Volts – Make Up Your Mind

Powerhouse rock band Volts are set to smash the air waves with the release of their new single, Make Up Your Mind. Scheduled for a global release on September 20, 2024, the track promises to electrify fans, setting the stage for the band's debut self-titled album.

Singer Lorna Coll describes Make Up Your Mind as an all-out rock anthem about trying to battle through all the noise of modern technology, following your own path and striving for success.

“Every song we write has been a piece of our journey together as a band. It’s exciting to feel our music gather momentum and to see how our songs resonate with people."

The single's release will be followed by Volts' self-titled debut album, hitting streaming platforms in October. The album will feature some of the bands earlier singles as well as brand new songs.

Make Up Your Mind was made with support from NZ On Air.

The band are playing an album release show at A Rolling Stone in Christchurch on Saturday 19th October.

Volts have been capturing the attention of fans and industry with their unique blend of melody with a raw rock intensity. With Make Up Your Mind, the band aims to cement their status as one of New Zealand’s most exciting rock acts.

For more information about Volts and their upcoming releases, visit their official website www.volts.band or follow them on social media.

https://www.facebook.com/voltsnz & https://www.instagram.com/volts_nz/

Chur Da Boys Release New Single "You & Me" Featuring IR1E 3YED – A Harmonious Celebration of Love

Chur Da Boys are excited to announce the release of their latest single, "You & Me," a love song that beautifully captures the connection between two people on all levels. With lyrics like "the reason why, the apple of my eye," the track embraces love at its best and showcases the group's signature harmonies.

This release marks Chur Da Boys' fourth single of 2024 and features a special collaboration with Auckland-based rapper and singer IR1E 3YED, adding an extra layer of depth and emotion to the song. The track was expertly mixed and produced at Ghostlike Studios, ensuring a high-quality sound that listeners will appreciate.

"You & Me" is available on all major streaming platforms from 20th September, allowing fans to experience this enchanting love anthem anytime, anywhere.

Chur Da Boys have also announced plans for several summer shows, where fans can enjoy live performances of their latest music and more.

Uncle Is Drops New Single “All That” — A Sensual Groove Just in Time for Summer

Stream ‘All That’

Renowned for his soulful vibes and smooth delivery, Uncle Is is back with his latest single, ‘All That’ an infectious, laid-back anthem that blends R&B grooves with irresistible lyrics. The track, set to drop September 20, captures the heat of new love, connection and passion in a way that only Uncle Is can deliver.

‘All That’ kicks off with a melodic, chill beat that sets the mood for the story Uncle Is unfolds—a tale of admiration, desire and the subtle art of keeping things cool. With playful lines like "Christmas how she lighting up my phone it might be blow out" and "All that energy, got its own time, I just wanna be in time with you" Uncle Is brings his unique flair to the theme of romantic pursuit.

The hook is as smooth as it is catchy, asking the irresistible question: "Can I get a piece of all that?" It's a call for love on his terms, blending intimacy with a touch of casual connection, all wrapped in a signature groove that will have listeners hitting repeat.

The second verse cranks up the heat, as Uncle Is confesses how he’s been captivated by his love interest from the moment she walked in: "Took the better part of me, makin' it hard to leave, baby" The storytelling is raw and relatable, capturing those moments when someone special turns your world upside down.

The bridge takes us even deeper into the vibe with a sultry invitation: "Ooh mama wanna break one off for ya baby, whether it's clothes or us that's takin' off, ain't no maybe" It’s a signature Uncle Is blend of smooth sensuality, with just the right balance of passion and cool confidence.

With a sound that feels perfect for late summer nights and drives with the windows down, ‘All That’ is set to become a staple on playlists everywhere. Uncle Is has once again proven that he can blend emotion, rhythm and lyricism into a track that hits all the right notes.

‘All That’ will be available on all streaming platforms starting September 20. Don’t miss out on what promises to be one of the hottest singles of the season.

New Underwire single 'Greener

Presave https://music.drm.co.nz/greener-u

Underwire's sixth single "Greener" is a no holds protest song, with slamming hooks and a chanting anthem chorus. Recorded and produced by Scott Seabright, 'Greener' brings new textures to the band's developing sound, and swaggers with influences like the Stooges and psychobilly. 

‘Greener’ calls out green-washing, after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle and the tide of forest slash that brought to light the folly of offset schemes without action, and the downside of a culture of profit before people.  

Underwire have been a busy band since releasing their first single ‘Gravity’ in May 2023 – more than six months on Apple’s global New Rock and other playlists, over 28,000 Youtube views of their self-made videos, New Zealand and international indie radio play, working with Scott Seabright – more singles to come – and playing shows with more than a dozen other bands in the energetic Wellington indie music scene and beyond. Catch Underwire at Nui Hui 30 November, Valhalla & more coming up.

Find Underwire:

Facebook / YouTube / Bandcamp Spotify/Apple/Tidal/Deezer/Amazon / Instagram

False Heights create a lasting impression with breathtaking cover of ‘Zombie’

Definitive Taupō Rock duo False Heights today unleash their explosive adaption of the immortal 90’s Cranberries song, Zombie.

Listen Here

With today being the day that the original turns 30, April and Ashley Pirie have brought Zombie to a whole new level with racing guitars, thrashing drums and expressive vocals.

Injecting the iconic protest song with their own unique blend of fast-paced and fierce punk-rock, False Heights have paid homage to the timeless classic by adding in their own personalised heavier alternative edge

“Channelling the beautifully haunting vocal melodies of Dolores O’Riordon, False Heights supercharged pop punk take on The Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’ pulses with an intense new life while capturing the emotional ride of the original.” - Kris Raven, Muzic.net.nz

False Heights are known for bringing a theatrical alternative edge to the mainstream world. Their material offers a uniquely independent feel, melding the 2000’s rock sound of Jimmy Eat World and Blink182, to the commercial singer-songwriter energies of Taylor Swift and Paramore.

Co-produced, tracked and mixed by Evan Pope at Studio11b in Mt Maunganui, and mastered by Joshua Llewellyn of Downbeat Mastering, Zombie follows False Heights’ previous releases Inside Your Head and A Little Bit More. With another single set to drop later this year, False Heights are a band worth keeping an eye on.

False Heights Zombie is out now.
Listen Here

Arjuna Oakes – Catch Me

“Watch out for a great singer from New Zealand called Arjuna Oakes” - Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 6 Music)

"Continuously moves from strength to strength" Under The Radar Mag

"An emerging artist you should definitely keep on your radar!" Secret Eclectic

Releasing his next single on Albert’s favourites, London based Arjuna Oakes has had some great milestones! He had the chance to perform in Paris for the New Zealand Olympic team, while top of his list for shows recently, was Performing at The Jazz Cafe in London, supporting Nathan Haines album launch.  If you are in London, he is playing at Paper Dress Vintage in Hackney on the 25th of September.

Catch Me 

There's a sense of longing captured in the floating peacefulness of Catch Me. Drawing as ever from jazz, in Arjuna’s lush sonic universe, rich with strings and soaring flute we can hear inspiration from artists like Moses Sumney and Kadhja Bonet. 

“I can remember the day I started writing Catch Me in the middle of winter 2019. I had not long moved to Wellington from Auckland (in New Zealand). I was just improvising at the piano waiting for a piano student to arrive and suddenly this song starts to present itself. I had the melody ringing through my head the whole time teaching the lesson. As soon as we finished I grabbed a notebook. I walked around the botanic gardens just down the road, and wrote all of the lyrics. I rushed home and recorded a demo with just keyboard and vocals. All of the backing vocals and vocal effects you hear in the song were from that original demo.”

“I didn’t revisit the demo until I recorded a version with drums and bass. Then I mixed the two versions together, and decided that it needed a big epic string arrangement to give it an otherworldly feeling. I had only just started writing for strings, but revelled in the challenge. After nearly driving myself insane arranging and notating string parts for the album, I assembled a quartet of my friends to perform them. I felt there was still something missing, so I asked the legendary Nathan Haines to improvise on flute, which we then cut up and used to fill the space. Serebii added some beautiful production touches, and we finally had the lush little epic that I dreamed of from the start.”

Arjuna Oakes is an accomplished singer/songwriter, pianist, composer and producer from New Zealand, currently based in London. Following the release of his debut EP ‘The Watcher’ in 2019, Arjuna has released another six projects all to widespread acclaim. Two EP's ‘First Nights’ and ‘Final Days’ are a collaboration with longtime friend and co-producer Serebii, released by LA-based record label Innovative Leisure (BADBADNOTGOOD, Allah-Las). First Nights debuted at #5 on KCRW's top 30 Albums chart and has had extensive play on BBC6 and BBC1xtra.

Arjuna’s Singles  on Albert’s Favourites  are - “Motel” and “The Love That I Feel” 

Find Arjuna Oakes

Spotify  | Apple Music |  Instagram  | Website  

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About Alberts Favourites

Today Albert’s Favourites is a south London studio, production family and label founded by Albert's grandson Adam Scrimshire with Jonny Drop and Dave Koor of The Expansions. Home to several collaborations and solo projects from each of the creators, the label has become home to Huw Marc Bennett, And Is Phi, Qwalia, Miryam Solomon, Mark de Clive Lowe’s Rōnin Arkestra and more with new signings and projects to be announced through 2024.

In our first eight years, Albert’s Favourites has released fifteen LPs, plus numerous EPs, singles and a compilation album. We Experienced four weeks in the BBC Radio 6 Music “B” playlist in 2019 with Hector Plimmer and Andrew Ashong single Somebody else, soon followed by an “Album Of The Day” for Scrimshire’s Listeners. With regular support across the station, on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra from Jamz Supernova and Benji B, and even plays from Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2. Not forgetting support at home and around the world from a loyal and brilliant family of independent broadcasters and DJs. We’ve also hosted massive label showcases for the South Facing festival in Crystal Palace Park and in 2023 present our first EFG London Jazz Festival event. 

As a growing family of writers and producers, we recently launched the Favourite Songs Ltd. publishing company, representing many artists on the label. Both Albert’s Favourites and Favourite Songs pride ourselves on providing an artist focused environment with contracts that evolve and empower the creators as they progress, while leaving ownership and control in their hands. We work hard to put back into the wider music community too with charitable donations and mentoring.

We work with amazing teams at Believe for digital distribution and Prime Direct Distribution for vinyl. Almost all of our visual art is created in house by Jonny Drop (notable exceptions being the Hector Plimmer art, created by Hector himself). Many of our releases are also mixed and mastered in house by either Dave Koor or Adam Scrimshire. We remain deeply independent and focused on finding and elevating incredible artists, being the hand at their back and the supporting voice in their corner, so they can make the music they love and believe in. 

We love creating and sharing music. Our lives are shaped by what we love. 

Find Alberts Favourites

https://www.albertsfavourites.com

DIAZ GRIMM AWARDED 2024 APRA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD & NOMINATED FOR HIP-HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE MĀORI MUSIC AWARDS

Since dropping his boundary pushing album ‘Māui & the Sin’ via a nation-wide release in cinemas, the album has received great reception from critics to the public alike. A 14 track, 14 video, double disc album that brings Te Ao Māori into the metaverse. Utilizing different forms of AI, CGI, claymation, anime and featuring 14 of the hottest new artists and producers from Aotearoa.

From the sale of digital downloads prior to arriving on streaming the album reached #6 on the hot NZ album charts, #6 on the IMNZ album charts and remained on the official NZ music charts for four weeks. The single ‘Pepeha’ featuring 2024 Pacific music award winner Diggy Dupê has seen success on radio, reaching #22 on the radioscope dance charts, #13 on the newest adds radisscope charts and reached #8 on the SRN top10. Diaz has now been nominated for HipHop & R&B album of the year at the Waiata Māori music awards.

Diaz has also just been announced as one of the five recipients of the 2024 Apra professional development awards, a grant of $10,000 to pursue development within his craft. 

Choo Choo All Aboard the Music Train! ‘Little Wild Learning’ launches with whimsical new country music video

What began as songs for her toddlers entering kindergarten has become the album Little Wild Learning, launched with brand new video ‘Music Train’.

Claudia’s own experiences as a parent are a deep well of memories, mischief and nostalgia - and just a little too much coffee – always half cold. This Aotearoa Music Award (2024) winner just released her seventh album, Little Wild Learning - a sweet reflection on her children’s earliest days at kindy and school, now recorded for the first time, for a new generation. With her eldest son turning 18, Claudia brings these songs forth from a well-thumbed notebook with the support of NZ On Air Tamariki, accompanied by a cute as a button new video for  country music song ‘Music Train’.

What started as voice notes, hastily captured on the walking school bus and kindy drop offs, are now sweet, smart bops and heartfelt harmonies arranged to educate, inspire and delight families everywhere.

Gunn’s APRA award winning knack for song writing, her collaborative approach and the team of stunning talent she has assembled from both New Zealand and Australia combine in ‘Little Wild Learning’ to give kids and their grown-ups a brand new musical magic moment. 7th time’s the charm?

The album includes 9 original tracks, plus their instrumental sing alongs to encourage participation and engagement. On the just released video for Music Train, kids are invited to imagine stepping aboard, bring their instruments and explore rhythm and rhyme.  Little ones will adore Animal Sounds – a silly bop about animals that DON’T make sounds, and singing morning affirmations are a breeze while also learning phonics with ‘Alphabet Phonics – ABC of Awesome’.

The project includes co-writes exploring social emotional learning themes like how to make a friend, and how to let tummy butterflies help you fly, with Claudia’s mates from ‘straya - Benny Time and Angie Who. One of her oldest friends from kindy days, actor and vocalist Jenny Freed, lends a star turn on vocal harmonies for the song ‘Kindy Kid’. The music video shot by Michelle Sokolich of Show and Tell Video, features Jenny and Claudia performing at mat time for the children of Morningside Kindergarten, including Jenny’s own recently graduated son Miro.

Of this latest children’s music project Gunn says, “Surprise and delight are the touchstone I seek when I’m figuring out a song for kids. Also humour, pragmatism, and awe. For this album I wanted the music to be useful, surprising as well as beautiful.

Little Wild Learning was recorded with Claudia’s frequent collaborators Tom Fox and Marshall Smith of the Sound Room in Takapuna (Little Wild Christmas, Little Wild Universe, Sing Through the Year – Little Wild Childhood, Sing for the Sea – Little Wild Ocean Friends and Sing for the Earth – Little Wild Animals). NZ On Air supported the creation of this project.

Little Wild Learning will capture the hearts and imagination of children everywhere with these educational and engaging songs. These songs may be reverberating at breakfast tables, on morning school runs, at kindy mat times and in primary school libraries for many years to come!

The album is available now on all streaming platforms, and for sale on Claudia’s website, BandCamp and from US education provider Songs for Teaching.

Little Wild Learning - Listening Links - https://found.ee/Learning