Newsletter Issue #321: 13 Feb 2011
Music is...
Music has always played a major role in my life; from writing lyrics and playing the guitar as a teenager to running muzic.net.nz today. It's something I've always been involved with, one way or another.
I guess that's why I find it so hard to understand people who say they don't listen to any music - that they never turn on the radio, they've never been to a gig and they don't buy CDs.
I find it hard to understand this because anyone who says they don't listen to music is wrong... whether by choice or not, everyone listens to music. I figure some people don't realise just how much music they listen to.
Music is everywhere; in shops and supermarkets, blasting out of cars, being played on the streets by buskers, on TV shows and ads, played during movies, the list is endless...
I get as much music into my day as I can... on TV at breakfast time, in the car, on my mp3 player during breaks at work and on my computer when I'm updating the site. I always have a tune on my mind... sometimes I'll be humming that tune, or tapping my feet and I won't even realise it.
I sing as well; crazy tone-deaf singing that isn't exactly riveting... I'm sure neighbours have moved away because of my singing... but I love to sing, even if it is totally out of tune, and it's going to take more than a few neighbours moving away to stop me.
I'm sure anyone who reads this newsletter and visits muzic.net.nz won't be someone who believes they don't listen to any music.. you'll probably even understand where I'm coming from. I know there's a lot of people out there who totally immerse themselves in music.. it just seems crazy that there are some people that wouldn't know the difference between, say, for example, the Bleeders and Katchafire.
Whether those people like it or not, music is... everywhere.
Lisa and the muzic.net.nz team.
RW Entertainment
Well another year has passed in Camp RW, and we're looking forward to a 2011 full of more international tours that only a few years ago would be completely inconceivable to the average gig-going Kiwi punter. We're kicking off 2011 with a massive six date tour featuring stoner rock heroes The Melvins and High On Fire; the former having not been to New Zealand in almost a decade (and having not done a club headliner tour in almost a decade more) and the latter making their Aotearoa debut. And for good measure, we've got southern psychedelic sludge exponents Kylesa joining the party for the last nights of the tour. The tour starts on Saturday February 19th and runs through Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington before winding its way back to Auckland again.
During the same week we also have American hardcore masters Terror performing two shows in Auckland and an all ages show in Hamilton - running a divergent itinerary to the Melvins/High On Fire jaunt. This will Terror's fourth visit to New Zealand shores, and they are a band that never fail to delivery energy and balls-out enthusiasm in huge doses. This tour will be a moshpit madhouse not for the faint of heart!
On to March we have American ska legends Streetlight Manifesto lighting up The Kings Arms in Auckland on Thursday March 31st. This band are legendary within their genre, and if a five minute peruse through their live clips on YouTube is anything to go by, we're in for an electrifying show full of tight rhythms and bellowing brass. We'll also have Aussie ska punks Steel City Allstars in support for this show, and will be rounding off the line-up with the best of Kiwi ska: The {Managers}, Atsushi and the Moisties and {Yebiisu}.
Finally, in mid May we will Scottish pirate rockers Alestorm performing at Auckland's Rising Sun on Sunday the 15th. If nautical sea shanties about pillaging, grog and wenches be yarrrr thing, then get along and see this most unique band bringing their tales of the high seas to Auckland's Karangahape Road. This show will be an early starter, with doors opening at 5pm.
We are also confirming other tours as we speak - as always, stay tuned to Facebook, MySpace and all the usual music forums for more announcements!
Suppression
Thanks to Duane for answering these questions:
What can we expect to see from Suppression over the next year?
Finishing off our recordings then getting into the studio to record our 1st single and video to promote it. Then more shows throughout the North Island and hopefully a few shows down south.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Keep getting out to more shows and getting inspired and meeting new people to put on bigger gigs in your town, and of course practise makes perfect.
Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?
In Dread Response, Tainted, Just One Fix, Pariah, Intergracia etc. All wicked bands live that put on a mean as stage show and are all round good people to hang out with also.
What will your next release be?
Hopefully our debut EP later on in the year.
How do you come up with your lyrics?
Usually from life’s experiences & observations of what the stupid people of the world do throughout their miserable lives.
Who would you most like to support live?
Slayer, Lamb of God, Machine Head, Chimaira, Trivium or Black label society.
How do you believe Suppression fits into the NZ music industry?
We hope to stand out from the masses of NZ metal bands as being a bit different and more appealing to not only metal fans but any music fans.
What can you never leave home without?
Mp3 player with all the metal classics loaded into it.
How do you describe Suppression’s music?
Suppression’s sound would be best described as Heavy Metal
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Our favourite local would have to be Bar Medusa & have always liked the Kings Arms in Auckland too.
What is the best part of being a musician?
Being able to express yourself through a big wall of crushing sound!
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Tainted and Just One Fix, we played a few shows with them as part of the Metal Bar Tour and they put on a sick live show nite after nite, a lot can be learned from bands such as these.
What is in your CD collection at home?
A big healthy slab of NZ metal/rock cds and from all the genres Fear Factory, Slayer, Sepultura, The Doors, The tea party etc
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Dropping my microphone on stage and not being able to find it for what seemed to be an eternity! Lucky then were not many punters there tho.
What is your favourite place in NZ to be?
On a secluded beach away from the hustle and bustle of the city-life. With beers and loud music.
What inspired you to start Suppression?
Just the love of writing and playing music, and obviously inspiration comes from your favourite bands.
How did you come up with the name Suppression?
Brainstorming sessions.
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
We are only new to the scene but probably one of the shows we played with Tainted and Just One Fix in Wanganui last year. Mean as sounds, Bands and awesome atmosphere and mates.
How do you keep in contact with your fans?
Usually via Facebook as MySpace has kind of gone down the drain over the last year or two. And usually at the gigs we play and attend throughout the year.
What rumour would you like to start about Suppression?
That Suppression could well be one of the beastiest metal bands in the Wellington Scene.
Suppression is Stephen Sandland (guitar), Marcel Sandland (bass), Stefan Daley (drums) and Duane Frew (vocals).
Website Links
NZ Music News
Sounds Aotearoa: Earlybird Price Ends Friday; Schedule Announcement
There are so many questions and ideas to be discussed in the rapidly changing music industry and so much conflicting advice in books, e-books and internet; it is difficult for musicians to know what is valid and what is untested amateur advice. Sounds Aotearoa is the place to be on the 16th and 17th of March, 2011 to have these questions and ideas answered and discussed by some of the world's most experienced and innovative music industry professionals. With topics specific to New Zealand musicians that will provide an unprecedented expert perspective that has the potential to enrich the NZ music industry like nothing gone before it!
Latest Schedule with Times Available To Download From http://soundsaotearoa.com/programme.htm
Sounds Aotearoa takes place on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 March 2011 at TSB Showplace, 92 Devon St, New Plymouth, Taranaki.
Full Article
Sounds Aotearoa Announce Scholarship Recipients
The Woolshed Sessions Return
The Woolshed Sessions proudly announce a rare reunion, playing two shows in Wellington and Hawke’s Bay this March.
The band’s first live appearances in over a year, and their only summer performances, are at San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington and Underground Wine Cellar at Black Barn Vineyard, Hawke’s Bay.
The acoustic folk band released the critically acclaimed The Woolshed Sessions in 2008, cementing a unique musical vision that captured the ambient resonance of the Takaka woolshed where the music was created and recorded. Lately however, the eight musicians have seen a lot less of each other due to the demands of their own music projects.
“The new shows are an opportunity for good friends to catch up and play each other’s music again," singer, songwriter Age Pryor said. “Audiences will have an opportunity to hear in a live setting the songs that formed The Woolshed Sessions album, as well as being treated to some new material.”
Singer, songwriter Jess Chambers won APRA Best NZ Country Song of 2009 for Stringing Me Along (penned as part of The Woolshed Sessions), and she and bass player Peter Hill have most recently spent time playing and travelling in the USA.
Singer, guitarist Andy Hummel has a new album out this year, All Mountains Are Men with Rosy Tin Teacaddy, and lap steel guitarist and engineer Lee Prebble has continued to capture seminal Wellington music moments at The Surgery with the likes of The Phoenix Foundation.
Vocalist and taonga puoro exponent Al Fraser has been performing and recording with dubbed up traditional style Maori chants group Reo. Guitarist Justin Firefly Clarke has been working on solo material while studying for a postgraduate in orchestration. Drummer Brett Skinner has been focused at his day job Texture painting at Weta Digital.
Age Pryor relocated to Auckland, joining back with Fly My Pretties and performing with the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, in-between creating new work with Auckland based musicians.
Calling for Entries! APRA Best Country Music Song Award
Every year for nearly 40 years now, Gore hosts the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards. During the week-long Gold Guitar celebrations, the Gore Country Music Club present the New Zealand Country Music Awards, and APRA are proud to support these awards by way of the APRA Best Country Music Song Award.
Previous winners of this award include Jools Topp, Kylie Harris & John Griffin, Barry Saunders & Bruce Dennis, Jess Chambers, and Matt Langley (pictured) who won last year with '7:13'.
Have you written a great Country Music Song? (Or more – you can enter two songs per writer)
Was it performed for the first time – either live or on radio/TV – last year?
(Eligibility period is 1 January 2010 to 31st December 2010)
Did you know the winner of this award receives $1000?
Are you interested in entering?
If so please read the entry conditions, it’s only a page long & it is important that you are aware of all the criteria involved.
The Entry form along with CD & Lyric sheet must be with APRA by 5pm on Monday 28 February 2011.
Entrants please note: We only require ONE copy of your song on CD (if entering more than one, you are welcome to put both songs on one CD, but must complete separate entry forms)
Full Article
Six60 Announce March Tour
2011 has already been a huge year for Six60 and its only February! The first month of 2011 saw their debut single ‘Rise Up 2.0’ go GOLD and reach NUMBER ONE on the singles charts, five months after it was initially released. After a summer of performing only at festivals, the band thought they would do a few of their own shows in the main centres before they head off on their second tour of Australia.
Six60 EP and Six60 merch available from www.six60.co.nz
RIANZ chief moves on
Recording Industry Association CEO Campbell Smith has decided to step down from the role so he can devote more time to his artist management and concert promotion businesses.
Smith accepted an invitation to lead the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) in 2005. In the six years as its CEO, he has overseen a period of great change in the local music industry.
“My goals five years ago were to improve RIANZ’s performance and service to its members and to protect and enhance the rights and interests of record labels and recording artists,” he says.
“And with huge technological change in the industry, I have been keen to ensure copyright law is in tune with the times to properly protect the rights of copyright owners.
“I also wanted to help make the New Zealand Music Awards a world class event and to grow the involvement of fans in the annual celebration of New Zealand music. These things done, it’s time to move on and hand over to a fresh conductor.”
Smith says he now needs to devote more time to his concert and festival promoting activities and his artist management business, especially internationally as he has “big work to do this year with Brooke Fraser and the Naked and Famous”.
“At heart, I am an artist manager,” he says.
RIANZ President Adam Holt says in the five years Smith has been at the helm, he has achieved an enormous amount for RIANZ and its members.
House Of Shem Announce Island Vibration Album Release Tour
House of Shem hail from Aotearoa, New Zealand and like many legendary reggae groups this band is built around the classic harmony trio format. At the helm is Carl Perkins, a man with over thirty years experience writing and playing reggae music. As a former member of ‘Herbs’, ‘Mana’ and ‘The Twelve Tribes Of Israel’ amongst others, Carl’s musical credentials are impeccable.
Joining Carl are two of his sons Te Omeka and Isaiah who not only provide harmonies and play keyboards, they are both lead vocalist and composers in their own right. It is this blood link and family bond that renders the sum of their combined voices as something really extraordinary. Each of the three has their own distinct song writing style and voice, effectively giving the band three lead singers. The harmonies are sublime and the precision of their ensemble performance is phenomenal. For their new album Island Vibration the Perkins family also worked with up and coming artist Karl Thomas, who provides another unique voice for the band.
On the back announcing the release of their second album Island Vibration on February 14th, local reggae giants House Of Shem have announced a five date album release tour to coincide with the album’s release in New Zealand.
Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson Mixes First Ever George FM Yearbook
In celebration of all things dance, George FM are pleased to announce the release of the George FM Yearbook 2010 album, mixed by local dance veteran Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson.
Taking the tracks you love off the airwaves and putting them into one DJ spinning, shape cutting, ass shaking collection, the George FM Yearbook looks over the year that was, to bring you the biggest and best tunes of 2010.
Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson, host of the Magik Sessions on George FM, says the album covers several music genres to give a good representation of what George is about.
“2010 was another huge year for dance music on George FM. It was a year where different genres like Dubstep, UK funky and Drum n Bass were mixed in with traditional house and took influences from Indigenous music from around the world. It was a great opportunity to be asked to mix the George yearbook.”
The Yearbook features big club tunes including 'Hold On' by dubstep giant Rusko, high rotate favourite 'Am Not A Robot' (Doorly Mix) by Marina and the Diamonds, Yolanda Be Cool's crossover monster 'We No Speak Americano' and Ou Est Le Swimming Pool's 'Dance The Way I Feel'.
Other NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News
Muzic.net.nz News
New Artists
The following musicians were added to the muzic.net.nz website during the last fortnight:
| Suppression | Masters of our Universe |
| Bradley Garner | Illuminus |
| Shelter | Augmented |
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Reviews and Photos
These reviews and photos were added to the site in the last two weeks, check them out at the links below:
- You can check out every single interview and review in our Articles Page.
Tour Features
Every feature we have ever had on the site can be viewed here.
Information about muzic.net.nz newsletters
The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on 27 February.
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- The muzic.net.nz team
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