CONNOR MAC 'PURPOSE'
Connor Mac is an exciting talent with an increasing global following, and his new single “PURPOSE” with the stunning music video shot in New Zealand, shows the depth of his strong songwriting abilities with its beauteous perspectives.
Connor Mac is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter originally from Palmerston North New Zealand and is now based in Switzerland. Since his moving to Europe, he has been honing his live performance skills by regularly performing acoustic shows working in resorts and at private functions, while also writing and recording his original music that can be described as smooth pop with soulful overtones.
In 2018 he released his first single - a stripped-back cover version of the song “UNFORGETTABLE” by French Montana & Swae Lee, followed by several other covers of artists he admires that found a substantial international audience upon release. Then in 2020, he released his first original single, the silky and soulful “SPACEMEN”, followed by “LIKE I USED TO BE” in 2022. To date, he has achieved over 2 million streams on Spotify from his releases and has an active schedule of new original releases coming in 2022.
Connor Mac is an exciting talent with an increasing global following, and his new single “PURPOSE” with the stunning music video shot in New Zealand, shows the depth of his strong songwriting abilities with its beauteous perspectives.
SPOTIFY
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ewkJHx3irbZZrVrO4wOT6?si=w6HEAHuGQ5G4JQTTqF5Ol
APPLE MUSIC
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/connor-mac/1387873046
YOUTUBE
https://www.youtube.com/c/ConnorMac
ISRAEL STARR - KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
Platinum and multi award winning artist & producer Israel Starr releases new album 'Keepers Of The Flame'. 12 tracks of heavy roots reggae dotted with intros, interludes and skits that create a truly full bodied movie like listening experience.
Platinum and multi award winning artist & producer Israel Starr releases new album 'Keepers Of The Flame'. 12 tracks of heavy roots reggae dotted with intros, interludes and skits that create a truly full bodied movie like listening experience.
"One of the most ambitious reggae albums recorded in Aotearoa since the dawn of the 21st century." - Martyn Pepperell
Israel in his own words...
Before a show I had in the central north island a man of notoriety came to the whare (house)
where we were staying to introduce himself and his whanau (family). This man will remain
nameless. We sat talking for hours in a quiet corner while everyone around us partied. We
spoke about everything from politics, history, religion and prophecies. We finally then proceeded
to discuss the state of indiginous peoples around the world and how we are losing those ancient
teachings and ways of life, and once they are gone they are gone. He then said something to
me that resonated enough with me that I named my album and wrote songs about it. He said...
“ these things happen throughout history and cultures will come and go, but when everyone
and everything around the world is said and done, we as Maori claim the divine femanine spirit
which carries these ancient connections with the universe, so it really doesn't matter if they take
all our land or destroy world cultures, when those peoples want to learn & heal again in future
times they can come to us, we the people of Aotearoa are the keepers of the flame”
This album is a journey, an experience I want to take the listener through from start to finish. Its
a reggae roots album that is meditative, introspective and will definitely test the comfort zones of
many with the words and unique soundscapes. With intros, interludes and outros the
album is meant to feel like a movie taking you from one thought experience to the next. 12
tracks (plus two remixes) of heavy roots not for the faint hearted or someone looking for songs
to play at your family BBQ but yet played in a quiet moment set aside to enjoy music art.
LINK to ALL Socials, merchandise and listening
Ainslie Allen unveils emotive waiata reo Māori ‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’ + announces live dates for the BETTY tour
Award-winning Aotearoa country artist Ainslie Allen has today released ‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’, the stunning te reo version of her track ‘Old You’ from her recently released album BETTY.
Award-winning Aotearoa country artist Ainslie Allen has today released ‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’, the stunning te reo version of her track ‘Old You’ from her recently released album BETTY.
Listen to ‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’ HERE
Powerful, honest and raw, ‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’ is about losing someone you love dearly to addiction.
“This is my te reo version of ‘Old You’ from my album BETTY,” says Ainslie. “I wanted to dedicate a song to those who have experienced or are experiencing the fight with addiction and battling their demons, and those who are supporting them. I hope my waiata reflects my determination and perseverance, and encouragement to those who are going through similar life situations.”
Kindly supported by Te Māngai Pāho. The track was recorded at The Sitting Room in Lyttelton, written by Ainslie Allen and Allan Caswell, produced and mixed by Ben Edwards and mastered by Chris Chetland at KOG Studio.
“We added Taonga Pūoro by Jake Kīanō Skinner (Ngāti Rangitihi) to the track,” says Ainslie, of the recording of ‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’. “I also share many memorable moments with my ‘in studio’ Te Reo Adviser, e kare, Kommi Tamati-Elliffe.”
Also announced today are the live dates of the BETTY tour, in which Ainslie Allen will perform 14 shows across Aotearoa throughout September and October 2022, celebrating the recent release of her incredible album, BETTY.
Tickets on sale now, available HERE
Ainslie Allen (Rongowhakaata) has had an impressive career to date. Her first professional singing engagement was for Sir Edmond Hillary, and at 16 she went on to win Smokefreerockquest’s most prestigious Female Musician Award. The same year, she starred in McDonald's Young Entertainers, a hit New Zealand TV talent show, making 'Ainslie Allen' a household name.
Other career highlights include playing the MAIN stage at Rhythm and Vines 2020, being part of Waiata Anthems Week 2021, and a finalist for Best Māori Wāhine Solo Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards 2021.
Ainslie is NZ Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a double graduate of the 2018/2019 CMAA Academy of Country Music. She is 7 x finalist for the NZ Gold Guitar Awards 2019.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the magic of Ainslie Allen live on tour this year, and until then, get to know Ainslie through today’s deeply personal release. As Ainslie says, “I’m an honest soul, so I tend to write ‘real’ life songs, and I’m sure there are many listeners out there, from all walks of life, who can relate. This is for you!”
‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’ is funded by Te Māngai Pāho. Listen HERE
THE BETTY TOUR 2022
Friday September 2 - Carterton Events Tour, Carterton
Thursday September 8 - Cabana, Napier
Friday September 9 - Smash Palace, Gisborne
Thursday September 15 - Biddys Bar, Hamilton
Friday September 16 - Our Local, Wiri (South Auckland)
Saturday September 17 - Cassette Nine, Auckland CBD
Friday September 23 - St Peters Hall, Paekākāriki
Saturday September 24 - Levin Cossie Club, Levin
Sunday September 25 - Upper Hutt Cossie Club, Upper Hutt
Thursday October 6 - Southland Muso’s Club, Invercargill
Friday October 7 - Sherwood, Queenstown
Saturday October 8 - Wunderbar, Lyttleton
Saturday October 29 - Porirua Club, Porirua
Tickets on sale now, available HERE
Find Ainslie Allen:
AIM: SANDBOX - Empowering a new Generation
Visionary musicians Clarissa Chai and Mia Caintic have created AIM: SANDBOX – a Pan-Asian-Kiwi (PAK) musical talent hothouse. Apply now to join their fully-funded development programme which will propel eight (8) songs from draft to a professionally mixed track.
Visionary musicians Clarissa Chai and Mia Caintic have created AIM: SANDBOX – a Pan-Asian-Kiwi (PAK) musical talent hothouse. Apply now to join their fully-funded development programme which will propel eight (8) songs from draft to a professionally mixed track.
AIM: SANDBOX is a fully funded opportunity to learn how to navigate songwriting and recording for Pan-Asian-Kiwi (PAK) bands and artists. Level up with a professionally mixed track and a live performance of your song. You’ll work with an established PAK artist who will help you finish your draft. Through a demo recording session, we’ll help you figure out the instrumentation you’ll want in your track before bringing it for the final studio recording and mixing.
There are eight (8) spots for artists and/or bands. Applicants must whakapapa (have a sense of belonging) to Asia, and be new or emerging artists. See more details below:
APPLY NOW - here’s the link to the form: asiansinmusic.nz
● What is included in the AIM: SANDBOX Programme? - READ MORE
● Who can apply? - READ MORE
● To apply you will need - READ MORE
Applications close: Friday August 5th at 5 pm
Please share the Application form to all your PAK musician friends ASAP so we can help develop the next generation of hitmakers
AND Join the Asians in Music Facebook group to get updates about AIM: SANDBOX and future opportunities.
“Happy Music Garden” release new single “Dance With My Friends”
Following on from their first release “Monsters” Happy Music Garden is excited to release the next single from their upcoming kids EP.
Following on from their first release “Monsters” Happy Music Garden is excited to release the next single from their upcoming kids EP.
“Dance With My Friends” is a fun and vibrant song to get all little people (and big people) moving and grooving.
The video is a magical look into a fun day with family and friends and encourages the use of imagination and movement when you are feeling low.
'Our whanau at Torbay Kindergarten were nice enough to let us film there so it has a very kiwi vibe as well as an undeniably catchy hook.'
Spotify pre save link: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/happymusicgarden/dance-with-my-friends
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happymusicgarden/
Tali Releases 8th Studio Album - Future Dwellers
'Future Dwellers' is the 8th studio album from New Zealand's official 'Queen of Drum n Bass', featuring some of Aotearoa's hottest up and coming vocalists including: Luca George, Jaz Patterson, Pharaoh Swami and Elipsa, plus rapper INF (from Hip Hop group SWIDT) and the UK's Ruth Royall.
Tali remains the only Female MC in New Zealand Drum & Bass who, (for the last 18 years), has successfully sustained an international career through regular releases and touring. Internationally, Tali is the first woman vocalist in Drum & Bass to self produce her own album
'Future Dwellers' is the 8th studio album from New Zealand's official 'Queen of Drum n Bass', featuring some of Aotearoa's hottest up and coming vocalists including: Luca George, Jaz Patterson, Pharaoh Swami and Elipsa, plus rapper INF (from Hip Hop group SWIDT) and the UK's Ruth Royall.
Showcasing her production skills, this album features several instrumental Drum n Bass tracks, as well as some slower tempo numbers, with Tali choosing to feature her own vocals sparingly throughout.
"In creating this album I wanted several things. Firstly to showcase my abilities not so much as a vocalist as people would normally expect, but as a producer and composer.
I also wanted to feature the talents of the amazing vocalists who I collaborated with, and lastly to create an album of tracks that are lush, emotive and cinematic, where the lyrics aren't necessarily the thing always telling the story'
Mixed down by one of Aotearoa's finest engineers Tiki Taane, mastered by Benny Tones, and set for release on her own independent imprint 'Reign Recordings' this album is just another example of Tali's desire and ability to constantly grow and evolve as an artist.
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 - - FUTURE DWELLERS - ON TOUR
30 July - Yonder, Queenstown with Aroha
5 August - GLXY - with Chiccoreli - Neck Of The Woods
13 August - Whitehouse Festival Methven with Aroha
10-16 Sept - Sun and Bass Festival - Sardinia
17-18 Sept - Hospitality In the Woods - London
Albums:
'Lyric On My Lip' - Full Cycle Records 2004
'Dark Days, High Nights' - Audioporn Records 2010
'Dark Days, High Nights The Acoustic album with More Like Trees' - 2010
'Of Things To Come' - TALIMUSIC 2012
'Wolves' - Warner Music 2014
'KETA' - Warner Music - 2017
'Love & Migration' - Fokuz Records - 2018 - Winner NZMA ‘Best Electronic Artist’ 2019
“Future Dwellers” - Reign Recordings - July 29th 2023
FOLLOW TALI
Spotify / Apple Music/ YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp
DAN SHARP new single AVIATION
Bay of Plenty songwriter, Dan Sharp, is proud to release his latest single, ‘Aviation’, delivering another dose of authenticity, poeticism, and a first glimpse at the energy and direction of his future sound, now backed by a worldclass band.
Bay of Plenty songwriter, Dan Sharp, is proud to release his latest single, ‘Aviation’, delivering another dose of authenticity, poeticism, and a first glimpse at the energy and direction of his future sound, now backed by a worldclass band.
A track born from acknowledging distance between two people, both physical and emotional, and an inability to discern which was the greater cause for a fading love.
Weighty and brooding the track provided scope for large drums, gritty riffs, and for Dan to push his voice into spaces we haven’t yet heard from him.
Begun on a cold London night, Aviation was brought back to New Zealand and finished with long-term collaborators, Geoff Ong and Joseph Thompson. Tracked primarily at Dan’s studio, with co-production input from Geoff Ong also.
The song is the first off an upcoming debut album which brings together the collaborative talents of Stan Bicknell on drums (Kimbra, 48 May, Sola Rosa) Brad Craig on bass (Mini Simmons, Flamingo Pier), Johnny Mclean on Sax (Tahuna Breaks) and Will Henderson on keys (Thomston, Janine).
Back-to-back summers of shows and releases have now seen Dan
Achieve 1 million Spotify streams
Play mainstage R&V, Soundsplash, That Weekend
18 date NZ tour, inc multiple sell-out shows (May 2021)
Sell-out first London headline (Nov ‘21)
Excitement surrounds VÏKAE’s new bop ballad ‘Lonely Doll’
‘Lonely Doll’ is another surging, soaring, coming-of-age heartbreak bop ballad from talented Ukrainian-Aotearoa alt-pop artist VÏKAE.
‘Lonely Doll’ is another surging, soaring, coming-of-age heartbreak bop ballad from talented Ukrainian-Aotearoa alt-pop artist VÏKAE.
With each release from her LOVE GAMES Mixtape, coming out 26 August, VÏKAE bravely shares a well-produced vignette from her coming-of-age story - first ‘Love Games’, then ‘Final Breakdown’, and now ‘Lonely Doll’ is no exception.
“I’m a sucker for cathartic writing, but I think a huge part of the record is the idea of ‘coming of age’, making peace with the demons that still haunt my dreams. I am nothing but real in my writing,” says VÏKAE.
Inspiration for ‘Lonely Doll’ came when revisiting a diary entry, while in the studio with long-time collaborator Abigail Knudson. VÏKAE says the ‘gloomy’ entry was made during her last year living in Dunedin.
“I don’t know what compelled me to take that particular diary to the studio that day,” ,” says VÏKAE, “maybe it was my subconscious telling me to finally start writing through the pain that I had so actively avoided for 3 years since moving to Auckland.
It was after reading this entry - ‘how can you say you love me, when you leave me like a doll you no longer find shiny; then when someone new sees my value and joy you don’t want anyone else to have me’ - that I looked at Abby and knew what the subject matter was going to be for that day in the studio.”
With this latest offering, it’s easy to hear tinges of Taylor Swift coming through from the self-confessed “Swiftie” - but only as far as subject matter and high-quality production goes - VÏKAE is an artist who definitely has her own sound, and lots of exciting releases and shows coming up - so be sure to follow!