Meet Max Earnshaw, Young Gig Makers Grant Recipient 2021

Due to venues being shut and audience restrictions in 2021 making gigs difficult to organise, the Young Gig Makers are back into the swing of things now. Introducing Max Earnshaw, grant recipient who has an awesome show lined up for us this NZ Music Month!

Max brings a unique blend of Pop/Rock, backed by an uber amount of stage presence and a killer band. Christchurch born and now Auckland based, Max absolutely smashes it live across venues in NZ. He’s released 5 singles with recognition on the NZ charts, Rock Radio and Media. Max mashes tasteful rock riffs and driving rhythm, with catchy and heartfelt lyric.

“His songs are reminiscent of pop rock/indie rock bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, The Kooks or Harry Styles. I
loved the indie boy band feel; it really brought me back to raw live music” - muzic.net.nz

Tickets on sale now for

Indie Rock in the Garden

On Saturday 14th May, some of NZ's hottest emerging Indie Rock acts will play this NZ Music Month, live at The Wintergarden. 

This special, one-night-only gig will be bringing good times, great sounds, and a lineup of local talent that is not to be missed. Support the upcoming generation of music, get your tickets and get amongst it. Featuring Haven (Smokefree Rockquest 2019 finalists), Benjamin Mack (Parachute development artist) Max Earnshaw (featured on Radio Rock) and Keeley Shade (NZ-charting artist). 

This event is part of NZ Music Month and aligned with Soundcheck Aotearoa.  

Saturday 14 May
8.00pm
Wintergarden, The Civic

The Tuning Fork announces its 9th birthday bash with a stellar line-up of local and international talent

After what’s been a tumultuous few years for Aotearoa’s live scene, The Tuning Fork is beyond excited to announce a stellar series of music and comedy shows to celebrate the venue’s 9th birthday.

This birthday series is The Tuning Fork’s annual flagship event and will be held across five nights at the beginning of June, featuring Tiny Ruins and Finn Andrews, Methyl Ethel, Arab Strap, Fricken Dangerous Bro & Friends, Daffodils and There’s A Tuesday.

Tickets are on sale at 9.00am Friday May 6 from Moshtix HERE

The celebrations kick off on Wednesday June 1 with a show by New Zealand’s much loved Tiny Ruins, with special guest Finn Andrews.

A rare blend of eloquent lyrical craft and explorative musicianship, the songs of Tiny Ruins have been treasured by crowds and critics for over a decade. Via an eclectic raft of influences, the musical world of Hollie Fullbrook and band spans delicate folk, lustrous dream pop and ebullient psychedelia.

Renowned for their magical live shows, Tiny Ruins will be joined by Finn Andrews who took time out from fronting The Veils, to release his 2019 solo record ONE PIECE AT A TIME. The album was met with critical acclaim and has been described Andrews’ most profound and intimate pieces of work.

On Friday June 3, the Tuning Fork welcomes indie Aussie act Methyl Ethel (solo). The brainchild of Perth musician, Jake Webb, Methyl Ethel has long been a fixture on the coveted Triple J’s Hottest 100. This performance follows the release of the album ARE YOU HAUNTED, which the Guardian describes as “richly arranged” with songs that “bog with confidently delicate funk. Each strong section, synthesiser gurgle and bass kick has room to breathe’.

Saturday evening June 4 sees two of NZ’s finest indie acts - Daffodils and There’s a Tuesday - going back-to-back.

Hailing from Christchurch, There’s A Tuesday are a loveable group made up of alternating front-women Natalie Hutton and Minnie Robberds, with band members Angus Murray and Joel Becker on drums and guitar. Having gained a solid reputation for their live set, There’s A Tuesday make their audience feel all the feels. They’ve mastered the perfect blend of indie-pop-rock with their beautiful harmonies and soundscapes as seen in their latest singles ‘Bus Stop’ and ‘Baby Blue’, alongside fan favourite hit ‘Amsterdam’ from their debut EP DANCE WITH ME BEFORE WE CRY. Daffodils are one of those bands that everyone thinks they discovered first. Since emerging in 2016, the project of Isaac Keating, Jade Bryham, Louis Graham and Theo Spike Salmon has won hearts and warmed-up stages for international artists Foals and Orville Peck.
Their new EP, STAY THE NIGHT, is set for release on June 17 and features new single ‘How Do You Know?’.

Daffodils and There’s A Tuesday have both just returned from Australia where Daffodils played shows in Sydney and Melbourne supporting The Lazy Eyes; while There’s a Tuesday opened for Benee, whose label they’re also signed to.

On Sunday June 5, The Tuning Fork plays host to Scotland’s finest, Arab Strap. Presented by Drunken Piano, Arab Strap promise to deliver a night to remember with their signature tunes of sex and drugs, sung in thick Scottish brogue, set to electronic beats.

A major part of the Glasgow music scene that spawned Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai, Arab Strap are one Scotland’s most acclaimed bands of the 1990s and 2000s. They have toured the world extensively and released their seventh album, AS DAYS GET DARK, in 2021 to critical-acclaim, featuring the single ‘Fable Of The Urban Fox’.

Frickin Dangerous Bro are New Zealand's funniest and cockiest live comedy trio, and they're coming to The Tuning Fork on Monday June 6 for their first Auckland show in two and a half years. And what better way to commemorate such a significant event, than to celebrate the Queen's Birthday at the same time. So come along for some of Frickin Dangerous Bro's signature mayhem, some special guest comedians, and a little bit of cake.

Frickin Dangerous Bro consists of members Pax Assadi (7 Days, Have You Been Paying Attention, 60 Seconds, Raised By Refugees), James Roque (7 Days, Have You Been Paying Attention, Masked Singer) and Jamaine Ross (Auckland Council's 'Think Before You Throw' recycling campaign). The will end The Tuning Fork’s birthday series with a bang on Monday June 6 with special guests also joining them on stage.

Tickets are on sale at 9.00am Friday May 6 from Moshtix HERE

SWYSH DELIVERS PERSONALISED VIDEOS FOR NZ MUSIC MONTH

This May, Aotearoa’s favourite fan engagement platform Swysh, is proud to get behind NZ Music Month 2022 in association with August Avenue, NZ Music Month and partner MusicHelps, a unique charity, dedicated to changing lives through the power of music!

Since 2020, sport start-up Swysh has been surprising fans across Aotearoa with personalised video messages from sport stars direct to your phone - Now, in celebration of NZ Music Month, Swysh has partnered with artist management and music agency August Avenue to connect you to your favourite Kiwi artists like never before!

“There’s two things Kiwis love… Sport and Music! It’s been a hard couple of years for both industries and we wanted to work in partnership with August Avenue to help our talented musical friends out, and extend the Swysh offering in Aotearoa” Says Hayley Gillespie, Country Manager for Swysh

"We make it possible, and really easy for fans to interact with artists. Fans can place a request for a personalised video message on the Swysh website, provide a brief description for the video and within a few days we'll send back a personalised video made by the artist straight to their phone." 

“We have some incredible Kiwi artists onboard, like Sol3 Mio, Georgia Lines, Kings, Zed, Hollie Smith, Louis Baker and more! It’s a really special gift idea – you can surprise Mum on Mother’s Day, serenade your mate for their Birthday or simply be inspired by talented Kiwi artists. For fans who would usually be attending live events but haven’t been able to for a while – it’s an interesting and exciting way to connect” says Gillespie

August Avenue’s Jayden Keoghan, shares a similar enthusiasm for the alignment with Swysh

“For a long time our amazing Kiwi artists have been changing plans and battling with the flow on effects of the pandemic - things like cancelled gigs. Now we have this incredible new opportunity to connect artists and fans with a personal touch.”

“As well as supporting our homegrown artists, we’re donating 20% from each video order to ‘MusicHelps’ who do an incredible job using the power of music to change lives.” Says Keoghan

Swysh is already home to some of the biggest sports stars across Australia and New Zealand and donates 20% of each sale to local children's charities, with a whopping $500,000 donated in the past two years. With the recent addition of Kiwi musicians to the platform alongside MusicHelps as a charity partner, we're excited for the month ahead!

You can order a personalised video message from swysh.me/musicmonth 

Swysh & August Avenue – Proud to support talented Kiwis!

Applications to showcase at BIGSOUND 2022 are now open

New Zealand artists have the rare chance to perform in front of some of the most influential figures in music by showcasing at BIGSOUND, the southern hemisphere's largest new music festival and conference.
BIGSOUND returns to Brisbane's Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct Tuesday 6 - Friday 9 September and is a showcase opportunity that puts artists in front of leading music industry delegates

This year's event will welcome tastemakers from across the world including media, A&R, agents, promoters, music supervisors, buyers and so much more. Now in its 21st year, BIGSOUND has grown to become the biggest annual new music event of its kind in Australia. Run across three game-changing days and three fun-filled nights, you can connect with, listen to and play in front of some of the most influential players in music.
With almost a thousand bands performing at BIGSOUND over its 21-year history – it's easy to see why BIGSOUND is the place people come to discover the future of music. Artists from Aotearoa who have previously showcased at BIGSOUND include Aldous Harding, CHAII, Fazerdaze, Marlon Williams, The Beths, Tiny Ruins and Yumi Zouma.

Applications to showcase at BIGSOUND 2022 are now open and close at 11:59pm Friday 20 May (AEST). Successful applicants will be notified in late June.

More information can be found on https://www.bigsound.org.au/

Details regarding the Outward Sound delegate grant will be announced in coming weeks.

Liv Tennet releases video for her debut single “I’m Already Gone”

I’m Already Gone is dream-pop toe-tapper about the struggle that is helping someone who won’t help themselves, and the freedom that comes with knowing when to walk away.

Inspired by the rhythm of Archie Bell & The Drells and Pat Thomas, sonically it's a mixture of UMO and Herb Alpert, and has the songwriter sensibilities of Aldous Harding and Mac DeMarco.

“I like the juxtaposition of an upbeat melody and instrumental paired with slightly heavy material - I wanted to create something people could dance to, even if dancing is the last thing they feel like doing.”

Recorded and produced by Tom Broome in his West Auckland studio, it features a stellar line-up of performers and technicians:

Bass: Chip Matthews

Electric Guitar: Jason Herbert

Drums/Percussion/Trumpet/Nylon String Guitar: Tom Broome

Vocals/Piano/Synths: Liv Tennet

Engineer: Tom Broome

Mixing: Tom Broome

Mastering: Chris Chetland

Artwork/design: Olivia Coote

Photography: Dean O’Gorman

About Liv

Liv Tennet has been performing professionally as a musician, actor and dancer in NZ for over

20 years. A child actor, she had a prolific career from the age of 7, with iconic roles in shows like Xena, The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers, Maddigan’s Quest and critically acclaimed short film Watermark, for which she won Best Actress at the NZ TV and Film Awards aged 9, propelling her into a career in show business.

A genuine triple threat, she sings Don McGlashan's songs alongside Jemaine Clement in the award-winning, animated kids’ show Kiri & Lou, has choreographed and danced in music videos by Naked & Famous, DUAL, The Miltones and San Holo, and acted on screen in 800 Words, Why Does Love? (The Dance Exponents biopic), and most recently opposite comedy icons Jason Hoyte and Mike Minogue in TVNZ’s Talkback.

Now 30, a mother, and a few years back from the hustle of LA, Tennet has something to say with her music. Written and produced with her partner, music producer/drummer Tom Broome (Tami Neilson/TEEKS/Home Brew/Aaradhna), her music evokes her life long record collection.

Her first single ‘I’m Already Gone' is out April 15th 2022

Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / YouTube

SOUTH AFRICAN ARTIST INDUNA TELLS DARK STORY THROUGH UPBEAT SINGLE ‘LOVE AND AFFECTION’

Previously based in Wellington, artist and producer InDuna brings an Afrobeat track that makes you want to get up and dance. Similar to Outkast’s big hit, Hey Ya!, 'Love and Affection' has a dark meaning behind its catchy melody and happy tone.

'Love and Affection' talks about a woman who after being wronged many times, has lost hope in love and decides to give up entirely. Putting a wall up around herself, she’s resolved to only be in it for the money and indulgence. Throughout the track InDuna pleads with her, singing, “Baby, don’t call murder on love and affection,” in hopes that she can trust again and not give up on love just yet, though he fears she’s too far gone.

Speaking from personal experience, InDuna recalls: “You’re watching someone you love essentially destroy themselves and there’s nothing you can do. I’ve also called murder on people who’ve loved me, but it took someone to grab me and wake me up.”

InDuna wants listeners to feel 'Love and Affection' for what it is to them, whether it’s a new beat to groove to or something you can relate to on a deeper level.

The track features Wellingtonian artist, Kasa who is heard across a range of InDuna’s music, as well as Australian reggae artist, Jah Tung who has been a part of tracks, 'Nice ‘n’ Early' and 'Adulterer'. Admiring his talent, InDuna knew he would be a great fit and had no doubt he wanted him on board.

“The first demo of the track was already a vibe, but the way it has evolved into this masterpiece is truly incredible. Induna is so talented, from his smooth and soulful vocals, to his advanced beat-making skills and his thought-provoking and unconventional storytelling, and since I’ve been working recently with more dancehall and afrobeats, I was excited and honored to feature on this one.”

“I tried to bring a harsher energy to match the dark, direct tone of the theme in my lyrics. I love how this also contrasts well with Induna’s mellow, warm melodies. Kasa’s style brings another flavour that adds to the dynamic and lively vibe. Really looking forward to the audience's response on this banger!”
- Jah Tung

Produced and mixed by Toby Lloyd, the great mind over at Tiny Triumph Recordings and mastered by the incredible Chris Chetland at KOG Studio to create this amazing track.

InDuna’s release, ‘Black Man Running’, which came out during New Zealand’s first lockdown, ranked #1 on the RadioActive Top 11 Chart and #3 on both the SRN Top 10 Chart and iTunes NZ Hip-Hop Chart.

“InDuna’s approach to Hip-Hop/Rap is something that listeners should pay attention to... From the way it is produced, the lyrics, the vocal delivery... there is a vision heard across his tracks...” - Muzic.net.nz

INDUNA ONLINE
Website / Facebook / Instagram
YouTube / Spotify / AppleMusic / Bandcamp / Soundcloud

PACIFIC HEIGHTS ANNOUNCES STUNNING FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM ‘THE WATERS BETWEEN’ OUT JULY 15

New Zealand producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Devin Abrams charts new waters with his latest solo offering as Pacific Heights. Abrams continues to transcend the notion of expectation; with his fifth studio album THE WATERS BETWEEN, out July 15.

The release marks the first album in four years from Pacific Heights and is a powerful follow up to the critically acclaimed album A LOST LIGHT in 2018 and the top ten charting and award-winning THE STILLNESS in 2016.

Both sonically and as a songwriter, Abrams believes this is his most accomplished solo record to date, “I'm hoping that this album is a beautiful alchemy of all the worlds that I have inhabited so far; electronic music, ambient music, and progressive pop music.”

Recorded in Aotearoa, America and Australia, THE WATERS BETWEEN moves beyond continents, oceans and musical boundaries, to propel the talents of a diverse group of artists from around the globe.

The album is graced by guest appearances from upcoming Australian artist Bri Clark, local legends Stan Walker, Louis Baker and Gramsci, the breakthrough talents of Foley and Lepani, and upcoming artists Solomon Crook, LANCE and Jack Page.

“It's a truly awesome collection of artists to work with,” Abrams said. “It's been a beautiful, colourful kaleidoscope of styles and voices to paint from.”

Today’s announcement aligns with the release of a brand-new single, ‘Back to You’ (feat. Louis Baker). the third track taken from the forthcoming album. The uplifting track merges the soulfulness of Baker's voice with the emotive tenderness of Abrams’ production into an uplifting power ballad for these times.

Pacific Heights has been a longstanding avenue for Abrams' solo musical explorations. Deeply personal but never too precious on its parameters, it began as an avenue for his own work outside of his time with Shapeshifter, of which he was a founding member and principal songwriter, producer and performer for 15 years.

Abrams' abilities as a producer since then have made him one of the most sought-after musical accomplices in Aotearoa and abroad. Most recently he produced Louis Baker’s LOVE LEVITATES EP, the new album from Stan Walker and an upcoming EP from Fat Freddy’s Drop’s Dallas Tamaira. This follows on from his work with Drax Project – co-writing and producing their hits 'Woke Up Late' and 'Catching Feelings', as well as a number of other tracks from the group's best-selling debut album and previous EP.

FOLLOW PACIFIC HEIGHTS

Facebook | Instagram
www.pacificheights.co.nz

SAUCE40 'ACTIVE'

Active is an introduction to the world of Sauce40, bringing together hard-hitting 808s and vibrant melodies and lyrical content that give rise to the story of a young man adjusting to his new lifestyle.
After making a splash with his debut single under None Entertainment titled ‘Eight’, which gained major support from the New Zealand music scene hitting the Hot 20 singles charts in its first week of release, as well featuring on various domestic radio stations and international publications such as MaiFM, Flava Radio, HitUpAnge, Hype Magazine, All Rap News and This is 50 - Sauce40 is back with a new song that is set to take over the soundwaves in New Zealand and put him on the map internationally.

Active is his lead single from his upcoming album, a hard hitting trap banger produced by Yeezo and Jake Breh (808 Mafia, production credits: Young Thug, Trippie Redd and others) brought alive with an accompanying music video produced by 24KMedia, New Zealand’s leading independent video production company with production credits including Future, Gunna, Bru-C, Kid Rey and more.

“This track is about me talking my piece to the world, letting everyone know that Sauce40 is here! Check my credentials and find out about me… I really came from the swamp of Huntly and put my dreams into motion. I want to let everyone feel what I am going through and encourage them to continue on their journey wherever they are in life. If you’re ever feeling down and out, just look how far you’ve come and motivate yourself to go even further.” - Sauce40 on his song, “Active”.

Rhymes that could be used as Instagram captions in every line, ‘Active’ is a song that induces the listener into singing along to the catchy lyrics as the mental image painted by Sauce40 is embedded into their consciousness. Mixed and Mastered by multi-grammy award winning engineer David ‘Yungin’ Kim (Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Post Malone, DJ Khaled - and more), ‘Active’ is bound to become an anthem that resonates with listeners around New Zealand and the world.

Having already made a great impression on the wider domestic audience with his debut single ‘Eight’, Sauce40’s ‘Active’ is due to be picked up for more radio play by MaiFM and Flava, with spots already being lined up with the radio stations in time for it’s release.

Find Sauce40 on Instagram, Here. @Sauce40_ 
Active Available on All Streaming Platforms, Here. (After 29th of April, otherwise is a pre-save).

Watch the music video for Active, Here.