Devils Elbow Release New Single ‘Top 9’ and EP ‘Riverlands’

‘Top 9’ is the latest single from Devils Elbow, and comes from the bands latest EP ‘Riverlands’.

The track references music and radio itself, as well as the idea of a long-established artist the 'best-kept secret' hitting the mainstream and becoming a ‘Sensation Overnight’.

"We are not hitting the mainstream, ha, the song isn't about us. I'm a music fan first so it comes from the artists I've followed over the years". A lot of the NZ music industry have kept our backwater band on the fringes ‘cause we’re not ‘city’ and they don’t identify with it or don’t see any return from backing us, but hey we’ve seen them all get turned over again and again, replaced by the next generation of university kids & interns, so fuck ‘em and their whole office”. - Alec Withers (Vocals, Guitar)

“Round here (Hastings) growing up there was a long-running radio countdown segment ‘Top 9 at 9” everyone would listen in to hear the latest hits and you’de record ‘em to a blank cassette, sometimes it was a ‘call the station to vote’ type of thing, people would get into it, trying to get through".

“There ‘aint any bands like DE around right now, and we have seen a lot come and go in our time. When this band began Myspace was the ‘be all, end all’, YouTube was only a couple years in, there were still at least 3 record stores in every small town, now fkn look at it, the masses staring into the device for everything, unreal, looking forward to playing shows again for sure, unwind some of the past couple years”.

 “We also have another single and EP in the works right now, some other stuff we started in the time of the mask & the lockdown, that’ll will be released early 2023. Top 9 is a little nostalgic, stylistically pretty classic DE, the next EP is something else, something a bit more heavy”.

Top 9 is the second single in the lead-up to the bands third full length album.

RIiverlands EP Out Now.
Listen at: https://devilselbowofficial.bandcamp.com/

‘Top 9’ lyric video: https://youtu.be/LdngxBl4SNo
‘Riverland’s video https://youtu.be/paFEhDp6XUE

BRIAN BAKER RELEASES NEW EP + VIDEO OPEN UP YOUR HEART

New Zealand singer-songwriter BRIAN BAKER today celebrates the release of his latest 5-track EP OPEN UP YOUR HEART, a collection of new and re-imagined tunes, recorded at his Kaipara-based studio facility. 

LISTEN TO OPEN UP YOUR HEART HERE

A new arrangement on a song he originally wrote back in 2018, focus track ‘Open Up Your Heart’ is a cruisy, care-free, electro-dub ear-worm with an ageless and universal message which Baker says “is simply an appeal to lift up our hearts and embrace love.”

The EP also includes another earlier song Baker had co-written with former Split Enz musical maestro Eddie Rayner when they had the band The Makers, the revitalised foot-stomping track ‘New Kind Of Blue’.

With ‘Fool’, the big groove and guitar riff with its catchy chorus make this an instantly radio-friendly tune, followed by a dreamy instrumental Baker composed titled ‘Blue Water Meditation’, which showcases his guitar skills.

To round off the EP, Baker surprises even himself by including a slightly tongue in cheek cover version - a charged up arrangement of the Tori Amos song ‘Cornflake Girl’.

“We were doing  live TV show as The Makers in Sydney back in the early 1990’s”, says Brian.  “And the other musical guest on the show was Tori Amos doing a piano vocal performance of ‘Cornflake Girl’. We were blown away by her immense talent and this particular song. I’ve always wanted to do my own rock guitar treatment on it, and here it is.”

The consummate journeyman musician is also a laid-back bohemian life-styler, living off-the-grid on his permaculture farm in the picturesque heart of the Kaipara. It’s a busy combination, as Baker balances life between running the farm and all that entails, with using his considerable musical talents recording and producing artists in his production studio, ‘The Bakery’.

A naturally gifted musician, Baker can lay claim to a catalogue of songs sure to warm the musical soul of any audience member. Now, with the release of Open Up Your Heart, Baker is keen to change gears and make a return to performing live in support of it. He’s created a fantastic live show highlighting his uplifting vocals and  amazing guitar skills, so keep a look out for his tour dates and make sure you check out this talented guitarist/singer-songwriter.

BRIAN BAKER - UPCOMING SHOWS:

24 JUNE - THE LEDGE, WHANGAREI

12-14 AUGUST - BAY OF ISLANDS JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL, PAIHIA

WATCH ‘OPEN UP YOUR HEART’ HERE  | LISTEN TO ‘OPEN UP YOUR HEART’ HERE

REI 'WERA MATAO'

This tune is the Wellington muso link up you never knew you needed! Rei is excited to present to you his new banger, Wera Matao, written with Drax Project. Mixing Rei’s signature melodic rap vocals with Drax’s super pop stylings, this tune is sure to make you get your kanikani (dance) on. Releasing on New Zealand’s first ever public holiday for Matariki (June 24th), this collaboration embodies the wairua (spirit) of Aotearoa and the Māori new year.

Matariki is a time to reflect and a time to plan ahead as we carve out a new space for te reo Māori music in mainstream NZ.

Wera Matao follows Rei’s latest tune Whakapapa (which landed on Spotify’s New Music Friday’s, The Hybrid and The Drip). 2021 saw Rei release his radio hit Hoki Mai / Come Back (#2 on NZ Hot Charts) which hit #9 on the NZ Shazam charts. In Wera Matao (meaning hot and cold) Rei sings about a lover who can’t make up her mind on whether she is ready to commit to a relationship or still wants to be single.  Made with tautoko from Te Māngai Pāho, Wera Matao is sure to make a big splash in the current wave of te reo music. 

Rei has had a big last 12 months. Releasing an album, playing festivals such as Rolling Meadows, AUM, Kotahi, Splore and Newtown Festival, touring with Sweet Mix Kids and even opening for Netsky at his sold out arena show. He’s already kicked off 2022 with a couple of shows in the U.S., at a Coachella pre party in Palm Springs, as well as the famous Dive Motel in Nashville. Other recent accolades include being a finalist for the 2021 Mana Reo award at the AMA’s, as well as achieving a top 5 spot for the APRA Silver Scrolls with his Maisey Rika collab ‘Hiwa i te Rangi’.  Wera Matao is the latest single from Rei’s upcoming full Te Reo album, due for release July 2022 with the tautoko of Te Māngai Paho and NZ on Air.

Follow Rei’s haerenga here - www.musicbyrei.com

Michael Llewellyn - Announces - 'OMD diaries, NZ tour.

Since the release of 'Oh My Darling', his debut heart slapping record , Michael Llewellyn has been nose to the ash. 'Raspy & Poetic', his vulnerable and smoky melodies take you on a journey that is both honest and raw.

"... one minute you're on your feet lost in the groove and in the next, he lays you straight back down with a slow one".

Accompanied by his explosive backing band, 'the Darlings', and fresh off a hot run of packed out theatres & mainstage festival slots, Michael Llewellyn is ecstatic to present his first ever Nationwide tour.

Nine shows throughout the motu, along with bands: Mini Simmons, Juno Is, Mystery Waitress, Violet Hirst and others... - May / June /July - TICKETS at UNDERTHERADAR -

"From tracks, Mikaela, who becomes everyones breakup girl, to the addictive Whangamatā..." Llewellyn's debut record 'Oh My Darling' is a "Dramatic novella with words at the centre and the music swirling around the narrative" - This punchy and comforting piece of work has since enabled him to build a solid grassroots following.

Llewellyn opens and invites you into his heart. Sharing in his battles with love and pain, a seriousness can be felt throughout his work, "It was an emotional journey... as if we sat down together and he read us his diary." Backed with deceptively laid back grooves and crunchy guitars, "there is bare-hearted grit in the crafted lyrics that share intimate and confessional storytelling from Michael Llewellyn's life."

"Recorded in his shoebox bedroom – carpet drenched in guitar leads and off cuts – his voice pours out, rough and relatable." Michael Llewellyn and the Darlings are quickly setting themselves apart from the Aotearoa indie scene. Whether it be intimate and seated or sweaty and loud their live show will tug at your mind and soul. Catch them at any one of their nine shows along the 'OMD Diaries NZ tour' or look out for the single 'Kauri tree' dropping at the end of this year.

Kua whakarewangia To The Front Pōneke & To the Front Te Papaioea 2022!

Applications are open right now! 
Head to our website girlsrock.co.nz for more info! 

Girls Rock Aotearoa has been helping young women, trans, intersex, takatāpui, and gender diverse youth form bands, build instrument skills, and write original songs since 2018. We are proud to announce two new condensed To The Front programmes for 2022 in Pōneke (Wellington) and Te Papaioea (Palmerston North). 

These three-day weekend programmes take everything that’s made our week-long programmes so successful and give us the opportunity to offer it in new locations across Aotearoa, at new times of the year, and for participants who might not be able to commit to a full week To The Front experience.

To The Front Pōneke will be held Labour Weekend Saturday 22nd to Monday 24th October 2022. Once again the programme will be hosted by our key sponsor, College of Creative Arts, Massey University Wellington, letting us take advantage of their cutting-edge studio spaces and equipment.

To The Front Te Papaioea 2022 begins on Friday afternoon October 7th, running through to Sunday October 9th, with a showcase the following Friday October 14th as a part of Swampfest Festival. The programme will be hosted by To The Front Te Papaioea’s key sponsor, Creative Sounds Society - The Stomach, Palmerston North, allowing us access to their state of the art facilities.

What do our programmes look like? 

Participants aged 12 – 17 learn instruments, form bands, write original songs, and perform at a showcase, all guided by professional musicians in an inclusive environment. Alongside collaborative learning, participants will take part in workshops about topics like DIY merchandise, mindfulness, and performance skills. No prior musical experience is necessary.

Why does To The Front exist?

Girls Rock Aotearoa launched with the kaupapa of fostering inclusivity in our musical communities by starting at the grassroots; with our rangatahi. 

A recent report released by Massey University researchers found that “more than two-thirds of women in the music community (70.1 per cent) reported experiencing bias, disadvantage or discrimination based on their gender – seven times the rate of men (10 per cent).” 

By creating an inclusive, fun, and supportive space for our young people, we’re helping to build a brighter future for music and musicians in Aotearoa.

The To The Front name, in use since 2021’s Pōneke programme, gives a nods to the feminist punk Riot Grrrl movement of the 90’s, where the phrase was popularised by bands such as Bikini Kill as a way to decentre white, cisgender, male music audiences. Building on that legacy, we’re bringing women and gender minorities “to the front”.

Women about Sound Songwriting Mentoring Programme Info 2022

Women about Sound are excited to announce our songwriting mentoring programme for women and gender diverse songwriters for 2022.  We aim to develop your capability in songwriting and production in a safe and supportive space led by women and gender diverse mentors and audio engineers.  The programme is based in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Our programme comprises of:

• Three mentoring sessions from highly skilled songwriters and producers to gain feedback and advice on an original song

• Recording a demo of the original song

• An opportunity to collaborate with fellow participants

Mentoring Sessions:  3 x 2.5 hour sessions:

We will match you up with one of our talented mentors who is best suited to your genre of music.  The sessions will focus on giving feedback and direction on the structure, arrangement, lyrics, instrumentation and production of your song.  There will be two weeks between each session to allow time for you to  work on the song following feedback.  

We will  pair you up with another participant who  for the  mentoring sessions..     This gives you an opportunity to gain feedback, encouragement and connection with another songwriter.  It also provides  a chance to reflect and learn about the aspects of songwriting and production through observation of the development of someone else's song.

Recording Session: 4 hour session

We will provide  half a day in a  recording studio in which you can record a demo of the song you worked on with the mentors.      The audio engineer will support your creative direction of the recording, providing you with knowledge that will be useful in future recording sessions.

The audio engineer will mix your demo and you will get a chance to give them feedback on the mix before final sign off

Timeframe

Mentoring Sessions:  3 x 2.5  hour sessions

Three sessions every two weeks across August/beginning of September

Recording Demo:  1 x 4 hour session:  Morning or afternoon session

September/October

Location:

Mentoring Sessions:  

Parachute Studios:  Kingsland

Move Space: Mt Eden

Recording Session:

Depot Studio, Devonport 

Parachute Studios:  Kingsland

Requirements for participating:

• Must attend three mentoring sessions 

• Be willing to contribute ideas with paired buddy

• Must attend and come prepared for the recording session

Fee:  $30

How to Apply

Application Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewI50CIbCK-FHlyqzqpir8Bw-3e0HrMgMnuLKp2p4JQbl5wQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Demo:

A rough demo of a song/part of a song, (can be recorded on your phone), that you  want to work on in mentoring sessions and record needs to be emailed through as part of the application.  Please email to: womenaboutsound@gmail.com

Applications close on  Wednesday 6th July 2022 

Any questions email to  womenaboutsound@gmail.com

Thanks to the NZ Music Commission for the funding to allow this programme to happen in 2022

Elliott Dawson delivers “Winter’s Ghost”, raw second single from debut album, ‘Hang Low’

Winter’s Ghost has a different feel to Dawon’s first characteristically post-rock single CEO, described by Muzic.net as “such a bouncy banger it should be impossible to fold your arms and nod stoically to...it sounds like if Black Country New Road were able to have fun”.

CEO featured heavily across the SRN network, charted at #2 Radioactive’s Top 10, and was selected for the June compilation of NZ on Air’s NewTracks programme.

Featuring delicate synth-strings, desperate vocals, live flute, and acoustic guitar - on Winter’s Ghost we hear a different side of Elliott Dawson, who says the song acts as a counter-balance to CEO. 

“Winter’s Ghost for me is the opposite of CEO, it’s a window into a moment of time when I was at my most vulnerable, and coming to terms with the fact that sometimes nobody cares as much as you do.”

Winter’s Ghost is the second single from Dawson’s 8-track debut album ‘Hang Low’, recorded and mixed with James Goldsmith in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, set for release on September 2nd.

The next single “Bald Spot” is out on August 5th.  12” Vinyl pressed by Holiday Records is available now for pre-order via Flying Out and Bandcamp. 

DALLAS TAMAIRA drops uplifting new single ‘JUST FINE’

Esteemed Aotearoa musician, songwriter, producer and illustrator Dallas Tamaira, aka Joe Dukie, (Fat Freddy’s Drop) releases his uplifting new single ‘Just Fine’ today, Friday June 24.

The unmistakable voice of Dallas Tamaira (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Pākehā) shines bright on the new track as he glides smoothly and deftly over Devin Abrams' (Pacific Heights, Shapeshifter, Drax Project) breezy, head-noddin' production, before sealing the deal on a chorus that is equal parts nostalgia vibes and future memories.

“Just Fine is as much a song about how we like to hold onto things, as it is about the importance of letting go”, says Dallas on the track. “You can dream big or be a big dreamer.  It's about waking up and putting all your hopes and dreams into action. It’s about not being afraid to follow where your imagination takes you.”

Born in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Dallas was raised in the small coastal town of Kaikōura before then rising to worldwide acclaim as lead vocalist for the iconic group Fat Freddy’s Drop. Twenty years on, Fat Freddy’s Drop are seen as one of the most successful New Zealand acts of the 21st Century and one of Aotearoa’s greatest live acts both at home and globally.

Dallas Tamaira began releasing new music as a solo artist in 2020, his first as Dallas Tamaira in twenty years. The pandemic lockdowns created the perfect storm for this new phase of personal creativity for the self-proclaimed introvert. ‘Just Fine’  follows on from the previously acclaimed singles ‘No Flowers’ (2020) and ‘Spider’ (2021).

'Just Fine’ is available on online streaming platforms here:
https://bfan.link/DTjustfine

Follow Dallas Tamaira online:
www.dallastamaira.com
www.instagram.com/dallas_tamaira/
www.facebook.com/Dukietown/
www.youtube.com/channel/UCVBnQmtEfnjLxHdl-djWk4A?view_as=subscriber