“Happy Music Garden” release debut EP “HMG Kids Volume 1”
After the release of their first 2 singles “Monsters” & “Dance with My Friends”, Happy Music Garden presents their debut EP “Volume 1” out on Friday 26th August 2022. With help from NZ on Air, HMG has put together a collection of kids songs that range from pop dance bops, to fun learning based tracks.
After the release of their first 2 singles “Monsters” & “Dance with My Friends”, Happy Music Garden presents their debut EP “Volume 1” out on Friday 26th August 2022. With help from NZ on Air, HMG has put together a collection of kids songs that range from pop dance bops, to fun learning based tracks.
“The Alphabet Song” (which features some impressive vocals from a pre-schooler) goes through the alphabet with some updated and relevant children’s references. There is a cover of Samoan Bi-lingual song “Savalivali” which HMG has put their own spin on, which tries to encourage the both languages in everyday use.
And finishing off the EP is “Love x2” which gives a slight Sesame Street vibe and reinforces the idea of gratituity.
The focus of this EP has been to give NZ kids some fun and educational music that their parents and caregivers won’t mind listening to either.
SHEPHERDS REIGN RE-AWAKENING TOUR
A wild beast should never be caged, unless you wish to experience the full might of its fury when it is unleashed. With only two NZ shows to their name during 2021, Shepherds Reign is becoming restless and the time has come for them to step into the ring once again. The time has come for their ‘Re-Awakening’.
A wild beast should never be caged, unless you wish to experience the full might of its fury when it is unleashed. With only two NZ shows to their name during 2021, Shepherds Reign is becoming restless and the time has come for them to step into the ring once again. The time has come for their ‘Re-Awakening’.
With plans set in motion to dominate the world, Shepherds Reign are taking a step back to warm up their old backyard of Aotearoa. But do not believe for a second they are going to take it easy, they will deliver blow after blow to every show with intent and with the full weight of their ancestors behind them. They will demonstrate monstrosities from the likes of Lamb of God and Gojira, while channeling the gracefulness of Dream Theater.
Their highly-anticipated tour begins on August 26th in Tauranga, and concludes on September 16th in Napier, with Auckland, and Christchurch dates in between. Tag teaming with them will be an assortment of bands from all around Aotearoa, including Strangely Arousing, Leave the Dead and Crooked Royals.
ALBI & THE WOLVES AUSTRALIAN TOUR
The award winning NZ trio Albi & The Wolves are an acoustic genre blending act that sweeps from rollocking folk rock and Americana, to heart breaking cinematic folk ballads. Whether it’s connection through dance, laughter, or singing, audiences feel radiant after shows and keep coming back for more, and now they're coming to Australia!
The award winning NZ trio Albi & The Wolves are an acoustic genre blending act that sweeps from rollocking folk rock and Americana, to heart breaking cinematic folk ballads. Since 2014 Chris Dent, the proud albino front man Albi, Pascal Roggen and Micheal Young have crafted a stage show that’s brimming with energy and moments to pause for reflection.
Using only the acoustic guitar, electric violin, double bass, a stomp, and their own three voices, this act creates a huge sound together and they’ve constructed an engaging show of their own material. Whether it’s connection through dance, laughter, or singing, audiences feel radiant after shows and keep coming back for more, and now they're coming to Australia!
“‘Folk’ here in all its grittiness is a euphoric communion of energetic sound, and, perched as I am on the periphery looking on, it’s both moving to witness the passionate, vocal unity of a large, diverse, foot-stomping group of people, and vaguely disquieting. There’s something edgy, precipitous about an amped-up crowd. But when the final negotiated encore ends (“Ok, we’ll give you one more song”; “Can’t you give us two?”), the surging tide of people ebbs away peaceably into the night, still singing, grinning.” - Bridget Freeman (The Hook).
Slick harmonies, soaring violin, and sweeping dynamics help characterise the bands unique sound, a sound that won them the Best Folk Artist Award at the 2018 Aoteroa Music Awards. They are an excellent act to see live so if an opportunity arises, do not miss it. Grab a ticket to your local show this October!
ALBI AND THE WOLVES 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES:
Friday, September 30 | Humph Hall | Sydney**
Saturday, October 1 | Dashville Skyline Festival | Belford
Wednesday, October 5 | Sewing Room | Perth***
Friday - Sunday, October 7 - 9 | Nanga Music Festival | Dwellingup
Thursday, October 13 | House Concert | Perth (opening act: Jones Of ARK)***
Friday, October 14 | It's Still A Secret | Brisbane (with The Long Johns)***
Saturday, October 15 | Dusty Day Out | South Burnett Region
Sunday, October 16 | Sublime Farm | Kia Ora*
Wednesday, October 19 | Dust Temple | Currumbin Waters***
Thursday, October 20 | Eudlo Hall | Eudlo
Friday - Sunday, October 21 - 23 | Tablelands Folk Festival | Yungaburra
Thursday, October 27 | Shot Kickers | Melbourne (opening act: Kerryn Fields)*
Friday - Tuesday, October 28 - November 1 | Maldon Folk Festival | Maldon
* FREE SHOW
** ENTRY VIA DONATION
*** CLICK FOR TICKETS
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON VIA FACEBOOK EVENTS & MOSHTIX
NEIL MACLEOD 'DOWNWARDS'
Wellington based indie-electronic artist Neil MacLeod will release ‘Downwards’, the stunning lead single from his forthcoming EP ‘We Have Known Lost Days’.
On August 24th, Wellington based indie-electronic artist Neil MacLeod will release ‘Downwards’, the stunning lead single from his forthcoming EP ‘We Have Known Lost Days’.
‘Downwards’ is the third track released from the 7 track EP, joining ‘Openly’ (September 2020) and ‘Viscera’ (October 2020) boldly setting the tone for the body of work that is to follow.
“For me, this song represents facing your trials head-on. Downwards is the first track on the EP and it begins with 'I am no mountain, I am no sky... scale me with kind eyes' this is directed both at the listener and myself... acknowledging my shortcomings and the important role that kindness will play on the journeys we're heading on”
Neil MacLeod’s fresh and emotive sound brings soul and electronic genres together in ways designed to challenge audiences and disrupt preconceptions around what electronic music is. ‘We Have Known Lost Days’ has seen him push these boundaries even further.
‘Downwards’ will be released August 24th, via indie label Particle Recordings.
Particle Recordings, is our new imprint from Bigpop Records.
Tamaki based Songstress Ema I’u releases debut single Midnight Mistress
An uplifting R&B soul anthem all about empowering Wahine Toa, breaking cycles, and letting go of toxic relationships or environments.
An uplifting R&B soul anthem all about empowering Wahine Toa, breaking cycles, and letting go of toxic relationships or environments.
“I’m sure many people have found themselves in a situation where they are being hurt, disrespected, kept in the dark or repeating the same old mistakes…I hope this song helps encourage someone to recognise they deserve better. It’s about knowing your worth, listening to trusted whanau and your own intuition; ultimately reclaiming your mana and learning as you go. So lessgo, dance it out!”
Ema I’u aka Ema Barton is a full-time musician, actor and creative (of Samoan/ Pākehā heritage); known as ‘The Queen of Open Mic’ having run multiple events over the last 8 years and performing regularly with her bands Lucky May and Coco-Rocky. She is working on multiple tracks with Producer Nathan Judd (Producer of the Year, Pacific Music Awards 2021) with a NZ on Air New Music Development Grant and a New Music Pasifika Grant for her next single. Midnight Mistress is the first single from this collaboration, with an album in the pipeline for release next year. Barton also ran a successful boosted.nz campaign to help make a music video and content exploring the themes of Midnight Mistress which will be coming out later this Spring.
Midnight Mistress audio track is out on Friday 26th August.
Follow Ema on https://www.facebook.com/EmaBartonMusic/ or https://www.instagram.com/emabartonmusic/ or www.emaiu.com for more updates.
Ezra Phoenix 'High School'
Ezra Phoenix is excited to announce the release of his new single High School on 24th August 2022. The new single will mark Ezra's 30th year around the sun, welcoming the start of a new journey! High School is Ezra’s love letter to young people who are feeling undervalued and mistreated by their peers. It is a message of inspiration to live life as authentically and as honestly as possible.
Ezra Phoenix is excited to announce the release of his new single High School on 24th August 2022. The new single will mark Ezra's 30th year around the sun, welcoming the start of a new journey! High School is Ezra’s love letter to young people who are feeling undervalued and mistreated by their peers. It is a message of inspiration to live life as authentically and as honestly as possible.
Produced by Tiny Triumph Recording’s Toby Lloyd, High School is Ezra Phoenix’s second single of 2022 following Storm which was released late February. The new single expands Ezra’s sound into the alternative/indie pop realm, featuring a more stripped back lead vocal line with a touch of classic Ezra Phoenix vocal harmonies.
High School explores the impacts of social pressure that we experience in our adolescence. Young people glorify the top of the social hierarchy, ostracising anyone who is associated with the lower end. With High School, Ezra reveals his own experiences and how they have shaped his perspective on relationships with other people.
“I asked myself, what was the point of it all? Why was it so important to be associated with popularity? I have done some amazing things in my life but I still have tough moments, and so do the popular kids. We all just want to be happy.” - Ezra Phoenix
Ezra Phoenix’s High School will be one of two more singles released this year.
Danica Bryant’s new EP EGO DEATH is a catchy six-track triumph
Rising alt-pop-rock star Danica Bryant has today released her highly-anticipated sophomore EP, EGO DEATH.
Rising alt-pop-rock star Danica Bryant has today released her highly-anticipated sophomore EP, EGO DEATH.
It includes the new single ‘Hang On Over’, which is all about living your life consumed by what everyone else thinks of you, then letting go. “It’s angry at the world but mostly angry at myself,” says Danica. “It’s the ultimate, cathartic, final ego death.”
LISTEN TO ‘Hang On Over’ HERE
From catchy-pop tunes like ‘Tunnel of Love’ and ‘Hang On Over’ to the gritty-pop of ‘Crush’, EGO DEATH is a well crafted body of work, which showcases Danica’s knack for seamlessly traversing genres and turning out hook-heavy ear worms. It also contains the unreleased tracks ‘Pipe Dream’, ‘Counting Clover’ and ‘White Knuckles’.
The six-track EP, which was made with producer Jonny Avery under the NZ on Air New Music Development Fund, also demonstrates Danica’s songwriting skill and delves into relatable issues such as identity, self-worth and relationships.
Excitement is also brewing for the upcoming EGO DEATH nationwide tour, which is Danica’s first New Zealand tour. “I’m unbelievably excited to visit so many cities I've never played before! I'm stoked to be bringing my band for all these live shows. They're going to be shows filled with emotion, drama and all the passion I have for my music. I might just be a girl with a guitar, but we absolutely know how to get a little rowdy!”
“She is touring from the end of August through September, and if you want pop with sweet vocals which have a real edge and are lyrically deep then that should not be missed.” - muzic.net.nz
“Having already shared the stage with the likes of Elton John (Bryant supported the icon on his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour) and mentored by none other than Bic Runga, Bryant's star is rising fast — don't miss her at the dates below…” - Under The Radar
Danica Bryant - The Ego Death Tour
Wednesday 31st August - Wellington - Valhalla
Friday 2nd September - Palmerston North - The Stomach
Saturday 3rd September - Napier - Urban Winery
Wednesday 7th September - Auckland - The Wine Cellar
Friday 9th September - Hamilton - Nivara Lounge
Thursday 22nd September - Christchurch - Darkroom
Sabreen Islam presents her newest single ‘you will never see this’
After concluding her trilogy of pop with the summer banger ‘count me out’ in March, Sabreen Islam is back with her latest musical offering, ‘you will never see this’
After concluding her trilogy of pop with the summer banger ‘count me out’ in March, Sabreen Islam is back with her latest musical offering, ‘you will never see this’, releasing Friday 19 August.
Sabreen Islam is a singer-songwriter from Auckland, New Zealand, weaving her signature style with inspirations from the likes of Maisie Peters, Conan Gray and Phoebe Bridgers. Her first pop single ‘Glow’ was selected as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition 2020, of which semi-finalists comprised just 9% of over 26,000 entries. She also played Auckland’s famous Others Way Festival and has performed and worked alongside the likes of Jamie McDell. Following a trilogy of stellar indie-folk releases, ‘Glow’, ‘like a movie’ and ‘count me out’ received numerous positive reviews, with ‘like a movie’ being selected by MTV Australia through MTV Upload, and ‘count me out’ receiving regular radio play throughout New Zealand.
Produced by Sabreen and Sophie Bialostocki and written by Sabreen herself, ‘you will never see this’ offers a glimpse into the heart-wrenching curiosity one feels when thinking of someone they used to know. With electric guitars, powerful drums and visceral lyrics, Sabreen offers an unapologetic story of hurt and healing accompanied by a new sonic era in her discography, showcasing her versatility as an exciting upcoming musician.
‘you will never see this’ will be released on all music and streaming platforms on Friday 19 August.