Breaking into the local music scene in September of 2009 with their debut album Catalyst, post-industrial metal band Crash-Scan has been a fixture in Wellington, as well as a welcome visitor to Auckland and other NZ towns and cities, for almost five years. Having made a name for themselves as entertaining and proficient performers pushing a highly individual sound, the band has taken the next step and released a follow-up to Catalyst, the punishing Repeat Until False. While Catalyst featured stompingly accessible songs to headbang to, Repeat Until False takes a more measured and layered approach, the hydraulic-powered metallic butterfly to Catalyst's vicious caterpillar. Thanks to Bryan for answering the following questions:

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

We've had some preliminary discussions with Auckland's Dying of the Light on collaborating on a couple of tracks or something similar. We've also got a bunch of fellow musicians from all over NZ working on some remixes from our latest album that we plan to release along with some new originals later on in the year.

What sets you apart from other bands?

We're one of only a few bands in NZ currently incorporating electronics and cut-up,'found sound'/noise material in the context of metal. While we have our influences, we certainly don't sound like anything else out there.

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

Our inspiration to create music originated from the complete lack of anything that we wanted to hear of this type being made locally. We figured we should do it ourselves, and surely there would be others out there that shared our tastes.
To create new music? Just a desire to keep expanding and making better and more varied music. Having fans that enjoy what we create certainly makes it more appealing, but even without people to listen I think most of us would still be doing what we do because we love it.

What can we expect to see from Crash-Scan over the next year?

We're planning a few shows around the country to showcase the new album, definitely hitting Auckland and Christchurch this year. We've already started work on the next EP, and this will contain 4 new tracks and however many remixes we can get done of our latest album by the time the EP is ready. We're hoping to release this on Cassette as well as digitally. New T-shirts are being designed as we speak, and we're hoping to have some patches available also.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

If you've got something unique you want to make or hear, then just get out there and do it. The tools to create and record music are more available than ever before, and the channels now exist to share this with anyone for free.

Photos by James Peryer

Crash-Scan are Ron 'Ronatron' Nobbs (vocals, programming), Bryan Tabuteau (synths, samples, programming, vocoder), Vivian 'Vivichrist' Stewart (studio - bass) and Ezekiel 'Ezekill' Clark (live - bass).

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
Facebook Page
Youtube Page
Bandcamp Page
Reverbnation Page
iTunes Page
Amazon Page

Repeat Until False Album Review

Fallen Order released their debut EP The Age of Kings in February. They have gathered great reviews from around Europe, including from the prestigious Rock Hard magazine in Germany. As well as airplay in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, UK and the US, they have signed a licensing deal with Stormspell Records, who are in turn releasing their own version of The Age of Kings worldwide at the end of May. Fallen Order will be going on a North and South Island tour towards the end of the year, to promote the CD - Dates to be announced soon. Fallen Order is now writing and tracking demos for their next release, due out sometime next year and are planning to head over to Australia to promote it.

The Age of Kings is currently available in the following countries through distributors; Greece, Germany, Japan and North America and will be available worldwide through Stormspell Records at the end of May. Those in New Zealand and Australia may contact the band at [email protected] to organize payment and shipping, or you can download the album from iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

Photo by Ben Winters

Fallen Order is Hamish Murray (vocals), Ben Jays (guitar), Kieran Gallagher (guitar), Tooley (bass) and Nikki Terror (drums).

Website Links

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

The Age of Kings EP Review

Mitch Alderlieste is 17 year old musician/songwriter currently based in Blenheim, Marlborough. Already he has achieved some national success with his songs and has had opportunities to play with and be mentored by some big name New Zealand artists. Thanks to Mitch for answering the following questions:

Who are your role models in the NZ music industry?

Shihad have definitely been huge roles models to me as a songwriter, musician and performer. I was lucky enough to have one on one mentoring with Jon Toogood last year.

Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?

For me and I think this is the case for a lot of songwriters but the one song I’m always the most proud of is the last one I wrote. It’s hard to pick one because they are all so different from each other and have a special meaning to me in their own way.

What has been your most memorable show to date?

Playing with The Exponents at the Classic Hit’s Winery Tour was definitely one to remember. They are a great bunch of guys! Definitely the most fun I’ve had on stage, that’s for sure.

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

I’ve noticed that a lot of my music does focus around everyday people. It may come from something I’ve seen in the media or something happening in amongst friends. Very rarely do I write about an experience that I have had personally. Not that I deliberately work that way, it just happens.

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

I’m actually in the process of recording an EP at the moment and plan on sending it out to as many people as I possibly can. So you will see a lot more recorded studio material!

What inspired you to become a musician?

I really got serious about music after my first proper stage performance. I knew afterwards that music was where my heart was and that music would be what I would set out to have as a career.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Perform and be heard! If you are still in school enter Smokefree Rock Quest. The first time I entered I didn’t win a thing. By my third go I found myself at the national final. If you keep at it you will get to where you want to be. SFRQ is a great way to build up your confidence on stage and it gets your songs heard!

What is your long term goal?

Music is my life ambition. To be successful as a musician both nationally and internationally would be, quite simply, the ultimate goal. I am excited about the experiences I have had so far and look forward to the journey my music will take me on.

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Youtube Page
The Audience Page
Soundcloud Page

Jack Wallis is an acoustic singer-songwriter currently based in Auckland. 

Deciding from a young age that music was the dream, Jack is forever writing and performing as he continues to grow as an artist. Playing a unique blend of acoustic and folk rock, the sound and style he has developed over the years is largely his own. 

Jack prides himself on his live performances and armed with only an acoustic guitar and his unique warm vocals he creates a full and rich sound.

After receiving positive recognition for his music on the final of the 2011 TVNZ Good Morning 'Find a star' competition and placing in the top 20 in the Play It Strange songwriting competition Jack has been investing increasing amounts of time into his music. 

With the hopes of pursuing a career in music he is currently focussing on writing and perfecting his original material which he hopes to record in the later part of 2014. With a head full of music and lyrical ideas Jack is constantly putting pen to paper and bringing his ideas to life.

Inspired by things in his everyday life Jack's original songs are simplistic yet full, featuring strong vocals and honest lyrics. 

With his busy performing schedule over the next few months Jack hopes to gain further exposure and to share his music with new people.

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Youtube Page

Country Music Award Winners Announced

Both awards have been presented this evening (May 23) at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore.

Kaylee Bell’s Tui for the Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Album will rest in a trophy cabinet filled with awards. In 2013 Bell won Best Female Artist at the National Country Music Awards in Hamilton and later became the first Kiwi since Keith Urban (1990) to win Australia’s Toyota Star Maker title.

Full Article

Tuis calling all NZ musicians

It’s that time of year again – nominations for the country’s biggest night in music officially open today (26 May).

The 49th annual Recorded Music NZ Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards take place in November at Auckland’s Vector Arena.

Following on from a huge year – which saw New Zealand artists top the charts both locally and internationally – Recorded Music NZ CEO Damian Vaughan says he is looking forward to seeing the nominations roll in.

“The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards is the ultimate celebration of the sheer talent and hard work local musicians put in to their art. Every year the bar is raised even higher and considering the success of local artists across all genres of music, we’re expecting nothing less in 2014”, Vaughan says.

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 2013 and 30 June 2014. Nominations stay open until 5pm on Monday 7 July.

Full Article

Janine and the Mixtape Takes Over US Charts

Auckland’s Janine and the Mixtape has taken the US iTunes charts by storm this week, with her Dark Mind EP propelled to #2 in the R&B charts and featured in the top 50 albums overall.

The exciting spike came following her single Hold Me appeared on hit VH1 show Love and Hip Hop Atlanta. That single currently sits in the top 10 on the US R&B iTunes charts.

“WMNZ are very excited for Janine. A Number #2 Chart position on the U.S Itunes Top 100 R&B/HIP HOP charts is an incredible result. We are very much looking forward to more new music from Janine this year,” said Warner Music New Zealand’s Phil Howling.

Full Article

Classic Kiwi artists get new lease on life

Shona Laing, John Hanlon, Ray Columbus - just a few of the Kiwi music greats lost amid a generation a digital downloads and streaming. Until now.

Record labels large and small – with assistance from Recorded Music New Zealand – have worked together to digitally re-issue more than 200 classic NZ albums.

In celebration of NZ Music Month, and in conjunction with NZ Music Commission, the project is being officially launched to industry at Auckland’s Tyler Street Garage this evening (19 May). The event has been dubbed ‘Tied to the Tracks’ in honour of a LP that had been hidden in London archives for more than 30 years.

Album covers of records that are now available digitally will be displayed throughout the bar with the displays open to the public from May 20.

The initiative is spearheaded by Recorded Music NZ board chair Chris Caddick. A veteran of the NZ music industry, Caddick has been acutely aware of the wealth of NZ back catalogue that wasn’t available online.

“We have so many talented artists throughout NZ’s music history who for a long time have been in no man’s land because they were available only on a physical recording,” Caddick says.

Full Article

Ding Dong Lounge Bands Competition 2014 - Entries Open!

The Ding Dong Lounge Bands Competition is now open to local bands and artists in Auckland and will take place in the upstairs bar from Saturday 7 June to Saturday 19 July.

There are a tonne of prizes to be won including the recording & mastering of a single at Depot Sound Recording Studios in Devonport with Tui award winning engineer Dave Rhodes, gig promotion through Phantom Billstickers and The Fold plus cash prizes.

For more information and entry forms, visit http://www.dingdongloungenz.com/ or ask for the bar for more details.

Full Article

Film and television music awards to be added to the APRA Silver Scroll Awards

Two new awards recognising the achievements of New Zealand’s film and television composers are being added to the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Awards - APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film and APRA Best Original Music in a Series.

In addition to the two new awards, the following will also be presented on the night:

· The APRA Silver Scroll Award, recognising excellence in popular music
· The APRA Maioha Award, recognising excellence in Maori music
· The SOUNZ Contemporary Award, recognising excellence in contemporary composition
· The Most Played New Zealand Works in New Zealand and Internationally

The night also includes an induction into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Full Article

Music Managers Awards 2014 - Winners

The MMF New Zealand, Recorded Music NZ and the NZ Music Commission are proud to announce the winners of the 2014 Music Managers Awards.

Scott MacLachlan won the prestigious Manager of the Year award for his work with the artists Lorde and Sol3 Mio. These artists have reached phenomenal levels of success over the preceding year and this award recognises the achievements both locally and internationally. A deserved win by a well respected manager in the industry.

Scott also took out the International Achievement award, for his work growing Lorde and Sol3 Mio in the American and European markets, as well as helping reach unprecedented global recognition.

In a new category this year, Dean Lawton won Breakthrough Manager, recognising his oustanding work growing the profile of his band Sons Of Zion.

The Best Independent Tour award was won by Teresa Patterson for putting together the Six60 March/April NZ tour 2013 & I Am Giant Razor Wire Reality single release tour Jan/Feb 2014’ which saw the bands play to a combined audience number of over 13,000 across both tours.

The Self-Managed Artist of the Year was won by Daniel McBride for self-managing his act Sheep Dog & Wolf. Self-Managing is a delicate dance between the creative and business mind. A difficult task to say the least and Daniel has made some fantastic headway as an artist and manager in 2013.

Full Article

David Dallas Tops the Pacific Music Awards

Celebrating a huge year of Pacific music, Frequency Media Group would like to congratulate David Dallas who topped the 10^th annual Pacific Music Awards last night, as well as Che Fu and Bella Kalolo who were also acknowledged for their incredible contributions.

Leading the awards, David Dallas was recognised for the resounding success of his third album Falling Into Place – which features platinum selling single Runnin' and The Wire feat Ruby Frost – by taking home three accolades: NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist and the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award for the hit single Runnin’.

Currently on tour across Europe and the US, the awards come as David Dallas’ unique sound continues to propel him into the international spotlight.

“Thanks for the support and thanks for even considering me for a Pacific Music Award – it’s a huge honour. I would have loved to have been there,” he said.

Full Article

Smokefreerockquest & Smokefree Pacifica Beats 2014

The entries are in, the venues are booked, the massive organisational effort of staging over 50 live gigs in regional centres from Invercargill to Kerikeri is about to begin as Smokefreerockquest and its sister event Smokefree Pacifica Beats get underway for 2014.

The events will be launched at a music industry function at Auckland’s Backbeat Bar on Tuesday May 13, where last year’s winners Waikato singer-songwriter Harry Parsons, Taupo indie band A Bit Nigel and reggae line up Strangely Arousing will show the level of talent, skill and performance sophistication that is demonstrated in these two live original music contests.

Founder and director Pete Rainey says Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats offer an experience with wide-ranging benefits.

SFRQ 2014 begins on May 15 with a regional final in Southland, while SFPB’s first event is May 24 in Canterbury. Over the next two months heats and finals are held in 23 regions around the country, then the top regional bands and solo/duos submit videos for selection as national finalists. The Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final is on Friday 26 September and Smokefreerockquest is on Saturday 27 September in Auckland.

Full Article

NZ Musicians - Tours and Releases

Ladi6 Release New Music Video For 'Hold Tight'
Ladi6 Announces National Tour Of New Zealand with Team Dynamite
Marlon Williams returns with special guest Melody Pool!
Die! Die! Die! and DZ Deathrays announce two joint headline NZ shows!
Louis Baker - Back On My Feet video
Hollie Smith announces special one off show at the Kings Arms June 11
P-Money x Buckshot: ‘BackPack Travels’ Album Release Announced
Maisy Start-Walter announces first Gisborne concert
Announcing Jody Direen single release - Tattoo
Splore shares the love and becomes an annual event
Liam Finn performs "Burn Up The Road" live from NYC
Kimbra’s New Single ‘90s Music’ Is On Sale Today!
PNC set to release new album 'The Codes' in June
P-Money x CalmTheFvckDown ‘New Love’ Video Released
Announcing Soulfest
'Because You' - New single for Jan Hellriegel
Anika Moa And Benny Tipene Double Up For Shows
I Am Giant Science & Survival album and tour
Dying of The Light release 'Factory' video
Like Clockwork
Tiny Ruins announces full NZ tour for Brightly Painted One
Songs From The Inside - album released today
Beck's New New Zealand Music Album Release
Introducing Bailey Wiley - IXL EP
Devilskin Announce We Rise Album Release And Tour
Junelle - Just This Sky EP release

International Musicians - Tours

Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro make their NZ debut
Katy Perry Announces New Zealand Tour Dates!
RÜFÜS announce a one off Auckland show
Passenger returns to New Zealand
Bob Dylan Announces Return To Australia & New Zealand
Frontier Touring Presents The History Of The Eagles - Live In NZ!
The English Beat New Zealand show update
USA drone & doom band Earth to tour New Zealand
Ben Howard second show announced

NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News

New Artists

The following musicians have been added to the muzic.net.nz website during May:

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

New Reviews

Check out our latest reviews at the links below:

The Naked and Famous @ The Powerstation, Auckland 16/05/14
Written by Ria

Tiny Ruins - Brightly Painted One Album Review
Written by Ria

Truly Made - For The Summer EP Review
Written by Aaron

Crash-Scan - Repeat Until False Album Review
Written by Matt

Fiona Pears - Swing Driven Thing Album Review
Written by Rodrigo

J Williams - Broken Love Single Review
Written by Emma

Dying Of The Light - Factory (Shihad Cover) Video and Single Review
Written by Peter

Jayson Norris - Save My Soul EP Review
Written by Emma

Seventy One Sunset - Mule EP Review
Written by Peter

Liam Finn - The Nihilist Album Review
Written by Jason

Estère - Estere Album Review
Written by Emma

Ill Semantics - You Got It Feat. Scribe and K.One Single Review
Written by Emma

Jan Hellriegel - Because You Single Review
Written by Jason

Sherpa - Blues & Oranges Album Review
Written by Peter

Medusa Glare - No Tomorrow Single Review
Written by Kate

Smashproof - Survivors Feat. Pieter T Single Review
Written by Kate

Kimbra - Rock Steady/Wanna Be Startin' Something Single Review
Written by Kate

The Phoenix Foundation - Tom's Lunch EP Review
Written by Tony

Great North @ Victoria Theatre, Auckland 9/05/2014
Written by Ria

All of our reviews can be read here.

South Island Reviewers Wanted

We are currently looking for more South Island reviewers to join the muzic.net.nz team. Contact [email protected] if you are interested.

Blacklistt Interview

Terry interviewed Marcus from Blacklistt, and in a muzic.net.nz first, you can listen to the interview in an audio file here.

All of our other interviews can be read here.

New Photos

Thanks to Bradley for providing these photos:

Red Sky Blues
Shayna King
The Jezabels (AUS)
Saving Grace
Blacklistt
Black River Drive
Silence The City
TrinityRoots
Bongmaster

Thanks to Lou for providing these photos:

Heathen Eyes

All of our photo galleries can all be viewed here.

Tour Features

All muzic.net.nz features can be viewed here

The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on Sunday 6 July 2014

Any NZ bands and musicians can feature in our newsletters
You can choose the 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 8340 members
With this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter is an excellent promotional tool

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- The muzic.net.nz team

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  Nadia Reid @ Loons, Lyttelton - 16/11/2024
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  Pull Down The Sun @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
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  Infinity Ritual @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024

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  Chappell Roan

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