AvonRose - EP Review: Gruno
18 Dec 2024 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Gruno is the new 9-track EP by AvonRose, and it's nothing short of a heavy music masterpiece. I stumbled upon this band while hunting for a dark, doom metal vibe, and boy, did they deliver!
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Meff Zexx - EP Review: Tahi
19 Nov 2024 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Meff Zexx is an experimental duo from Wellington that melds minimalism, post-rock, ambient, black metal, and stoner rock into their own sound. They recently performed at Valhalla this past October and have released a new two-track EP titled Tahi.
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Em - EP Review: Cloud City
10 Dec 2023 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Emily Wheatcroft-Snape AKA Em is a singer songwriter, recording and mix engineer from Tamaki Makaurau. Her career thus far flaunts some serious musicality, working industriously towards her unique goals as an artist.
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No Life - EP Review: Delinquent
28 Aug 2023 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
No Life returned to us with a 6-track EP. Band members DJ Fieldes, Mitch Blair, Connor Dickson and Kahi Bettridge have found gold with Delinquent.
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The Transits - Single/Video Review: Renegade Hearts
26 Jun 2023 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
The Transits are a NZ-South African band composed of Ryan Lunn (vocals, guitars, synths), Dom Antelme (vocals, bass) and Tyrone Smith (drums). Growing up in conservative South-African landscapes, their sound is thought to push the boundaries of how to be, and how to act.
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YAHYAH - Single/Video Review: Go
03 Apr 2023 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Up and coming artist YAHYAH released her new single and video Go with nearly 7,000 streams on Spotify so far! She’s an electro-pop goddess from Aotearoa, hoping to make her entry to the big world of music.
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WoLF - Single Review: Underachiever
17 Feb 2023 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
WoLF is a solo project (Aaron Hogg) with over 25 years' experience as a vocalist, guitarist and bassist. Having a lot of tour and show experience, WoLF is an accomplished artist with international acts and festivals under his belt.
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Tipare - Single Review: Party Calls
02 Jan 2023 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Tipare dropped the single Party Calls to enliven the new beginnings of our post-pandemic world. She’s a singer songwriter who’s lived all around Aotearoa, having lived in New York as early as seventeen.
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Eve Kelly - Single Review: Gotta Let Go
08 Nov 2022 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Gotta Let Go is the new contemporary anthem from Eve Kelly, a vocalist born and raised in Whakatane. Eve grew up performing in music theatre around Aotearoa, as well as singing in national competitions and at smaller gigs such as weddings and local fundraisers.
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Scarlett Eden - Single Review: Real Life
02 Nov 2022 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Scarlett Eden’s new track released this October 21st, and it’s called Real Life. Coining herself a "funked up pop filled R&B singer", Scarlett experiments with blues, funk, jazz, R&B, and soul.
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Reece Milton - Single Review: Ms Mona Lisa
23 Oct 2022 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Born in Wellington, and raised in Nelson, Reece Milton is a singer songwriter and guitarist who’s recently earned a recording contract with Antipodes Records, and management with StudioBox Creative. Finding licks that match indie rock influence, pop and a bit of jazz, Reece has created a new single which follows the success of his debut.
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Brown-E - Single Review: Give Me Your Love
02 Oct 2022 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Jenna Palmer, AKA Brown-E, is a self-managed and independent singer songwriter based in Auckland and Tauranga. Stepping on the scene at the right time, she’s got a single for the sweethearts!
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DiCE_NZ - EP Review: The Situation
15 May 2022 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
DiCE_NZ is a DJ and Producer from Auckland, Aotearoa. DiCE has worked with epochal bands such as Fat Freddy’s Drop and The Black Seeds, with his own collection of Disco, Funk, and Jazz edits to his name.
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Samuel Gaskin - Single Review: Rain
05 May 2022 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Samuel Gaskin is a New Zealand born, Melbourne dwelling artist; he has just released his latest single Rain. Sam is an inspiring and innovative artist that stands up for the BIPOC LGBTQIA+ community; addressing his Indigenous heritage and ancestry in each art piece he produces.
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Tarn PK - Single Review: Street Noise
03 Mar 2022 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Singer songwriter and producer Tarn PK has been emerging in New Zealand's music scene. He is a Wellington-based artist who, so far, has released two EP’s, received over 500 thousand streams on Spotify, and has landed himself in various Apple and Spotify playlists.
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Tom Lee-Richards - Single Review: Human
28 Jan 2022 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Kiwi Alt-Folk artist Tom Lee-Richards is releasing his new single this January 28th. Human is a song about being out of one’s depth, confessing one’s human state of “losing ground”, and accepting their chosen fate.
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MNZ Interview: Background Noise 002: Pippa Ryan-Kidd
27 Oct 2021 // interview by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) has been putting its stamp on the local music business section since it formed in 2002 by a collective of local labels. With 230+ members and the evolving success of events such as the Taite Music Prize and the Going Global Music Summit, the organisation is very optimistic about its future and that of its member labels and distributors.
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D.Matthews - Single Review: Suffer
29 Jul 2021 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Nigerian vocalist and songwriter D.Matthews (Aka David Matthews) is making his way in New Zealand music with his captivating character of sound and entertainment style.
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LBFRmikey - EP Review: Aim & Fire
05 Apr 2021 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
LBFRmikey is a Wellington-based artist who just released a new EP called Aim & Fire in March 2021. Music to this artist is the stepping stone in their life that helped create a sense of new beginning, as well as a sense of hope; being a part of something greater than the past.
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VÏKÆ - Single Review: Angry Girl
09 Dec 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Auckland based songwriter and vocalist VïKÆ was originally born in Ukraine, and post-Chernobyl sought refuge here in New Zealand. She has an interesting backstory and brings forth her unique life experience to give a voice to important themes surrounding mental health, growth and expression.
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Madie - EP Review: Modern Mind
18 Nov 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Wellington-based singer songwriter Madie is releasing her debut EP titled The Modern Mind. She has been passionate about music from a young age, and has finally released something with a lot of talent, and a lot of depth.
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Geoff Ong - Interview with Geoff Ong
15 Nov 2020 // interview by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Geoff Ong wants to be a Pop star for dorks. He made catchy and compelling pop music, the kind that gets stuck in your head and leaves you humming for days.
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City of Souls - Interview with City of Souls
27 Oct 2020 // interview by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
City of Souls are one of New Zealand's few superbands, with members coming from bands that have etched their mark on the local and international hard rock and metal scene such as Blindspott, Blacklistt, 8 Foot Sativa, New Way Home, Cold By Winter, In Dread Response and Solstate. With a new and highly-anticipated debut album recently released, City of Souls are ready to take the world by storm.
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Blindspott - Interview with Blindspott
27 Oct 2020 // interview by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Blindspott are easily one of New Zealand's most iconic Rock bands, with many of their songs idolised by their huge fanbase. With more than 2 decades amazing audiences worldwide, they have amassed multiple hit singles and an extensive tour repertoire.
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Treenurse - Single Review: Pyjamas
26 Oct 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
The new single release by Treenurse is here! Entitled Pyjamas, this is a snappy little indie/alt-rock number about giving life a full go; trying.
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Empress - Single Review: Sailing the Seas of Grease
19 Oct 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Empress have just released their debut single Sailing the Seas of Grease, with an incredibly artistic music video that accompanies the track. Empress are a heavy two-piece band, originally from Auckland and Hamilton.
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Sola Rosa - Album Review: Chasing The Sun
25 Sep 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
The architect of Sola Rosa is Andrew Spraggon, a musician/producer based in Auckland, New Zealand. Spraggon
has created his next major chapter, Chasing The Sun, which took a decent stretch of time in the making.
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Sola Rosa - Interview with Sola Rosa
16 Sep 2020 // interview by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Sola Rosa is one of Kiwi music’s most evolutionary and enduring acts. With 2020 comes Sola Rosa's next musical chapter with the release of the long player Chasing The Sun.
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Oakley Grenell - Single Review: Chimbambaira (OG Remix)
14 Jul 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Melbourne-based Cantabrian producer Oakley Grenell has ignited the Shottaz’ (Zimbabwe born artists Max and Hlats) new release Chimbambaira, which also features Nutty O. From the 2019 EP afro dancehall project Chimbambaira Reloaded sees the dynamic Shottaz team pair-up with various artists, DJs and producers to make way for some glorious remixes and riddims, including this steaming track with Oakley Grenell.
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Kevin Posey - Album Review: Breathe
19 Jun 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
US-born producer, rapper, and singer-songwriter Kevin Posey has just released his latest album Breathe. Posey is an international artist who has recently been thriving in the Aotearoa music scene.
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Kevin Posey - Single Review: Your Shine Feat. Mazbou Q & Kirsten
11 Jun 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Kevin Posey is an international artist and native from Oklahoma, USA. Posey is a music producer, publisher
and songwriter that has also graduated from an associates degree in Music Production from the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma.
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Valere - Single Review: Like That
05 Jun 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Singer songwriter Shana Llorando, AKA Valere, has just released her latest single Like That. She brings blossom to our generation of music with her diversity and versatility of sound.
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Theia - EP Review: 99% Angel
03 Jun 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Theia is a vibrant songwriter, independent NZ musician and artist who has been releasing music since 2015, when her RnB-fused track Silver Second, produced by Alex Hope, first set foot on the scene. Her stellar debut, self-titled EP was released in 2017 with fervour, sweeping support by number.
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Theia - Interview with Theia
26 May 2020 // interview by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Alt-pop singer and songwriter Theia, whose burgeoning catalogue showcases an artist who is unafraid to push the boundaries, has recently released her 99% Angel mixtape which features her brand new single Celebrity. Gaby from Muzic.
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Lost Tribe Aotearoa - Album Review: Lost Tribe Aotearoa
14 May 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Lost Tribe Aotearoa are a group of musicians bubbling from various spots in the North Island, having formed in Raglan in December 2017. Their debut single Irie won the 2018 Mai FM Big Break competition and made the NZ music charts at #8.
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Mazbou Q - Interview with Mazbou Q
13 May 2020 // interview by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Mazbou Q is a phenomenal force to be reckoned with. His impressive new EP Afroternity has taken the NZ Hip-Hop scene by storm, with a unique and afrocentric sound that is easily recognisable as his own.
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Tricks & Sleeves - Single Review: Raelene
28 Apr 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Auckland-based indie band Tricks & Sleeves have recently released their latest single Raelene. These lads have drawn various inspiration from other alternative/indie bands of the last couple of decades, as well inspiration from 70’s folk artists like Paul Simon and Neil Young.
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Alders - Single Review: Lost In Your Colours
18 Apr 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Alders, the solo project of Mitch Alderlieste, has just released his latest single Lost In Your Colours. Mitch Alderlieste is an independent singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Wellington.
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CampbellMack - Single Review: Second Self
04 Apr 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Singer songwriter CampbellMack, alias of
Campbell MacKenzie, has just released his new single Second Self. As a guitar player himself from the age of six, also having released now six streamable singles with viably different influences, you can really hear the “thinking and feeling” aspect of
musicianship in this song.
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Georgia Lines - Single Review: Same Things
10 Mar 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Singer songwriter Georgia Lines, previously known as George, just released her single Same Things. From the beginnings of her exposure, Georgia’s music has had nothing but an upward flight.
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Grace Duncan - Single Review: Time Will Tell
26 Feb 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Originally from Hawke’s Bay, singer-songwriter and composer Grace Duncan will be releasing her new single Time Will Tell on February 28th.Grace is exploring her musical identity through the likes of her alluring vocals and choice of calming, natural harmonies and melodies.
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Charlotte Kerrigan - Album Review: Paper Lanterns
26 Feb 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Charlotte Kerrigan is releasing her new 9 track album Paper Lanterns on 28 March 2020. The album is a collection of soulful, bluesy ballads with melodious jazz influence, and weighty compassion in her lyrics.
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George After James - EP Review: Wait For You
31 Jan 2020 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
The date has come, and the release of the new five track EP Wait For You by George After James is out now. George After James is a project by James Fistonich and his band who are Auckland based.
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Take Hold - Gig Review: Take Hold @ Whammy, Auckland - 12/12/2019
20 Dec 2019 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
On 12 December, Whammy Backroom set it off with a decent turnout for a late mid-week show. Soaking in a familiar aura, I distinguished an overwhelming sense
of nostalgia; there were notable remnants of New Zealand hardcore music and its scene which was prolific in its earlier years from the late 90’s, 00’s to 10’s.
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Annie J - Single Review: Figured Out
05 Dec 2019 // review by Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo
Annie J has just released her new single Figured Out. Her music so far has made it to the NZ Top 50 Viral Chart, also streaming over 100,000, as well as reaching a semi-final place in the Unsigned Only Worldwide song writing competition.
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