The Editor (More)
Download this
16.03.10
Alongside our daily featured release today we have some visual excitement for the Flying Nun fans out there from NZ On Screen as well as our gig picks for the week. ...
Another day?
15.03.10
Gidday, hope you all had a cracking weekend and are all set for this new week. It's going to be a busy one, what with the release today of Hollie Smith's latest album which we'll take a look at...
Weekend Blues?
13.03.10
Here are a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend.
Free Downloads: The Phoenix Foundation - Buffalo...
R U Ready?
12.03.10
We've a special treat for you today, the first single from The Phoenix Foundation's forthcoming album is yours to grab for free, as an added bonus the band have supplied us with the 'b' side to the single which...
You are here
11.03.10
Did you catch the Wellywood sign controversy this week? Seems that not everyone thought the sign was amusing, so the Wellington City Council have changed the sign to something more kiwi
Must say we're flattered......
Read More
Howling at the...
10.03.10
Remember Julia Deans from her days with Fur Patrol? Well she's is set to hit the road in early April, armed only with acoustic guitar and her vocal chords as she performs new songs from her anticipated debut solo...
I'd buy that for a dollar ninety nine
09.03.10
For many of our younger members the announcement of this year's Smokefreerockquest will herald the beginning of a load of hard work on their part as they form bands, practice and prepare their entries for this long running National...
A Very Metal Monday
08.03.10
Hope you had a wonderful weekend and are ready for another week. If however you're still feeling a little dazed from your weekend and are having trouble finding the energy for today perhaps you need today's Just One Fix...
Weekend Happiness
06.03.10
Here are a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend.
Free Download The Mermaids - The Cocktail Song (Salsa Remix!)...
Read MoreTGIF
05.03.10
I popped over the fence last night to the Grey Lynn Park to catch Collapsing Cities perform before the screening of Goodbye Pork Pie as part of Auckland cities Music in Parks. It was a wonderful way to unwind...
I'd rather be sailing
04.03.10
Is it wrong that I'm already thinking about the weekend with two days to go? Of course not I hear you all murmur whilst gazing into your monitors. ...
Chart Action
03.03.10
I ventured out the other night to see the 3D's and Pavement at Auckland's Town Hall and what a cracking show they both put on... it wasn't a late one yet here we are two days later and still...
Go West
02.03.10
This week signals the start for many of their academic year in our countries Universities and other tertiary institutions. Most hold some form of Orientation festivities for their new and returning students which generally feature local bands - if...
Rabbits
01.03.10
I'm alone in the office today as Mr Music Manager is returning from playing some gigs in Australia over the weekend, Mr Business Manager is over there at the moment as well, doing some work and enjoying (we hope)...
The week that was
27.02.10
Here are a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend.
Free Download Josephine Costain - Surrender...
Read MoreMusic is life
26.02.10
Music appreciation can be serious stuff it can also be enlightening, uplifting, depressing, silly and/or frivolous. So choose with care that which fills your home, car, workplace or headset this weekend and try something you haven't heard before and...
Who said musicians were unorganised?
25.02.10
Clap Clap Riot announced a national tour starting in May only yesterday suggesting they just might be the most organised band in the land... they have an Australian tour after the NZ one and their debut long player is...
We are here
24.02.10
In celebration of the release of his Please Turn Me Into The Snat(today's featured release) Connan Mockasin has also just announced a four date national tour which will see Connan performing around New Zealand with his multi talented band...
Live In Concert
23.02.10
You'd think at this time of year most musicians would be content with filling every vineyard and venue with cheerful people enjoying the weather and music, but no they insist on giving us a solid number of new releases...
History Today
22.02.10
The Fourmyula came together in 1967 and recorded their first single for EMI 'Come With Me' in the Wellington studios. Released in 1968 it made it to number 2 in August of that year...
Weekend Blues?
19.02.10
Here are a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend. ...
Time to
19.02.10
Sorted out your weekend plans yet? No... perhaps our gig picks below will help... or maybe you just need a quiet weekend at home enjoying some recorded music whilst pottering about, if so may we suggest grabbing and adding...
Opps
18.02.10
There is nothing more frustrating than having a intermittent internet connection when 99% of your work is online... well this has been the scenario we've been labouring under for a few weeks now and this morning our modem decided...
Something in the water?
17.02.10
Amplifier is moving offices and Minuit are heading out on tour next month - coincidence?...
We all lined up
16.02.10
It's a worrying trend that promoters in NZ seem to be starting to expect punters to pay for their drinks in advance (beer tokens, beer charge cards, pieces of string) but won't refund any unused credit. This when coupled...
Free as The Morning Sun
15.02.10
Hope you had a cracking weekend and are ready for another week. To start some discussion/interaction today over on the forums tell us what you're currently listening to (kiwi or not)... come on don't be shy...
A Week Went by - I Couldn't Stop It
13.02.10
Here are a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend. ...
Are you
12.02.10
In the news pioneering New Zealand pop band The Fourmyula remembered for their iconic song 'Nature' return to the stage with all original members for two rare performances this March. There will also be a definitive four-CD set comprised...
Keep on passing open windows
11.02.10
There are a lot of gigs, festivals and events happening around the country currently, making the most of our warmer months. So many it is daunting trying to keep tabs on what's happening for anyone but the super organised...
Your Turn
10.02.10
Mr Business Manager and I had a meeting yesterday to discuss getting our evil paws on more older back catalogue releases to add to the site - a process that is always harder and longer than you'd think but...
Round and around we go
09.02.10
New Zealand must be one of the few countries that goes into a slumber over Christmas/New Year. Now we have entered the New Year this can take some effort to shake off...
Forward Looking
08.02.10
Hope you had a great weekend and are ready for a new week of musical goodies to kick off, Today we have a new EP for you to check out and this weeks gigs picks.
...
A Week Of It
06.02.10
Here are a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend....
Free Downloads:
Connan Mockasin - It's Choade My Dear...
Magic
05.02.10
I don't know about you but I'm really looking forward to the weekend and to help usher it in we've waived the Amplifier Magic Stick (trademark pending) which made some tasty free downloads appear for you as well we...
Your guess is good as mine
04.02.10
We may not be getting a public holiday this Waitangi but we do get them surcharges... KiwiFM aren't charging you more for less, rather this Waitangi Day they're giving over the afternoon to songs by New Zealand artists about...
Go!
03.02.10
The finalists for the Inaugural Taite Music Prize have been decided and were announced yesterday with the following albums being selected for this years cash prize.
The first ever finalists from a lengthy list submitted by IMNZ members are:...
Backstage Pass
02.02.10
We at Amplifierwere very sad to learn that one of our best known musicians outsideof New Zealand passed away over the weekend, Pauly Fuemana. Our thoughts go out to Pauly's family and friends. Rest in peace...
Rabbits
01.02.10
We're not at work today as its Auckland Anniversary day. Whilst we're gone please feel free to make yourselves at home. I suggest you kick back and listen or watch some of the thousands of songs and videos we...
A Week Of It
30.01.10
Here's a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend. .....
Somewhere between Thursday and Saturday
29.01.10
Amplifier took a short break from NZ Music last week and went to see soul legend Al Green at Auckland's Civic Theatre. Sitting in the circle before the good Reverend came on stage (and after the crowd fight during...
Outlook for Thursday
28.01.10
Is it wrong that I'm already thinking about the weekend with two days to go? You see I'm looking forward to this weekends Laneway Festival being held in Auckland on Monday, so a I can be excused for wishing...
Where you at?
27.01.10
Not the best week for serious musicians if the chart is any indication, our Australian Idol star Stan Walker just can't seem to get a break from his peers, Susan Boyle keeps denying him the number one spot and...
How much?
26.01.10
More NZ artists are banding together to help out those in Haiti - musicians will perform in a musical extravaganza, "Save the Children - Haiti" at Auckland's Powerstation on Saturday 30 January 2010 to raise money for Save the...
Cheesy Doingz
25.01.10
We like to think we know quite a bit about our local music up here at Amplifier Towers, as you can no doubt imagine. Some might even consider us experts, after all it is our job... we however consider...
Weekend Blues?
23.01.10
Music Mountain Matakana is hosting another Bush Party at the end of this month with Katchafire, Rhombus, Opensouls and from the UK the Mad Professor, dDub, the Knights of the Dub Table. DJ sets from Dub Asylum, Koa Williams,...
I want to be free
22.01.10
We've some tasty free downloads for you today as well as our gig picks for the weekend and our release of the day. For those of you looking forward to NZ's first Lane Way Festival which is being held...
I'd rather be sailing
21.01.10
The Auckland City Council Music In Parks is back once again this summer with a wide range of music and film based events in and around the city. These free family friendly events are a great way to enjoy...
It ain't what you do
20.01.10
We've a new artist to the site for you to check out today who has a cracking pop song to share with you alongside our gig picks for the week and we take a look at this weeks Official...
Come on up and see my sketches
19.01.10
Want to do something good and also own a unique piece of NZ Music memorabilia? To help raise funds for the Haiti relief effort talented kiwi artist Sarah Larnach has put one of her original artworks from Ladyhawke's album...
Slap on a grin and let's get through this thing...
18.01.10
Today marks our first new additions newsletter which means we're back to normal, whatever that means. For those of you who recieve it they'll be going out later today. We survived the Big Day Out on Friday and will...
Plans for the weekend?
16.01.10
The first week of work after a break sure is a sobering thing. In the news this week we have tours coming from Little Bushman and The Twitch have a new album and tour lined up as well...
A Big Day
15.01.10
For many of us today is all about the Big Day Out but for many more today is just another day so have a poke around the site and see what music takes your fancy...
Distractions
14.01.10
There is something almost surreal about the beginning of the year, waiting for people to return from holidays and the year to kick off 'properly'...
There is no hump in Wednesday
13.01.10
I've been checking the weather forcast for Friday and its not looking too hot for the Big Day Out, which the boy scout in me suggests something waterproof might be required on the day...
Back to life, back to reality
12.01.10
The first week of work after a break sure is a sobering thing, gone is the sleep-in, the mid morning beer and all the afternoon ones too... Now we've returned to earth its time to get this year off...
Welcome Back
11.01.10
I imagine we're not alone in that today heralds our first day back in the office. Gone are the jandals and other obvious traits of the amplifier staffer on holiday and back on goes the digital vest that ensures...
Ready for some weekend music?
08.01.10
Okay, the solitude is beginning to get to me. It's just me, the empty office and continual plays of our 8 Foot Sativa CD collection. I've already used a spreadsheet to calculate, in chronological order, allowing for the time...
Where to begin
07.01.10 Amplifier Towers continues to be a lonlely place as most of the team have headed for the beach. Mr Editor is on a island in the Hauraki Gulf, Mr Richie is off playing guitar at various festivals, which means... Read More
Sitting by the pool under a coconut tree
06.01.10
Today we continue the countdown of our picks from last year's crop of albums today, plus there is our run down on gigs and events that we feel are on offer...
Muzak
05.01.10
Here are our picks for live music for the week, we've also got another album from our best of list for you to check out and for those who have yet to enter, our Fat Freddy's Summer Prize Pack...
Round and around we go
04.01.10
Here are our picks for live music for the week as found on the Makuna gig guide. We've also got another album from our best of list for you to check out today. Morning...
Monday 4 January...
Read MoreNew Beginnings
01.01.10
Welcome to the New Year, we hope you're not feeling too under the weather after last nights celebrations.....
Goodbye 2009
31.12.09
If you haven't decided what to do tonight time is rapidly running out. For some ideas on whats on... here are our picks for live music for the week as found on the Makuna gig guide...
Shy and woozy
30.12.09
If you haven't already now is the time to sort out your New Year's plans. With this in mind here are our picks for live music for the week as found on the Makuna gig guide.
Wednesday 30 December...
Read MorePlaces to be
29.12.09
Here are our picks for live music for the week as found on the Makuna gig guide. We've also got another album from our best of list for you to check out and for those who have yet to...
Weather Permitting
28.12.09
We may be (Auckland weather permitting) at the beach, but that doesn't mean we've forgotten you. For the next few days we're here with some gig picks and counting down the top albums as picked by us from 2009...
Meri Kirihimete
25.12.09
All of us here at Amplifier wish you and yours a very meri kirihimete.
Two releases that have put us in the festive mood this year are:
Release Of The Day The Phoenix Foundation - Merry Kriskmass...
Records and gigs
24.12.09
Soul sensation Fat Freddy's Drop are trading the big city lights for classic Kiwi holiday hot spots in The Summer Shakedown Tour...
Freedom
23.12.09
After months of rumour and speculation the news has finally emerged that Roger Sheppard, founder of Flying Nun Records, has brought the label back from its current owners Warner Music. It'll be interesting to see what this means for...
How much?
22.12.09
Announced over the weekend was the launch of a new award focused on our musicians:...
Twas the week before.... holidays
21.12.09
We've shared our best of lists with you last week and today we look at that which you've most favoured on the site and with your wallets over the past year.
Amplifier's Best Sellers of 2009
MP3...
The Week That Was
19.12.09
Here's a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some highlights from our week...
This Weeks Editor's Picks:
The Vixens - The Vixens EP...
Read MoreEverything is changing
18.12.09
We're currently sharing with you our personal picks from the year, these compliment the Amplifier's Top Twenty Albums of 2009 - a list of the albums we feel were the best artistically. Today it's my turn; ...
Music is life
17.12.09
In news today Supergroove have announced a couple of live dates to usher in the new year and the Big Day out have announced the final acts for the festival...
Music and sunshine
16.12.09
We're currently sharing with you our personal picks from the year, these compliment the Amplifier's Top Twenty Albums of 2009 - a list of the albums we feel were the best artistically. Today's list comes from Richie; ...
Sunhine and music
15.12.09
Over the next couple of days we'll be sharing with you our personal picks from the year, these compliment the Amplifier's Top Twenty Albums of 2009 - a list of the albums we feel were the best artistically...
Happy Days
14.12.09
Hope you had a good weekend and are all refreshed and ready for another week. Perhaps you're fortunate enough to have finished up for the year and are just starting your holidays... or maybe like myself you've still a...
It's been a week
12.12.09
Here's a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend. ...
Counting down
11.12.09
For the 4th year Amplifier staff have sat down, thrown aside their personal preferences and picked our Top 20 kiwi releases of the year. After much debate, bickering, fighting and temper tantrums the following 20 releases were selected to...
Round and around we go
10.12.09
The third line-up announcement for next year's Big Day Out was made yesterday and with it the line-up is looking pretty solid:...
Chart Attack
09.12.09
This week's chart is again dominated by festive season sales with releases that suit this time of year hogging the chart; greatest hits collections and stuff you can gift ya nana.
It really is about the music isn't it?...
Next
08.12.09
Yesterday we were saddened to learn Elred Stebbing had passed away in the weekend. Amplifier staff send their condolences to Eldred's family and friends...
Tis The Season
07.12.09
Nothing says Christmas more than a Christmas album or EP for that matter... and that's exactly what the Phoenix Foundation have for us today, well sort of. They have a brand new Christmas EP that has nothing to do...
A Week Of It
05.12.09
Here's a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier for the weekend. ...
The weekend starts here
04.12.09
We've two free downloads for you today; the first is taken from Scalper's forthcoming album Flesh & Bones (Due for release Feb 2010) and the second is from Mama Tilly's debut EP, Silhouettes & Footsteps...
It's Alive
03.12.09
Tours, tours and more tour news... Flip Grater is on the road alongisde Marianne Dissard and Delaney Davidson, Shapeshifter have added another date to their Summer gigs...
Keep On
02.12.09
You know what the best thing about being an online retailer is at this time of year? We don't pipe festive music throughout our store. You're welcome...
Rabbits
01.12.09
Now, December for the calendar challenged kicks in today, this means it's officially summer and time for a shave. Chaps Movember is over...
Are you a little bit country?
30.11.09
Hope you had a great weekend and feel refreshed for another week's musical merriment.
We're kick-starting our week with the new Topp Twins album, why don't you as well.....
The Week That Was
28.11.09
Here's a few of the past week's highlights for those of you looking for some jumping off points into the world of Amplifier...
Friday Goodies
27.11.09
Next week we hunker down in a bunker to select the Amplifier Best Of 2009 list for the year, which is always a lot of fun and like past years we're interested in what you rate musicially from the...
Bass, how low can you go?
26.11.09
Shapeshifter's Nick Robinson answered a bunch of questions for us recently about the band, their new album. It's a cracking read, cheers Nick, so make sure you check it out...
Chart Attack
25.11.09
I've got nothing against the Foo Fighters, Michael Jackson or Them Crooked Vultures but I must say I'm really pleased Shapeshifter denied all the top spot in this weeks chart - why? Because they bloody well deserve it and...
Tis the season
24.11.09
It was a special evening this Friday just gone at the Kings Arms Tavern where the benefit/album release show for Chris Knox was held. The capacity crowd were treated to a very special evening indeed...
Monday Freak Out
23.11.09
Where on earth has this month gone... December is just around the corner which suggests to me we must be in the silly season and not too far away from Christmas, gulp.....
A Week Of It
21.11.09
Today being Saturday we're at the beach... hopefully or perhaps we're still sleeping after a big night, so whilst we're away please feel free to wander the site unsupervised - to help you here are of some of the...
Through the Round Window
20.11.09
The Chris Knox tribute compilation and Shapeshifter album have kept us mighty busy this week as we fill and dispatch your CD orders and watch the gigabytes of data stack up from your downloads, thanks...
I Be Illin'
19.11.09
Auckland music geeks are spoilt this weekend for activities, apart from the usual lineup of must see gigs and shows two events stand out for the music obsessed, first up there is the Auckland Record Collectors Fair...
A Cup Of Tea and a Lie Down
18.11.09
A massive congratulations goes out to Shapeshifter today, their album System Is A Vampire debuted at number on in the official top forty this week and with only three days sales counted in the chart period - as the...
Songs of You & Me
17.11.09
Today's featured release focuses on the music a personal hero of mine and many others, Chris Knox. It's not a greatest hits collection or any of the usual sorts of releases we are used to seeing, this one is...
Talent is a vampire
16.11.09
Welcome to another week,hope you had a good weekend and are ready for some fresh local sounds.
Release Of The Week Shapeshifter - The System Is A Vampire...
A Week Of It
14.11.09
We're not here to guide you today, being Saturday we're at the beach... hopefully. So here's a recap of some of the weeks highlights on the site.
Free Downloads:
Karen Hunter - Long Hot Summer Night...
Spooky
13.11.09
The big music news from us today is the long awaited release release of Shapeshifter's latest long player The System Is A Vampire, CDs are being dispatched to those who pre-ordered them and the MP3 files are now available...
Tweet Tweet
12.11.09
Yesterday saw the second Big Day Out line-up announcement which included a few more local acts alongside them not from here.
The lineup so far looks like this:...
Chart Attack
11.11.09
The Christmas stocking fillers of Greatest Hits and re-re-packaged Christmas fare starts to dominate at retail and thus the chart our local acts are still holding their own this week in the official music charts...
Morning has broken
10.11.09
We've been spoilt for releases this year and we've still a few weeks to go before releases all but cease as the country goes into our Christmas/New Year slumber and as ever we'll offer you one or two to...
Psychosis Of Love
09.11.09
As it is Monday we have a bunch of new releases to add to the site today, whilst we're doing that check out the debut The Gladeyes album which is released today and is featured here.
...
We love music
07.10.09
Take time out to chill with some NZ music this weekend and with that in mind here is a quick recap of some of our weeks highlights on the site.
Free Download The Brood - Head In A Box...
Read More
Pull Down The Shades
06.11.09
One of the nice parts of our work here at Amplifier is we often get to hear new releases prior to their actual release and yesterday Mr Music Manager and myself spent the morning listening to the Stroke -...
What's in a name?
05.11.09
This years batch of Soundstage shows are coming to an end, the final for the year see's Spartacus R performing: ...
Keep Passing Open Windows
04.11.09
Bressa Creeting Cake another act from days gone by are back together for a tour kicking off on the 20th of November in Christchurch. Which is good enough an excuse for us to roll out the Palm Singing video...
Giddy Up
03.11.09
It is Melbourne Cup day which possibly doesn't mean much to many of you... nor does it have any bearing on NZ music. Something that is very NZ and musical in nature is the forthcoming compilation album Stroke. ...
All Ages
02.11.09
As we usher in a new week and month the big news to kick start November is the forthcoming The Summer Shakedown Tour with Fat Freddy's Drop, Check the tour dates to see if they areplaying at a beach...
Rabbits
31.10.09
Amplifier contains more music than you could shake a stick at, so much so that it can be a daunting prospect to just wander the site and find things that appeal. So here's a quick recap of the weeks...
The weekend starts here
30.10.09
Why is it short weeks can seem so long? Whatever it is we're nearly at the weekend and if you're looking for things to do check out our gig slections below for some ideas of whats on offer...
First In Line
29.10.09
We added a load of new news stories yesterday, our long weekend catchup if you please - take a look to your left for our news links and click away for more details...
Hard, fast and heavy
28.10.09
The sun is out and it's time for another cracking day of local music. Today kicks off in fine form as the official NZ music chart attests...
Back to life, back to reality
27.10.09
I thought it would be really clever to come back from the long weekend this morning instead of getting caught up in traffic last night... rain meant the Auckland motorway was crawling adding an hour to my travel time,...
Labour Weekend
24.10.09
Wahoooo here we are, (well thos of us in New Zealand) a long weekend coupled with, he hope plenty of sunshine to enjoy...
The day today
23.10.09
This weekend is Labour Weekend and one hopes the first long weekend of a long summer. For those who aren't aware of why we have labour Day there's a great explanation of the days origins over at NZ History...
You spin me round...
22.10.09
We've two things for you today, our usual featured release and from our trawling of the internet we came across the following interview with P-Money by Peter Mclennan over at his blog Dub Dot Dash...
Song Of The Day
21.10.09
Shapeshifter - Dutchies
Shapeshifter have spent the past year in the lab creating their long awaited studio album The System is a Vampire.
Dutchies is the first single taken from the album. ...
The Birds... the birds
20.10.09
You can't get much more kiwi than today's featured release, a compilation of 37 native birdsongs... Could this be the future of local music. In these tough times record companies are always looking at ways they can be managed...
Freaky Dancing
19.10.09
Welcome to another week and for those of you in Auckland tonight is the night to show turn the telly off and support for the I Love The Islands Samoa Relief Concert hosted by Oscar Kightley...
The weekend starts here
16.10.09
It was a week of post Music Awards gossip, a week where Mr Business Manager had to do Monday's mail out, (cheers), because I was sick. it was the week that Mr Music Manager got new shelves for all...
Money For Nothing
15.10.09
For those who had their heart set on some New Year's music happenings on the Coromandel but missed out on tickets for the Coromandel Gold Festival can now consider attending The Coro Music Festival which was announced yesterday. ...
Chart Attack
14.10.09
What happens when the Editor is sick... not much on our daily blog... I'm back now, thanks, and as it is Wednesday let's take a look at the latest NZ Charts... ...
Music is life
12.10.09
Here's to another musical week...
Release Of The Day Sons Of Zion - Sons Of Zion ...
The Week That Was
09.10.09
Our Father, which art in NZ On Air, Dave Dobbyn be thy Name. Thy Kings Arms come. Finns will be done, at the Dux as it is at Bodega...
It's a Feeling
09.10.09
I don't feel well thanks to a rather large night at the NZ Music Awards... our congratulations go out to all the nominees and winners (details posted shortly). ...
And the winner is... going to be
08.10.09
The office will be hectic today as we ready ourselves for the NZ Music Awards. We'll have the results on the site sometime tomorrow morning (hangovers permitting) and we'll be tweeting during the event; (http://twitter.com/amplifying) for those who are...
Baby It's You
07.10.09
What would you say to attending a concert with the following line-up; Neil Finn & Tim Finn, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Savage, Scribe, Hollie Smith, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystik, Jordan Luck Band, J.Williams, Che-Fu & Kratez, Open Souls, Kirsten Morrell, Sweet...
Doing It For the Kids
06.10.09
We've two new releases for you to check out today, the first is the second album from Miriam Clancy and the second is the Definitive Collection from Ray Columbus & The Invaders, which is released to coincide with this weeks...
Can You Feel It?
05.10.09
How does your Monday morning feel? For me writing this Blog it feels jolly fine. Now that daylight saving has kicked in and my body clock has adjusted I am enjoying daylight as I type this up and prepare...
A Week Of It
03.10.09
This week was a busy one in our corner of the music world. There have been a number of new tours announced, the first line-up announcement for next years Big Day out was announced and we found out about...
Stay Mellow
02.10.09
Today we have our weekly free download for you to check out, our featured release and as its Friday we have our picks from Makuna's gig guide for you to consider for the weekend...
Rabbits
01.10.09
Today marks the beginning of October or Rocktober for some. The beginning of this month in the music world is all about next weeks NZ Music Awards and today we publish our last amplifier poll seeking your thoughts on...
BDO
30.09.09
The four month roller coaster ride we call The Big Day Out kicked off in fine form yesterday morning with the first lineup announcement. In keeping with the past few years we see a solid if not life changing...
The Countdown begins
29.09.09
I'm off out the door in a minute to attend the first announcement of next year's Big Day Out, we should have the line-up onsite 9ish. ...
Spring Forward
28.09.09
Here we are a new week... and one that ushers in daylight savings for our wamrer months. So what can we expect this week other than disrupted sleeping patterns?...
A Week of It
26.09.09
What a week, we started off with post awards frenzy with the results of the Silver Scrolls and Smokefreerockquest getting our attention, the proposed changes to Auckland's alcohol licensing had us crying into our pints on Wednesday and by...
The weekend starts here
25.09.09
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Howard Morrison yesterday morning. For over five decades he entertained us all and became a true NZ entertainment legend. Our thoughts and best wishes go to out to his...
Super sized
24.09.09
Here in Auckland the city council has issued a draft of their proposed Liquor licensing policy. Some of the changes being proposed could have a dramatic impact on the venues we rely on for our live music fix -...
Tweeting ain't for me?
23.09.09
Paul Holmes may not be interested in Twitter as he pointed out in his Herald Column over the weekend but many are...
Smoking
23.09.09
Some names to keep an eye out for over the coming years are those who managed to get to the finals of the Smokerfreerockquest - as many of those musicians who have come to national prominence over the past...
Kicking off a new week
21.09.09
For most of us Monday denotes the start of another week and what better way to kick this week off than with a collection of songs by one of our most famous and well known songsmiths, Tim Finn. ...
The weekend starts here
19.09.09
News & Site Highlights:
NZ's biggest bands line up for blockbuster night at Vector Arena
Miriam Clancy Magnetic Album release Show
Deja Voodoo Album Release Party
Little Bushman live with NZSO
Diesel Phoenix October Tour Dates...
Showtime
18.09.09
As the working week nears its end thoughts turn towards what to do over the weekend and for music lovers this often means taking in a gig or two. Find below those shows we feel could be worth checking...
Twisting by the pool
17.09.09
A couple of different live shows turned up on our news feed this week, first there's the Little Bushman playing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to be held in the fine acoustic space of the Wellington Town Hall...
The British Invasion
16.09.09
With a staggering 12 entries in this weeks album charts one has to wonder why The Beatles still hold such appeal in todays music market. What is it about the fab four and their music that after all these...
Awards
15.09.09
The Silver Scrolls are being held this week in Christchurch and part of the annual awards, now, is the announcement of new members to the The New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. ...
Spooky
14.09.09
For those of you awaiting your vinyl copies of Fat Freddy's The Big BW, the wax is in the country and we'll be shipping them from today. So prepare to crank up your gramophone...
A week went by, I couldn't stop it
12.09.09
News & Site Highlights:
We performed some routine maintenance to amplifier earlier in the week and whilst we were about it we added a new feature that some of you have been asking for. Now when you purchase any song...
Picture this
11.09.09
We performed some routine maintenance to amplifier earlier in the week and whilst we were about it we added a new feature that some of you have been asking for. Now when you purchase any song it'll have artwork...
A Heavenly Pop Hit
10.09.09
We've three items to point you at today, our featured daily release and a couple of sites that have some videos that will be of interest to a lot of you...
Try Whistling This
08.09.09
It was a cracking week for the locals at music retail last week as this week chart testifies, 7 World's Collide scooped top place in the album charts debuting at number two pipped at the post by what must...
Strike now while the sun does shine
08.09.09
I wish I'd had today's featured release with me over the weekend... I'd got out of town and was visiting family and friends and as the sun was out and we were enjoying some cold refreshing beverages it was...
Point That Thing Somewhere Else
07.09.09
I grew up listening to the music of The Clean, they were one of my first introductions to local music and after over two decades of listening to them they still sound great to my ears. Needless to say...
Give me your answer do
05.09.09
It was a busy week for local music once again, a week filled with news of new music, awards, and tours... here are some of our picks from the week.
News & Site Highlights
Win a Upbeats T Shirt...
Not all music is created equal
04.09.09
We've hit that part of the year where industry awards start to feature large in the music industry calendar - awards are themselves strange things, for some they vindicate an artist's work and yet for others they are seen...
Down to you
03.09.09
A bunch of tour news arrived yesterday... BrazilBeat Sound System have a few spring shows lined up for you. The Upbeats and Deja Voodoo both have new albums about to hit Amplifier and music retailers and are touring to...
Go South
02.09.09
Southern Amp is back it was announced yesterday, so those down South or indeed those willing to travel to the garden city of CHristchurch are in for quite a treat come November. With local acts Kora, Salmonella Dub, The...
It Never Rains on the Internet
01.09.09
Ever had one of those weekends where you didn't really do anything special but come Monday you're exhausted and the week seems to stretch out for ever in front of you? ...
Epic
31.08.09
Here we are a new week and as of tomorrow a new month ushers in the official beginnings of spring - great news for the sun worshippers out there, not so good for those of you up in the...
The week that was
29.08.09
it was a busy week at Amplifier Towers and for those of you stopping by over the weekend here are some of our picks from the week.
News & Site Highlights...
Free Stuff
28.08.09
We've two free downloads for you today, the first from David Dallas forthcoming album Something Awesome (released on Monday) and the second from Keven J Stuart's album Consequences which was released yesterday...
Give Country A Chance
27.08.09
We've a couple of interviews for you to check out today which have just added to the site - first up is a video interview featuring Warren Maxwell from Little Bushman talking with Richie Singleton from Rebel Peasant about...
I see green, I see green, I see green.
26/08/09
Our congratulations go out to the Fly My Pretties crew and those at Loop Recordings. A Story the new album from the band debuted at number one in the charts this week, a stunning initial result!...
Happy talk
25.08.09
As we head towards September next months releases are lining up and it looks like its going to be another cracking month for new music. We've new albums from David Dallas, Tahuna Breaks and Isaac Aesili to kick start...
Our everywhere man
24.08.09
Live cohorts Eliza Jane and Liam Finn have 'documented a small moment in time' with the release of their EP, Champagne In Seashells, which is today's featured release...
A Week Of It
22.08.09
Other than the music added to the site this week we also published the latest instalment in Milly Olykan's advice for bands and insights into the music industry. In this weeks article she discusses overseas touring. There are reviews...
International man of mystery or farm hand from Marton?
21.08.09
International man of mystery or farm hand from Marton?...
Does Snoopy get Paid?
20.08.09
In this weeks online poll we're asking Do you think it is fair that a business must pay royalties to have the right to play music?...
A little country
19.08.09
Budding songwriter? Perhaps the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition is for you.
Eddie Low & Topp Twins Win At 2009 National Country Music Awards Of New Zealand...
Tell me a story
18.08.09
In today's news Eddie Lowe and The Topp Twins were the big winners at the 2009 National Country Music Awards Of New Zealand. Wellington's OdESSA are calling it quits with one last tour...
The Week That Was
15.08.09
One of this week's site highlights is the three part special on the Screaming Meemees written for us by Simon Grigg the bands manager and record label guy. You can read them here; part one, part two, part three...
What is better than one guitar?
14.08.09
Today we have the final insallment our three part special on the Screaming Meemees written by Simon Grigg. You can read the first part here and the second here.
Free Download Prolepsis - Through This Moment...
Who or what Killed The Radio Star?
13.08.09
On the site today we have part two of our three part special on the Screaming Meemees written by Simon Grigg - the bands manager and record label head honcho back in the day. We'll have part three for...
Raise your arms in the air like you just don't care
12.08.09
Today we kick off a three part special on the Screaming Meemees. Simon Grigg the bands manager and record label head honcho back in the day has written an account of the band. You can read part one here...
The Day Today
11.08.09
The Silver Scroll final five Finalists were announced yesterday, with the following in contention for the Silver Scroll:
Shayne Carter (Dimmer) Degrees Of Existence
Jess Chambers Island
James Milne & Luke Buda (Lawrence Arabia) Apple Pie Bed...
If This Is Paradise, I'll Take The Bag
10.08.09
Today we're going back in time to the 80's to a Auckland band whose debut album has just been remastered and re-released. ...
A Week Of It
08.08.09
It was a week in which P-Money's Everything continued to win hearts and minds in the UK, thanks to being picked as Radio 1's record of the week...
It's a beautiful day
07.08.09
It's a beautiful day and the weekend is but a few hours away... and today we're going to keep it short - we've a record and a bunch of shows for your Friday consideration and a website chock fill...
The Hard Sell
06.08.09
At Amplifier we like to think of ourselves as more than just an online store to sell chart hits or hardware. We really do care about the music and musicians we represent on the site and we care about...
Big Things
05.08.09
Last week we mentioned that P-Money's Everything had been added to BBC Radio 1's playlist - a big break by anyone's standards. Well this week it is Radio 1's Record of The Week. Seems P's debut Big Things was...
Through the round window
04.08.09
The countdown to the summer festival season heats up with the first line-up for this year Rhythm & Vines Festival being announced... now before you get too carried away with thoughts of sunshine accompanied by good music there are plenty...
When is an album not an album?
03.08.09
When it is a soundtrack to a movie... and today the following soundtrack is released:
Sam Scott & Luke Buda - Separation City, Music From The Motion Picture...
Nothing for the weekend?
31.07.09
We have two more great releases from this year we'd like to remind you of before we head off for the weekend. We've covered ten such titles this week and have hardly scratched the surface as its been another...
Things to do today
30.07.09
* Enter the Eru Dangerspiel Double Pass and CD competition
* Download for free Clap Clap Riot's single Thief...
Slapped in the face
30.07.09
Music appreciation and fandom sure isn't easy, there are no rules, no black and white universal guidelines on what is good or bad. It's a subjective state that of music fan, what shapes us shapes our perception of and...
Never give it up on a first date
28.07.09
Many of the best releases require the listener to invest time and effort into the release to get the most out of it. At each subsequent listen to the release you explore and discover all, or at least many,...
Ich Bin Ein Kiwi
27.07.09
I keep reading reports in various media informing me the album is dead... and possibly to some accountants in recording companies offices it just may be... but let us not be that person. So this week we're looking back...
Island Time
24.07.09
If you're in Auckland this weekend and fancy some crate digging head along to the Auckland Record Collectors Fair. We love vinyl here at Amplifier and believe a good record will keep you warm...
Island Style
23.07.09
Today's featured Atoll release is from the Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club and features 36 recordings by club members, some dating back to the late 1930s. We also feature the new video from Iva Lamkum and this week's free...
Island Life
22.07.09
In today's NZ Music news Kerretta have announced a tour to coincide with their new album Vilayer (all who Pre order the album get a free T Shirt)...
Desert Island Discs
21.07.09
For the rest of the week we'll be featuring some titles from the Atoll Records catalogue which are new to Amplifier. We kick off with a release by Douglas Lilburn, who is considered to be 'the father of New...
Electrifying
20.07.09
Today's Featured Release is the new album, released today, from Minuit, Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death dot com...
No one quotes Nietzsche in press release
16.07.09
We rely heavily on bands, managers, PR firms, record labels and others to send us information for our news section, some news comes to us as formal Press Releases and many are scraps of information stapled to an email...
How cool is that?
16.07.09
One of the greatest tributes a musician can be paid is to have the respect and admiration of their peers. One such musician who recently suffered a stroke is Chris Knox. Local and international musicians and fans have come...
Everything's Gone Green
15.07.09
Section 92a of the Copyright Amendment Act raised its head again yesterday. You may remember that the proposed law change was delayed by the Government when the Rights Holders and ISPs couldn't reach an agreement on how to implement...
All your Williams Belong To Us
14.07.09
Usually within the context of NZ Music if one was to talk about multiple artists sharing the same surname you'd be forgiven in thinking I was about to discuss the Finn family...
The 194th day of the year
13.07.09
Wikipedia tells me that today is "the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 171 days remaining until the end of the year." Which suggests it is all downhill from here.....
Drinking Establishments
10.07.09
For those of us of legal age and a lot who aren't the NZ pub is an integral part of our musical lives. It is the place we head for a dose of live music over a drink or...
Just be Free
09.07.09
This weeks free download comes from Hangman, Just Be, taken from their latest EP, Black Rock White Funk which is released Monday July 13th...
No such thing as free pizza
08.07.09
Out in the wide world of the internets a couple of things have caught our eye over the past day so we're going to share.....
It Never Rains but It Pours
07.07.09
We sometimes sit around the Amplifier offices knitting cardies from discarded MP3s discussing what albums we have to look forward to. Without thinking much some of the ever growing list of exciting releases and subsequent tours announced of late...
A week went by, I couldn't stop it
06.07.09
Here we are another week... and that means a new haul of local releases to listen to and purchase - strange that, new music on a music website. What crazy things will we have on the site next you...
Fantasy Festivals
03.07.09
Today I want to kick off some discussion... put your thinking cap on and create your fantasy music festival and share it with us via the discuss option below.
We'll keep it simple:...
No such thing as a free lunch
02.07.09
If you're new to Amplifier or have never really spend much time on the site you may have missed the fact that alongside the multitude of great music we offer you to purchase we also give away a song...
On the road again… plus a free Clean song
01.07.09
As we enter July there are a bunch of new tours being announced to get you out from in front of the heater and into the night for some musical adventures. ...
What's Going On?
30.06.09
Yesterday the nominee's for the APRA Childrens Music Awards were announced:...
Monday Blues
29.06.09
Another weekend is behind us, another lotto draw drawn, a winters storm survived, another headline proclaiming the death of the NZ housing market run in the newspapers (don't worry it'll be back in time for the weekend house related...
The Passing Of A Legend
26.06.09
Only a very few musicians can make the claim that their music has touched billions, Michael Jackson was one such musician.
His contribution to the music world will be ever lasting.
Rest In Peace Michael Jackson...
Things to do
25.06.09
Milly Olykan from the Department of Touring has more sage words of advice for musicians, managers at Amplifying, this week her topic is Don't Rely On Anyone. ...
Sights, Sounds & Awards
24.06.09
The annual People's Choice NetGuide Awards are coming up very soon and we'd like you to vote for us because, well, we'd like an award...
Cameras Ready, Prepare To Flash
23.06.09
The NZ Music Photo Archive a new website launched in May. The site focuses on the visual element of our local musicians and the photography of freelance photographer Jason Hailes who's been taking photos at live events and music...
Talking About Their Lives
22.06.09
One of the fascinating aspects of this internet thing is you never know just where you may end if you follow links. This morning I was checking out the NZ Herald's Entertainment Section I checked out the various responses...
Here comes the weekend
19.06.09
Sometimes one has to cleanse the palette and as it is Friday the Simply the Best - New Wave compilation CD has been making everyone at Amplifier Towers bounce up and down today. ...
Doing it For the Kids
18.06.09
Today's song of the day is from Tommy love, who is donating all proceeds from his single 'I Did it For Rock' until the end of the month to the Starship Foundation. ...
Mid Year Blues?
17.06.09
As we head towards the shortest day and the mid way point of the year some of you may be casting your eyes towards the end of the year and the multitude of festivals that no doubt will be...
A side order of music with that please
16.06.09
It's only Tuesday and already I'm thinking of the weekend playing myself songs to ease myself into the day whilst ransacking some boxes looking for a CD. Why is it you can never find things when you want them?...
A little bit country and a little bit rock n roll
15.06.09
The NZ Music industry is small and most involved in the scene know of or know many of the others that make up our industry. So the news that Chris Knox had suffered a stroke late last week has...
Standing the test of time
12.06.09
As music fans we accumulate and consume music and as we age our personal music tastes sometimes and often change. ...
Free Stuff
11.06.09
Here at Amplifier Towers we are enduring staff shortages due to the flu, the global economic situation and the monkey in our pool... To cheer you and us up we've got two free tracks for you today: ...
Novelties
10.06.09
Today we take a look at three novelty songs. What is a novelty song you say... well according to wikipedia a novelty song is:...
Today's Musical Diversion
09.06.09
Over at Idealog Andrea Price has written about the NZ Music Commission's showcase at this year's South By Southwest music conference...
What we want to do right now is go back
08.05.06
We thought we'd kick off the new week by taking a look back in time and forward in your calendars. There are a bunch of tours and shows coming up that take us back to times gone by... First...
Question time
05.06.09
Things to ponder...
What is New Zealand music?
Why is it considered bad that some NZ rappers use an American accent?
Is letting your music be used for advertising purposes selling out or making a living?...
Apples don't keep you warm
04.06.09
As Steve Jobs stepped out of his limo, I was walking by minding my business. 'Bruce Conlon, is that you?' he asked, 'Could I possibly trouble you to come play at my store?'...
The Winners Are...
03.05.09
The first bunch of music awards for the 2009 calendar has now been decided. The Country Music Awards were held in Gore last weekend as part of the annual Gore's Gold Guitar week, which is now in its 36th...
June, June, June, July, August. Winter Months
02.06.09
With NZ Music Month over we head into the winter months, a time traditionally busy on the release front, so strap in. As it is also a short week we won't be sending out our usual New Additions newsletter...
Queen's Birthday - We're Not Here
NZ Music Month has drawn to a close and today NZ celebrates Queen Elizabeth II of England's birthday by having a public holiday. So Amplifier Towers is closed and we'll be back tomorrow.
Ka kite
Drawing to a close
29.05.09
As we head towards June NZ Music Month is winding down for another year. Next week we take the NZ Music Month party hats off and continue on with this thing we call NZ Music. ...
Today's to do list
28.05.09
Enter Antiform, Veils and the NZ Music Month Prize Pack competitions.
Download for free Ngati Infantry's Show Me What You Got
Give us your feedback on the background colour of Amplfier via our Poll (on the frontpage) ...
Records, Records, Records
27.05.09
Fat Freddy's Dr Boondigga And The Big BW has smashed a bunch of Amplifier records. Yesterday saw the most visitors through the site in a day, we've sold and shipped more copies of Dr Boondigga And The Big BW...
In case you missed it
26.05.09
Ushering in the third and final week of NZ Music Month are these three big albums:
Fat Freddy's Drop - Dr Boondigga And The Big BW...
Quantity vs Quality
25.05.09
At Amplifier we added 83 new releases to the site last May during NZ Music Month, this year we've clocked up 49 new additions so far. ...
Just For Fun - Five Q's for the weekend
22.05.09
Five questions for you to answer on our local produce... give us your answers via the discussion option and we'll find something on my desk to reward those who get them correct. We'll post winners names on Monday...
Up close and personal
21.05.09
One of the many great things about living in a small country is you are more likely than not to run into 'celebs' as you and they go about their day to day business. In the music scene there...
Things To See and Do
20.05.09
David Kilgour gives us the low down on his latest album Falling Debris and we have two videos up on his artist profile from the album. ...
Forever Tuesday Morning
19.05.09
The Mockers were hugely successful in an early-mid 80s New Zealand, obsessed with the then current crop of British pop acts. Lead singer Andrew Fagan's vocals along with a rotating cast of support men, were specifically notable for the...
Not Sally Field Then?
18.05.09
As we enter week three of our NZ Music Month seems well timed that Flying Nun Records get a mention in England's the Guardian as The Bats hit the UK as part of their European Tour...
Music, is all good, eh.
15.05.09
"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak" so said William Congreve the English playwright and poet, and you know what, he was right. Music can calm and revitalise us. Music...
Is it time to say goodbye to NZ Music Month?
14.05.09
New Zealand Music Month began in 2001. New Zealand Music Month aims to boost the visibility and success of New Zealand music...
Anticipation
13.05.09
One emotion most music fans will be familiar with is that of anticipation, that emotional rollercoaster we ride whilst waiting for that next single/album (or show) from someone we dig that we know is just over the horizon...
My music taste is better than yours... or is it?
12.05.09
Ever seen the movie based on Nick Hornby's book High Fidelity? In the movie the main characters work in a Chicago record store and spend some of their time compiling music based lists. For some reason sharing ones music...
New Additions, a Missing Guitar and the Big BW
11.05.09
Fat Freddy's Drop new album, Big BW, on pre-sale now; New Additions; Shayne Carter's stolen guitar and cookies... welcome to Amplifier's Monday.
Fat Freddy's Drop - Big BW...
Here comes the weekend
08.05.09
Amplifier Towers emptied last night for the launch of the Sonic Museum. ...
Seven things you can do on Amplifier today
07.05.09
Seven things you can do on Amplifier today (or tomorrow):
1. Vote in our new poll: If you could choose, who would you pick to write a new New Zealand National Anthem?
2. Download The SWJ E.X.P ...
Fill Ya Boots
06.05.09
It is all about us today, or should that read you?
Thanks to the good folk from Silverwoodstudio we have their entire Amplifier catalogue free to download for the month of May...
NZ Music is alright
05.05.09
It feels like this music month thing is all often only about the launch and then we're left to ourselves, which suits us as we're not sheep all blindly following the same artists or musical styles nor do we...
May the Fourth Be With You
04.05.09
We have some notable new releases on the site today for this the first week of NZ Music Month...
Release of the Week Pitch Black - Rhythm, Sound & Movement...
Welcome to NZ Music Month 2009
01.05.09
I saw my first NZ Music Month '09 T shirt wearer yesterday... which says here we are, NZ Music Month 2009. ...
Auckland DJ & Producer Meetup
28.04.09
Tuesday the 28th of April with be the first of our monthly catchups. Its a chance to get together with other people that like to talk about music production gear and techniques - specifically pertaining to electronic music...
If record labels can't keep obscure albums in print, why not let bloggers post them for people to rediscover?
22.04.09
For every negative to the world of downloading copywritten work without permission there is a positive side - access to long out of print music that the owners have no interest in sharing via the legal download sites seems...
Record Store Day
17.04.09
Tomorrow heralds Record Store Day, a day in which you're invited to celebrate all that is great about the experience of shopping for music in your locally owned and operated Record Store... an experience that has been slowly disappearing...
The Long Weekend Beckons - what are you missing on Monday?
09.04.09
Newsletter regulars we don't want you to miss out on the listing of fresh new additions to the site you'd normally receive on Monday - as there isn't a Monday newsletter next week here is a list of the...
And there is no reason why... EMI
07.04.09
In global music industry news EMI is teaming up with a lottery company to offer musical themed lotto tickets.... that's right, you buy a instant lottery ticket (I am guessing one of those scratch and win kinds) and you...
NZ Music Month... it begins
03.04.09
Last night the NZ Music Industry Commission held a function to outline what is in store for everyone during this year's NZ Music Month. ...
Where have the Mint Chicks Been?
01.04.09
Musician and blogger Peter suggests on his blog that The Mint Chicks never moved to Portland in the USA...
Government to amend Section 92A
24.03.09
"Cabinet today decided that section 92A of the Copyright Act 1994 will not come into force on 27 March as scheduled, but will be amended to address areas of concern, Commerce Minister Simon Power said today"
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+amend+section+92a
[Press Release]...
Grab yourself a Free Deja Voodoo track
16.03.09
Download a free track from the boy's forthcoming album...
Think Music Fans Want Quality?
12/03.09
One Stanford Professor Disagrees...
It sounds perfectly reasonable. Music fans want superior sound quality; they want crisp cymbals and rich bass instead of muffled or over-compressed files. Sounds logical, right?...
Amplifier on Made From New Zealand
08.03.09
Check out Amplifier here on the online business community website Made From New Zealand.
You might like to watch the video all about ourselves - parential supervision recomended...
RIANZ CEO Campbell Smith answers questions regarding Copyright, Law and S92a
05.03.09
Over at Geekzone Campbell Smith has answered a bunch of question in regards to the proposed and contoversial Secion 92a of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008...
Amplifier On Twitter
01.03.09
Go here to see our tweeks.
Not sure what twitter is?...
The Trons - Sister Robot
It's pretty commonplace these days to hear about a band, who armed with nothing but a good idea, has been able to build themselves a massive international following based on the success of a MySpace page or a YouTube video... Read More
Bob the backpacker
Bob the backpacker was on his world tour when he enters a Buddhist temple in India. In the corner he notices a bright yellow telephone. He gets the attention of one of the monks and asks him what the telephone... Read More
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Amplifying
NZ On Screen
10.02.10
In late 2008 a website launched with a unique public access approach to the wealth of shows, scenes and moments that comprise Aotearoa screen culture...
Minuit in Vietnam
21.12.09
Earlier in the year Minuit were asked to play at the MAG Hanoi International Music Festival, an outdoor concert in the centre of Hanoi, Vietnam. ...
The Biz: Independent Music New Zealand
07.12.09
IMNZ is the trade organisation for independent New Zealand record labels and distributors. Our members release the bulk of New Zealand music, including commercially successful artists as well as niche music genres. IMNZ started in 2001 and now has...
The Amplifier Interview - Shapeshifter
25.11.09
Nick Robinson from Shapeshifter takes some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions about the band and their latest long player, System Is A Vampire.
What got you into electronic music and specifically drum n bass?...
Growing your audience
01.09.09
It's possible to start from scratch and grow your audience, show by show. Here are some ideas that I have successfully used to increase a bands audience...
The Amplifier Interview - Jess Chambers
25.08.09
In the Spring of 2009, Jess Chambers will embark on her first solo tour of New Zealand performing 16 dates in towns and cities from Leigh to Dunedin. Intimate and acoustic, the tour will include theatres and cabaret style...
Getting your band overseas
18.08.09
Getting a band touring overseas has daunted bands and managers since we began exporting music. However when bands have managed to get overseas and tour it's made it seem more do-able for the rest of us, and their achievements...
Screaming Meemees - See me go (Part Three)
14.08.09
Part three of Simon Grigg's fascinating personal account of the Screaming MeeMees and his involvement with the band. You can read part one here and part two here...
Screaming Meemees - See me go (Part Two)
13.08.09
Part two of Simon Grigg's fascinating personal account of the Screaming MeeMees and his involvement with the band. You can read part one here...
Screaming Meemees - See me go (Part One)
12.08.09
This is the first part (of three) of Simon Grigg's fascinating personal account of the Screaming MeeMees and his involvement with the band.
...
The Amplifier Interview - Eru Dangerspiel
04.08.09
Multi-instrumentalist/producer Riki Gooch is the man behind Eru Dangerspiel takes some time out to answer some questions for Amplifier.
Riki what other acts have you been and are you still involved with? ...
There is no formula
30.07.09
I do refer to this motto a lot within myself, because it took me ages to figure out there is no formula to life - let alone to 'breaking a band' as they say. Doesn't matter if you think...
Be as adaptable as possible for as long as possible
20.07.09
This is something Neil Finn once said to me. I am not sure if this is one of his mottos but it became one of mine...
Creative New Zealand - Funding Pathways
17.07.09
In February 2009 Creative New Zealand changed its project funding system creating a new model that is more flexible and responsive to the needs of the arts sector. ...
Graeme Downes interviews himself.
16.07.09 [taken from a press release]
Following in the tradition of Potboiler (i.e. giving a record a title that it clearly isn‚t) The Verlaines proudly present for your difficult digestion Corporate Moronic.
Just who are The Verlaines? ...
Go Where The Enthusiasm Is
03.07.09
This is a truism I learned from Jonathan Poneman of Sub Pop Records. This guy has been round the block a few times and is like a wise old druid. I remember he said this to me after I...
Don't rely on anyone!
25.06.09
I can not tell you how many times I have learned this lesson!...
Don't tell anyone anything!
18.06.09
This was a phrase my former boss and one of New Zealand's great rock n roll promoters Chris Cole used to bark at me - and although it sounds super cynical - it's really not...
Cause Célèbre & Box - A Brief Clubbing History
01.06.09
Returning from London in 1989, Simon Grigg and Tom Sampson signed the lease on a split room underground space in the heart of Auckland City. Those grotty old doors at 35 High Street would become the best club address...
Bruce Conlon, is that you?
02.06.09
As Steve Jobs stepped out of his limo, I was walking by minding my business. 'Bruce Conlon, is that you?' he asked, 'Could I possibly trouble you to come play at my store?'. When I woke from my fictitious...
David Kilgour writes about his latest album Falling Debris
David Kilgour writes about meeting Sam Hunt and Recording the album Falling Debris... Read More
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Latest Reviews (More)
Splore 2010
splore Show Spelled[splawr, splohr] -nounScot. 1. a frolic; revel; carousal. 2. a commotion; disturbance.
Origin: 1775-85; perh. aph. var. of explore...
An Indie-licious Homegrown
I've been to the past two Homegrown festivals in Wellington, and I can say in all honesty that this year's event ruled so much harder than the previous two - even with the slight changes, which came in the way... Read More
Aum – Aletheia
Popular up and coming producers, Jeremy Graham and Daryl Turner have been involved with the local music scene for the past few years now, gaining quite the following along the way. ... Read More
The Gladeyes - Psychosis of Love
In a recent article for an art magazine I wrote about some of the work I had seen by young painters in Sydney: I noted there was a frequent and conspicuous retreat into whimsy which seemed an early admission of... Read More
Matt Bodman And The Valentine Grind - Burn
After years of performing in local punk bands, Matt Bodman, Nate Smith and Matt Beckett came together to create what is now lovingly known as The Valentine Grind. A group that produces music so magically that it's hard to imagine... Read More
The Topp Twins - Honky Tonk Angel
To be perfectly honest I went off the Topp Twins very quickly: around the time of the Women's Web Collective album Out of the Corners of '82 and in a few subsequent years I thought they were terrific and iconoclastic,... Read More
Stroke - Songs for Chris Knox
There's an unstated but obviously very sensible practice that most critics adopt: you never review a show or album which is raising money for a good cause. If the show is lousy and you say as much then that can... Read More
Tami Neilson - The Kitchen Table Sessions Vol 1
It's a curious thing that in New Zealand where country and alt.country of various persuasions has become increasingly popular that an album like this slips past most people. It slipped past me until very recently, although I'm pleased to note... Read More
Delgirl - Porchlight
This trio from Dunedin impressed on their debut album two, maybe three, days ride which saw them nominated for a Tui award and, as I noted at that time, it was a real step up from their first EP... Read More
Ashes Of August - Truth You Know EP
A lot can go by in fifteen minutes and it's sad to think how many times we've all wished away those moments before the end of an unfavorable day, event or what ever. But you can rest assured that Ashes... Read More
Vorn - Vorn's Modern Classics
There's something rather intriguing about the front man behind this album - and strangely, I don't feel this way because of the music, but more for the stories I've read. Vorn Colgan came into our world in 1977 and from... Read More
Decortica - A New Aesthetic
They're certainly not just 'another Auckland three piece' and members - Antoinette Lee, Mathew and Daniel Bosher are out to prove it with their debut album titled A New Aesthetic. These modern day rockers are all about breaking the boundaries... Read More
Box Juice - One Heart, Many Lives
The album name "One Heart, Many Lives" gives you your first clue that Box Juice are aiming for something greater than an easy going NZ roots album. Ray Bishop, Box Juice's vocalist and manager wants to follow Bob Marley's ideals... Read More
Skank Bandit - Surf Trip
If you've been mourning the day that Sublime hung up their guitar straps and meandered into ska punk history then you might want to have a listen to Skank Bandit's EP "Surf Trip". There's more than a passing reference here... Read More
Electric Wire Hustle - Electric Wire Hustle
The eponymous debut long player from Electric Wire Hustle is a great surprise. I came to it with no knowledge or expectations and was completely blown away. Like Fat Freddy's Drop on a rainy day in Berlin, thinking about Jimi... Read More
The Brunettes - Paper Dolls
The cute and coy pop of the Brunettes has always been much enjoyed here at Elsewhere for its humour and slightly twee quality, and their previous album Structure and Cosmetics remains a Firm Favourite, as they say... Read More
Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky
In retrospect, one of the funniest incidents in the Flight of the Conchords' second television series was when the nice but naive New Zealand prime minister Brian turned up and seemed out of his depth, and desperate to be liked... Read More
Maisey Rika - Tohu
This debut album introduces an impressive singer-songwriter who manages to be expressive without resorting to the cliches of the faux-soul yodel which has infected many in the post-Whitney/Idol generation... Read More
Danny McCrum Band - Say What You Mean
This bristling, tight, and emotionally taut album by McCrum and his Auckland band is a real step up from their already impressive debut Awake and Restless which found much favour at Elsewhere... Read More
2am Orchestra - Impermanence
You'd be wise to put aside any preconceptions of what this music might sound like if you simply guessed from the band's name (dark, slow, ambient?), because David Kelley who is the mainman here aims (with a lot of help... Read More
Chris Prowse - Trouble on the Waterfront
The 1951 waterfront strike in Auckland (which lasted for five months but had repercussions for years, even decades, after) was one of the most significant flashpoints and dividing lines in New Zealand history, certainly as much as the Springbok tour... Read More
Jan Hellriegel - All Grown Up
The title tells its own story, it has been well over a decade since Jan Hellriegel made an album and that might explain the huge interest in this one: lotsa interviews, articles and media attention, my guess from people who... Read More
David Bremner - Gung-Ho
Subtitled "Virtuoso works for Trombone" this debut album by Bremner of the NZSO is a finalist in the Best Classical Album category at the 2009 New Zealand music awards*, and even if trombone isn't your thing (jazz by Tommy Dorsey... Read More
International Observer - Felt
The first thing to note about this new album by producer/dubmeister Tom Bailey is that there are 12 tracks. No noodling around or nodding off going on here, Bailey doesn't let any groove outstay its welcome... Read More
Great North - Soldiers
New bands often make great claims for themselves -- that is forgivable -- but I especially like the humour of what this Auckland five-piece say of their music: "It is the sound of Bruce Springsteen having a tumultuous affair with... Read More
Ray Columbus and the Invaders - The Definitive Collection
The point to note about Ray Columbus and the Invaders being inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame at the 2009 Music Awards is that it is Ray Columbus AND The Invaders... Read More
Tim Finn - Anthology; North South East West
Anyone who considers the Tim Finn timeline would quickly conclude that here was a man who always did it his way: the theatrics and manic energy of Split Enz combined with alarmingly engaging and durable music; solo albums which were... Read More
Miriam Clancy - Magnetic
Elsewhere is pleased to say it discovered the gifts of Miriam Clancy very early in the piece and hailed her debut album Lucky One of 2006 as one of the best of that year. At Elsewhere there is also an... Read More
Gig Review - The Naked And Famous and F In Math
They've got a couple of new members, and a bunch of new tunes - who are they? The Naked And Famous of course! And this Saturday night they treated the city of the future to their very first live performance... Read More
Family Cactus - Come Howling
Given that members of this seven piece have connections with excellent New Zealand bands such as the Brunettes, the Nudie Suits, Grand Prix, Good Laika and others, you'd think this album would have made quite a splash... Read More
Tahuna Breaks - Black Brown and White
I'd be astonished if Tahuna Breaks don't have hugely successful concerts on their current tour, and sell truckloads of this album -- because they tick every stylistic box that New Zealand audiences seem to like: you want James Brown-styled soul-funk... Read More
Lisa Crawley - Hello, Goodbye and Everything In Between
Crawley is something of a rising star in New Zealand music, but I doubt it is for the astonishingly dull openers on this five-song EP. Both Brother and Back to You sound like pallid songs written for a high school... Read More
The Clean - Mister Pop
There has often been a spiralling quasi-psychedelic quality to the Clean, but this time out the mood drops back into a more gentle, thought-provoking, marijuana-ambient sound which recalls moments from guitarist David Kilgour's solo albums... Read More
The Verlaines - Corporate Moronic
The problem with writing songs which have a political intention or address social issues is that these complex matters cannot easily be reduced to lyrics, and so you end up with songs which are slogans (Power to the People) or... Read More
Dr Colossus - Dr Colossus
As with the Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band which also borrows from gypsy music, klezmer, flat-tack Russian folk and so on, this 4-track EP (actually just three, the 35 second thing at the start is just scene-setting) is mostly high on... Read More
Rebel Peasant - The Walls of the Well
These mostly gentle instrumentals by a founder member of the Phoenix Foundation (a drummer, but here steering various bandmates and others through his own self-produced material in his home studio) confirms what a rich source of talent that band contains... Read More
Fly My Pretties - A Story
The short explanation of this concept album and handsome package (a CD, a DVD with variations on the live concert and bonus features such as an animated version of A Story, plus a booklet) is that it is an expansion... Read More
Opensouls - Standing in the Rain
To be honest, I wasn't expecting to like this quite as much as I do. Certainly some songs lack a soulful punch and you'd wish for more power in the vocals of Tyra at times... Read More
Cybiont - A Trilogy of Random Thoughts and Considerations
First let it be noted that this album by a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Northland is not an easy proposition, and nor does it give up its manic diversity that easily. The title is some kind of clue and you... Read More
Dimmer - Degrees of Existence
Already some are saying this fourth album by Dimmer is a return to form by singer/songwriter/guitarist Shayne Carter . . . which I take to mean that is because in places it sounds closer to Dimmer's debut album and --... Read More
The Calico Brothers - Tell It To The Sun
01.07.09
These "brothers" from Auckland got a nice notice at Elsewhere for their debut EP God Left Town noting however that they seemed an amusing sum of influences such as the Traveling Wilburys (with Lennon not Orbison in the line-up),...
Bachelorette - My Electric Family
I wasn't totally sold when first listening to My Electric Family. It felt too comfortable. I'm a huge fan, particularly of her debut The End Of Things, but Annabel Alpers' poetically robotic/celestial obsessed world has become too familiar, as enjoyable... Read More
The Bads - So Alive
We're all familiar with the 'Wellington sound,' the 'Dunedin sound,' even the Shore has it's own sound now. But get your gumboots on, there's something brewing in Helensville!... Read More
The Checks - Alice By The Moon
If this was "the difficult second album" for local rock'n'roll darlings The Checks it certainly doesn't sound it: it struts with well placed self-assurance and if in places the song-craft isn't quite what we might expect you have to hand... Read More
Hikoikoi - Hikoikoi
In a country which has so many pressing social issues it has always struck me as interesting that reggae -- often the voice of the disenfranchised and dispossessed -- has, in this nation, most often erred to the more gentle... Read More
Rogue Giraffe - Patience & Kindness
I don't know about you, but a Rogue Giraffe conjures up some pretty lively images in my mind, and if such a creature were to release an album with the intriguing title of Patience & Kindness, I reckon you'd be more... Read More
Fat Freddy's Drop - Dr Boondigga and The Big BW
As one of only seven people in the country who wasn't totally besotted with Fat Freddys' debut Based on a Best Seller -- didn't it quickly turn into dinner music for people too cool for Norah Jones? -- maybe my... Read More
Mel Parsons - Over My Shoulder
Many local singer-songwriters have found their voice in what we know as alt.country, but Parsons (originally from the West Coast) goes one step closer to more traditional country music and an unashamed enjoyment of pop for this impressive debut... Read More
Midnight Youth - The Brave Don't Run
Midnight Youth songs All On Our Own and The Letter from their first album The Brave Don't Run are currently receiving an extreme amount of New Zealand radio time and frankly I'm glad. ... Read More
An Emerald City - Circa Scaria
An Emerald City's Circa Scaria is without a doubt one of the greatest albums to come out of New Zealand in recent years. Not only does it enlighten musically in ways seldom heard, but serves as a reminder as to... Read More
The Great New Zealand Songbook
This nattily packaged double disc with Dick Frizzell's clever twist on an iconic and familiar Kiwi image as the cover arrives in time for New Zealand Music Month -- but already has the feel of the perfect Christmas gift for... Read More
Dictaphone Blues - On The Down And In
If this year's New Zealand Music Month of May is anything like the last -- and there's no reason to think it will be otherwise -- then somewhere in excess of 50 albums will be released by local artists to... Read More
David Kilgour & Sam Hunt - Falling Debris
As we all know, song lyrics are rarely poetry -- and conversely poems, especially contemporary poems which don't bother with rhyme schemes, can't often be readily adapted into the service of a song... Read More
Donor Feedback - Donor Feedback EP
I've not decided if Donor Feedback sound like a punked up Hello Sailor or a bluesy version of The Motors? Either way it's simple raucous fun like a night out at The Hope & Anchor in 1978... Read More
The Mint Chicks - Screens
The appeal of The Mint Chicks is that they're like a modern take on an 80s new-wave band with melody and pop hooks coloured by the abrasion of punk. All of those elements are present on Screens, the band's third... Read More
Midnight Youth Album Release Party - 28th April 2009
Midnight Youth turned it on for fill to capacity crowd at The Studio, K-Rd Auckland for their album release party. With the raw energy you would expect from a young band, Midnight Youth let rip with a complete set from... Read More
Don McGlashan and The Seven Sisters - Marvellous Year
Don McGlashan, member to such bands as Blam Blam Blam, The Front Lawn and The Mutton Birds, has adopted his live backing band, The Seven Sisters (Chris O'Connor, Maree Thom, John Segovia and Dominic Blaazer), who toured with him in... Read More
Rosy Tin Teacaddy - The Homeward Stretch:
Nostalgic New Zealand comes to life in Rosy Tin Teacaddy, The Homeward Stretch... Read More
Drew Bowden 3 - Be Still
At first listen Drew Bowden 3's Be Still sounds like the kind of album I would have listened to constantly over summer. Unlike other summer Surf Rock albums though, there are more to the songs than just nice guitar playing... Read More
Evermore - Truth Of The World: Welcome To The Show
Evermore's Truth of the World is ambitious and a complete departure for the band. Its sound is more 80's rock opera than pop and the artwork for the CD includes a tabloid-like booklet with various "ads", which are really satirical... Read More
Sola Rosa - Get It Together
Sola Rosa (known to his folks as Andrew Spraggon) has frequently recalibrated our expectations of local electronica and for this ambitious outing, his fourth album, he once again sets his sights far over the immediate horizon... Read More
An Emerald City - Circa Scaria
Because the previous EP by this Auckland-based group was widely hailed at Elsewhere, and that there is now a profile of the band posted under Absolute Elsewhere, this will be brief... Read More
The Darlings - Sale St, March 31st 2009
Entering Sale St on a Tuesday night it comes as a bit of a surprise to have you attention suddenly captured by gripping melodies and voices clearly tuned as some of New Zealand's top female vocal talent. The Darlings good... Read More
The Twitch - What The F**k Is Going On
When The Twitch CD tumbled out of the latest delivery from NZ Musician I thought this review had already written itself. Punk isn't renowned for its innovation, based on the experiences of my 'mis-spent' youth, although there are, of course,... Read More
WOMAD 09 - A View From the Lounge
Click On Photos To View A Large Image.
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Show of hands - motion picture soundtrack
First and foremost I have not seen the movie Show Of Hands. The movie itself looks great, but I've only seen the trailer, so I'm just reviewing the music on this album based entirely on how it sounds, not in... Read More
Sola Rosa - Get It Together
The fourth full length offering from Sola Rosa retains the slick grooves and stylish tunes that Sola Rosa are renowned for... Read More
Sheba - Sheba
Sheba is by her own admission a unique phenomenon. She combines funk, soul, electro and afrobeats into a melting point of genres and backs it up with a theatrical background as a performance artist and novelist... Read More
Vodafone Homegrown Highlights 09
I go by the name, Miss NZ. Not in the beauty pageant kind of way that you're most likely thinking, but for my fondness of our country's diverse musical talent. I love it, so it only makes sense that I'd... Read More
Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling
Lawrence Arabia aka Mr. James Milne returns from across the sea (Ye Olde England) and offers up his new album Chant Darling. ... Read More
Paddy Burgin and Wooden Box Band - My Sweet Town
Internationally successful guitar maker by day and guitarist by night, Wellington's Paddy Burgin last year got this very classy package which comes with a beautifully presented booklet of lyrics and a tie-in DVD by film-maker Costa Botes, the man behind... Read More
House Of Shem - Keep Rising
Keep Rising, the debut album from the Wanganui based 7 piece local reggae group House of Shem is nothing short of brilliant. The combination of traditional roots and modern rockers style of reggae with its original sweet lyrics and harmonies... Read More
Clap Clap Riot - TV Knows Better
In a recent blog at www.publicaddress.net I wrote about my day at the Big Day Out and in passing mentioned this local band: I said they didn't do it for me at all... Read More
Rhian Sheehan - Standing in Silence
I have no idea of Sheehan's standing in the local electronica community, I am sure some may pass this album off as a bit light -- but I've always had a soft spot for his interesting sonic landscapes which seem... Read More
Greg Johnson - Seven Day Cure
Greg Johnson's latest album 'Seven Day Cure' is a sweet, folk based album worthy of a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Filled with passionate, emotive ballads and soft pop songs it's a delight to listen to. ... Read More
Jr Kong - 12 inch biscuit press
You will be no wiser about who Jr Kong is by looking at his website, where his bio says only that he's a budding songwriter, producer and DJ, has played in high school bands, sung in a church choir and... Read More
An insiders account of Phat New Years Eve Party 2009
Once a year, a unique spot of NZ Rainforest in the South Island is transformed into a special land of its own for one purpose, to party in the New Year. ... Read More
Gianmarco Ligouri: Ancient Flight Text
The previous album by Ligouri (guitarist in Salon Kingsadore) was Stolen Paintings which found favour at Elsewhere for its jazz stylings and nicely stretching quality... Read More
Ginger Brown - Who Scared Who
Because I've been listening to some old Sixties vinyl -- Sam the Sham, Paul Revere, La De Das, the McCoys etc -- this album by Wellington outfit, Ginger Brown, which is driven by the organ playing of Lawrence Taula has... Read More
Rhythm and Vines - From a dark fear to a relieved smile...
Rhythm and Vines, a 3 day music festival that has been running for 6 six years in the beautiful Waiohika Estate took me on a journey from thinking sex crazed American spring break culture had taken over NZ youth, to... Read More
Tim Finn - The Conversation
Iconic Kiwi musician Tim Finn has released his eighth solo album The Conversation.
This intimate album is a collection of emotive songs that flow, as the title suggests, like a series of conversations held between old friends...
Barry Saunders - Zodiac
By my count this is Saunders' fifth solo album, and is by far the strongest from the Warratah frontman... Read More
Forbidden Joe - Oh, what a queer sensation...
This three-piece from Auckland certainly arrive on this five-track EP with a weight of great expectation on their shoulders: singer Frances Dickinson has been hailed by someone on 95bFM as an "up and coming folk superstar" (it would be interesting... Read More
The Bats - The Guilty Office
The first time and the last time I saw the Bats (at the dawn of time and at the Big Day Out in . . . 2008?) I loved them. In fact at that BDO gig I thought they were... Read More
Luke Buda - Vesuvius
This exceptional album by Buda of the Phoenix Foundation may take some getting used to for a few people: it is ambitious (and often lyrically funny or provocative) wide-screen pop which unashamedly doesn't shy from a McCartney-like hook, or deploying... Read More
Superturtle - All Our Friends
Elsewhere has previously applauded bands/artists who release vinyl albums and there is still something special about getting that slice of black plastic... Read More
Nathan Haines and Friends - Music for Cocktail Lovers
Don't let the title fool you, this isn't some hipper-than-thou collection knocked off for a ready market of cool people... Read More
Get Contented with The Tutts
I guess I can say that Auckland rockers The Tutts have come a long way in the year it's been since I last saw them perform along-side Motocade at The Yellow Submarine, without feeling like too much of a liar... Read More
The little things...Southern Amp 08
With an impressive line-up consisting of The Living End, The Dandy Warhols, The Charlatans and my new NZ favourites, Clap Clap Riot there was no way I was missing out on heading down to Christchurch for Southern Amp 08. Having... Read More
Nick Granville Group - Wishful Thinking
There has been quite a wave of New Zealand jazz in the past few months: reissues of albums by Parallel 37 and Space Case, the new album by Strange Fruit, the schoolboy band Grammaphone . . ... Read More
The Lookie Loos and Clap Clap Riot let the good times Flow...
I think it was about this time last year that I was telling you guys I had never even seen the already much loved local act; The Lookie Loos perform before. ... Read More
The Mamaku Project - Mal de Terre
The Mamaku Project don't fit into simple boxes -- and that's a good thing. Their debut album Karekare found favour at Elsewhere for its blend of lazy South Pacific attitudes, the dub-influenced pop quality and its easy assimilation of French... Read More
Body Corporate - Howlaround
Because I love the guitar landscapes of Explosions in the Sky, the brittle and dramatic widescreen noise of the early Cure/Joy Division, rowdy locals like HDU and Bailterspace, the sonic textures of Brian Eno, and latterly local instrumental outfits like... Read More
Nigel Gavin - A Job with the Circus
When I wrote the liner notes for Nigel Gavin's excellent Visitation album from late 06 I described him as "a musician without portfolio, a guitarist/composer whose work comfortably commands many different styles"... Read More
Bond Street Bridge - The Mapmaker's Art
Opening with an arresting, one minute challenge of scraped and stabbing violin you could be forgiven for thinking the one-man band of Sam Prebble who is Bond Street Bridge is being beamed at you from the Contemporary Classical department... Read More
Space Case - Retrospective
Just a quick acknowledgement here of this excellent double-disc collection of the three albums by Auckland's early-to-mid 80s jazz-rock outfit Space Case which formed around drummer Frank Gibson, saxophonist Brian Smith and keyboard player Murray McNabb... Read More
Bryce Wastney - A Perfect Day For Travel
Bryce Wastney's A perfect day for travel is an acoustic guitar driven album that will have the listener hooked from the first note. A true singer-songwriter, Bryce has recorded an album that sounds honest and true and is something to... Read More
Yule - Aaaarrrggh!!!
"Interesting" is a word which suspends judgement ("Do you like my new dress?" "Hmmm, it's interesting") but to say that this debut album by a young New Zealand singer-songwriter who seemed to have done his apprenticeship in flats in Grey... Read More
Fatcat and Fishface - The Bestest and Horriblest Songs for Children
We here at Elsewhere don't disapprove of children (three, and a full stop) but rarely want to be subjected to kids' music which can actually be worse than tweenies music for sheer mindless repetition... Read More
Reb Fountain - Holster
This Auckland-based singer-songwriter impressed Elsewhere greatly with her debut Like Water, but this album is a real step up on every front, from the elaborate and evocative cover art, through the supportive musicianship from the likes of Sam Prebble (aka... Read More
Salmonella Dub with the NZSO - Feel the Seasons Change
To be honest, I have always been vaguely suspicious of the rock-meets-orchestra thing. For a kick-off I wonder who such events/albums are made for... Read More
Dub Asylum - Ba Ba Boom! EP
If I've been tardy getting to this terrific EP of beats, hip-hop meets reggae culture, and much more it's that I have been so busy backloading the archives... Read More
The Weather - Aroha Ave
The singer and songwriter behind the Weather is Matthew Bannister, formerly of Sneaky Feelings who drew their inspiration and aspiration from the pantheon of classic pop (Beatles, Beach Boys) and reputable country (the Louvin Brothers). And that meant they were... Read More
Mike Rigg – Living For Now
Mike Rigg is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. He has created an album that is interesting, catchy and quite good. Some songs are stronger than others but if you play all the instruments, write all songs and lyrics and sing... Read More
Frank Gibson - Parallel 37
Auckland jazz drummer Gibson has had a career that stretches back to the late 50s and he made his debut at age 8 on the stage at the Auckland Town Hall playing a duet with his drummer dad. Since then... Read More
Paddy Free with Richard Nunns - Karekare - Te reo o te whenua
Despite being one of the founding fathers of New Zealand electronica -- in the ambitious multi-media outfit Pitch Black with Mike Hodgson -- Paddy Free is perhaps largely unknown to a new generation of musicians. I believe he makes much... Read More
Siren Junkies - Fascinate
A long time in the making this one. From gig to gig, from covers band to dedicated original outfit, from 2001 to the present, Siren Junkies - previously Sonic - have been moulding and developing their slick brand of pop/rock,... Read More
SideKickNick - Miscellaneous Adventures
Two things here: for some reason I keep pronouncing this nom de disque by Auckland singer/songwriter/pop-rock Nick Buckton as an Australian might ("Soid Keek Neek"). And that I am pleasantly surprised it has come out on a major label. From... Read More
The DeSotos - Cross Your Heart
If CDs are dead as we keep being told you do wonder why people not only keep making them, but also why record companies put so much effort into their expensive packaging -- like this from an Auckland-based band which... Read More
Autozamm - Drama Queen
Autozamm’s sophomore effort ”Drama Queen” is an impressive collection of songs that vary in style and atmosphere. There are brilliant pop-gems (“Disco” and “Killer Shoes”), big rock-tunes (“Drama Queen” and “Mess of a Mind”) and beautiful and subtle songs (“Ways... Read More
Valiant Hum - Wonderland
Valiant Hum is a band with a name that works for Kiwis (and probably Ozzies) on more than one level. There’s the obvious, and as it turns out seriously understated, musical reference – “valiant” being at the opposite end of the... Read More
Badtown - Rockers Run Riot
West Auckland rockers Badtown present a smattering of racy ska-punk anthems in their debut album Rockers Run Riot. Swinging between the rough, edgy punk tracks like ‘Bloodlust’ and laid back funky ska tunes like ‘Hey Hey’ Rockers Run Riot is... Read More
Fiona Soe Paing – No Mans Land
This album gets off to a great start with ‘Tamin Sah Pade’, a track that has a cool and crisp resonance to it. From start until finish this album slides smoothly from track to track, which is great for when... Read More
Neil Worboys and the Real Time Liners - Some Day Soon
The blues gets short shrift in the New Zealand critical community and my guess is that most writers think it is somehow easy to play. Or is sort of "imported" (and reggae, indie.rock and alt.country ain't??) Anyway these guys from... Read More
Renee-Louise Carafice - Tells You To Fight!
Frankly I'm always suspicious about the whole music-as-therapy thing: most often the music is godawful, and the lyrics so tortured and self-referential that they rarely reach any further than the bedroom or hospital ward that spawned them. Which is why... Read More
isunray - Balance
They would call it “a modern sound drenched in the lessons of the past”. But how do I describe an EP that swings violently from blues nouveau to downbeat (and downright) disco to Tracey Chapmanesque electro-soul? It’s always difficult to... Read More
Various - Like Honey
There is an unfortunate trait that characterises the female singer-songwriter. Either the lyrics are so damn obscure that the listener is resorted to relying on the vocal intonation and arrangement to convey the music’s message. Or the only subject ever... Read More
Norman Meehan - Modigliani
When music tempts you to cast aside all sensibilities and head to the beach to dig bare toes into flood-ridden sand in gale force winds…well, you’re onto a winner. And when the charge is led by Massey University’s Associate Director... Read More
Wayne Mason and the Fallen Angels - Sense Got Out
This CD – long awaited – is yet again a demonstration of why Wayne Mason is the writer of NZ’s Best Song Ever – “Nature”. Wayne Mason’s songwriting is incomparable, and there is no hesitation in suggesting he is one of Aotearoa’s best... Read More
The Quick And The Dead - Heartbreak 365
The Quick And The Dead are a Auckland based three piece band – Will Saunders, Alistair Walling and Ben Lockwood – playing good, honest, stripped down, clean, light and quirky punk rock. (The band have their own name / description for their... Read More
Labretta Suede and the Motel Six - Not Food Hungry
Home grown bluesy rockin’ Rock-a-Billy just as it should be. It’s big, bad, boozy, bluesy, rockin’ Rock-a-Billy – glamorous, cool, sexy, edgy, gritty, loud, raw, in-your-face – all the things Rock ‘n’ Roll used to be and stand for and thank God... Read More
Nigel Gavin - Visitation
This is the kind of CD I generally have in my small pile on the coffee table, to incite interest from visitors (as in the album name, “Visitation” perhaps?), and to demonstrate my advanced and non-existent knowledge, but certainly appreciation,... Read More
Little Pictures - Owl + Owl
Electropop married to slightly whimsical faux-naivety isn't an easy call and I have no doubt some will recoil from this bedroom music -- and when this Wellington duo quivers through the awful Tips for Domestic Bliss you can count me... Read More
Goodnight Nurse - Keep me On Your Side
Following on from their 2006 debut album Always and Never Auckland’s Goodnight Nurse (Joel Little - vocals/guitar, Jaden Parkes – drums, plus two new additions to the band Sam McCarthy - guitar/vocals and Rowan Crowe – bass) present a solid pop punk... Read More
The Windy City Strugglers - Shine On
Given that he still has one of the most soulful and bluesy -- if increasingly strained -- voices in the country, it seems a pity that Rick Bryant isn't recorded more often. He gets about half the frontline vocals on... Read More
Various - A Day in My Mind's Mind Vol 3 Spinning Spinning Spinning
As with the second volume in this excellent on-going and budget-priced series, I wrote the liner notes to this album and -- with the invaluable research and help of Grant Gillanders who once again chose the tracks and must be... Read More
The Quick and the Dead - Heartbreak 365
Elsewhere always has a warm place in its heart for young band full of energy, ideas (if not always original) and enthusiastic execution. And this Auckland three-piece has all those. While I might hear 60s garageband pop-rock, the Clash and... Read More
The Clean - Mashed
What can you say? The Clean recorded live during their '07 national tour. Really, enough said: David Kilgour's guitar just gets more mercurial and expressive over time (if sometimes pulling back from the edginess of previous decades) and Hamish and... Read More
Bannerman - The Bannerman EP
Bannerman is not former Sneaky Feelings/Dribbling Darts frontman Matthew Bannister as I assumed on seeing this EP, rather it is Richard Setford who was the mainman behind Auckland's large soul-funk outfit One Million Dollars and its offspring Batucada Sound Machine,... Read More
The Wellington Ukelele Orchestra - The Heartache EP
Hailing from the mighty big town of Wellington comes…The Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra with their debut The Heartache EP! Those who have seen this entertaining ensemble playing live in cafes, in museum auditoriums and on various stages, listening to The... Read More
Nat Rose - Golden Hour
Golden Hour, the slick debut album from Nat Rose could, quite frankly, warm-up anybody’s winter. Here in Aotearoa we tend to get swamped by loads of ‘new soul’ and R’n’B treacle from the slick production houses of urban America. What... Read More
Wayne Mason and the Fallen Angels - Sense Got Out
Singer-songwriter Wayne Mason may be best (and in some circles only) known as the guy who wrote the Kiwi classic Nature for the Fourmyula (later covered by the Mutton Birds) -- but that was almost four decades ago and he... Read More
I like smoke machines and pretty lighting… Goodnight Nurse Live in Hamilton
Goodnight Nurse has changed a fair bit since I last saw them perform at The Altitude in early 2007. They dropped their bassist Paul Taite and have picked up two new members, Sam McCarthy (guitar) and Rowan Crowe (bass). They... Read More
Billy TK Jnr - Presenting Billy TK Jnr
It's odd that this album should be called "Presenting" given that Auckland-based guitarist Billy TK Jnr has been taking his brand of tough Texas blues around the bars and clubs of New Zealand (and to Texas) for about two decades... Read More
Gin Wigmore - Extended Play
The other night we were flicking across the music channels and did that rare thing, paused for more than five seconds because there was a remarkable voice about which I said, "Wow, I'd like to hear more from that one"... Read More
The Nothing - A Warm Gun
Lately on my Kiwi FM programme I have been playing quite a lot from Chris Knox's albums and thoroughly enjoying rediscovering them. (Like Mike Leigh movies and city buses you often didn't feel the need to catch them because another... Read More
Iva Lamkum - Iva Lamkum
The first thought that may occur to you on hearing this classy EP by 22-year old Wellington singer-songwriter Lamkum is just when a major international label will scoop her up. I'm picking sooner rather than later. With a mature and... Read More
Various - Monkey Magic Vol II
I doubt Auckland's Monkey Records has a motto, but I'm prepared to suggest one: "When you are smaller you have to be smarter." And although this label may be small it certainly is smart -- as this excellent CD/DVD compilation... Read More
Moana and the Tribe - Wha
Across her previous three albums Moana Maniapoto confirmed her status as one of New Zealand's most significant voices whose sound could just as comfortably incorporate politics and culture as seduce with her flowing lyrics in te reo and her astute... Read More
Samuel Flynn Scott and Bunnies on Ponies - Straight Answer Machine
Sam Scott is the singer and main songwriter of the Phoenix Foundation and wrote the music for the feature Eagle Vs Shark but this, his second solo album, sounds like a man thoroughly enjoying himself (in a somewhat serious way)... Read More
The Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Radio Series
The release of the Conchords debut album should also throw attention back onto this equally funny triple CD set of the complete 2005 BBC Radio 2 series as they try crack the UK music scene. Although the band were obviously... Read More
Bleeders Live In Hamilton
Action + Diggers Back Bar = Bleeders It’s fair to say that I’ve neglected Diggers Back Bar for some time now. In fact, the last gig I went to at the place was about a year ago when NZ sweethearts... Read More
The Calico Brothers - God Left Town EP
As with the Traveling Wilburys these "brothers" (three, a cousin and a friend) all share the coincidence of the same surname, "Calico". And as with the Wilburys they also share a love of clearly rendered country-pop pushed by acoustic guitars,... Read More
The La De Das - The Happy Prince
Most people remember Auckland's La De Das for classic r'n'b 60s rock such as How is the Air Up There? and Don't You Stand in My Way, two songs which established them as the Rolling Stones of our hometown. There... Read More
An Emerald City - An Emerald City EP
This extraordinary four-track EP by an Auckland band which is long on instrumental elegance and very short on pretention is a diamond, and like a precious gem you can turn it many ways and appreciate different refractions. These swooning, grand... Read More
White Swan Black Swan - Castle of Useless Junk
This title track of a five-song EP by the Auckland duo of Ben Howe and Sonya Waters is emblematic of the mood of this charming little collection: a little bit alt.country, a little bit alt.pop. Considered and quiet -- and... Read More
Downunder with The Datsuns -Live In Hamilton
27.03.08 Bursting out of the mighty Waikato in 1998, The Datsuns success has seen them travel the world over. Lucky for us they haven’t forgotten where their home is, treating the Tron to two shows in a space of a... Read More
Dudley Benson - The Awakening
The charming and slightly eccentric art music of Benson will be familiar to longtime Elsewhere people: his previous EPs have been posted here -- and now comes the long-anticipated debut album. The former chorister indulges himself in some oddly appealing... Read More
The Shades - The Shades EP
The Shades have gone from basement jams to festival highs in seemingly, no time at all. I've seen them live a bunch of times and it's obvious this seven piece soul/hip hop combo love what they do and have the... Read More
A Day In My Mind's Mind Volume 2: Fantasies, Polka Dots & Flowers
Rather than essay this second collection of Kiwi psychedelic songs from '67-'72 -- subtitled "Fantasies, Polka Dots and Flowers" -- why don't I just reproduce below the liner notes I wrote for it? The exciting thing about this on-going series... Read More
Robert and Jono's Birthday bash - Rocking it up at The Kings Arms
Getting dressed to go to a gig is never really that hard…just slap on your dancing shoes and away you go. This time I chose the uncomfortable heels so my jeans could have a break from being dragged though the... Read More
Soundsplash 2008
Highest respect goes out to the organisers of Soundsplash Eco-Reggae Festival in Raglan. This, the sixth intallment of the now legendary Aotearoa roots festival, boasted a strong lineup. Unfortunately, West Coast weather was not kind, and wind played havoc with... Read More
Luke Thompson - Here on the Ground
This young singer-songwriter from Tauranga came to my attention a few weeks ago when I was asked if I would write a bio to accompany the release of this, his debut album. I get a few such requests but only... Read More
Various - Rhythmethod Sampler
Here's a good idea that we don't see often enough these days: a record company offers 19 sample tracks from various local albums it has released in past few months (a number of which like the Brunettes, Broken Heartbreakers and... Read More
Lauren Thomson - Our Love is Due
True story: I received this five-song EP before Christmas, played it a bit then put on the "get to" pile -- which meant it was ignored in the Christmas shuffle. The other day I pulled it out to enjoy again... Read More
Bill Direen - Human Kindness
Bill Direen is an auteur whose work covers pop and experimental music, poetry, European literature and much else. As a graduate of the DIY punk years he has seldom resorted to anything approaching hi-fi -- and these recordings (some mere... Read More
The Broken Heartbreakers - The Broken Heartbreakers
With a sound which draws equally on the Left Banke, the Everly Brothers, Brian Wilson, Beatles, alt.country harmonies and the Anglofolk tradition, this Auckland group can hardly fail. In songwriter John Guy Howell they also have someone with a genuine... Read More
Robert Scott - Tascam Hits
These low-fi home recordings by Scott -- a member of The Bats and The Clean -- were recorded in the late 90s and those who demand their music polished and honed won't find much of interest here.(That said you won't... Read More
Matt Langley - Lost Companions
This is embarrassing: this five track EP literally fell down the back of the bookcase and I only found it a week ago. I think it came out about six, maybe eight, weeks ago -- and it has deservedly had... Read More
Danny McCrum Band - Awake and Restless
Here's a guess, this smart pop-rock album from an Auckland singer-songwriter and his tight, crackling band won't get much attention. The reason? There's not been much sympathy or space for well-crafted adult pop-rock in New Zealand, the Finns and Dave... Read More
Tahuna Breaks - Reflections
While I understand the wide appeal of Fat Freddy's Drop -- a laidback distillation of reggae, soul and so forth -- it is too mellow for my taste. Tahuna Breaks -- who also distil elements of soul and reggae but... Read More
Tim Guy - Hummabyes
This gentle album is so light it makes The Bats sound like Thin Lizzy. Auckland-based singer-songwriter Guy has stripped his music back to airy arrangments for guitar and bass (with ukulele, slide, harmonica and triangle where required) but the whole... Read More
Soundtrack: 118 Great NZ Albums
This is an excellent book helmed into life by Smithies who is the Sunday Star Times music critic. With an idiosyncratic selection of 30 significant New Zealand records (left-field, no Feelers or Anika Moa here mate) Smithies writes an essay... Read More
Disasteradio - Visions
I have a thing for electro, don't mind a bit of pop either if it's done in a left of mainstream way. So I was chuffed to hear the latest synthtastic pop offering from Disasteradio. The first chance I had... Read More
Little Bushman - Pendulum
It's been a long time since I've been affected by an album in this way. Pendulum has worked a path through my blood stream, setting up outposts in far reaching arteries and organs and seems now ready to slowly open... Read More
P-Bass Expressway - Snag Bag
Mystery, man this aint no mystery. Driving home on a Friday afternoon, not really in the mood for much. Listen to this album, see how you feel...This is what happened to me... I was hooked on the first few beats,... Read More
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending
In a cover so cheap-looking and unpromising that it reminds me of an intermediate school kid's doodle comes one of the best New Zealand albums of the year. Let's hope that godawful "artwork" doesn't put off any prospective buyers because... Read More
Batucada Sound Machine - Rhythm & Rhyme
The first album by this big and boisterous band was a live outing recorded at Womad in 2005. It didn't do it for me and was one of those "guess you had to be there" albums. But it was clear... Read More
One Man Bannister - Moth
Auckland singer-songwriter and sometime member of Don McGlashan's band Matthew Bannister made some of the most charming, slightly unnerving and genuinely lovely music with his Flying Nun bands Sneaky Feelings and Dribbling Darts of Love, and in my opinion never... Read More
The Darlings - The Cicada Sessions
The Darlings are New Zealand singer Jackie Clarke and singer-songwriter Callie Blood with drummer-to-the-stars Wayne Bell, here mostly playing acoustic guitar -- which makes them somewhat of a Kiwi supergroup given their long pedigrees in various band and studio sessions... Read More
Treat central at The Yellow Submarine: Motocade and The Tutts in the Tron..
Motocade’s latest EP, Into The Fall was released in February 07, and ever since I first laid ears on it, I’ve been waiting for another show of theirs to see how well they perform some of my favourite songs off... Read More
Tiki - Past, Present, Future
I don't know Tiki, but if I did I'd call him up and say "bro…OMFG… you've nailed it". I'm going to try to avoid clichés in this review; I'm going to be honest because that is what 'Past, Present, and... Read More
Salmonella Dub - Heal Me
I first encountered Salmonella Dub sometime in the early 90's. I think it was at the third Entrain party, the details are hazy but my recollection is of live electro acoustic dub that felt very relevant, to mooching in a... Read More
Batucada Sound Machine - Rhythm and Rhyme
Batucada Sound Machine's (BSM) first studio album Rhythm and Rhyme is a testament to aural melting pot that can be found in Auckland. As a behemoth 13 piece band they take the rhythmic kit-and-caboodle of Brazil, Cuba and Afro-beat and... Read More
Black Seeds - Altitude 12 October 2007
The last time I saw The Black Seeds play was at XAir in their hometown, Wellington. With a beautiful sunny afternoon in the capital to compete with, I wasn’t sure if the Altitude in Hamilton was quite the right venue... Read More
Lewis McCallum - Wake
Young Auckland saxophonist McCallum -- son of singer Malcolm -- adopts exactly the approach he should for someone his age: he comes out of the post hip-hop/clubland culture and so is entirely at home with programmed beats, soul-funk clubland styles,... Read More
Pine - Twelve Hour Collision
Mellow and simple, Pine is back with a their new EP, Twelve Hour Collision. Being their fourth release with one EP, Speeding (2001), behind them and two albums Longplayer (2002) and Akira Sunrise (2004), you would think with their past... Read More
OdESSA - San Francisco Bathhouse, Friday 21st October
Sensational, captivating and hugely entertaining were amongst the words that sprung to mind as OdESSA left the stage at The San Francisco Bathouse last Friday night. Promoting their second album, The Prize, this band really knows how to put on... Read More
SJD - Songs from a Dictaphone
My guess is critical consensus on this album will settle on the phrase, "not as good as the last one". But that last one, the sublime Southern Lights of 2004, set such a high threshold that SJD (Sean James Donnelly)... Read More
Te Vaka - Olatia
Spirit of Play Pumping through the veins of the Polynesian’s heart, discover the tribal and passionate sound of Te Vaka’s fifth album Olatia. Written by the widely respected Opetaia Foa'i, the people’s musical voice of the past and present, unveiling... Read More
Unity Pacific - Into the Dread
When the documentary about the life of Unity Pacific's singer-songwriter Tigi Ness made it to the small screen on Maori TV (Wednesday August 22), many in the country will have had their first introduction to a modest man and his... Read More
The Brunettes - Structure and Cosmetics
The quirky and sometimes playful pop of Auckland's The Brunettes gets a real workout here: whether it be enjoying the left speaker/right speaker game on Stereo (Mono Mono); referencing Tommy James and the Shondells' 60s hit Crimson and Clover on... Read More
Roger Greenaway - 40 Miles
A self described dreamer, Roger Greenaway is also a doer as he has proved with the release of his second album, 40 Miles. Infused with emotion, the album has a great balance of fade-away and snap-back moments. Greenaway's influences draw... Read More
Pitch Black - Rude Mechanicals
The electronica duo of Mike Hodgson and Paddy Free who are Pitch Black were in the vanguard of New Zealand sound and vision performances in the 90s, so much so that you'd love to see them release a CD/DVD, which... Read More
Trillion - Audio Agriculture In The 21st Century
Audio Agriculture In The 21st Century is a collection of songs that leaves me feeling a box-of-birds after its ploughed a furrow through my earwax. I keep coming back to Trillion's latest offering, trying it out in the car, loud... Read More
Katchafire - Say What You're Thinking
About six years ago I first encountered Hamilton reggae band Katchafire playing in a pretty ropey provincial bar. I'd met them backstage beforehand -- actually in a room full of beer barrels -- and I knew within minutes these guys... Read More
Phaeder - Emerald
Drifting into different states of relaxation, Peter Haeder’s layered guitar glides you away from reality. Emerald is rich in mystery and folklore. Opening the door to an enchanting world of freedom. His loyalties lie with avant-garde guitar, focusing on the... Read More
Pitch Black - San Francisco Bathhouse (17.08.07)
Have you ever-experienced music that makes you feel dirty, moody and horny all at the same time? Pitch Black had the San Francisco Bathhouse rocking on Friday night with a sound resonate of the audiences prurient feelings. From the very... Read More
Grand Prix - Terraplane Twilight
A New Sound That Drives Home. Buckle up as Grand Prix have slammed their foot down again, with their new album Terraplane Twilight. These Wellington based alternative country rockers have had a bit of a shake up to the original... Read More
Pitch Black - Rude Mechanicals
The top end sounds skitter, resound, stretch and fatten for your aural pleasure, but the bass, ohhh the bass... Ahem... excuse me for a minute while I compose myself. Rude Mechanicals opens with an undulating baseline and an ethereal flute... Read More
The Black Seeds interview - Sowing The Seeds That Bloom
It’s all going on with The Black Seeds. This month has seen an onslaught of exciting news. News that shall take them overseas, climbing up the ladder of international success. Their innovative fusion of reggae, dub, soul and ska has... Read More
Little Bushman interviewed - A Psychedelic Jazz Enhanced Journey
Resurrecting the iconic sounds of the past, the Little Bushman have created a sound that stays true to their roots. Pushing away the safety net, this 4-piece band’s (Warren Maxwell, Rick Cranson, Joe Callwood and Tom Callwood) brave fusion is... Read More
The Black Seeds - Live 12.07.07
The Black Seeds Victoria University 12.07.07 Lucy Wyatt With a European tour just days away The Black Seeds, promoting their new album Into The Dojo, graciously afforded us one last gig before their departure overseas. The Victoria University crowd were... Read More
Hollie Smith - Long Player tour live review
Thursday 12 July Auckland - Galatos Galatos is a big space and can seem hauntingly empty and cold if there is less than a 100 odd bods to warm space. No problem with that on the opening night of Hollie's... Read More
The Managers - Take It or Leave It
New Zealand's hardest working, longest playing, furthest touring, pogo inducing, good times ska band have released their second album, Take It or Leave It, and if their recording history stays true to form, it'll be a good few years before... Read More
Karen Hunter - Rubble
When I stop to imagine an overall scene that fits with Káren Hunter's Rubble, a smoky room comes to mind. A David Lynch kind of room, with red velvet curtains, round tables surrounded by slouching people who are all smoking... Read More
Antix: Who the bloody hell are they?
May '07 Slowburning Studios is the Auckland base to electronic recording duo and brothers Barton and Hayden Strom, otherwise known as Antix. For the past seven years the two brothers have been producing and playing deep minimal trance inflected grooves... Read More
Tommy - Tomorrow I might go
I've been listening to Tommy's Tomorrow I might go for about three weeks now. I've been slowly absorbing the flavours, savouring the piquant elements and pondering the bass notes - swishing the whole lot around my mouth and allowing enough... Read More
The Sneaks - PEP Sounds
The Sneaks seem to have treated this EP like 'a variety show for popular and experimental forms of modern music'. The EP has four songs and a couple of videos, and if you haven't had an encounter with the Sneaks,... Read More
Katchafire: Live at the San Francisco Bathhouse, 08.06.07
08.06.07 San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington Katchafire left The San Francisco Bathhouse well and truly smoking last weekend. Their extreme energy was matched by the crowd’s intense respect for New Zealand’s hottest roots reggae band. The well-heated euphoric audience sang passionately,... Read More
The Have – Back to the Burning Wreck
As well as possessing an absolutely classic rock n roll name, The Have are also in command of a classic rock sound. Their lyrics are catchy, their guitars might as well be ice-creams they're so full of licks and the... Read More
Fatcat and Fishface – Meanie
If you happen to be reading a review for kids music, you’ve probably got kids, or you’re particularly adventurous in your listening choices. Either way, you can’t go far wrong with Jayrem Records’ latest release from Fatcat and Fishface Meanie... Read More
So So Modern - Friendly Fires
Friendly Fires is surprising in the way that it transitions easily from electronic dancefloor stormers, to shout-along guitar favourites. The transition between genres happens from song to song and sometimes mid song, but it’s never jarring. The enthusiasm that is... Read More
Pine - Twelve Hour Collision
Fans of the contemporary stripped back guitar pop sound shouldn’t wait to grab a copy of Twelve Hour Collision. Described by the band as “Lofi minimalistic riot music for quiet people” it’s pretty easy to imagine their catchy quirkiness sending... Read More
Adi Dick - Our Place
Adi can stand tall in the ranks Aotearoa’s mighty bedroom producers, and his debut album Our Place is further testament to the downbeat sound that Wellington has earned for itself. Obviously a gifted musician, Adi’s talents include the electronic composition,... Read More
Pluto live at The Office Bar, Highland Park 31st March 07
There wasn’t much of a crowd at the Office Bar on Saturday night, but Pluto still put on a top notch performance. Each song was played precisely - even including the hand clapping in Dance Stamina much to the delight... Read More
Womad 2007
22.03.07 The word is obviously out about womad as this was the first year of it now becoming an annual event. And if you’re thinking “festival”, bunch of ferals and drunk teenagers well you’re on the wrong flight. Walking into... Read More
Miriam Clancy – Lucky One
**** Miriam Clancy has been winning fans and critical praise as a regular on the live music scene in Auckland for some time and now, with the release of her debut album, she tenders her application to become NZ’s favourite... Read More
Cut For Summer - Cassette
Here's a band clearly in no rush. Formed in 2000, Cassette released the acclaimed Emo EP and then waited another six years before finally returning with this, their first full-length album. Their songs are in no rush either and though... Read More
Die! Die! Die!
In a city where crowds sit back and watch bands with apathy aplomb, Die!Die!Die! stand out as one of the few that get an Auckland audience moving. Here, famed producer Steve Albini captures the essence of Die!Die!Die! live, allowing them... Read More
Chris Knox & The Nothing
It's good to know that Chris Knox is still open to trying new things, taking risks and experimenting. I mean hell, he recorded Chris Knox and The Nothing in a real studio and has released it on his own imprint... Read More
Chaos By Design - Concord Dawn
Catchy opener Broken Eyes is this disc's Morning Light and is licensed along with four other cuts to overseas labels Metalheadz, Ram and Hospital. Guest vocalists and co-writers this time are Hollie Smith, Paul McLaney and Tiki Taane. The CD... Read More
Rhombus - Future Reference
This latest offering from Rhombus is hard to pin down. As on their previous album and 12" releases, the slick programming of Thomas Voyce and Simon Rycroft is a dominant feature, but the tracks here move more widely across genres... Read More
Bic Runga - Birds
Having already proven herself as NZ’s pop queen, Bic Runga has brushed all that aside to deliver the album many of us were hoping she would make. Combining the fragile and tender beauty of her best earlier work with an... Read More
FaceWork - The Rainy Days
Garage rock has never seemed as inspired as this. The guitar riffs, pounding floor tom, and thumping bass still lie at the front of the sound, but the soulful saxophone of Tom Dale and subtle piano lines played by Angel... Read More
The Inkling - Deluge
These nine mostly instrumental mood pieces fizz and snap through the synapses and are far more broad ranging than the impenetrable glossy black sleeve might suggest. Flimsy touchstones may include King Crimson, Yes and Mike Oldfield. Fine musicianship on display... Read More
Freshmen - Nesian Mystik
I remember wondering what had happened to the Nesian’s a year ago. Label problems? Group trouble? Just speculation from a concerned journalist. Before I had even got my fingerprints on Freshmen, the first two singles had already achieved Top 10... Read More
Cuts - Toy Love
"When's the album coming out on CD?" is a question often heard by the ex-members of what was probably New Zealand's premier punk/new wave/pop band from the early '80s. Well now it's here. Compiled in conjunction with the band Cuts... Read More
Denim And Leisure - Coco Solid
This wordsmith duo have been stirring up the Auckland underground for several years now, dating back to Coco’s ultra-lo-fi Rap’n’Roll release in 2003 and the duo’s debut Denim and Leather in 2005. Now Coco and her rap partner Erik present... Read More
Dave Dobbyn - Available Light
It's been five years since Dave Dobbyn last graced us with an album of new material. This record, co-produced with former Muttonbird David Long, began with pre-production and recording in Auckland with Neil Finn before being finished off and mixed... Read More
Bleeders - As Sweet As Sin
It took re-listening to their A Bleeding Heart EP - a recording that I truly do love - to really appreciate how far the Bleeders have come. Sure this is a far-cry from the frenetic pace and overall energy of... Read More
A Low Hum - Series 3, Issue 3
Blink doesn't get it wrong often, and with his latest instalment in the A Low Hum legacy, he proves we have every reason to continue trusting his musical taste. Band manager, photographer, writer, and promoter Blink, aka Ian Jorgensen, has... Read More
City Newton Bombers - City Newton Bombers
From the word go, City Newton Bombers' self titled debut puts on an all-out assault of punk attitude and hardcore beats – fast and sneering. The chant-along hits just keep coming with I’ve been Waiting, Damascus, and Rebel Dog all appearing... Read More
Stylus - Gain Control
On June 10th Stylus released their 2nd album Gain Control through Wildside Records. With new guitarist Aja Timu taking the reigns from previous guitarist Kenneth Holt, Stylus have a brighter new sound, which is a lot more upbeat and rock... Read More
Goodnight Nurse - Always and Never
Always and Never is a blistering studio performance from Goodnight Nurse for their debut album. The songs are well written and delivered with attitude by front-man Joel Little, adding to an impressive overall package of hooky tunes and tight, confident... Read More
Che Fu - Beneath The Radar
Welcome to the next episode. Presented to you by musical passion, cross-genre compilation, melodic intoxication, and a gang of rebellious drum outlaws Che-Fu bred in an underground bunker light years from your bedroom studio. So where do we start? York... Read More
Caroline Lynn - The Shaman's Kiss
Mental alarm bells might start ringing when one reads the marketing blurb on the CD case of Caroline Lynn’s The Shaman's Kiss: apparently this album is a fusion of tabla, drone, jazz and exotic rhythms. But you can cast all... Read More
dDub - Awake at Dawn
The Indian elephant has a gestation period of 22 months. The gestation period for dDUB’s Awake at Dawn has been considerably longer. It’s been so long in fact that the line-up of the band when the album finally saw the... Read More
OdESSA - Oak Park Avenue
OdESSA – Oak Park Avenue I like to imagine that there was a time, not long before I was born, when people understood that there were different kinds of music, but they didn't get too excited about it. You could listen... Read More
Fat Freddy's Drop - Based On A True Story
Fat Freddy's Drop... I'm feeling the pressure. But it can't be anything like what the band were feeling at the level of anticipation for this debut album release. FFD consistently produce fine sounds within a genre they've carved as their... Read More
Age Pryor - City Chorus
Re-named 'Constant Rotate' in my house. I love it! Book-ended by my favourites, Curious Boy and Leave It All Behind, this original collection will walk and drive you to personal adventures in sound-rhythms of groove, funk, rock and reggae. An... Read More
Ghostplane - Beneath the Sleepy Lagoon
Ghostplane's Beneath the Sleepy Lagoon starts out on a lively note, but it soon relaxes down into a comfortable, introspective sound that is hard to pin down. Guitars blend in-and-out of mellow keyboard lines, cast over by gentle singing from... Read More
Thomas Parkes - Big Machine
Despite the non de plume Thomas: Parkes is not a lone individual but a duo composed of former Bike bassist Marcus Thomas and Blair Parkes who is apparently a prolific solo artist. The accompanying press release from Christchurch label South... Read More
The Void - First Contact
The Void's debut release album, First Contact provokes a strange but comfortable feeling of nostalgia and recognition, with the faintest under-currents of legendary REM, Stevie Nicks and Pink Floyd. Favourite tracks include 'take this life' and their single, 'control', that... Read More
Jambalaya 2005
Jambalaya 2005 is an 8 track compilation CD, put together after the 2005 Jambalaya Festival, and a follow on from the 2004 festival compilation. Songs range from the infectious toe tapping sound of one million dollars in Quando Voce Chegar,... Read More
Dave Yetton - Blow Out Your Candles
I must say that when I heard that David Yetton was releasing a new album, I was eagerly looking forward to hearing it. If you enjoyed his efforts under the Stereobus moniker, Blow Out Your Candles is a wee treat... Read More
Leila Adu - Cherry Pie
It could be easy to dismiss much music coming out of Wellington’s music scene as “quirky” or experimental. But on Leila Adu's second album Cherry Pie, one gets the impression that the time for experimentation is over. This Wellington songwriter-singer-pianist... Read More
P-Money - Big Things Instrumentals
Having achieved gold status with his debut album Big Things, P-Money has released Instrumentals on his own Kog Transmissions subsidiary label Dirty Records. This smart package is a double CD and a lot larger in content than it seems. Although... Read More
Audio Sauce - Contimental Drift
Audio Sauce is Wellington-based Miles Tilly and Contimental Drift is the follow-up to his 2002 debut, Diversecity. Fortunately, this is a considerably more consistent affair with Tilly proving that his knack for creating catchy beats is about as great as... Read More
Payola - Gone to Ground
Before I'd heard the album I happened to see Payola live and was mightily impressed. I was therefore very curious to see what their debut album Gone To Ground would be like. The first two tracks Every Little Step and... Read More
Baitercell and Schumacher - The Wall of Bass Technuique
Rumours state that Baitercell and Schumacher's (a.k.a. Chris Chetland of Kog Transmissions and Auckland DJ Timmy Schumacher) The Wall of Bass Technique took four years in the making and the result came out wicked. That's a relief. The Wall of... Read More
The Mint Chicks - F**k The Golden Youth
After two well-received EPs and generous servings of hype, it is finally crunch time. Does The Mint Chicks’ debut album deliver? Yes and no. There is more of the same that made EPs Octagon, Octagon, Octagon and Anti-Tiger so great... Read More
The Finn Brothers - Everyone Is Here
Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn, solo albums aplenty...what is there left to say about the brothers Finn that hasn't already been said? Well, in this case, plenty! This Finn Brothers release is unique: it doesn't have the pop sensibilities of... Read More
Pluto - Pipeline Under The Ocean
I didn’t want to go overboard here, but I need to vent my adoration. While Pluto’s 2001 debut Redlightsyndrome made an impact, Pipeline Under The Ocean is destined for much greater achievement. This is a fantastic album; eight tracks of... Read More
Alec Bathgate - The Indifferent Velvet Void
Alec Bathgate's musical lineage stretches back almost 30 years to The Enemy and includes integral membership of Toy Love and Tall Dwarfs as well as a developing solo career. This new solo effort is a distillation of all that has... Read More
Breaks Co-Op - The Sound Inside
Eight years after Zane Lowe and Hamish Clark released the NZ electronic classic album Roofers comes another revelation. This time, their creative output is not beats, loops and samples but SONGS. A beautifully crafted selection it is too, largely based... Read More
Tha Feelstyle - Break It To Pieces
A great hip hop album for summer, though this shouldn't be taken to mean that it is any way lightweight or superficial. Tha Feelstyle worked with King Kapisi to compose Screems from the Old Plantation and his current work seems... Read More
Evermore - Dreams
When you hear that three young home-schooled brothers from Fielding have brought out an album, let's be honest, you've probably already made up your mind. But Evermore is a surprising band to say the least. It's important to realise just... Read More
Katchafire - Slow Burning
This second offering from Aotearoa's hardest working reggae band, is an awesome follow up to their first album Revival, which famously achieved double platinum sales in 2003. Aiming less for a pop-like sound and focusing on a more roots, laid... Read More
SJD - Southern Lights
Over the course of three albums, Sean Donnelly has developed a signature style of electronic sonics and down-home folkiness that delivers both an emotional gravitas and a cornucopia of interesting aural effects. From a to b or not to be... Read More
The Del Ray System - Del Ray System
With their 1999 debut album Trans Pacific Express, Cuba & Gizmo - aka Dean Godward and erstwhile New Loungehead drummer Isaac Tucker - helped pioneer the then fledgling homemade drum'n'bass scene. Tucker has since gone on to bigger and better things... Read More
Fly My Pretties - Live At Bats
One of a kind - a 100% live recording of the stage performance that ran over four nights at Wellington's Bats Theatre, featuring an all-star cast representing most facets of the Wellington scene from indie through to rock, funk and... Read More
Edmund Cake - Downtown Puff
Edmund Cake is everything that is right about NZ music. An original songwriter whose off-beat lyrics compliment the technically experimental sound he creates. Edmund Cake was one third of Flying Nun's Bressa Creeting Cake. While the band broke up shortly... Read More
Alphrisk - The Best Kept Secret
This latest release from South Auckland's Dawn Raid label is the first solo work by the Deceptikonz lyricist Alphrisk. While fellow members Mareko and Savage feature along with Breakin' Wreckwordz, the tracks are distinctly different from previous releases. The old... Read More
Trinity Roots - Home, Land And Sea
The second offering from TrinityRoots is roots and reggae of the purest kind. Steeped in mystique, flavoured with jazz and infused with soul, there is a sense of timelessness and space present on this album. There is no rush. There... Read More
The Fanatics - The Fanatics
Yowzer. Get ready for a punch in the face. Get ready to like it. You'll know what I mean if you've seen the Fanatics before. This is the electronic version of Batman's BIFF! ZAP! POW!... and they don't even have... Read More
Misfits Of Science - MOS Presents
I must admit, this surprised me in a couple of ways. Firstly, the album in it's entirety is innovative in terms of beats and lyrical content. Many tracks include vocal bites inside the percussion, which is very effective, and The... Read More
Dimmer - You've Got To Hear The Music
Dimmer's electro-folk musings simmer to a laconic groove and seem to primarily mine the fertile earth of the man-woman relationship. A restrained elegance makes the music replayable and some quite gorgeous melodies shyly emerge over time. The vocal hook for... Read More
Opshop - You Are Here
I'm sure I'm not the only one, but the first time I heard Opshop I couldn't help noticing a resemblance to U2. And now having listened to the band's debut album You are Here I still hear a distinct Bono-esque... Read More
Brooke Fraser - What To Do With Daylight
Brooke Fraser is stunning! Her voice is honest with it’s own kindness and depth of honesty. Her songs are melodious, her lyrics strong, and I’m so glad to hear an album by someone so young, where each word can be... Read More
Pine - Akira Sunrise
You will not find a better summer album this year. There, I said it. One rotation of Akira Sunrise and I feel sure you will agree with that rather bold statement. This clever Christchurch trio has done a smashing job... Read More
Goldenhorse - Riverhead
This is a classic 'whole is greater than the sum of the parts' album in which the excellence of individual musicianship and the arrangements transforms Kirsten Morelle's potentially sketchy vocal presence into one of beguiling appeal. Geoff Maddock, Ben King,... Read More
Katchafire - Revival
Twelve tracks of stunning, polished New Zealand flavoured reggae pop. The Waikato sensation that is Katchafire have come through with the goods on Revival, their debut album through Mai Music. By now Katchafire are well enough known to skip major... Read More
Mareko - White Sunday
After the success of The Deceptikonz debut album Elimination, Mareko re-emerges with his solo album. Released through Dawn Raid/Universal, the 16-track CD features rap heavyweights from the US including Inspectah Deck, Scram Jones, Sadat X and Celph Titled. Powerful production... Read More
Various - Weststeez
833 Records, a new indie label fresh out of west Auckland, presents a compilation featuring the finest of the west's urban acts and also West Coast US rappers. Nine of the 16 tracks boast NZ heritage and one can hear... Read More
Scribe - The Crusader
Telling tales of poverty, lost love, dreams and childhood memories, Scribe brings real hip-hop on an album which has broken numerous records since its release in mid-October. Including production of an incredibly high standard, provided by P-Money, Shan and Ali,... Read More
Quiver - A Part
Quiver is Tim Mitchell and Philip Solaris. Friends since high school days at Takapuna Grammar, the duo are back with this brand new recording from Madscientist studio after a number of years leading separate lives. The gentlemen are certainly being... Read More
Latest News (More)
Aum Tour
16.03.10 [press release]
2010 has already seen a busy start to the year for Aum the Hamilton electronic lads, a new EP, a remix release for good friends the Knights of the Dub Table, various local gigs and support slots...
NZ On Air: Funding Decisions March 2010
15.03.10 [press release]
This is our third New Recording Artist funding round and our fourth Music Video round for the 2009-2010 funding year...
King Kapisi and Soljah in Pacific Roots Night - Titirangi Festival of Music
12.03.10 [press release]
Once again the funky West Auckland village of Titirangi plays host to a fabulous line up of Pacific Roots inspired beats with some of Aotearoa's finest...
Kiwi Pop Pioneers to Celebrate 40 Years of Nature & Play Historic Reunion Shows [venue change]
11.02.10 - updated 11.03 [press release]
THE VENUE for the Auckland Fourmyula show on Thursday 18th March 2010 has changed...
Read More
Hollie Smith announces six date Tour throughout April
11.03.10 [press release]
Hot on the heels of the release of her highly anticipated second studio album Humour And The Misfortune of Others on March 15, Hollie Smith will embark on a six date tour around the country in April...
Edwin Derricutt - Three Hours South release tour (updated)
23.02.10 (updated 3/3)
2010 marks the release of Edwin Derricutt's second full-length solo album Three Hours South and follows up on his very successful independent debut release Symmetry (2006). ...
NZ School of Music project takes Jazz Tui for 2009
11.03.10 [press release]
A recording project for Wellington's NZ School of Music Big Band has been awarded the Tui for Best Jazz Album of 2009. ...
1814 Comes to Palmerston North
11.03.10 [press release]
1814 are the hottest reggae band we're all listening to right now and Kia Ora FM is bringing them to Palmerston North!! ...
John Goudge: The Fool is Coming...
10.03.10
Auckland musician and actor John Goudge has found a unique way to release his debut studio album - he's written a play in which he can act out the story of the music. ...
Julia Deans Announces Solo Tour In April
09.03.10 [press release]
Julia Deans is set to hit the road in early April, armed only with acoustic guitar and her vocal chords as she performs new songs from her highly anticipated debut solo album, due for release in June...
Cornerstone Roots Updates
09.03.10 [press release]
All good things take time and Cornerstone Roots Announce the completion of the first Single " New Generation" off the forthcoming Album "Future Is Now". The track is a reworking of the original cut off the hugely...
Smokefreerockquest fires up for 2010
08.03.10 [press release]
In classrooms and garages around the country teen musicians are tuning up for this year's Smokefreerockquest. New Zealand's only nationwide, youth, original music competition kicks off with regional heats from the beginning of May and the call...
The Phoenix Foundation will release their highly anticipated fourth studio album BUFFALO on Monday 26 April
04.03.10 [press release]
Buffalo is the eagerly awaited follow-up to The Phoenix Foundation's 2007 gold album Happy Ending, which received huge critical acclaim in New Zealand and rave reviews in the UK after its release there late last year...
BlackSandDiva, The Twitch, Miriam Clancy in Westie Girls
04.03.10 [press release]
BlackSandDiva, The Twitch & Miriam Clancy headline 'Westie Girls' at Titirangi Festival of Music 2010 Hosted by Karyn Hay...
ZooMusic brings the party to the people
04.03.10 [press release]
Opensouls and Batucada Sound Machine are bringing another successful Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic season to a close on Friday, 12 March from 6pm...
Sairalei tour in March
03.03.10 [press release]
Sairalei (say-ra-lay) are an original alternative trio based in Auckland, New Zealand. Ever since forming in late 2006,have been building a reputation as a powerful live act with a strong DIY mentality. ...
Sola Rosa Announce Tour
02.03.10 [press release]
Sola Rosa are primed to set New Zealand stages alight once again this summer, taking their live show across the country to deliver their renowned diverse elements of dub, hip hop, lounge and jazz to the masses...
Full VUWSA Orientation 2010 Lineup
01.03.10 [press release]
The lovely fellows at VUWSA and VBC 88.3FM bring to you an Orientation like no other for 2010. Strap in folks for what is one of the best lineups this city has seen. For VUWSA Orientation 2010,...
Night Of The Kiwi
25.02.10 [press release]
Kiwi FM is heading to the streets and putting on a free gig for our listeners - a super night of 4 stellar acts, featuring Anna Coddington, Tommy Ill (Wellington) new comers Artisan Guns and finishing the...
Arch Hill Is 10. Birthday BBQ Ft. Bands (updated)
18.02.10 [updated 24.02]
We have made some slight changes to the BBQ on Sunday.
1. Now it's only $5!!!
2. Now there may be even more exciting bands playing.
3. We have BBQ masters and a yummy looking menu!...
The Verlaines March National Tour
24.02.10 [press release]
Seminal Dunedin band The Verlaines are pleased to announce they will be playing around the country in March this year...
Clap Clap Riot embark on NZ Tour
23.02.10 [press release]
Local rockers Clap Clap Riot have announced a nationwide tour this May and will be joined The Scare, an Australian based band that have found success not only throughout their homeland, but also in the UK. The...
Josephine Costain March Southern Tour
23.02.10 [press release]
Described as 'heavenly, soulful and sensual' (NZ Herald), Josephine Costain is embarking on a tour of the country and will soon be releasing a brand new single...
The Bog Day Out - Christchurch March 13th
23.02.10 [press release]
The Bog, Christchurch's favourite Irish Bar and the home of the South Islands largest St Patrick's Day celebrations, is proud to bring a unique day of entertainment on Saturday March 13th to help raise money for the...
Connan Mockasin Tour Announced & Album Released
23.02.10 [press release]
This beautiful, long awaited debut album, Please Turn Me Into The Snat, introduces the listener to the amazing world of Connan Mockasin - from cats with larger-than-life personalities, unicorns in uniform, to alter egos such as Don...
Help For Haiti Fundraising Concert: March 18, Wellington
22.02.10 [press release]
Some of New Zealand's hottest musicians have teamed up to try to raise funds for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake. Help for Haiti will be held on Thursday 18 March at the San Francisco Bathhouse with...
Hop on down to the Hamilton Gardens this weekend to see OPSHOP, Dane Rumble and Jordan Luck
17.02.10 [press release]
Just a few days left until some of our finest native musicians take to the stage in Hamilton in support of another fine native, the Hochstetter Frog...
AROHA Festival 2010
17.02.10 [press release]
Takataapui Native Arts & Culture Festival 12 - 20 March, 2010 ...
The one and only Homegrown After Party this Saturday
16.02.10 [press release]
ONE AND ONLY : HOMEGROWN AFTERPARTY THIS SATURDAY! This Saturday, the Boatshed will become an exclusive club venue on Wellington's beautiful waterfront. Check out an exclusive Shapeshifter DJ set from Reno and Sambora, with MC PDigsss at...
Minuit Announce March Tour
16.02.10 [press release]
Following a blistering summer of festival appearances, Minuit are staying on the road for a tour of intimate club shows...
SPLORE 2010: Full festival programme and map
15.02.10
We're on the final countdown to Splore 2010 and it is shaping up to be the most diverse, interesting and surprising of them all! Download the festival map and timetable here (PDF) Here's what we recommend you bring to...
I Am Giant NZ Tour Dates
15.02.10 [press release]
Based in London, I Am Giant is a new band comprising of two New Zealanders Shelton Woolright from Blindspott (drums) and Paul Matthews from Stylus and Tadpole (bass) and two Londoners Max O'Donnell (guitar) and Ed Martin...
Christchurch Orientation 2010 : a 10 day party in the Garden City
12.02.10 [press release]
This O Week is stacking up to be the best yet. Showcasing a fine blend of international and local talent to suit every taste - from the legendary Black Seeds to New Zealand's king of dubstep Optimus...
The Verlaines to tour in March
11.02.10 [press release]
Seminal Dunedin band The Verlaines are pleased to announce they will touring NZ in March this year. The band are playing the following dates: Sat March 13 Dunedin University Main Common Room...
Pig Out Release New Album 'Rave X' On Monday 22 February
09.02.10 [press release]
In the three years since Pig Out released their acclaimed mini album 'Club Poems', the band have hardly stopped. A dozen tours of New Zealand; shows in New York, LA, London and Sydney; two Big Day Out...
The DeSotos upcoming Tour Dates
08.02.10 [press release]
The DeSotos are delighted to let you be the first to know about our 'South' Soundtrack Tour - March 2010 tour dates and venues.
OK, on to the tour details: ...
A Kiwi Fm Special For Waitangi Day
03.02.10 [press release]
On Saturday February 6th Kiwi FM marks Waitangi Day, 2010 with an afternoon of songs by New Zealand artists about New Zealand. ...
The Inaugural Taite Music Prize - Announcing the Finalists
02.02.10 [press release]
After much deliberation and more than a few heated discussions, the finalists for the Inaugural Taite Music Prize have been decided. Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country's most highly respected music journalists; The...
Miho Wada Album Release Party
02.02.10
Virtuouso flute and saxophone player Miho ....whose talent was spotted by none other than Nigel Kennedy at the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club released her debut album Postcards To Your Bed recently is celbrating this fact with a release party...
Only 2000 tickets left for Jim Beam Homegrown
02.02.10 [press release]
The buying frenzy has started and Jim Beam Homegrown is looking set to sell out once again. With less than 3 weeks to go until 32 of New Zealand's finest acts descend on the Wellington Waterfront, music...
One Love - Timetable
02.02.10 [press release]
This Saturday February the 6th, an expected audience of 15,000 will descend on Wellington's Hataitai Velodrome for One Love on Waitangi Day - the 13th edition of the lower North Island's premier outdoor summer music festival. ...
RIP Pauly Fuemana (OMC)
31.01.2010 - World famous NZ singer, Pauly Fuemana has passed away at North Shore Hospital after a short illness. Pauly found fame with the international hit How Bizarre that reached the number one position not only in NZ but as... Read More
Jazz Finalists Include Renowned Kiwi Artists
29.01.10 [press release]
The three finalists for the best Jazz Album of 2009 have been announced and include some of the biggest names in the genre in the global music scene. ...
The 95bFM Summer Series
28.01.10 [press release]
2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic free summer music event in the CBD and the 40th anniversary of Albert Park. On March 7th, a quintessentially 'bFM' lineup will take over the park from 12pm-7pm:...
Splore: The ultimate 2010 summer romp is only three weeks away
28.01.10 [press release]
It sounds utopian, a place where music, art and nature merge to inspire a weekend of joyous celebration. Splore isn't as much a festival as a life experience that continues to bring people together from all over...
Lucky Paul tour
27.01.10 [press release]
If you weren't by now aware of Paul Taylor's homemade synth-hop excursions, under the pseudonym Lucky Paul, you've got one more chance - well three to be exact. The beat keeper is casting his hybrid spell over...
Bachelorette and Buses at Laneway
27.01.10 [press release]
Last minute addition, Bachelorette, needs little introduction to fans of complex, mercurial electro-pop in New Zealand...
Sounday, its fine and its happening this Saturday
27.01.10 [press release]
There's nothing quite like a January day in Hagley Park, and this Saturday is going to be a stunner. The last two years have had perfect weather for the annual Sounday and this year is proving to...
Mika and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Pō A Tribal Pōp Opera
27.01.10 [press release]
After a stepping back from the spotlight for almost a decade, multi-talented Māori entertainer, Mika is making a one-night only return to the stage in his spectacular new Tribal Pop Opera - Pō | Beautiful Darkness. Mika...
New Zealand musicians and performers unite to raise money for Haiti
25.01.10 [press release]
New Zealand musicians will perform in a musical extravaganza, "Save the Children - Haiti" at Auckland's Powerstation on Saturday 30 January 2010 to raise money for Save the Children's Haiti Emergency Appeal...
Laneway Schedule Released
21.01.10 [press release]
Let the joyous news be spread!
At last the Auckland Laneways timetable can be read!
Read it and weep tears of joy!
Download it here
Niko Ne Zna EP Release and Tour
25.01.10 [press release]
Niko Ne Zna are New Zealand's very own Balkan Gypsy brass extravaganza. Formed in Wellington five years ago, the band has been stunning audiences ever since with their exuberant, dynamic performances. ...
One Love 2010 - Top Ranking
22.01.10 [press release]
For the last 13 years, Radio Active 89FM's One Love has been the premier outdoor summer music festival in Wellington. This Waitangi Day (Saturday 6th of February), these words won't ring any less true as in the...
NZ Soul Alldayer - Feb 13th Auckland
22.01.10 [press release] New Zealand's first Soul Alldayer featuring some of NZ's finest DJ's diggin deep in to their crates to bring you their interpretation of Soul music. 12 hours of Soul Classics, Rare Groove, Northern Soul, Neo Soul, Modern... Read More
Three Is The Magic Number: The Shapeshifter Powerstation Weeekender
22..01.10 [press release]
Shapeshifter present an epic trio of shows at the legendary Powerstation for their only Auckland City performances in 2010. Bringing in the weekend early, their just announced show on Thursday 11 February will be the first of...
Minuit contribute Artwork for Art Loves Haiti other Artists also urged to Contribute
22.01.10 [press release]
Minuit have contributed artwork from their recent album 'Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death Dot Com' to Art Loves Haiti - a collective auction of artwork that donates directly to the children and families affected...
New Zealand Beer Festival returns to Auckland and Wellington in 2010
22.01.10 [press release]
We mow our hedges with a lawnmower, sent our first rocket to space on a shoe-string, as kiwis we make MacGuyver look like a school boy. What is it that fuels our creativity and spirit, that simply...
The Mamaku Project Summer Tour "Electrorganic Sessions"
20.01.10
Based on AK's rugged West Coast in the gorgeous but storm-swept Karekare, The Mamaku Project weaves smooth jazz with a French lilt, Pacifica dub and scents of the Middle East into a fresh and colourful style. French-Kiwi co-founders Tui...
Music In Parks (Auckland)
20.01.10
For 17 years, Auckland City Council has proudly been providing Music in Parks, a series of free music and film events in our city's stunning parks and reserves...
New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival Christchurch April 5-11
20.01.10 [press release]
Christchurch's annual jazz and blues festival will be taking to the city's lanes with two days of Taste Jazz and Taste Blues in Christchurch's Poplar Lane precinct...
Nga Tama Kino & Fujansu Free show 29/1 Titahi Bay
19.10.10
Nga Tama Kino & Fujansu are playing a free gig at the Mariner Hotel Titahi Bay Porirua Wellington on the 29th of January 2010...
Music Mountain Matakana 2010 Bush Party 30 January
19.01.10 [press release]
Music Mountain Matakana is stoked to announce the 2010 Bush Party, all set for Anniversary weekend, Saturday the 30th of January.
Headlining this year's collection of Reggae, Dub, Blues and Dj acts, Aotearoa's finest; Katchafire...
Raggamuffin: Wyclef Jean to remain in US to support Haiti fund raising and relief for his countrymen
19.01.10 [press release]
Andrew McManus Presents announced today that Lauryn Hill will now be bringing her own band to perform at Raggamuffin 2010, while Wyclef Jean remains in the US to continue his plight to help the people of Haiti...
Cold By Winter Back From The Dead Reunion Tour
18.01.10 [press release]
In 2004 the debut album 'We The Living' was released upon the ears of the public and Cold By Winter began to make a dent on the New Zealand music scene. They went on to show their...
Read More
Rare Ladyhawke Painting by Sarah Larnach for sale. Proceeds to Haiti Relief
15.01.10
This is the first time any of the artwork related to the Ladyhawke self-titled album, or its singles, has been put up for sale and presents a wonderful opportunity for a collector of Ladyhawke or Sarah Larnach artwork, and...
Julian Temple Band Summer Tour
13.01.10
Julian Temple Band makes music that is down and dirty but full of love for sound. Spawned in early 2004, they have independently released two albums; In Sea (2006) and Quiet Earth (2009) and toured extensively in the U.S...
Shapeshifter Powerstation Dates
14.01.10
Shapeshifter play live at at the legendary Powerstation in Auckland with support from Downtown Brown.
In other Shapeshifter news their latest long player, System Is A Vampire has now gone Platinum, congratulations guys!...
Kiwi Bands Set Record For US Aural Assault--15 NZ Acts Primed For Festival
13.01.10 [press release]
Over 10,000 global artists from 49 countries applied for the coveted 1800 performance slots at the world's largest and most prestigious music industry showcase event--South by Southwest Music & Media Festival in Austin Texas March 17-21--but it's the...
The countdown is on to the 2010 S3 Pacific Music Awards
13.01.10 [press release]
Pacific music celebrates its sixth year of presenting its best loved talent to the nation with an updated award catalogue for 2010. ...
Only Ten Days Until Raggamuffin
13.01.10 [press release]
Raggamuffin is NEXT Saturday 23 January at Rotorua International Stadium featuring: Ms Lauryn Hill with Sly & Robbie, Wyclef Jean, Steel Pulse, Julian Marley, Shaggy, Sean Kingston, Katchafire, Sola Rosa with Iva Lamkum, Sweet & Irie and much more!...
The Black Seeds bring the funk to ZooMusic
13.01.10 [press release]
The Black Seeds and Tahuna Breaks are sure to have the crowds grooving at the first Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic gig for 2010 on Friday, 29 January from 6pm. ...
Have A Clean and Green Big Day Out
12.01.10 [press release]
With the BIG DAY OUT just five days away, we thought we should draw attention to the recycling initiatives that are part of the festival's green initiatives. A forty strong ECO TEAM of volunteers will be onsite...
Tami Neilson, Lauren Thomson and Jackie Bristow Saints and Sinners Tour
11.01.10 [press release]
What do you get when you mix the winner of this years' Tui Award, a Silver Scroll nominee and the winner of an International Songwriting Competition? A divine and potent cocktail called "Saints and Sinners". Internationally acclaimed...
Little Bushman's January Jams
11.01.10 [press release]
We're thinking it's high time we made it north to try and enjoy some of the summer. We admit we know it gets done better up there so goodbye studio tan..heeelloooo northern golden goodness!...
Tama Waipara, Maisey Rika To Tour
11.01.10 [press release] Tama Waipara and Maisey Rika, two of Aotearoa's most distinctive and sophisticated Maori voices, are set to head out on an acoustic tour this February, playing a number of shows around the North Island, including Wellington, Auckland,... Read More
Big Day Out Public Transport and Wheelchair Access Notices
11.01.10 [press release]
It's mad in the Big Day Out office. Just ask their personal physicians. It's just one week to the Big Day Out in Auckland next Friday and we've put a call in to event promoter Campbell Smith...
The Twitch "Time For Change" New Album and National Summer Tour 2010
11.01.10 [press release]
The Twitch have a brand new album and are ready to hit the road. The album "Time For Change" has been produced by Jimmy Christmas, mixed by Andrew Buckton and mastered by Zed Brookes in Auckland City...
Big Day Out Ticket Caravan Parks Up In Grey Lynn
11.01.10 [press release]
The Big Day Out and The Rock are bringing Big Day Out tickets and spot prizes to the streets in the final week before the biggest music festival of the summer rolls into Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium...
Jessica Law RIP
06.01.2010. Amplifier staff are saddened to learn of the passing of Jessica Law, who according to Suff.co.nz, died in a car accident on the weekend. We'd like to pass on our thoughts and condolences to Jessica's family and friends. Jessica's... Read More
Big Day Out Timetable 2010 - Download it Here
BIG DAY OUT TIMETABLE RELEASED PRESS RELEASE 29.12.2009... Read More
Daniel Pilkington (Royal Falcon) RIP
Amplifier staff were saddend to learn of the passing of Daniel Pilkington from Royal Falcon just before Christmas in Auckland. We'd been dealing with Daniel assisting him with the digital distribution of the band's album Royal Falcon Ruined My Life... Read More
Sione Aleki Passes
Amplifier was sadenned to receive this message from Bill Sevisi's daughter, Tania... Read More
Carnival Launches in Tauranga
22.12.09 [press release]
Tauranga is launching a cultural music party called Carnival that acknowledges the popularity of South American culture in the Bay and celebrates our own home-grown culture...
Flying Nun Founder Regains Control Of Label
22.12.09
"The pioneering label's founder Roger Shepherd has taken ownership of Flying Nun from long-time parent Warner Music New Zealand, both parties confirmed today (Dec. 21). Financial terms were not disclosed. Through the new arrangement, Warner Music NZ will continue...
The inaugural Taite Music Prize: in search of 2009's finest New Zealand album
21.12.09 [press release]
March 2010 sees the commencement of a new and very special award on the New Zealand music landscape, which will be known as The Taite Music Prize. ...
Lil Chief Records are proud to present the Ruby Suns new, ground-breaking album, Fight Softly
17.12.09 [press release]
The Ruby Suns, New Zealand's sunshine pysch poppers, are all set to release their third album, Fight Softly, on 15 February 2010. The release of Flight Softly will be celebrated with a good old whip round the...
Big Day Out Announces Bnet/Groove Guide Winner, Silent Disco Line-Up And Sandy Bay Social Club
17.12.09 [press release]
The final band added to the BIG DAY OUT bill is Auckland's POP STRANGERS who have emerged victorious from a nationwide battle conducted through the bnet radio stations and Groove Guide. POP STRANGERS hail from Auckland and...
Say Goodbye To The Naughties With Supergroove
16.12.09 [press release] Supergroove leave the naughties behind and celebrate the new decade with their highly extroverted stage show at Butler's Reef. Their summer road trip continues to the Coromandel for the visual and aural explosion of Supergroove and Lugar... Read More
Karen Hunter Words & Grooves Tour
15.12.09 [press release]
Auckland based Singer Songwriter Karen Hunter's latest outing, Words & Groove, blends jazz, dirty blues and performance poetry. Hunter will be embarking on a solo tour of New Zealand throughout summer 2010 to support and promote this exciting...
The Big Night In
15.12.09 [press release]
The Big Day Out takes its Big Night In warm-up carnival on the road this year with a line-up of The Veils, True Lovers and Cairo Knife Fight. The three bands play Wellington's San Francisco Bath House...
Amplifier's Top Twenty Albums of 2009
For the 4th year Amplifier staff have sat down, thrown aside their personal preferences and picked our Top 20 kiwi releases of the year... Read More
Big Day Out 3rd Announcement
09.12.09 [press release]
Summer has begun, the New Year is just around the corner, and so is the BIG DAY OUT! We're thrilled to let you in on the final artists who will be touring with the BIG DAY OUT...
SOUNDAY: The Sound of the Christchurch Summer Returns
08.12.09 [press release]
For the last three years SOUNDAY has been a must do on the Christchurch summer calendar. SOUNDAY 2010 will see Saturday the 30th of January jam packed with some of New Zealand's favourite artists and most exciting...
Erupt Lake Taupo Festival May 2010
08.12.09 [press release]
ERUPT Lake Taupo Festival returns in May 2010 to move and shake us with a fresh and innovative programme including three hot festival commissions. The largest cultural event staged in Taupo region, the 8th ERUPT Lake Taupo...
NZ on Air - New Recording Artists & Music Videos December 2009
NZ ON AIR FUNDING DECISIONS 2009
New Recording Artists & Music Videos December 2009
This is our second New Recording Artist funding round and our third Music Video round for the 2009-2010 funding year...
Eldred Stebbing, NZ recording pioneer died yesterday
07.12.09
Eldred Stebbing, NZ recording pioneer died yesterday...
Draw something awesome for the chance to win something awesome!
07.12.09
Musician David Dallas is holding a drawing contest... in which contestants are ask to draw something awesome for the chance to win something awesome!...
Music Mountain Matakana Salmonella Soundsystem taster tour
07.12.09 [press release]
Salmonella Dub are back in Aotearoa after a very successful run of shows through Australia promoting their new album Freak Controller. ...
ZooMusic returns with six of the best for summer
07.12.09 [press release]
Six of New Zealand's top musical talents will be singing for the animals this summer at Auckland Zoo's popular concert series, Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic...
Hikoikoi Northbound Summer 2010
07.12.09 [press release]
Hikoikoi is heading north this summer playing at Northlands hottest music venues...
Read More
Le Tour de Trois - Marianne Dissard, Delaney Davidson and Flip Grater NZ Tour
02.12.09 [press release]
Maiden Records will bring a little touch of musical Europe to eight New Zealand towns and cities this summer. The French-styled New Zealand tour will debut French singer-songwriter Marianne Dissard alongside New Zealand songwriters Flip Grater and...
Act Right Event 06 December 2009 - Waitangi Park Wellington
02.12.09 [press release]
A GO Wellington bus will be carrying an anti-violence message round the city for the next eight months...
E S C A P E – nsu EP Release Party – Dec 12
02.12.09
In celebration of the forthcoming "Escape" EP by nsu, newclear Music, Beat Dungeon Radio and UP FM are proud to present:
E S C A P E - EP RELEASE PARTY SAT 12.12.09 @ RISING SUN, 373 K RD...
Read MoreChristmas Stocking Fillers from Amplifier
02.12.09
For those of you looking for that Christmas styled NZ music gift look no further, we've rounded up a selection of items from Amplifier that may be exactly the sort of thing you were looking for.
Potential Stocking Fillers...
The Bigger, Better... Jim Beam Band Search
02.12.09 [press release]
The Jim Beam Homegrown festival returns to Wellington on February 20th 2010, with an incredible line-up and an amazing opportunity for an up and coming band to open the festival. ...
Shapeshifter announce Butler's Reef show
02.12.09 [press release]
Adding a show at Butler's Reef to their summer tour, Shapeshifter bring their stonking new anthematic tracks to New Plymouth for the first time. Shapeshifter will be remixing their summer line up at Butler's Reef and will...
Christmas Gift CD Ideas from Amplifier
01.12.09
There is no shortage of great music that would be perfect for the right person as a Christmas gift but for those of you looking for that Christmas styled NZ music gift look no further, we've rounded up a...
Final Announcement: St. Jerome's Auckland Laneway Festival
30.11.09 [press release]
The very first St Jeromes Auckland Laneway Festival has already got you very excited. We at festival HQ are very excited too! You already know the line up is quite possibly one of New Zealand best ever...
Christmas party with The Verlaines on December 9 at SFBH
27.11.09 [press release]
There is a certain cache among international artists for Flying Nun bands. In the 90s you had bands like Pavement name checking the Clean, even Kurt Cobain was a fan of Flying Nun. Lately it's been the...
Surf Friends December Tour Dates
27.11.09 [press release]
Powertool Records Surf Friends are pleased to announce that Los Angeles dreampop band the black watch who have put out 14 CDs in the US and UK--have confirmed they'll be supporting the band on their tour of...
The Manga Skate Party Fundraiser, Mangawhai Tavern Saturday
27.11.09
Manga Skate Party at the Mangawhai Tavern, this Saturday, raising money for the Mangawhai Skate Park, from 3pm until late. Limited door sales...
Connan Mockasin announces Debut Album Release!
27.11.09 [press release]
"Connan is a star in the making" - CLASH MAGAZINE "Connan Mockasin is creating a genre of his own" - DAZED AND CONFUSED MAGAZINE February 22, 2010 will see the highly anticipated New Zealand release of Connan...
New Years Evil - Event for December 31st, Christchurch
27.11.09 [press release]
This new years eve Christchurch rock and metal fans will be treated to a night of live music and entertainment, the likes of which have not been witnessed in the garden city for a long, long time...
dDub Summer events
29.11.09 [press release]
The dDub crew are doing what they do best, hitting the summer beaches, touring our beautiful country, performing cranking live shows...
Gypsy Fever Summer Tour 2010
25.11.09 [press release]
Following a successful European summer based in Berlin, The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band and DJ Balkanetic are back for another one of their legendary 'Gypsy Fever' summer tours bringing the infectious, irresistibly danceable sounds of Eastern Europe...
The Trons & The Shrugs to play Hamilton Dec 5th
23.11.09
Art Rotunda and Pieplate Industries present a night of Experimentalia with robot garage band the Trons, motorik synthnoise Disco Volante, projection sound derangers Donkey Bigg Titties and indie rockers the Shrugs...
The Midnights - Reggae vs. Hip-Hop 27th Nov
24.11.09
'Reggae vs. Hip-Hop!
Join The Midnights and EmceeSilva with DJ Art Official for an awesome night of live reggae, roots, dub, dancehall and hip-hop! Pure musical mayhem with Auckland's finest exponents of bass-heavy soul and lyrical magic!' The Midnights...
Fat Freddy's Drop European Tour Update
23.11.09
Freddy's dropped three sell out shows - Dan Diego, The Roxy in LA and San Francisco plus an in-store to mark their debut headline shows in USA - sights set on Europe - see dates below - you can...
Stroke CD sold out, re-pesss & order update
23.11.09
Stroke - Songs For Chris Knox album has been a huge sucess, so much so that the initial CD run has sold out...
I Love the Islands Benefit Concerts raise $344,000
23.11.09 [press release]
The 'I Love the Islands' Benefit Concert NZ tour has raised $344,180.00* to aid Samoa after the recent Tsunami disaster. ...
BSM November Australian Tour
19.11.09
Auckland-based BSM have been playing the local and international festival scene for more than four years - and have developed a legion of fans throughout Australasia based on the strength of their live shows - and their massive mix...
Wayne Gillespie and Brendan Power NZ Tour Dates 2009/10
18.11.09 [press release]
UK-based New Zealander Brendan Power is acknowledged by many as one of the most creative, skilled & versatile harmonica players around today...
Music Machines this Saturday in Auckland
18.11.09 [press release]
A one day celebration of electronic music bringing together New Zealand's largest collection of classic synthesiser's and drum machines...
ROY G and the BIVinators The Rainbow Throw summer tour
17.11.09 [press release]
Bring your dancing shoes and lose your blues ...
New Venue for Auckland Record Collectors Fair this Saturday
17.11.09 The Auckland Record Collectors Fair takes place this Saturday Nov 21 at a new venue in West Auckland, the Kelston Community Hall. The hall is located in Awaroa Road, just off Great North Rd, just by the Waikumete Cemetery... Read More
Nesian Mystik wins big at the Maori Music Awards
17.11.09 [press release]
Nesian Mystik took out four of the eight awards the Maori Music Awards held on Saturday at the Hawkes Bay Opera House in Hastings...
The Chris Knox Collection on NZ On Screen
13.11.09 [press release]
NZ On Screen has today launched a collection of Chris Knox music videos to support the release of the New Zealand music legend's tribute album Stroke - the Songs of Chris Knox...
The Renderers return to Auckland to play one show only with friends White Swan Black Swan
13.11.09 [press release]
The Renderers return to Auckland to play one show only with friends White Swan Black Swan, at the Kings Arms, Saturday, November 21st. ...
The Phoenix Foundation Announce Christmas EP
12.11.09 [press release]
The Phoenix Foundation will have a new album in early 2010, but first they're releasing a Christmas EP called MERRY KRISKMASS! It will be available both physically and digitally from December 7, and as a limited edition...
Lawrence Arabia "A Decade Of New Zealand" Tour December '09
12.11.09 [press release]
Ten years on from the technological apocalypse of the Y2K bug, Lawrence Arabia announces a tour to celebrate the aspirational decade of change that was the atrociously named "Noughties." My hope is that this tour will be...
Raglan Summer Set feat Tahuna Breaks, Sons of Zion and Batucada Sound Machine
12.11.09
Raglan Summer Set brings a different band to the Yot Club over 3 consecutive nights. Starting with Tahuna Breaks followed by Sons of Zion and Batucada Sound Machine...
Heineken serves up musical tennis finale at the Heineken Open
11.11.09 [press release]
Heineken has announced its line-up for the 2010 Heineken Baseline Afterparty.
Leading Kiwi musicians Anika Moa, Opensouls and Blackbird are confirmed for the after party event at Tennis Auckland on Saturday 16th January from 6pm until 9pm...
Bulletproof & Cyanide 10th Birthday Bash
11.11.09 [press release]
Featuring The Upbeats, Bulletproof and Cern With Mitch and Paul G. Hosted by Twincam & Rugged Techniques. Coherent, Friday 4th December. Get it in your diaries now! The history of Cyanide Recordings:...
Big Day Out Second Announcement
11.11.09 [press release]
Hey there, we're back with the 2nd Announcement of first-rate acts playing the Big Day Out 2010...
Strike Soundsystem energises Manukau city
10.11.09 [press release]
Strike Soundsystem will bring an electrified performance to Manukau city as part of the Manukau Festival of Arts. Strike brings the best of their high energy drumming and percussion music and mixes it with live DJ production...
Credit Card Changes at Amplifier
09.11.09
As of today, November 9th the order limit of $5.00 for all Credit Card transactions on Amplifier was removed.
This means Credit Card users can now purchase single tracks using their Card.
Dave Dobbyn introduces Gin to the summer road-trip
10.11.09 [press release]
If you missed out on tickets for Dave Dobbyn's sold-out '30 years of hits' tour, then head to the beaches (and a lake) this summer to one of five new shows just added. A regular 'must-do' on...
New Bond Street Bridge Single and Tour
09.11.09 [press release]
Monkey Records is pleased to announce the release of a summery little gem from Auckland artist Bond Street Bridge. The new song Birds is the first single from Bond Street Bridge's forthcoming sophomore album, due for release...
Departure Lounge is ready for take off
06.11.09 [press release]
They are some of Christchurch's top players, featuring six musicians with a reputation for excellence in search of the good groove. The band is Departure Lounge, and they're ready to ride with their first studio album. ...
Karen Hunter Words & Groove New Album and release Show
06.11.09 [press release]
Guitarist/Songwriter Karen Hunter's latest outing, Words & Groove, blends jazz, dirty blues and performance poetry. Embellishing on themes of local significance, Hunter entwines personal experience with liberally exaggerated stories that bridge the dangerous (drug addiction, social welfare dependency,...
Laneway Festival in Auckland Feb 1, 2010
04.11.09 [press release]
The very first Laneway Festival in Auckland city is set to be an absolute doozy. From the seminal to the scene-starting, the esoteric to the exhilarating, the Laneway Festival brings you a roll call of artists that...
Spartacus R step up for Soundstage finale
04.11.09 [press release]
The fever will take hold ...
Bressa Creeting Cake tour
03.11.09 [press release]
Bressa Creeting Cake
This band was put out of reach on the top shelf back in the year 1999...
Motocade Announce Commandeering Tour
03.11.09 [press release]
Returning home after entertaining audiences all over Australia and in New York at the CMJ Music Marathon, Auckland based band Motocade set out on a four date tour of New Zealand. The Commandeering Tour will cover Auckland,...
STROKE – Songs For Chris Knox album and Release Show
03.11.09 [press release]
On June 11 this year musician, artist, father, writer, film critic & jandal wearer Chris Knox suffered a life-altering stroke at his home in Grey Lynn...
Parallel Dance Ensemble watches weight, win Jandal
30.10.09 [press release]
With a video that featured loads of colour, plenty of lips and lots of lollies, Parallel Dance Ensemble won the Golden Jandal for best video, as voted by the audience at last night's Radio Active 89FM Handle...
Parihaka International Peace Festival welcomes Tiki Taane
30.10.09 [press release]
Taranaki's iconic Parihaka International Peace Festival welcomes award-winning performer Tiki Taane, and a full 40-piece troupe to the 2010 Festival...
Tommy Ill new EP and Live Shows
29.10.09 [press release]
Tommy Ill has released two EPs, Toast & Tea Kettles (Empathy Recordings) in 2007 and Matchsticks (Loop) in 2008. He's about to release a third EP, Come Home Mr. Ill on November the 17th. He's pretty proud of...
Womad 2010 - Music And Performance From Around The Globe
29.10.09 [press release]
An African music legend, funky French punksters, an original member of the Buena Vista Social Club, eight horn-playing brothers and "the voice of the Sahara" are among the stellar line-up of artists heading to New Zealand for...
Fat Freddy's Drop Announce The Summer Shakedown Tour
Soul sensation Fat Freddy's Drop is trading the big city lights for classic Kiwi holiday hot spots in The Summer Shakedown Tour.
...
A dedicated fan is getting a Fly My Pretties tattoo & 1st special guest announced
29.10.09 [press release]
As excited Fly My Pretties fans prepare for the last Encore Shows, one extremely dedicated man from Christchurch will be flying up to Auckland on Friday 30th October to get a large tattoo featuring the Fly My...
Eddie Low honoured with Benny Award
28.10.09 [press release]
VETERAN performer Eddie Low has been honoured by his peers as the recipient of the prestigious Variety Artists of NZ's Benny Award to mark his lifetime achievements in the entertainment industry. ...
The Brunettes on tour in Australia and New Zealand
28.10.09 [press release]
After touring the globe extensively for the past two years - 'New Zealand's hardest working band' The Brunettes finally return to us for a national tour in support of their new album 'Paper Dolls'. Sense of fun...
Linn Lorkin In The Land of Music Album & Release Show
28.10.09
This is a digital remastering of the analog vinyl album released in 1986 in which Lorkin was accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra with a rhythm section comprising NZ luminaries Carl Doy, Frank Gibson Jr., Martin Winch and...
Raggamuffin 2010 - Saturday January 23 @ Rotorua International Stadium
28.10.09
Yes it's happening again! For the third consecutive year, Raggamuffin is set to take summer stages by storm, so free your dreadlocks and release your Rasta spirit because New Zealand's biggest reggae music festival is about to blaze its...
urbantramper National Tour and New Album
28.10.09
Urbantramper They are just about to release their fourth album /Rise & Ride Toward.
The band are also just about to embark on a Nationwide tour in support of the album...
International Observer New Album & Live Shows
28.10.09 [press release]
For musician, producer, film-maker and artist Tom Bailey, International Observer is the creative outlet which has allowed him to step outside the 80's synth-pop paradigm inhabited by his former group, The Thompson Twins. Drawing on his exposure...
Fashion Beauty Music - November 21st - Kelliher Estate
28.10.09 [press release]
Event promoters Adam Bennett (Highlife Entertainment) and Anna Jobsz (AJPR & Events) have taken their renowned party brand FASHION BEAUTY MUSIC to the next level. The pair has joined forces with the managers of The Kelliher Estate -...
Big night on the big screen for kiwi music videos
28.10.09 [press release]
Emerging kiwi talent making small-screen videos on small budgets have their time to shine next Thursday night, with the finals of the 2009 Handle the Jandal music video competition...
Shihad to play Jim Beam Homegrown
28.10.09 [press release]
Shihad have just been confirmed to headline the Rock Stage at Jim Beam Homegrown. Organisers have also added Collapsing Cities to the Nokia stage and The Upbeats to the Smokefree stage. There are still 3 bands to...
Anika Moa - Now Bringing Aroha to Auckland
28.10.09 [press release]
The days are getting longer and Anika Moa is celebrating with the Aroha Tour 2009 that will take her from as far south as Rakiura/Stewart Island to as far north as Kaitaia, including one very special just-announced...
The Earlybirds National Tour
PRESS RELEASE 23.10.09
The Earlybirds are packing their bags and hitting the road on their first headline tour of NZ! The Edge and C4, in association with iFrogz, Subway, Jucy Rentals, the Youth Hostel Association and the Interislander are proud...
The APO Want Your Vacuum Cleaner
PRESS RELEASE 22.10.09
In another first for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, auditions will be held for owners of vintage vacuum cleaners and floor polishers in preparation for The Last Night of the Proms concert at the Aotea Centre, on 28...
Delgirl - Porchlight Album Release and Tour
19.10.09 [press release]
Delgirl acknowledging the generous support of Creative New Zealand and Emerson's Brewery are over the moon to announce the release of their sophomore album, PORCHLIGHT...
Its The Gladeyes debut Album on Lil Chief and national tour dates
19.10.09 [press release]
Don't be fooled by their sweet exterior, the Gladeyes will creep under your skin and haunt you with nightmares of lost-loves. In their debut album, Psychosis of Love Jade and Gwen express, confess, and attempt to explain...
Splore announces first performer lineup for 2010 festival
15.10.09 [press release] 19-21 February 2010 There's great music and a whole lot more at Splore 2010. An exciting mix of strong local talent and international performers will take to the stages next February against the backdrop of the idyllic... Read More
Rhythm & Vines Annouce Third Programme Update
14.10.09 [press release]
RHYTHM & VINES are pleased to announce the exciting third instalment of artists set to complement a high calibre international and local programme for 2009. The following acts will be joining over 50 stellar acts already announced who...
The Postures - South Island Tour with Mountaineater
14.10.09 [press release]
Raised on a diet of crate beer and heavy metal, the Postures converged in 2006 and since then have been keeping Wellington's nerves tense with their metallic brand of post-punk noise rock. Armed with crushing riffage, hollering,...
Boh Runga To Headline Inaugural Coro Music Festival 2010
14.10.09 [press release]
Boh Runga and her band will join The Electric Confectionaires, Batucada Sound Machine, Tahuna Breaks and the Andrew White Band in a full day music festival at the Coromandel Area School, Coromandel Town, on Sunday, January 3rd...
Samoa Relief Concert Announce National Benefit Series
14.10.09 [press release]
Tickets for the Auckland Vector Arena concert on Monday 19th October have been selling rapidly with the lower bowl completely sold out, leaving only GA tickets and limited upper bowl seats available. This gig WILL sell out...
Grayson Gilmour (With Live Band) to play San Francisco Bathhouse Oct 24
14.10.09 [press release]
The VBC and San Francisco Bathhouse are proud to present Grayson Gilmour (with live band) on Saturday 24 October at 9pm...
Fifteen finalists named for Handle the Jandal 2009
14.10.09 [press release]
There were 133 entries but now there are just 15 set to compete for the Golden Jandal. And oh boy there's some totally weird wackery to behold from the cream of emerging filmmakers...
Contact Fm turns 30
14.10.09 [press release]
Contact FM will celebrate 30 years alternative broadcasting on Saturday, 24th October in a special gig featuring bands that have had a historic relationship with the station. ...
1951 Waterfront Dispute revisited in song
14.10.09 [press release]
The 1951 waterfront dispute was an epoch in New Zealand history. It lasted 151 days, and 22,000 New Zealanders were affected by the lockouts and associated strikes...
Miriam Clancy - Magnetic Tour
PRESS RELEASE 13.10.09
Already heralded as an "exceptional album" and "one of the handful of essential local albums of the year" by top music critics, Miriam Clancy's sophomore album, 'Magnetic' was released this week. Miriam is playing album release shows...
95bFM's Top 95 Songs of All Time
PRESS RELEASE 11.10.09 - The people have spoken... Jesus I Was Evil by Darcy Clay is the # 1 song for 95bFMs 95 greatest songs of all time!
...
Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards: The Winners
09.10.09 [press release]
Pop sensation Ladyhawke has taken home six Tuis at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, including the prestigious Tuis for Vodafone Single of the Year and Vodafone Album of the Year...
Follow the Amplifier Twits at the Vodafone NZ Music Awards
08.10.09
For those of you who are at home or work stuck behind a computer and want to low down on what is happening at tonight's Vodafone NZ Music Awards Amplifier's Mr Business Manager and Mr Editor will be tweeting...
Music Videos - Decisions From NZ On Air's October 2009 Meeting
09.10.09 [press release]
[Note that this is not a New Recordings round. The next New Recordings round closes on Friday 06 November for decisions out of NZ On Air's 04 December funding meeting.]
Music Videos...
Warner Music are proud to Annouce a Distribution Association with Nesian Mystik and their Label, Arch Dynasty
09.10.09 [press release]
Warner Music are proud to announce a distribution association with Nesian Mystik and their own label, Arch Dynasty. ...
Music Submissions Welcome For 2010 World Buskers Festival
09.10.09 [press release]
The 2010 World Buskers Festival is a spectacular line-up of international circus, street, comedic and music talent, from jugglers and contortionists to unicycles, clowns, musicians, aerialists, living statues, sideshow artists and acrobatics, the WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL presents...
The Veils with special guests An Emerald City NZ TOUR NOV 09
08.10.09 [press release]
"Finn Andrews, the striking frontman of The Veils has a streak of lovelorn bleakness as deep as the night is long" said the LA Times as they reviewed a recent show by the Antipodean/UK quartet. "His creepy...
Kittentank EP release & Kittentank NZ Tour
07.10.09 [press release]
Wellington 6-piece Kittentank have just recorded a brand spanking new EP, and are touring NZ to celebrate!
South Island Tour 15th - 17th October With Thought Creature...
500 good reasons to visit Christchurch
06.10.09 [press release]
With 11 days and 10 nights of non-stop fun, Christchurch's World Buskers' Festival offers 500 good reasons why people should visit the Garden City in January...
Top NZ Musicians join forces for Samoa Benefit Concert
06.10.09 [press release]
After the tragic events in Samoa last week, a group of top New Zealand entertainers have rallied together for a massive benefit concert on Monday 19th October 2009 at the Vector Arena in Auckland. ...
Et Cetera Collective Showcase #3
06.10.09 [press release]
Et Cetera Collective, in association with MAWSA, are proud to announce the next installment of Et Cetera's live spectacles, not to mention one hell of a bangin' end of year party for Massey students...
Southern AMP 09 Auckland Sideshows
24.09.09 [press release]
The South Island's favourite multi-stage festival Southern Amp takes a road trip to the North this year with the announcement of a series of exclusive and very limited capacity side-shows in Auckland featuring the various international visitors...
APRA|AMCOS - Strong results for 2008-09: preparing for more difficult times ahead
23.09.09 [press release]
APRA|AMCOS are pleased to report on a surprisingly strong 2008-2009 financial year. Against the backdrop of the Global Financial Crisis, and its widening impact throughout the domestic economies of Australia and New Zealand during the year, the...
Splore returns for the ultimate 2010 summer romp
22.09.09 [press release] 19-21 February 2010 It happens only every second summer and is renowned for integrating and showcasing all creative disciplines into one weekend that delights, surprises and stimulates the senses of its audience. It's the Splore festival and... Read More
The 2009 APRA Silver Scroll Winner Is.....
PRESS RELEASE 18.09.2009
APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2009: The Winners
Tonight, the music industry's most prestigious songwriting prize was presented for the very first time in the Garden City of Christchurch...
Dave Dobbyn Celebrates 30 Years As A Recording Artist
15.09.09 [press release]
Dave Dobbyn Celebrates 30 Years As A Recording Artist with Three Exclusive Concerts Featuring The Hits From 1979 -2009. ...
New Zealand Music Hall of Fame 2009 - Announcing new inductees: Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns
14.09.09 [press release]
The New Zealand Music Hall of Fame honours and celebrates those who have made a significant contribution to New Zealand through music...
Midnight Youth, Smashproof and Ladyhawke lead finalists list for 'blockbuster' music awards
03.09.09 [press release]
Midnight Youth, Ladyhawke and Smashproof dominate the finalists list for the 2009 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. ...
Legacy Award goes to Ray Columbus & The Invaders
03.09.09 [press release]
Back in the mid-1960s, Ray Columbus and The Invaders were the first-ever winners of the music award now known as the Tui. ...
Eddie Low & Topp Twins Win At 2009 National Country Music Awards Of New Zealand
17.08.09 [press release]
On Saturday 15th August 2009, at the beautiful Founders Theatre, Hamilton, New Zealand, a HUGE audience witnessed an awesome night of the very best of New Zealand's Country Music Professionals and new artists...
Amplifier Top 20 Releases for 2007
17.12.07 For the 2nd year in a row Amplifier staff have sat down, thrown aside their personal preference for electro polka house, and chosen their Top 20 kiwi releases of 2007. This year we decided to include a select group... Read More
Your Say: The Best New Zealand Releases from 2007
15.11.07 What are your picks for the best New Zealand releases this year? Michaela: Tommy - Tomorrow I Might Go Salmonella Dub - Heal Me Shapeshifter - Shapeshifter Live Epsilon Blue - Are We There Yet? Kora - Kora Age... Read More
2008 Additions
For those of you compiling your best of 2008 list, here is the list of titles we've added to the site so far this year - please note some may not be 2008 releases... Read More
