VÏKÆ a femme fatale boss babe in new ‘Love Games’ video
Ukrainian-Aotearoa artist VÏKAE’s new video for alt-pop hit ‘Love Games’ has the artist’s alter ego having a nighttime tea party, playing chess and dancing in the kitchen.
Ukrainian-Aotearoa artist VÏKAE’s new video for alt-pop hit ‘Love Games’ has the artist’s alter ego having a nighttime tea party, playing chess and dancing in the kitchen.
Filmed, directed, and edited by the artist and her partner, it showcases what is possible with an iPhone, a camera, a tripod, and a bunch of determination.
This movie is a first step look into the world of heartbreak with the introduction of VÏKAE’s alter ego: a femme fatale boss babe who's ready to play blind man's bluff with a worthy opponent.
‘Love Games’ was the first song to be released from a five-track mixtape. It is a sonically empowering track, with its strong delivery and 90s-Esque strings. It is also a dark track, riddled with melancholy and sincerity - “imagine if Taylor Swift went emo,” says VÏKAE.
A talented performer, songwriter and lyricist, inspiration for ‘Love Games’ came from the artists' observations and lived experiences of toxic relationships. She says, “this is just another window into the honesty I bring to my artistry. Unbeknownst to the listener, there is no obvious narrative. Whether it’s a story about a relationship or self-love or self-loathing, the beauty is in the eye of the interpreter. Or is love really blind?!”
Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Auckland’s Parachute Studios, the production is slick, adding to the success and listenability of this track. ‘Love Games’ is to be listened to loudly and on repeat!
The follow-up to VÏKAE’s debut ep FINELINES, her five-track mixtape LOVE GAMES - set to be released later this year - explores love, betrayal, and heartache. Blending pop sensibilities and emo rebellion, the artist sings for the voiceless and the underdogs. She’s a proud 'Swiftie' that grew up listening to the emo bands of the 2000s, so it is no surprise that her music is pseudo-romantic, unapologetic, and sometimes just a little bit brash. After graduating with an honours music degree (University of Otago), she relocated to Auckland to further pursue her career as a solo artist. Making her debut in 2020 during the start of the pandemic VÏKAE amassed nearly half a million streams across all platforms, has had honourable mentions on the NZ Official Charts and has played at some of the country's biggest music festivals like Bay Dreams Nelson and Mardi Gras, as well as managing to clock up some serious tour time throughout NZ (even despite covid restrictions). VÏKAE is an artist to watch.
Bringing the warmth this winter! Electric new SKRAM album WALK INTO THE SUN
WALK INTO THE SUN is the explosive new debut album from Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based band SKRAM.
WALK INTO THE SUN is the explosive new debut album from Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based band SKRAM.
These high energy entertainers have been road testing tracks for the album since summer, and they haven’t disappointed in capturing their live performance magic. WALK INTO THE SUN is a collection of pure warmth for the winter months and high energy happiness for summer. With a combination of emphatic vocals, dynamic rhythms and memorable melodies, their pop-reggae sound makes it the perfect BBQ banger or stadium stand out.
SKRAM consists of Henry Ashby (lead vocals and guitar), Felix Nesbitt (drums and vocals), Lee Pryor (keyboards) and Tane Butler (guitar and various instruments). Throughout the album, each band member excels in their individual performances, but what’s really special about SKRAM is the electric synergy they have as a group - with an obvious desire to have fun and write/perform music that makes fans smile.
“We are constantly wanting our audience to smile and have the best possible time with us,” says lead singer Henry. “WALK INTO THE SUN is truly a journey of connection, fun, nostalgia, sex, life, dreams and living! We’re releasing fun, beautiful and epic music.”
All songs were written by Henry, Felix, and Lee, apart from ‘Bring It All Back’ which features Taks Southon. The main lyricist is Henry, but Felix co-wrote the title track ‘Walk Into The Sun’. The entire album was recorded in the band's ‘big bedroom’ studio at the SKRAM flat. Several tracks were mixed by Felix, some by Troy Kelly at The Armory and two by Lee at The Surgery. The album was then mastered by Chris Chetland at KOG Studios.
Emotive title track 'Walk Into The Sun' is accompanied by an equally uplifting video. The song is about connection, love, friendship and sharing life together with people you care about till the end. “It’s the perfect track for every season,” says Henry. “It described ocean creatures and nature watching you dance & enjoy life, with a smile on your face.”
Don’t wait any longer - get WALK INTO THE SUN with SKRAM and walk away with a smile on your face!
SKRAM - WALK INTO THE SUN
1. Love Don't Keep Me Waiting
2. Bring It All Back (Feat. Taks Southon)
3. Walk Into The Sun
4. Please Give Me Some Peace
5. Honeybee
6. Inside Your Head
7. Pīwakawaka
8. Fantail
9. Way Out
10. Freaking Me Out
11. Mother Dearest
12. Living Our Lives
SKRAM ARE STILL ON TOUR!
Lower Hutt / Gisborne / Taupō / Whanganui / Napier
Wellington / Auckland / Napier / Ohakune
A Brave and Cheeky Octopus Gets Own Anthem
Inky the Octopus is a new anthem for the true story of a great octopus escape that would even make Houdini look twice!!
Inky the Octopus is a new anthem for the true story of a great octopus escape that would even make Houdini look twice!! Songwriter for kids Claudia Robin Gunn first read about the escapades of Inky from Napier’s National Aquarium back in 2016 in a Guardian article written by Dunedin’s Eleanor De Jong.
‘Me and my kids wondered what Inky’s personality was like. Apparently he also had a tank mate called Blotchy who wasn’t nearly so intrepid, so we imagined Inky maybe trying to convince Blotchy and the other fish to participate in his daring escape plan’
This chat turned into a song that first debuted in a live show at 2018’s Auckland Kiddie Limits Festival and now Claudia has recorded a new version with producer Tom Fox (The Sound Room ) as part of her ocean themed album Sing For The Sea ~ Little Wild Ocean Friends, a Creative New Zealand supported project for tamariki. Illustrations are by Elise De Silva~ a fellow mum and award winning artist Claudia met on the school run when both their kids attended the same primary school.
Inky the Octopus has escaped the tank of songs today - will he find his way out to the sea of listening ears?
Turkey The Bird Album Release Tour Waikato and Auckland & "Orbit" Single Release
Turkey The Bird is celebrating the last weekend of their nationwide album release tour with two final shows on Friday 10th June at the Nikau Cave and Cafe in Waikaretu and on Saturday 11th June at the Ministry of Folk in Auckland.
Turkey The Bird is celebrating the last weekend of their nationwide album release tour with two final shows on Friday 10th June at the Nikau Cave and Cafe in Waikaretu and on Saturday 11th June at the Ministry of Folk in Auckland. The Auckland show is held at the Auckland Guide Centre in Mount Eden with support from Hoops and The Underdrones. Tickets are available from under the radar.
Friday 10th June is also the release day for Turkey The Bird's latest single "Orbit" , a bouncy love song off Turkey The Bird's recent album "WTF" (When Turkeys Fly) which was sitting at #12 in the NZ indie album charts, and #15 in the official NZ album charts.The music video reveals the best kept secret of what's below the iconic lake in front of the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth.
Songwriters bring soulful acoustic vibe to New Plymouth music fans
Two talented singer-songwriters, from Sydney and the South Island, will bring their original and soulful acoustic sounds to New Plymouth & Whanganui music lovers this June.
Two talented singer-songwriters, from Sydney and the South Island, will bring their original and soulful acoustic sounds to New Plymouth & Whanganui music lovers this June.
New Plymouth-based folk-pop musician Renee Millner, originally from Sydney, is joining forces with South Island fellow singer-songwriter Nick Feint to perform at The Most FM, Taranaki on June 18.
Following successful shows together in the South Island in May, including at The Mussel Inn in Golden Bay and Fairfield House in Nelson, Millner and Feint are teaming up again for a dynamic night of original music, this time in Millner’s adopted hometown.
The duo will each sing their own material, promising an evening of tender melodies and searching lyrics guaranteed to touch and transport the audience.
Road trips, recordings and gigs as Covid restrictions ease
Millner is a well-known and much-loved musician to Taranaki audiences who have been following her career with interest over the past few years. Her latest single, So Much, released last September and produced by Sam Johnson of Rhythm Ace Studios made a big splash with its upbeat vibe and catchy refrain, not to mention a stunning music video produced by Hugo Eaton.
“It’s been so refreshing to be able to travel and perform once again,” she says.
Collaborating with Christchurch videographer Amber Beaton, Millner was recently in the South island filming for the new single 'Not Ok', due for release in September, followed by a five track EP.
“We had a beautiful, crisp but sunny day for filming the outdoor scenes, on top of this mountain range known as 'The Witches' Hat'. It was absolutely stunning scenery, a place I feel grateful to have visited.”
Feint, based in Golden Bay, is performing songs from an 11-track album he released in January, titled Next Exit From Babylon, along with a couple of new ones. His songs weave threads from the last few years of his life chronicling his journey grieving the end of his marriage to finding healing and redemption.
Song topics on the album range from the premature birth of his first son to the death from cancer of a close friend, to finding a new sense of joy and an open heart in life. He has created a booklet containing the lyrics, stories and photos about the songs as well as a download code for sale.
The pair met at a songwriting retreat in late January in the Wairarapa, run by Charlotte Yates, well-known in Aotearoa’s music scene as a top songwriter, performer, and mentor.
The retreat was “an amazing experience for a rural living musician like me to connect with a song-writing community,” Feint explains.
“Renee was very quiet and sitting on a big armchair. A mutual friend had already said ‘you guys should get together and do some gigs’, so I looked her up on Youtube. I was blown away by how good she was and felt super honoured when she approached me later with the idea of doing some shows,” he says.
Millner is also playing the Songwriter Sessions at Moon in Wellington on Sunday June 12th. She and Feint will perform in Whanganui on Friday 17th June, 5.30pm at The Whanganui Women's Network, 75 St Hill Street.
Tickets available from Under The Radar.
Event details:
The MOST FM, New Plymouth – Saturday, 18 June: Doors open 7pm.
Tickets $20 from Under The Radar
Links:
Renee Millner - Official Website Nick Feint - Official Website
Tia Ward pulls no punches with pop single ‘Underwraps’
‘Underwraps’ is the hot new pop track from up-and-coming Aotearoa artist Tia Ward. The perfect bundle of honesty & craft, Tia’s new single ‘Underwraps’ is the follow-up from her 2021 hit single ‘Paint Dry’, and the second from her upcoming EP.
‘Underwraps’ is the hot new pop track from up-and-coming Aotearoa artist Tia Ward.
The perfect bundle of honesty & craft, Tia’s new single ‘Underwraps’ is the follow-up from her 2021 hit single ‘Paint Dry’, and the second from her upcoming EP. It’s also set to strike a chord with anyone who's been betrayed romantically, as well as lovers of great music.
“It’s telling the story of me finding out that my best friend hooked up with my boyfriend at a party, and then her trying to get away with not telling me about it,” says Tia. “It has a slight sarcastic feel to it. I wrote it to help lift up wahine who may have been through something similar.
I love to create music that expresses how I feel in the moment. I have a bit of a sarcastic personality which is reflected in my music.”
Bursting with talent and likeability, Tia Ward is an artist who produces catchy, direct, and brilliantly fun music. A young Māori artist born and raised in Hawkes Bay, Aotearoa New Zealand, Tia grew up in a musical family and dreams of becoming the next big pop artist. Singing and performing her whole life, she’s always had a passion for music and songwriting. With so many stories she wishes to share and tell through her music, this is only just the beginning!
Keep track of Tia Ward:
Uncertain futures are made clear by Anderson Rocio in latest release
Some Days dips into this reality of her fast-paced life, and highlights the days anyone can encounter between chasing your dreams, and being uncertain of where it is you are going.
Anderson Rocio is no stranger to an adventure, having sailed around the world on a 44ft Catamaran, lived in multiple countries and booked a one-way ticket to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams, all by her mid-twenties. You would think the artist has chased her dreams with nothing but determination, but her latest release is a refreshing reminder that uncertainty is a part of the process.
Some Days dips into this reality of her fast-paced life, and highlights the days anyone can encounter between chasing your dreams, and being uncertain of where it is you are going. “You long for a sense of home but are unsure of where home is anymore. Some Days you wonder,” Rocio explains, “and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.”
The authentic message of the lyrics are translated to the production of the track, with layers that sound organic and light. Captivating you with its driving drumbeat, soothing sound of ocean waves, acoustic guitars, piano and unique vocal harmonies reminiscent of Imogen Heap.
The single is hopeful, reflective of the unknown, and nostalgic all at the same time, continuing to showcase the depth of the artist's songwriting skills. As only the second release of 2022, Anderson’s just getting started.
Some Days is out now, on all streaming platforms. Link to ‘Some Days’ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/andersonrocio/some-days/
Ōtautahi Christchurch Experimental Hip-Hop Heavy Hitter Slimivich Unleashes ‘Hysteria’
Scarcely has the dust and confusion settled from the release of his debut single ‘Desert Shimmer, ’ now Ōtautahi Christchurch project Slimivich has dropped his next single ‘Hysteria’ to all streaming services today Friday the 3rd of June.
Scarcely has the dust and confusion settled from the release of his debut single ‘Desert Shimmer, ’ now Ōtautahi Christchurch project Slimivich has dropped his next single ‘Hysteria’ to all streaming services today Friday the 3rd of June.
A significantly darker number than Desert Shimmer, Hysteria is a letter to the terminally comfortable. Led on by watery, wandering keys swimming in dark, beckoning bass, Slims lyrics prove he is content to play villain if only to get a point across. Becoming the voice of the worst type of hysteria, he goads both those who from armchair profess the world is slipping into an inevitable moral decay as well as those who would like to pretend that all is well. Daring one to embrace the hysteria fueling their desire for some perceived lost golden age while chiding the other to pay attention to the growing chaos in others around them, Hysteria ends with a warning of what will result if hysteria is left to go unchecked, the loss of all that made their lives whole and comfortable in the first place.
In addition to this announcement, fans are invited to celebrate the release of ‘Hysteria’ by joining Slimivich and friends The Camel Tony’s, Troika and Miss Candy Applebottom when they play The Dollar Mix Showcase at Ōtautahi Christchurch’s Darkroom on Sunday 5th June, Queens birthday weekend. Tickets are available from Under the Radar or on the door, the Monday is a day off, so it’s OK to beer!