Rising artist CRYSTAL reflects on lockdown in new single ‘Skin’

Listen HERE

Rising alternative pop artist and producer CRYSTAL sets the scene for an exciting year ahead on new single ‘Skin’.

Following on from anthemic pop track ‘Expectations Suck!’, her latest offering ‘Skin’ is an exploration of thoughts and experiences endured after spending too much time inside. Written in a music session on zoom during Auckland’s 107-day lockdown at the end of 2021, the song is a way of escapism as CRYSTAL dreams up what her ideal holiday would look like once freedom is finally returned to her.  

“I remember feeling like lockdown would never end. Each week, we’d watch the updates on the news hoping we’d be allowed out like the rest of the country… but it just kept going. Everyone’s mental health was slowly deteriorating, and at times it was unbearable. Most days, I’d go for a walk around the neighborhood, usually to the nearby bay to clear my head and jot down my thoughts. I lived for these moments. Some days I’d write and write, and other days, nothing. Having this time gave me perspective, and allowed me to appreciate the simple joys I had taken for granted. I would dream up all these plans of what I would do once lockdown was over, and it gave me hope for what was to eventually come”.

‘Skin’ was co-written and co-produced by CRYSTAL and key collaborator Joel Jones. As CRYSTAL recalls “the song came together in a matter of hours. I’d been living, and writing the song unknowingly for weeks, so when it came to doing my first session in lockdown, everything came together so fast. It’s been really exciting developing and refining the production over the past year with Joel”.

Te-Whanganui-A-Tara/Wellington-raised and Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland-based CRYSTAL made her live music debut in 2019 while studying Commercial Music at Massey University, playing Wellington festivals, Cuba Dupa and Newtown Festival, and supporting Australian artist KIAN, before ever having released music online.  Her debut single, ‘My Flowers Are Dead’ featured on TVNZ’s body swap comedy series ‘Life Is Easy’, while her previous release ‘Expectations Suck!’ landed on Spotify's 'New Music Friday AU & NZ', 'Pop n Fresh', and ‘EQUAL AU & NZ’ playlists and featured on ZM’s Late Night Show. The release of ‘Expectations Suck!’ and ‘Skin’ marks the beginning of a new era for CRYSTAL, as she refines her sound and solidifies herself as one to watch. 

Reminder Taite Music Prize 2023, Auckland Live Best Independent Debut and 2023 NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism

Nominations close next week at 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 1st February 2023.

For the full detail on specific eligibility and nomination forms please visit: www.indies.co.nz 

Taite Music Prize ceremony to be held April 18th, 2023

Independent Music NZ (IMNZ) announces the return of the Taite Music Prize for 2023. Celebrating the unique voices of Aotearoa music and those that champion them. Nominations for the main Taite Music Prize, the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award and the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award have now opened. 

Now in its 13th year, the main Taite Music Prize highlights outstanding albums; recognising and celebrating the depth of talent and breadth of genres that make up Aotearoa’s unique musical voice. The highly coveted Taite Music Prize is open to all genres of music and judged on artistic merit regardless of genre, sales, or record label. Any Aotearoa/New Zealand album released during the calendar year of 2022 is eligible for nomination.  The winner receives a cash prize of $12,500, thanks to Founding Partner Recorded Music NZ. Previous recipients include Aldous Harding, Anthonie Tonnon, Avantdale Bowling Club, Ladi6, Lorde and Troy Kingi. 

IMNZ Chairperson, Pip Ryan-Kidd says “2022 has been another extraordinary year for Aotearoa’s independent musician’s, with strong representation in released music, awards and touring. This year's judging panel will have a very tough time deciding who will take home our coveted Taite Music Prize trophy.

We are excited to return the Awards to our previous late April date, to be able to usher in the celebrations of NZ Music Month in May. IMNZ is immensely proud to produce an Award Ceremony that reflects creativity and puts artistic talent at the very core of the event. Once again, we look forward to hosting the celebration in the seated Rangatira at Q Theatre, and encourage Aotearoa’s music community to join us.”

The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award celebrates the freshest talent of Aotearoa. We are celebrating debut albums or EPs (with a total of at least four tracks and/or duration of more than 20 minutes), released by IMNZ members in the previous year. Thanks to Auckland Live, the winner receives a $2000 cash prize plus a performance or technical upskilling opportunity.

From Auckland Live, Helaina Keeley, Manager Creative Industries Development, comments “Auckland Live is proud to continue our partnership with the Taite Music Prize with support for the Best Independent Debut Award in 2023.  New Zealand is blessed with a wealth of new music talent and we’re looking forward to once again supporting and celebrating one of these incredible artists next year.”

An academy of all current members of IMNZ, musicians, and music industry personnel vote to produce the shortlisted finalist albums. Next, an independent panel debates and scrutinises the shortlisted albums to decide the winner. That panel comprises musicians, journalists, and music industry professionals with a wide variety of different backgrounds and personal tastes.

The NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award debuted last year as the first of its kind for Aotearoa/New Zealand created in the spirit of legendary broadcaster Dylan Taite and to  extend IMNZ’s mandate to celebrate those who give media space to music from Aotearoa. The ground-breaking addition to the Taite Music Prize for 2022 celebrates special individuals who made a creative contribution and significant impact with coverage of Aotearoa music in the previous calendar year. 

For the award’s inaugural year, finalists were shortlisted by the IMNZ board, and the finalists were of the highest calibre including; Undertheradar.co.nz ’s editorial team, Chris Cudby and Annabel Kean,   Rova’s 'Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History' - Podcast creators; DJ Sirvere and Martyn Pepperell, 95bFM’s Long Player “Milk III - Reuben Winter” episode - Producer; Jess Fu and the 2022 recipient was producer and journalist; Tony Stamp of RNZ Music’s The Sampler. Alison Mau was extended a special commendation for her work for Stuff covering NZ music industry practices and sexual harm prevention.

The NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award comes with a $2500 cash prize. It is open to nominations from NZ music journalists, bloggers or editors who have made a creative contribution and significant impact in truth-telling and innovative reporting in the Aotearoa music industry.

The Taite Awards ceremony also includes the Independent Music NZ Classic Record presentation. This award acknowledges one New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. These records, whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history and have included Patea Māori Club for 'Poi E', The Clean’s Boodle Boodle Boodle and Upper Hutt Posse’s E Tū. 

The Independent Spirit Award will be in its fifth year in 2023. Devised to recognise and celebrate someone passionate about NZ music; who's ahead of the game in creativity, diversity, and imagination; and has dedicated themself to helping artists or music people to grow and find their unique pathways. The Board of IMNZ determines the annual recipient.

For more details on specific eligibility and nomination forms please visit: http://www.indies.co.nz Nominations close 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 1st February 2023.

Kaylee Bell Support For Ed Sheeran NZ Tour Announced!

New Zealand’s Country Pop sensation Kaylee Bell announces she will be joining international superstar Ed Sheeran for the NZ leg of his 2023 Tour.

 "I am blown away to be joining Ed Sheeran for six shows on the biggest tour in the world right now. I am so excited to be starting 2023 on such a high.
Ed Sheeran is someone I have idolised my whole life, from his DIY attitude to his monster talent and songwriting ability...some of my favourite songs on radio are written by Ed, he is one of my favourite Pop writers and artists of all time."  - Kaylee 

You won't want to Kaylee performing these stadium shows along side Ed Sheeran this January and February.

Show Dates: 

• Wellington - The Opera House Wellington - January 24th, 25th & 26th

• Wellington  - Sky Stadium - 2nd February

• Auckland - Eden Park - February 10th &11th

SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN: SECOND LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT!

A MUSIC FESTIVAL LIKE NO OTHER! 

7+ HOURS OF LIVE MUSIC | 2 STAGES | 15+ ACTS

SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN reveals its second-round announcement of stellar artists set to join the already incredible line-up for SATURDAY 1st APRIL 2023, when Tāmaki Makarau’s iconic Pukekawa/Auckland Domain will transform into a one-of-a-kind music festival - a multi-sensory fusion of electronic dance music, live internationally acclaimed acts, live orchestra, special guest vocalists, DJ’s, and spectacular visuals.

Exciting additions include a full live set from D&B heavy-weights SHAPESHIFTER, pop songstress KIMBRA, beloved singer-song-writing legend SIR DAVE DOBBYN & BAND, and Australian vibe setters SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM, join the already announced home-grown chart-topping dance-duo SACHI.

Also joining the star-studded line-up of guest vocalists and instrumentalists performing as part of the world debut of SYNTHONY No.4 are KIMBRA, SIR DAVE DOBBYN, MISS CONNIE, TIKI TAANE and LEWIS MCCALLUM on sax, making this the biggest SYNTHONY ensemble to date!

SYNTHONY No.4’s SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMER LINE-UP: 

KIMBRA, SIR DAVE DOBBYN, MISS CONNIE (Sneaky Sound System) TIKI TAANE, ILAN KIDRON (The Potbelleez), SAVAGE, ELLA MONNERY, JEREMY REDMORE, BELLA KALOLO, saxophonist LEWIS MCCALLUM

with the AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA and acclaimed conductor SARAH-GRACE WILLIAMS.

Each year, a brand new SYNTHONY set list debuts, and this year’s world premiere of SYNTHONY No.4 is once again curated by DJ DICK JOHNSON with musical arrangements by master composer RYAN YOUENS. Synthony itself will be hosted by DJ AROHA, with the overall event MC duties delivered by ZM DJ CLINT ROBERTS.

TICKETS TO SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN ARE ON SALE NOW FROM www.synthonyfestival.com

Testament to its wide universal appeal, SYNTHONY continues to spread its wings and looks set to go truly global. Since 2017, the original SYNTHONY No. 1 has gone from one sell-out show in Auckland, to annual New Zealand-wide sell-out tours with SYNTHONY No.2 and SYNTHONY No.3 respectively. 2021 saw the extravaganza expand into a full multi-city outdoor Australian SYNTHONY No.1 tour, and in 2022, the show expanded into South East Asia for the very first time with a debut performance in Singapore, with further growth impending for SYNTHONY in 2023.

Now, for this inaugural SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN, a new festival experience has been established across two stages that combine the original Synthony format of orchestra and special guest vocalists and instrumentalists, with additional standalone live performances from other epic live acts on the bill. This will be a festival like no other!

In 2023, New Zealand’s SYNTHONY No.4 will harness the power of the full 46-piece Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra featuring special guest vocal performances from Sir Dave Dobbyn, Kimbra, Miss Connie (Sneaky Sound System), Ilan Kidron (The Potbelleez), Savage, Tiki Taane, Ella Monnery, Jeremy Redmore and Bella Kalolo.

SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN will also feature full live sets from special guest artists Shapeshifter, performing their only Auckland summer show, Kimbra, also her exclusive Auckland show, Sir Dave Dobbyn & Band, Sachi and Sneaky Sound System.

Inspired by the annual Hyde Park summer concert series in London, SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN is a unique music event which utilises and showcases our own iconic venue, Pukekawa/Auckland Domain, in the heart of Auckland city.

Duco Touring Founder and MD David Higgins says: “There’s a plethora of national music festivals for teenagers and young adults, and this market is very well served, but we noted that our very own iconic Pukekawa hasn’t been properly utilised for that purpose yet.

It’s great to partner up with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to make the Domain available for a one-day ‘Hyde Park’ style event in our own back yard for a more grown-up audience looking for a festival experience without all the palaver – no driving out of town, no camping, no AWOP hassles. Purchase premium food and beverage options with your bank or credit card, bring your picnic blanket and deck chair and relax with the family on one of the large expanses of green areas in Pukekawa. Or upgrade to take advantage of the R18 VIP areas. A perfect day out for a sophisticated music experience in the centre of Auckland.

We plan to grow SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN year upon year, aiming to build it over time to become a premium, iconic music event for Australasia, South East Asia and beyond. As an annual music festival founded in New Zealand, SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN Auckland will, in effect, be the world-wide debut of each SYNTHONY set-list for the year, every year.”

With its central location, rich history, expansive gardens and natural amphitheatre, Pukekawa is completely simpatico with the Hyde Park series. The perfect location to sign off summer with friends and whānau in the elegant and lush greenfield spaces of the domain. Fans can relax under the stars in our General Admission Area (All Ages), or choose to dance on the grass in our Premium Area (18+).

Visit our Stonewood Homes Artisan Wine, Food and Cocktail Village, with bespoke pop-up bars, lighting activations, and a vast array of food and beverage options. Or for those that prefer to opt for the luxe experience, try our General Capital VIP Garden.

SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN  is already off to a roaring start with first release General Admission and Premium General Admission tickets selling out in a matter of hours. VIP tickets are on third and final release with over 75% of capacity SOLD OUT. With the announcement of this incredibly well rounded and diversified line-up of artists, tickets are expected to sell fast – so don’t miss out!

Having cemented itself as a high-end, must-see celebratory event, SYNTHONY has earned a solid reputation for continually delivering a visually magnificent and sonically opulent experience – a reputation that is set to grow even further with the new incarnation that is SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN.

This 2023 nationally exclusive show will not be touring elsewhere. Lock the date in your diary, round up your friends and whānau, and secure your tickets to experience SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN 2023, the perfect way to send off summer!

THIS IS ONE TRULY MAGICAL EVENT YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS, SECURE YOUR TICKETS NOW!

TICKETS ON SALE HERE

Miriam Clancy delivers dynamic, 80s-influenced single/video "Black Heart"

Listen to the single "Black Heart"

New album Black Heart out 3 February 2023. Pre-save here!

 
Miriam Clancy's single "Black Heart" continues the thematic trajectory of deeply personal narratives featured on her forthcoming album, Black Heart, out on 3 February 2023.
"Black Heart" transports the listener back in time to an 80s-esque musical capsule - urgent, haunting vocals deliver naked and imploring lyrics, its big synth-heavy chorus crescendos, then pulls back like a wave on the sand, called back to the ocean. Miriam speaks to a man who ended up living alone with his WWII-scarred psyche, fortified with thick emotional walls - Miriam's grandfather, Ivan Miriam says, "Black Heart" is a sonic document about being a part of a war machine, becoming collateral damage on a road that you cannot reverse. These events are felt down the generational line with broken relationships and social dysfunction - they can tattoo a heart black with loss and hardship. My grandfather sailed on the ships of war and I wrote this with him on my heart."

Black Heart was recorded in Mason Jar Studios, Brooklyn with Miriam's band, Jeremy McDonald, Will Graefe and Mike Riddleberger. Miriam says, "We found the arrow of the song shooting into stark, syncopated territory with room to gasp between furies of motion and vocals, building and releasing."

"Black Heart" - The video
The video for "Black Heart" invites us into a world of juxtaposition - graceful, fluid dance vs the chaos of war; dynamic songwriting vs unified battle-marching; urgent clarity vs grainy WWII footage. The messaging is complex, driven through Miriam's finesse and the foundational melange of cultural and historical influences.

Miriam says, "The music video flows from my love of ballet and modern dance, and it's inspired by the indelible teenage experience of seeing Marcel Marceau perform live, David Bowie's hair in Labyrinth, Anna Pavlova's fragile dying swan, Kate Bush's Babooshka, Edgar Dega's ballerinas, Vyvyan Basterd from The Young Ones, every tulle skirt or piece of ballet couture in existence - and ANZAC soldiers and the cautionary tales, the ravages of war.

"I began the choreography a year ago in various empty dance studios - spurred on by professional choreographer pal Elizabeth Dishman in NYC. We filmed over two days in a beautiful old church in Kutztown, PA, which has a long history of supporting the arts with work by Keith Haring and music with Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed and Philip Glass performing in its sacred space. 

"WWI scenes from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in Anzac Cove and on the battlefield are scattered, overlayed to aim the emotions where they need to be - the past that informs our future: Ka mua, ka muri."

Macho Macho release danceable, groove-focused new single ‘Blink’

Te Whanganui-A-Tara's four-piece legends Macho Macho have today released their new single ‘Blink’.

A danceable, groove-focused song that has already been celebrated by audiences nationwide, but has now been given a whole new lease of life with this studio recording.

Produced, engineered and mixed by Toby Lloyd at Tiny Triumph Recordings, then mastered by Robin Schmidt, the band says it captures the essence of their live performance. “Toby’s efforts on the recording present the song as razor sharp and loud, just as it has been performed to sweaty rooms since its conception,” the band explains. “‘Blink’ is about the moments spent resisting and/or engaging with the social scenarios we find ourselves in. The screeching of a speaker, the blinking of an eye, a feeling of real togetherness achieved through little more than a bit of silly music.”

Macho Macho is made up of Logan McAllister - guitar/vocals, Lachlan Burne - guitar/vocals, Connor Lyttle - bass/vocals, and Dayne Robinson - drums.  ‘Blink’ was brought to life in a dark Mt. Victoria garage in Te Whanganui-A-Tara, and the band says it was their most collaborative effort to date, with all four band members taking on songwriting duties for the first time. “We’re thankful we managed to keep the neighbours happy long enough to complete it!”

Proudly belonging to Te Whanganui-A-Tara's thriving alternative music scene for four years & counting, Macho Macho have become known for their irregular, left-turning live shows. Catchy, but unmistakably angular songwriting, coupled with high energy and relentless gigging, has seen the band develop a cult fan base across both islands of Aotearoa. Excitingly, ‘Blink’ is part of an upcoming EP - a collection of recordings from the band's back catalogue. “These songs have been given love by audiences nationwide, so we felt like rewarding those audiences with studio-quality recordings.” Macho Macho have shared the stage with acts such as The Garden (US), Same Name Confusion and Daffodils; completed two of their own national headline tours; and played festivals CubaDupa, Newtown Festival & Welcome to Nowhere. After spending some time tinkering with and developing melodies, Macho Macho are thrilled to be returning to stages in 2023, delivering a stronger live show than ever before, plus a full set of spangly new material!

Follow Macho Macho

Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

Apple Music | Bandcamp

Ahead of International Showcases in Australia and the US, Jenny Mitchell releases charming “on the road” music video for "Tug of War"

Listen to ‘Tug of War’ HERE

Alt-country artist, Jenny Mitchell, has released a charming new music video for the title track of her award-winning record, Tug of War.

The video release comes at the beginning of a new international chapter for Jenny, who is travelling to the Tamworth Country Music Festival this week as a finalist for Alt Country Album of the Year at the Australian Golden Guitar Awards, before making the journey to Kansas City in February to perform an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance International.  

The Golden Guitar Awards are the pinnacle of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Australia’s biggest celebration of country music. This year, after opening for various award-winning artists at the festival for over a decade, Jenny will play her first headline show on Friday 20th Jan at the Tamworth Regional Art Gallery.
The new video clip takes audiences on the road with Jenny and her sisters, The Mitchell Twins. The candid video was created in collaboration with The Small Hall Sessions, a concert series bringing live music to rural Hawkes Bay, and was recorded by P J Shepherd (Hawkes Bay) while the Southern sisters were on tour in late 2022. 

“The clip feels like a bit of a journal entry of the past year,” explained Jenny. “It’s been such a joy to take my new music on the road and taking music to rural communities has always been important to us, so working with Jamie and the Small Halls team just made sense.”

Driven by acoustic guitar and Jenny’s signature warm, smokey voice, Tug of War tells the story of running into an old flame and navigating the battle between head and heart. 
“Tug of War is an honest little tune. It admits that old feelings can come up when you run into somebody who used to be an important person in your life,” says Jenny. “I think that happens to everybody somewhere along the line, whether they admit it or not.”
Hailing from Southern NZ, and now based in Wellington, Jenny Mitchell has had an impressive career to date. Her 2018 album WILDFIRES, produced by Sydney’s Matt Fell, was awarded the 2019 Tui for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist. Following her first Tui, the album became the first NZ album to receive a nomination for Alt-Country Album of the Year at the 2020 Australian Golden Guitar Awards. She has now been nominated for an AMA in the Best Country category, for 2022.

Jenny Mitchell On Tour

* Tamworth Country Music Festival, Australia

18 January 9.30am - Toyota Fanzone

18 January 5.00pm - The Press

20 January 6.00pm - Tamworth Regional Gallery - Tickets Here

* Folk Alliance International Conference 2023,  Westin Crown Center Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Wednesday 1st Feb 11.10pm - Room #732

Thursday 2nd Feb 

10.30pm - Romm #839 

12.30am - Stone Room Concerts Room #736

Friday 3rd Feb 

9pm - Official Showcase | Brookside

10.30pm - World of Music | #848

It’s clear this is just the beginning for a young artist who, “knows exactly who she is and feels no need to give way” - The Southland Times.

"She is dynamite.” - Felicity Urquhart, ABC Australia.

Find Jenny Mitchell:

Facebook / Youtube / Instagram

Spotify / Apple Music

Emerging RnB artist KRISTN releases hot new single + video ‘Chasin’

LISTEN HERE

WATCH

Emerging RnB artist KRISTN (Kristin Paulse) has today released her hot new single + video ‘Chasin’.

A flirtatious single that the singer describes as a ‘little more risque’, ‘Chasin’ is inspired by a great first (and last) date. Once again showcasing what an incredible talent KRISTN is, this strong single is the follow-up to her hit debut ‘Seasons’ - which placed #13 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart.

“I’m normally not the type of person to ‘chase’ after someone, but I went on one really good date with my dream guy at the time and I was determined to make it work,” explains KRISTN. “After waiting a little bit, I messaged him to see if he wanted to catch up. He said he was keen, but was seeing someone. I was crushed. A couple of months later, I was thinking about it and laughing at myself about how ridiculous I was. Then I just started singing. I don’t normally show this side of myself, but wanted to do something out of my comfort zone.”

For the single, KRISTIN teamed up with Auckland-based producer Will Henderson, and for the video, Melbourne-based director/videographer Murray Enders, DOP Garrett Eckerson, choreographer Tony Oxybel and stylists Garth Ernstzen and Zahrah Andrews.

“The video’s all focused on me, which I suppose in simple terms is saying ‘you should be with me, case in point.’ I’m currently in Hairspray the Musical in Australia and was in Melbourne when I was introduced to Murray through my best friend and her boyfriend. Tony’s one of my castmates in Hairspray, and the dancing he does is so amazing I knew from the get-go I wanted him in my team.”

Born in South Africa and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, Kristin is usually based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland - but the singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer has been touring NZ and Australia in musical theatre over the past year. She has also released music with partner Nick Taylor, as duo Citris iNK. An exciting up-and-coming talent, be sure you’re tuned in and stay tuned to KRISTN!

Find KRISTN

Facebook | Instagram

YouTube | Spotify | Apple