22 Dec 2024
Articles By Steve Shyu
Zuke - Album Review: Come Closer
16 Dec 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
Ed Zuccollo, stage name Zuke, is a renowned producer and master of synthesisers based in Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. He’s also known for his work with the likes of Trinity Roots, is also a member of KITA, and has made marks in his solo DJing career, performing at festivals such as Northern Bass, Splore, KiwiBurn, AUM and loads more.
Read More...
Jacob Blair Tait - EP Review: Our Great Nation
24 Nov 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
You wouldn't be able to guess what sort of music you’re in for just by looking at the cover artwork. Hues of aquamarine and purple dominate, and in the centre, an artistic rendering of a million marching soldiers bearing flags, albeit created using AI.
Read More...
Gig Review: Dougfest 2 - Night 2 @ Last Place, Hamilton - 26/10/2024
28 Oct 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
DougFest is back. Bigger, bolder, and heftier than the first.
Read More...
Muriwai - Muriwai - Album Review: Muriwai
02 Oct 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
Muriwai is the latest undertaking by Bob Bickerton and Ariana Tikao, a new and greatly anticipated collaboration in Aotearoa’s world of traditional music. Bob is a highly influential sound engineer, performer, educator, a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music, and composer who has worked in the New Zealand music industry for almost 50 years.
Read More...
Fan Club - EP Review: Towards The Sun
09 Jul 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
2024 is set to be another monumental year for Tamaki Makaurau’s Fan Club. Just last year they claimed a multitude of awards, including the top prize at Raise Up’s New Found Sound, and placing first in the Auckland Central Final of the SmokeFree RockQuest.
Read More...
Havening - Double Album Review: Wavelengths of Light
26 May 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
Big things are happening for Bonnie O'Donnell. Under her alias of Havening, she’s been eagerly crafting bucketloads of electronic music, releasing them all as not one, but two albums.
Read More...
Gig Review: Homegrown 2024 @ Wellington Waterfront - 16/03/2024 Part 2
18 Mar 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
With nothing of last night's rainstorm in sight except puddles in the asphalt, the sun warmed the air to counter the day's cold breeze. There was plenty of talk of a cold snap on the way, but I was confident my tee and hoodie combo would suffice.
Read More...
PHNX - EP Review: PHNX
11 Mar 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa, look out for a rising star on the horizon.Under his stage name PHNX, 18-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Phoenix Simpson has released his self-titled debut EP and it’s a gem.
Read More...
Ben Ruegg - EP Review: Ben Ruegg
29 Feb 2024 // review by Steve Shyu
Ben Ruegg is one of the most hard-working people I personally know. He's a Muzic.
Read More...
Bevan Mical - Album Review: Division & Difference
12 Dec 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Since 2017 Bevan Mical has been busy. Hailing from the small Waikato town of Turua, he’s now onto his fourth full-length album, this one entitled Division & Difference.
Read More...
Bulletbelt - Album Review: Burn It Up
28 Sep 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Though nobody can claim they know every Kiwi metal band to have ever existed, to know anything about heavy music in Aotearoa, the name Bulletbelt should at least ring a bell. To say their career thus far has been impressive is an understatement.
Read More...
Will McClean - Album Review: Don't Forget to Breathe
28 Jul 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Out of the underground hip-hop scene of Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington comes Will McClean, who over the past handful of years has garnered accolades on his recorded music and performances. Having shared stages with Kiwi icons Troy Kingi, Che Fu and Diggy Dupé, Will seems determined to keep the momentum and create new releases.
Read More...
And$um - Album Review: The Heroic Adventures of And$um & Lui Mill
21 Jul 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Following a string of acclaimed singles, Otautahi Christchurch Hip-Hop artists And$um and Lui Mills have released a brand new collaborative album of seven tracks named The Heroic Adventures of And$um & Lui Mill. The two rap artists have been kicking around the Christchurch Hip-Hop scenes for years, and have put together this LP as a result of their longtime friendship.
Read More...
GZ - EP Review: The Story Behind the Realness
16 Jul 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Purportedly an artist with many pseudonyms, GZ is a rap artist active as a part of the Auckland hip-hop diaspora. Though safe to assume he’s had a considerable presence over the years under multiple stage names, I wasn’t able to unearth much in the way of artist info relating to GZ, except images of the man himself looking like a force to be reckoned with.
Read More...
CACO - Single Review: Lights Off
19 Jun 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Raneem Caco, aka. CACO has continued to make waves in the hip-hop scenes of Aotearoa over the past six years.
Read More...
SLICEDUB - Album Review: Grotesque Coil
27 May 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Oskar Simmons Carlsson and James Smith, AKA SLICEDUB. The two-man experimental-electro/dub act hailing from Auckland and Hawkes Bay have brought forth their first major release, entitled Grotesque Coil, released on Auckland label Glass Half Full.
Read More...
These Four Walls - Single Review: Carousel
04 May 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa-born and Queensland-based rockers These Four Walls’ mission is well and truly on the move. That mission is to further evolve from their previous LP This is Not a Future, from 2020.
Read More...
Viices - Single Review: Sandcastle
26 Apr 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Today is the day Viices’s new song Sandcastle comes out! The band’s name has been around the live music circuits of Aotearoa for about eight years, under varying iterations of personnel, but the heart and soul of Viices remained.
Read More...
Darklight Corporation - Single Review: Monogod
16 Apr 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
“Holy riff, Darklight Corporation are back??” were the first words I uttered aloud when this new single metaphorically landed in my lap.
Read More...
Coridian - Coridian @ Tuning Fork, Auckland - 01/04/2023
05 Apr 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
How could I miss this? Some of my personal favourite alt-rock acts in Tamaki Makaurau, at one of the best live venues in town.
Read More...
Dead Favours - Album Review: Riffing & Yelling Part 2
30 Mar 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
One can only imagine what New Zealand’s alt-rock royalty Dead Favours have experienced over the past 18-plus months crafting their new EP, enduring release delays whilst juggling life and working, on top of navigating the weirdness of the past few years. (Come to think, I CAN imagine since my band has been through the same thing BUT this isn’t about me, haha) For those not in the know, this four-piece from Tamaki Makaurau Auckland consists of guitar player and frontman Jared Wrennall, drummer Charlie Smith, guitarist Kyle Wetton, and Alex Elvis on bass guitar.
Read More...
Bad Taste - Single Review: Weird Weekends
25 Mar 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
Following their 2021 debut record Bad Taste, hip-hop duo Bad Taste have pressed on with making new music, particularly in creating a second album due out later this year, appropriately titled Bad Taste II. Because why would you name it anything else!
Read More...
The Transits - Single Review: When You Went Away
28 Feb 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
In the digital age of today, it’s not uncommon for musicians and artists to collaborate and create music from kilometers, or countries away, and even beyond continents. Such is the case for The Transits, a pop rock indie trio consisting of members from Durban, South Africa and Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.
Read More...
Swerve City - Gig Review: Swerve City @ Ding Dong Lounge, Auckland - 11/02/2023
12 Feb 2023 // review by Steve Shyu
As my first live gig review of 2023, it had to be a good line-up. Then I heard that Swerve City had announced a headlining show at Dead Witch, so I knew that had to be it.
Read More...
Caravel - Single Review: Gold Coin
13 Dec 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Right out of Poneke Wellington are four young and eager musicians, boldly named Caravel, a blues rock outfit born from the rehearsal spaces of Paraparaumu College. With Katie Parker on the mic, brothers Malachi and Joshua Ray on guitar and bass, respectively, and Joel Mitchinson on sticks-and-skins, the teen group have gained traction over the past few months.
Read More...
Tarn PK - EP Review: SugarCoated
11 Dec 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Producer, musician and songwriter Tarn PK, hailing from Poneke Wellington, has been exploring and creating electronic pop over the past three years. Having already crafted two EPs and an impressive number of singles, Tarn PK has just unleashed upon the universe yet another creation in the form of SugarCoated EP, due for release on 16 December.
Read More...
EP Review: Various Artists - Modfest 22
30 Nov 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
As a follow-up to 2020’s ModFest, a demonstration and celebration of modular synthesisers, as well as music made by them, ModFest 2 was postponed once, then rescheduled for October 2022. While the event was held at Red Bar in Auckland Central, this experience of ModFest can be reproduced in the comfort of your own home, via your headphones or through your stereo any time you like.
Read More...
Coridian - Single Review: State of Mind
24 Nov 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Today is an exciting day. Auckland’s alt-rock champions, and arguably one of Aotearoa’s finest rock groups of the modern day, Coridian, release a fresh new jam, State of Mind, for all to indulge in and headbang to.
Read More...
Kiero - Single Review: Kiero
07 Nov 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Kiero, a relatively new three-piece from Tamaki Makaurau, made up of musicians who are definitely not new to creating colourful noise. There is Michael Collier on keyboards, Jin Song on bass, and bandmate as well as a great friend of mine, Grant Kirkpatrick on drums.
Read More...
Crying Club - Single Review: Hide
06 Nov 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Poneke Wellington indie-emo maestros Crying Club, formerly and hilariously known as The Chonus Brothers, have made waves both in Tamaki Makaurau as well as in their usual stomping grounds of the Capital. After said name change, and the release of their brilliant 2021 single Taxi Man, the quartet pressed on, and are now proud to present to the world a dark, new single for all to sing along to, headbang with, and feel appropriately glum to.
Read More...
Ryumas - Album Review: Brand. Construct. Form.
31 Oct 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Dunedin-dwelling producer and musician Hamish Crabb, under his stage-name Ryumas, has been creating experimental electronic music for the past four years. In the present day of October 2022, his collated work over that time has been released as a full-length album.
Read More...
Pitch Black - Single Review: Exodus
22 Oct 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Having been in the scene for over a quarter of a decade, Pitch Black would know a thing or two about the past and present. Consisting of producers and musicians Paddy Free and Michael Hodgson, the duo toured the globe and played countless numbers of festivals and gigs both in Aotearoa and abroad.
Read More...
Fear Up Harsh - Album Review: Fear Up Harsh (III)
19 Oct 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
It’s been described before here on Muzic.net.
Read More...
Murmur Tooth - Single Review: Antidote w/ Lars Moston
06 Oct 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
I conducted an email interview a couple of years back with Leah Hinton, aka. Murmur Tooth, and was impressed by her work, thus I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hear what she’s been up to in the years during the pandemic.
Read More...
Ms.Take - Single Review: Grow
26 Sep 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Operating under the stage name Ms.Take, Lora Thompson has developed herself as a master of guitar pedals, as well as a producer, bassist, guitar player and audio engineer.
Read More...
Stu J - Single Review: Hyper Slow
19 Sep 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa-born producer, DJ and musician Stu J is a self-confessed lover of electronic music. Under his mononym, he has created and released up to three singles over the past two years, including the light and airy We Love The Moonlight, and the soundscape-heavy Destination Unknown.
Read More...
Coridian - Gig Review: Coridian @ Ding Dong Lounge, Auckland - 03/09/2022
06 Sep 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Let’s not dwell on the obvious.Lockdowns were not nice, we all missed live music, we’re all glad scanning QR codes in every doorway aren’t a thing anymore.
Read More...
n1ghtmar3cat - Album Review: Rat Race
05 Aug 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
n1ghtmar3cat is Dave Johnston’s alter ego and solo project, when he’s not busy drumming for Villainy or co-DJing as Delivery Boyz. Under this moniker, Dave has been crafting releases and remixing for nearly four years, and has returned again with his brand new, sophomore album Rat Race.
Read More...
Blindspott - Gig Review: Blindspott @ The Trusts Arena, Auckland - 29/07/2022
31 Jul 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Still feels like a bit of a treat, walking into a large music venue. Having been through so many lockdowns and cancellations over the past couple of years, I felt both right at home yet also like I haven’t set foot at a big gig in a while.
Read More...
Krispy & The Pooch - EP Review: The Reckless Eclectic: Part One
25 Jul 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Waiheke’s electro-soul duo Krispy & the Pooch are back. And I don’t just mean back with brand new music, the lads relocated from Berlin back to little ol’ Aotearoa, and this new EP The Reckless Eclectic: Part One is the first produced and recorded on home soil.
Read More...
MELLIS - EP Review: Escape
14 Jun 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
There’s been a retro-wave revival simmering around the world, with groups like Drab Majesty, Gunship, Perturbator, plus Kiwi artists PolarisRadio establishing themselves in various electronic and rock circles. Many have performed live to vast audiences and also racking up healthy amounts of plays on streaming platforms.
Read More...
Substax - Album Review: Linear Shift
26 May 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Those familiar with Kiwi dub and breakbeat music will likely be familiar with the name Substax, the electronic musical duo consisting of Nick Farrands and Claudia Gunn, who have been in the scene for well over twenty years. And those not yet familiar with Substax will undoubtedly get a good introduction with their newest full-length release Linear Shift.
Read More...
LVST Night - Single Review: Roller
03 May 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Having recently nailed down releases with the sensational The Not Okays, as well as the mind-twisting alt-rock outfit MIRA, guitar player and songwriter Nori Wong has continued to keep himself occupied. Now trying his hand at producing electronic music, Nori has emerged under a new moniker, LVST Night.
Read More...
Sonic Space Lab - Single Review: Coming Out On The Other Side
26 Apr 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Based in Dunedin, Venezuelan producer and sound engineer Luis Rodriguez has been amongst the Aotearoa music scene since 2018, and he doesn’t appear to have lost steam along the way. His latest offering is entitled Coming Out On The Other Side, a new venture in which he places more focus on instrumental, electronic music and less on the structures of conventional songwriting.
Read More...
Lauren Gin - Single Review: Remedy Feat. Janayah
14 Mar 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Lauren Gin has her goals set high. She has confessed that ever since the age of 20 she’s determined to set her name among the world of Kiwi producers.
Read More...
AJSCeleste Music - Single Review: Celeste
03 Mar 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Though the album was released last year, it’s not uncommon for artists to retroactively release songs or submit to publications. The song of choice, interestingly, is the final song off the LP Let's Go, simply entitled Celeste.
Read More...
Metrosideros - Single Review: If This Be Love
02 Mar 2022 // review by Steve Shyu
Steve S AKA Paul T Gheist was honoured to be invited into the Metrosideros camp for a hearty sample of their newest single If This be Love. Having not sat down with a cup of tea and some electro-dub music in years, Steve was completely and utterly all ears as he delved in.
Read More...
Solo Ono - EP Review: Lavender
06 Dec 2021 // review by Steve Shyu
Poneke/Wellington three-piece garage rock act Solo Ono recently unveiled their newest effort, the EP Lavender. Recorded in Newtown, Wellington by Warwick Donald, mastered by Mike Gibson, and boasting a dazzling cover art by Tristam Sparks, the collection of tunes is set out to be the group’s best effort yet.
Read More...
Scalper - Single Review: Toxicity Toxifies
08 Nov 2021 // review by Steve Shyu
There appears to be no down-time for artists like Scalper. Album after album, one impressive single after another.
Read More...
Bingo Fighter - Single Review: Hobbits
17 Oct 2021 // review by Steve Shyu
From the get-go, you knew this wouldn’t really be a ballad on social issues or an ode to unrequited love. No, the track is titled Hobbits, so if it wasn’t themed around fictitious, village-dwelling humanoids of short stature then confiscate my second breakfast and call a fool of a Took.
Read More...
Max Earnshaw - Single Review: What We Made
04 Jun 2021 // review by Steve Shyu
Renowned Auckland pop-rock musician Max Earnshaw is back again with the new single What We Made, released just last week. Muzic.
Read More...
WHITE NØISE MAFIA - Interview with White Noise Mafia - Ding Dong Lounge Band Comp 2020 Winners
01 Dec 2020 // interview by Steve Shyu
Sometime in the middle of 2020, four Auckland metalheads and rockers Chris (guitarist and vocalist), Neo (drummer) and two Matt's (bassist and lead guitarist) got together to jam, rehearse and write songs. Fast-forward to the tail-end of this dramatic year, and quartet White Noise Mafia have taken out the grand prize at the prestigious annual Ding Dong Lounge Band Competition of 2020.
Read More...
Devilskin - Devilskin @ The Brownzy, Auckland - 14/11/2020
15 Nov 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Being one of few live hard rock shows in Aotearoa at this point of 2020, it would have been hard for any Kiwi fans to pass up this gig. Considering 24 hours ago, no one was sure if this event would even happen should another lockdown occur!
Read More...
Imugi - EP Review: Dragonfruit
06 Nov 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
One of Auckland’s most-talked about indie hip-hop acts is Imugi. Consisting of producer and synth-player Carl Ruwhiu and singer Yery Cho, the duo have wowed crowds around Auckland.
Read More...
SOJØURN - Single Review: How It Grows
28 Oct 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Based in Mangawhai, SOJØURN is a six-piece surf-pop unit bringing some organic sounds to the aural landscape of Aotearoa. SOJØURN pride themselves with being able to carve out reggae-infused summertime music with ease, having brought indie-rock sensibilities on songs like Still a Mess, and Sons of Zion-esque reggae tones on Follow Me.
Read More...
The Vibes - Album Review: Saucery
07 Oct 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Formerly called 'Brendon Thomas and The Vibes', this rock trio from Auckland consists of Tim on drums, Michael on bass guitar, and Brendon on the six-string. Touted as "a traversal through the psychedelic musical minds of Brendon Thomas, Timothee Nolier and Michael Anderson", the group boldly bring back the best sounds of the 60’s on every release.
Read More...
Scalper - Single Review: Dust
30 Sep 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Nadeem Shafi, better known by his stage name Scalper, has been in and around the United Kingdom and Aotearoa hip-hop circuits for nearly three decades. Having performed under numerous rap groups and continuously releasing solo albums under his own moniker, he has not stopped creating.
Read More...
Strangely Arousing - Single Review: Airplanes
16 Sep 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Ska and reggae specialists Strangely Arousing hail from Rotorua, and the five lads have been making plenty of waves in the Aotearoa music scene over half a dozen years. They won SmokeFree Pacifica Beats in 2013, went on to perform at numerous Raggamuffin and Rhythm & Vines festivals, and even toured South Korea and China.
Read More...
Animalhead - Single Review: Follow Blind feat. Rory Howard
27 Aug 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
For those who haven’t yet experienced Animalhead, the three-piece rock act is based in Auckland, and play energetic fusions of punk, rock & roll, with hard-grooves that nod at the likes of Black Sabbath and Audioslave. They’ve released three singles, have earned airplay on major radio stations The Rock and Hauraki, performed live at Muzic.
Read More...
Steve Hutchinson - Single Review: pfmcfnc
16 Jul 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Residing in Nelson, Steve Hutchinson creates rock and heavy metal music as a means of expressing himself, and to leave a mark on Aotearoa’s music scene. Though disabled, this has not deterred Steve from venturing forth and making some noise on guitar.
Read More...
Rei - Album Review: Hoea
14 Jul 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Over the past five years, Rei has worked his way to become arguably Wellington’s new king of Hip-Hop, on top of which he is also one of many in the rising tide of Rap artists writing in both English and Te Reo. Ever since I saw Rei open for Sons of Zion at The Powerstation two years ago, my interests have piqued further every time his name is mentioned on air or shows up billed on a music event.
Read More...
PolarisRadio - Album Review: Deadline
03 Jul 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Dean Moroney, under his stage name PolarisRadio, is on track to becoming Aotearoa’s finest retro-synth music producer. Over the past six years, from his home-base in the Hawke’s Bay, he has released numerous one-off singles and full-length releases, including Virtual Paradise.
Read More...
Riqi Harawira - Interview with Riqi Harawira
17 Jun 2020 // interview by Steve Shyu
Riqi Harawira is a man of many talents; aside from being known as the former Dead Flowers guitarist, he's also a counsellor, and he leads courses which teach Maori customs. He often discusses his early life frankly, and having come out of a tumultuous number of years, he uses it to craft his music.
Read More...
Voodoo Bloo - Single Review: MMA
11 Jun 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
With lockdown officially over, here comes the time to see live some of the music that’s been recorded or released while Aotearoa has been in isolation. Out of the now indefinitely-shelved Wellington band Lucifer Gunne comes Voodoo Bloo, the new project of the musical mastermind Rory McDonald.
Read More...
Channeled - Single Review: Isolation
04 Jun 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Just by reading the title you’d be forgiven for thinking this is “just another song about being in lockdown”. Before you dismiss this outright, you’d be relieved to know the songwriter actually composed this years before Covid-19, and in his own words, it’s about "running away from being locked inside your head and turning away from the person you once were".
Read More...
Ten24 - Single Review: Blissful Affliction
01 Jun 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
One of the newest and most brilliant acts to come out of Wellington recently is Ten24, the alternative rock four-piece that took out the Smokefree Rockquest People’s Choice Award of 2019. Steadily gaining traction and attention from throughout the capital, the band have recorded and released their very first single, entitled Blissful Affliction.
Read More...
Lorenzo Hazelwood - Single Review: Pharos
21 May 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Having performed lead vocal duties with Auckland hard rock band Close to the Bone, Lorenzo Hazelwood has added another entry to his musical repertoire by going solo. Known for his guitar playing, bold vocal range, and an uncanny resemblance to Incubus’s Brandon Boyd, Lorenzo beavered away at this home studio, recording all parts himself.
Read More...
Primacy - Album Review: Seeds of Change
14 May 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Auckland’s groove/alternative-metal quintet Primacy are primed for great things. Consisting of vocalist Rhys, bass player Sid, drummer Will and axe-wielding duo Jared and Adrian, their debut EP Failure & Sacrifice peaked at Number 13 on the Official New Zealand Album Charts.
Read More...
Midnight Manor - Single Review: Save The World
04 May 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Auckland’s hard rock stalwarts Midnight Manor are venturing ardently through their music-making journey. Having released a single just last month to great praise, the band are carrying forward the momentum in preparation for the release of their second full-length album Mindful Games.
Read More...
Midnight Manor - Single Review: Space Monkey
06 Apr 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Auckland quartet Midnight Manor have been kicking around the rock scene for nearly eight years. Sporting a healthy number of singles under their belts, plus a full-length album to boot, the band have not rested on laurels, and released a brand new sophomore LP, named Mindful Games.
Read More...
Murmur Tooth - Interview: Leah Hinton from Murmur Tooth
25 Mar 2020 // interview by Steve Shyu
Kiwi musician and producer Leah Hinton, AKA Murmur Tooth, has self-released her debut album A Fault in This Machine on 19 March, which is now available through Bandcamp, Spotify and all the usual music streaming and download sites. Formerly of the bands El Schlong and Kobosh, Leah wrote, recorded, produced and mixed the album herself, which she loosely describes as doom-pop.
Read More...
Blindspott - Gig Review: Blindspott @ Powerstation, Auckland - 14/03/2020
16 Mar 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Way back in 2007, on the exact same stage, was the last time I witnessed Blindspott deliver the goods – And it certainly was a night to remember. Little did I know then, I was still in my formative years dabbling in heavy music, and Blindspott sat atop a high podium of reverence in my mind, as I’m sure many Aucklanders of my age did.
Read More...
QUALMS - Double Single Review: Hank Scorpio and Thrown
10 Mar 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Auckland’s newest rock trio Qualms have brought forth their latest offering – TWO, in fact – in the form of a double-single, entitled Hank Scorpio and Thrown, respectively. Immediately after two drumstick clicks, vocals and guitar chords kick off to a pleasantly cool, upbeat first tune Hank Scorpio.
Read More...
The Vibes - Single Review: Golden City
25 Feb 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Since 2015, Auckland alt-blues rock group The Vibes (formerly named Brendon Thomas & The Vibes) have been gradually building a foundation, and now find themselves making tremendous waves across Aotearoa. Consisting of a trio of talented multi-instrumentalists Brendon Thomas, Timothee Nolier and Michael Anderson, the group have opened for international alt-rock legends Wolfmother, as well as recently wrapping up a nationwide circuit of tours.
Read More...
The Wake Up - Newsletter Interview: The Wake Up
14 Feb 2020 // interview by Steve Shyu
The Wake Up are one of the most ambitious groups in Aotearoa today. Hailing from Palmerston North and initially consisting of drummer Caleb and guitarist Chris, two became three with the addition of the talented Laura behind the microphone.
Read More...
Black Smoke Trigger - EP Review: Set It Off
07 Jan 2020 // review by Steve Shyu
Napier hard rock quartet Black Smoke Trigger’s debut EP entitled Set It Off is out now. Released to coincide with their full tour or Aotearoa supporting fellow heavyweights Devilskin, the band have pledged this to be an “energetic” and “unforgettable” debut.
Read More...
Flirting With Disaster - Album Review: Redundant
17 Dec 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Auckland’s punk rock scene continues to thrive. Just check out the line-up of gigs happening at live venues throughout the country.
Read More...
Dillastrate - Interview with H and Tim of Dillastrate
17 Dec 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Self-described "neo-soul-pop" duo Dillastrate from Christchurch very recently released their first full-length, self-titled album. Born from Kiwi acts AHoriBuzz and Soulsystem, the two have rocked thousands at local festivals Northern Bass, Rhythm & Vines and Electric Avenue, as well as opening for Kiwi greats Sons of Zion and Katchafire.
Read More...
Scalper - EP Review: Want More
16 Dec 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Mr. Nadeem Shafi, commonly known as the hyper-mysterious hip-hop artist Scalper, of Pakistani descent.
Read More...
Daniel McClelland - Interview with Daniel McClelland
22 Nov 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
The ever-ambitious multi-instrumentalist Daniel McClelland is continuing his musical mission of making pop music that rocks. His debut album Anxious Heart earned a nomination for Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award at 2018's Taite Music Awards, and now Daniel is back with a brand new EP.
Read More...
Written By Wolves - Gig Review: Written by Wolves @ Raynham Park, Auckland - 16/11/2019
20 Nov 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
"Guaranteed to be a good time" were the words I posted on my Facebook status, summoning friends to join me as I left for Written by Wolves’ album release performance at Raynham Park. I swore by those words as I’d witnessed them give 110% opening for Devilskin, headlining their own sets at Neck of the Woods, as well as (figuratively) setting fire at Muzic.
Read More...
Interview with BOKEH
11 Nov 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
BOKEH is the artistic alter-ego of New Zealand raised, Berlin based audio-visual artist, Chole Lewer. With her debut EP Don't Leave The Fire released in 2017, Chloe is also the director and producer for her own film production company, Ramona Ramona.
Read More...
Written By Wolves - Album Review: Secrets
07 Nov 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
It’s no secret. Written by Wolves have been hard at work for the past two years on their debut, full-length album.
Read More...
Coridian - Interview with Coridian
25 Oct 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Coridian have become something of a household name in the Kiwi alternative-rock scene. Often regarded as local legends in Auckland, they’ve crafted two EP's and released half a dozen singles, the band have also opened for international acts like Fuel, P.
Read More...
TOOMS - Single Review: Greatest Hits
23 Oct 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
The enigmatic two-piece Auckland act TOOMS have been busy. They’ve performed at festivals such as Loserpolooza, Hataitai Homewrecker, and opened for international groups Bench Press and Propagandhi.
Read More...
Ginzu and the Steak Knives - Album Review: Kavanak
19 Oct 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Ginzu and the Steak Knives are an Auckland three-piece act that proudly describe their music simply as "Loud And Disgusting". With a handful of EP's and singles under their belts, the band finally got round to carving out a hefty chunk of their latest work, being their debut full-length album, titled Kavanak.
Read More...
Kaosis - Album Review: Hitech - Lowlife
15 Oct 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Kaosis is Hamilton's first and only face-painted, mask-wearing industrial dubstep metal band. And they sport that badge with pride.
Read More...
Arrays - Interview with JP Carroll / Arrays
07 Oct 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Arrays is the current side-project of JP Carroll, the lead singer and songwriter of renowned hard-rockers Armed in Advance. The three-piece act enjoyed loads of airplay on The Rock with their hit singles Same Old Story and Stay, as well as supporting Villainy and I Am Giant live on the stage.
Read More...
Channeled - Album Review: Channeled
24 Sep 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Ben Ruegg, a fellow contributor to Muzic.net.
Read More...
MELODOWNZ - Interview with Melodownz
14 Sep 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Raised in West Auckland, Melodownz is making strides in the rap industry both in NZ and globally. He began creating spoken word and later discovered the art of freestyle and hip-hop, which led to the success of his 2017 EP Avontales, touring Europe and now working on his next album.
Read More...
Bianca Isabel - Single Review: Hypocrite
29 Aug 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Wellingtonian teen singer-songwriter Bianca Isabel has been creating her own music since she was just twelve. In recent months, she has recorded and released a small handful of original material, turning heads in local indie/alternative pop circles.
Read More...
Written By Wolves - Interview with Michael Murphy from Written by Wolves
21 Aug 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Written by Wolves have been hailed as the princes of anthemic alternative rock in Aotearoa; blowing away audiences and fans alike with their energising and unforgettable live sets. For nigh on a decade, the five-piece group from Auckland have secured opening slots on tours with Devilskin and Blindspott, as well as dominating festival stages like Storm the Gates, Bay Dreams and Ohakune Mardi Gras, all to critical acclaim.
Read More...
Shepherds Reign - Single Review: Legend
14 Aug 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Shepherds Reign originated in South Auckland, combining essences of classic and contemporary metal with Polynesian influences. Arguably the best-known Pasifika metal band on our side of the globe, this rising name has not stopped recording music and wowing audiences with live performances with their signature sound since starting in 2016.
Read More...
Blue River Baby - Album Review: Blue River Baby
24 Jul 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Blue River Baby are a Wellington band that formed in 2016 and they have since captivated countless live audiences with their blend of classic rock, dub, soul, ska and reggae. Last year, they recorded their very first full-length release with Lee Prebble at Surgery Studios in the windy capital.
Read More...
Amanaki - Interview: Amanaki
11 Jul 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Formed from various Auckland and Hamilton metal and hardcore bands, Amanaki is a name rising in the extreme music scenes of Aotearoa. Adding on top of existing EPs and singles, the band's impassioned and bold performances are turning plenty of heads this side of the country.
Read More...
Albi & The Wolves - Interview: Albi & The Wolves
10 Jul 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Albi & The Wolves are making 2019 all theirs. After three years or performing, touring and connecting with people, their new album This Is War will be making an impact on 26 July.
Read More...
The Hopkinsville Goblins - Album Review: Pink Orange
10 Jul 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
The elusive and cryptic Hopkinsville Goblins have reportedly been in existence for nearly five years, yet not too terribly much is known about this mythical little group. Lead by principal songwriter Alvin Impulsive, the Goblins (plus Alvin) have moved on to their third full-album release in about as many years.
Read More...
Craig Payne - Album Review: Making History
02 Jul 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Christchurch-based singer-songwriter Craig Payne is ready to make history. No kidding, the new album is proudly titled Making History, and it’s loaded, aimed high, and if the title is anything to go by, it should burn an unmissable trail across the sky that is New Zealand music.
Read More...
Thomas Brothers - Interview: Thomas Brothers
18 Jun 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Four brothers. One band.
Read More...
Hobnail - Interview with Rob Joass from Hobnail
14 Jun 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Any thoughts on the current state of country music in NZ and where you see it headed? It has grown up and spawned bastard children all over the place, which is exciting and healthy.
Read More...
Outside In - Single Review - The Garden of Light
07 May 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Outside In is the progressive rock project from Aucklanders Jonnie Barnard on guitar, singer/keyboardist/guitarist Mikey Brown, drummer Adam Tobeck, and Elliott Park on bass. Whilst the group have been making waves in Aotearoa’s alt-rock communities for years and years, admittedly, I had not yet properly listened to Outside In before, only experiencing them live once.
Read More...
City of Souls - Interview with Marcus from City of Souls
24 Apr 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Over the years, City of Souls have carved their name deep into the alternative rock scene of Aotearoa, topping national charts and opening for countless international acts. With new music in the works, and a countrywide tour mapped out, the six-man band are certainly showing no signs of slowing.
Read More...
Hunt The Witch - Interview with Bevan & Jason from Hunt the Witch
23 Apr 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Auckland rock quartet Hunt the Witch have been kicking around the Aotearoa stoner rock/metal scene since 2013, now with one EP down, and a heavy handful of riff-filled singles the guys have a debut LP ready to light on 17th May. Paul T Gheist from Muzic.
Read More...
Sophie Mashlan - Interview with Sophie Mashlan
22 Apr 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
19-year-old Sophie Mashlan's incredible debut album Perfect Disaster is about to be released with Sophie heading out on a 9-date tour around the country starting in Auckland on 23 April and finishing up in Dunedin on 19 May. Paul T Gheist from Muzic.
Read More...
Alien Weaponry - Gig Review: Alien Weaponry @ Studio, Auckland - 23/03/2019
28 Mar 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Just a few days ago, my brother asked "What's Alien Weaponry?", and I was happy to oblige and catch him up on one of the most talked-about bands in New Zealand music.
Read More...
Glow Becky - Interview with Karl from Glow Becky
28 Mar 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Glow Becky are a powerful, melodic alt-rock band from Auckland who began in 2016 when audio tech Karl Apao decided to form his own band instead of recording others' music. Three years on, the band have played numerous sets and worked hard releasing original songs, and their latest single is Stand Up.
Read More...
Lucifer Gunne - Single Review: Energenetic
25 Mar 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Lucifer Gunne is the young but powerful quartet of punk/alternative-rock specialists hailing from the capital city. Fronted by bassist and frontman Rory McDonald, the band have worked hard writing and playing live over the past two years, and just a week ago, the lads unveiled their latest creation.
Read More...
Monshi - Single Review: Strange Love
04 Mar 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Born in South Africa and now based in Hamilton, Kate Theresa AKA Monshi has been working hard at creating her own sound and style. Making her DJ'ing debut at Hamilton’s Smash the Rails Fest 2 earlier this year, she knew the time to get musically creative was now.
Read More...
Logic Defies Logic - Single Review: Suits and Ladders
02 Mar 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Logic Defies Logic initially began in Hamilton as a funk-prog-metal instrumental group, then relocated to Melbourne, Australia, and found a vocalist to join their ranks. Following their release of LP Magic & Science in 2017, the band have now returned with a new single Suits and Ladders.
Read More...
Krispy & The Pooch - EP Review: Something Strange for Change
25 Feb 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
A music-production duo from Aotearoa but based in Berlin? Which one is Krispy, and which is the Pooch?
Read More...
Papercity - Interview with Alex from Papercity
16 Feb 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
Originally formed in Nelson, Papercity have been performing and recording music for eight years. To mark the start of an exciting new chapter, the band have recently released a new song and video titled Plastic.
Read More...
Streakers - Single Review: Beta
15 Feb 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Christchurch has yielded a number of world-famous-in-NZ alternative rock bands throughout the history of the universe, and a new one to keep an eye on is Streakers. It’s unclear if any of the band members have ever disrobed and raced across a rugby stadium, but word has it that they have raised decibels and shaken plenty of ceilings in the South Island.
Read More...
Gig Review: The Living End @ Powerstation, Auckland - 6/02/2019
08 Feb 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
I saw the Living End just once at a Big Day Out, however long ago that was. Unlike so many bands we used to hear a lot of but have now put on backburners, I remembered with deep fondness the fun time I had seeing a spiky-haired punk rock band from Aussie send the crowd around me completely frantic, song after song.
Read More...
Lola Sola - Single/Video Review: Get It
01 Feb 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Kiwi soul-folk singer-songwriter Lola Sola has toured throughout Australia and New Zealand, now nailed down two EP's and one full-length album, and showed no signs of slowing down. To great anticipation both here and in Aussie, the DIY-songstress finally released her new music video and single, titled Get It.
Read More...
Checaine - Single Review: Let Go
30 Jan 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Checaine have been rocking out for close to eight years now, gaining local adoration and recognition from some of New Zealand’s most renowned. With not a mention of slowing down, the Hamilton quartet have presented the universe with their latest tune, Let Go.
Read More...
Jon Toogood - Interview: Jon Toogood
26 Jan 2019 // interview by Steve Shyu
As the front-man for one of New Zealand's most successful Rock acts Shihad, the main man behind NZ's supergroup The Adults or as a solo performer, Jon Toogood has been at the forefront of NZ Music for more than 20 years; epitomising what it means to be a great musician. His illustrious career has cemented his place within NZ music history, and his music has inspired many other musicians; both here and in Australia.
Read More...
n1ghtmar3cat - Single Review: Lost And Found
24 Jan 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
Dave Johnston has become a musical jack-of-all-trades. Commonly known as the drummer for Aotearoa’s alt-rock champions Villainy and the creatively adventurous The Zoup, he is now putting his production and audio engineering skills to the test, creating electronic music as a new notch in his belt.
Read More...
Namesake - EP Review: 4 Songs
09 Jan 2019 // review by Steve Shyu
A band named Namesake. An EP simply titled 4 Songs.
Read More...
Rosy Tin Teacaddy - Coastella Interview: Rosy Tin Teacaddy
20 Dec 2018 // interview by Steve Shyu
Wellington act Rosy Tin Teacaddy celebrated their 10th year in 2017, and they'll be performing at Coastella 2019, which is taking place on the Kapiti Coast on 23 February. Steve from Muzic.
Read More...
Congress of Animals - Gig Review: Congress of Animals @ Leigh Sawmill Cafe, Auckland - 01/12/2018
05 Dec 2018 // review by Steve Shyu
On a humid and rainy Saturday evening, myself and the gig’s designated photographer drove to the dimly-lit town of Leigh to check out this new band that features the Kiwi household name Bret McKenzie (from Flight of the Conchords) and his mates, Congress of Animals on their Strange Caravan tour. I attended with very little prior knowledge except that Bret is performing with a couple of members of Fly My Pretties.
Read More...
Fire For Glory - Single Review: Falling With Style
02 Dec 2018 // review by Steve Shyu
Strap in, pop-punk fans of New Zealand – Fire For Glory have a new song out. The metalcore and pop-punk quintet from Auckland reformed after a brief hiatus, and once revitalised with a new line-up, they got straight to recording new tunes.
Read More...
Fire For Glory - Newsletter Interview: Fire For Glory
25 Nov 2018 // interview by Steve Shyu
Fire For Glory is one of the most revered names in the Auckland punk-rock scene and has been kicking around Auckland for over half a decade now. The band went on a brief split earlier in the year and quickly reformed, recorded new material and hopped right back into playing live.
Read More...
Fire For Glory - Single Review: Stray Dogs
30 Oct 2018 // review by Steve Shyu
If you’re involved in any way in the rock scene of Auckland, it’s likely you’ll have heard the name Fire For Glory. If you haven’t yet, well, tune in anyway: This pop-punk group has been kicking around Auckland for over half a decade now, and currently consists of Josh on the mic, Brian on bass guitar, Shay on the kit, plus Cam and Elijah on the six-strings.
Read More...
Sons Of Zion - Sons of Zion @ Powerstation, Auckland
05 Sep 2018 // review by Steve Shyu
Otium The team of five fresh-faced lads from Whangarei wasted no time in setting the pace for the evening by laying out a slow-grooving rhythm and a rolling bassline in that all-familiar sound of Kiwi reggae. After all, this is what the rest of the night is about!
Read More...
Jessy & The Volunteers - Single Review: Night Watch
27 Aug 2018 // review by Steve Shyu
Formerly performing as a solo project, this brand-new soul-groove band Auckland was put together by lead singer Jessy Wadeson in June 2018. Jessy & The Volunteers wasted no time in premiering this new tune at Karangahape Road’s Anthology Lounge last Friday night and it was embraced with high praise.
Read More...
Outland Sessions - EP Review: Darkness
26 Jul 2018 // review by Steve Shyu
The Outland Sessions is the result of a large collaborative project between 20 Kiwi musicians who gathered in Pahiatua over February 2018 to jam, write and record songs. The end products are twenty entirely different-sounding songs, mixed and mastered by Mordecai Records and released as three separate EP's.
Read More...
Outland Sessions - EP Review: Duskfall
24 Jul 2018 // review by Steve Shyu
The Outland Sessions is the end product of a large collaborative project between 20 Kiwi musicians who gathered in Pahiatua over February 2018 to jam, write and record songs. The end products are twenty entirely different-sounding songs, mixed and mastered by Mordecai Records and released as three separate EP's.
Read More...
Outland Sessions - EP Review: Daylight
13 Jul 2018 // review by Steve Shyu
The Outland Sessions is the result of a large collaborative project between 20 Kiwi musicians who gathered in Pahiatua over February 2018 to jam, write and record songs. The end products are twenty entirely different-sounding songs, mixed and mastered by Mordecai Records and released as three separate EPs.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
