"Find a River" by The Mitchell Twins: Nominated for APRA NZ Best Country Song
The long-anticipated studio cut of Find a River, the latest single by The Mitchell Twins, filled with flowing twin harmonies, mellow guitar,and a rich string section, is set to be released on May 26th. Find a River has been nominated for APRA NZ Best Country Song award.
The long-anticipated studio cut of Find a River, the latest single by The Mitchell Twins, filled with flowing twin harmonies, mellow guitar,and a rich string section, is set to be released on May 26th. Find a River has been nominated for APRA NZ Best Country Song award.
Inspired by the unique bond shared by the twins, as well as the iconic NZ duo The Topp Twins and their recent struggles with illness and separation, Find a River explores the depths of twin connection. The song pays homage to the role of music in the lives of both The Topp’s and The Mitchell’s.
Growing up in a home filled with Dolly Parton, Tom T Hall, and Kacey Musgraves, The Mitchell Twins have spent years honing their blood harmonies. They have performed across Aotearoa and Australia, sharing stages with esteemed artists such as Nadia Reid, Barry Saunders, Delaney Davidson, The Topp Twins, Fanny Lumsden (AU), and their older sister, Jenny Mitchell. In 2021, they were crowned the Intermediate Duet Winners of the NZ Gold Guitar Awards, and as descendants of Tainui, they hold a deep connection to te reo Māori.
With more than a decade of stages and green rooms already under their belt, their debut EP ‘Find a River’ co-written and produced by Tami Neilson will be fully released on the 16th of June. Recorded in Auckland, with Tom Broome as Sound Engineer and Drummer, Chip Matthews on Bass, Chet O’Connell on Acoustic and Electric Guitar and Dave Khan on Strings.
‘Their harmonies matched beautifully, flowing in and out of each other's lines like the finest woven material’ (Ambient Light).
About to undertake their first solo tour, Maegan and Nicola have carved out a clear musical vision; a blend of folk and country music.
The Mitchell Twins “Find A River" Tour
Wellington – Postponed
May 31st - Tussock Country Music Festival - Supporting Fanny Lumsden at –
17th June - Kumeu
18th June - Dunedin
4th August - Gore
5th August - Invercargill
20th August - Christchurch
Tickets: themitchelltwins.com
Emily Rice releasing punchy new waiata reo Māori ‘Warenoa’ in celebration of NZ Music Month
“This song is inspired by the rhythm I found during the Aotearoa lockdown in April 2020, a time I dedicated to writing and creating music every single day,” says Emily about the latest single, ‘Warenoa’.
Tāmaki Makaurau multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Emily Rice has released her stunning new single, Warenoa, paired with a vibrant music video filmed by Tom Grut.
The single from Rice, WARENOA, supported by APRA Te Tautāwhinga and Creative NZ, is a te reo Māori version of her song Careless which was released on her 2021 EP called Auaha. Her funky-chill style integrates vocal looping, sprinkles of jazz and snazzy sax solo played by Emily herself.
“This song is inspired by the rhythm I found during the Aotearoa lockdown in April 2020, a time I dedicated to writing and creating music every single day,” says Emily about the latest single, ‘Warenoa’. “It’s become even more relevant for me today, in 2023, as I recently gave up my day job to focus fully on music, taking away all other distractions from other mahi to pour my heart and soul into the thing that I find most exciting - music!”
With a sound that defies genre and is ever-evolving, Emily Rice has an impressive list of accolades, including twice being a finalist for ‘Songwriter of the Year’ when she was studying at pop music school. She is also a multi-talented instrumentalist and singer, who has performed throughout Europe. When she’s not making music under her own name, she’s one half of the bi-lingual duo Aro - a three-time finalist in the prestigious Silver Scroll Awards, as well as a finalist for Best Māori Group at the 2022 Waiata Māori Music Awards.
The single is a seamless blend of chill DnB-meets-RnB pop. The lyrics of this waiata have been translated by Pere Wihongi, and the tune has been produced, recorded and mixed by M J Collier/ Leone at Aro Music Studio and Little Lion Studio, and mastered by Vivek Gabriel.
Emily Rice - Warenoa is out now 26th May
Rei - The Matariki Tour 2023
Rei is celebrating Matariki in Aotearoa, our Māori New Year, by taking the stage on an 8 date tour and performing tracks from ARIKI as well as your fav bilingual bangers.
Rei - The Matariki Tour 2023
Mata ‘Eyes’ Ariki : ‘High Chief or God’ : MATARIKI
Rei is celebrating Matariki in Aotearoa, our Māori New Year, by taking the stage on an 8 date tour and performing tracks from ARIKI as well as your fav bilingual bangers.
From Tāmaki to Te Wai Pounamu, Rei can’t wait to share his waiata kanikani (dance music) and party with the people! Oh, and he’ll be performing his brand new waiata All We Got!
Taking mana wāhine Huia with him on the road, a reo bilingual artist who fuses uplifting kaupapa with her dnb, dance hall and ambient music. Adding a local support act at each spot, The Matariki tour headlines with Rei’s high energy set and then a DJ set playing exclusive, never heard before remixed te reo music.
Rei has been in mahi hard mode since his last tour for the award winning album ‘The Bridge’, and releasing a full 20 track te reo album Ariki.
If you joined us at the ARIKI release party, your Māori lanyard and pass gets you into any shows for FREE with a ticket purchase, so bring your friends and whānau along!
To get you psyched and ready for the show, check out Rei’s Splore Aftermovie here!
The Matariki Tour promises to be the disruptor and the uplifter, as the te reo Māori heavy run of shows that Aotearoa needs right now.
Let’s kanikani!
Find tickets and more info on The Matariki Tour at www.musicbyrei.com
Rocket Berry release music video for synth-pop single ‘Caught Up in the Fiction’
Te Whanganui-a-Tara indie-pop band Rocket Berry have released a new music video for their synth-pop single ‘Caught Up in the Fiction’.
WATCH HERE
Te Whanganui-a-Tara indie-pop band Rocket Berry have released a new music video for their synth-pop single ‘Caught Up in the Fiction’.
Watch ‘Caught Up in the Fiction’ HERE
Listen to ‘Caught Up in the Fiction’ HERE
The new impressively self-produced video gives great 90s camcorder energy and on-screen karaoke-style lyrics that decrease in accuracy as the song progresses. “I think everyone can relate to the feeling of self-deception that comes from having an idea of a person that doesn’t really exist,” says lead singer Clara van Wel. “We wanted the video to have a nostalgic feel that reflects that fantasy.”
Rocket Berry is Clara van Wel (vocals), Connor Scott (keyboards), Peter Wilkes (bass) and Baileigh Sparkes (drums). Their single ‘Caught Up in the Fiction’ was released in mid-April and is an 80s influenced synth-pop stand-out! It was recorded in Connor’s bedroom studio, then mixed and mastered by Wellington electroacoustic composer and audio engineer Jack Woodbury.
It’s Rocket Berry’s third single, following on from ‘Chill Out’ and ‘Walls (Gotta Get Out)’, which were both independently released not long after the band formed in 2022 and have had over 15K streams. An exciting up-and-coming band, Rocket Berry bridges the gap between folk-rock and synth-pop to create a groove with an edge. Definitely a band to watch, their ultimate goal is to entertain, get people moving and inspire them to own themselves!
Coast Arcade rock out in new music video for single ‘Next To Me’
NZ indie band Coast Arcade are seen rocking out in their newly-released music video for single ‘Next To Me’ - the title track of their recently released debut EP.
NZ indie band Coast Arcade are seen rocking out in their newly-released music video for single ‘Next To Me’ - the title track of their recently released debut EP.
Brainstormed by Coast Arcade and brilliantly directed / shot by Dave Thomson of Imaginary Friends, the band says the video takes the meaning of ‘Next To Me’ literally - a love song about being fine, as long as that one person is beside you. It’s also a bit heavier than previous singles, introducing the bands more pop-punk side, which also comes through in the video. “We love a fast upbeat song with driving drums and loud guitar, ‘Next To Me’ does that all perfectly, while being your typical teenage love song.” The band also wanted some comical moments included in the video because “why not?”
“We love messing around and it felt like the perfect excuse,” says Coast Arcade. “It was heaps of fun to make! We wanted this video to be about showcasing who we are.”
Coast Arcade formed in early 2021 at high school, and is made up of Bella Bavin (vocals + lead guitar), brothers Chris (rhythm guitar) and Nate Tims (bass), and Thom Boynton (drums + backing vocals) - and everything the band has done so far definietyl captures the fun, vibrant and energetic vibe of the band. They’ve already opened for Aussie legends Teenage Dads, Bootleg Rascals and The Grogans, as well as kiwi icons The Beths and Princess Chelsea. They also secured spots on the Rhythm and Vines festival and Spring City festival line-ups - alongside well-established acts such as Groove Armada, Zane Lowe and Ladyhawke.
Definitely a band to see LIVE - to celebrate the release, Coast Arcade have a SOLD-OUT EP Release Show 27 May at Auckland’s BIG FAN. More info at Under the Radar HERE
The band recently released their debut EP NEXT TO ME - which features previously released hit singles 'Surf Club' (Official NZ Charts #20 Hot NZ 20 Singles), ‘Highest Heights’ (Official NZ Charts ‘Ones To Watch’, #2 Hot NZ 20 Singles Chart + #37 Hot 40 Singles, #7 RadioScope Most Added + #24 NZ Airplay) and ‘Tattoo’ (#11 Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart, RadioScope Most Added), along with new tracks ‘Salty Blonde’, ‘Just Peachy’ and new hit ‘Next To Me’.
Recorded at Joel Little's BIG FAN studio with engineer Noema Te Hau, then mixed and mastered by Jono Pearce (The Beths) and mastered by Oliver Devlin (Hans Pucket).
FIND COAST ARCADE
NZ dark-pop artist Michèle Ducray overcomes bullying in brilliant new single + video ‘Monster’
Giving the sense of a dark nursery rhyme, this brilliantly crafted and catchy dark-pop song could also be described as poetic, carnival grunge. ‘Monster’ is a song inspired by the artists own experience of bullying - drawing on the sense of feeling attacked.
Aotearoa dark-pop up-and-comer Michèle Ducray has today released her stand-out new single ‘Monster’.
Giving the sense of a dark nursery rhyme, this brilliantly crafted and catchy dark-pop song could also be described as poetic, carnival grunge. ‘Monster’ is a song inspired by the artists own experience of bullying - drawing on the sense of feeling attacked. “It’s about the way (a bully) makes you doubt yourself,” explains Michèle, “and how you overcome it by seeing you’re a powerful being who won’t accept that shit. Writing ‘Monster’ was my cathartic therapeutic form of revenge and whether you’re a victim of bullying or love the show Wednesday on Netflix, this one’s for you!”
Mixed, mastered and recorded with Liam Quinn (Delta Goodrem, Rita Ora) at his Sydney studio, this new single also has a stunningly shot Sabrina-esque music video, with detailed set-design and direction - all made by Innit Creative Films. “The set design is gorgeous! For the Seance scene, we had a full on tarot card layout with candles and grasses symbolically placed - oh and an old witchcraft book on set! It was like a horror movie, so good and so realistic. The actor who played the ‘monster’ conveniently already knew how to do those robotic dance moves, which really brought the monster to life.” Throughout the video Michèle, dressed as a highschool student, is being chased throughout the school by a monster - before she overpowers him. “The message I'm trying to convey is, don’t let them get you down! The ‘monster’ is just a bully who would do anything to see you fail, but you are worthy and amazing, and that’s all that really matters.”
Based in Wanaka, Michèle was raised in South Africa, China and Christchurch. She has worked with Simon Gooding (Dua Lipa, Pink), Pacific Heights (Drax Project, Shapeshifter), Liam Quinn (Delta Goodrem, Rita Ora), and DJ RUEBIK. Signed to Antipodes Records, her music has been featured on some of NZ’s biggest radio stations and recently performed at 2023’s Bay Dreams and ZM’s Electric Avenue. A self-confessed "fan of the peculiar", Michèle is inspired by mysterious and sinister themes such as horror and the colourful characteristics of circus life. Her sound is characterised by a mix of intoxicating vocals, deep drum & bass, and lucid pop melodies for a melancholic yet energetically upbeat immersion of seductive tones. With lots more to come - including a debut EP - Michèle Ducray is an exciting artist on the rise worth following!
FIND MICHÈLE DUCRAY
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NZ up-and-comer Jessica Leigh releases new pop gem ‘WIRED’
Hailing from Nelson, the now Wellington-based singer-songwriter Jessica Leigh has today released her exciting new pop single ‘WIRED’.
LISTEN HERE
Hailing from Nelson, the now Wellington-based singer-songwriter Jessica Leigh has today released her exciting new pop single ‘WIRED’.
An upbeat and empowering song, ‘WIRED’ is about knowing your worth in a relationship. “The song revolves around not letting a relationship hold you back from living your life,” explains Jessica, “it’s about going out for that fun night instead of staying at home waiting around for a call.”
The single was recorded at Jessica’s home studio and produced by Josh Naley aka Wells* (Paige, NAVVY, Thomston, Foley, Luca George, Bridges) at Parachute Studios. “The song initially started as a really sad Phoebe Bridgers-esque guitar track, but it very quickly became apparent that it needed to be a fierce girlpop banger.”
Sonically, it feels distinctly Jessica Leigh with its big, glittery synth-filled choruses interspersed with softer, dreamier verses. “Lyrically, the song reflects me as an artist in the way that there is a deep complexity to the emotional charge behind the lyrics. ‘WIRED’ is definitely the most assured ‘pop song’ I’ve released so far and gives a good feel for the glittery pop direction my music is heading in.”
Jessica’s songs are inspired by the technicolor, emotional spectrum of youth and the storytelling within them often depicts vibrant, visceral coming-of-age narratives, reflecting on themes such as young love, friendship, growing pains and everything in between. The young artist won a regional songwriting competition in 2019 and officially began releasing music shortly after. She released her debut EP 17 in 2020 and followed it up with a sophomore EP SUMMERLAND in 2021 and soaring summer anthem ‘my way’ in 2022.
FIND JESSICA LEIGH
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NZ’s Corrella drop fun and powerful debut album ROAD FROM 26
Aotearoa 7-piece Corrella have become regulars in the charts and airwaves, now they’ve released their much-anticipated debut album ROAD FROM 26 + new single ‘Whisky’!
LISTEN HERE
Aotearoa 7-piece Corrella have become regulars in the charts and airwaves, now they’ve released their much-anticipated debut album ROAD FROM 26 + new single ‘Whisky’!
Named for the Navy house where the band was created, 26 Corrella Road, near the Devonport Naval Base where the group met and formed - ROAD FROM 26 is a powerful, modern and outright vibe that takes you on a journey from Corrella’s past to present. With their signature feel-good roots-reggae, there’s also funk, soul, pop-rock and a powerful stripped-backed song ‘Promise’ - with just guitar, violin and vocals. ‘Promise’ is dedicated to lead singer Pipiwharauroa Campbell’s son and beautifully completes the album. Another dedication to whānau is single ‘Visions’, the first track bass player Codi Wehi-Ngati has brought to the band.
“We’re super excited about the album,” says Pipiwharauroa, “we’ve got genres and songs on there for everyone. It reflects our diversity. Not only in music but in culture. We want people to be united in listening to this album. One Aotearoa.”
Made with the support of NZ on Air, ROAD FROM 26 features previously released hit singles ‘Skankin’, ‘We On (Catch-22 Remix)’, ‘Raumati’, ‘Raumati (Isdale Remix)’ and ‘Little Circles’ - which have all placed on the Official NZ Charts, RadioScope Charts and NZ Shazam Top 200 - some for multiple weeks! The album also includes recently released waiata ‘Ko Au’ (Waiata Anthems, Te Māngai Pāho, NZ On Air, Waiata Takitahi), alongside six new tracks that are all set to make this album become a fast classic.
New single ‘Whisky’ is a super fun, upbeat roots-reggae track with a fast driving beat and fantastic horns. As the first track of the album it brilliantly sets the scene, reflects the high energy of the band and will no doubt get people moving. “‘Whisky’ was a fun track which had a massive journey from start to finish. It was developed by Te Naawe and Jess Rapana a few years back and was never really touched until we found some spare time to throw together ideas in the studio. We wanted to transport the listener to our home, where we were all writing this song whilst drinking whisky, having the best night ever. We love playing this track!”
ROAD FROM 26 was recorded at renowned Tāmaki Makaurau studio Parachute, produced by Jimmy Colbert, mixed by Christian Tjandrawinata and mastered by Vivek Gabriel. It also features outside co-writers Jimmy Colbert, Jess Rapana and Selwyn Lloyd - and guest musicians Thabani Gapara and Christian Mausia on horns for ‘Whisky’ and trumpet solo on ‘Blue Eyed Māori’ - and Gin Papāli’i-Curtin (Gin the Artist) is on the violin for ‘Promise’. “ROAD FROM 26 is literally a testimony to the journey we have taken since our EP was released in 2021. The band has undergone physical and musical changes which is heavily depicted in the album. However we have also tried to ensure our original sound is maintained as that will always be the foundations of Corrella.”
Corrella formed in 2017 and is made up of Te Naawe Tupe (Ngāi Tūhoe) - rhythm guitarist and hype man, Pipiwharauroa Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pukenga) - lead singer, Codi Wehi-Ngati (Ngāti Maniapoto) - bass guitarist, Rebekah Brady (Te Arawa, Nga puhi) - vocalist, Ngawaiwera Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pukenga) - vocalist, Taula Schuster (Samoa, Niue) - piano and keyboard, “Ulu” Tom Scrase – drummer and proud Wellingtonian who creates and play’s Taonga Puōro, and Joshua Faletutulu- lead guitarist. Their summer single ‘Skankin’ (released December 2022), has been filling the Aotearoa airwaves, and consistently placing in both RadioScope and Official NZ Charts alongside ‘Raumati’, the group's first full Te Reo Māori Waiata, which featured in Waiata Anthems 2022. They released their debut single ‘Summertime in Aotearoa’ in late 2020, which quickly made it onto the NZ Music charts. They then went on to release their debut 5-track self-titled EP in 2021, with an impressive three tracks off the EP making it onto the NZ Music Charts.