Driven by the power of live performance, sheer hard work and savvy independent CD and vinyl releases, the dream of world domination for New Zealand's seven headed soul monster is fast becoming a reality. Fat Freddy's Drop have carved a place for themselves in NZ music lore - thirteen years and Freddys are still together, still doing things in their inimitable way and still getting better and better. Scott Towers answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

Hey guys so excited for the new release, what can we expect?

Hopefully a really good listen, some beautiful artwork and an entertaining - and enlightening - set of liner notes.

How would you describe the sound of this album?

In lots of ways it's 'typically Freddys'. We tend to include a whole range of sounds and styles in our music, and that's definitely true of this record. That said, I'd say most of the individual tracks themselves have a definite 'sonic palette' we've really tried to mine for every nugget - some are heavy dub songs; some are soul; some are more techno influenced.

What is the song I have to listen to first?

Blackbird, because it's the first track on the album.

It was pretty democratic really. Most of the musical ideas came about during marathon jam sessions we held in our studio, and then Joe Dukie would start working up lyrical ideas as we solidified and refined the ideas.

Our go-to raconteur/videographer/hype-man {MC Slave} dropped a great verse on a dub track called Russia. {Rio Hemopo} also played bass on that track, and we had {Julien Dyne} and {Dreadford} (ex {Shapeshifter}) did some great drum passes for us that got used on some of the songs.

Who would you most like to work with given the chance?

There are so many individuals - both local and international. But I think writing and recording overseas or arranging a big string section is pretty appealing.

What song do you wish you would have written, or most love to perform in terms of covers?

We've often talked about doing a cover in our set, but it hasn't eventuated.... yet. We jam Bill Wither's tune Harlem quite a bit at rehearsals, so perhaps that one will get in there one day.

What responses have you had about the album already?

Universally positive, thankfully.

What is the plan for the next year, to tour? Overseas or NZ?

We're actually pretty busy for the rest of 2013. We've got the album coming out, two European tours, two trips to Australia and then shows in NZ. We're looking at going to Japan for the first time and possibly a return to the US. Plus golf, fishing... oh, and families and kids.

I saw the new music video I like the marionettes, who comes up with those ideas, do you have input?

{MC Slave}. That guy loves pulling off these crazy ideas and we just give him free range to do what he thinks will work. 

Where is the best place to play live?

Obviously it's great playing to your home crowd, so NZ is pretty special for us.But in general continental Europe has the best venues, best production and dare I say it, best crowds. 

Whats the best thing about being in a Band?

Making music with other people who's musical input you respect.

What is the most embarrassing or best story you guys have about touring?

I don't know that I can share the most embarrassing stories, but definitely one of best stories about touring is that we've been able to do it for over 10 years.

Who would you add to the band if you could choose a new member?

Hell, there are almost too many of us as it is. I'd say a travelling chef - they wouldn't need to play anything, but their contribution to a tour would be huge.

What music are you into right now?

I listening to dozens of online mixes and podcasts - most of it is not tracklisted so I have no idea what it is, but suffice to say there's a little bit of everything in there. I'm really liking the stripped back afro-techno stuff that people like Four Tet (Kieran Hebdan) and Daphni (Daniel Snaith) are doing, and I always keep an ear out for locals like {Julien Dyne}, {Riki Gooch}, {El Truento} etc.

What would you be doing if you weren't in a band?

In a perfect world I'd be independently wealthy layabout who wasted his money running a small venue at night, a small New York style deli during the day, andworked as a volunteer firefighter on my days off. The reality is I'd probably be back working in digital media, which is what I did for several years before joining the band.

What do you do on days off?

Household chores mainly. I've got a five year old son who I love hanging out with, I sift around in secondhand record stores and teach myself how to cook.

What advice do you have for up and comers on the NZ music scene?

It's a long and sometimes tough road, so if you're going to get there you've got to commit. It is incredibly rewarding though so stick with it. And have fun. I stopped playing music for a number of years because it started feeling like a grind, and only really started again when I missed the thrill.

How did you get into music?

I started playing the saxophone at intermediate school, but only got into it seriously when I had to spend 9 months more or less inside after badly breaking my leg. That gave me plenty of time to really practise and play, and I found that I really loved it. I studied for a Bachelor of Music and went from there.

What can you not leave home without when on tour?

Laptop - for skyping my wife and son.

What is a rumor you want to start about a band member or about the band?

There is a solid gold disc inside one of the Blackbird CDs that we're about to release, you better buy heaps if you want to have a chance of finding it.

Fat Freddy's Drop are Dallas 'Joe Dukie' Tamaira (vocals), Chris 'DJ Fitchie' Faiumu (MPC, samples, effects), Tehimana 'Jetlag Johnson' Kerr (guitar), Iain 'Dobie Blaze' Gordon (keyboards), Toby 'Tony Chang' Laing (trumpet), Joe 'Hopepa' Lindsay (trombone) and Scott 'Chopper Reedz' Towers (saxophone).

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
Amplifier Page
MySpace Page
Facebook Page

Kobosh are an alt-ish rock band from Wellington who moved to Berlin late last year and have been sifting around Europe since then. Leah answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

What sets you apart from other bands?

We each draw on influences that are completely different and they all get thrown in together like a hearty winter stew.  Joe likes hip-hop and unce unce, Ben fiends on crap 80's power-ballads, Leah is a metalhead (she also plays in El Schlong), Ilya likes quirky Eastern music and Carl has a choir-nerd background.  Somehow this all comes across in our songs, although it is unclear exactly how or when.......

Do you have any plans for future collaborations with other musicians? Who would they be?

Aaliyah and Stevie Ray Vaughan are pretty keen but we have to check our calendars and they will need to do some metronome work first.

How would you describe Kobosh’s music in one sentence?

Avant-alt-rock-quirk-core. That's one word (severely compounded).

What has been your most memorable show to date?

A motorcycle gang bar in a random town in Poland. Leah was gifted an intricate model of a motorbike. Nobody was stabbed.

What sets you apart from other bands?

Steely gazes and muscular thighs. We already answered that question at the start, but thought it needed some clarification.

Where is your favourite place to relax in NZ?

Family planning.

What is Kobosh’s long term goal?

To avoid being deported from Berlin.  

What can we expect to see from Kobosh over the next year?

We moved to Berlin at the end of last year and we plan to continue playing around Europe for as long as they will let us. We have shows coming up in Germany and Poland along with a two week tour of the UK. An album is also on the cards in 2014. In the meantime you can download our EP for free here.

What can you never leave home without?

We'd like to say keys, but sadly that's not the case.

What rumour would you like to start about Kobosh?

That we're worth listening to.

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

We rolled our van on the motorway near Wellington coming back from a show in Auckland a while back. A few of us weren't wearing seatbelts, things went flying and two of us were taken via ambulance to a medical centre. The worst part of the ordeal was that a Korn CD was in the stereo at the time and it continued to play while the van was tipped over on its side. We managed to stop it before the paramedics arrived, but it left us quite shaken.

Kobosh is Carl (vocals), Ilya (guitar), Leah (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Ben (bass) and Joe (drums).

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Bandcamp Page
Official Website
MySpace Page
Facebook Page
Twitter Page

Nominations open for 2013 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards

It’s music awards time again and nominations for the nation’s biggest music event of the year open today (27 May).

The 48th annual RIANZ Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards ceremony, held at Auckland’s Vector Arena will take place on Thursday 21 November.

Chris Caddick, managing director of the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand, is looking forward to seeing who this year’s contenders are.

“With the huge number of releases of New Zealand music during the past 12 months we’re expecting a bumper crop of nominations for both established and new artists across all the categories and genres.”

Details on who can, and how to, nominate can be found at http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/. Unless otherwise specified, awards are open to New Zealand artists who have had recordings commercially released between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013. Nominations stay open until 5pm on Monday 8 July.

Full Article

Double win for Delaney and Marlon

Christchurch duo Delaney Davidson and Marlon Williams are double winners of the New Zealand Country Music Awards announced as part of the Gold Guitar festival in Gore tonight (Thursday May 30).

The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand and the Australasian Performing Right Association have both acknowledged Delaney and Marlon’sacclaimed album Sad but True – The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Vol. 1.

The recording has gained the RIANZ Best Country Album Tui while the single Bloodletter is awarded the APRA Best Country Song 2013.

Full Article

New Zealand’s Premier Reggae Artists Sing Together For A Cause

Sparked by a noble cause and a passion for change, 12 of New Zealand’s premier reggae artists have joined forces in the fight against child abuse in New Zealand. Together they form the Aotearoa Reggae All-Stars and are collaborating on a remake of the Herbs’ classic, Sensitive to a Smile.

The stellar line-up includes, Che Fu, Katchafire, Tomorrow People, Sons of Zion, 1814, Ria Hall, House of Shem, Three Houses Down, Chad Chambers, NRG Rising, Majic and Tasty Brown.

Led by Rio Panapa (Sons of Zion) and Avina Kelekolio (Tomorrow People), the project is focused on raising awareness towards a violence-free family environment. All proceeds from the sale of the single will go to Maori Child Advocacy organisation, Mana Ririki.

Full Article

New Releases

'Paint Fade' - The New Video From Smashproof
The driving rhythmical talent behind Electric Wire Hustle goes solo with international release
Anna Coddington - Bird in Hand Out Now
Weird Together, Dan Aux & Donell Lewis New Singles Out Now!
Evan Sinton Releases Phosphenes EP May 31
New Golden Awesome Video Released

Tours and Gigs

Ghost Wave - "Ages" Album Release Tour
Truth Announce NZ Tour!
The Warratahs Announce Mid Winter Tour
The Black Angels Announce NZ Tour!
Bernard Fanning Departures Tour
Rhythm And Vines Tickets On Sale!
Northern Bass is Back! New Year 2013/14
Neutral Milk Hotel announce New Zealand shows
DIY troubadours El Schlong home for the winter

NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News

New Artists

The following musicians have been added to the muzic.net.nz website in the last fortnight:

Add yourself or your band to muzic.net.nz!
Add Artist Form
Info about filling out the add artist form

New Reviews

Solstate - Solstate Album Review
Written by Alistar

P-Money - Gratitude Album Review
Written by Peter

Diamond Doll - Plus None EP Review
Written by Kerry

Awa - Heartbeat Album Review
Written by Emma

Superturtle - Beat Manifesto LP Review
Written by Tony

Matt Langley - Virginia Avenue Album Review
Written by Peter

All of our reviews and interviews can be read here.

Tour Features

All muzic.net.nz features can be viewed here.

The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on Sunday 23 June!

Any NZ bands and musicians can feature in our newsletters
You can choose any newsletter date which suits you.

We can also feature record labels, venues, music stores, music websites
and anything else that has something to do with NZ music!

If you would like to feature in a muzic.net.nz newsletter, contact Lisa for further details.

Muzic.net.nz newsletters are currently sent out to over 8100 members!
With this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter is an excellent promotional tool.

Our newsletter archives are one of the most accessed areas on the site.

If you would like to advertise in our newsletter and/or gig mail out, email Lisa.

The next muzic.net.nz gig mail out is going out on Sunday 16 June.

- The muzic.net.nz team

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