AMBER CARLY WILLIAMS '21 ROSES' EP

On the 24th of November, Ōtautahi-based indie-pop artist Amber Carly Williams will release her debut EP ‘21 Roses’, a body of vulnerable songs that signifies Amber’s growth in who she is and where she’s been. 

Amber is successfully a full-time musician, playing gigs all around Canterbury and funding this project independently, alongside the assistance of NZ On Air’s Development fund. This EP follows on from her first three singles: Kids On The Internet, Life Of The Party, and the title-track of the EP, 21 Roses (out Nov 3rd). These songs were written over the course of the last couple of years, reflecting on the journey of upbringing, loss, heartbreak and anxiety. The EP is titled 21 Roses, after the single, as it’s the most significant, impactful song of all. It’s a particularly visual song and the EP carries on certain themes of it throughout. 

“21 Roses is a song I wrote about memories I have with my mum, and the symbolism of the 21 Roses represents all of the individual roses my dad gave to her for every valentines day they were together. My goal for this song was to leave a mark on people. To leave them feeling something - I for one felt some heavy feelings when I first got the master track back. Alongside the song, there is a music video, which was emotional and time consuming to put together but well worth it.” - Amber

Following on from Amber’s participation on TVNZ’s ‘Popstars’ in 2021, Amber has found herself in many collaborative writing spaces, expanding her knowledge and putting her skills to practice. However, the process of creating this EP was by writing all of the songs by herself and then bringing them to producer Terence O’Connor to work on the production. Terence has formed a beautiful soundscape that perfectly captures the essence of the songs, and Amber’s stunning voice slides right on top. This catalog of songs showcases an artist's talent that would sit comfortably amongst the likes of Lizzy McAlpine and Phoebe Bridgers. 

The release of 21 Roses is set to be accompanied by an array of shows/festivals including Christchurch, South Island Wine & Food Fest and Rolling Meadows festival to name a few, setting Amber up as a must-see act for indie music fans in Aotearoa this summer.

PRINS: Christchurch Headliner announced

New Zealand’s latest pop phenomenon, PRINS, is back where it all started! After taking London by storm and hot off a head-spinning world tour across four continents, PRINS returns to the James Hay Theatre with the electric energy her shows are known for, fresh off the global acclaim of her latest single "Savage."

PRINS’ chart-topping singles and Drum n’ Bass collaborations have become staples on New Zealand's airwaves and biggest festival stages, propelling her to stunning heights. Fans from London to Manlia and Barcelona to Seoul have experienced her new show firsthand, and now it’s time for Christchurch to get in on the action.

PRINS explains “I'm beyond thrilled to bring my most exciting show yet back to Christchurch — it's going to be my biggest and most unforgettable headline show to date!"

Joining PRINS will be "Popstars NZ" winner Christabel and the hugely talented Amber Carly Williams showcasing the best of New Zealand's pop brilliance.

General Public
Onsale: 24th of November, 9am

WHO SHOT SCOTT 'WIPEOUT'

‘WIPEOUT' is the brand-new melancholic single by Auckland based alternative artist WHO SHOT SCOTT. Serving as his final offering of 2023, this track sends the year off in style - Fusing groovy basslines, neck-breaking drums and a falsetto vocal performance that will be sure to have you crying, all while dancing alone in your room. Never one to shy away from the vulnerable subject matter of his own mental health, WSS states;

"It's terrifying to be an artist. I would love to present my life as one filled with optimism and joy all the time, but the simple truth is that I often feel hopeless and as if there is nothing in the world that can take away the trauma I've endured, and that it is too late to save me now. As dark as that thought is to share, I believe that it is my duty to honour all of my emotions through art and present them as sincerely as I can. If nothing else, I hope it sends a message to anyone going through the same struggle that they're not alone. That is why this song exists."

Presented alongside a surreal visual counterpart by award winning director Connor Pritchard, which shows the artist performing while floating in mid-air. ‘WIPEOUT’ is a demonstration of bravery within artistic expression. WHO SHOT SCOTT's music is often polarising, but if there's one thing that can't be discredited, it's that it's always fearlessly honest.

Turkey The Bird Goes Brass, Again

After 2 very successful collaboration shows as part of the Spiegel Fest in 2022, Turkey The Bird goes brass is back!
This November “Turkey The Bird" is teaming up with the giant, 40 piece “Hawera Brass Band” again for three very unique performances around the Taranaki region.
New Zealand's folk trio "Turkey The Bird" will remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail, infused with a hint of "Simon & Garfunkel", 2 ounces of "Mumford and Sons", a splash of banjo, served on ice on a sunny day, but this time it’s placed on a huge plate of shiny brass.
Together they will perform a unique and fun collaborative live show that features brassy arrangements of catchy folk songs from both of Turkey The Bird’s chart topping studio albums.
Hailing from the New Zealand left coast town New Plymouth, this uplifting band will hit you with beautiful three part harmonies and toe tapping rhythms.
The bearded trio features Andre Manella from Switzerland on guitar, bass and percussion, Adrian Whelan from Ireland on guitar, bass and spoons, and Sol Bear Coulton, the token kiwi, on Banjo and slide guitar.
On Friday 24th November they will play at the Hawera Memorial Hall, on Saturday 25th November at the 4th Wall Theatre in New Plymouth, and on Sunday 26th November at Everybody’s Theatre in Opunake.  
Tickets for the New Plymouth show are available from 4thwalltheatre.co.nz or the box office 0800 484 925.
Tickets for Hawera and Opunake are available on eventfinda.co.nz, the south Taranaki I-site and coastal care in Opunake. Youths up to 17 years are free to attend in the company of an adult for both shows in Hawera and Opunake.

“That’s Turkey The Bird, great band, just love them” (Jesse Mulligan RNZ)

“These guys are unpretentious, fun and very good at what they do” (Winston Watusi, The Weekend Sun)

"injects hoedown-showdown fun, fun, fun and the harmonies shine like diamonds." (Paul Cook, Joyzine UK)

NZ’s INVESTIGATOR unveils spellbinding indie-rock anthem, ‘Drift’

Aotearoa alt-rock artist INVESTIGATOR has today released his latest single ‘Drift’ - an upbeat, defiant, hopeful and determined indie-rock anthem.

Listen to ‘Drift’ HERE

‘Drift’ is a song about entitlement and expectation, aimed at the ‘haves’ from the perspective of a ‘have-not’. It follows on from INVESTIGATOR (aka singer, songwriter and producer Adrian Drew) hit single ‘Downtown’, which placed #16 on the Official NZ Hot Singles Chart.

“It’s a call to arms for people on the periphery,” explains Adrian, who writes music with big catchy choruses and memorable melodies - which ‘Drift’ has in spades! “It’s crazy how quick this song came together. I was mucking around on the guitar, looking for something interesting to latch onto, when I stumbled over a random ‘F chord’ shape. It was kind of melancholic, but also rather beautiful, almost hopeful. I could hear it all instantly and the first time the whole band got together to run through the song, we unanimously knew it was the next single.”

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Soundscape Studios, Whangaparaoa with Kane Bennett, ‘Drift’ is an exciting new offering from INVESTIGATOR - who already has an impressive track record.

The project’s had great local support from stations like The Rock and Hauraki, as well as placed on Hot NZ Singles Charts, RadioScope Rock Airplay Chart, iTunes and Google Play Music rock charts. ‘Shade’ from their last album placed #15 on the RadioScope Rock Airplay chart and stayed on the chart for six weeks.

As a lyricist, Adrian always draws on experience and research when writing. More often than not, these stories carry a ‘weighty’ message. “With our last album, ‘Shade’ tackled abuse to women, suicide, homelessness and our flawed species within society,” says Adrian.“‘Drift’ is about ownership and materialisation. Aimed at the haves from the eyes of a have-not, the narrative is couched as a relationship between two people. It’s an allegory for power and posturing, domestic and commercial slavery.”

While INVESTIGATOR is the project of Adrian Drew (guitars, vocals), musicians David Crowhen (bass, Undercut), Craig van Kan (drums, Gaunt Pudding/The Couch) and Adam Morton-Mason (guitar, These Fine Galleons) have also been involved in bringing the music to life - recorded and live. Wrapped in a pop-rock sound, and paying homage to The Cars, Tom Petty and Chris Cornell, INVESTIGATOR’s 2018 5-track self-titled debut EP (Google Play Rock Album Chart) features singles ‘Livin' in a Magazine’, ‘Goodbye Car’ (iTunes, Google Play Music Rock Chart) and ‘7 Ways’. While working on a full-length album, a fresh, more alternative single, ‘Lake of Eyes’ was released - which made it onto the Hot NZ Singles chart. Writing continued throughout the pandemic and in 2022 album SHADE was released with its popular title-track single. Single ‘Downtown’ (#16 Official NZ Hot Singles Chart) followed and now ‘Drift’. INVESTIGATOR is not slowing down - with a music video on its way and heading into the studio with renowned NZ producer, Scott Seabright - the future is definitely looking bright!

Listen to ‘Drift’ HERE

Follow INVESTIGATOR

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Dillastrate release beautifully moving new waiata + video ‘Taku Ngākau’

Ōtautahi legends Dillastrate have today released another exceptional soul jam, ‘Taku Ngākau’.

Listen to ‘Taku Ngākau’ HERE

Following on from their brilliant waiata ‘Ko Tātou Te Ahi’ (Hot 20 NZ Singles, RadioScope Te Reo Māori & Alt, Waiata Anthems, Te Māngai Pāho), which Rolling Stone AUS/NZ featured as A Song You Need To Know, ‘Taku Ngākau’ is another release that showcases what incredible artists Dillastrate’s Henare ‘H’ Kaa (lead vocals/drums) and Tim Driver (keys/bass synth/loops/vocals) are.

Connecting with Dillastrate’s roots as deep lovers of soul music, the track captures a feel-good Motown flavour, filtered through a modern production approach. The uplifting waiata has delicate vocals and a “bubbling crockpot of vintage keyboard patches and earthy, compact drum tones, tied together by the warm embrace of yielding synth pads.”

The inspirational spark for ‘Taku Ngākau’ came when Henare watched his daughter scale around the table as she was learning to walk. Seeing the effort and determination it took her to get all the way around, made him think of the different journeys we all take as we grow throughout our lifetime - and how those achievements can inspire others who are watching - just like it did for Henare watching his daughter. This moment inspired the lyrics ‘journey ‘round the table, road to somewhere new, holding up the bright blue sky, taku ngākau e’.

Made with support from Te Māngai Pāho, the waiata also took inspiration from the band’s kaupapa and mission to support and uplift te ao Māori. “It’s particularly focused on the importance of whānau,” explains Henare, “caring about and for those that form your inner circles (whanaungatanga), and extending this out to your wider social environment (whakawhanaungatanga).” 

Recorded and produced by Connor Jaine (Mako Road, No Cigar) at his Ashburton (Canterbury) studio (which Dillastrate describe as the most comfortable recording studio they’ve ever recorded in, based on it being a ‘converted lounge’ with a virtual playground of instruments and recording equipment), ‘Taku Ngākau’ was mastered by Benny Tones at Organik Muzik Workz in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Also out today is another visual treat produced by Dillastrate’s go-to team - Laura Gebbie (director of photography) and James Darroch (Flying Squirrel Films, cinematographer). Tim also co-edited it with Laura (who is also his wife, making the production extra special for Dillastrate). It was produced at Orange Studios in Ōtautahi, with gear provided by Lightchasers Rentals.

The story of the video is grounded in the te ao Māori concept captured by whakataukī ‘ka mua, ka muri’, which roughly translates into English as ‘walking backwards into the future’ - signalling the importance of honouring whakapapa (connection to past generations, history, traditions, ancestors) by looking to the past, to help inform the future. Visually, we see Henare ‘walking backwards into the future’ by reciting the song backwards while the video was filmed, then played forwards in editing. Throughout the course of the video, Henare is seen interacting with various objects that are then passed to friends and whānau.

“To achieve the ‘walking backwards’ effect on the video,” explains Tim, “we had to shoot H walking forwards on a floor treadmill, while simultaneously having objects placed in his path from above. This required H to do a lot of walking and dodging of objects for the shoot, so he was suitably exhausted by the end. Absolute dedication to the craft right there!”

Watch the video HERE

Born from the late great Aaron Tokona’s Ahoribuzz, Dillastrate have been making waves since the release of their 2017 EP, BLACK DIAMOND. 'Taku Ngākau' (Te Māngai Pāho) and previous release ‘Ko Tātou Te Ahi’ (Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart, RadioScope Te Reo Māori & Alt Charts, Te Māngai Pāho) are both fantastic additions in their quest to uplift te ao Māori, joining bilingual hit ‘Party In My Head’ (Tāwara Ana), and waiata ‘Taku Aroha’ (RadioScope Te Reo Māori Chart, NZOA, Te Māngai Pāho). It is also joining other recent releases - pop hit ‘I’m Crazy’ (Hot 20 NZ Singles, NZ on Air New Tracks), and single ‘Way To Flow’ (NZOA New Tracks). As well as recording artists, their experience as live musicians include extensive festival, headline and support tours - seeing the duo playing repeatedly to crowds of over 20,000. A live Dillastrate performance is a finely-tuned and explosive experience that can transform entire venue crowds from stationery to dancing-their-asses-off in a matter of seconds. They’ve featured on national TV, commercial, iwi and alternative radio, boast a strong digital presence, and have placed in both the Official NZ Top 20 Singles and RadioScope Charts multiple times. With much more on its way, Dillastrate are always ones to watch!                                            

Listen to ‘Taku Ngākau’ HERE

Watch the video HERE

Find Dillastrate

Facebook |Instagram | Website | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

French for Rabbits release new EP 'In the End I Won’t Be Coming Home'

The New Zealand dream-pop/folk outfit release their lush new chamber EP 

alongside a double EP vinyl featuring the first ever pressing of

 their 2012 debut Claimed by the Sea.

New Zealand dream-pop outfit (from Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington) French for Rabbits, today release their second EP ‘In the End I Won’t Be Coming Home’, a lush four-track featuring string arrangements by Elliot Vaughan and performed by the Black Quartet. The songs see the band, thematically speaking, returning to isolated windswept coastlines on songs such as ‘Baring Head’ and the EP title track, which is depicted in the album cover art and in the corresponding music video.

In physical format, this new collection sits on a beautifully designed vinyl record on both standard 180mg black vinyl and limited edition coke bottle green, with their debut 2012 EP ‘Claimed by the Sea’ snuggly on the B-Side. These two EP’s, both recorded with audio engineer Lee Prebble but 11 years apart, showcase a fascinating journey for the band, from their rustic, enchanting beginnings to the sweeping and emotive soundscapes of this latest work, both centered around the smoky vocals and gently piercing songwriting of vocalist/musician Brooke Singer.

“When the fog has lifted all will be revealed, 

like a gem formed through the pressure of the years, 

like a bomb blast! car crash! landslide, nose-dive, 

losing my balance between happiness and fear”

Spotify  /  Apple  /  YouTube  /  Bandcamp  /  Soundcloud

TAMI NEILSON TO PLAY GOLDIE ESTATE

A special Christmas holidays afternoon on Waiheke Island with Tami Neilson and her Hot Rockin’ Band of Rhythm, and Waiheke's own Americana duo, Dollface, opening the show!

Award-winning country soul singer-songwriter Tami Neilson and her Hot Rockin’ Band of Rhythm are set to entertain a vineyard full of holiday making concertgoers at Goldie Estate on Dec 27th.

For more than a decade, Tami Neilson has been queen of New Zealand's country music scene, with countless accolades and achievements to her name, including six New Zealand Best Country Album Awards, three Best Country Song Awards, the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll for excellence in songwriting and a Grammy Award nomination for her most recent record, Kingmaker.
She has also built up a loyal fan base who know they're guaranteed one hell of a show when it comes to her live performances, and that's certainly what's in store for the event at Goldie Estate.

“The Kiwi queen remains an imperious talent.”  Neil Spencer, The Guardian

“Neilson is at the forefront of the women who are taking back country music. This is the Album of the Year.”  No Depression

“Vocals with the swagger of a feral Peggy Lee. Immensely touching.” 

Mojo - 4 Stars 

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Waiheke duo Dollface are an Americana powerhouse, beloved to local audiences on the island.
In 2016, Katy Soljak and George Gardner found synergy in their songwriting and love for country/Americana music, and thus Dollface was born. Their melodic harmonies, backed by twin guitars, are a treat on any stage.

“We call it Americana,” says Soljak. “We’re a bit bluesy, country and a little bit jazzy at times, with a few harmonies and George’s blues harp thrown in.” Gardner says, “We’re excited to be opening for Tami - we’re huge fans! And Goldie is a fantastic venue for live music.”
Catch them warming up the stage for Tami on 27th December!

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About the event:

Goldie Estate
18 Causeway Road
Surfdale
Waiheke Island 1081

Gates open at 2:00pm

• Water is allowed to be brought in; drinks and food to be purchased at the vineyard.

• Goldie Estate is a licensed restaurant, and will provide a range of reasonably-priced food and drinks.

• Free water stations will be on-site.

• Bring a blanket, and dress for outdoor conditions: sunhat, sunscreen, jacket, etc. Shade is minimal on the gorgeous hill atop Goldie Estate!

• Kids 5 and under are free

Transportation:
Please bicycle, walk or take public transportation to Goldie Estate. There is no on-site parking, and illegally-parked cars might be ticketed. Your neighbours live on Causeway Road - please consider them in your decision-making.