchtime to play sport and she would come out onto the field and make sure I practiced. Little did I know she would be the spark of something I probably never would have pursued if I’d never gone through her program.”

After taking time off music in high school to pursue Rugby, Heselwood picked up his guitar and penned his first song at age 19. Then at 21, he entered the Golden Guitar awards in Gore, in which he was a finalist for his song ‘High Off Love’. It wasn’t until he started writing his own songs that he fell in love with music completely.