Award-winning, Aotearoa folk artist Amiria Grenell releases breathtaking, contemplative new single and video, ‘Lanterns’

Award-winning, Ōtautahi based folk singer and songwriter Amiria Grenell has today unveiled her latest single, the gentle track ‘Lanterns’. The single comes with a gorgeous accompanying video, which follows on as a sequel from her recently released single ‘Romeo’.

Listen to ‘Lanterns’ HERE

Like a cool autumn morning on the cusp of winter, ‘Lanterns’ is solitary, gentle, contemplative. Breathtaking strings swell among the delicate acoustic guitar, with Amiria’s emotive and captivating voice showcasing her strength for storytelling around nature, and what it means to be human.

“‘Lanterns’ is a song about the questions we ask, even when we already know the answers,” reflects Amiria. “It’s about letting love go, and the strange combination of heaviness and relief that can come with that process.”

Written in a little cottage just south of Oamaru in Herbert, ‘Lanterns’ was then recorded and produced in Christchurch at The Hut with Ryan Fisherman. The gorgeous strings were performed by Tristan Carter and Charley Davenport, and recorded by Anna Edgington in Wellington, with the track then mastered by Mike Gibson at Munki Studio’s, also in Wellington.

The single is joined by a beautiful video, made by Martin Sagadin. Earthy, contemplative and symbolic, the video acts as a continuation and sequel to her previous video for ‘Romeo’.

“It’s centered around the idea of trying to make something lifeless look beautiful again,” says Amiria. “It’s trying to bring colour and life back into a deserted, lifeless tree in the middle of the Banks Peninsula, with blooms collected from friends' gardens around Otautahi (as shown in Romeo Video). It was really special to be on the Banks Peninsula to film this one, it is one of my most favourite places in Aotearoa.”

Watch the video for ‘Lanterns’ HERE

‘Lanterns’ is the second single to come from Amiria, following the dreamy track ‘Romeo’. Quick to gain widespread local media support, the single was added to radio across the country as well as featured on platforms such as Juice TV and Under The Radar.

Winner of a Tui NZ Music Award for her 2011 album THREE FEATHERS and a finalist for the same award for her 2015 album AUTUMN, Amiria Grenell is an Ōtautahi folk singer and songwriter with a crystalline voice finely balancing gentle restraint and emotive strength. Daughter of legendary country musician John Grenell, Amiria grew up on a farm in Whitecliffs, Canterbury, where her family hosted decades of music festivals in the back paddocks. She has followed her heritage into a colourful and long-standing career as a touring artist and respected songwriter, and returns in 2023 with her latest work.

Listen to ‘Lanterns’ HERE
Watch the video for ‘Lanterns’ HERE

Find Amiria Grenell on:

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In time for Halloween, The Transits unveil their synth-laden, 80’s inspired new single and spooky short film, ‘Lost Ones’

Just in time for Halloween and hot off the back of winning Show Me Shorts NZ On Air best music video for single ‘When You Went Away’, New Zealand-South African band The Transits have today released their 80s inspired, massive new single and chilling short-film, ‘Lost Ones’.

Listen to ‘Lost Ones’ HERE

Inspired by 80’s horror movie scores, with its synth-laden, 80’s drum machine verses, ‘Lost Ones’ expands into a rock-heavy chorus with massive drums and a wall of guitars in classic Transits fashion. The track pushes the boundaries of the trio; creating a new blend of two worlds which hits home in the enormous bridge.
Lyrically, ‘Lost Ones’ describes an “emotional vampire - not the blood sucking type, but rather the sort that suck the life out of you, draining you.”
“People like this, they waste your time; or use you,” says Dom Antelme. “This song is about standing your ground and fighting back.”

‘Lost Ones’ has been released along with a captivating short-film directed by Ian Sweeney, and features some great Kiwi actors such as Milo Crawford (Deathgasm, Power Rangers) and Jordan Mooney (Ash vs Evil Dead, The Panthers).

“We actually had the concept for this video before we had the song,” explains Dom. “We’ve been talking about this music video short film concept for sometime, so the song was written with the concept in mind. It had to feel like our unique take on the 80’s and all the things we love about it.”
“Because the song has such an 80s sound to it, we wanted to create a video that pays tribute to all the things we love about the 80s: skating, vampire movies, VHS tapes and rad sneakers and shoulder pads,” says Ian Sweeney. “We had a blast making it.”

Watch the short film HERE

Today’s single comes after their recently released track ‘Renegade Hearts’; which received big local media support, including being featured on Radio Hauraki and Juice TV. Previous to ‘Renegade Hearts’ was their smash debut single ‘When You Went Away’; a track which reached #19 on the Aotearoa RadioScope Alternative Chart, and reached #9 on the South African Top 40 Chart.
Ryan Lunn (vocals, guitars, synths), Dom Antelme (vocals, bass) and Tyrone Smith (drums) have been making music together on and off since forming their first band 30 years ago as teenagers in Durban, South Africa. “We’ve been close friends for even longer than that,” says Dom, “it’s like family.” They would practice before, after and even during school, finding inspiration in guitar-heavy pop outfits like Weezer and The Pixies.

Since that first band, each member has gone on to experience careers that have included label signings, live, chart, radio and award success. The decision to get the band back together came about during the pandemic, when they started to write and record together, regardless of being in different countries. The band says the timing feels serendipitous, with bands such as Blink-182 announcing the reunion of their original lineup and a resurgence of the vintage pop-punk sound.

With a debut full length album on the way, there’s so much more to come from this brilliant trio. Watch this space!

Listen to ‘Lost Ones’ HERE
Watch the short film HERE

Follow The Transits

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RISING TALENT KRISTN DROPS A CAPTIVATING, CHILL NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘NO GRAVITY’

Emerging R&B artist KRISTN delivers stellar new tune ‘NO GRAVITY’, an ode to a love connection written in the stars but destined to be consigned to the cosmic ash heap.

Imbued with a smooth, sultry vibe, the mood of ‘No Gravity’ is set by KRISTN’s elegant, easy-flowing vocal, underscored by a slick, laid-back groove featuring live bass performed by Nick Taylor, that allows her rich, euphonious voice to shine.

A soulfully seductive R&B number, ‘No Gravity’ is a revealing reflection on the inevitable demise of a star-crossed romance with KRISTN weaving a narrative exploring the pain of a failed relationship that should have worked, but didn’t.

Written in response to a break-up a few years ago, the lyrics for ‘No Gravity’ incorporate KRISTN’s interest in astrology to provide a further explanation for why the seemingly perfect coupling that should have been a match made in heaven, ended up fizzing out.

KRISTN explains: “My best friend once said to me ‘Yeah opposites attract, but doesn’t always mean that they work.’ That’s the short answer as to what it’s about. We were extremely different people in every way, shape and form. Yet we were also the same star sign, so we were also extremely similar – but it turns out, in the worst possible way. So it ended up being a relationship that was hard to be in, and being with someone that was hard to be in love with, when it was supposed to be so easy.”

Lyrically it’s one of her most favourite songs, showcasing her song-writing skills as she sums up the problem of dating someone who is all the worst parts of yourself with: “It should have been easy, to fall for you…but gravity wasn’t in our favour today,…we’re crashing ‘cause we’re different, or too much of the same…”

Acclaimed producer and songwriter William Henderson, who has worked with the likes of pop heavyweights Chaii, Nike Walters and Foley, was once again at the helm of a KRISTN song, recording, mixing, and mastering the track in Auckland as he did with previous single ‘Chasin’’, which has now garnered over 60k Spotify streams since its release earlier this year.

‘No Gravity’ is accompanied by a superbly shot and stylish video, filmed in Melbourne by video company Rogue Antechinus, directed by Murray Enders, and featuring French actor Mohammed El Mota playing KRISTN’s ex as they have the ‘we need to talk’ talk.

KRISTN says: “The video captures and elevates the emotion and pain of the song. You see and feel for this couple that should’ve worked…but didn’t, especially with the flashbacks of the good times, because you want them to work it out and stay together, but they just can’t. But it was such a fun and easy shoot. Mohammed had only been in the country for less than a month, so when we’re arguing, we are yelling at each other in two different languages. It was hilarious!”

Born in South Africa, raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, and usually based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Kristin Paulse aka KRISTN is currently based in Australia, where the talented singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer has been touring in musical theatre over the past year.

Having made her Australian musical theatre debut as a Dynamite in Hairspray the Musical, KRISTN is now revisiting the music of Tina Turner, currently touring with TINA – The Tina Turner Musical Australia Tour after 2022’s New Zealand tour of the tribute show, TINA: Simply the Best.

KRISTN is an incredibly busy and diverse creative, who can also be found performing live shows in New Zealand and Australia as one half of R&B neo soul duo Citris iNK, with her partner Nick Taylor, and has even enjoyed chart action with her 2021 debut single ‘Seasons’ feat. Wulfie charting at #13 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles chart.

An exciting up-and-coming talent, KRISTN is definitely one to watch out for. More new music is due to follow in early 2024, so stay tuned and watch out for this bright shining star on the rise!

AINSLIE ALLEN RELEASES ‘Don’t Wanna Be Lonely’

A fusion of Alt Country, Bluegrass, linked with a lush reggae beat. 

Recorded at Kross Kut Records QLD with Lindsay Waddington at the helm. Ainslie says, ‘Waddo had a funky bluegrass, reggae instrumental he played Cas (Allan Caswell) and I, we immediately put pen to paper and recorded this track the very next day’. 

Incorporating Ainslie’s Māori heritage in the lyrics, she says, ‘I’m always finding ways to connect with my culture through my music”, “I’ve discovered a fresh direction in my sound, ‘Don’t Wanna Be Lonely’ is dripping with the summertime vibe.

From a young age, Ainslie Allen (Rongowhakaata, English, Irish) honed in on her talents. She won her first guitar at the age of 12 and at 16 she went on to win Smokefree Rockquest’s most prestigious Female Musician Award, the same year she starred in McDonald's Young Entertainers, a hit New Zealand TV talent show, making 'Ainslie Allen' a household name.

As an Independent Alt Country artist, Ainslie released her debut EP The A-Sides in November 2013 and after a 6 year hiatus her Debut Country Album Betty was released in 2021 reaching #8 on the official NZ TOP 40 ALBUM CHARTS and #30 on the official TOP 40 WORLD Album CHARTS.

Career highlights to date are playing the MAIN stage at Rhythm and Vines 2020, being part of Waiata Anthems Week 2021, nominated for Best Māori Wāhine Solo Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards 2021 

Her recent releases Done and Gone, You Think You’re (Better Than Me) and Te Ua Ka Moa, and Maserati were all chosen to be on NZ on AIR - New Tracks, her first Te Reo Māori release Taku Māmā debuted at #4 on Apple Music’s New Music Daily, and was immediately picked up by Spotifys Waiata Reo Māori playlist (35k) where it sat for over a year and was 8 weeks on Apple Music’s Southern Craft playlist.

After a massive few years, a national headline tour under her belt, songwriting in the Gold Coast Australia (ngā mihi nui NZ MUSIC COMMISSION) with some of her favourite music writers, preparations are in full swing for her sophomore album due 2024.

New Zealand Hard Rock Outfit BLACK SMOKE TRIGGER Defy Death In Adrenaline Fuelled Video For Brand New Single ‘THE WAY DOWN’

New Zealand rock juggernauts Black Smoke Trigger have unleashed their hard-hitting new single ‘The Way Down’ today.

The accompanying death-defying music video sees Black Smoke Trigger go to extreme lengths in pursuit of rock n roll glory. Filmed atop Auckland’s’ Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, the video features the band performing on the rooftop 630ft up and guitarist, Charlie Wallace, jumping off the building whilst shredding a guitar solo.

Speaking on the filming of their death defying video, Wallace shares:

"Standing on the outside edge of the tower, 630ft up, at night time with a helicopter whirling around us filming was surreal. I've always liked the idea of making a music video for a song, a literal definition of the title. Like when we filmed a music video underwater for our track 'Caught In The Undertow'. So for 'The Way Down' I closed my eyes and thought... What's the highest place we could perform this song, then jump off to have a literal definition of 'The Way Down' 

The idea came to me pretty quickly. Auckland’s Sky Tower is the tallest free standing structure in the southern hemisphere. Telling the band about the idea, no one else was too keen to jump off, so I drew the short straw with that one. It took a bit of convincing to let me play the guitar solo while falling 630ft from the outside edge of the building, and some custom metal clamps that attached to a harness so the guitar didn't fall away from me. It was quite the experience jumping off such a tall building while playing a guitar solo, and to get the coverage we needed for the video, as soon as I jumped once, I had to run to the elevator and jump off again straight away.”

Produced by the legendary Nick Raskulinecz (Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, RUSH) and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Muse, Prince), ‘The Way Down’ is an arena ready rock anthem that combines a gigantic, toe tapping riff from leader and guitarist Charlie Wallace with soaring vocals from frontman Baldrick, whose vocal range channels icons like Chris Cornell and Layne Staley in both passion and versatility, and a pummelling rhythm section courtesy of bassist Dan Fulton and drummer Josh Te Maro. 

The track follows the band’s previous single ‘Caught In The Undertow’, the video for which was also a feat of extreme conditions.  Filmed at Auckland’s Muriwai beach and at a helicopter crash testing facility in a 3.6M deep pool, the whole band performed much of the song underwater, highlighting their dedication to creating unforgettable visual accompaniments for their hard-hitting rock anthems.

Speaking on the writing of ‘The Way Down’, Wallace continues:

“We are really excited to finally release this single, it's been a long time coming. The Way Down came together really quickly with Dan and I passing the guitar and bass back and forth experimenting with different chords and rhythms to get the vibe we were wanting to achieve. The tension that the verse builds makes it feel great to smash into the chorus when we perform it live. We recorded the track with producer Nick Raskulinecz in his studio in Nashville, TN and the whole recording process was a lot of fun. Nick really pushed us and came up with great ideas to take it to another level. We’re really proud of the result we've got and can't wait to let our fans hear it.” 

Blending raw punk aggression with arena-ready hooks, ‘The Way Down’ provides the perfect soundtrack as Black Smoke Trigger literally dives into the unknown. The latest single cements this ambitious quartet as heavy music’s most daring new force.

With elite musicianship honed from years of tireless work, Black Smoke Trigger show no signs of compromise in their pursuit of creating pure exhilarating rock chaos. Their unbridled passion bleeds through every note.

The horizon shines bright for these Kiwi rock trailblazers. Stay tuned for much more to come.

Unpacking the nature of change, Aotearoa’s alt-artist Cloudy unveils long-awaited sophomore EP, RAINCLOUD

After two years in the making, two stunning single releases & shows, Kiwi-Austrian alternative singer-songwriter Cloudy is now ready to unveil her long-awaited sophomore EP, RAINCLOUD, out now!

Listen to RAINCLOUD  HERE

Through a blend of indie bedroom-pop and 90s indie rock, RAINCLOUD would feel at home in 90s coming-of-age movie/TV shows like 10 things I Hate About You, Gilmore Girls and Dawsons Creek - but the real magic giving it a timeless feel, comes from Cloudy’s storytelling, songwriting and vocal talent.

A collection of seven tracks, RAINCLOUD unpacks the nature of changing relationships through loss, heartbreak and self-discovery. Recorded between Roundhead and Halfwaydown Studios, Cloudy teamed up with locally esteemed producer, Morgan Allen (Erny Belle, Harper Finn, NO COMPLY), to complement and expand her sound. She was also joined by a full live band made up of Connor Hurndell (guitar), Zel Kust (Bass) and Carl Stieller (Drums). Through this collaborative process, Cloudy uncovered what she describes as her most authentic sound yet and reflects her growth musically and personally.

“RAINCLOUD introduces a new era within my sonic world. The shift from performing and recording solo to working with a band, really widened my music horizons and allowed me to test new waters. I got to explore a new way of making music and learn more about what I wanted to come through in my music.”

Due to the pandemic, Auckland floods and band changes, Cloudy says the project took a lot longer to make than she expected, but that it forced her to take her time and reevaluate why and for what she was making music - making the setbacks a blessing in disguise. “When I visualize the EP as a whole, I see it as a massive thunderstorm, and from that storm grew a beautiful garden full of flowers and bumble bees. All the songs are those beautiful flowers that came from the torrential rain.” The ‘flowers’ are previously released singles ‘On The Edge’ and ‘Grapefruit’, alongside ‘How Was Your Day’, ‘Don’t Dissappear’ and new single ‘Raincloud’ - which encapsulates the EP’s positive overarching theme of embracing the storm and overcoming it.

Listen to RAINCLOUD  HERE

After her first studio releases ('Dear Dunkin' and 'Addicted To You'), Cloudy released her debut EP GOOD GRIEF, featuring 'I’ll Stay' and 'Self-Help Guide' in 2021. The release was met with significant praise and editorial success, landing her a multitude of editorial playlist placements: Fresh Finds Indie (180,000+), Fresh Finds Rock (120,000+), Indie Arrivals (85,000+) and The Office Stereo (150,000+). The extensive coverage of GOOD GRIEF reflects Cloudy’s ability to nestle herself into a myriad of genres, appealing to audiences of all kinds. RAINCLOUD is no different, and is a stunning sophomore EP not to be missed from this exciting emerging Aotearoa talent!

Lucy Gray 'Not Fair'

‘not fair’ is 16-year-old Lucy Gray's brand new song that drops on the 20th of Octobe

PRESAVE 'NOT FAIR'

‘not fair’ will be out on all major platforms including Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Tidal and Deezer. ‘not fair’ is the third single off her debut EP, and one of the last singles to be released this year by her! The Ōtautahi based musician collaborated with visionary producers Andy and Vic Knopp from The Response to create her first EP. 

‘not fair’ is an acoustic pop song with indie roots, inspired by artists such as Boygenius, Noah Cyrus, Gracie Abrams, Lisa Hannigan, and Julia Jacklin. 

‘not fair’ is the story of outgrowing a toxic relationship, and seeing through the rose coloured glasses that hid their actions. It's about standing up to a person who abuses their power, and moving on with your life instead of clinging to them.  

The song is a reflection of innermost thoughts and troubles about feeling secure with a person, which is reflected in the haunting synths, and dreaming strings and guitar that ring over Gray’s delicate harmonies. The song builds into a passionate chorus introduced by the pickup in the drums, that executes a cinematic and emotional performance.  

Lucy Gray is a performer, singer and songwriter and she is currently studying at Hagley School of Music. Her writing is inspired by alternative pop, pop, alternative rock & indie styles, with Gray finding a personal harmony in the less orthodox melodic & conceptual tropes usually associated with these genres.

Gray was granted a New Music Development grant from New Zealand on Air, which funded this single, along with her upcoming EP. This single follows up her 2023 singles ‘pretty’ and ‘coffee breath’, both which were impressively received by the public racking up over 10,000 streams together. ‘pretty’ even was placed on the NZ Hot New Singles Chart at #19. ‘pretty’ was also a May New Tracks feature.

One of the things that makes Gray’s music so interesting is the distinctive character of her voice. The recording manages to showcase the unique nature of her tone & phrasing, capturing an impressive emotional range & all while sounding effortlessly produced.

  Gray has also been involved in radical activism, at 12 years old she wrote a song about climate action and how we need to join together to create change. She went on to play this song at the climate strikes, at National Young Leaders Day in 2019, at Festival for the Future in 2019 and on Radio with RNZ. Furthermore in August of this year she played at the Festival for Future 2022 with a new anthem for change, that she hopes to release.

Website: https://lucygraymusic.com/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy.graymusic/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4VY8YjTBMWRbgAZfPpFjq5

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDsHQ7jQfO0l2aj_SPzs0

Ha the Unclear release new single ‘Fish’ today - the first single from a new collection of work

Exciting news! New music from Ōtepoti, Dunedin band HA THE UNCLEAR is here.  

The band will release ‘A Kingdom in a Cul-de-sac’, an album featuring exciting new releases alongside highlight tracks from the back catalogue in January 2024.  

The band hopes this new collection of work will give listeners “The need to move themselves a little bit, click fingers, clap hands, then sit in a comfortable chair. An attunement to the links between silly and serious.”

The first new single ‘Fish’ releases today, October 20. “Fish is a song about feeling powerless, an exploration of agency” say the band. “The intro/outro jangle riff came first and the rest of the song was built around that. I wanted to keep the melody really simple like springsteen or something and for some reason kept hearing The Magic Numbers in the bass hook. Andy the producer had his classroom sing BVs on it which elevated it and added a whole new dimension. “

Ha the Unclear, who formed in Dunedin, but later migrated northward to Auckland have recently signed with Paris-based label Think Zik !. The band has been warmly embraced by French audiences with playlisting on significant national radio including Europe 2, FIP, RTL 2, and France Inter and a milieu of college radio taste harbingers. 2023’s Handprint Negatives EP was recently released in the EU to critical acclaim with French press describing it as “a sweet madness” (Rolling Stone), “a real triumph…maybe confirmation of a major band” (Benzine) and a “spontaneous enthusiasm with a feeling of freshness” (Revue Pop Moderne).

Early singles  ‘Growing Mould’ and ‘Secret Lives of Furniture’ saw the band played extensively on student radio, more success followed with ‘Invisible Lines’ reaching #9 on the NZ Album Charts and 2020 elevator anthem ‘Strangers’ hitting #1 on the Radioscope Alternative Airplay Charts. Accompanying this, the band released a series of mind-bending music videos featuring a room full of furniture meddling in the life of their owner (‘Secret Lives of Furniture’), an astronaut crash landing on a foreign planet (‘Kosmonavt’), and the emergency delivery of a baby puppet in a broken elevator (‘Strangers’). The latter track was later released on the ‘Threads’ EP alongside the Sylvia Massy co-produced 'Julius Caesar’ and time travel lament ‘Supermarket Queues.’

Fish is out now, October 20, 2023.