JENNY MITCHELL ANNOUNCES ALBUM TUG OF WAR, DROPPING ON JULY 22

+ NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO, ‘LUCY’

Singer/songwriter Jenny Mitchell is thrilled to announce her new album TUG OF WAR, to be released on July 22 (with vinyl to arrive later on October 14) via Cooking Vinyl Australia, and unveil the latest offering from the record, the single and video, 'Lucy'.

Produced by Matt Fell, TUG OF WAR is a deep and emotional dive, for the artist and the listener. It finds Mitchell at her most raw and honest as a storyteller while creating a musical work that’s as rich and fertile as the farming country in New Zealand where she grew up. The title, TUG OF WAR, hints at the turmoil at the heart of the songs while the musical settings draw on inspiration from old-timey country to dark folk mountain music and classic singer-songwriter albums. The music defies easy categorisation but if you admire music by genre-defying artists from Emmylou Harris to Kasey Chambers and Jason Isbell, you are going to love TUG OF WAR.

Mitchell explains, “TUG OF WAR is years of writing, recording, filming and collaborating. When I reflect on the process now, this collection of songs are so much more than I initially imagined they’d be so it’s fair to say I’m very excited to be announcing the news today. Matt and I have really explored my sound and I can’t wait for people to hear that.

“Like many in their early twenties, my life has been turned inside out in the past couple of years. I’ve lost people, learnt lessons and also had some of the best moments of my life along the way. So it’s fair to say this record is a bit of a mixed bag. I feel very lucky to have created it with the incredible players and producers that I did. Counting down to July 22.”

Discussing the single ‘Lucy’, Mitchell says, “I spent some time studying the 1950s hit tv series, I Love Lucy, at Uni and became pretty fond of the main character. She had dreams of being a performer and wished for a life very different to her own. At the time I was touring a lot and worried I was missing out on things back home. It made me think about how often we’re all looking over each other’s fences and wishing we had what another has and so, ‘Lucy’ was written essentially as reminder to myself to be more grateful for the gifts in my life. Rather than worrying so much about what other people were doing or had. It starts with just a simple acoustic guitar part and my voice but I really love how this track builds. Jenny Thomas’ viola instrumental is one of my favourite moments of my new album.

“This track features the voice of one of my dearest friends, Liv Cochrane (Invercargill). She was the vocal producer on the new album and you’ll hear her backing vocals on a few of the tracks too. When we were in studio, she was singing her part of this track and I suddenly had this realisation that it was almost as if her backing vocal was Lucy - this female character from another decade.

“As I had that realisation, the vision for the music video became quite clear. I’d always loved the idea of including mirrors in the clip but it became obvious that the other side of the wall/mirror/fence needed to be Liv – as Lucille.

“This song feels very true to my writing style. I loved the challenge of painting of picture of Lucy’s life and comparing it to my own. A housewife and a troubadour. I think the sound is also very true to me as an artist; a simple vocal that really focuses on telling the story.”

The songs of TUG OF WAR were written at a time of big life changes - graduating from the University of Otago, musical career on hold in lockdown, the break-up of a relationship, the death of Jenny’s grandfather, taking a job and leaving a job, moving from her long-time base in Dunedin for a new life in Wellington.

“As the pandemic started I had just finished uni. I wanted to make an album, to tour overseas, and just like everyone else I felt that something had been stolen from me,” Mitchell says.

The making of the album wasn’t a straightforward process either, with Mitchell unable to travel, sharing demos with Fell in Australia and musicians sometimes in lockdown also making contributions from home studios.

The album concludes where Mitchell started out, in the loving arms of family, the song ‘Love Isn’t Words’ to her father and grandfather Bruce, and a song that honours the life of Bruce, ‘The Bush and The Birds’. When you hear it, with the voice of the three sisters lifted up in harmony, with Jenny’s aunty Jill acknowledging the family’s heritage in te reo Māori, you know that this is music about something deeper and more enduring than making pop hits.

As an adult the richness of her life experiences is reflected in the variety of topics she addresses in her songs. Mitchell is a writer with important things to say, and brave enough to say them.

Mitchell made her stage debut at four with her country-music loving father Ron at the local country music club in Gore near Invercargill in New Zealand’s south. At 14 she placed third in national TV show New Zealand’s Got Talent, a formative experience which taught her how to stand up for herself and to believe in the songs she was writing.

She specialised in Gender Studies in her Bachelor of Arts degree, studying the struggles of women dealing with sexism, writing about artists who inspired her like New Zealand songwriter Tami Neilson.

TUG OF WAR is released on July 22 via Cooking Vinyl – pre-order HERE

Albi & The Wolves are going on Tour

“They carry the folk label but this is folk that someone has tinkered with under the bonnet.”  - The Hook, Ian Thomas

Albi & The Wolves set fire to stages and fill hearts with hope with their energetic and relatable alternative indie folk songs.

Chris Dent, the proud albino frontman Albi, Pascal Roggen and Michael Young have crafted a stage show that’s brimming with energy and moments to pause for reflection.

The trio has a huge sound that is simply created by an acoustic guitar, electric violin, double bass and their three voices.

Since 2014 they have gone from strength to strength touring in Australia, New Zealand and Rarotonga and in 2018 they took home the Best Folk Artist Award at AMA

What makes the band special is the sense of community that follows them everywhere they go so whether it’s connection through dance, laughter, or singing audiences feel radiant after shows and keep coming back for more.

Chris Dent (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Stomp)

Pascal Roggen (Electric Violin, Backing Vocals)

Michael Young (Double Bass, Backing Vocals)

https://www.albiandthewolves.com/

Turkey The Bird - WTF (When Turkeys Fly)

The New Zealand folk trio “Turkey The Bird” are releasing their sophomore album WTF (When Turkeys Fly) on Friday 8th April 2022.

After a very successful, chart topping self titled debut album in 2021, they are back with an album packed with quirky folk songs about love and life.

"Turkey The Bird" will remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail infused with a hint of "Simon & Garfunkel", 2 ounces of "Mumford and Sons", a splash of banjo and served on ice on a sunny day. Catchy folk songs with stunning rich melodies and effortless smooth lyrics.

Hailing from the New Zealand left coast town New Plymouth, this uplifting band will hit you with beautiful three part harmonies and toe tapping rhythms.
The bearded trio features Andre Manella from Switzerland on guitar, bass and percussion, Adrian Whelan from Ireland on guitar, mandolin, bass and spoons, and Sol Bear Coulton, the token kiwi, on Banjo and slide guitar.

Listen to WTF by Turkey The Bird on your favorite music platform.

Acclaimed dark electro act Robots In Love teams up with Swedish pop singer / producer JA/VI

Out now is the Robots In Love & JA/VI single “Good Cocaine (Robots In Love remix)”. The single sees  dark electro industrial dance artist Robots In Love, alias Elenor Rayner (of Sobriquet, The Crystalline Effect, Soulscraper and Human Confusion), teaming up with Swedish pop singer and producer JA/VI.

The original song is a slow, sensual dark pop ballad. Rayner adds thumping bass and drums and huge synths, turning it into a powerful dark dancefloor delight.

Already being picked up by DJs in Europe, USA and Australia, "Good Cocaine (Robots In Love remix) is available now through Bandcamp and will be released to all streaming sites at the end of April.

"Two thumbs up to Rayner for a damn good job. 7.5/10." - Brutal Resonance

Introducing Lil Sister as part of NicNak Media

NicNak Media has launched a new initiative - Lil Sister. A subsidiary PR agency of NicNak (which is owned and operated by Nicole Thomas and Paula Yeoman), Lil Sister will cater to Aotearoa’s thriving independent music scene and will be fronted by Kate Orgias, who has an extensive background in media and publicity. Lil Sister is fuelled by a passion for local music and acknowledges that all artists/bands deserve the best shot possible when taking those first important steps. 

“It’s what, and who, Lil Sister stands for that's exciting. We have such incredible talent in Aotearoa, all deserving of support. It’s an absolutely privilege to champion them, alongside the amazing NicNak team." – Kate Orgias.

NicNak Media – fronted by Nicole, with support from the rest of the team (Paula, Bridie Chetwin-Kelly and Rachel Hamilton), will continue to deliver campaigns for more established NZ and international acts. Paula and Nicole also look after a successful roster of NZ artists and Paula maintains day-to-day management of this side of the business. 

Follow Lil Sister:
Instagram / Twitter

Theia’s TE KAAHU announces debut album and live Matariki show

Buy tickets to TE KAAHU live at Matariki HERE

Help get the TE KAAHU album made on vinyl HERE

Critically acclaimed singer-and-songwriter Theia has today announced that she will be releasing the debut album from her reo Māori project TE KAAHU on Friday, May 6.

She has also revealed that TE KAAHU will be playing a special one-off show LIVE AT MATARIKI on Friday, June 24 at The Tuning Fork in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. This is a rare chance to witness the magic of the album – titled TE KAAHU O RANGI - in its entirety with a live band on Aotearoa’s first-ever Matariki public holiday.

“I’m honoured to perform my album for the first time, which is also the first year Matariki is observed as a national celebration. Matariki represents rebirth, gathering together and remembering our dearly departed, these are also the themes explored in TE KAAHU O RANGI,” says Theia.

Get tickets HERE

Composed by Theia (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tīpa) in te reo Māori, and produced by the award-winning Jol Mulholland, the TE KAAHU O RANGI album is an immersive experience, in which Theia’s ethereal and dreamy vocals take centre stage against a backdrop of nostalgic production. Using kupu whakarite (metaphor), pepeha (sayings) and whakataukī (proverbs), Theiaweaves together a magical tapestry of lyricism and sound, which pays tribute to her tūpuna wāhine (female ancestors).

Theia has also launched a Boosted campaign HERE with the goal of getting the album made on vinyl. The Boosted campaign kicks off today and will run until May 4.

“This is an independent project… I’ve managed to cover most costs myself. But there is one thing that I would dearly love, but simply cannot afford, and that is to present these songs in the way they would’ve been heard in years gone by - on vinyl. For me to be able to present this as a taonga tuku iho - a treasure to be cherished and played for years to come, would mean the world to me. No matter how small the koha. It all matters,” says Theia.

TE KAAHU - Live at The Tuning Fork, Auckland
Friday June 24

Tickets HERE

MMF Aotearoa Announce 2022 Festival Bookers Virtual Speed Networking Session

The MMF Aotearoa are super excited to announce the 2022 Festival Bookers Virtual Speed Networking Session! This annual event is the MMF members opportunity to meet virtually face to face with an outstanding line-up of bookers from some of the best music festivals in New Zealand, and receive first hand advice on how to get their artists booked onto festival line ups.

For 2022 the Virtual Speed Networking Sessions will be held over 2 nights, giving more MMF members the chance to take part. The sessions will be held on line on Wednesday 4th May and Wednesday 11th May. 

Applications are open from midday today, Wednesday 6th April 2022, and will close 5pm on Wed 13th April 2022. Please note that because it is a contestable application process, applying does not guarantee participation in the event. 

FESTIVAL BOOKERS VIRTUAL SPEED NETWORKING SESSIONS 2022
(MMF MEMBERS ONLY)

Wednesday 4th May  &  Wednesday 11th May 

Bookers from the below festivals will be meeting with MMF members

Bay of Islands Music Festival/Matariki Bay of Islands/JAMMIN Reggae Festival (Bay of Islands)

CubaDupa (Wellington)

Electric Avenue/Nostalgia/ South Island Wine & Food/Live in the Park (Chch) /Great Kiwi Beer Fest (ChCh & Ham)

Fortune Festival (Dunedin) /Craft Beer & Food Festivals (Auckland and Dunedin) / Universities – Auckland, Waikato, Victoria, Massey (PN), Canterbury, Lincoln, Otago

Homegrown (Wellington)

Laneway (Auckland)

Milk & Honey Festival (Auckland)

Music in Parks (Auckland)

Newtown Festival (Wellington)

Northern Bass (Mangawhai)

Rhythm & Vines  (Gisborne)

Soundsplash (Raglan) 

Twisted Frequency Festival (Upper Takaka)

WOMAD – (Taranaki) 

The event is open to MMF members only.  To join please email lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz

Applications are open from midday today, Wednesday 6th April 2022, and will close 5pm on Wed 13th April 2022. 

Slimivich -New Single “Desert Shimmer”

Ōtautahi Christchurch experimental hip-hop project SLIMIVICH is proud to announce its debut single DESERT SHIMMER is out today

SLIMIVICH is the eclectic new project from seasoned Ōtautahi metal vocalist Slim Jenkins of TAINTED infamy. Owing more to a life long love of downbeat electronic sounds,  politically charged Rap and Hardcore Punk than the explosive metal releases fans have become accustomed to, SLIMIVICH doesn’t explode like previous metal releases, it radiates and crackles with all the allure of overloaded high voltage circuits, glowing and arcing in the dark. 

Set to a soundscape of  minimalist, percussive verses contrasting with saturated screaming synth chorus, DESERT SHIMMER evokes a desert-scape fraught with the turmoil and misery of war by the hand of terrified impressionable youths at the behest of an unquestioned charismatic leadership. It is an abrasive comment on the danger that misinformation and bombast in the minds and mouths of people in positions of power pose to the vulnerable they should protect & laments the misery that it inflicts. Their flights of god sent fancy as insubstantial as shimmering mirages on desert sand.

The first new music from Slim in 7 years, catch this piercing release right now on the SLIMIVICH Bandcamp page https://slimivich.bandcamp.com/track/desert-shimmer