Chart-topping Ōtautahi surf rockers, Pool House share electric single ‘Draw the Line’

Listen to ‘Draw the Line’ HERE 

Ōtautahi-based indie surf rock band and recent chart-residents, Pool House have today released their electric new single ‘Draw the Line’!

Following the ongoing success of their 2023 summer single ‘Another Day’, which continues to make regular appearances in the SRN Top 10, Radioscope Charts, NZ Official Charts, and topped the Radio One Top 11 two weeks running, Pool House (Samuel Crisp, Flynn Fierro, Harry van der Guilk, Will Georgeson) have returned with a Californian surf rock-inspired track that is destined to ride the same wave of love across Aotearoa.

‘Draw the Line’ combines moody vocals, punchy drums and driving guitar riffs reminiscent of vintage, Western film soundtracks. The track’s instrumentation  perfectly matches its playful lyrics - a commentary on how far an avid party-goer will push the boat out before ‘drawing the line’.

“During our winter tour of the South Island we met a Queenstown local at a flat party and got talking,” the band explains. “As the night - and beers - went on, we understood why he was the life of the party. We were left thinking, where does this dude's night end?”

The single was recorded at Auckland’s Parachute Studios, produced by Josh Strand and Jonny Paul, and mastered by Metropolis Studios in London.

A journey across the motu and then abroad, the creative process for ‘Draw the Line’ is telling of the heights Pool House are destined to reach - especially with more new music set to be released ahead of a sophomore EP at the end of 2024!

About Pool House

Hailing from Hawkes Bay (Flynn, Harry) and Wellington (Sam, Will),  Pool House was formed in Ōtautahi in 2021. The group’s first live performance together was at a show organised in response to a canceled end-of-year university event. Since then, they’ve been performing memorable, high-energy shows across the South Island - including with major AUS/NZ bands such as Daily J, Bootleg Rascal, The Grogans, and Summer Thieves. After winning the Canterbury based DIG THE GIG band competition in early 2022, Pool House secured a free recording deal, music video, as well as a trip to LA in early 2024 to perform at established music venues. The end of 2022 saw the band release their debut single ‘No Clue’, which has gained over 38,000 streams across all music platforms, and since then, the group have released their debut EP FLIGHTS OF DREAMING which illustrates their ability to explore new musical territory. Just this past summer, Pool House played Rolling Meadows, had consistent radio play across Aotearoa (Hauraki, RDU, Radio Active, Radio One, Radio Control) and their most recent single ‘Another Day’ was a regular in the charts. With the release of today's exciting new single ‘Draw the Line’ and more music on the way, 2024 is set to be the year of Pool House!

Follow Pool House

Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Hötchiwitch on Tour

Peter Mengede is an Australian guitarist who helped to form legendary NYC alternative metal band Helmet in 1989, playing on their first two albums.

After parting ways with Helmet, he formed another group, Handsome, in 1995, along with members of other notable bands such as Quicksand, Cro-Mags, Murphy’s Law. Their self-titled album is frequently lauded as one of the most influential post-hardcore releases of the 90’s.

Almost 30 years later, Mengede has put a new band together named Hötchiwitch. They are coming on a short tour to NZ to celebrate the seminal Handsome album by playing it in full. Auckland post-metal band will be opening on both dates, with Mothra guitarist Hugh Allen pulling double duties, playing in Hötchiwitch as well.

They will be joined in Wellington by psychedelic prog rockers Mana Mushroom, and in Auckland by Swallow the Rat. Hötchiwitch dates: Friday 5 April at Valhalla with Mothra, Mana Mushroom Saturday 6 April at Whammy Bar with Mothra, Swallow the Rat

Tablefox 'Don't Wait For Me To Be What You Want Me To Be'

"I am not a vigilante. I am just an ordinary man trying to get home to my daughter's birthday. Now if everyone will just stay out of my way, then nobody will get hurt."

'Don’t Wait For Me To Be What You Want Me To Be' draws inspiration from the 1993 cult movie Falling Down. The song, led by singer Clinton Bell, delves into the complexities of human emotion, exploring the internal conflicts that everyone encounters. The song title itself hints at the central theme, conveying a message about authenticity and not conforming to others' expectations.

The influence of Falling Down is evident in the song's narrative, mirroring the movie's exploration of the struggles faced by the average person. The single confronts the darker voices that can haunt the mind, aligning with the film's themes of idealism, bravado, and the inherent flaws in humanity.

Clinton Bell, reflecting on the creative process, mentions that the band members brought a compelling melody and chords to him. The imagery from Falling Down quickly emerged, but he felt the need to infuse a thread of hope into the narrative. This addition adds a layer of optimism to the song, contrasting with the potentially bleak portrayal of internal struggles. Drawing parallels to the movie's protagonist, Bell notes that while individuals may come close to the edge of breaking, they often refrain from crossing that line, distinguishing them from the character in Falling Down.

The song was engineered by Emily Wheatcroft-Snape at Roundhead Studios, mixed by Scott Seabright (Mumford and Son's, SIX60, Passenger) & mastered by Leon Zervos (Midnight Oil, Aerosmith, INXS).

MMF Aotearoa Festival Bookers Virtual Speed Networking

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

The Music Managers Forum (MMF) Aotearoa is excited to announce that applications are now open for their annual Festival Bookers Speed Networking Sessions, which will take place on Wednesday 8th and Wednesday 15th May from 6pm - 8pm.

This unique event gives MMF members the opportunity to meet virtually with an outstanding line-up of bookers from some of the best music festivals in Aotearoa.  The event is designed to facilitate the booking of artists into festivals, as well as receive first hand advice on how to get their artists booked onto festival line ups.

For 2024 the Virtual Speed Networking Sessions will be held over 2 nights, giving more MMF members the chance to take part. The sessions will be held on line on Wednesday 8th May and Wednesday 15th May. 

Applications for the Festival Bookers Virtual Speed Networking sessions are open to MMF members only from today, Wednesday 3rd April, with a limited number of spots available. Applicants will be asked to provide a brief biography musical styles of their artist/s, links to their music and past live performances, as well as their preferred festival targets.  

Applications close on Wednesday 10th April, with successful applicants notified by Monday 22nd April.

Please note that because it is a contestable application process, applying does not guarantee participation in the event.

The Festival Bookers Speed Networking sessions are just one of the events and initiatives that the MMF Aotearoa runs to support the music industry of Aotearoa. To learn more about the MMF Aotearoa and its work, or to join, visit their website at www.mmf.co.nz.

FESTIVAL BOOKERS
VIRTUAL SPEED NETWORKING SESSIONS 2024
(MMF MEMBERS ONLY)

Wednesday 8th May & Wednesday 15th May
6pm - 8pm each night

Bookers from the below festivals will be meeting with MMF members

• CubaDupa (Wellington)

• Craft Beer & Food Festival (Dunedin) / Otago Orientation (Otago)

• Electric Avenue/ Nostalgia / South Island Wine & Food (Chch) / Great Kiwi Beer Fest (ChCh)

• Laneway (Auckland)

• Music in Parks (Auckland only)

• Newtown Festival (Wellington)

• Northern Bass (Kaiwaka)

• Northland Fritter Festival (Whangarei)

• Rhythm & Alps (Wanaka)

• Rhythm & Vines  (Gisborne)

• Soundsplash (Raglan) 

• TSB Festival of Lights (New Plymouth)

• Tora Bombora (Wairarapa)

• WOMAD (New Plymouth)

• White Out Festival / Hidden Lakes (ChCh)

The event is open to MMF members only. 
To join please visit www.mmf.co.nz or email lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz

Applications are open from today, Wednesday 3rd of April 2024, and will close 5pm on Wednesday 10th April, or until all slots are taken. 

THE FUZZY ROBES 'MIDDAY PRAYERS'

Prayer-psychedelia collective The Fuzzy Robes have returned with their sophomore spiritual effort, Midday Prayers.

Pursuing a spiritual take on new wave psychedelia and fittingly released on Holy Wednesday during the lead up to Easter, the enigmatic Fuzzy Robes return with their sophomore effort Midday Prayers - a natural continuation of the group’s meditative approach to adapting the New Zealand Prayer Book, He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa for the modern ear. 

Midday Prayers follows their 2021 debut Night Prayers, a strong work drawing comparisons to The Flaming Lips in their decentralised sonic landscape towards an acknowledgement of the passing day and into restful night, dwelling unafraid in the arms of God. Midday Prayers has a different focus, and balances restful pause and the momentum of midday in a complex dance - a musical metaphor for the observation of prayer in the centre of a busy day. 

Midday Prayers was recorded between a retreat house in Ōtautahi’s beautiful Scarborough Hill and an unfurnished flat in Christchurch East, striking the duality of natural beauty and an urbane, turbulent existence. The new work decisively arranges beatific fuzz guitars, empyrean vocals and synth textures together to this end. The first track Invocation rushes the forefront in turbulent recognition of the Eternal Spirit, with later cuts on the album like Collect for Midday moving into contemplative devotion.

Midday Prayers is out now via Winegum Records. Vinyl records are available on Bandcamp and all good record stores across Aotearoa. 

TAMI NEILSON - “Always On My Mind”

“Always On My Mind” is the the second release from the “Neilson Sings Nelson” series. Award-winning New Zealand artist Tami Neilson continues to share the collection of songs she recorded as a birthday gift for Willie on his 90th birthday.

ALWAYS ON MY MIND

When I chose the songs for this project, I tried to avoid the ones that have been covered heavily. This is one of the exceptions. It is a testament to Willie’s incredible artistry, how one of the world’s greatest songwriters can cover a song he did not write and make it completely his own, intrinsically part of his work and associated with him. For a big-voiced singer known more for big belters, this was an exercise in restraint for me. Having just been in ICU mere weeks before we recorded this, it brought a whole new perspective and vulnerability, which really came through in this performance. It was just Jay and I recording live off the floor, no click, one take, just trying to be fluid and follow each other with the lights dimmed. When I looked over to him during the final chord, tears were coursing down his face…just like mine.

After the surprise 2022 live performance at Luck Reunion of their duet, “Beyond the Stars”, Tami and Willie went on to win New Zealand’s “BEST COUNTRY SONG 2023” at the Country Music Awards. Neilson says she will be bringing along the plaque to present to Willie for him to add to his archive. “You know, in case he wants to prop it up next to his 14 GRAMMYS!”, she laughs.

Folk Sensation Turkey The Bird Set to Dazzle at Waiheke Jazz Festival This Easter

Music enthusiasts are in for a treat this Easter weekend as the renowned folk trio, Turkey The Bird, announces their debut performance at the Waiheke Jazz Festival. Known for their captivating harmonies and enchanting melodies, the group is excited to bring their unique sound to one of New Zealand’s most celebrated musical gatherings.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Waiheke Jazz Festival this year,” said Andre, the group's guitarist and vocalist. “It’s an incredible opportunity to share our music with a broader audience and to be included in such a vibrant celebration of jazz and beyond. We’ve prepared a special set that we hope will resonate with festival-goers and bring a fresh folk flair to the Easter weekend festivities.”

The Waiheke Jazz Festival, set against the picturesque backdrop of Waiheke Island, has long been a staple in New Zealand’s cultural calendar, drawing talent and audiences from across the globe. 
Turkey The Bird is scheduled to perform on Friday 29th March at 4pm and on Sunday 31st March also at 4 PM at the Jazz Sundowner alongside Eve Kelly, Sirens, George Washingmachine, & Boom! Boom! Deluxe.
Fans and newcomers alike are encouraged to secure their tickets early and be part of a momentous occasion that celebrates the fusion of folk and jazz in a way that only Waiheke can offer.

For more information about Turkey The Bird and the Waiheke Jazz Festival, including ticket purchases and scheduling details, please visit www.waihekejazzfestival.co.nz and www.turkeythebird.co.nz

LOUIS TM ON TOUR

"Louis TM is a force to be reckoned with on Aotearoa's incredible soul scene" - Muzic.net.nz

After years backing many artists on the keys, he has recently featured with Barnaby Weir & a cast including Laughton Kora and members of the Black Seeds, also having spent time in Ria Hall's live band opening for L.A.B. and performing at WOMADelaide (AUS) and many years of performing with the country's top musicians, he has earned his stripes on the bandstand and is now out to make his own mark on the musical landscape.  

Inspired by modern soul revival, classic soul cannon, R&B, funk and indie sounds, Louis TM brings his unique style of soul from Aotearoa to the world.  Marking his debut release with a limited run of 7" vinyl of the tracks Mercedes Car / Never Give Up On Your Love and a forthcoming debut album in 2024, Louis TM hits the road with his band for shows in Auckland, Napier and Wellington - not to be missed!