April Fish, the avant-garde duo, is made up of Katie Morton, spritian keyboard virtuoso and lyricist extraordinaire, and Wellington Warr guitarist John Costa. They answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
Katie: My favourite songs on our album are Fido and A Darker Shade of Dream. It can be challenging to make music that matches the sounds in my head, and these two recordings come pretty close.
John: The as yet unreleased Carrot & Stick. There's something dark and lateral about it and I am so amazed I am in a band that plays this song.
How would you describe April Fish’s music in one sentence?
Katie: Alternative jazzy chamber-pop-rock proggy stuff that's often challenging, sometimes pretty pretty, and usually unusually convoluted.
John: Chamber Rock.
Katie: Ask again next week and get different answers from both of us.
What has been your most memorable show to date?
John: Amanda Palmer.
Katie: We opened for her three months after meeting and starting the band. It was surreal and amazing.
What sets you apart from other bands?
John: What doesn't?
Katie: We make an impressive amount of sound for just two people.
What can we expect to see from April Fish over the next year?
John: Stuff!!!
Katie: New music, another album, a music video, miscellaneous secret side projects. Basically, what John said. Stuff!
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Katie: Learn the "rules" then decide which ones are for you. Not all advice has to be acted on. Whatever you do, do it mindfully.
John: Get a real job.
Tell us about April Fish’s next release.
John: Mind-melting lateral music from a composer and a lousy builder living with a clinically insane dog.
Katie: In the words of 4 Non Blondes: Bigger, Better, Faster, More.
April Fish is Katie Morton (vocals, piano) and John Costa (guitar, vocals).
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The Back to Basics series is aimed at those who are new to management and wish to learn about the fundamentals of the music industry.
When: Tuesday 12 November 2013
Time: 6 – 8pm
Where: APRA offices, Unit 113 - Zone 23, 21-23 Edwin St, Mt Eden
Sheep, Dog & Wolf is the winner of the Hallenstein BrothersCritics’ Choice Prize in the 2013 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
Finalists Janine and the Mixtape, Paquin and Sheep, Dog & Wolf each performed a live set at the King’s Arms in Auckland last night (Wed. Nov. 6) in front of a packed crowd and a panel of 10 music critics.
The critics were tasked with selecting just one recipient, a musical prodigy they believe has the potential to become a future Tui winner.
Following an impressive set, Sheep, Dog & Wolf - the stage name of Auckland’s Daniel McBride - took home the prize.
McBride says: “I’m stunned. I’m just so happy. Paquin and Janine and the Mixtape were incredible tonight; I can’t wait to see where they go next.”
The Critics’ Choice Prize, now in its fourth year, is designed to recognise and promote up-and-coming Kiwi music talent and potential future music awards winners.
Kiwi band Supermodel’s lifelong dream has been realised.
World famous producer Reinhold Mack, who is responsible for producing some of history’s biggest bands including Queen, David Bowie, ELO, and The Rolling Stones, has mixed the second album of popular Wellington-based band Supermodel.
“It’s a dream come true”, says frontman Mark Hanify. “I’ve always aspired to work with a legendary producer who has worked with ‘the greats’ - like Freddie Mercury and Jeff Lynne - and learn some of their magic tricks.”
On 8 December, Supermodel will release the first hard-hitting single from their 12-track record Rimu and Roses, available to download for FREE. The Trial is a fresh, energetic song which shouts for freedom amidst a failing economy.
Songwriter and guitarist Mark Hanify was thrilled that his songs impressed the world-class producer.
Rhythm and Alps is excited to unveil the second line up for this year’s festival with the addition of 16 new acts to the bill. With over 40 international and local acts on two stages at the beautiful Robrosa Station in the Cardrona Valley, Wanaka, festival organisers are expecting the festival to sell out by the end of this month.
Zane Lowe has come a long way from a bedroom in Auckland where, as a five-year-old, he first became obsessed with rock music. His career started at New Zealand’s Max TV where he interviewed everyone from The Smashing Pumpkins through to KD Lang while also fronting local hip hop group Urban Disturbance and electronic soul outfit Break’s Co-Op. A move to London landed him a temporary holiday cover for MTV’s Eddie Temple- Morris, and they were so impressed they hired him full time. His encyclopaedic knowledge of alternative culture and interviews with bands made his show Gonzo one of the UK’s top tastemaker TV music shows.
In 2003 the call came from the BBC asking him to replace Steve Lamacq’s Evening Session on Radio One and gave him a free reign to choose his own playlist. Now he is not only known as an MTV legend and Radio One lynchpin, pounding out the world’s most exciting and innovative new sounds - Zane Lowe (aka Zipper) - is a successful international live DJ and remix artist in his own right.
The time has finally arrived that WOMAD enthusiasts hang out for, and the Womad curious get confused by… WOMAD line-ups always contain a bit of familiar but are always filled with artists you’ve not yet heard of… and therein lays the magic and the wonder of this unique festival.
For its 10th year in Taranaki, WOMAD will be giving audiences an unparalleled chance to discover, experience and celebrate the many riches of music, arts and dance the world has to offer. “Dance ‘til you drop” will be the motto for audiences who simply will not be able to resist moving to the high energy and upbeat rhythms of many of the WOMAD artists for 2014.
With a strong contemporary edge running through the line-up, many artists draw on their roots to explore new cultural and musical fusions, taking their music to another level.
Artistic Director, Drew James advises "Bring your dancin' shoes and prepare for another inspirational celebration of music, dance and diversity in Taranaki. We have some surprises planned too. Definitely don’t miss this one!”
To cap off the well-curated line-up, WOMAD are once again opening the gates to a local band that have not had the opportunity to play to a WOMAD audience. The 2014 Band Competition kicks off now and is a chance for the WOMAD audience to add their choice to the bill. All entry and voting runs on the WOMAD NZ website http://www.womad.co.nz/competitions-special-offers/band-competition
The Radio Network (TRN) continues to shake things up creating new positions which will focus exclusively on youth. CEO of TRN, Jane Hastings says youth is a priority and it needs dedicated resource.
“I’m hugely excited about our youth brands, where they are currently at and what their potential is. In the past 12 months TRN’s 18-34 National share has increased by 21.4 per cent over the last year (T2 2012 to T2 2013). This new structure is stage two of the plan and is about injecting more support around our youth brands and letting them fly.”
Now with an impressive 8 stages and over 60 acts Jim Beam Homegrown is set to create history. After the massive first announcement and mad rush on early bird tickets a further 25 acts have been added to a line-up that will see the most Kiwi music ever assembled in one place at one time.
On February 15th 2014 the entire Wellington waterfront will come to life with Homegrown’s most diverse line-up to date; including award-winners, exclusive collaborations, old favourites and a wealth of rising talent. There really is something for everyone with an amazing line-up, two new stages, new layouts, more free to the public entertainment and a wider range of food, beverage and VIP options.
Independent Music NZ are looking for bands for showcase gigs. If you are interested, contact Ryan Kershaw on [email protected].
Ryan's book Use Your Buzz To Play The Guitar is now available from Rockshops, and is the first book in history to combine personal growth with music tuition.
Ryan also recently went over to America to talk about his book with the biggest selling non-fiction author in the world, Jack Canfield, who has sold half a billion books and plays guitar. More information on Ryan's book and his coaching services for NZ bands can be found at http://www.ryankershaw.com/band-coaching-career-guidance/.
Verlaines Re-Issues Announced
Surf Friends New Single, Album and Tour Announced
New Grayson Gilmour Video - 'Minus Times Infinity'
New Beastwars Video and Tour
Hurricane Kids Release Their New Single Wake Up The World, For Free!
PCP Eagles 'I Hate The Mall' Video
Neil Finn - New Album Dizzy Heights
Ekko Park Release Debut Album Tomorrow Tomorrow Today
The Means New Album 'The Ends'
Clap Clap riot announce new album
Surf City Release NYC Video
Sleepywolf album out November 8th
All a Flutter: Music Video Release
Birdy To Perform At an Exclusive IHeartRadio Showcase in Auckland Monday 18 November
Heineken serves up the NZ Festival of Tennis, along with Hollie Smith, P-Money and more
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to perform in NZ in 2014!
Xavier Rudd with Little Bushman - Summer Tour!
See 2013 out with a bang in the Vodafone Vintage Club at Rhythm & Vines
The Map Room Chart NZ Tour
iHeartRadio Announces its next free concert
KT Tunstall Announces Two NZ Shows
Britain's Trip-Hop Trio Morcheeba Are Heading To NZ for Two Shows
Kelly Joe Phelps with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms Tour
Neko Case Announces Auckland Show!
Louis Baker, North Island Tour - November
Lee Fields and the Expressions live in New Zealand for the first time
Passenger announces NZ support and sells out both shows!
Announcing Mt Eden Summer tour
Action Bronson To Join The Rapture 2014 Line Up!
John Mayer Announces NZ Show In April 2014
NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News
The following musicians have been added to the muzic.net.nz website in the last fortnight:
Dollhouse | The Stragglers |
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Sons Of Zion - Universal Love album review
Written by Aaron
Roy, Static Era, All Dead Superstars, Kavort @ The Royal 19/10/2013
Written by Aaron
8 Foot Sativa @ The Royal, Palmerston North 11/10/13
Written by Peter
Dead Dreamers - No Closure for Open Ends Album Review
Written by River
Static Era - Dare to Fail EP Review
Written by Peter
Heathen Eyes - Blood of Cain Single Release Gig Review @ Kings Arms Tavern, Auckland 01/11/13
Written by Jesse
Ekko Park - Tomorrow Tomorrow Today album review
Written by Peter
Lucas O'Connell - Songs to Sleep On Album Review
Written by Janise
All of our reviews and interviews can be read here.
All muzic.net.nz features can be viewed here
The last muzic.net.nz newsletter for 2013 is going out on Sunday 24 November!
Any NZ bands and musicians can feature in this newsletter
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 8160 members!
With this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter is an excellent promotional tool.
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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 17 November.
- The muzic.net.nz team