Newsletter Issue #443: 18 Aug 2013
Shepherds of Cassini
Shepherds Of Cassini are a post-metal/progressive-rock band from Auckland. The band combine progressive rock with post rock/metal influences, along with psychedelic, atmospheric sound experimentation. Their sound consists of complex, dynamic compositions, heavy middle-eastern riffs, aggressive tribal rhythms with touches of emotive, gentle passages.
Their self titled, debut album will be released in August 2013. They answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
What is the one thing you want NZ to know about Shepherds of Cassini?
Everybody we have known, even if for a short moment in time, has contributed to allowing the universe make this band happen.
How would you describe the Shepherds of Cassini’s music in one sentence?
Progressive rock with a post-metal, psychedelic twist.
What has been your most memorable show to date?
We were invited to play the 3am slot at Chronophonium 2013 in Tangihua Lodge. That show was amazing.
What can we expect to see from Shepherds of Cassini over the next year?
We will be releasing an album this month (August 2013) so we expect to play more gigs this year to promote it, and we’d love to do a tour at some point in the not too distant future so hopefully we can make that happen. We’re also working on new material, so we’re also hoping there’ll be a new album at some point. It’s difficult since one of us (Felix) lives in Wellington, and we’ve all got day (and night) jobs, so it’s a pretty complex time/logistics organisation task.
Tell us about Shepherds of Cassini’s next release.
It’s our first album. It’s pretty much 90% of all the material we’ve written together since we formed in early 2012. The sound ranges from heavy, gentle, psychedelic, haunting, soothing, dark and atmospheric. It is essentially a prog rock album, and it really is an ‘album’ as opposed a collection of songs. It’s 60mins worth of music divided into 5 tracks that fade into each other. Mostly instrumental, we use vocals sparingly, and as a result they come across more like an effect that’s used here and there, rather than a central element to focus on.
We recorded it at Depot Sound in Devonport with our engineer Dave Rhodes, and it was mastered by Chris Chetland at Kog Studio in Titirangi. The artwork was done by our friend and very talented/awesome graphic designer, Chris Lewis.
What inspired you to start the Shepherds of Cassini?
Vitesh and Omar’s previous band Pilgrim’s Pyre was coming to an end, and they (Omar and Vitesh) wanted to form a new band and carry on playing music. Vitesh met Felix through mutual friends, and met Brendan through The Rock Club at Auckland university. A jam was lined up and it went from there.
Shepherds of Cassini are Vitesh Bava (bass), Omar Al-Hashemi (drums), Felix Lun (violin) and Brendan Zwaan (guitar, vocals).
Website Links
Muzic.net.nz Page
Amplifier Page
MySpace Page
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Youtube Page
Bandcamp Page
Past gigs/events
Upcoming gigs/events
Datewiththeknife
Datewiththeknife started life in 2011 in Feilding out in a back shed. Datewiththeknife were the musical side project of Daniel and James. In 2012 a full band was created with the addition of Mickey, JT and Neil.
2012 also saw the introduction of the 12 songs in 12 months demo sessions. the best of these demos were recorded in 2013 for the self recorded self released LP I Read A Book About A Mountain with the addition of musician’s Gauds, Phil, Annie, Dion and Mike (vvb). Datewiththeknife was born in 2013. Daniel answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
How would you describe datewiththeknife’s music in one sentence?
I can't really describe the music, maybe If I mentioned a few of our influences, Explosions In The Sky, Mono, This Will Destroy You, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Fuck Buttons, mewithoutyou, My Bloody Valentine.
However the overall feeling of each track is so far from these influences as well. I guess we are a mongrel of postrock and shoegaze with a bit of 90s emo.
Someone who reviewed and interviewed us described us as “Friday Night Lights” I still don’t know what that means.
That’s not really one sentence is it.
How did you come up with the name datewiththeknife?
Long story short I was in Wellington Hospital getting my lung removed (true story) and that’s when James came up with the idea to record some demos I had been sitting on, so the idea was cemented to start a band whilst waiting for my datewiththeknife. The name is so lame now… but we’re stuck with it.
What is the most memorable show to date?
I am sure each member of this band (there are 10 of us… not all make gigs) will have a memorable show but I think the last one we did with {Die!Die! Die!} in Whanganui. Firstly the fact we got to play with one of NZ’s best live bands (recorded ok… but live they are sick) but we also got to play at one of NZ’s best live music venues Space Monster. Space Monster Jack who runs the joint is such a nice dude and the venue is super rad. Whanganui has such a cool supportive scene with rad people and such a sweet vibe it was choice. It was also the first time we had played together since 2012 which was a good 5 months since we all last stood on a stage together. We are based all over the place, Feilding, Bunnythorpe, Whanganui, Wellington, Lower Hutt, Kapiti that for us to all get together is a special thing and this gig on this night… it was just super rad.
What local albums have you been enjoying recently?
I can’t really answer for the others but in Palmerston North we have some pretty choice bands and the albums that I am still really enjoying listening to are:
Robin – Always Different http://robin.bandcamp.com/releases
Sweater – Sweater http://sweaterr.bandcamp.com/album/sweater
A Forest Fires, The Bamboo Shoots – Grooming Tips For The Upset http://aforestfiresthebambooshoots.bandcamp.com/
Castlecliff Lights – Castlecliff Lights http://castleclifflights.bandcamp.com/
{Spook the Horses} – Brighter http://spookthehorses.bandcamp.com/
All of these bands have influenced us hugely and they are local artists which is super.
What is datewiththeknife's long term goal?
I guess we are most comfortable…or most uncomfortable depending on how you look at it…on the stage…we really love playing live… so our long term goal is to play more gigs. This year has been a bit slow for gigs due to family commitments (new baby girl) but we are just starting to book some shows for the end of this year. Actually the next gig is going up in September at Puppies in
What sets you apart from other bands?
I was recently chatting to Callum from {Spook The Horses}, he’s a super nice dude that helped us with advice on gigs and gear and recording just good sound advice from someone in the know. He said the other day, “4 guitars! damn dude you’re the first band in NZ I know of to have upped us. People use to laugh at us having 3 guitars, we officially pass the torch” so what sets us apart.... hmmm… we are a band of 8 people… sometimes 10.
Datewiththeknife is Dion, Mickey, Neil, JT, Gauds, Phil, Annie, Mike (vvb), James and Daniel.
Website Links
Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
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NZ Music News
Parachute 2014 Tickets now on sale
After a sellout year in 2013, tickets to Parachute Festival 2014 are now on sale.
The festival is New Zealand’s longest running music festival, celebrating its 24th year in 2014.
Due to onsite renovations at Mystery Creek in 2013, Parachute was capped at 17,500 tickets, selling out on the weekend. Tickets will be capped again in 2014.
Tickets will be sold in price tiers, the first of which sold out at Parachute 2013. Second tier pricing begins at $128 for an adult, $70 for a child and $318 for a family.
Parachute’s first line-up release is slated for September 2nd.
Parachute Festival 2014 will run from 24th-26th January at Mystery Creek.
2013 SmokefreeRockquest - 25 Years Of Kiwi Music Success – National Finalists Announced
Success in the Kiwi-music industry is a step closer for the eight Smokefreerockquest national finalists, announced today.
There were 654 entries in this year’s only nationwide, orginal youth music event, with contenders going forward from 23 regional finals to play off at the national final in Auckland on September 28.
Judges from the music industry today named the top six bands and two solo/duos, selected from DVDs submitted since the regional finals.
Matt Warman from Midnight Youth said the Smokefreerockquest finalists demonstrated that music in New Zealand is in a very good place: “What really excited me was seeing that in spite of all the ipads and iphones kids are still into the fundamentals of what music is about – guitars, basses, drums and making really good rock ‘n roll.”
Sony Music Announce Signing Boy Band Moorhouse
After weeks of fevered anticipation, Moorhouse the group of charming lads who won the hearts and affection of teenage and adult fans alike during this year’s season of The X Factor New Zealand, have been signed by Sony Music.
Moorhouse, is Marley Wilcox-Nanai, 17, Rory McKenna, 20, Brock Ashby, 19, Jason Aileone, 19.
Hailing from the mighty Christchurch, the boys had already begun making a name for themselves before stealing the show at their audition for the series, singing a compelling cover of Justin Bieber’s As Long As You Love Me.
Announcing The Big Band Build
Habitat for Humanity and The New Zealand Music Foundation are proud to be partnering together to create The Big Band Build.
A week-long event like no other, The Big Band Build will bring together some of New Zealand’s most loved musical acts, their fans, community groups and corporate teams, to build a home for a family in housing need.
During the day, Don McGlashan, SJD, The Phoenix Foundation, Anika Boh & Hollie, and Shihad will swap mics and instruments for tools. Under the supervision of Habitat’s master builders, and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, they will construct a home on the forecourt of Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral, which will later be transported to an Auckland site.
Then at night the acts will play a series of gigs inside the Cathedral.
Rhythm and Alps announces 2013 festival line up!
The Rhythm Group is excited to present to you the first line up announcement for the 2013 Rhythm and Alps festival.
Pioneering act Rudimental will bring their explosive energy and talented mixing skills in the form of a DJ set to Rhythm and Alps festival goers. With a melting pot of influences stamped firmly across the brilliant and adventurous album Home, Rudimental topped the UK charts with their number one hits, the Brit Nominated Feel The Love and Waiting All Night ft. Ella Eyre.
Rudimental have a strong musical heart, and like Soul II Soul, Massive Attack or Basement Jaxx before them, have come together to strike musical gold with a unique identity, beats and soulful voices. This pioneering act will bring their explosive energy and talented mixing skills for a sensational New Year’s eve.
Shapeshifterby name and by nature, this electronic outfit continue to sell out shows worldwide from Gisborne to Glastonbury. With multiple music awards, platinum sales and a loyal fan base, this band from Christchurch set dance floors moving with their experimental blend of soulful electronica and drum and bass.
Full Article
Rhythm and Alps announces new location for 2013 festival
Satellite Media sells Rip It Up
Satellite Media today announces that it has sold its iconic music title Rip It Up, to Grant Hislop of Hark Entertainment.
Whilst Rip It Up has been an important part of the Satellite portfolio for the past 12 years, the focus moving forward is on Satellite’s thriving business in digital and TV.
Founded in 1977 by Murray Cammick, Rip It Up has been an integral part of the New Zealand music and pop culture landscape, growing from its free newsprint origins, to the magazine it is today.
Rhythm and Vines first line up announcement
The long wait is over. Fans of New Zealand’s biggest music festival, Rhythm and Vines, can finally stop counting down the days to this year’s first line up announcement.
Now in its 11th year, Rhythm and Vines is delighted to reveal the 2013 line up including some of the best and biggest international and kiwi artists playing over three days on the beautiful Waiohika Estate in Gisborne.
Rhythm and Vines is excited to announce the return of the Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun. The duo shot to international fame with the award winning debut album Walking on a Dream. The album went double platinum in Australia and gold in the USA. Now they return to Rhythm and Vines to woo audiences with their second release Ice on the Dune.
Shapeshifter by name and by nature, this electronic outfit continue to sell out shows worldwide from Gisborne to Glastonbury. With multiple music awards, platinum sales and a loyal fan base, this band from Christchurch set dance floors moving with their experimental blend of soulful electronica and drum and bass.
Marbecks is back!
The Marbeck family sold Marbecks Records eight years ago, and now in the store’s 79th year the family have re-purchased Marbecks Classical, Jazz and Specialist Imports.
Shop 28 Queens Arcade, 34 Queen St, Auckland, New Zealand 1010
“I have been in the music wholesale business since I sold Marbecks eight years ago and we service approximately 70% of the country’s classical releases through Ode Records. We know there are over 40,000 classical music aficionados and a huge number of jazz enthusiasts also in New Zealand and that’s who we’re here for,” says Roger Marbeck.
“It became very apparent that with the closing of the Marbecks stores by the people who bought me out there was suddenly going to be no outlets left to look after these enthusiasts. So we negotiated and they agreed to allow us to use the Marbecks Classical name and open a specialist store once again in the Queens Arcade where my father and grandfather based us in 1934.
New Releases, Tours and Gigs
Kiwi Divas new Video Applauds Same Sex Marriage
Maree Sheehan To Release Single In Support Of Daffodil Day
Five Mile Town release Curious Creature
New Music Video for The Favoured Few’s song, Seventeen
Bailterspace Announce New Album Trinine and "Films of You" single
Sharpie Crows New Album '12 Omeros'
Anna Coddington Make You Mine new single and tour
Hurricane Kids Are Set To Release Their New Single "Over" On August 16th
Massad - Girl Next Door - new single
Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band To Play Mt Smart Stadium
Bring Me The Horizon announce Auckland show
Shitripper Tour Dates
PCP Eagles 'I Hate The Mall Tour'
iHeartRadio and Lorde Combine For First Major Concert
Matt Corby announces ‘Resolution’ Tour to head to New Zealand
Fly My Pretties - Tour Concept Announcement
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Return to New Zealand this November
Ladi6 - The Automatic Takeover Tour
NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News
Muzic.net.nz News
New reviewers for the muzic.net.nz team
We would like to welcome two new reviewers to the muzic.net.nz team. Jason is the vocalist and also plays guitar for Heathen Eyes, and Jesse is the bassist for Blackleaf Gardens.
New Artists
The following musicians have been added to the muzic.net.nz website in the last fortnight:
| Apex | Drop State |
| Suicide Junkies | Electric Goat |
Add yourself or your band to muzic.net.nz!
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New Reviews
Bulletproof - #Listen Album Review
Written by Tony
Datewiththeknife - I Read A Book About A Mountain Album Review
Written by Jesse
2 a.m. Orchestra - Working to Divide Album Review
Written by Peter
The Phoenix Foundation live at James Caberet, Wellington, 27/07/13
Written by Tony
Swamp Thing - Primordium Album Review
Written by Chris
Janine and the Mixtape - Dark Mind EP Review
Written by Jesse
Oslo Brown - Through The Storm Single Review
Written by Jesse
8 Foot Sativa - The Shadow Masters Single Review
Written by Jason
All of our reviews and interviews can be read here.
Tour Features
All muzic.net.nz features can be viewed here.
About muzic.net.nz Newsletters
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