Ra Charmian deliver sunny debut album WAIATA WAIRUA
Tāmaki Makaurau duo Ra Charmian have today shared their uplifting, soul-filled, reggae-pop debut album WAIATA WAIRUA - and it’s not to be missed!
Listen to WAIATA WAIRUA HERE
Watch the video for ‘Hine Ruhi’ HERE
Tāmaki Makaurau duo Ra Charmian have today shared their uplifting, soul-filled, reggae-pop debut album WAIATA WAIRUA - and it’s not to be missed!
Throughout the 8-track album, songwriters Ra Charmian Toia-Booth (Ngāpuhi, Tainui) and Hayden Booth showcase that they know what it takes to create an Aotearoa summer soundtrack. The gorgeous record includes popular singles ‘Papatuānuku He Ataahua Koe / What a Wonderful World’ (RNZ, The Breeze, Whakaata Māori, The Most FM, Radio Waatea) and ‘Te Aroha’ (Air NZ, NZOA NewTracks, Niu FM, Tumeke FM, NZ Musician, 13th Floor, Juice TV).
“We want our album to be one that listeners play on a sunny day and just feel good,” says Ra. “As artists, we love reggae and motown, so soundwise you should hear this inspiration coming through!”
The record was written, recorded and mixed at their home studio in Titirangi, Tāmaki Makaurau - a convenient location for the duo, as they settled into life with a newborn pēpi/baby. “It was so special to be able to take our pēpi along to our recording sessions, but it did mean that the process wasn’t quite as straightforward as it was pre-baby!” laughs Ra.
The songs on WAIATA WAIRUA were inspired by a period of time when Ra and Hayden were going through big life changes - marriage, death (Hayden losing both parents and Ra losing her Dad), and having a baby - which meant they quite literally experienced the circle of life while making this debut album.
While Hayden and Ra are the main writers/arrangers of the album, whānau were called upon for te reo Māori translations, and some of NZ’s finest musicians - including drummers Alistair Deverick (Neil Finn, Lawrence Arabia), Adam Tobeck (Gin Wigmore, Aaradhna) and Chris Grant (Sola Rosa), horns/keyboardist Finn Scholes (Tiny Ruins, Carnivorous Plant Society), keyboardist Joe Kaptein (Princess Chelsea, Nathan Haines), guitarist Dixon Nacey (Annie Crummer, Stan Walker) and bass player Isaac Etimani (Keshia, Christmas In The Park). Dixon also worked with them on the arrangement of new single ‘Hine Ruhi’ - a te reo Māori interpretation of Dave Dobbyn’s treasured ‘Slice of Heaven’. Ra says te reo Māori is such a beautiful and poetic language to sing in, she feels it adds a whole new dimension to the song, paired with the duo’s twist of funk and soul.
Bringing another ‘slice of heaven’ to the track, is an exciting new music video made by Hayden. WATCH HERE.
A collection of originals and reimagined covers meaningful to the pair, WAIATA WAIRUA also features tracks such as ‘Rahiri’, written by Mutunga Rameka, a song that expresses some of the history and ancestors of the Hokianga. Ra is a descendant of the tupuna (Rahiri and Uekunu) in the story of this song, and the tupuna Kaharau is relevant to Ra as the urupā where her Father is buried, is named Kaharau. ‘I shall be released’, written by Bob Dylan, has been a huge musical inspiration for Hayden since he was a teenager, and when Ra discovered and introduced Hayden to the Nina Simone version, it was suggested they record it. ‘The Only One’ is an original Ra Charmian song, inspired by the duo’s own love story, and the incredible journey many go through (ups and downs!) to find ‘the one’.
To celebrate the release of the album, Ra Charmian are set to put on an unforgettable show at Auckland’s Big Fan on October the 5th.
For more info and tickets, head to Under the Radar HERE
About Ra Charmian
Ra Charmian Toia-Booth (Ngāpuhi, Tainui) is a performer and vocalist who performed around the world for almost 10 years before returning to Aotearoa. Since being back she’s been a featured artist on RNZ, Air NZ and radio stations around the country, as well as performing on TV and radio - including being the voice for the 2023 NZ Radio Award-winning jingle ‘You’ve Sure Got A Friend In The Breeze’. Hayden Booth is also an experienced musician who has toured and performed internationally for many years - playing in bands opening for the likes of John Mayer, Jools Holland and Paul Weller. Hayden has won 2 international awards for his media production work.He’s also known as one of the best guitarists around and has played on many TV and radio ads over the years.
Follow Ra Charmian:
Website | Instagram | Spotify | Apple | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
Lomez Brown Unveils New Single ‘Cover Me’ the First Release from His Upcoming Album ‘Underrated’
Internationally acclaimed Polynesian artist Lomez Brown is set to captivate listeners once again with his brand-new single ‘Cover Me’ This powerful track serves as the debut single from his much-anticipated first full album ‘Underrated’ and showcases Lomez's signature blend of reggae rhythms, soulful melodies, and profound lyrical depth
Internationally acclaimed Polynesian artist Lomez Brown is set to captivate listeners once again with his brand-new single ‘Cover Me’ This powerful track serves as the debut single from his much-anticipated first full album ‘Underrated’ and showcases Lomez's signature blend of reggae rhythms, soulful melodies, and profound lyrical depth.
‘Cover Me’ is a heartfelt call for spiritual protection and guidance, beautifully capturing themes of faith, resilience, and gratitude. With its soothing, chill vibe and rich Polynesian Pop influences, the song is a perfect reflection of Lomez Brown's unique musical style, which has been winning hearts around the globe. The single is a testament to his ability to blend cultural heritage with contemporary sounds, creating music that resonates deeply across different audiences.
Lomez Brown has been a driving force in the Polynesian scene since 2013, with a career marked by numerous accolades, including multiple nominations at the Pacific Music Awards, NZ Music Awards, and Maori Music Awards. His track ‘Sweet Lover’ went double platinum in 2023, reinforcing his reputation as a leading figure in the genre. With over 25 million combined streams and a strong international presence, Lomez Brown continues to push boundaries and evolve as an artist.
‘Underrated’ his forthcoming album, promises to be a profound exploration of his musical journey and personal experiences. ‘Cover Me’ is just the beginning, offering a glimpse into the depth and diversity of sounds that fans can expect from the full album, set for release in 2024.
Lomez Brown invites fans and new listeners alike to experience the first chapter of his new musical journey.
Follow Lomez Brown:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
THE SPINES 'QUEEN OF THE RAIN'
The new release from a band that’s been around for 43 years. And the third album from this current lineup of Jon McLeary, Hannah Fraser, Les Knight and Malky Taylor with help from Tim Robinson on extra percussion.
A bit of history:
Jon McLeary (guitar, vocals, songs) formed the Spines in 1981 in Wellington with Caroline Easther (drums) and Rob Mahoney (bass). They recorded “Fishing” for Ripper Records and appeared on Radio With Pictures that same year. A change in line-up to Ross Burge (drums), Neill Duncan (sax) and Wendy Calder (bass) saw them go on to record albums for Jayrem (The Moon, Your Body Stays, Act Your Age) and Flying Nun (Idiot Sun). This version toured the country and lasted into the late 1980’s.
In the 1990’s Andy Craig joined on bass and Ant Donaldson on drums and continued the Spines tradition playing McLeary’s unique songs live and in the studio.
They continued on into this century with Les Knight on bass and various drummers including Riki Gooch and recorded the album Blood Monster.
The current Spines line-up has been together several years with Jon is Les Knight on bass, Hannah Fraser on violin, keys and vocals and Malky James Taylor on drums.
The Spines album Dreamboat was released in 2019.
Riki Gooch played all the drum tracks and Les Knight the bass parts then Hannah Fraser, her piano and violin and Jon guitars.
Queen of the Rain
The new release from a band that’s been around for 43 years. And the third album from this current lineup of Jon McLeary, Hannah Fraser, Les Knight and Malky Taylor with help from Tim Robinson on extra percussion.
McLeary’s songs are the key factor to the bands longevity. They continue to have relevance and are evolving all the time along with the band’s stage presence.
The Queen of the Rain songs are all elemental and/or emotional little stories that link up backwards and are a fine addition to the Spines cannon.
NIGEL MARSHALL 'SHINE ON'
Part archive, time capsule, and storybook, Shine On captures the evolution of a man and his music. Covering four decades, Shine On is a collection of original songs, recording his early life in Naenae, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, onto his time in Ruatoria, Tolaga Bay, West Auckland, and Gisborne.
Part archive, time capsule, and storybook, Shine On captures the evolution of a man and his music. Covering four decades, Shine On is a collection of original songs, recording his early life in Naenae, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, onto his time in Ruatoria, Tolaga Bay, West Auckland, and Gisborne.
“This has been a fantastic opportunity to recraft these old songs," said Marshall. "A lot of the creativity, instead of the writing new songs, has gone into the recording of them." Marshall collaborated with an ensemble of Wellington musicians giving the album a unified jazz feel to the album, connecting songs written decades apart.
The album is a musical time capsule featuring songs dating back to Marshall's time in Ruatoria. The earliest gem Tūī, penned around 1980 is about the encroaching forestry industry and the damage it posed to the East Coast environment.
The album was recorded in Maurice Priestley’s PriMau Productions recording studio in Newtown, Wellington. Priestley, who played on and recorded early versions of some of the songs when he operated Capture Recording Studio in Gisborne in the ‘80s, suggested the project to record Marshall’s previously unrecorded songs.
Priestley used his contacts in the music scene to bring together an impressive ensemble of musicians, including pianist Don Franks, horn player Oscar Lavën, bass player Peter Gregory, cajon player Sean O’Connor, drummers Nic Deighton and Tim Robinson, strings arranger-player Cath Haley, and backing vocalists Sarah Grant and Susan Ngawati, Nigel's wife.
The most recent song on the album, Hand of God, also talks about the overwhelming effects of cyclones in Aotearoa. The songs are as relevant today as they were when they were written, with forestry causing much of the damage from cyclones Hale and Gabrielle on the East Coast, by what the insurance companies call “An Act of God”.
About Nigel Marshall
Nigel Marshall is a seasoned musician based in Gisborne, New Zealand, known for his eclectic musical journey spanning four decades. From his early days in Ruatoria to collaborations in Auckland, Gisborne, and Wellington. Marshall lives in Tairāwhiti with his wife, Susan Ngawati.
“Music has been a fine way of not just expressing myself but engaging in a magical way with people in my community both as fellow artists and by interacting with audiences who have given me the great honour of appreciating my music,” says Marshall. “It remains to this day a truly beautiful gift to be counted among the friends I have played with over the years.”
Revulva will play a nationwide tour this October and November!
Over the last five years, Wellington octet Revulva has won over audiences around New Zealand with their impassioned tracks Bush Bash, Beep Beep, and Heroin Chic and frenzied, high-energy stage shows. Today we announce a Revulva-lution. To celebrate their self-titled album, releasing on October 11, Revulva will play a nationwide tour this October and November!
REVULVA NZ ALBUM RELEASE TOUR
31st October - Space Academy, Christchurch
1st November - Yours, Dunedin
2nd November - Secret Garden, Hāwea Flat, Wānaka*
*address to be released to ticket holders upon purchase
7th November - The Yard, Raglan
9th November - Neck of the Woods, Auckland
16th November - Porridge Watson, Whanganui
23rd November - San Fran, Wellington*
Tickets are on sale from undertheradar.co.nz & *Moshtix for Wellington
Taking their cues from Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Jamiroquai, Steely Dan, Herbie Hancock, Minnie Ripperton, and Prince, Revulva’s self-titled debut album reimagines the anything-goes energy of New York City’s 1970s downtown scene and London’s 1990s funk and soul renaissance through an antipodean perspective where awkward, deadpan humour goes hand in hand with the band’s social concerns and inherent feminist politics. The 10 track album features hit singles, Bush Bash, Beep Beep and Heroin Chic alongside songs from the band's beginning as a 5-piece 5 years ago, and the upcoming, bitter-sweet lead single Nigel.
The album is accompanied by a run of 200 records via Holiday Records' new crowdfund campaign. The record comes with a 12 page photo/lyric zine designed by the band’s close friend and designer, Daniel Kingston.
Described by Rolling Stone Australia as “strangely alluring,” the femme-fronted eight-piece formed in Wellington under the de facto leadership of the composer, lyricist, bassist and vocalist Phoebe Johnson in 2019. Since then, Johnson and her clown van full of hyper-busy musical collaborators, Lily Rose Shaw, Toby Leman, Hector McLachlan, Kaito Walley, Lennox Grootjans, Mysty Cooke, and Zane Hawkins, have won over bar, nightclub and festival audiences across New Zealand.
“It’s been a heavy year of making music videos, and getting the vinyl organised, so we’re excited to celebrate all this mahi by getting together for these 8 shows! Audiences can expect to get involved with the usual hijinks - audience participation, group moaning/harmonies/choreo, burning solos, and good boogies.”
REVULVA ALBUM RELEASE NZ TOUR October 31 - November 23.
Tickets are on sale from undertheradar.co.nz & *Moshtix for Wellington
Aotearoa-Sāmoan Songstress EMA I’U releases salty Rnb-pop track ‘Blame Game’.
This single follows on from the success of her ‘Flower of Life’ Music Video which premiered at SXSW Sydney 2023, was selected for 2024 Māoriland and Hawai’i International Film Festivals and was nominated for Best Video at the recent Pacific Music Awards.
Based in Tāmaki Makaurau, EMA I'U (pronounced Emma ee ‘u) aka Ema Barton is a performer with a powerful presence, undeniable skill as a vocalist and talent as a songwriter and screen arts creative.
This single follows on from the success of her ‘Flower of Life’ Music Video which premiered at SXSW Sydney 2023, was selected for 2024 Māoriland and Hawai’i International Film Festivals and was nominated for Best Video at the recent Pacific Music Awards.
‘Blame Game’ will feature on Ema’s debut album planned for release in 2025. All songs including her previous singles ‘Top Shelf’ and ‘Midnight Mistress’, were worked on alongside producer Nathan Judd (Producer of the Year, Pacific Music Awards 2021) as part of a NZonAir New Music Development Project.
EMA I’U is gearing up for more releases and is just getting started.
Instagram Facebook Tiktok Youtube Bandcamp Spotify Soundcloud AppleMusic
ADAM HATTAWAY ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘HIGH HORSE’ OUT NOVEMBER 8TH
Adam Hattaway has announced their new album ‘High Horse’ set for release on November 8th. Produced by Marlon Williams, today’s album announcement also comes with a new single and video ‘Good Times’.
UNVEILS NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘GOOD TIMES’
AND AUSTRALASIAN TOUR DATES
Adam Hattaway has announced their new album ‘High Horse’ set for release on November 8th. Produced by Marlon Williams, today’s album announcement also comes with a new single and video ‘Good Times’.
Like many of Hattaway/Jones songs this track came in a dream and is inspired by Arthur Fellig’s crime scene photography. It’s bare, dark and gritty. Hattaway reflects, “I don’t often sing that way. Marlon got me to explore many different vocal styles throughout the album, I accessed parts of my voice that I didn't know I had.’’
This release will be Hattaway’s sixth full length album in six years. Featuring previous single ‘High Horse’, the upcoming record is significantly more stripped down than Hattaway’s earlier, noisier rock and roll ventures, with friend and collaborator Marlon Williams aiming for a sound that was “frustratingly quiet” and led by acoustic guitar. Adam explains, “I didn't know it was just going to be the four of us most of the time, so it was very hands-on.” The small group play nearly all the instruments, sharing backing vocal duties, with very little electric guitar this explores a new sound for Hattaway and Jones.
Adam and his band The Haunters will embark on an eight date tour of Aotearoa and Naarm/Melbourne including a Jon Toogood support and a slot at Sanctuary Sounds music festival.
High Horse out November 8th is available for pre-order on CD and Vinyl now.
ADAM HATTAWAY & THE HAUNTERS TOUR
NOV 07 - OAMARU - GRAINSTORE GALLERY
NOV 08 - ŌTEPOTI - PEARL DIVER
NOV 09 - OPHIR - OPHIR PEACE MEMORIAL HALL
NOV 16 - MELBOURNE - NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB - SUPPORTING JON TOOGOOD
NOV 22 - MELBOURNE - MERRI CREEK TAVERN
NOV 30 - ŌTAUTAHI - THE LOONS
DEC 06 - TĀMAKI MAKAURAU - WHAMMY BAR
DEC 07 - TAKAPAU - SANCTUARY SOUNDS FESTIVAL
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
ADAMHATTAWAY.COM
HINA Unveils New Single 'Hinātore': A Celestial Journey Through Māori Mythology
HINA’s latest single, Hinātore, is a captivating exploration of the universe’s celestial beginnings from a distinctly Māori perspective. This enchanting waiata celebrates the rich tapestry of Māori language, pūrākau (traditional stories), and taonga pūoro (traditional instruments), and is now available on all streaming platforms.
HINA’s latest single, Hinātore, is a captivating exploration of the universe’s celestial beginnings from a distinctly Māori perspective. This enchanting waiata celebrates the rich tapestry of Māori language, pūrākau (traditional stories), and taonga pūoro (traditional instruments), and is now available on all streaming platforms.
Hinātore was birthed on the first day of the APRA Reo Māori SongHubs 2022 at Roundhead Studios in Tāmaki Makaurau. Collaborating with award-winning producer Dan Martin, acclaimed taonga pūoro artist Reti Hedley of IA, and one of Aotearoa’s most esteemed mātanga reo Hana Mereraiha, HINA crafted a track that both honors and reimagines Māori creation stories.
In an innovative twist, HINA has paired the release of Hinātore with an animated music video, created in collaboration with AI technology. Embracing the challenge of blending traditional storytelling with modern visual artistry, HINA chose not to confine the animation to strictly Māori imagery. Instead, the video offers a pan-Moana aesthetic, reflecting the broader Polynesian context of the song’s themes.
“I was fascinated by the opportunity to engage critically and creatively with AI,” HINA explains. “AI struggled with strictly Māori imagery, so I opted for a more Pacifically-ambiguous approach. I wanted the visuals to enhance the mana of our stories while respecting the mauri and wairua of our traditions. I had quite a heavy hand with the AI platforms I was collaborating with. The process was meticulous, I extensively tweaked and edited still images to essentially ‘design’ scenes and characters before moving onto the animation process.”
The single Hinātore recounts Tāne’s quest to bring light to a world shrouded in darkness following the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku. Tāne requested the the help of his siblings Wainui and Tangotango, asking for their children—the sun, the moon, stars, and other celestial lights—to adorn the chest of Ranginui, illuminating our world as we know it. This story highlights the beauty and complexity of Māori cosmology and its significance in the wider Polynesian mythos.
Hinātore marks a significant milestone for HINA as her first song entirely in te reo Māori, following the success of her 2023 bilingual single Tararua. Aptly released during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week), Hinātore promises to resonate deeply with listeners, celebrating both the beauty of Māori language and the innovative fusion of traditional and modern artistic expressions.
Listen to Hinātore on all streaming platforms today!
Or purchase on Bandcamp:
Follow HINA: