A new era for Tīpare with disco inspired ‘Abstract’

Multi-media artist Tīpare’s new single ‘Abstract’ signifies a new era for the wahine, who has written, arranged, performed, recorded, and produced the new track.

A disco-inspired, beats-driven song ‘Abstract’ displays the artist's love of and affinity for 80s style production with its simplicity in communication form. A storyteller who has crafted a career as a multidisciplinary artist, director, activist and producer - Tīpare skillfully weaves together knowledge she has collected from her life experiences and funnels it into her art. 

“Ultimately, it’s called ‘Abstract’ because I really didn’t think I was going to catch feelings for someone that I thought was going to be so different from me - but sitting in the back of my mind, with the sound, was that era [70s-80s]. A lot of contradictory art and sound was created that crossed cultural and disciplinary forms. Video was just coming into being, hip hop was being created, and the art scene was burgeoning with street and pop culture combining.”

Tīpare’s previous singles ‘Backbiters’ and ‘My Decision’ were both produced by well-known Aotearoa musician/producer Laughton Kora and New York producer Tiklah. Throughout the process, she relied heavily on their expertise, but this time, she decided she wanted to do it herself.

“It was confronting technically, but rewarding emotionally,” she says. “I flew to Melbourne to do a crash course in Ableton, so I could take control of the sounds I wanted to hear and be responsible for the risks in producing them.”

By self-producing, she was also able to choose her own vocal takes, something that has been important to her. “Sometimes I want to keep the mistakes. I’m not perfect, and I’m vulnerable, and in this day and age I felt I needed to be honest about that.”

Once happy with the tracks, they were mixed by award-winning engineer Neil Baldock, and mastered by Los Angeles-based Gene the Machine at Oasis.

As a bonus for listeners, she is quickly following this release with a ‘B-side’ single called ‘Quicksand’ - out June 10 - a song about unescapable love.

Follow Tīpare:

SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM 

BENJAMIN MACK’S NEW SINGLE IS UP FOR GRABS, COME AND GET IT!

Benjamin Mack has emerged into the New Zealand Indie Rock scene with a sound that incorporates a radical yet elegant feel to truly put your soul at ease. Channeling tones from the 70’s and today's modern Indie Rock, the 20 year-old is taking the next step in his career with his newest single, Up For Grabs

A tune about the early stages of a relationship, in a situation where you've put everything on the table, the songwriter explains, “now the ball is in their court and it's all up for grabs.”

Mack describes the music video in parallel with his own personal experience, “I'll often get ahead of myself, plan everything out before it even happens and just romanticise every detail. And in the music video that's what's happening, I'm in this kind of daydream state."

After curating his craft this past year in Parachute's Artist Development Program, the young artist is just getting started in the industry and has more music to come in the second half of 2022.

Up For Grabs is out now, on all streaming platforms. Watch the Up For Grabs music video 8pm NZT, Friday 27th May. Link to ‘Up For Grabs’ https://bfan.link/benjaminmackupforgrabs

Grant Haua 'Ora Blues At The Chapel'

To match his very impressive and quite often moving debut album Awa Blues ( released March 2021 ) . Grant Haua who was longtime half of blues-roots stompers SWAMP THING ( with drummer Michael Barker) . Will present in concert his deep timbred soul blues vocals/ acoustic guitars and foot percussion ( cajon/ snare) in a performance of style that relates heavily to his Māori culture which are at the heart of these songs . Grant wants the audiences at his show to feel like they're guests in his home and like the songs, his home is pretty simple but it's warm, cozy and friendly. So welcome. This is his place. Awa Blues tour 2022 . Kia ora koutou

'A seasoned artist who touches all kinds of points in the blues and folk from Taj Mahal and JJ Cale to dialled down Stevie Ray and even an adventurous touch of acoustic James Blood Ulmer. Seems like this is Grant Haua's time' Graham Reid (Elsewhere Magazine).

Grant will be playing his latest release “Awa Blues” and throwing in a few classics from his back catalogue.

Rolling Stone Album of the Week. An “old-fashioned” blues-rock record, masterful and stunning which is already rising to the level of the best songwriters of the genre. Definitely essential”.

– Philippe Langlest (Rolling Stone Magazine).

“Without revolutionising the genre “Awa Blues” brings a welcome breeze of freshness. With simple effective guitar playing, a voice to make mountains crumble, and a minimalist rhythm, Grant Haua knows how to make the powder speak with good melodies and an unstoppable sense of groove. “Awa Blues ” can only seduce”.

– Jean-Marc Petit (La Voix du Nord)

https://dixiefrog.lnk.to/OraBlues

Tūi award winning Children's artist Michal Bush releases new project

‘Mindful Music Moments’ - the new music project from popular New Zealand children's songwriter and performer Music with Michal (Michal Bush) is released today
Funded by Creative New Zealand - the release comes hot off the heels of being awarded 'Best Children's Artist' at the 2022 NZ Children's Music Awards.
Mindful Music Moments features 10 original songs, 10 original artworks and 30 mindful activities for parents to engage in with their tamariki. It has been created by Bush to help parents and children engage in a "calm, creative moment together" encouraging short, connected and playful interactions.

"This project has been funded by Creative New Zealand which has allowed me to build a fantastic team - an artist, music producers, educator and counsellor have all contributed to making this project so special" says Bush. 

"Chloe Ruby has drawn the most beautiful illustrations for each song that will captivate children's imagination and allow them to choose visually which song they would like to explore"

Presented as a stunning website (McCarthy Design) Bush hopes this project will give parents a simple creative resource to enjoy with their children that is simple, fun and mess free. 

"I know first hand when you are coming off a sleepless night and carrying an endless load of life admin that having the capacity to come up with a game or activity can be just another task on the very long to do list".

The music is produced by Victoria and Andrew Knopp (The Response) and also features vocals from Michal's daughters Harper (9), Sadie (7) and Clementine (4).

"Being a parent is the most challenging and the most beautiful part of my life" says Bush "Mindful Music Moments has been inspired by my own experience of motherhood and the special moments I've shared with my girls - it's a resource I would have loved in the early years".

'Mindful Music Moments' will be live on Friday 2nd June - www.mindfulmusicmoments.co.nz

The first single "Cuddle Me" is available now across all streaming platforms

JACK PANTHER 'WHY WON'T YOU COME OVER'

This coming Friday, dream-pop beau Jack Panther is happy to share his highly anticipated new EP why don’t you come over? including the singles If I Was, Feels Right and SKI LIFT 001. Pre-save why don’t you come over? now here.

Jack could not be happier about his new EP finally seeing the day of light, he says: “I’m so glad why don’t you come over? is about to come out into the world. It’s taken me 2 years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to bring this to life. It’s a project I’m the most proud of. I feel as though I’ve created a world that stands on its own. For everyone to be able to hear this vulnerable, edgy side of me is so freeing but also kind of exposing. Release day my team, collaborators and I are celebrating!”

Most recently, SKI LIFT 001 has been played on Catalunya Radio in Spain and added to various editorial playlists on Spotify: Indie Arrivals, softly, The Local List Aotearoa, fuzzy & Fresh Finds AU.

Following his debut EP this dream i had released in 2020, 2022 promises to be the most explosive year for Jack so far, not just via his stunning new EP on the horizon but also with plans to focus on his live band amid some upcoming writing sessions in Australia and the UK. About why don’t you come over?, Jack says: “It showcases such a different side to me, one that feels kind of badass. Throughout the process of writing the project I was listening to such confident, self-assured music and it rubbed shoulders with me, I guess. For the first time I feel empowered by my own music and I think that’s why I feel so connected to it. I was in the process of moving cities at the time. With so many changes, everything felt like both the world was opening up, yet crashing down on me. In that time I was so forced to look inward, discover more about myself, my identity and the queer history of people that fought for my right to have a voice. That’s where this project stemmed from, I had so much to say to the people around me and the people before me.”

The Wonder Tour - Evan Rhys and Stereo Streets live in concert

Evan Rhys, along with full band, Stereo Streets, are taking their show on the road this July 8-10 with 'The Wonder Tour'.

At times, brooding soul, at other moments, anthemic rock - the heart beneath the rib cage is always exposed.

Featuring session bass and drum favourites Hamish Cameron and Tobias Wright holding down the rhythm section - the platform is set for solid grooves through all genres.Local Taranaki keyboard mainstay, Codes Hoskin adds his own funk infused colours to the tunes,as does local singer/songwriter and accomplished guitarist/vocalist, Craig Jones. Hemi Coates rounds out the band with his tasty acoustic playing and warm background vocals.

These are songs that push beyond the walls of a venue and are at once nostalgic and fresh.

Don't miss Evan Rhys and Stereo Streets on 'The Wonder Tour'.

Theia’s TE KAAHU to be joined by special guests MOHI and HINA for Matariki show

Theia will ring in the Māori new year this Matariki with a talent-packed line-up for TE KAAHU’s first official live show with a full band.

TE KAAHU will be performing the debut album TE KAAHU O RANGI from beginning to end, with a few surprises for good measure, at the Tuning Fork in Tāmaki Makaurau on Friday, June 24. She will be joined by two rising stars of the Māori music scene, MOHI and HINA.

The show is part of the official Matariki Festival 2022. Get tickets to the ALL-AGES event HERE

TE KAAHU O RANGI was met with critical acclaim on its release in early May. With RNZ’s Tony Stamp describing it as “a meticulous package of gorgeous song-craft that has the feeling of something made with the greatest care”. In the NZ Herald, Matthew Crawley said the “harmony-drenched songs sway effortlessly from sparse and spine-tingling balladry to vintage-sounding numbers that evoke torch songs of the 1950s and 60s.”

TE KAAHU O RANGI is currently available digitally but will be available on CD from Friday June 24 in music retail stores and at the Tuning Fork show. The album will be available on vinyl in coming months.

Theia (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tīpa) is thrilled to have both MOHI and HINA on the Tuning Fork bill alongside TE KAAHU. “To have these two incredibly talented acts playing on the same stage on such an auspicious occasion – our first official Matariki holiday - is an honour. This is going to be such a special night,” she says. 

MOHI (Te Tai Tokerau, Tauranga Moana and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) whose music is a fusion of reo, soul, pop and funk, is gearing up for the release of his EP, MOMENTS and says “It’s a very special time being the Māori new year, so performing on the official Matariki holiday is unreal! What better way to welcome in the new year than to sing waiata Māori and be surrounded by whanau having a jam and performing alongside these wahine kātuarehe, Theia and HINA.”

HINA (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa) makes neo-pop chocolate for the soul and has been making waves with gorgeous tracks such as the recently released ‘Made This Way’, as well as ‘Scratch’ and ‘Libertine’ from her 2020 EP, MUSE. She’ll also have new unreleased music to share with the audience. “I’m really excited to premiere new music in an intimate setting, giving people a taste of what’s to come and reimagining songs they may already know.”

HINA adds “I love how Māori music is becoming more and more popular, not just in te ao Māori but all across Aotearoa. I can’t wait to see it keep growing and I feel very privileged to be part of this kaupapa.”

TE KAAHU live at Matariki is a rare chance to witness the magic of the album in its entirety with a live band. “Matariki represents rebirth, gathering together and remembering our dearly departed, these are also the themes explored in TE KAAHU O RANGI,” says Theia.

TE KAAHU, MOHI and HINA

Live at The Tuning Fork, Auckland – ALL AGES EVENT
Friday June 24

Tickets available HERE

SOLE SPEAKER SERIES: THE MONEY

With the help of the NZ Music Commission, the SOLE Speaker Series is back with a whole new lineup of exciting industry professionals!

Come along and hear from Katie Thompson, a self-managed, Tui nominated, country singer-songwriter and owner of Quirky Music who has raised over $250k through crowdfunding campaigns for independent artists; Sylvia Betham, Music Funding Advisor for NZ On Air; and multi award winning, alt-country artist, Jenny Mitchell who has had extensive support from NZ funding schemes to help her further her career and tour the world.

Together they will share the many options available, some tips and tricks to help you secure money to enable you to start or develop your music career and how to budget when undertaking a new music project or tour.

Remember to click ‘add on’ if you want a 1:1 session with any of these amazing speakers!

The SOLE Speaker Series 2022 consists of 5 live music seminars which cover everything you need to know about how to make and release your music successfully. After every event, you also have the rare opportunity of booking in a 1:1 mentoring session with any of our guest speakers so you can delve further into your own music goals and plans to establish or develop your own music business.

For more information and tickets head to Eventbrite.