A perfectly painted pop-ballad VÏKÆ’s ‘Final Breakdown’
With her new pop-ballad single ‘Final Breakdown’ Ukrainian-Aotearoa artist VÏKAE has perfectly painted the picture of heartbreak in a winter's light.
With her new pop-ballad single ‘Final Breakdown’ Ukrainian-Aotearoa artist VÏKAE has perfectly painted the picture of heartbreak in a winter's light.
Following on from her hit ‘Love Games’ - ‘Final Breakdown’ is another exciting track from her upcoming mixtape - which once again is linked to the narrative of living and leaving a toxic relationship. Created using the palate of heartbreak, this particular moment is where the artist is out on a winter’s night in Dunedin, reflecting on the rendezvous romance - making the ultimate decision to leave.
“The track is a few very personal journal entries strung into a song. It’s from one particularly drizzly evening that I remember looking up at the sky and knowing I could no longer find peace in a city that would forever house a piece of me. So, in a taxi, I booked a ticket out of Dunedin for good.
The cover art is a reflection of the literal trainwreck I had made of my life at the time and this song reflects that past. This whole mixtape is owning up to my mistakes in a way to live with the guilt and regret just a little bit easier than I have done ever since this heartbreak.”
Calling it the ‘ultimate heartbreak mixtape’, VÏKAE’s five-track mixtape LOVE GAMES (12 August) is a vulnerable collection of songs that each represents the different viewpoints of all those directly and indirectly affected by a breakup. The follow-up to her debut ep FINELINES, she blends pop sensibilities and emo rebellion - singing 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.
Follow VÏKAE:
Caitlin Rose releases 80s-inspired single ‘Let Me’ from short film ‘The Machine’
Break out your legwarmers and scrunchies, young singer Cailtin Rose has released a new 80s-inspired, side-stepping single ‘Let Me’.
Break out your legwarmers and scrunchies, young singer Cailtin Rose has released a new 80s-inspired, side-stepping single ‘Let Me’.
Upbeat, retro and distinctive, the single was written by musician/composer Phil Madsen as the feature track for director Isaac Bell’s recently released short film ‘The Machine’ - in which Cailtin’s brother plays the lead - about a brilliant, but confused, mind of a young man who doesn’t fit in his ordinary world and longing to escape to a place where he does. When filming, they used a vintage anamorphic lens which shoots at a super wide aspect ratio.
Caitlin Rose brings a perfectly pitched performance to the track, suited to the era it’s imitating and conjuring up an array of 80s moments and film montages.
She says that she feels the eighties genre is making a comeback and can be heard in music today.
“Although ‘Let Me’ was written for a specific purpose, I have really enjoyed exploring this style with Phil and it’s given me some fresh ideas for my new material,” Caitlin says. “My dad loved the eighties era and it feels we are getting a taste of what it was like for him back in the day.”
As well as working with her brother on this project, this wasn’t the first time Cailtin had worked with Isaac. The well-known kiwi director made the video for her 2021 debut, indie-pop ‘Good Enough For You’.
Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Caitlin has been singing her whole life. Throughout her years she has learned to play piano, guitar and ukulele, and performed gigs at her local cafe - all while training in Martial Arts since the age of 5. Caitlin Rose is an exciting new talent to watch out for!
T-BONE RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM “GOOD ‘N GREASY” + HEAD OUT ON THEIR NORTH ISLAND ALBUM RELEASE TOUR!
The members of T-Bone are about as eclectic as the group’s influences; a mandolin playing ex-chef from the Far North, a fiddle playing wine importer from New Jersey, a Dublin-born spearfishing songwriter, a guitar slinging laboratory assistant from Taranaki and a gardening double bassist from Karori.
The members of T-Bone are about as eclectic as the group’s influences; a mandolin playing ex-chef from the Far North, a fiddle playing wine importer from New Jersey, a Dublin-born spearfishing songwriter, a guitar slinging laboratory assistant from Taranaki and a gardening double bassist from Karori.
Their debut album will be released on June 17th, two weeks prior to the band heading out on their North Island headline release tour. The seven date tour is set to be the perfect showcase of the magic and energy that comes when these five exceptional musicians are on stage together, performing!
T-Bone got together through a love of Americana music, good wine and great food. The group have been rehearsing almost every Monday night in a basement flat in Brooklyn, Wellington for about seven years, working on songs, writing harmonies and telling jokes. But just as often as they play music, they eat, cook and sample some of the fiddlers' latest wine imports from Italy. Guitarist and songwriter Gerry Paul describes the rehearsals as “a ritual that grounds us for the week. We all work other jobs and these Monday get-togethers set the scene for the week. They keep in touch with our creative side and most of all, it’s a weekly reminder of the importance of good friends, good food and great music”.
The debut album, titled “Good ‘n Greasy” manages to capture the raw energy of their live shows that the band have become known for, but the arrangements are tight and thoughtful, with space carved out to feature the singing of these fine folk musicians.
T-Bone went into Surgery Studios in Newtown in September 2021 and recorded a collection of eleven songs. Seven of the songs are originals by Gerry Paul, two are co-written by the band and three are from the New Orleans, Zydeco and Cajun traditions. The setlist includes songs about food, playing music, new beginnings, love lost and found and as bassist Aaron Stewart describes the sound “they are peppered with that T-Bone flavour - acoustic twangs, searing fiddles and just a hint of char-grill”.
T-Bone have brought their influences of zydeco, old-time, blues, bluegrass and folk to this collection of songs, which although has strong Americana flavours, also has a distinct Kiwi folk feel. The close vocal harmonies and fiery instrumentals on guitars, mandolin, banjo and fiddles will have your toes tapping and you’ll find yourself harmonising as you listen.
The ensemble started as a duo seven years ago with Gerry moving back from Europe after fifteen years of touring the world with some of the biggest names in folk music. He struck up a musical partnership with American fiddler Richard Klein, but it wasn’t long before they invited Cameron “Dusty” Burnell on the Mandolin and the group became the T-Bone Trio. With all three members being rather partial to the low grooves of the double bass, they enlisted the playing of Aaron Stewart who Gerry had played with as part of Mel Parsons’ band. After one gig, the band couldn’t go back to gigging without Aaron on the bill.
The next few years saw T-Bone perform monthly shows around the capital and the odd out of town performance, including appearances at CubaDupa, Newtown Festival, Auckland Folk Festival, Tora Tora Tora, Beervana, Wellington On A Plate, Highlight Festival and Festival of Lights in New Plymouth. Young gun Michael Muggeridge was drafted in to replace Dusty Burnell while he was on tour in Europe with the Frank Burkitt Band and as Richard Klein puts it “The boy was so good that when Dusty returned, we said - you’re going nowhere”, completing the five-piece they are today.
T-Bone have called on their raft of supporters to help them crowdfund through NZ platform, PledgeMe, to raise the money to finish the mastering, duplication and artwork for the debut album.“Good ‘n Greasy” will be released on Friday the 17th of June and will be promoted with a tour around the North Island from late June into July.
T-Bone are over the moon to be joined on the road by internationally renowned American musician John Oszajca. John has toured across the United States performing with such artists as Jewel, Brian Setzer, Eve 6, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Hillary Duff, Beth Hart and many others. In 2010 John moved to the Far North of NZ with his family, where he continues to write, record, and perform. John will be having some fun with the T-Bone boys bringing a ‘Punk Americana’ sound to the show.
The tour is proudly supported by the NZ Music Commission’s (Via MCH) Aotearoa Touring Programme.
Good n Greasy Release Tour with T-Bone & John Oszajca
Thurs 30 June - San Fran, Wellington
Fri 1 July - 4th Wall Theatre, New Plymouth
Sat 2 July Whangateau Hall, Whangateau
Sun 3 July - The Tuning Fork, Auckland
Mon 4 July - The Turner Centre, Kerikeri
Sat 30 July - Napier, The Urban Winery
Tickets on Sale via @tbonetheband | Linktree From 5th May
WEBLINKS:
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3gUwTD232GAh5AJXZ4DiCb?si=Rq-A9vzPRb2Qg05Se2LGww
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tboneband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonetheband/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzdONIhV1KazkjhvED5D7qA
Soundcloud: https://tinyurl.com/yc75nmud
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/tbonetheband
Mazbou Q Anybody (feat. Gino October)
Aotearoa New Zealand based Nigerian artist, producer and content creator Mazbou Q a.k.a ‘the Rap Scientist’ recruits South African born local rap icon Gino October for his second release of 2022; the hard-hitting and confrontational single entitled ‘Anybody’.
Mazbou Q recruits South African born local rap icon Gino October for his second release of 2022.
Aotearoa New Zealand based Nigerian artist, producer and content creator Mazbou Q a.k.a ‘the Rap Scientist’ recruits South African born local rap icon Gino October for his second release of 2022; the hard-hitting and confrontational single entitled ‘Anybody’. Accompanied by Mazbou Q’s trademarked rhythmically dynamic production style, the emcees both unleash 32 bars of piercing lyricism and complex flows, welded together by an anthemic chorus calling for solidarity with ‘anybody’ who fits the bill.
Having released his self recorded and produced debut full length album ‘THE FUTURE WAS.’ in July of 2021, Mazbou Q took to Tiktok to share some of his musical knowledge with others. He was promptly branded by a rapidly growing fanbase as the ‘Rap Scientist’, after videos of him dissecting and analyzing the rhythmic basis of rap went viral. Amassing over 120,000 followers, Mazbou Q discusses in detail how he and other established rappers utilize different rhythmic techniques in their hit songs. Covering music theory concepts like syncopation, polymetric rhythms, displacement and rapping ‘behind the beat’, Mazbou Q is being lauded for illuminating the musical complexity of a genre often mistakenly not considered as such.
On his new single ‘Anybody’, Mazbou Q pulls out all the stops and puts these techniques on full display. “It’s important to put into practice what you teach. I want to show my new fans that when it comes to rap, I don’t just talk about it”.
The inclusion of fellow African-Kiwi emcee Gino October, according to Mazbou Q, was due to his high level of technical proficiency and comradery when it came to the subject matter. “Gino’s natural musicality makes him an absolute beast when it comes to flow, so I knew he’d be able to do justice to a tricky beat like this one. We’ve also shared many concerns and frustrations about life as Black artists in Aotearoa, so there couldn’t have been a more perfect match for this track”
‘Anybody’ jabs at a range of issues from the personal to the systemic. Unafraid to weigh in on one of the most controversial current topics - COVID-19 vaccines - Mazbou Q shares his thoughts on anti-vaccine conspirators in his verse, rapping “there ain’t no conspiracy, y’all just lackin’ a purpose”. Gino likewise deep dives into controversy with an indictment on the local music industry for the apparent exclusion of Black artists from opportunities, rapping “there’s Black music, but I don’t see Black performers!”
Mazbou Q explains “There is not really one thing that this track is about, but what unifies all the topics is that they’re issues that we face as marginalised peoples. That’s whom I’m calling out to on the hook - the ‘anybodies’ are immigrants, refugees, indigenous people and the outcasts of society. They’re the ones who are going to relate to this the most”
Mazbou Q is no stranger to using his art for social commentary. From his album ‘THE FUTURE WAS.’, came the semi-dramatized afro-futuristic mini-documentary entitled ‘Don’t Stop Regardless’, which deals head on with issues faced by African diaspora creatives. Other notable singles off the record that also contain powerful messages are G.O.A.T Problems (feat. Raiza Biza) and Best of You (feat. Cee Blu).
The ever-evolving roadmap for Mazbou Q is one that may include another album later this year, nevertheless he wishes to focus on expanding his horizon as a creative.
“‘Anybody’ is a statement that I’m not holding back this year. There’s a lot I am capable of, and so there is a lot I’m going for. I intend to release another album, but want to build the Rap Scientist brand. I’m no longer going to pull any punches with what I do. I intend on achieving everything I set my mind to, with no apologies.
Find out more about Mazbou Q Here: www.mazbouq.com
Follow Mazbou Q on Tik Tok here: www.tiktok.com/@mazbouq
Find out more about UNCHAINED XL Production Co here: www.unchainedxl.com
Listen to Gino October here Here
Follow to Gino October Here
Yellow Eye Artists in Schools with Aro
As part of the 2022 Yellow Eye Artists In Schools Alongside Festivals & Events Te Urungi project with Ministry of Arts & Culture ARO will be visiting Dunedin , Invercargill and Southland schools , marae and libraries.
As part of the 2022 Yellow Eye Artists In Schools Alongside Festivals & Events Te Urungi project with Ministry of Arts & Culture www.yelloweyeltd.co.nz , ARO musical duo from Pukekohe will be visiting Dunedin , Invercargill and Southland schools , marae and libraries over the fortnight June 20 to July 2 thanks to Dunedin/ Invercargill & Southland Creative Communities as well as Puaka Matariki & Tuturu Trust Festivals
FREE public performances ( with workshops )
Invercargill Library Sat June 25th 10.15 am - workshop & show
Winton Library Sat June 25th 2pm – workshop & show
Tūturu Charitable Trust Matariki Festival Queens Park Invercargill Friday 24th & Saturday 25th from 6pm
Puketeraki Marae Karitane Thursday June 30th ( workshop 6.15pm- bbq 7.15 pm- show 8pm )
Araiteuru Marae Dunedin Saturday July 2nd show 2.30 pm
For more details go to www.yelloweyeltd.co.nz or contact host venues directly ( workshop spaces are limited please book with hosts ).
Aro is made up of husband and wife Charles (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Te Ata, Te Ati Awa) and Emily Looker (nee Rice). The bilingual duo share a passion for the power of language and music to tell stories and remind us of our cultural identity. Aro’s signature playful and uplifting sound, using a plethora of instruments and taonga pūoro, including guitars, strings and saxophone. A multi-genre offering of storytelling pop, RnB, electronic and jazz, fusing vocals, tāonga puoro and chants, each song also thematically explores the ideas of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga - looking after ourselves, looking after each other and looking after our environment. The group will present an education programme delivering workshops, informed by mātauranga Māori of our natural environment in Aotearoa New Zealand, to primary schools, libraries and kura kaupapa Māori . These participatory sessions will encourage the pre teen children to become part of the show performance that follows
Aro | Music Makers | Aotearoa (aromusic.co.nz)
Aro - Kia Mau (Official Video) - YouTube
Aro are visiting the following schools June 20-25 Bluff / St Teresa’s / Fernworth / Otatara / St Patrick’s / Waihopai / Winton / Te Wharekura o Arowhenua / SIT Music School ( workshop & industry discussion )
June 27 -July1 Fairfield / Green Island / Maori Hill / Opoho/ Puketeraki Marae with Waitati/ Warrington/Karitane & Waikouaiti / Abbotsford / Columba / Araiteuru Marae with Bradford / Concord / Kura Otepoti & St Marys.
Something like 500 pre teen primary children workshopping and then being involved in school performances to over 3500 children across the fourteen participating schools . This is our second year of the programme ( Rob Thorne- Porotiti mindfulness year one ) and all is developing to become an annual affair around this Matariki Festival time across Otago and Southland with different touring artists who have participatory workshops for children .
Along with these free workshop and performance sessions Friday June 24th and Saturday June 25th
at Invercargill Library Sat June 25th ARO
Free Childrens workshop 10.15 -11.15 am
Public Family show 11.30 – 12.15 for a koha admission
Register for the workshop through the Library Phone: 032111444 or
ARO at Winton Library Sat June 25th
Free childrens workshop 2-3 pm
Public family show 3.15-4 pm for a koha admission
Enquiries ph 0800 732732
Workshop bookings for primary school children on the day at the library from 1.30 pm
limited to thirty
Tūturu Charitable Trust presents Matariki Festival Queens Park Invercargill
ARO Free show performances On Friday June 24th and Saturday June 25th
6pm- 6.20 pm on the main stage with participating school children invites
7pm- 7.20 pm at the Rotunda with light show
JULY MEMBERS ONLY SESSION - SOCIAL MEDIA 101 WITH THE CLASSROOM
The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa are pleased to announce July’s Members Online Session – Social Media 101 with The Classroom
The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa are pleased to announce July’s Members Online Session – Social Media 101 with The Classroom
The Classroom are among NZ's most experienced content creators and social media specialists. Claire O’Connell will be taking you through ‘Social Media 101’ - how to create a social media strategy and to grow your community/fan base.
CLAIRE O’CONNELL
Claire is one of the most experienced social media minds in the country. She began her social media career with Myspace in 2006 in Sydney before moving to London to work for Bebo
In January 2010 she began working for Facebook and worked with some of the UK’s top advertisers for 3 years before being transferred back to New Zealand to run Facebook's advertising operations here.
Claire left Facebook in 2015 in order to pass on her knowledge and experience to help other kiwi businesses thrive.
Date: Tuesday 12th July
Time: 6.00pm–7.00pm
RSVP: For MMF members only to lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz RSVP is essential as spaces are limited
Due to the limited places please note if you RSVP and then fail to attend the session without notifying us, unfortunately you will not be eligible for future sessions
ROONIE Unleashes Girl-Power Track ‘Something ‘Bout You’
A perfectly pitched girl-power (or revenge) song, ‘Something ‘Bout You’ is the hottest new dance track from up-and-coming pop artist ROONIE.
A perfectly pitched girl-power (or revenge) song, ‘Something ‘Bout You’ is the hottest new dance track from up-and-coming pop artist ROONIE.
Following on from the release of ‘Alibi’ - the first single from her upcoming EP and announcing her arrival onto the dance-pop scene - ‘Something ‘Bout You’ is sure to position ROONIE even more as an artist to take seriously in this space. The skillful composition, powerhouse pop vocals and production all combine to make this a killer track for every dance floor - home, club, or festival. Curiosity is sparked by the very first moment of this track - which sounds like it could be some type of steel drum or electronic wind-chime - but is achieved using an arpeggiator, a synthesizer feature.
ROONIE says ‘Something ‘Bout You’ is the darker song from the EP, and that she wanted it to be the follow on from ‘Alibi’ with its catchy melodic hook and dance feel, as well as “being heaps of fun to perform live with a full band”. She says that ‘Something ‘Bout You’ came about from a conversation with co-producer Will Henderson.
“We were chatting about the feeling of finding out someone is not as ‘cool’ as you thought. We liked using language like this, so the lyrics feel like a spoken conversation. The whole song is kinda drenched in a humorous undertone of realisation like ‘Wow, I really thought you were cool, but I’m doing so much better without you’ - savage, I know, but that’s the fun of songwriting, you can sing things you never might really say!” ‘Something ‘Bout You’ was mastered by Chris Chetland of KOG Studios. ROONIE says she always appreciates the ‘warmness and fullness’ he adds to her tracks.
ROONIE is the musical moniker of Michaela Pointon, whose vibrant, self-reflective music is all about expressing strength and confidence. ‘Alibi’ and ‘Something Bout’ You’ are the first two singles to be released from her upcoming EP. ‘Alibi’ was positively received by both fans and media and was featured on NZOA New Tracks for May. Michaela grew up performing at weddings, restaurants, and corporate functions. In 2019 she moved to Auckland to pursue a career in music as ROONIE. She released her debut single ‘My Heart’ in 2020, which charted on the NZ Hot Singles at Number 15 and featured on the TV show ‘Mean Mums’. With a four-track pop-dance EP set to be released later this year, there is still lots more to come from ROONIE!
CRYSTAL 'PERPLEXED'
Upcoming New Zealand alternative-pop artist CRYSTAL turns fear into empowerment with her latest single ‘Perplexed’.
Upcoming New Zealand alternative-pop artist CRYSTAL turns fear into empowerment with her latest single ‘Perplexed’. Following on from her previous releases including 'The Chase’ which landed on Spotify's 'New Music Friday AU & NZ', 'Pop n Fresh', and ‘EQUAL AU & NZ’ playlists, her newest single finds her coming to terms with big life changes which are soon to come.
Self-written and co-produced alongside her university classmate Alex McMillan in 2019, ‘Perplexed’ explores CRYSTAL’s inner thoughts where she imagines what life might be like once Uni is over, and the overwhelming feeling of growing up, leaving your friends and moving away to follow your dreams.
Of ‘Perplexed’, CRYSTAL explains” I wrote this song in my last year of uni, during the mid-year break. We had 6 weeks off, so I took up extra shifts at the restaurant I worked at. During this period, a few of my good friends had all gone home or on holiday and I had this realisation that in 6 months we would all go off on separate paths, move to different cities and I’d be left to figure out my next chapter on my own. I’d never left home before so the thought of everyone closest to me leaving and me moving away felt very overwhelming and scary. Making this song gave me so much comfort during such a tough transition in my life. I know change can be really hard to deal with but ultimately we have to do things which are completely out of our comfort zone in order to grow and achieve the things we most desire”.
The accompanying music video, shot and directed by Ben Dickens (Eli Superflyy, ZÖ), was filmed in Wellington and features locations of significance to CRYSTAL’s music making and upbringing. Perplexed is taken off of her debut EP, ‘Garlic Ice Cream’ releasing in August.
‘Perplexed’ is available on all streaming platforms now.