Falling Hard for Kayla Mahon’s new single “ Love’s Got A Witness”

Recently returned from Nashville, Southland’s Kayla Mahon (The Heartleys) , releases “ Love’s Got a Witness”.

The single is the first to be released from her work in Nashville, recording with Jay Tooke of Penny Arcade Productions x2 CCMA Nominee who has worked with Award Winning Artists Randy Houser, The Steel Woods and James Otto, and co-writer Ryan Sorestad who has written hits in Nashville Artists for Callie McCullough, Shantia and Candlebox. 

“Working with these songwriters and producers in Nashville has helped me achieve a new found depth in my writing, their experience was invaluable, and just being in the capital of Country Music was inspiring!”

Kayla is planning to release the album around March 2024, with a tour of New Zealand before heading off to international shores for more shows.

With a career spanning three decades, Kayla was the Winner of the coveted 2000 and 2008 New Zealand Overall Gold Guitar Award. Other accolades include performing at CMC Rocks in 2017, reaching the top 24 on the globally recognised X FACTOR NZ in 2015 and representing Aotearoa on the Global Artist Stage in Nashville in 2016 showcasing her original song "Through Georgia's Eyes”.

Named NZCMA Horizon Award Winner in 2015, Kayla journeyed to Tennessee and recorded her first Nashville single “Do you Ever” - successfully trending on Spotify's Fresh Country Playlist, followed by her first EP release in 2015 entitled “Girl on the Move”. 

Prior to her solo career, Kayla was half of “The Heartleys” - a country music duo successfully releasing two albums, winning both NZCMA and Southland Duo of the Year and appearing on the Australian Country Music Charts.

Warmly embraced in the strong southern New Zealand country music scene, Kayla has also performed to crowds in Norway, Norfolk Island and Australia. 

Taranaki-based artist Karen Clarke Blues Woman drops her latest track “Fine Line”

Slick, kick-ass and triumphant from the get-go “Fine Line” is the first fruit of Karen’s recent collaboration with New Zealand’s premier bluesman Darren Watson as producer.   

“Fine Line” is an important development within Clarke’s catalogue as she reaches further into her rhythm and blues DNA. 

With a confronting level of confessional honesty Karen’s song deals with deeply honest “get over yourself” content in a way that is raw yet optimist, dark yet victorious.  Her well-lived mahogany vocals weave a credible authenticity as the lyric unfurls.  A midpoint fantasy relief breathes the track.

In both mentor and producer roles Darren’s playing and production expertise is obvious in this track which features his tangy electric guitar solos and phat rhythm section grooves. Spirited horns elevate the mood well above anxt.

“Fine Line” has been well received by its pre-release audience.  So much so that Clarke has a second track already underway at Watson’s Wellington-based Lamington Recording studio.  

Fine Line by Karen Clarke

·     Lead vocal – Karen Clarke

·     All instruments and backing vocals performed by Darren Watson

·     Engineered and mixed by Darren Watson at Lamington Recording, Pōneke

·     Lead vocal recorded by Chris Foreman at Swampshack Studios, Taranaki

·     Produced by Darren Watson

·     Mastered by Mike Gibson at Munki Studios, Kāpiti

The Aotearoa Music Producer Series

The Aotearoa Music Producer Series (AMPS), launched in 2017 has become an integral part of up-skilling Aotearoa’s music production sector. In October and November AMPS will be presenting a series of producer workshops and events with support from the British Council New Zealand and the Pacific.

David Wrench (David Byrne, Blur, The Pretenders, Arlo Parkes) the award-winning Welsh producer will be running mix workshops at Roundhead Studios in Auckland on November 20th, Massey University in Wellington on the 22nd and Otago University in Dunedin on the 23rd. https://www.davidwrench.co.uk

Wrench is an artist, writer, producer and mixer based in London. He works with many of the most influential and innovative artists in the music industry and has been nominated for both Grammy and Brit Awards. He's mixed many Mercury Prize nominated albums including the 2017 winning album “Process" by Sampha and 2021’s winner the Arlo Parks album "Collapsed In Sunbeams". Credits include Blur, David Byrne, The Pretenders, Florence and The Machine, The xx, Frank Ocean, Sampha, Caribou, Goldfrapp, Jamie xx, Lil Silva, Jungle, FKA Twigs, Glass Animals, Hot Chip, Let’s Eat Grandma, Spiritualized and Manic St Preachers. Wrench is one half of the duo audiobooks, they have released two albums and an EP on Heavenly Records. He collaborates with Mix with the Masters and is a Waves artist.

Photo: Rachel Lipsitz

Anna Laverty (Stella Donnelly, Camp Cope, Courtney Barnett) the renowned producer and APRA ambassador will run a mix workshop at Parachute Studios in Auckland on October 13th and female identifying and non-binary recording day at the same venue on the 14th in conjunction with Record Enable. http://www.annalaverty.com

Award-winning producer Laverty has an exceptional list of credits, which has solidified her reputation as a fine creative talent with an impressive catalogue of releases across multiple genres. Having worked under the tutelage of award-winning producers Paul Epworth and Ben Hillier working on releases by Florence and The Machine, Bloc Party, Depeche Mode and Pete Doherty. Laverty has in recently produced albums by Camp Cope, Stella Donnelly, Amanda Palmer (featuring Missy Higgins, Montaigne and Clare Bowditch) Pinch Points, Screamfeeder, a live album for Courtney Barnett. Laverty is an APRA AMCOS ambassador, a mentor for the Girls Rock program and an adept songwriter having recently written with Stella Donnelly, Kav Temperley, Kaitlin Keegan, Dallas Woods and Alex Lahey among others.

Photo: Marcelle Bradbeer

Natasha Beckman, Director of the British Council New Zealand and the Pacific says “We are delighted to have this opportunity to bring Anna Laverty and David Wrench, leading UK-based record producers and mix engineers, to New Zealand as part of the Aotearoa Music Producers Series. We work to build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide, and look forward to Anna and David working with local music producers to help strengthen their capability.”

Tickets https://linktr.ee/amps2023

Full MPG NZ / Aotearoa members can access a 20% discount. Join at https://www.mpgnz.co.nz

https://www.facebook.com/theaotearoamusicproducerseries

http://www.instagram.com/producerseriesaotearoa

https://www.britishcouncil.org.nz/

Emperor C and Andre Bugatti Join Forces for the Release of "vroom"

In a cross-tasman collaboration, New Zealand's own Emperor C and Australia's Andre Bugatti have come together to unveil their latest track, "vroom". The single, produced by the talented Audemar, showcases a blend of heavy-hitting 808 drums, a piano-led melody, and mellow keys and pads in a new-jazz style, marking a continuation of Emperor C's distinctive sound.

The song "vroom" is a testament to Emperor C's commitment to his sound and consistency. It follows in the footsteps of his previous NZ Hot 20 entries, such as "Chrome" and "da_vinci_code", expanding his repertoire and engaging his growing audience.

Emperor C has been on a roll, releasing a new song every month and building on the success of his EP 'Still Calm', which featured the single 'Watch Ya Step!'—a track that garnered thousands of views on YouTube. He is part of the Womp Nation collective and is gearing up for another EP release soon.

"We've got a lot of plans for Womp Nation, and I want to be as consistent as possible with my releases and keep building with them and drop the tape soon. I'm always recording new music and just want to keep pushing the envelope with my sound." - Emperor C

TARANAKI INDIE-FOLK SWEETHEART LIANA HART REVEALS SECOND SINGLE, ‘DON’T GHOST’

Taranaki based country-folk singer-songwriter Liana Hart shares deeply personal sentiments by combining intricate vocal hooks and passionate, conversational lyrics, with finger-style guitar and delicate harmonica melodies. Liana’s second single ‘Don’t Ghost’ is has now made contact with the world, off the back of her debut folk-ballad ‘Your Eyes’.

While ‘Your Eyes’ is a daughters’ love letter to her father, ‘Don’t Ghost’ is a catchy indie folk tune about the anticipation and anxiety that comes with a new relationship. It’s a simple but loveable tune that explores those very first feelings of falling in love, which can often be scary for those who struggle with anxiety. ‘It’s really about trying to express those tough feelings of self-doubt and self-questioning when you notice you’re falling in love with someone and you really want it to work out”, Liana states. Produced by audio wizard Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studio (Ōakura), featuring Liana herself on backing vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar, piano, and mellotron, and Sam on bass and electric guitar, ‘Don’t Ghost’ is a charming piece of work that is guaranteed to get you humming along. The song has that classic indie vibe, paying homage to some of Liana’s favorite indie artists such as The Shins and Hiss Golden Messenger, and is the perfect addition to those indie folk coffeehouse and lazy summer bbq playlists. ‘Don’t Ghost’ is available on all major streaming platforms, and can be purchased digitally via Bandcamp.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lihartmusic/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lihartmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lihartmusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BzVgXc2yNPfmf3gvE7hUT

Bandcamp: https://lianahart.bandcamp.com/track/your-eyes

AARADHNA UNVEILS ‘SHE’ - HER FIRST SINGLE IN SIX YEARS OUT SEPTEMBER 29

“SHE pays homage to my roots. It’s a reminder that I hold power, a song to never forget what is inside me, my truth, my strength.” - Aaradhna

Today, Aaradhna returns with her powerful new single SHE, six years on from her last track - Forever Love from her #1 album Brown Girl. SHE is a mesmerising, self-produced song that continues Aaradhna’s legacy as Aotearoa’s finest R&B royalty.

Teasing her return last week, Aaradhna also dropped her spoken word, filled with drama and featuring a stunning video from acclaimed director Anahera Parata.

Two projects. One Voice. Theia x TE KAAHU presents: ‘GIRL IN A SAVAGE WORLD TOUR’

Fresh from touring the United States and Canada, Theia has returned to New Zealand to embark on her first headline tour in five years. And in true Theia style, this is no ordinary show!

GIRL IN A SAVAGE WORLD brings together critically acclaimed songs from Theia’s alt-pop catalogue with waiata from her award-winning reo Māori project TE KAAHU. 

Fans of Theia - who has amassed 17 million streams on Spotify alone since she burst onto the scene in 2016 - can expect to hear some of her most well-known songs, such as her smash hit ‘Roam’ and the sassy ‘Not Your Princess’, stripped back and played by a live band. These will sit alongside the dreamy waiata Māori of TE KAAHU, which this year won the Taite Prize for Best Independent Debut. 

GIRL IN A SAVAGE WORLD takes its name from a line in Theia’s gorgeous ballad ‘Pray 4 Me’ and shines a light on one of Aotearoa’s most intriguing artists. It is also the first time both Theia and TE KAAHU will be performed together in the same set. 

“In the past I’d never really imagined a time when these two [projects] would meet, mostly because I wasn't sure that people who loved one or the other, could love both. But then the idea came to me. I wanted to challenge the notions we impose on music – to look beyond the language it’s delivered in or the genres, and production it’s wrapped in and to break it down to its bare bones.”

Theia’s lyricism in English is often raw, confrontational and challenging, while TE KAAHU is entirely in te reo Māori and explores cultural identity, the environment and spirituality. 

A natural born storyteller, the audience can expect to be taken on a journey by Theia. 

GIRL IN A SAVAGE WORLD promises to be a thought-provoking experience, which reinforces the power that music has in bridging differences. Working with a small band of some of Aotearoa’s finest musicians, including award-winning producer, artist and multi-instrumentalist Jol Mulholland, Girl In A Savage World is an immersive experience that will take the audience to soaring heights and devastating depths. 

The bespoke show will be presented at a selection of arts festivals around the country, launching at Reimagine Festival (Taranaki) on October 6; then traveling to Tauranga Arts Festival on October 20; Hawkes Bay Arts Festival on October 22, Nelson Arts Festival on October 28 and the newly announced date of November 11 in Christchurch.

Theia will also perform a one-off show as part of the Nelson Arts Festival’s free event Mask Carnivale on October 27 - note this is Theia material only.

Theia is a three-time nominee at the NZ Music Awards and has been a finalist in the George FM Awards and the Waiata Māori Music Awards. Her project TE KAAHU won the 2023 Taite Prize for Best Independent Debut with the exquisite debut album ‘Te Kaahu O Rangi’. The album was also nominated for “record of the year” and “best newcomer” at the 2023 Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards. Theia’s debut album is due for release in 2024. 

Reimagine (Taranaki) - October 6 - TICKETS
Tauranga Arts Festival - October 20 - TICKETS
Hawkes Bay Arts Festival - October 22 - TICKETS
Nelson Arts Festival - October 28 and 29 - TICKETS
WORD Christchurch – November 11 - TICKETS

All tickets HERE

TSENATE RELEASES NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO 'GIRL 132

In her latest release leading up to her upcoming debut ep ‘ love never adds up’,' R&B newcomer TSENATE takes centre stage with single ‘girl 132’ in a gripping audition room, where the audition isn't for a role, but for a place in someone's heart. This synth-powered single unfolds a story of aspiration, revelation, and, ultimately, self-liberation. Accompanied by a music video directed by Mark Whittet, this story will strike a chord with anyone on a journey of self-discovery.

The track is another page from TSENATE’s love and heartbreak diary after the release of the single 'SUPERSTAR' earlier this year. The artist is unveiling another chapter, this time about a toxic relationship that she chose to move on from.

Speaking about the track, TSENATE shares her frustration, saying, "It was frustrating being in a situation where the person I liked would never clearly communicate what we were, but if I tried to move on, they would hold me back."

The music video concept, according to TSENATE, revolves around five girls 'auditioning' to be the leading gal in the love interest's life. It showcases the lengths we often go to gain someone's affection. Meanwhile, within this seemingly competitive setting, 'girl 132' has a realisation - sometimes, despite our best efforts, some connections are “just not meant to be." It's a poignant revelation that love isn't just about winning a part, it's about finding compatibility. Through this transformative journey, TSENATE sends a resounding message: Self-love is the key to unlocking the most meaningful connections.

Step into the world of TSENATE, where music becomes a mirror reflecting the highs and lows of teen love.