"LEVEL UP" Online Workshops Empower Emerging Artists to Up-skill and Take Their Music to the Next Level

Emerging artists looking to enhance their knowledge and take their music career to new heights can now apply for the "LEVEL UP" comprehensive five-part series of online workshops.

This programme is designed to provide participants with the tools they need to up-skill and succeed in the competitive music industry. Led by Artist Development consultant Katie Thompson, "LEVEL UP" will offer ten participants the opportunity to take part in five online group workshops and two one-on-one mentoring sessions.

The workshops will be held over the span of 11 weeks and will cover a range of essential topics, including Goal Setting, Music Industry Insights, Image & Branding, Funding Options & Single Release Checklist.

The "LEVEL UP" programme is for artists who are based outside of main centres that demonstrate talent and are currently working towards releasing original music.

Participants will benefit from the opportunity to gain insights into the music industry from a seasoned professional, receive feedback on their progress and set actionable goals for their future.

"The workshops are designed to help emerging artists develop their skills, gain knowledge and confidence," said Thompson. "I'm excited to be leading this programme and working with a group of dedicated and talented artists."

This programme is free to chosen applicants thanks to the Capability Grant, NZ Music Commission.

Applications for Level Up open on 5 June and close on 30 June. All sessions will be held via Zoom and dates can be found on the website.

For more information, including application criteria and to apply, visit www.quirkymusic.co.nz

About Katie Thompson:

Katie Thompson is an Artist Development mentor and Music Business consultant with over 15 years of experience in the music industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, from emerging talent to established musicians, helping them to develop their skills, build their careers, and achieve their goals.

Sonic Delusion's 7th Europe tour kicking off this weekend

The Aotearoa based indie pop troubadour Sonic Delusion, aka Andre Manella, is heading off on his 7th Europe Tour with 8 shows across Switzerland over the next 5 weeks with a variety of shows ranging from small festivals, indoor and outdoor venues and even a house concert. 

Too funky for folk and too folky for funk - that’s Sonic Delusion’s happy, funky & groovy indie pop.
In his boogielicious live performances, Sonic Delusion uses his well worn loop pedal with an array of instruments to skillfully layer and create an irresistible sound that is bursting with more funk than folk can handle.

The vibrant Swiss-kiwi, high-energy performer, Sonic Delusion (André Manella) has played over 1000 live shows at venues and festivals across Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia and Germany over the past 10 years.

“Sonic Delusion is funny, fresh and funky…a welcome breath of entertainment, joy, fun and smiles”
Graham Reid - Elsewhere.co.nz

“catchy melodic hooks that make you want to get up and dance”
Amy Maynard - NZ Musician Magazine

Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson win 2023 APRA Best Country Music Song Award & MLT Songwriting Award winners announced

Country music superstars Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson were this evening presented with the APRA Best Country Music Song Award at the 2023 Country Music Honours in Gore for their song ‘Beyond The Stars’ performed by Tami Neilson and Willie Nelson.

The MLT Songwriting Award celebrates unreleased songs from Aotearoa and Australia and was presented to Matt Joe Gow for his song ‘Whirlwind’. Jenny Mitchell and Ron Mitchell’s song ‘Daffodils’ was acknowledged as runner-up in the competition.

The evening celebrated the best in Aotearoa country music with performances by finalists including The Mitchell Twins, Mel Parsons, Delaney Davidson and more followed by the presentation of both the 2023 APRA Best Country Music Song Award and the MLT Songwriting Award.

‘Beyond The Stars’ was born of grief, capturing co-writers Tami Neilson’s and Delaney Davidson’s pain at the loss of their fathers and the longing to be with them once again.  Hailing from Neilson’s fifth studio album KINGMAKER, this timeless country duet was recorded at Roundhead Studios and features Willie Nelson as the voice of Tami’s father.

A celebrated musician in both the local and international music scene, Tami Neilson was unable to attend the awards and instead sent a video from the celebrated Ryman Auditorium in Nashville saying “This song is so close to my heart for so many reasons, to have co-written this with my dear friend Delaney Davidson. It is a song that we both wrote for our beloved dads who are both gone now and to have Willie Nelson sing the part of my father, is truly beyond the stars.”  The video even shared a special congratulations from legendary Willie Nelson who said “Yay! We won Tami, Best Country Song in New Zealand. Congratulations.”

Delaney Davidson, who was at the awards in Gore to accept the award on the night says “I am very excited to have this song recognised as we wrote it about our fathers. It feels like a way to honour them and keep their spirit alive.”

The song has cemented a place in the hearts of the people of Aotearoa.  “We are blessed to have such songwriting talents in this world. Tami and Delaney have crafted a beautiful, raw and heartfelt tribute. Throw in gorgeous strings and the unmistakable voice of Willie Nelson and it is a true classic” says APRA AMCOS Head of New Zealand Operations Ant Healey.

2023 APRA Best Country Music Song:

·        WINNER: ‘Beyond The Stars’ written by Tami Neilson and Delaney Davidson, performed by Tami Neilson and Willie Nelson (Published by Concord Music Publishing)

·        ‘Find A River’ written by Maegan Mitchell, Nicola Mitchell and Tami Neilson*, performed by The Mitchell Twins (*Published by Concord Music Publishing)

·        ‘Slow Burn’ written and performed by Mel Parsons (Published by Concord Music Publishing)

2023 MLT Songwriting Award:

·        WINNER: ‘Whirlwind’ written by Matt Joe Gow

·        RUNNER-UP: ‘Daffodils’ written by Jenny Mitchell and Ron Mitchell

·        ‘Compte de Paris’ written by Kate Targett-Adams and Chad Robinson

·        ‘Co-Parent’ written by Peter & Joanna Green

·        ‘Goosebumps’ written by Keith Pereira

·        ‘Help Me Remember’ written by Keith Pereira

·        ‘Little Less Lonely’ written by Jenny Mitchell

·        ‘Love Ya Like I Can’ written by Kerryn Fields and Matt Joe Gow

·        ‘Nobody Warns You’ written by Mel Parsons

·        ‘Prairie Song (Hard Times)’ written by Kerryn Fields

Watch the official music video here: ‘Beyond The Stars’ music video

Watch Tami’s acceptance speech here: Tami Neilson Acceptance Speech - APRA Best Country Song 2023 - YouTube

Ōtautahi Grim-Hop Machine Slimivich to Grind Down the Motu on the Grind Single Release Tour

Ōtautahi’s home grown grim-hop threat is primed and ready to unleash hell on Aotearoa when they embark to take their brand of grating Electro-Punk and Rap inspired, barely suppressed rage, on their inaugural national tour in support of the impending release of their punishing new single “Grind.”

Kicking off on Friday June 2nd at  Ōtepoti Dunedin’s legendary Crown Hotel, the boys will continue to take in Kirikiriroa Hamilton’s Last Place, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Dead Witch and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington’s MOON, before returning to home crowds in Ōtautahi Christchurch’s very own Darkroom. Punters should prepare themselves for a visceral assault on the senses not seen since the pairs’ previous outfit - the Ōtautahi metal colossus TAINTED - last toured the motu.

Packing supports as sonically diverse as Slimivich’s own unique noise; the duo will be joined on stage in their respective area codes by acts Swizl Jager, Crying Club, Person Will, Venom Dolls, Happy Valley, Ghost Colored Faces, Take Hold, Thief of Baghdad, Apherion, The Bravo Uniform Mikes, Bandemic, Saurian with on more to be announced

$10 will get you el cheapo tickets from the team at Cosmic Ticketing (or Deadwitch of the Auckland Show), $15 will get you in on the door on the night.

Slimivich - Grind Single Release Tour 2023

Ōtepoti Dunedin : Friday 2nd June - The Crown Hotel w/ Ghost Colored Faces, Person Will & Saurian
Kirikiriroa Hamilton : Friday 16th June - Last Place w/ Swizl Jager, Venom Dolls & Thief of Baghdad

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland : Saturday 17th June - Dead Witch w/ Swizl Jager, Venom Dolls, & Take Hold
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington : Saturday 1st July - MOON w/ Crying Club, Happy Valley & The Bravo Uniform Mikes

Ōtautahi Christchurch : Saturday 29th July - Darkroom  w/ Bandemic, Apherion + more TBA

LOUIS BAKER shares new single 'Misty in Matakana' ahead of European tour with Fat Freddy's Drop

Louis Baker returns with new single, 'Misty in Matakana' and announces a 14 date tour of Europe opening for Fat Freddy's Drop.

Misty in Matakana is a soul infused boom-bap track that will make you want to nod your head. Led by Baker’s unmistakable silky vocal, the song seamlessly merges warm synths, punchy bass lines and a hypnotic beat. The self-produced track marks the start of a new era and is the first of a string of releases for 2023.

Accompanying the release is a visualiser created by animator Jade Paynter, taking you on a ride from sunrise to sunset.

Inspired by artists like J Dilla, Isaiah Sharkey and Yussef Days, Baker says of the track "I wrote the beat in Matakana one morning while I was on holiday, it was super misty over the hills, and the view sparked something in me. I wanted this song to have an organic sonic and feel like a 90's hip hop record, the kind of tune you'd listen to when you're watching the sunset with your friends".

In July, the Wellington artist sets off to Europe to open for one of the world's finest live draws, Fat Freddy's Drop, taking the stage on 14 show dates including the legendary Hammersmith Apollo in London with Freddy's and Norman Jay NBE.
"It's an honour to be on this tour opening for Fat Freddy's Drop. I can't wait to get on the tour bus and play these shows." says Baker.

With a string of highly acclaimed releases under his belt, multiple music award nominations and a reputation for live shows that are the ultimate transformative experience, Louis Baker has been making his presence felt in the New Zealand music scene for several years, and Misty in Matakana is a testament to his growth and versatility.

"Misty in Matakana" is available now, globally via his independent label, Ngākau Records.

MOUNTAIN BOY RELEASES NEXT OFFERING ‘LUCKY’

Following the release of ‘Let It Lie’, Mountain Boy delivers his next offering ‘Lucky.’

Written in the depths of winter and a national lockdown, the Kirikiriroa-based multi-instrumentalist and producer explains "Lucky is about coming to the end of yourself, and there finding everything you were looking for.”

In a similar vein to ‘Let It Lie’, ‘Lucky’ has strong themes of gratitude, with a sonic warmth to it and thought-provoking lyrics. The artist explains further, “the zenith of the song, being the cathartic bridge, is sung as a sort of realisation ‘Now let it cross your mind, as you catch the light, How every bend and bough, It’s all a lucky find’.”

Mountain Boy once again worked closely with Paris Baillie to create the stunning visual that is the ‘Lucky’ lyric video, as well as the artwork for the track.

‘Lucky’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

YAHYAH LAYS IT ALL ON THE TABLE IN NEW TRACK ‘HOW I’M FEELING RN’

Following the successful release of ‘GO’, YAHYAH’s next offering ‘How I’m Feeling RN’ is a raw and honest take about a failed situationship.

Co-written and produced with Joel Jones, the pair introduced an Electro-Pop element to this track, as fans are treated to an edgier side to the Kiwi artist. “I think what is so relatable about this song is the pure rawness of saying this is exactly how I’m feeling,” YAHYAH explains, “it’s definitely one of my favourite songs I’ve ever written because it came from journal entries and poems that were written in my notes app on my iPhone.”

Accompanying the single is a stunning Visualiser, which was shot and directed by Doug Bagg and Dylan Rush. Deserving its own moment, fans can expect the visual piece to drop the following week.

‘How I’m Feeling RN’ is out Friday, 26th May on all streaming platforms. Plus, catch YAHYAH performing live this weekend at LA Women’s ‘Hell Of A Night’ Raglan show and 95bFM’s Fancy New Band showcase.

LUKE THOMPSON INTRODUCES HIS NEXT COLLECTION WITH ‘A LIGHT CALLING’

Luke Thompson’s next offering ‘A Light Calling’ was the track that kick started his next project.

Written in the first week of lockdown in New Zealand, Thompson explains, “as this song was emerging it seemed to encapsulate this intense feeling of liberation for me. A sense of relief, like some universal exhale and detox from constant rush”.

The track adds a new layer of exploration for the Tauranga based songwriter and producer; “this whole project came to me really quickly as I plugged in an old keyboard and stumbled upon this cheesy electric piano sound, which became the through-line and catalyst for the new record.”

An introduction for what is to come, you can expect influences from the likes of Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Dirty Dancing throughout. Written, recorded, and mixed by himself, these influences offer a new dimension of production and expression for the artist stating, “I think I had been fighting some of these musical sensibilities all of my life, so instead I just embraced them and turned up the reverb.”

‘A Light Calling’ is out Friday, 26th May on all streaming platforms, with more to follow in 2023.

FIND LUKE THOMPSON

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