Out now! Steve Wells' debut album SONGS FOR SUMMER RAIN
Steve Wells' debut album SONGS FOR SUMMER RAIN has arrived, and it’s a cinematic wonder! With elements of electronic, rock and pop, each of the eleven tracks has been perfectly placed to stir the senses - taking listeners on a cinematic journey.
Steve Wells' debut album SONGS FOR SUMMER RAIN has arrived, and it’s a cinematic wonder!
With elements of electronic, rock and pop, each of the eleven tracks has been perfectly placed to stir the senses - taking listeners on a cinematic journey. This is definitely an album you can get lost in. The Paris-based, Aotearoa artist has teased the album with two previous releases - ‘Makeshift Heart’ and love song ‘Steal The Sun’.
SONGS FOR SUMMER RAIN has sweeping, lush production and sonic soundscapes, inspired by the dramatic landscapes of Steve’s African childhood (having grown up in Zambia). “I recall the 8 months or so of hot and dry. Then the wind would change and we could smell the rain in the air. Looking out over the plains, we would see the thunderheads coming our way. It was so exciting. When the storm hit, us kids would run wild in the rain.”
The album starts of with ‘Heat Dreams’, channelling the feeling of being ‘heat drunk’ on a scorching summer afternoon; this is followed by the spacial-electro ‘Makeshift Heart’; adding a dramatic, pushing forward, poignant-feeling moment to the album is ‘Waste My Time’, co-written with and featuring vocals by Lucy Day (Lumoy) who brings an other-worldy, Kate Bush feel to the track; ‘Under The Waves’ gives a sense of peace and deep calm; ‘See Softer’ is a “musical wink” at Steve’s previous release POOLSIDE by pulling the electro vibe into a more cinematic space; ‘W1S’ signifies the storm has arrived - and feels like it would be at home on a Mad Max soundtrack; ‘Not What You Want’ is a blunt statement on being oneself in a relationship (romantic or otherwise); ‘Winter Light’ brings us onto the other side when the summer storms roll in and the light grows soft; ‘Dreams Of An Angel’ features a piano recorded in a 16th Century Manor in Normandy, France - Steve muses on it being a place full of history, creative endeavours and possibly even angels; ‘Look Out The Window’ is a direct nod to days, weeks, months of sitting inside during lockdowns; then final track and his second single ‘Steal The Sun’ is a personal love song to his wife that strikes many universal chords.
This childhood inspiration, mixed with months of covid lockdowns, helped Steve write and self produce the album - which has been likened to Air (but darker), Brian Eno, Röyksopp, Bark Psychosis, Mody, Labradford, Lamb and Trentemøller.
“SONGS FOR SUMMER RAIN has a dark, cinematic, brooding feel to it,” says Steve, “all the while showing a glimmer of hope - in general I’m a very positive person. It’s an album I’m really proud of.”
Former guitarist in platinum-selling band Fur Patrol, in 2007 Steve Wells took a break from music to pursue life as a photographer - famously taking a portrait of Former Libertines and Baby Shambles lead singer Pete Doherty eating syringes for his personal series ‘A Table’. In 2017 he returned to music as a composer-collaborator for film scores and electro tracks in duo Super8Sonic. Like so many creatives, 2020 inspired Steve to write, produce and release his debut EP, the electro-dance POOLSIDE - and sparked a continuation of solo creativity, resulting in his debut album SONGS FOR SUMMER RAIN.
Go Live – Industry Talks
Go Live Festival - Industry Talks return to Otautahi with a brand new location in the spectacular Te Pae Convention Centre.
Saturday 23rd July 1pm - 4pm
Te Pae - Christchurch Convention Centre
Go Live Festival - Industry Talks return to Otautahi with a brand new location in the spectacular Te Pae Convention Centre.
This year’s event will consist of two back to back seminars packed with valuable information. The Industry Talks will be presented by some fantastic music experts, who will share their knowledge and experience on navigating the music industry.
Inside the Music Business
Learn how to take your music from page to stage with this comprehensive session covering key business essentials like; touring, publishing, radio play, recording contracts and more!
Featuring, Kurt Shanks (Plus1 Touring), Chris Van De Geer (Big Pop Publishing), Teresa Patterson (NZ On Air), Dan Chisholm (Music Lawyer), Dean Cameron (Recorded Music NZ) and Greg Prebble (Music Director Radio Hauraki)
An Artists Journey
An up close and personal industry session with founding members of New Zealand super groups Shihad & Stellar*. Hear Jon Toogood, Boh Runga and Andrew MacLaren present song writing tips, stories from the road and sound advice for artists wanting to forge a career in the music industry.
Featuring: Jon Toogood (Shihad) Boh Runga & Andrew Maclaren (Stellar*) and Teresa Patterson (NZ On Air)
Limited free tickets available now from:
https://events.humanitix.com/go-live-festival-2022-industry-talks
For more info head to:
https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/event/industrytalks
Sponsored by: The New Zealand Music Commission, Radio Hauraki, RDU
Sound of our Streets An event by Youth Arts New Zealand
Youth Arts New Zealand (YANZ) is proud to announce the launch of 'Sound of our Streets' - a winter youth performance festival, activating the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland with the vibrant sound and energy of rangatahi performers.
Youth Arts New Zealand (YANZ) is proud to announce the launch of 'Sound of our Streets' - a winter youth performance festival, activating the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland with the vibrant sound and energy of rangatahi performers. With a diverse lineup of young musicians programmed to perform between 24 June - 3 July, 'Sound of our Streets' shares the spirit of Auckland through the words, beats and music of our youth.
“This festival is shining a spotlight on Tāmaki Makaurau’s diverse creative rangatahi”, says Youth Arts New Zealand’s CEO, Matthew Goldsworthy. “Auckland is brimming with emerging talent but scarce on meaningful, paid opportunities to authentically showcase creative identities. This makes it incredibly difficult to break into the sector, so we’ve built a platform and campaign that can empower young creatives to embrace sustainable careers while creating an energetic and vibrant city atmosphere for Auckland’s public.”
“Aotearoa has always lacked equitable opportunities for emerging creatives, especially in the music sector. It’s awesome to be working with a team of rangatahi leaders dedicated to creating these opportunities and giving myself and other youth a platform to showcase their talent.” says YANZ Project Lead & singer-songwriter Danielle Hao-Aickin (part of Ersha Island 二沙岛, one of the ‘Sound of our Streets’ performers).
‘Sound of our Streets’ will provide over $20,000 in artist fees directly to young creatives; boosting their confidence, providing direct financial support, and positioning rangatahi front and centre of Tāmaki Makaurau’s reactivation.
“The benefits of having local performers activating public areas cannot be understated”, says Goldsworthy. “If you go to cultural hubs around the world like Rome, Paris and New York, creativity is everywhere, on every street corner - it builds a powerful connection between people and their community. If Auckland is truly going to be a global creative capital as set out in Auckland Unlimited’s 2030 Creative Industries Strategy, we need to think differently about the ways that we can embed creativity into the design of this city. We need more visible, accessible and equitable creative pathways. It all starts with recognising, valuing and supporting the next generation - they’re the ones building our future.”
Youth Arts New Zealand (YANZ) is Aotearoa’s leading youth-led organisation generating equitable opportunities for rangatahi (youth) to explore creativity both as a career and as a means of self-expression. Since YANZ’s founding in 2018, their youth-led team have run 250+ impactful events and projects, provided creative experiences for over 500 rangatahi across Aotearoa, and distributed over $165,000 in artist fees to young creatives through their initiatives.
'Sound of our Streets' is supported by the Local Activation Fund Programme, administered by Auckland Unlimited on behalf of the New Zealand Government, and is also proudly supported by Auckland City of Music.
The full schedule and lineup can be found at www.soundsofourstreets.nz.
Tali ’Lost Up in Your Love'
Tali is now set to release her 8th Studio album 'Future Dwellers” (July 29th) on her newly created imprint 'Reign Recordings' - and following on from the uplifting first single 'My Remedy'' ft Ruth Royall, comes her second single ‘Lost Up In your Love' featuring Auckland based vocalist Pharaoh Swami.
Award Winning Drum n Bass Artist TALI, releases second single on June 17th . Taken from her forthcoming 8th studio album.
Tali has worked with some of the biggest names in Drum and Bass including Roni Size, Andy C, Pola & Bryson and Wilkinson, and toured the world several times over as both an MC and with a live band. She has released seven studio albums, numerous singles both as a solo artist and collaboratively, has won three Drum and Bass awards, A New Zealand Music Award for her LP 'Love & Migration' (Best Electronic Artist" 2019) and had a UK top 40 hit with her very first single ‘Lyric On My Lip’ (Full Cycle Records 2004)
Tali is now set to release her 8th Studio album 'Future Dwellers” (July 29th) on her newly created imprint 'Reign Recordings' - and following on from the uplifting first single 'My Remedy'' ft Ruth Royall,comes her second single ‘Lost Up In your Love' featuring Auckland based vocalist Pharaoh Swami.
’Lost Up in Your Love ' is an example of Talis' desire to showcase herself as not just an MC/Vocalist, but also as a producer, with her vocals only appearing on this track right at the end as a background voice.
Merging Electronica and Future RnB vibes and mixed down by American Engineer Mike Snell,
(Teyana Taylor, Kayne West, Timbaland) - this track showcases the smooth sultry tones of Ethiopian born Pharaoh Swami who also has an impressive list of accolades including opening for Peking Duk, A$ap Ferg and Flying Lotus.
Beginning with a heavy drum sample, and stabby synths, this simple, yet beautiful track uses repetitive hooks and haunting vocals to convey the frustration and confusion behind a passionate relationship turned toxic.
Tami Neilson releases 3rd Single, “Careless Woman”, from forth coming album Kingmaker
Award-winning country soul singer-songwriter Tami Neilson has shared “Careless Woman” . This rebellious empowering anthem is accompanied by a spectacular official music video – co-starring New Zealand-based actress Olivia Tennet (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Power Rangers RPM) and Ling Zhang of Parris Goebel’s esteemed Royal Family Dance Crew.
“Careless Woman” - Spotify / Apple Music
Award-winning country soul singer-songwriter Tami Neilson has shared “Careless Woman” .
This rebellious empowering anthem is accompanied by a spectacular official music video – co-starring New Zealand-based actress Olivia Tennet (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Power Rangers RPM) and Ling Zhang of Parris Goebel’s esteemed Royal Family Dance Crew. The Band of Careless Women are: Skye Hine, Davidda, Vanessa Abernethy.
“Careless Woman” was inspired by a 1938 collection of ‘Dating Tips’ in Parade Magazine,” says Neilson, “one of which read, ‘Careless Women never appeal to gentlemen. Don’t talk while dancing, for when a man dances, he wants to dance.’
Director Abe Mora was inspired to bring this era to life and built an amazing coin-operated music box for me and my band of Careless Women to perform in, like a human jukebox. As the song plays, the women in the bar are empowered and begin to dance and throw off the oppressive rules of propriety.”
“Careless Woman” marks the latest single from Neilson’s brilliantly subversive fifth studio album, KINGMAKER, due Friday, July 15.
Recorded at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios in Auckland, New Zealand, KINGMAKER marks Neilson’s most provocative and powerful collection to date. Fueled by the world-changing events of the past two years, the album’s songs expose and explode the patriarchal structures that pervade the music industry, family life, and society as a whole. While Neilson has previously explored these themes on such acclaimed LPs as 2018’s SASSAFRASS! (hailed by PopMatters as “a potent social and political statement dressed up in catchy melodies and infectious choruses that sometimes belie the more serious elements taking place deep within the choruses.”), the new album draws these challenging ideas out even further, shining a dramatic musical light on what the late bell hooks referred to as “the politics of domination” that render women nameless and voiceless. Songs like “Baby, You’re A Gun” and the cinematic title track “Kingmaker”, see Neilson giving her own resonant voice to women everywhere – to their strength, power, fierceness, and resilience in the face of structural and cultural barriers to their full participation in society.
Tami Neilson will mark the arrival of KINGMAKER with a nationwide tour, including shows with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Chamber Music New Zealand and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
TAMI NEILSON - KINGMAKER TOUR
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
30 July Auckland, Aotea Centre, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
Chamber Music New Zealand
3 August New Plymouth Theatre Royal
10 August Wellington Opera House
13 August Tauranga Baycourt
17 August Nelson Theatre Royal
18 August Dunedin Regent Theatre
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
20 August Christchurch Douglas Lilburn, Christchurch Town Hall
Ticket info www.tamineilson.com
LAUREN GIN ‘WALK AWAY’
Auckland music producer and songwriter Lauren Gin is back again with a ferocious bass-heavy Trap tune. ‘Walk Away’ is a high-energy anthemic song that takes listeners on a thrilling mind-blowing journey.
LAUREN GIN DROPS A FIERCE NEW SINGLE TEASING HER UPCOMING EP
Auckland music producer and songwriter Lauren Gin is back again with a ferocious bass-heavy Trap tune. ‘Walk Away’ is a high-energy anthemic song that takes listeners on a thrilling mind-blowing journey.
This is Lauren’s second single for 2022 that follows popular releases - positioning her to become a household name in Trap and Bass music. ‘Walk Away’ teases Lauren Gin’s new EP, ‘Adrenaline’, due for release in the coming months.
The song is very much aimed at the dancefloor, with the prime impetus of making an entire crowd go crazy with the hair-whipping explosive drops. Lauren Gin describes ‘Walk Away’ as "one of my most intense tracks to date with the adrenaline-inducing drop making you want to rave all night”.
‘Walk Away’ is distinctively heavier and more intense than her previous singles, showcasing Lauren's versatility within the Trap music genre. With her music career on the rise, it exemplifies her unlimited potential in exploring more unique and fresh sounds. ‘Walk Away’ has already been selected for NZ On Air’s NewTracks and will be premiered on George FM on June 16th and has been playlisted for Kick (iHeartRadio).
Lauren Gin is a New Zealand electronic producer and songwriter delivering heavy Trap and Bass music to the electronic scene. The 26-year-old has carved out a name for herself as one of New Zealand’s most well-known electronic artists. Lauren successfully kicked off 2022 with ‘Remedy’ (feat. JANAYAH)’ which charted No. 4 on the official Hot 20 NZ Singles (NZ Music Charts) and received airplay from George FM, ZM & Kick (iHeartRadio). It also reached #15 on the official Spotify Viral New Zealand 50. She’s also made regular appearances at the country’s biggest festivals (Rhythm & Vines, Splore, Bay Dreams, Electric Avenue & more) as well as having performed internationally in LA, Bali and Portland (Oregon).
Lauren is passionate about raising the voices of females both in - and outside - of the music industry. By day Lauren is a formidable advocate for women in business at Icehouse Ventures, NZ's most active venture capital firm, personally raising millions for NZ's only fund exclusively investing in female founders. This year, Lauren was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
A showcase of her diverse musical intentions, ‘Walk Away’ is a landmark release from an artist destined for great things.
‘WALK AWAY’ IS OUT FRIDAY JUNE 17
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ANNOUNCING OUR SUCCESSFUL CO-PILOT PROGRAM 2022 APPLICANTS
MMF Aotearoa is thrilled to announce the two successful applicants who will take part in Co-Pilot Program 2022: Spotify Australia and Aotearoa Edition. Congratulations to Diaz Grimm and Gina Linnell who will join 10 Australian emerging and developing managers in this tailored professional development programme
MMF Aotearoa is thrilled to announce the two successful applicants who will take part in Co-Pilot Program 2022: Spotify Australia and Aotearoa Edition. Congratulations to Diaz Grimm and Gina Linnell who will join 10 Australian emerging and developing managers in this tailored professional development programme. This initiative from AAM (Assoc. of Artist Managers Australia) together with Spotify, enables Diaz and Gina to take part in a workshop in Sydney followed by a four-month virtual mentorship.
DIAZ GRIMM
In 2015, Diaz released his debut album 'Osiris', a soundtrack to the end of the world. A post-apocalyptic sonic journey that resonated with audiences and critics alike, the success of Osiris saw Diaz nominated for Best Urban/Hip-Hop Album at the New Zealand Music Awards that year.
The album topped the NZ iTunes hip hop charts, reached the official NZ Top 20 album charts and became the most upvoted self-posted album in the history of the Reddit/hiphopheads forum. Following the success of the album Diaz was invited to go on a ten show nationwide tour with local superstars Six60 and then in 2016 became the first self-managed, unsigned artist from New Zealand to ever be invited to play SXSW.
Diaz made it to Austin, Texas for SXSW2016 where he began a three month solo journey around America, building his knowledge and network in the music industry. During the trip, Grimm rubbed shoulders with the likes of Chance The Rapper, A$AP Rocky, Alan Kingdom, and was invited to meet with major hip hop blog, HotNewHipHop.
Diaz worked on his single ‘Foreigners’ with Grammy award winning producer and songwriter Mike Elizondo (Prod. of Eminem’s ‘Real Slim Shady’, 50 Cent’s ‘In Da Club’ & The Games ‘How We Do’). ‘Foreigners’ debuted at #16 on the NZ singles charts – the only unsigned, self managed artist in the charts that week – and became the only Kiwi on the front page of the NZTop40.co.nz the week of release.
After two years living in Toronto, Diaz returned home to Aotearoa to build a new ecosystem in the NZ music industry. By artists, for artists. While overseeing dozens of projects, in 2021 Diaz released a full te reo single ‘Te Kore’ featuring Dame Hinewehi Mohi as a part of Waiata Anthems. He was one of the only self-managed, unsigned artists to be involved with the campaign.
Diaz now manages the Indigo studio while managing three new upcoming talents, Mikeyy, HINA & Neverknown.
GINA LINNELL
Gina was first introduced to the music industry 16 years ago when she did poster runs around the capital in exchange for tickets to gigs. This quickly evolved into paid work within various roles as her interest peaked. This experience has allowed her to gain valuable knowledge and understanding of many roles within the Event and Music Industry ecosystem.
These days Gina wears multiple hats as a Music Manager, Promoter & Agent, subsequently leading to roles working on events around the country. Over the past 4 years, she has felt such a shift within the industry, with a true feeling of strength and support from amazing wahine, who all want to make changes to do better in the Music Industry.
Gina feels extremely honoured and proud to partake in the next part of this journey on the mentorship.
Tīpare brings back the B-Side with single ‘Quicksand’
Following on from her recently released single ‘Abstract’, artist Tīpare is treating fans to a ‘B-Side’ release ‘Quicksand’.
Following on from her recently released single ‘Abstract’, artist Tīpare is treating fans to a ‘B-Side’ release ‘Quicksand’.
Taking her cue from when singles were commonly released on vinyl with an A-side and a B-side, this new track was written in her homeland area of Aria in Te Nehenehenui and showcases her diversity of musical taste.
“I was living back in my rohe surrounded by the hills of my people and I remember having this distinct sense about the depth of indigenous love. This powerful feeling that no one should ever underestimate the intensity of historical love. It felt like a film in my head.
Tīpare says she always knew she wanted piano on the track, so sent her close friend, Raliegh Neal an acapella recording of the song, which he sent back a recording with exactly what she wanted.
“Raliegh’s an African American and Native pianist, and it felt like, from that union, I had a responsibility to make something that respected all of us. I spent many nights and days uncovering the additional soundscape I wanted.”
Being influenced by spacial-driven producers like James Blake and Frank Ocean, where the “wairua lives in each sound,” Tīpare worked once again entrusted award-winning engineer Neil Baldock with the mix.
“I’m very grateful for how Neil handled the mix with such insight and grace. He is a huge part of bringing my imagination to life in musical form.”
As with ‘Abstract’, the artist wrote, arranged, performed, recorded and produced ‘Quicksand’ - something that has been hugely important to her.
Tīpare is a wahine clearly paving her own path, creating music that feels both nostalgic and contemporary - going from a club in 70s Los Angeles, to a 2000s Bloc party in New York - or a whare in Aotearoa. Fuelled with stories to tell and the skills to create, Tīpare is an artist to watch.
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