Play It Strange announces annual prizegiving ceremony and digital album
The Play It Strange Trust will hold it’s annual awards event at Tuning Fork, Auckland on Wednesday 30 November. The celebration is a coming together to acknowledge and tautoko the achievements of these talented award winners throughout the year, from across Aotearoa.
The Play It Strange Trust will hold it’s annual awards event at Tuning Fork, Auckland on Wednesday 30 November. The celebration is a coming together to acknowledge and tautoko the achievements of these talented award winners throughout the year, from across Aotearoa.
Eleven awards will be presented to secondary school students, by special guest presenters including Don McGlashan, multi-instrumentalist Jol Mulholland and CEO Mike Chunn, alongside performances by this years talented winners.
Play It Strange CEO and co-founder Mike Chunn says “Coming together to celebrate the exceptional work of these rangatahi shines a light on their achievements and inspires other to follow their lead. We are proud to have been able to mentor and nurture these young creatives through the trust and provide the platform for them to record and have their ideas become reality. Songs are the very foundation of the world of music that surrounds us every day”.
Tairāwhiti region continues to be the capital of creativity taking home four awards. Led by 2021 Aotearoa Music Award winner for Best Music Teacher Jane Egan from Gisborne Girls High School, the students are being honoured with three awards including School of the Year for the sixth time, Peace Song Award and Junior Maioha Award, recognising rangatahi telling their stories in the language of Te Ao Māori. Neighbouring Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Horouta Wānanga students will be recognised for the composition Ka Hoki Nei Au as this years Youthtown Songwriting Competition Aotearoa regional winners.
Grace Lawrence, Year 13 student and head girl from St Andrews College in Christchurch receives the 2022 Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition First Place Award after being a four-time finalist. Her song ‘Differently Now’ explores how time and distance from an impactful event allows us to observe it in different lights. With the introduction to recording provided by Play It Strange, next year Grace heads off to Victoria University of Wellington to study music technology to continue learning about producing and mixing.
The Youthtown Songwriting Competition is especially for students years 9-11 and this years winners include Leigh Edmeades from Albany Senior High School for ‘Streetlights’ (Auckland/Northland region) and Jenny Petegem-Thach and Jazz Mackie from Taieri College for ‘Endless Time’ (South Island). Naimah Manchanda from Lynfield College won the national award for ‘Sugar And Spice’.
Chris Rowe from Kaipara College will be presented with the David Richwhite Lyric Award for ‘Drowning In The Stars’ while the inaugural Strange Art Award goes to Alia Cauty from Long Bay College, Auckland with their work ‘Conspiranoid’ for the ‘Play It Strange Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition’ album artwork.
It’s no secret that Play It Strange nurtures, encourages and provides the platform for students to embrace and foresee a real future as a songwriter, giving them the opportunity to write, record and perform their own songs. With former award winners including Elizabeth Stokes of The Beths, Georgia Nott from Broods, Kimbra, CHAII and Louis Baker, this years award winners are the future of songwriting in Aotearoa.
Play It Strange will also release digital albums from each competition of all the finalists songs professionally recorded in studios throughout Aotearoa.
2022 Play It Strange Award winners
2022 Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition – First Place Award
Grace Lawrence from St Andrews College, Christchurch for ‘Differently Now’
David Richwhite Lyric Award
Chris Rowe from Kaipara College, Auckland for ‘Drowning In The Stars’
Junior Maioha Award
Taniko Rangihau from Gisborne Girls’ High School for ‘Te Rewanga o Matariki’
School of the Year Award – for the most finalist songs
Gisborne Girls’ High School
Youthtown Songwriting Competition Aotearoa
Naimah Manchanda from Lynfield College, Auckland for ‘Sugar And Spice’
Youthtown Songwriting Competition Aotearoa, Auckland/Northland Region
Leigh Edmeades from Albany Senior High School for ‘Streetlights’
Youthtown Songwriting Competition Aotearoa, Rest Of North Island Region
Arohea Pewhairangi, Omaio Waititi, Mahara Kururangi, Honore Ingle, Ihaka Hongara, Whaiururangi Maxwell from Horouta Wananga, Gisborne for ‘Ka Hoki Nei Au’
Youthtown Songwriting Competition Aotearoa, South Island Region
Jenny Petegem-Thach and Jazz Mackie from Taieri College for ‘Endless Time’
Peace Song Competition Winner
Tetini Pokoati and Ripeka Akurangi from Gisborne Girls High School for ‘Te Aroha’
Strange Art Award Winner
Alia Cauty from Long Bay College, Auckland with their work ‘Conspiranoid’ for ‘Play It Strange Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition’ album artwork
Play It Strange was established in 2003 to provide opportunities in songwriting, recording and performance for secondary school students and songwriters across Aotearoa. Neil Finn was the trust’s settlor and it is run by CEO, Mike Chunn
In 2022 they have had 619 songs entered from 993 songwriters from secondary schools across the country. They have professionally recorded 151 winning finalist songs to go on digital competition albums across all platforms for free download. They are listened to and celebrated by whanau, peers, schools and wider communitites.
All awards will be presented at Tuning Fork, Auckland on Wednesday 30 November. The awards are proudly supported by The Tuning Fork and The Rockshop
www.playitstrange.org.nz
RIQI HARAWIRA ‘Creative Native’ releases his new waiata and music video November 25 ‘E rere ai (fly away)’.
Riqi’s new Single ‘E rere ai' is a song which originally came from a poem written by Riqi and his partner Floss, which touches on love, hopes, and dreams.
LISTEN - Here
2020 nominee Best Māori Male solo artist (Maori music awards) Riqi Harawira (Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) has shared stages with some of the world’s biggest acts, Guns N Roses & Pearl Jam to name a few. The former lead guitarist and co-songwriter for popular 90’s grunge band Dead Flowers has collaborated with numerous kiwi artists across his career such as Kings, stellar*, DLT, Che Fu and Dam Native. Riqi Harawira is a Kaupapa Māori fusion artist and a guitar virtuoso who is passionate about telling stories about Aotearoa through his guitar driven original music.
Riqi’s new Single ‘E rere ai' is a song which originally came from a poem written by Riqi and his partner Floss, which touches on love, hopes, and dreams.
WATCH ‘E rere ai - MUSIC VIDEO’ - Here
E rere ai (fly away) is a soft rock song which easily switches between English and Te reo Māori. It is 70’s style American in flavour with some nice Hammond organ supporting Riqi’s clean lead lines on his Fender Stratocaster. A song about a culturally blended couple who are flying away above the noise and opinions and doing their own thing. Inspiring others to find their wings too.
Riqi says .. “Our song about Flying Away above the noise… to a quiet place where the voices of opinions can’t be heard. We have learnt to fly and blend our family together, which has not always been socially accepted. But we endure because we row in our waka together and love each other through the noise. We hope our song Fly Away helps others in culturally blended relationships find their wings to Fly Away too.”
‘The lyrics are incredibly important’, says Riqi, and this Waiata is dedicated to interracial couples who have the courage to embrace each other, who understand the cultural differences, racial disparities, inequities, cultural history of violence and trauma. Despite these differences develop a respect and love for each other to counter racial prejudice, systemic racism, and the oppression of specific racial groups.
What they are saying around the world about E rere ai (Fly away)
Ukraine: Hello! Wow! I like this track! Welcome to my playlist! Svetlana Svetlana
Brazil:Good news I would like to share E rere ai (fly away) to our Radio show Rock'n'Roll Vibration | Alternativa Rock
United Kingdom: Good news! I would like to share E rere ai (fly away)as part of our radio show & on rotation, An enjoyable sound, modern and well made. Can't wait to play. The Sound Lab
Hawkes Bay Radio: This song is beautiful! Video is so relaxing!
Single/Video Review Review: E rere ai - Fly Away -Kev Rowland - NZ Muzic Net
‘ powerful message, all wrapped in a very enjoyable song and lovely video.’
Māori Soul, Pop and Jazz artist MOHI takes us back in time with his debut E.P ‘Moments'
Following the release of his chart hitting singles ‘Te Aroha Mauroa’ and ‘Jasmine’, MOHI (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) is set to release his debut EP ‘Moments’.
Following the release of his chart hitting singles ‘Te Aroha Mauroa’ and ‘Jasmine’, MOHI (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) is set to release his debut EP ‘Moments’.
Bursting onto the music scene with his captivating voice and incredible compositions, MOHI’s latest project takes us all back down memory lane.
‘Moments’ is an organic, heartstring tugging, soulful project that speaks of love and loss with the support and guidance of producer Dan Martin, MOHIs guitar playing is part of the track itself. It also focuses on bringing his exceptional voice and his lyrical talents to the forefront to showcase a very special emerging talent.
“This project means a lot to me. These songs trace back to my yesterday’s, written for those special people that I’ve been lucky enough to cross paths with in my life.”
“I hope that when people listen to this project, it takes them back to a memory - of childhood sweethearts, or even a more recent love. To those special moments with those special people. I hope that people really feel this EP.”
The eight-track EP called 'Moments' features aspects of Soul, Pop and Gospel, genres that MOHI was raised listening to.
"I grew up in a strong Māori whānau, so soul and gospel music were the staple in our household. Artists such as The Temptations, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin and Sam Cooke - the feeling and finesse, the character and authenticity in their voices and musicality.”
The EP is MOHI’s first full project as an independent artist, along with the musical guidance of Dan Martin.
Dan Martin says that the EP is just the beginning for up and coming artist MOHI, the project takes each listener on a journey of pop, gospel/soul influenced sound.
“I’m hoping the new EP establishes MOHI as one of the most watched upcoming Māori talents in Aotearoa and helps catapult his career. We want each song to resonate with people sonically as Māori music becomes more prominent in the mainstream space. I hope MOHI’s music can be part of this driving force" says Martin.
EP ‘Moments’ is now available on all streaming platforms.
Paige releases new single 'Loyalty'
Following a slow tease of new releases this year, New Zealand pop luminary Paige embraces the dark side to her long-form project, due for release in 2023.
Following a slow tease of new releases this year, New Zealand pop luminary Paige embraces the dark side to her long-form project, due for release in 2023. Listen to Paige’s new single ‘Loyalty’ out on Sony Music New Zealand, and available on streaming platforms today.
Last month Paige revealed a special collaboration with Ant Saunders (listen to ‘Miles Away’) which saw fans reeling.
Diving into the emotional is where Paige finds her superpowers. In songs that orbit love, heartbreak and healing, Paige has found fans in Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Ruby Rose and more.
Paige found her people through the power of the internet, armed with an acoustic guitar and a lot to say, sharing music to Paige’s Space before being picked up by Sony Music New Zealand in 2019.
The following year, Paige released her successful 2020 EP, Always Growing. Dominating New Zealand airwaves following its release, singles like the Top 10 Airplay hit ‘Waves’ established Paige at the forefront of New Zealand’s new pop movement, earning two nominations at the Aotearoa Music Awards including ‘Pop Artist of the Year’ and ‘Breakthrough Artist’. She was additionally recognised at the 2021 Waiata Māori Music Awards, receiving the award for ‘Best Māori Solo Artist’.
‘Loyalty’ is out now and available on all streaming platforms.
CONNECT WITH PAIGE
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Paige Official Merch Store
ALT-FOLK AOTEAROA ARTIST GRETA O'LEARY SHARES TREASURE HORSE EP
Aotearoa alt-folk artist Greta O'Leary shares her exquisite EP, Treasure Horse, a collection of 5 intimate and distinctive tracks produced by Charlotte Yates and Toby Lloyd with special thanks to New Zealand on Air.
Aotearoa alt-folk artist Greta O'Leary shares her exquisite EP, Treasure Horse, a collection of 5 intimate and distinctive tracks produced by Charlotte Yates and Toby Lloyd with special thanks to New Zealand on Air.
A bleak, risibe, cunning and relatable offering, exploring ideas of grief, solitude and unfaltering optimism, enveloped in quick, warm-humoured tongue-in-cheek.
"Treasure Horse is an intimate and diverse exploration, of both my music and my life. In true Greta spirit it is ridiculous, optimistic, bleak and celebratory.”
Listen to Treasure Horse here.
With a true flair for exploring every corner of her genre, Greta creates tracks that bathe in silken fragility, while others surge like a ferocious sea. Having observed much of life one step removed, Greta has developed an unmistakably specific lens that lends itself to Treasure Horse; an out the gate, face in the dirt, hopeful riot. Taking us on a wry journey through the depths of self, bleak longing and a celebration of life, her latest EP is hypnotic, relentless, and poised in a world of its own.
REMAINING EP TOUR DATES
26 Nov - RAGLAN - Tiny House Concerts
3 Dec -KĀPITI - Raumati Social Club - with Goodnight My Darling Album show
4 Dec - WELLINGTON - Vogelmorn Bowling Club (afternoon show)
9 Dec - DUNEDIN - Inch Bar
TICKETS FOR REMAINING EP TOUR DATES HERE
FIND GRETA O'LEARY
LOVETA drops glistening debut EP MORE THAN FUN + single ‘All We Got’
Talented Ōtautahi artist LOVETA (Lauren Marshall) has been added to playlists, spun on the airwaves and is now setting our summer to sizzling by releasing her debut EP MORE THAN FUN.
Talented Ōtautahi artist LOVETA (Lauren Marshall) has been added to playlists, spun on the airwaves and is now setting our summer to sizzling by releasing her debut EP MORE THAN FUN.
LOVETA is a standout singer/performer, and her 5-track debut is deserving of hype! It includes RnB-infused anthem ‘Nostalgia’, nu-disco ‘More Than Fun’, road trip ready ‘Drive’, and previously unreleased single, and final track on the EP, ‘All We Got’.
A collaboration with fellow Christchurch musician/producer Wulfie (Tim Heeringa) and made with support from the NZOA Development Fund, LOVETA says the project has been a massive journey of discovery for her as a person, as well as an artist.
“Creating this EP has been a complete whirlwind. Putting my favourite sounds and influences together into my first body of work has been equal parts exciting, overwhelming, and exhausting - but extremely fulfilling. I’m so proud of the passion and hard work that has gone into the project, and thankful for the guidance and expertise of everyone involved, especially Wulfie. Together we’ve created music that has really pushed us creatively, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out. I’m ready to see what the future has in store for LOVETA!”
MORE THAN FUN EP - track listing
More Than Fun
Drive
Nostalgia
Something To Believe
All We Got
To celebrate the release, LOVETA is performing at Christchurch’s Darkroom on November 18 - joined by Wulfie and up-and-coming local artist Phoebe Vic. Tickets are available from Under The Radar, and it’s sure to be one massive party that you won’t want to miss!
LOVETA is one to watch - so make sure you follow her socials!
FIND LOVETA:
Tia Ward releases beautiful Waiata ‘Ko Wai Ahau’
Emerging Māori artist Tia Ward (Taranaki, Ngāti Maniapoto) has today released her beautiful waiata ‘Ko Wai Ahau’.
Emerging Māori artist Tia Ward (Taranaki, Ngāti Maniapoto) has today released her beautiful waiata ‘Ko Wai Ahau’.
Following on from her recently released RnB-pop-soul debut EP ME & ME TOO, ‘Ko Wai Ahau’ is another example of what an incredible talent Tia is. With an RnB-inspired track as the rhythmic foundation, Tia’s warm vocals and the kupu gifted by Matiu Tahi (Tūhoe) are what truly make this waiata soar and fill one's wairua. It speaks of an appreciation for moko kauae, how it is a taonga and its connection to whakapapa.
The waiata is also a reflection of the Te-Whanganui-a-Tara-based, Hawkes Bay-raised artist.
“I am still trying to figure out who I am as a young Māori wahine. This is also my first Reo Māori waiata, and it has been incredibly humbling to be able to go through this experience,” says Tia.
“I was fortunate enough to have the poem gifted to me by Matiu. It means so much to me. He’s an amazing poet who wants the Māori language and knowledge shared through art. I started my Reo language journey in the past few years, which has helped me significantly when it came to writing this piece and understanding the true meanings behind it.”
Tia Ward is undoubtedly a talent to watch. The singer/songwriter grew up in a musical family, singing and performing her whole life. When not writing and releasing music, she’s rehearsing and performing with her band and nearing the end of her third year studying music at Wellington’s Massey University.
MARIANNE LEIGH 'Crazy GF'
19-year-old Auckland artist Marianne Leigh has today released her compelling punk-pop single ‘CRAZY GF’, written solo by the artist.
19-year-old Auckland artist Marianne Leigh has today released her compelling punk-pop single ‘CRAZY GF’, written solo by the artist.
Listen to the single HERE
Produced by Emily Wheatcroft-Snape and Nate Selway, the pop-punk track gives a voice for the uncomfortable emotions we suppress, the lyrics untangling toxicity, jealousy, and spite. A new musical venture for Marianne, CRAZY GF steers the young songstress away from her indie-pop roots and into the realm of pop-punk, the single tackling the issue of female representation in the media.
“The crazy girlfriend character in the media is a common trope, and something that has always bothered me. The joke is outdated, and a ridicule of female emotional expression. I wanted to write a song about this character and my frustrations surrounding it”.
Taking a light-hearted approach and drawing inspiration from personal experience, CRAZY GF delves into the mind of the ‘crazy girlfriend’ character.
“I approached the writing of the song thinking, ‘What would the ‘crazy girlfriend’ character think about? What would she want to say?’ The music video expands on this, focussing attention on the two women, the ‘crazy girlfriend’ and the ‘other woman’, who are so often pitted against each other in the media.”
Marianne travelled to Wellington to bring the story to life and create a music video, directed by Jeremy Macey. The video follows two female leads as they navigate the competitive environment they were placed in, struggling to find peace in the story orchestrated by the faceless male they compete for.
“My aim with this song was to ridicule the ‘crazy girlfriend’ trope. I hope people who have related to this character and the toxic emotions we feel with competition and jealousy feel heard.”
Tonight Marianne celebrates her release at UNDERGROUND alongside Kiwi acts Wednesday’s Girlfriend and ISLA.
The artist embarks on her second nationwide tour following the release, beginning her travels at Wellington’s Vogelmorn for an intimate music video screening with the crew behind the CRAZY GF music video.
Be sure to follow Marianne Leigh on her social media pages to be the first to hear about the CRAZY GF tour.
Listen to CRAZY GF HERE
Find Marianne Leigh:
Facebook / Website / Instagram
TikTok / Youtube / Spotify / Apple Music