INTRODUCING THE ŌTAUTAHI MUSIC ACCESS PROGRAMME (ŌMAP) RDU 98.5FM NFT COLLECTION 2022 - 2023

SALTBOX Studios alongside RDU 98.5FM and Tyanhaus, with the support of the Christchurch City Council, is subsidising access for Ōtautahi musicians to create and promote new work. The programme subsidizes and allows access for 20 artists or bands to produce unreleased pieces of music.

With the programme in full swing, we are excited to announce the release of our ŌMAP NFT Collection on the Non-fungible token marketplace, OpenSea, starting with music from our June and July recipients. Continuing with 2 new artists' work being minted and added to the collection each month until May 2023.

A relatively new concept in the Web3 space, these music NFTs will be able to provide extra support for artists, where their tracks will be able to be sold and allow for artist funding directly from fans or collectors. As an alternative route to the current trend of digital streaming platforms, we are offering the artists some extra value in the music industry.

“The team at RDU are an adventurous and passionate bunch. We walk the earth viewing life through emergent lenses. So the notion of a secondary or third market for Musicians to realise value from their creative work, was worth exploring. Safe to say, blockchain and cryptocurrencies are here to stay. So RDU is not afraid to get our feet wet in order to support NZ musicians. Heard it here first.” - James Meharry, RDU Station Director

The Ōtautahi Music Access Programme RDU 98.5FM NFT Collection was created in partnership with Tyanhaus. An organisation created with the aim of showcasing and supporting Christchurch’s music and art scene both physically and digitally.

Head to https://opensea.io/ and search RDU985FM to find the collection OR CLICK HERE

PRINS 'HAZARDOUS'

PRINS has returned with a stunningly vulnerable new single ‘Hazardous’, the fourth track to be released off her highly-anticipated upcoming EP - LIFE IS BETTER NOW, out on September 30.

Listen to ‘Hazardous’ HERE

A dreamy piece of pop perfection, ‘Hazardous’ is honest to its core; layered in mellow synths and stacked with emotive vocals, it tells a story of the feeling of uncertainty, when falling completely for somebody you already know.

“It feels like a big emotional release to me,” explains PRINS. “It’s honest, cathartic, and really highlights my versatility as an artist and explores a softer, vulnerable side which hasn’t been shown before.”

With the production and mixing taking place in Quebec, Canada, and the mastering in Nashville, PRINS recorded the vocals at her home studio in Christchurch.

“It really gives a taste of what’s to come in my songwriting,” says PRINS. “I’m enjoying creating new intimate moments like this and am looking forward to the dynamics it will create in the live show.”

‘Hazardous’ is the fourth single to be released off the upcoming EP LIFE IS BETTER NOW, and follows career high benchmarks set by ‘Better Now’, ‘On The Low (shh!)’ and ‘That’s the thing x’. The latter, written with Marlon Gerbes (SIX60), secured #3 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart, #33 on the Hot Singles Chart, and helped her achieve her first rotate positions on all three of NZs biggest national radio stations. The singles garnered the attention of major labels all around the world, with PRINS officially signing to AntiFragile music in NYC.

With today’s release showcasing yet another side to the pop powerhouse that is PRINS, get ready to dive even deeper into the mind and sound of PRINS with the LIFE IS BETTER NOW EP, out in just two weeks

(September 30).

Listen to ‘Hazardous’ HERE

Bright new star Frau Knotz encourages empowerment with her single + video ‘Supernova’

Taranaki-based artist Frau Knotz (Lauren Nottingham) has today released her catchy intergalactic electropop single ‘Supernova’.

A song of empowerment and encouragement, ‘Supernova’ describes the journey we go on to reach that point of confidence in ourselves. “It encourages people to be fierce - overcome their insecurities to celebrate their strengths and share their gifts with the world,” says Frau Knotz. “I wrote ‘Supernova’ as though I was writing a letter to myself during a time in my life when I felt like I had lost everything.”

The time she’s referring to was June 2020, when Frau Knotz found herself living in Mexico City for eight months during the pandemic. “Mexico was one of the worst-hit countries during those early stages of the pandemic. I had initially moved there for 6 weeks to start rehearsals with a jazz quartet; we were about to embark on a cruise ship as the onboard entertainment. It would’ve been my dream job, but three days after I arrived, our contract was cancelled. I found myself in a new country with a new language, no friends, no job and no opportunity to go out and meet people. Thankfully I was living with a lovely Mexican family who taught me Spanish, showed me their way of life and cooked traditional Mexican food (they also had 27 cats – my Mexican mum was a bonafide crazy cat lady).”

‘Supernova’ was recorded and mixed by Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studios and mastered by Chris Chetland. “Originally, I’d written the bare bones of this tune with an 80s keyboard sound - but Sam worked his production magic to help me move it into the realm of electronica, just as I had envisioned!”

Accompanying the single is a video created by well-known New Plymouth-based photographer and videographer Ben D’Ath (Drax Project). “We wanted mirrors, sparkles and neon juxtaposed with darkness and urban grunge to give a Eurodance/club aesthetic,” says Frau Knotz. “I wanted the video to look like I could be anywhere in the world (but it was just little old New Plymouth)!”

Part of the artist’s moniker ‘Frau’ is a nod to her time living in Berlin and working in a traditional German Bakery, where she was addressed as ‘Frau Nottingham’ - and ‘Knotz’ is her family’s nickname. With more music and shows to come and such a distinguishing single, Frau Knotz’s is a journey you want to follow!

The ‘Voice of the Youth’, Otara’s Bad1, releases single ‘No Statements’

Hailing from the poverty stricken neighbourhood of Otara in South Auckland, Bad1 has steadily grown a highly engaged underground following as one of New Zealand’s most recognisable drill rap artists. Bad1 first established a name for himself as a member of the 20th Boys, with many of their tracks depicting the difficult conditions and lifestyle that they grew up in going viral within the youth communities of New Zealand. Frequent collaborations with friends such as Nola, Nelz, YM, Jaxx, alongside producers Sprout and NTGotBeats, have helped continue to grow Bad1’s catalogue of tracks and his notoriety.

Accompanied by a music video directed by Sophia Kwon, Sprout, and Liam Suttie, and produced by 24K Media, No Statements is a grimey drill song fueled with descriptive lyrics of the dangers that Bad1 navigates in his daily routine. Produced by Sprout and NTGotBeats, the beat features a piano lead melody with heavy 808 drums over synths and guitar pads.

In making another stride towards building his brand and solidifying his status as one of the leading voices of his generation with No Statements, the story of Bad1 continues to expand and gives listeners a vivid image of his surroundings.

“I just tell the story of my life, through my own lens. I don’t know how to sugar coat over the trap that a lot of people my age from my neighbourhood are stuck in. This is reality, I couldn’t switch up even if I tried” - Bad1, on his music.

Putting together the hard-hitting production with lyrics that bring to life the South Auckland life that the Set 4 Life (S4L) artists live through, No Statements is due to leave an impression one way or another, on any listener.

Turkey The Bird live in Wellington for the first time.

After a successful nationwide album release tour and a break of a few weeks Turkey The Bird are back on the road for their very first show at the Bluegrass Society in Wellington on Saturday 17th September and an intimate house concert in Foxton on Friday 16th September. 

Tickets for the Wellington show can be reserved by emailing bluegrass@xtra.co.nz or phone 04 4770069. Tickets for the Foxton House Concert can be reserved via email to rick.moonman@gmail.com

New Zealand's folk trio "Turkey The Bird" will remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail infused with a hint of "Simon & Garfunkel", 2 ounces of "Mumford and Sons", a splash of banjo and served on ice on a sunny day.
Catchy folk songs with stunning rich melodies and effortless smooth lyrics. Songs that tell uplifting stories about love and life.
Hailing from the New Zealand left coast town New Plymouth, this uplifting band will hit you with beautiful three part harmonies and toe tapping rhythms.
The bearded trio features Andre Manella from Switzerland on guitar, bass and percussion, Adrian Whelan from Ireland on guitar, mandolin, bass and spoons, and Sol Bear Coulton, the token kiwi, on Banjo and slide guitar.

"injects hoedown-showdown fun, fun, fun and the harmonies shine like diamonds." (Paul Cook, Joyzine UK)

“cruise along and let the harmonies wash over you like the warm waves of the Bahamas”
(Paul Cook, Joyzine UK)

"and this is plain brilliant." (Kev Rowland, Muzic.net.nz)

“I am not going to lie, this is my new favourite band of 2021. (Chris Chick, Muzic.net.nz)

“That’s Turkey The Bird, great band, just love them” (Jesse Mulligan RNZ)

Reuben Hudson Announces New Single There’s No One Like Me

Reuben Hudson is thrilled to announce the release of the latest single; There’s No One Like Me available everywhere on September 16th, 2022.

There’s No One Like Me is a statement of originality by the Melbourne based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter/producer Reuben Hudson. It is an alternative/indie rock song featuring David Harris (Jonathan Bree, Princess Chelsea) on drums, and was mixed by Peter Ruddell (Wax Chattels, Sulfate, Dick Move). The single will be on streaming platforms September 16th and will be accompanied by a music video.

Following the fast paced and playful single Gasman, which has been receiving airplay across New Zealand (charting at #3 on Ōtepoti’s Radio 1 91FM, as well as in Melbourne on Triple R), There’s No One Like Me is by contrast a much more vulnerable release that emerged from Reuben’s experience with chronic illness (Chronic Kidney Failure, Reuben received a transplant in 2020). By thematically focussing on the effect of this condition on his mental health, Reuben is able to translate this experience specific to him into something entirely universal.

“Nobody does know my pain

But every one suffers the same”   

There’s No One Like Me continues the rollout of Reuben’s upcoming EP, and is the result of the studio time spent with Peter Ruddell and David Harris in 2021. Mastered by James Goldsmith, the finished product is the most cohesive and powerful identity Reuben has presented listeners with yet, and his eclectic creativity shines in this professional setting. The full EP will be released in late Spring (Southern Hemisphere), 2022.

SEPTEMBER MEMBERS ONLY SESSION - PENNIE BLACK

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa are pleased to announce that their September Members Online Session is with Pennie Black, General Manager of Native Tongue Music Publishing New Zealand

Pennie will be covering the publishing copyright, how it is exploited (in a good way!), and the relationships between the songwriter, client and publisher. How and when a publisher can help your music career, and why synchronisation can be a 'golden egg'.

Pennie Black is General Manager – NZ for Native Tongue Music Publishing, an independent music publisher with offices in Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne. With a roster of very talented and well respected catalogue of local writers, Native Tongue also administers the works of overseas writers and catalogues for Australasia. Prior to this role, Pennie previously working for 95bFM, NZ’s largest student / independent radio station as Operations and Programme Director for over ten years. Passionate about local and alternative music, she continues to host a weekly show on 95bFM.

Pennie is also a founding member of Girls Rock! Aotearoa, and resident DJ of the 12XU Dark Eighties Collective.

Date: Tuesday 27th September

Time: 6.00pm–7.00pm

RSVP: For MMF members only to admin@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

NEIL MACLEOD 'WE HAVE KNOWN LOST DAYS'

Today, Wellington based indie-electronic artist Neil MacLeod releases his highly anticipated EP ‘We Have Known Lost Days’.

‘We Have Known Lost Days’, takes listeners on an emotive journey through the darker side of human experience.

MacLeod shares “writing and recording ‘We Have Known Lost Days’, I’ve tried to make a record that sonically and conceptually examines the darker aspects of our human nature, bringing genres together in challenging new ways.”

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.

The EP features 7 stunning tracks including previously released singles, ‘Downwards’ (August 2022) ‘Openly’ (September 2020) and ‘Viscera’ (October 2020).

2019 marked MacLeod’s emergence as a standout artist in the indie-electronica scene, with the release of his debut EP ‘To Unfold’. The subsequent years saw MacLeod dive deeper into exploring new territories, taking his introspective songs to new sonic space resulting in his second EP ‘We Have Known Lost Days.’

Through the duality of an electronic and acoustic sound that is fragile and bombastic MacLeod creates a sonic world that is bittersweet. Expertly manipulated vocals and the heavy use of distortion add to the dramatic and unique genre blurring sound.

The release of ‘We Have Known Lost Days’ further establishes MacLeod as an artist on the rise.

Devin Abrams co-produced ‘We Have Known Lost Days’ and his debut EP 'To Unfold'.  While MacLeod himself has also collaborated extensively lending his writing, producing and performing talents on works for international artists such as Ni/Co, established local artists like TOI and exciting new artists including Te Kahureremoa.  MacLeod sold out three consecutive headline shows in Wellington in 2019 and opened for multi-platinum group Drax Project in 2020.

MacLeod revels in moving audiences with his dark cinematic electronic music juxtaposed with intimate soul, he takes this to a whole new level with his new EP.

‘We Have Known Lost Days’ is out now via Particle Recordings, available to buy and stream.

Accompanying the release is a visual EP featuring enhanced live performances of each of the seven tracks. Today sees the release of 'Taller Than Trees', he shares "This is easily the most emotional song for me to perform live, it explores heavy emotions and features even heavier sonics that move me deeply".