ISLA RELEASES BITTER INDIE-POP ANTHEM “BETTER”

Tāmaki Makaurau's ISLA worked with the inimitable Morgan Allen to craft one part inspiring, one part enraging "Better." The bitter anthem is the second single in the lead up to her sophomore EP "Low"

"I had no idea how much more I deserved when I was younger. I dated a man that ground my self esteem into the pavement because he knew if it lifted I would leave. "Better" is exactly what I needed to hear when I was a teenager. I wrote it to uplift my past self, and give her some of the worth that was clearly missing at the time.

"I wanted to capture the sound of running away; I think we managed to do that with the drop and mega layers of harmonies. In the background you can hear Britomart ambience shifting in and out of earshot; it’s a bus pulling up and footsteps echoing through the CBD; the sounds of leaving."

ISLA is a sleepy singer-songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She found her feet as a performer when she attended an open mic hosted in a sea cave, and was inspired by the overwhelming talent the city has to offer. ISLA formed a band of cave people, and brought her ideas to life with the help of new friends. 

Supported by "band of sisters" The Kindred, ISLA is releasing her sophomore EP "Low" in 2023. The dream-folk collection marks a new sound for ISLA. "Low" explores seasonal depression and the memories that drift by in winter.

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Folk Alliance International Online Showcasing Opportunity

FOLK Alliance International

February 21 to 25, 2024

Ready to showcase your music to the global music community? Official Showcase applications for the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference are now open!

Official Showcases are an excellent way for tour-ready artists to perform their music in front of festival bookers, agents, venues, record labels, DJs, and more.  Folk Alliance International (FAI) is the largest and leading non-profit organization for folk music representing the global community of artists, agents, managers, labels, publicists, arts administrators, venues, festivals, and concert series presenters.

FAI defines folk broadly as “the music of the people” and supports a diverse array of subgenres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Hip-Hop, Old-Time, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Traditional, Zydeco, and various fusions.

FAI’s annual conference is the leading booking event for the folk music industry (with an average of 2900 attendees!). Official showcases are selected through a competitive jury process weighing artistic quality, national/tour career readiness, and national/stylistic/cultural diversity. As a result, artists often book national or international engagements, meet professionals to join their teams, and catch the interest of media based on these performances.

Official Showcases will be performed in person at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, MO, USA, from February 21 to 25, 2024. Each Official Showcase set is 30 minutes on a professionally produced stage with full backline, lighting, and sound support.  

There were 200+ presenters/buyers at the 2023 conference, found here, including : Calgary Folk Music Festival (CA), Shambala Festival (UK), Telluride Bluegrass Festival (USA), Cambridge Folk Festival (UK), MerleFest (USA), Levitt Foundation Venues (across the USA), Swallow Hill (USA), Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (USA), and University of Vermont Lane Series (USA). Initiatives are in place to invite even more presenters/buyers in 2024!

Previous New Zealand artists include Mel Parsons, Anika Moa, Delaney Davidson, Māmā Mihirangi & the Māreikura, Marlon Williams, Graeme James and Albi & The Wolves.

Applications close July 17th 2023

https://folk.org/programs/conference/perform/official-showcase-application/

MOUNTAIN BOY DELIVERS HIS THIRD CHAPTER ‘NOOM’

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

Written a few years back, ‘Noom’ underwent many iterations before becoming what it is today. The Waikato based artist explains, “throughout its life cycle I scrapped and revisited the song a number of times, using it as a sort of experiment to try new sounds and recording styles.” The result is a song that harkens back to his older writing style, but clearly sits in a sonic space we haven’t heard from him before. The piano and the lap steel in particular reveal an almost Americana-inspired tilt in the production.

‘Noom’ is the third chapter in a series of songs that Mountain Boy has been releasing over the past few months and sets an exciting precedent for what’s to come. In a recurring fashion, video content will compliment the single. This time the artist showcases his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, performing ‘Noom’ as the official video for this release.

Borderline to Enchant Fans with New Single ‘Cinderella’

Indie-Pop/Rock band Borderline are on the rise and thrilled to announce the release of their stunning new single, ‘Cinderella,’ this Friday. Drawing inspiration from the iconic fairy tale character as a symbol of perfection, Borderline explores the complexities of perceiving others as flawless while grappling with the fear of inadequacy.

Lead vocalist Ben Glanfield sheds light on the tracks conception, stating, "The concept for this song came from the story of Cinderella and the idea that she represents the image of a perfect person with the thought that although nobody is perfect, you sometimes see others that way and in turn are afraid they are too perfect for you." The song invites listeners to reflect on the nuances of human connections and the quest for self-acceptance.

Borderline worked with producer Christian Tjandrawinata on ‘Cinderella’ to create a catchy and upbeat sonic listening experience, incorporating elements of indie pop, synth-pop, and alternative rock with mixing by Nic Manders and mastering by Vivek Gabriel. 

The release of ‘Cinderella’ promises to be another milestone in this young band's upward trajectory, authentically reflecting their artistic growth while captivating listeners with an engaging and relatable narrative. In support of the new single Borderline will be playing a release show at The Tuning Fork on July 1st.

Nola Unveils Follow-Up Single "All In" After Highly Acclaimed Debut EP.

Rising star Nola returns with a captivating new single that showcases his evolution as an artist and solidifies his position in the music industry. Titled "All In," this highly anticipated release is the follow-up single from Nola's critically acclaimed debut EP 'SFTLO,' which debuted at number 15 on the top NZ Albums charts.

Produced by the platinum award-winning duo Sprout and NT, known for their exceptional work in South Auckland's music scene, "All In" is a testament to Nola's dedication to creating compelling and authentic rap music. The collaboration between Nola and the renowned producers has resulted in a track that effortlessly blends infectious melodies, introspective lyrics, and innovative production, showcasing the new sound coming out of South Auckland.

Building upon the success of his debut EP, which garnered widespread praise for its refreshing sound and introspective themes, Nola continues to push boundaries and showcase his unique artistry with "All In." The single captures Nola's growth as an artist, showcasing his versatility and ability to connect with audiences on a profound level.

With the success of his previous releases, including the breakthrough singles ‘Die For You’ and ‘One Shot’, Nola has garnered attention from music critics and industry professionals alike. his distinctive sound, heartfelt lyrics, and dynamic performances have positioned them as one of the most promising artists in the New Zealand music scene.

"All In" is now available for streaming and download on all major digital platforms. Nola encourages fans and music enthusiasts to show his support by sharing the single on social media, adding it to his playlists, and engaging with the artist's online presence.

RESHMA presents 'Where My Asians At?!' single & video

Alt-Pop New Zealand-based Malaysian pop star Reshma is excited to announce the release of her upcoming single and music video titled ‘Where My Asians At?!’ The bold single is a call to action to shed light on the lack of representation of marginalised communities in the local  commercial music and arts scenes, alongside prejudices she has encountered from her own community.

"It's still important to ask questions and spark discussions about representation, what community means for those who come from different backgrounds, and how to bridge that gap to connect with everyone equally,” says Reshma.

‘Where My Asians At?!’ is a reflection of Reshma's personal experiences as a woman navigating the music industry and her search for community after relocating back to Aotearoa New Zealand.
"There's a line in the song where I mention the personal stereotypes people have placed against me, specifically the assumption that I’m Gujarati, which I’m not. I was nervous about putting it in the track in case it got misunderstood," she says. "The idea behind that lyric is to challenge the mistaken stereotypes people put on us based on how we might look."

The track is paired with a bold music video directed by Jolin Lee, a writer-director based in Auckland. The choreography for the video was done by well-known K-Pop dancer and choreographer Rina Chae. The Auckland City of Music, Boosted, and the POC community provided support for the production, both in front of and behind the camera.

Reshma thinks of  'Where My Asians At?!' as "a fun, upbeat, feminine rage song, perfect for a gym session or walking into a job interview thinking yeah, I got this!" She emphasises you don't have to be Asian to appreciate the track, and hopes that it inspires questions about representation and inclusion for all communities.

New Zealous Music announces (worldwide) Management signing of King Cass

Announcing a worldwide Management agreement with King Cass - NZ Hiphop artist spearheaded by Hunter Wilson from Christchurch.
The deal includes an aspiring future of projects and goals that expand further than the music industry and deep into the well being of empowerment.
King Cass has had many positive features captured as he has transitioned through his journey but the signing to a Management label is a table turning milestone for him and his future in the NZ music industry.
With a massive catalogue of music and recent singles already released by King Cass, he sits on 8 tracks ready to hit the airwaves this winter. Encompassing an authenticity often lost in translation within Hiphop music. Songs written from the heart, a place of vulnerability and drawn from real life experiences whilst keeping the direction of his music rich with positivity. This has brought a connection between fan and artist to a place of understanding and loyalty.
Speaking of loyalty, have you met the #cassfam? These are his fans that expand across 10K+ active followers. There are even a number of fans with those exact words etched into their body, after a social media post went viral and King Cass fans proved their loyalty by professionally getting #cassfam tattooed on their body. 
Hunter, also known by his role as mental health advocate & motivational speaker, has been empowering the nation with his Awakening Multi-media show, traveling to various community organisations/ schools/ prisons and businesses. "My aim is to bring unity, inspire change and raise awareness around topics at the forefront of the community" says Hunter. 
"Hunter approached me (New Zealous Music) back in August 2022, and I saw a spark in this artist that really had me intrigued. We got to know each other over that 6 months and there was definitely an alignment. There is something special about working with a motivated, talk the talk and walk the walk forward moving artist. It's like an adrenaline rush that is great for both parties involved in growing a business relationship. With no two bands the same, Management is about building trust, strong communication, and working hard to tick off the goals" says Kris.
New Zealous Music has had an extensive rapport of artists across their roster over the past 14 years including the likes of NZ/Australia Roots Reggae Band, Paua, they spent 5 years under the Katchafire umbrella coordinating their Australian tours, and has kept true their values of providing a platform for NZ artists to utilise their services to build skills and gain progress within their music careers. NZM also expands into Tour Management and Booking Agent services also.

If you have any questions or need anything further from my end please let me know

WEBSITE: King Cass Movement

JULIET MCLEAN 'DARKER NIGHTS' TOUR

DARKER NIGHTS TOUR

WITH SPECIAL GUEST BEN KING

Taranaki songwriter Juliet McLean is embarking on a four date Darker Nights Tour, joined by special guest Ben King (Grand Rapids, Goldenhorse) across Te Ika-a-Māui in June. Honing her jazz / folk-infused sound from 2016's debut EP The Dance onwards, she went on to release her Unlash The Boats album in 2019, launching the stately yet fuzzy-edged six track Amaze Me EP last September — featuring multi-instrumentalist King also on production duties, with Greg Johnson on trumpet and Tom Broome on drums. Don’t miss both artists collaboratively evoking a sense of ‘magical realism’ on tour at the following dates…

June 17 THE MOST FM New Plymouth

June 18 PORRIDGE WATSON Whanganui

June 22 THE WINE CELLAR Auckland

June 23 NIVARA LOUNGE Hamilton

“I'm excited to be able to share my songs in a live setting with Ben as it was such a pleasure working with him in the studio as the producer on my latest recordings." — Juliet McLean