Locally Produced Ocean Themed Kids Album Announced Ahead of World Oceans Day

MMF self managed artist and Recording Academy member Claudia Robin Gunn reveals the cover art and release dates for her new children’s album Sing For The Sea - Little Wild Ocean Friends, and releases the 2nd single from the project ’Tidy Up The Tide’.

The Tamaki Makaurau artist and producer Claudia Robin Gunn will be releasing her 24 song album and digital songbook on all streaming platforms and ebook providers on July 8th 2022, preceeded with an early drop for preorders on Bandcamp on World Oceans Day to satisfy dedicated fans and support summer learning for kids in the northern hemisphere.

Tidy Up the Tide - single number two from the project - tells a story of tidewrack and ocean plastic, and one family’s efforts to reduce the litter on their local beach.

This project aims to illuminate some of the wild and wonderful creatures to be found in the ocean as well as celebrate kids connection to the sea through beach, swimming, ferries and imaginative play. It features original illustrations commissioned from fellow Howick mum and painter Elise De Silva, science notes and activity ideas researched and written by Claudia’s sister Dr Melissa R. Gunn and audio production is by Tom Fox at The Sound Room.

With grateful thanks to Creative New Zealand for supporting this collaborative STEAM project. This is the first half of a two part project, to be followed in September / October by Sing For The Earth - Little Wild Animals.

Presave/Pre-add the new album here:

https://bfan.link/SFTS-LWOF

Find Tidy Up The Tide here:

https://bfan.link/tidy-up-the-tide

www.claudiagunn.com

MILES CALDER Shares Video For New Single 'Pushing & Pulling' + Rescheduled Tour Dates Added!

Today, Aotearoa Music Award Best Folk Artist 2022 finalist Miles Calder shares the music video for his shimmering new single ‘Pushing & Pulling'. Calder is currently on an 11-date acoustic tour with bandmate and guitarist Chris Armour. Rescheduled dates for Palmerston North, New Plymouth, and Wellington have been added. Full tour dates and details are below.

On 'Pushing & Pulling,' Calder's "irresistibly smooth vocals" (Undertheradar) are on full display layered over producer Samuel Flynn Scott’s (The Phoenix Foundation) own soft backing vocals and haunting synths. The music video was made by creative dream team producer/editor Martin Sagadin (Aldous Harding, Marlon Williams), director Matilda Boese-Wong (Belladonna) and cinematographer Ezra Simons (Bret Mackenzie, The Phoenix Foundation). Shot entirely on 16mm film, the colourful clip frames the songwriter on a solo mission around an abandoned bowling club and Truby King Park forest in Newtown, Wellington.

Producer/editor Martin Sagadin shares: "After working with director Matilda Boese-Wong on the Belladonna video for Love Like This, we wanted to work together again on another video, this time for Miles’ awesome new track. The main challenge was balancing out the playfulness with the discipline that shooting on film-stock requires and I was impressed to see Matilda once again direct a polished video while keeping it colourful and cute."

Director Matilda Boese-Wong adds: "Using actual film in tandem with a colourful and playful approach was central to amplifying the emotions expressed in this song - both cheerful and sombre. A dreamy collaboration!"

Miles Calder
Pushing & Pulling Single Release Tour

Fri 3 June - Paisley Stage, Napier
Sat 4 June - St. Peters Hall, Paekakariki
Sun 5 June - Secret Show, Lincoln, Selwyn
Sat 11 June - San Fran, Wellington * Full Band
Thurs 16 June - The Globe Theatre, Palmerston North [NEW DATE]
Thurs 30 June - Ahu Ahu Villas, New Plymouth [NEW DATE]
Sat July 2nd - The Wine Cellar, Auckland * Miles Solo
Sat 16 July - Vogelmorn Hall, Wellington [NEW DATE]

For tour tickets and updates head to Milescalder.com

LETOA 'SO FRESH SO CLEAN'

Bubbling New Zealand based Samoan native rapper Letoa has just released the visuals to his latest single, “SO FRESH SO CLEAN” with a music video directed by New Zealands independent video production company, 24KMedia.

Since making waves in the ‘aesthetic rap’ scene with millions of streams on tracks such as ‘guap’, ‘E45’ and ‘ICE COLD’, Letoa is back to feed his bubbling die-hard fan base with a new music video. This time he has collaborated with New Zealand’s leading independent video production team 24KMedia, to deliver moody visuals to accompany his single with producer Dozy Doe, ‘So Fresh, So Clean’.

Describing the song, Letoa explains that he wanted to “keep expanding my sound and versatillity” by working with a producer from a bit of a different sound to his biggest songs.

“I’ve been wanting to expand my sound and versatility as an artist, and when Dozy Doe sent me the beat, I wanted to really do something crazy with it. When I hit up Lleyton (Watts) about doing the video, it was just game over. He knew exactly what I meant when I told him the idea and he helped me bring the concept to life.”  - Letoa, on his song ‘So Fresh, So Clean’.

The chemistry between Letoa and the 24KMedia team is evident with how the video was delivered, with captivating scenes that induce the viewer into the story of the song.

Building on the momentum of this release, Letoa is looking forward to the rest of 2022 where he is looking to continue to release singles and giving his fanbase exactly what they’re hungry for.

Listen to more of Letoa, here on Spotify.

Follow Letoa on Instagram @iluvletoa

Troy Kingi Releases Holy Colony Burning Acres / Pū Whenua Hautapu, Eka Mumura, reworked in Te Reo.

Troy Kingi & The Upperclass present ‘ Pū Whenua Hautapu, Eka Mumura the reworked Te Reo version of the award winning album ‘ HOLY COLONY BURNING ACRES’.

This incredible reworking of the third instalment of Troy Kingi's aspirational 10|10|10 Series(ten albums in ten genres in ten years) will be released this Matariki on the 24th of June.
Holy Colony Burning Acres /Pū Whenua Hautapu, Eka Mumura is a record that focuses on major issues facing indigenous peoples all around the world – This form of politically charged reggae has barely been heard since the days of Herbs and their fight against nuclear power in the Pacific.
This is a hard hitting deep roots album offering reminiscence of such bands as Abyssinians, Congos and Upsetters, all underscored with empathic Marley-inspired political consciousness.

‘Holy Colony Burning Acres’, won the prestigious 2020 Taite Music Prize, and a nomination for the coveted Silver Scroll Award for ‘Mighty Invader’. The album also earned Kingi two awards at the 2019 New Zealand Music Awards – Best Roots Album, and for a second consecutive year, Best Māori Artist.

Holy Colony Burning Acres / Pū Whenua Hautapu, Eka Mumura, will be released June 24th on all Digital Platforms and on Vinyl Dec 2022

Digital Preorders HERE

Vinyl Preorders HERE

Holy Colony Burning Acres / Pū Whenua Hautapu, Eka Mumura

“Like many of us on the journey of re-connecting with whakapapa, I feel extremely fortunate to have been given numerous opportunities and invitations to grow into and embrace the fertile, holistic plenitudes of Te Aō Māori.

Troy's lyric citing hīnātore as a metaphor for hope in a hopeless situation (He Kākano), sparked my own reflections on the numerous ongoing challenges of iwi taketake (indigenous peoples) around the world, and the sustained campaigning against systemic hegemony. One korero tells us that Hīnātore (phosphorous light) was the first piercing glimmer out of the dark expanse of the nothingness (Te Kore), that our Ātua saw when Tāne separated Ranginui (Sky Father) from Papatūānuku (Earth Mother). It is generous, ngakau nui creations like this album that collectively pierce through the din for ALL of us to embrace and reflect. The entire album is imbued with a multi-layered, conscious celebration of all things Indigenous; from the joyous collage or linguistic chaos of ’Taku Taku (Tower of Babylon), to the tasty eudaemonic ‘dubs’; a homage to Lee Scratch Perry scattered throughout. This piercing glimmer and celebrated continuum of indigeneity could not be any more celebrated in this stunning yet hearty collection of songs and story telling. To weave all of the threads of sublime production, with the highest calibre of exquisite musicianship and lyrical inteniont of a taiaha is no easy feat. In this album (and all his others!) Troy delivers. 'E hara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa taki tini’. In Te Ao Māori, individual actions and considerations are for the benefit of the many. And in this increasingly, fast-paced, dynamic world, our brother Troy makes time for us all. He invests his creative energies and aroha for us all. We mihi back to him and his beautiful whanau, and acknowledge their collective aroha embodied within this taonga, ‘Pū Whenua Hautapu Eka Mumura’. And because this album comes from the ngakau (heart), in my humble opinion, it soars high above any music industry metric. It pierces through the thick, multi-layered din of distraction and reminds us that through shared knowledge comes collective understanding, and from collective understanding comes kotahitanga / togetherness.”

Love you brother.

Associate Professor Warren Maxwell

(Ngāti Whare / Ngāi Te Riu / Ngāti Rākaipaaka / Ngāi Tūkairangi)

All Songs written by Troy Kingi (Pseudo Ego Troy Kingi and Rob Ruha)

Translated with:

Paulette Tamati-Elliffe

Komene Cassidy

Tumai Cassidy

Kiringaua Cassidy

Te Atarau Cassidy

Band

Troy Kingi Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keys/Bass

Treye Liu Drums

Marika Hodgson Bass

Hani Totorewa Keys

Guy Harrison Trumpet

Nina Joyce BV

Rachel Hall BV

Additional Piano and Keys Brendan Zwaan

Guitar solo (Glass Eel) Tyna Keelan

Guest Vocals Melodownz

Spoken Word

Kipa Munro ~ Maori

Domingo Candelario ~ Spanish

Trwar Max (1942) Cheif of Ireeuw Clan ~ West Papua

Julia Corciulo ~ Indonesian

Hana Tapiata ~ Maori

Jarulah Slabb ~ Aboriginal

TePuawaitanga Silich ~ Maori Karanga

Natty Salaimanu ~ Solomon Islands

Shahab Ramhormozian ~ Iranian

Shirley Tubbs ~ English

Voodoo Bloo release two electrifying new singles from upcoming album, THE BLESSED GHOST

Voodoo Bloo have today released two new singles, ‘We're Here, Love Is Somewhere Else’ and ‘Default’ - both from their upcoming sophomore album, THE BLESSED GHOST, being released on July 15.

Lead single ‘We’re Here, Love Is Somewhere Else’ is a dreamy uplifting rock track, made for festivals or in the garage at home. Speaking to how much space paranoia and social pressures take up in the mind’s hard drive and a simple reminder that no matter how far in a rut you’re stuck, you’re only a few progressive footsteps away from getting better.

“Part of this song actually comes from a previous track I wrote & recorded with Lucifer Gunne called ‘Coexistence’,” says Voodoo Bloo frontman Rory McDonald.
“We only managed to record an acoustic version of it, and the riff fit so perfectly with ‘We’re Here, Love Is Somewhere Else’ that I just had to repurpose it for the song.”

Alongside the single, the band have a “dreamy, trippy” video made by Rory and Voodoo Bloo’s manager, Tony McDonald. 
“The trippy approach we have, I think it really helps people sink into the blissful hopelessness I'm trying to portray in the lyrics, it really shines through when I'm watching it at least,” says Rory.

‘Default’ is also released today and is the “b-side” for the ‘We’re Here, Love Is Somewhere Else’ release.
“This is about a one-shot attempt to make good friends with the person I created, to make amends with who I’ve been and what I’ve done. In some ways it worked, but it also allowed me to fully look at some areas of the person I was becoming and set boundaries as to what lines I couldn’t cross anymore,” says Rory of ‘Default’.

"It was one of the first songs written for the album and it was the first of many letters I wrote to myself about how much I'd fallen out of love with who I am, but that there was a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of self-improvement.”

“It's not a song talking about hating one's self, but more of the moment you come to your senses, the slap across the face that says to wake up and start taking your life seriously,” says Rory.

Both tracks were recorded at Massey University in the studio which was also designed by the same people that revamped Abbey Road Studios in London.

With today’s singles offering a taste of what’s to come, THE BLESSED GHOST album is set to really explore the range of the band’s music repertoire, with each track showing a different side to the band.

“These tracks mark a turning point for one of the biggest strengths of this album, most of the singles on our first album felt really samey to me, but this time around I don't think anyone really knows what to expect of us, which is something I love dearly,” says Rory.

‘We're Here, Love Is Somewhere Else’ and ‘Default’ join the previously released singles ‘Small’ and ‘Skin’; and all will feature on Voodoo Bloo’s second album THE BLESSED GHOST - set for release July 15!

Find Voodoo Bloo:
Facebook / YouTube
Spotify / Apple / Instagram

Sometime Winner 'Arylide Days'

Dunedin indie-rock-pop band Sometime Winner produce songs that will make you dance like crazy at a party, or perhaps weep gently alone in your bedroom. They’ve spent many a long night practising in the cold upstairs room of a dusty Dunedin flat, as well as always making time for a hike in the hills, a trip to the slopes or the surf, and a feast with friends. 

They are excited to announce that their first single Arylide Days has just been released. Arylide Days is a song that will take you straight back to those golden summer months when there was so much time and the days were spent with friends. The driving beat, the jangly guitar chords and the soaring melodies will keep this tune on repeat in your mind. It is a portal to summer. 

Follow the band as they release another single or two and finally the album, which, recorded quickly and mixed at a normal pace, captures the chaos and ultimately the close connection that comes with being a Sometime Winner. 

fb: https://www.facebook.com/sometime.winner

insta: https://www.instagram.com/sometime_winner/?hl=en

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6cpJnnCHmo8PninBnCWsJy?si=-8cCstr4SWShayC2zea9TA

SOLE Music Academy presents a 3-day Songwriting Camp where attendees will be mentored by 3 of Ōtautahi's finest songwriters

With the help of Recorded Music, SOLE Music Academy is presenting a 3 day Songwriting Camp where attendees will be mentored by 3 of Ōtautahi's finest songwriters and get a taste of what it's like to be a professional songwriter. Applications are now open for SOLE DISCOVERY COLLAB which is taking place on 15,16 & 17 July at SOLE Music Academy in Addington, Christchurch. There are only 20 spots available.

Every morning there will be a specialised workshop lead by mentors Will McGillivray (GoodWill, nomad), Matt Barus (Dukes & Terrible Sons) and Hera and then attendees will be split into groups to collaborate and record in our SOLE Studios. Mentors will offer guidance and facilitate the co-writing and recording process. At the end of each day, everyone will come together to listen to the demos created. Over the three days collaborations will eventuate into 15 brand new music works.

At the end of this camp attendees will be able to write better songs, understand how the songwriting industry works and how to make a career from your music and be full of confidence and inspiration to keep writing! You’ll also have an awesome new network of like-minded songwriters, industry figures and become part of the SOLE community.

As part of the camp, attendees also get to attend our SOLE Speaker Series THE SONG event on Friday 15th July with three industry figures Pennie Black (Native Tongue), KAMANDI and Brynee Wilson (ZM) sharing all you need to know about the songwriting business.

If you have the talent and a passion for songwriting then don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn from the best, grow as a songwriter and collaborate with other talented musicians.

More information and to apply head to www.solemusicacademy.co.nz/collab

Miss Leading shares new video, "Woke"

Internationally lauded poet and alt pop-artist Miss Leading shares new video, "Woke" - a commentary on social and corporate lip service to racism and discrimination.

In "Woke" Miss Leading calls out the hypocrisy of the establishment in reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement, with some people and companies superficially displaying concern for the cause after years of having race issues ignored or explained away as not existent. Corporations placed People of Colour front and centre of marketing and publicity campaigns; claims that black and brown voices were important; that change was on the horizon. Swept under the surface however were decades of discriminatory claims and action that had previously been ignored.

The lyrics in "Woke" are a response to this virtue signalling that happened in the throes of the Black Lives Matter movement:

"So you woke now, been asleep for years,
you see em choke now, deluge of white tears
like it just broke.
Same system always there, fire was stoked.
Long before you cared."

"Woke" is unnerving: voyeurs of a psychological shedding, we witness a deep cleansing of years of prejudice and racism. We watch the transformation of a woman with long, satiny dark hair in a sheer black dress, standing alone in a stark white world, as she confronts a life of gaslighting objectivity, employing blunt rusty scissors as the instrument to cut away the hypocrisy.

Miss Leading says, "The symbol of haircutting is that of 'a thousand tiny cuts' - that accumulation of constant prejudice and its collective impact, the pieces of hair on the floor a visual representation of the pieces of yourself that you lose when accommodating everyday discrimination."

"Woke" appears on Miss Leading's 2021 album, Minor Thing. French online mag Sun Burns Out reviewed it as a "masterful ode to difference, which evokes racial and sexual violence and the recent awaking of consciousness in this regard." Miss Leading adds, "Woke wasn't my main single on the album as it is quite a serious song. But it is the one I feel most passionately about so I wanted to highlight it with a video."