PASSENGER RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND FOR AUSTRALASIAN TOUR
Hot off his summer European tour, Passenger returns to New Zealand for two shows in Auckland and Wellington this October, with supporting act Hollow Coves.
Passenger, aka Mike Rosenberg, is a multi-award winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter from Brighton, England. Although still known for his busking, he made the journey from street corners to stadiums with ‘Let Her Go’, which reached number 1 in 19 countries and has now notched more than 2 Billion plays on YouTube. Yet ‘Let Her Go’ is just one song from a catalogue that extends across 14 albums in 15 years.
Hot off his summer European tour, Passenger returns to New Zealand for two shows in Auckland and Wellington this October, with supporting act Hollow Coves. Fans will be treated to a plethora of new music since the artist last visited our country, with albums such as ‘Birds That Flew and Ships That Sailed’ and ‘Songs for the Drunk and Broken Hearted’ having been released in the last two years.
The artist's affinity with New Zealand is a love affair that continues, and started with his 2016 album ‘Young As The Morning, Old As The Sea’ being recorded at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios in Auckland. More recently his track ‘Queenstown’, from his 2020 album ‘Patchwork,’ was inspired by the country's landscape and perfectly encapsulates a soft summer night on the harbour.
Tickets on sale now, from passengermusic.com.
Tour Dates
Auckland - The Powerstation - Friday 21 October
Wellington - The Hunter Lounge - Saturday 22 October
Follow Passenger
Goodnight My Darling announces album + tour + releases dreamy new single ‘The Trees Have Eyes’
Goodnight My Darling (Maxine Macaulay) has today released her new single ‘The Trees Have Eyes’ and announced her debut album comes out on 23 November!
Goodnight My Darling (Maxine Macaulay) has today released her new single ‘The Trees Have Eyes’ and announced her debut album comes out on 23 November!
Listen to ‘The Trees Have Eyes’ HERE
‘The Trees Have Eyes’ is another strong song from this talented Te-Whanganui-a-Tara-based artist. Her distinct vocals float through its dreamy instrumentation and are likely to give you chills and make your hair stand on end. It is a song that could very easily be listened to on a summer's day, on repeat.
The song is about setting boundaries. It references letting go of a past relationship and moving on. “It’s about being held accountable for your actions, even if only by yourself,” says Goodnight My Darling. “It was the last song we recorded for the album and the most difficult. I think as it was coming from a really personal experience, I struggled to get the clarity in voice that I was seeking. But because we grappled with it more than the other tracks, it has ended up being one of my favourites. Funny how that works.”
The music video for ‘The Trees Have Eyes’ was created by Annabelle Gwilliam and William Hadwen. It is based on William’s time-based photographic works, which have been described as seemingly cold, soulless, everyday environments that develop a character all of their own. It features two contemporary dancers - one of which is the artist's sister. “The song was a favourite of theirs from the album, so they were happy to contribute their talent for the video.”
With the exception of the drums being recorded at The Surgery in Wellington, ‘The Trees Have Eyes’ was recorded & mixed by Toby Lloyd at Tiny Triumph Recordings, then mastered by Robin Schmidt @ 24-96 Mastering in Berlin. Goodnight My Darling’s band includes Ingrid Saker (Lead Guitar), Kim Andrews (drums), Connor Taumoepeau (synths) & Mitch Kirk (bass). With release of her stunning debut album and tour coming up, make sure you’re following Goodnight My Darling!
Goodnight My Darling Album Tour
November 10th - Whammy Bar, Auckland
November 24th - Porridge Watson, Whanganui
November 25th - The Last Place, Hamilton
November 26th - Firebird Cafe, Levin
December 2nd - Moon Bar, Wellington
December 3rd - Raumati Social Club, Kapiti
Mo Etc. releases breathtaking new single + video ‘Underwater’
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara-based artist/producer Mo Etc. has today released her stunning alt-soul single + video ‘Underwater’.
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara-based artist/producer Mo Etc. has today released her stunning alt-soul single + video ‘Underwater’.
Listen to ‘Underwater’ HERE
Watch the video HERE
‘Underwater’ is a collaboration with A Girl Named Mo (Mo’s former band and handle) producer Slade Butler and is a beautifully-crafted song that fills one’s wairua, as it speaks about overcoming feelings of uncertainty and loneliness. “Ultimately, it’s about resilience,” says Mo Etc. “That there are always higher forces at play, willing you to win and to overcome. It’s also a reminder to look around and really see others - because when you do, you realize that people you love and admire are often wading the same waters.”
Accompanying the release is the breathtaking video for ‘Underwater’ - which was impressively written/directed/produced/edited and graded by Mo Etc. - along with her production company Ohokomo and in association with Kororātahi Creative. It also features the familiar face of Coming Home in the Dark actor Matthias Luafutu. “I was really nervous about asking him,” says Mo Etc. “When he replied ‘I’m in’ I happy danced all around my house. I KNEW he would be perfect and he really was. A consummate pro, absolute sweetheart and absolutely deadly on screen.”
Filmed in the majestic Te Waipoumanu, it tells the story of a well-to-do Arts Academic arriving in her hometown, dejected and disconnected, until she connects with a friend of a friend (played by Matthias) who ignites a light within the academic and reconnects her to land, to sky, to sea. “The video was shot where I whakapapa to - Te Waipounamu, Ngāti Wheke, Ngai Tahu. It’s a beautiful magical place where I know I’m home. To go there and to embody a lost soul on a mission to reconnect was pretty ‘in line’ however, in truth, I don’t ever feel lost because I always know where home is.”
‘Underwater’ follows on from Mo Etc.’s self-produced album OCEANBED - a sonic journey through love, loss and self-discovery. Described as Alternative-Soul, Mo's sound is rooted in Neo-soul and flowers indie-alternative sensibilities allowing it to reach epic proportions while maintaining a quality of intimacy as Mo indulges in her gift for shaping narrative as a multidisciplinary storyteller.
LISA GRACE 'STAY'
Aiming for honesty at the fore this song depicts Lisa’s own inertia, a bittersweet blend of delicate moments and energetic soundscapes, vocally driven with the desire to engage the listener in the complexities of failure, culminating in a powerful ending, as a reminder to push forward honouring every victory along the way.
Emerging Pop/Soul Artist Lisa Grace is excited to announce the release of her debut single ‘Stay’ out on the 14th of October. Aiming for honesty at the fore this song depicts Lisa’s own inertia, a bittersweet blend of delicate moments and energetic soundscapes, vocally driven with the desire to engage the listener in the complexities of failure, culminating in a powerful ending, as a reminder to push forward honouring every victory along the way.
Lisa Grace writes anthems for the wounded heart - whether it be at the hands of unrequited love, a long term relationship or even the human condition. It’s clear that her writing draws on genuine emotion, and her tongue-in-cheek attitude towards heartbreak makes for some serious sad-girl-bangers.
A compelling lyricist, Lisa manages to weave stories through her work in a way that is both intriguing and relatable, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart. Moved by the power of old soul singers, the crisp directness of pop and the adventurous production of hip hop, Lisa has never been afraid to draw from different genres to create music that is dynamic and true to her message.
Lisa grew up on a farm just out of Morrinsville and has been surrounded by music most of her life, growing up on 70’s rock and roll, country music of the 90’s and the powerhouse females of the 2000’s. After beginning guitar lessons as a kid Lisa would spend hours playing and singing, and performed her first completed original in her year 10 talent show.
Her debut single ‘Stay’ produced by Abigail Knudson is delicate and emotive but strong, with her trademark power vocals and energetic soundscapes breathing life into the track. She writes of the conflict between progression and disappointment, and the difficulty of honouring your accomplishments when all you can see is your failures. It serves as an introspective look at the inability to change when stuck in a paralysing cycle of fear.
Lisa is currently working on her catalogue of music that she is excited to share in the near future, and is ready to give Stay to listeners after having it with her since the first lockdown of 2020.
Sam Heselwood continues his glistening run of form with the awe-inspiring EP, ‘Bloodline’.
Ōtautahi-based singer/songwriter Sam Heselwood announces himself to the world with the enthralling new EP, ‘Bloodline’.
Ōtautahi-based singer/songwriter Sam Heselwood announces himself to the world with the enthralling new EP, ‘Bloodline’.
Across six tracks, Heselwood takes us on an intimate journey through his life. Heselwood explores topics surrounding family, love, and mental health as he details highs, lows and everything in between. On ‘Bloodline’, Heselwood isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve as the singer boldly unpacks stories of growing up.
Listen to Bloodline here Privately stream ‘Bloodline’ here.
‘Bloodline’ features stripped-back and minimalist production by Will McGillivray and Josh Logan, allowing the platform for Heselwood’s soothing vocal delivery. Throughout the project, Heselwood showcases a refreshingly authentic sense of vulnerability. ‘Bloodline’ is an ode to family. Throughout the project, Heselwood explores the often turbulent nature of family relationships and the unconditional love it brings. Each song on ‘Bloodline’ relates to a family member. Such as on ‘Four’, where Heselwood explores growing up through his parent's divorce, or ‘Don’t Speak’, which explores Heselwood’s relationship with his dad after the passing of his Grandad. ‘Closer Now’ is a song about realising the bond you have with your sister as you grow up.
‘Bloodline’ reflects a journey of growth and learning for Sam Heselwood. Originally planning to follow his dreams of becoming a professional Rugby player, Heselwood suffered a debilitating neck injury, meaning he will never be able to play the sport he loves again. Rather than letting this setback get him down, the rising singer turned his focus toward music, with the help of SOLE Music Academy. This move has led to a blossoming career. ‘Bloodline’ is a testament to this journey and sees Heselwood put his best foot forward as he embarks towards stardom.
Building on his fantastic run of form, ‘Bloodline’ includes Heselwood’s breakout singles ‘18’, ‘Outside Kinda Kids’ and ‘Don’t Speak’. ‘Bloodline’ is a statement of intent for Sam Heselwood as he looks to take on the world.
Sam Heselwood has been busy leading up to the release of ‘Bloodline’. The emerging artist's previous singles charted at No.4 on NZ hot single charts, received airtime on ‘ZM’s Local’s Only’ show and major playlist additions on Spotify, including landing on the cover of ‘Fresh Finds Pop’ and an interview on Stuff. Heselwood remains humble about this recognition, as he explains “it’s pretty awesome because you put so much personal stuff into those songs. Eventually, they get put out into the public and it’s up to them to decide if they’re any good or not. Seeing that reception and getting the reviews has been awesome.”
‘Bloodline’ is a testament to Heselwood’s openness, as he seeks to use his experiences to encourage people to speak about mental health. Speaking on this idea he explains, “guys in general, we don’t really get the stuff on our mind out there all the time. It’s a cool way for people to relate. At the end of the day, by being vulnerable, people don’t have to listen to your music, if they don’t like it they can move on to the next thing. I’m trying to write for people who can relate, and I think a lot of people can.”
‘Bloodline’ is a story of perseverance for Sam Heselwood. Unpacking family trauma and overcoming setbacks, Heselwood reminds us to treasure the little things in life and to speak our minds.
‘Bloodline’ is just the start of things to come for Sam Heselwood. Sam Heselwood will be celebrating the release of 'Bloodline' on Saturday, October 15 at Space Academy.
Tickets to show here
‘Bloodline’ will be released on all streaming platforms on 7th October 2022
Alba Rose returns with her new authentic and electrifying indie-electronica single ‘Mountains’
Coming home from climbing Spanish mountains with her family and frolicking across British meadows, Alba Rose is back with her new raw, indie-pop dance track ‘Mountains’, a snap shot of vulnerability with its intimacies sung in a free-spirited blend of care, passion, openness and charm.
Coming home from climbing Spanish mountains with her family and frolicking across British meadows, Alba Rose is back with her new raw, indie-pop dance track ‘Mountains’, a snap shot of vulnerability with its intimacies sung in a free-spirited blend of care, passion, openness and charm. A track with singer-songwriter, soul and electronica textures and grooving, dynamic percussion, we find the artist at her most raw and honest, yet equally inspired and electrified, creating a piece rich in depth and emotion.
Following on from a trip connecting with her Spanish heritage and exploring the European lands, Alba Rose is home and ready to share a personal story. With lyrics embracing the bittersweetness of diving into love you know is soon to end, expressing that you have to risk heartbreak to experience deep connection.
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Maggie Rogers, Lianne La Havas, Alice Phoebe Lou, Maribu State and Julia Jacklin, Alba’s previous success includes A-rotation and music chart placements on SNR NZ, features on national and international press (Sniffers, Backseat Mafia, Undertheradar + more) and live performance features at leading festivals such as Rhythm & Vines (2019,2020), Bay Dreams (2021), Le Currants (2022) and Tora Bombora Festival (2022).
Supporting the release of the new single, Alba Rose will be headlining release shows across the country, performing live with her band in Nelson (1st October), Wellington (13th October) and Christchurch (14th October). Limited tickets available from Undertheradar.
Alba Rose is also playing gigs in Christchurch and Wellington
SanFran: https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/80720/Alba-Rose-Mountains-Release-Show.utr
Wunderbar (Chch): https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/80721/Alba-Rose-Mountains-Release-Show.utr
Estère drops "BPM" mesmerising beat-laden track off new EP Mākara Peak
Estère's new single BPM is an aural masterclass in found sound production, the first release off Estère's new Mākara Peak EP. BPM's foray into rhythm and texture incorporates lyrics that are playful yet poignant, capturing the wanderlüst and sentiments of a musician/producer/performer stuck inside during various lockdown stages in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Estère's new single "BPM" is a vibe.
Estère's new single BPM is an aural masterclass in found sound production, the first release off Estère's new Mākara Peak EP. BPM's foray into rhythm and texture incorporates lyrics that are playful yet poignant, capturing the wanderlüst and sentiments of a musician/producer/performer stuck inside during various lockdown stages in Aotearoa New Zealand.
BPM transports the listener to a distant land. Close your eyes and you're in a Mediterranean port on a steamy summer's night, in a dimly-lit venue swirling in shisha smoke and the urgency and abandon of an ephemeral moment.
Estère says, “BPM is all about liberation and freedom of movement. In the clubs where people are sweating, dancing and feeling free with each other; that’s what I was channeling when I wrote it.”
BPM was born of a sampling exercise in which Estère recorded the sounds of assembling and smoking a hookah pipe (watch here). Laced with ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) and mukbang (performance eating) samples, BPM is an alluring and sexy song celebrating the feeling of liberation through dance and movement of the body.
Trailblazing director and DJ Shaquille Wasasala, also known as Halfqueen, brings the song to life with an accompanying music video shot entirely on film by DOP Ezra Simmons in the iconic Civic Theater in Auckland, New Zealand. The film quantity was finite, meaning every section of the video could only have one take. The lighting, timing, dance moves and camera work needed to be perfect with each shot, requiring many rehearsals, light metering, etc. “The stakes were high; it just made it more exhilarating,” says Estère. The result is a gorgeous and richly textured dance takeover of the Civic, perfectly channeling the energy and mood of the track into a visual feast.
Estère says "It was awesome working with Shaq, and her crew were really good at fostering an inspiring and fun environment. Timēna Apa, the editor, and Shaq did an incredible job of piecing together those 20 minutes."
Mākara Peak
Named after the statuesque hilltop outside of Estère’s studio window, Mākara Peak is a self-produced EP that combines beat-pop, RnB and ASMR, creating an upbeat hypnotic dancefloor tracklist. Citing Burna Boy, Lido Pimienta, Lous and the Yakuza and Doja Cat as some of the main inspirations for the EP - Mākara Peak explores Estère’s love of dance rhythm, and her sonic identity rooted in her Cameroonian/ Kiwi ancestry.
Produced at home during lockdown in a humble study-cum-studio she fondly dubs ‘Le Petit’, Estère says “I just wanted to make something unapologetic and honest, that represents where I’m currently at as a human and artist - I never want to feel pressure to stick to who I once was or what I’ve done before.”
Mākara Peak is slated for release on Friday 18 November through all good streaming platforms. Hang tight!
Volts – When You Go
Ōtautahi rock outfit Volts release a scorching new single! As a follow up to the band’s highly successful Wolves EP, Volts are set to drop a brand new song titled When You Go.
Ōtautahi rock outfit Volts release a scorching new single!
As a follow up to the band’s highly successful Wolves EP, Volts are set to drop a brand new song titled When You Go.
The track was recently awarded New Music Single funding by NZ On Air.
When You Go was written around losing someone or something you love and feeling like life is spiralling out of control. The track showcases the bands heavier side, merging melody, urgency and energy, delivering another signature, riff driven rock song.
When You Go will be officially released on all streaming platforms through DRM on Friday 7th October, with a video to follow soon after. The song has already gained radio attention, playing loud across the airwaves on The Rock and Radio Hauraki this month.
Volts have had an action packed few months, with shows in the north island including a support for rock internationals You Am I and a run of festival appearances in the south.
https://on.soundcloud.com/Yc8Gh