Star-studded duo The Feel Good Service bring the funk with new EP, DIRTYFUNKNSOUL and single ‘Feel For You’

LISTEN TO THE EP HERE

After years of working alongside some of music’s biggest names, soul-funk duo The Feel Good Service are taking over the spotlight with their groovy debut EP DIRTYFUNKNSOUL - out now!

The Auckland-based duo is made up of kiwi Lucy Graves and New Yorker Andre “MoDre” Brown - both established co-writers, producers and instrumentalists. Lucy’s CV includes traveling the world as a keyboardist and backing vocalist for Ceelo Green and The Black Eyed Peas; opening for Lionel Ritchie; performing alongside Gwen Stefani, and working as a songwriter for other major artists as well as TV and film - while MoDre was a recipient for the prestigious ‘Berklee College of Music Presidential Scholarship’ (one of 10 recipients from around the world); has appeared on ‘The Today Show’ with Jennifer Lopez and Lin Manuel; the Jimmy Kimmel Live! with Jidenna, and numerous performances on the iconic NPR Tiny Desk.

The Feel Good Service’s debut EP DIRTYFUNKNSOUL is a nine-track funk-filled, punchy testament

to their talent and range - both as accompanying musicians, and artists in their own right. The EP was

self produced, mixed and mastered at the duo's own studio - Studio 91 - and features mixing contribution from Preston Reid (Kanye West, Toni Braxton, Muni Longand) on previously released single ‘Hands’.

Sure to get any listener on the dance floor, this new release combines tight grooves and soulful vocals with the nostalgic funk of retro synths and catchy melodies.

“How do we take our funk?” ask the duo. “Dirty with a twist of soul.”

Also being released is the magical new EP single ‘Feel For You’, a track that The Feel Good Service say is “for the dreamers”. Partners in life as well as music, the uplifting single tells the story of the duo  “falling in love, while also falling in love with music again.”

To celebrate today’s release, The Feel Good Service is putting on an electric show tonight, April 25 at Auckland’s Cassette Nine, with support from Kyla Greening. For more info and tickets, head to UTR

Masters of their craft across all corners of the music-making scene, Lucy and MoDre are also curating an insightful songwriting workshop in partnership with CreativeNZ and Depot Sound Studio on April 28-29. Here the couple will be sharing their experiences across the music industry, and how this has impacted their artistry.“​​Because we write and produce for other artists too, we are constantly influenced and inspired by different sounds and genres of music,” says the duo.

The Feel Good Service are bringing a wave of funk to Aotearoa, with their debut EP DIRTYFUNKNSOUL being just the beginning!! Press play for the feel good grooves now!

Find The Feel Good Service

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Tāmaki Makaurau neo-soul collective Psycho Gab unveil dreamy new single ‘Gabben’

Listen to ‘Gabben’ HERE

Tāmaki Makaurau-based neo-soul band Psycho Gab have today released their lush sophomore single ‘Gabben’.

Following the group’s successful 2023 debut ‘Messy’ (Radio One, 95bFM, Muzic.net), and a year of electric live performances across Auckland, ‘Gabben’ is a groovy reflection on riding through the storm of young love. The track boasts punchy drums, smooth basslines, powerhouse vocals, and a myriad of rich instrumentation.

“At its core, I think the music we write tackles a lot of big feelings, and we make big instrumentals to match that,” says lead vocalist Rosetta Stone. “Everything is epic, bouncy, groovy and ultimately fun, so the subject matter doesn’t have to feel so heavy.”

Psycho Gab is made up of musicians and friends Rosetta Stone (vocals), Orlando Cooper (bass, production), Caleb Wong (keyboards, production), Max Henley (guitar) and Finn Mcneill (drums). The band, who have been together for just over a year, wrote ‘Gabben’ in the early days of its conception - while stuck inside their flat during Cyclone Gabrielle. 

“We wanted to paint this picture of weathering out the storm,” explains Rosetta. “It’s about persevering when things get hard, and appreciating all that you learn during those trying moments, rather than just waiting for the sunshine on the other side.”

Not only did this unsettling time inspire the creation of new single ‘Gabben’, it also influenced the band's name, Psycho Gab.

Like ‘Messy’, today's impressive new musical offering was produced, mixed and mastered by the band's keyboardist Caleb (Wongii, Mel Stevenson, Crumbly Jack), during his residency at Auckland studio Big Fan.

With an exciting year ahead, including more fresh music on its way shortly, now is the time to bask in the dynamic, soulful passion of Psycho Gab’s new single ‘Gabben’!

Find Psycho Ga

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Rising Pōneke-based Filipina indie-pop star jeline drops angsty new single + video ‘are you over her?’

LISTEN HERE

WATCH HERE

Emerging ‘Filipina girl-next-door’ indie-pop star jeline is bringing the angst with her brand new single ‘are you over her?’ - out now!

Following the success of her 2023 single ‘time stops’ (Juice TV, Tearaway, R1, Radio Control, The Most FM), jeline and longtime collaborator/producer Jack Hegarty are showing no signs of slowing down with today's release. ‘are you over her?’ is a powerhouse track that paints a vivid picture of being young, jealous, and in love.

“I wrote the song to purge all my thoughts and feelings after a longtime of obsessing over my partner’s ex,” explains jeline. “It's about the utter confusion over the mystery of her, but also that really common insecurity surrounding exes.” This is a track full of ‘mood swings’, illustrated both lyrically and instrumentally with huge dynamic shifts, swelling backing vocals, and an epic gritty guitar solo.

Also released today is a new music video directed by Francesca Sewell and Kerry Pulham (DOP), alongside the same team as the impressively moving indie music video for ‘time stops’. This new video follows jeline and her boyfriend through the whirlwind of bumping into an ex, and all the baggage that arises - with transitions from sweet memories to an angsty present, and a not-so-subtle ‘stalker wall’ - which add layers to the song that make it harder to place blame. “Francesca asked if the boyfriend should be portrayed as the villain,” says jeline, “but personally I think everyone sucks in this story. The boyfriend isn't being straight up about his feelings, the ex wasn’t a good partner, and I’m digging it all up and being obsessive.”

Perfectly capturing the visceral and complicated feelings of young love, ‘are you over her?’ was recorded last year during jeline’s final year studying commercial music at Wellington’s Massey University. Once again working alongside producer Jack Hegarty, the track was also mixed and mastered by Jpec.

About jeline

A proud Filipino-born, Wellington-raised indie-pop artist, jeline could be found singing from a young age - from karaoke, to musical theater, to the hot 100, to her own music. She started writing at the age of 11 and has completed a Commercial Music degree at Wellington’s Massey University (2023) - where she met producer Jack Hegarty. In 2022 she released her first single 'the one you adore', closely followed by her debut EP OVERTHINKING IT. After taking a step back to reflect on the development of her sound, in late 2023 jeline released her feel-good, indie-electro-pop single ‘time stops’, which saw consistent radioplay and pickup from across Aotearoa. jeline brings her music to life on stage with band W.K Bookclub, who have done shows at Wellington venues San Fran, Meow, Valhalla and Rogue and Vagabond. With meaningful lyrics, powerhouse vocals and a charming presence, jeline is sure to continue capturing people's attention with her music - so be sure to press play now and get ready for more to come from this exciting up-and-comer!

Find jeline:

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FromThePit 2024 New Zealand Music Photography Exhibition Returns to Celebrate Local Talent

FromThePit, the highly anticipated annual showcase of New Zealand music photography, is set to return in 2024 for its sixth consecutive year. The exhibition, which highlights the vibrant essence of New Zealand's music scene, will feature captivating images captured by top-notch music photographers from across Aotearoa.

FromThePit serves as a curated collection of live music photography, focusing exclusively on New Zealand musicians performing in local venues. This year, over 66 photographers will contribute their recent work to the exhibition, providing a comprehensive view of the country's diverse musical landscape.

The 2024 edition of FromThePit boasts an impressive audio-visual slideshow exhibition of over 110 carefully selected images, showcasing both established photographers and emerging talents. Supported by a soundtrack of New Zealand musicians, the goal is to celebrate the richness and diversity of talent both on and off the stage, offering a captivating glimpse into the heart of New Zealand's music culture.

In addition to its showcase of captivating imagery, FromThePit also incorporates an educational component. Throughout the year, workshops are offered to aspiring live music photographers, providing valuable insights and guidance in this dynamic field.

As the music industry and its stakeholders continue to navigate challenges, FromThePit stands as a testament to the enduring power of live music events. The exhibition serves as a vital document of New Zealand's vibrant music scene, offering a platform to both honour its past and celebrate its future.

FromThePit 2024 will be accessible online and at various locations across the country during Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa | NZ Music Month (May 2024). For more information about this year's exhibition and related events, as well as to explore archives from previous years, please visit FromThePit.co.nz

FromThePit is made possible through partnerships with Sony, Audioculture | Iwi Waiata, Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland UNESCO City of Music | Tāmaki Makaurau UNESCO Pā Puoro, NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa, Independent Music NZ (IMNZ), New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa, and Agentx.

Designed and curated by New Zealand live music photographers Dave Simpson, Chontalle Musson, Stella Gardiner, and Maeve O’Connell, FromThePit 2024 promises to be an immersive and unforgettable celebration of New Zealand's music photography.

For updates, follow FromThePit on social media:

Facebook: FromThePitNZ

Instagram: @fromthepitnz

YouTube: FromThePitNZ

Vimeo: FromThePit

SAM BAMBERY RELEASES 24.01 FINAL SINGLE AHEAD OF ALBUM RELEASE IN MAY

Ōtautahi/Christchurch artist Sam Bambery releases his final single today (25 April), '24.01' before the release of Rubricator (available for pre-order here) releasing May 17, 2024. 

'24.01' is named after the day it was written in Bambery’s Christchurch Central flat. Sam Bambery and fellow Ōtautahi/Christchurch songwriter Hannah Everingham met together for coffee and an artist date, which lead to the collaboration on this song. 

The lyrical pairing of Bambery and Everingham naturally fall into strong imagery, comparing emotional stagnation to dust in a corner and familial ties being played out in our darkest moments. 

“I remember the session well, we had different hair and smiles” reflects Bambery. “We were both heartbroken and endeavoured to shine a light on those feelings somehow. Lyrically it all spilled out somehow. It was a true action of thoughts I felt!  It was a very fond memory that I will cherish for a long time. Hannah is one of my great friends, I am really privileged to have not only a talented songwriter but a wholesome human being like her in my life.”

Bambery and Everingham are at the helm of a fresh creative community in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, where DIY approaches are like a sort of indie baptism. Music videos, photography and gig promotion all done at a small scale for great effect. Friends all gathering for gigs and hangouts - friendship going hand in hand with artistry. 

'24.01' is a classic exploration of indie pop motifs, swaying from dry guitar rhythm to  swaying melody into explorative jazz-like piano. 

“This track I feel is a real mellow introduction to the album. Really it’s a lot of two chord motifs, so we endeavoured to try and make it as sonically interesting as possible when we were in the studio,” says Bambery. “Vibraphone, synth and ethereal vocals really set the mood for Rubricator in my mind. It’s a sort of pop distillation moving into a buzzing array of textures. It’s a gentle introduction to the more dense approaches later on the album.”

‘24.01' follows the release of hit singles ‘Parasite’ and ‘The Burnout’.  

‘Rubricator’ a newly minted set of songs produced with De Stevens (Marlin’s Dreaming, Asta Rangu) and recorded in houses, old photography studios and lounge rooms across Aotearoa/New Zealand, releases May 17th. The album releases via Under Underground Records, a micro-label spearheaded by Hannah Everingham and focusing on local releases amongst friends. 

‘24.01’  is out now and available on all streaming platforms. 

Kiwi rockers Lazy Fifty release war time love song in time for ANZAC Day

One Last Time is a love story. Lyrically poetic, yet musically firm and melodic, this is another quintessential Lazy Fifty song.

The song starts with a beautiful and haunting slide guitar introduction which sets the tone for the rest of the song.

About a young soldier, who could be of any generation, going to war, the lyrics begin with “Wipe your tears away, don’t you be afraid” and continue with the feel of a narrative diary, concluding with ‘And as I lay I close my eyes. I see your face smiling one last time”.

Composer Adrian Athy says “One Last Time" is a love story, but also acknowledges the “generations that went away to war thinking it was going to be fun, but as it turned out it wasn’t”. 

This is the second song inspired by our war heroes that Adrian has written. 

Adrian says he initially wrote ‘Cassino’, a folk song about the kiwis that fought at Cassino in WW2, as he “wanted to start creating our own folk history, to take pride in our NZ history”. 

“‘One Last Time’ is a return to that. Whereas ‘Cassino’ was a documentary if you will, ‘One Last Time’ is a novel.”

Watch the official music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LZvTBBYR8A. 

One Last Time is the third single off Lazy Fifty’s upcoming EP Neighbour of the Beast. The new EP is the second collaboration between Adrian and renowned producer Greg Haver. 

Greg says “it was great to re-visit the world of Lazy Fifty again after previously working on their ‘2021: A LAZY ODYSSEY’ album. It’s always encouraging to see a band refresh and continue on their musical journey, a path that Adrian constantly treads in his desire to expand his virtuosity and push the boundaries of the genre.”

Original Kiwi rock band Lazy Fifty has been Adrian’s brain child for 12 years. He is a prolific song writer and composes all of Lazy Fifty’s music.  

Neighbour of the Beast is the Adrian Athy show, with a bit of Greg Haver thrown in. Adrian wrote all of the songs, sang lead and backing vocals, played lead, rhythm and bass guitar. In addition to producing the album Greg also performed drums and percussion, bringing a huge sound with the help of his vintage Lydwig kit and Zildjian ‘crash of doom’ cymbal.

Neighbour of the Beast was recorded at Roundhead Studios (owned by Neil Finn).

The name Lazy Fifty comes from the saying of an old friend. When he asked you for a ‘lazy twenty’ (dollars), you knew you’d never see the money again. That was a long time ago and their friend is no longer with us. In memory of him, and allowing for inflation, they are now ‘Lazy Fifty’.

HA THE UNCLEAR RELEASE NEW ALBUM ‘A KINGDOM IN A CUL-DE-SAC’

A new album from Aotearoa / New Zealand band Ha The Unclear is here.  “A Kingdom in a Cul-de-sac” releases today (April 19). 

This 12 track album features exciting new releases including hit single Fish (released October 20), a cover of iconic 80s French number ‘C’est Comme Ça’, ‘Alchemy’, and ‘Mind and Matter’, alongside highlight tracks from their back catalogue.

“This is an immense release for us, stylistically, the album shifts through a lot of our gears and so we feel like it represents a good chunk of who, how, and what the band is about” share the band. “ We’re grateful for the opportunity to put it to the wider world, to tell a bit of our story, and excited for what’s next.”

Ha the Unclear  formed in Dunedin, but later migrated northward to Auckland are now signed to Paris-based label Think Zik !  

“We initially travelled to Paris and met Think Zik before signing with them and we really felt good about who they were, the values they espoused and how they understood our musical world” says Ha the Unclear. “ It is an entirely unique label, they hold vinyl in high regard and that suited us. They also serve up a banging macaroon.” 

The band have 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).

Ha the Unclear  will spend the month of April in Europe playing shows in Paris. 

“This will be our second time performing in France, but it feels exciting to be returning with a new album” shares the band's frontman Michael Cathro.  “We are playing iconic venues in Paris and Nantes which we are very excited about and looking forward to connecting with media, like-minded acts and bringing a bit of our perspective to an overseas audience.” 

A Kingdom in a Cul-De-Sac is Ha the Unclear’s (whose name is an anagram for 'nuclear heath') second album. The band released their debut album Bacterium, Look At Your Motor Go in 2014, follow-up album Invisible Lines in 2018, and most recently Handprint Negatives EP in 2023. 

Speaking to the evolution of Ha the Unclear’s sound Cathro shares ``in the beginning I was writing songs influenced by the simplicity and faux-naivety of outsider folk, I think I enjoyed how it was kind of disruptive, that there was a criticality to it, they were emotionally honest.  Then I became a bit more interested in harmonic development, I'd started incorporating a lot of backing vocals into my demos I think to fill frequencies, create depth, and add extra hooks and that became pretty characteristic of our sound. As we became more of a touring band, we were influenced by how particular songs in the set created better energy and excitement and we started writing and arranging with that in mind a bit more, more frantic instrumentation, more dance-able. That probably also reflects that relational growth. While we still place importance on the role that slower, more introspective songs play within our creative world, I think over time we have created a space for ourselves to blend and move across and between those worlds.”

Michael Cathros academic pursuits have also influenced the new songs. Cathro recently completed a Master of Science (first class honours) the research topic for his psychology thesis was on wellbeing and music making. He shares ”developing a relational ontology, an understanding of everything as in relationship with itself, has pretty much coloured how I see everything in music. From the creation and production of it, to the places and spaces in which it is performed, the communities and cohesion it creates, to the socio-political environments and economic frameworks that people who do music work have to subsist in." 

Thematically A Kingdom in a Cul-de-sac dives deep.  ‘Alchemy’ is about “being bombarded with unrealistic ideals to live up to in our lives is a recipe for never feeling good enough, never feeling fulfilled.” Cathro continues “This song was meant to be about shifting that, untethering from that kind of rigid ideal and defining actualisation on our own terms.”  ‘Mind and Matter’ is about flattening time and existence, and ‘Fish’ talks about “feeling powerless, an exploration of agency”. 

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.’

“A Kingdom in a Cul-de-sac”  is out now and available on all streaming platforms. 

NZ’s rising rockstar Sam Cullen unveils epic and vulnerable EP LOVE AGAIN

Listen to LOVE AGAIN HERE

Watch video HERE

Invercargill-raised, Tāmaki Makaurau-based rising rockstar Sam Cullen has today released his much-anticipated catchy and powerful EP LOVE AGAIN.

Sam’s four-track EP is a well-crafted, vulnerable collection of powerful vocals, nostalgic synths, driving guitars and pounding drums that hook and transport listeners. “It’s a sincere, earnest body of work,” says Sam. “It’s me wearing my heart on my sleeve, talking about being homesick, growing up, and trying to figure out who I am.”

Made with the support of NZ on Air, LOVE AGAIN is an EP sure to draw a crowd - with Sam’s popularity also connected to his electric live shows, both as solo performer and with an explosive full band. Today’s release follows the success of previously released (2023) EP singles ‘Forever’ and ‘The Cold Midwinter’ (Official Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart, RadioScope Most Added and Rock). Both singles received great support from fans, industry and media/radio such as Rolling Stone AU/NZ, RNZ, TAHI, Hauraki, The Edge, ZM and SRN.

 Single and title track ‘Love Again’ opens the EP and immediately sets a new bar for this chapter of Sam’s music. “I distinctly remember being on a roll and the song just spilling out of my guitar - I think it took like half an hour,” explains Sam. “The track has an inviting, familiar feel to it, which harks back to the kind of music I was brought up on.”

LOVE AGAIN was partly recorded at Auckland’s Parachute Studios alongside collaborators such as Ben Malone, and Harry Parsons (MACEY) - while the other half of the EP was written and produced by Sam and mixed by Chris Scott. LOVE AGAIN was mastered at KOG Studio by Chris Chetland. Despite the EP’s Tāmaki-Makaurau conception, Sam’s Invercargill roots are at the core of his creativity. “Everything for me comes from home. I’m always drawn back there creatively.” Authenticity and raw emotion shine through LOVE AGAIN and, for Sam, it’s a reflection of where he’s heading. “I’m telling my story now. For the last few years I’ve been figuring out how to do that. I’m opening up to myself, and therefore the songs, a lot more.”

Also released today is a music video created alongside long-term friend Dave Thomson of Imaginary Friends, and filmed with Sam’s live band at a warehouse in Tāmaki Makaurau. Sam says the video “highlights the excitement and energy of the song. With each song and show we’re also growing as a band and seeing us all click in the video is an epic thing.”

The excitement continues as Sam and his six-piece band are celebrating LOVE AGAIN on April 27 at Whammy Backroom in Tāmaki Makaurau! Tickets from Under The Radar HERE

About Sam Cullen

Over the past 3 years, Sam Cullen has released two EP’s - 1000x (2000) and RUN (2022); played on some of the biggest Aotearoa stages, including main stage at Rhythm & Vines; sold out a number of headline shows, and played support slots around the country. Previously a solo performer, Sam now has a 5-piece live band that brings an incomparable onstage energy. Don’t be the last to know about NZ’s rising rockstar, listen to Sam Cullen’s new EP LOVE AGAIN!

FIND SAM CULLEN:

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