Newsletter Issue #467: 07 Dec 2014
Editorial
It has been an incredible year as muzic.net.nz celebrated an amazing milestone - 15 years. That's 15 years of supporting bands and musicians, 15 years of promoting tours and new releases, 15 years of providing the latest NZ music news and 15 years of proving that there is more to NZ music than the mainstream. I'm so proud of muzic.net.nz, and everything we have achieved in that time - a website where you can find everything you need on the NZ music industry in one handy location; over 3000 musicians and bands are listed on our artist pages, we have chart archives going back to 1999, and over 200 links in our directory. Sometimes it can be hard to believe we started with such small beginnings.
Can it get any better? Yes, it can... and next year we aim to bring even more reviews, interviews and photo galleries than ever before. We have some fantastic ideas for new features, and we're going to do everything we can to bring those ideas to fruition. This newsletter is also going to be updated and refreshed with new articles and regular editorials.
This year was our busiest to date, with 181 reviews, 45 interviews and 85 photo galleries added to the site by our outstanding volunteers. These people selflessly give up their time and, I know I've said this a million times before, without them muzic.net.nz would not be what it is today. So, without further ado, I'd like to thank the following volunteers:
Our review co-ordinator Peter-James Dries (Amos/Anon), our photo co-ordinator Lou Mitchell and our brand-new newsletter co-ordinator Kerry Monaghan, for stepping up and helping us out when we needed it the most.
Our reviewers and interviewers Emma Ratuki, Kerry Monaghan, Kate Taylor, Ria Loveder, Megan Moss, Sean McCarthy (The Flaming Mudcats), Carl Hayman (Poison Skies), Nick Wilkinson (Poison Skies), Jason McIver, Rodrigo Hidalgo, James Castady-Kristament (JCK), Andrew Smit (extra special thanks to Andrew for organising and printing muzic.net.nz stickers and promo business cards), Ryan Kershaw (thanks Ryan, for going above and beyond the call of duty and completing some interviews for us before you had even joined the team), Joel C Blood (Blue Blood), Matt Gardner, Peter-James Dries (Amos/Anon), Terry McIntosh, Aaron Smith (The Blue Grizzly Band), River Tucker, Alistar Wickens and Tony McDonald (PlasticGroove).
Our photographers Calden Jamieson, Lou Mitchell (thanks Lou for also for helping out with proof reading among other things), Stella Gardiner (extra special thanks for adding an incredible amount of new musicians and bands to the site), Ria Loveder, Megan Moss, Amanda Ratcliffe, Ben Winters, Bradley Garner (thanks Bradley, for all your extra help and ideas) and Alistar Wickens.
It goes without mentioning, but muzic.net.nz would not exist if it wasn't for our IT guy and my somewhat long suffering husband, Adam. Whenever a new feature makes an appearance, we have Adam to thank for it.
And finally, I'd also like to give an extra special thanks to following people:
Lucy (Rhythmethod/Mystery Girl), Janine (Noise PR), Mahoney (Aeroplane Music), Cushla (Aston Road), Angelo and Vasely (Deadboy), Dean (1157), Rob (Failsafe), Matthew (Flying Nun), Becs (Funktion Music), Alec (Hit Your Head), Flip (Maiden Records), Loz (Maiden NZ Entertainment), Maria and Kat (Mushroom Group), Murray ($lave Collective), Taryn and Ange (Sony Music), Lisa (The Label), Kylie (Trigger), Matt (Triple A Records), Matt (Universal Music), Althea (Warner Music), Simon (Yellow Eye) and anyone I may have missed!
But the most important thanks goes to two groups of people - one being all the bands and musicians who support us as much as we support them - including those that featured in our newsletter, those that sent through press releases, and everyone we reviewed, interviewed and photographed.. as always, there's too many to mention but our appreciation for you and your music far exceeds anything else.
And the second group of people I'd like to give our thanks to is you, the people who subscribe to the site and this newsletter. It's people like you who help us to spread the goodness that is NZ music, people like you who tell your friends about new bands and people like you who go to gigs, even if you don't know all the acts that are performing.
This is the last newsletter that I'll be editing - I'm handing over the reins to our Kerry and I'm sure she'll do a fantastic job. The first issue of our 2015 newsletter will be going out on 1 February - don't miss out!
We hope you all have a very musical Christmas, and a happy New Years.
- Lisa and the muzic.net.nz team.
Shihad
Shihad recorded their first album Churn almost 21 years ago and ever since then, they have proven time and time again that they are one of New Zealand's leading Rock bands. They describe their new album FVEY as "total brutality from start to finish". Heavy music is the foundation of Shihad's sound - a sound they came up with in Wellington in the late 80s and early 90s as a band who were just as influenced by Metallica as they were by New Zealand's own Skeptics. Thanks to Jon for answering these questions:
Jon, What are your top three bands and era of music - why?
Era of music -
1. Post Punk - 1977-1980. Why? Because it was a great time of experimentation and fearlessness in Rock and Roll - From Britain you had Public Image Ltd, Wire, Joy Division, Gang of Four, Siouxie and the Banshees, The Psychedelic Furs, Killing Joke etc. and in the US, Devo, Talking Heads, Suicide, Television, Bad Brains etc.
2. Alternative - late 80’s-early 90’s. Why? Because it was another period of reinvention and rule breaking. Bands that I like from that time are - Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, Pixies, Big Black, The Jesus Lizard, PJ Harvey, Massive Attack, Tricky, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Spiritualized, Aphex Twin.
3. Rock Late 60’s-Early 70’s. Why? Because these bands were writing the rule book before there were rules. Bands from this era I like are The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, Bob Dylan.
What is your earliest memory of music and is it what fuelled your passion to become a musician?
Watching records go around on my parents turntable for hours on end when I was 4 or 5. I thought it was magic (I still do). What fuelled my passion to become a musician was seeing my Uncle Charlie play acoustic guitar on a trip to the UK in his living room when I was 7. I couldn’t believe ‘real people’ could make music (I thought musicians were like super heroes!) and I asked my parents for a guitar and lessons which I was lucky enough to get!
What are Shihad's plans after the FVEY tour and xmas? Do you split your time between here and Melbourne?
I’m off to Sudan for a month to catch up with family and hopefully do some recording with some Sudanese musicians for the start of the next Adults album. Then the plan is to go to UK/Europe around March next year with Shihad which will be festival season. We all live in Melbourne now days but come back every now and then to see family and do other things.
FVEY is a very political offering for you guys, why now and what has influenced this?
What has influenced this album is the current state of affairs, both politically and socially, in NZ and Australia and the West in general where Free Market Capitalism seems to have been decided to be the only way possible to live yet seems to be fostering massive inequality - making a few people extremely wealthy while the majority go poor and hungry, encouraging selfishness over selflessness, the destruction of the public sector (you know, important things like schools, hospitals, the arts etc.) and the destruction of the very environment all of us rely on to live. In our opinion our leaders have sold us out to big business interests over the interests of the people who voted them in and do their bidding whether or not it is in the public interest. Each of us feel passionately that the world should and can be a more equitable, fair and compassionate place for everyone on this planet and that that change is coming whether or not the powers that be try and stop it.
Would Shihad ever consider a double disc acoustic vs live set (much like Foo's In Your Honour, or Mellon Collie, Smashing Pumpkins)?
That’s a very specific question. Nothing like that planned atm but you never know!
Shihad is Tom Larkin (drums), Jon Toogood (guitar, vocals), Karl Kippenberger (bass) and Phil Knight (guitar).
Website Links
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FVEY
Live Welcomes The Datsuns to the NZ summer rock and roll spectacular
Shihad’s Record Breaking Album, FVEY, Is Certified Gold
Massive
summer tour announce - Shihad, Airbourne, I Am Giant & Cairo Knife Fight
Shihad
Make New Zealand Music History With FVEY
Kitsch
Smashing out pop rock sensibility with a punk rock attitude, Kitsch have retained its core members for over two decades, Kitsch gear up to deliver the next phase in their evolution, an album of epic depths, prepare yourself for Plastic Lives.
Tapping into modern states of mind, internet anonymity and global disruption, Plastic Lives comments on the rapidly changing information age and the recent development of online and offline personal identity and its effect on human civilisation.
Kitsch are a New Zealand rock band from Auckland. With 7 releases and over 1000 shows on big and small stages over 20 years, the Kitsch legacy is one of the longest serving and most dynamic in the Kiwi live music scene.
Thanks to Sam for answering these questions:
Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
Dark Days from our first album, The Way It Was (1999). We still perform it today
and it still strikes a nerve.
Where is your favourite
place to relax in NZ?
Te Henga (Bethells Beach), or any rugged West Coast beach.
What NZ musicians or
bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Sticky Filth have always been a huge influence and the have power like no
other.
PCP Eagles because they bring the party everytime!
What has been your most
memorable show to date?
BDO 04, top field stage at sunset.
What local albums have
you been enjoying recently?
PCP Eagles - I Hate the Mall, Prowler - Enter the Night, Team Dynamite -Shepherd's Delight.
What is Kitsch’s long
term goal?
To play music together until we are shriveled old men.
What sets you apart from
other bands?
A solid core forged in our teens, and our penchant for longevity.
Where do you get your
inspiration to create music from?
An unexplainable deep seeded hunger, and an anxious poet dwelling deep within!
What can we expect to
see from Kitsch over the next year?
Shows, Tours and a music video or two.
What can you never leave
home without?
A bottle of water, nut bar, banana and skateboard.
Kitsch are Sam Icke (vocals, bass), Ben Crawford (guitar, vocals), Hadleigh Donald (guitar, vocals) and Dan O'Neill (drums).
Website Links
Muzic.net.nz Page
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1157 Records Website
Kitsch @ Lucha Lounge, Auckland - 11/10/2014 (Gig Review)
FleaBITE
FleaBITE is committed to producing high quality music for children that adults can enjoy.
How would you describe FleaBITE's music in one sentence:
"The
perfect mix of entertainment, originality and intelligence for young
kiwis".
Thanks
to Damian Vaughan - CEO of Recorded Music NZ for that quote
What sets you apart from other bands?
Writing music ostensibly for kids allows a lot of freedom when it comes to song topics.
The hit song from our last album Circus of Fleas was called Don't Sit Under the Poo Tree. It's good advice, but I don't think you will find a comparable title from people who wear sunglasses for band photos.
We continue the tradition of focussing a lot on lyrics (and include them in our CD slicks) and try to be musically inventive.
On the first album In Your Ear there's a song called You're A Drip for which the backing track is made up of samples of water dripping. It's a song about where water comes from and where it goes. Most of the other songs pursue ridiculous trains of thoughts.
Another thing that sets us apart is that we don't perform live (sorry), and concentrate our efforts on producing animated music clips.
This costs more than the usual band videos (and we generally don't qualify for funding), but it gets us onto the world wide film festival circuit.
We tend to fall between the cracks - we are more edgy than many kids' outfits and make no effort to be 'educational', but neither do we find a place in the world of 'adult entertainment'. Our style makes us distinctive, and marketing-wise that can be both an advantage (original, cool) or tricky (sidelined to some far off hemisphere).
Where is your favourite place to relax in NZ?
A bath... ...hence the track You're A Drip.
Upstairs, downstairs or in my lady's chamber, I don't mind where as long as it's clean.
Tell us about FleaBITE's latest album
The Jungle Is Jumping has some cool guest musicians.
Two members of {The Phoenix Foundation} play on it... Conrad Wedde does some fine guitar work (I have known him since he was 8), and Chris O'Connor thumps away on the drums. Very enjoyable to feature real drums on this album. The other guest is jazz wild man Jeff Henderson who has been a friend for many years.
He blows his horn with gay abandon, and I also managed to coerce him into doing backing vocals.
The songs are pretty bold and theatrical and fun.
Try it... you like!
What can you never leave home without?
A key to get back in.
FleaBITE is written and produced
by Robin Nathan, performed by FleaBITE and featuring special
guests: Adam Page (saxophone, bass), Conrad Wedde (guitar), Chris
O'Connor (drums), Janet Roddick (vocals), Jeff Henderson (saxophone,
clarinet, backing vocals) and Shannon Williams - appearing as Granny.
Website Links
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iTunes Page
Latest Interviews
Ryan Kershaw interviewed Static Era, Cairo Knife Fight and Minuit for muzic.net.nz during the past month. Here's what they had to say:
Static Era
Hi Ms G and Mr Yong, the last month or two has been pretty productive for Static Era with the release of the video for Addicted To Dream and playing on stage alongside international heavy metal band Anvil. After Christmas there’s more, with the ‘Music Is Dead’ event. Could you tell us a bit more about that please?
Chris: Towards the start of 2014, Emma and I discussed releasing a third single from Dare To Fail and doing a meaningful story-based video rather than another performance video.
Midyear, the other two band members decided to call it a day for personal reasons and I got involved as a candidate during the election. We’d already started the planning process for the video but because of the complexity involved, it took a lot longer to finish than anticipated.
After the election, I was able to refocus on music so I reached out to the Distorted Twenty event promoters, we released the video and, of course, confirmed our desire to be part of the Music is Dead event.
It’s been a very challenging year but we’re still here and have some ambitious plans lined up for 2015.
Emma G: It was awesome playing with Anvil too - I’ve been following them since I watched their documentary a few years back, so it was incredible to play alongside them. They were heaps of fun. It was a particularly epic way to end such a full on 2014 - now that we’re moving into 2015; I’m excited about where the Static Era road is taking us.
Lets just go back a bit - It’s a terrible cliché question but to give Muzic.net.nz readers who may not have heard Static Era an idea - what’s your sound and what are some of your highlights over the last four years?
Chris: If Evanescence collided with Stone Sour, it would sound like Static Era - gutsy female vocals with edgy guitar riffs loaded with attitude.
Highlights have been being a headline act at Music in Parks 2014, getting an email from a father whose daughter said Emma was like a real life superhero, supporting Anvil and creating such a meaningful video (obviously with the help of others) with Addicted To A Dream.
Emma G: 2014 has been an incredible year for me - both on a personal and musical level; which to be honest, are pretty much one and the same. Releasing Dare to Fail was a huge thing for me personally, because I’m so passionate about pushing my personal boundaries and encouraging people (and myself) to push back against judgements, obstacles and adversity. I particularly loved touring NZ with Aussie metal band Vanishing Point earlier this year - met a few skinheads in Wellington, but soon showed them that dark chicks can be metal too! Haha.
You formed in 2010 and changed the bands name to Static Era in 2012. What other important changes both personal and professional have helped to shape the band to date?
Chris: Music is a journey. Personally, I was musically lost in 2010 when my band Redline went on hiatus after 7 years. The only other time I had felt that way was after I left Tadpole in 2003. I was pretty demotivated with music and it was this new music project with a highly motivated Emma that kept me going.
In 2013, Emma and I realised we really wanted Static Era to be something that inspired and empowered people. I’ve always tried to look on the bright side and Emma has such an incredible background story of overcoming personal challenges that it made sense to express that more through the band.
Our EP Dare To Fail has much stronger messages around those values, the title actually comes from a quote, “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”
Emma G: to add to what Chris has said, I’m lucky to know so many inspiring people myself. I work with a huge range of people through youth work, and teaching music - and it has only added to my own drive to inspire, empower and encourage. Music is one of those rare forms of magic that has the power to create and destroy - we, as Static Era, try to create strength and destroy negativity.
You have featured on the Kiwi Hit Disc twice. What was your process to be successful with that and how did it help the band?
Chris: You can apply to NZ On Air for Kiwi Hit Disc consideration. If it’s not a busy month for them, you have a good chance of being included but remember they need prioritise what they fund first.
It’s helped provide some extra exposure for us but we’re still looking, like most local bands, to get that break with commercial radio.
Often bands ignore or are just unaware of things like elements of websites and marketing. You have an email list where if fans sign up they receive free downloads of your music. Could you explain how this works and the benefits of it, for the readers out there that are musicians themselves?
Chris: I remember the days when MySpace was a musician’s best friend, then it tanked and that was a valuable lesson. The problem is if you rely on social platforms, if they change their rules or disappear then you’re left with nothing.
An email list may not be as trendy as Facebook but you own it and have a direct way to communicate with your most engaged fans. Facebook posts that are unboosted are reaching less and less people, it’s their rules and they can do whatever they like.
If smart businesses have a customer database they can email, bands should be the same. Bands and startup businesses share very similar challenges.
Emma G: I’m not gonna lie, Chris is the man at this kind of stuff. I’m forever learning about the whole internet thing - it’s an evolving beast that Chris is far better at taming than me!
Emma – you are involved in music in a few ways, not just strictly as a muso but also through your work with helping youth. You are a tutor at Te Wananga O Aotearoa and a Youth Empowerment Coordinator (what a great job description) with Raise Up Puketapapa. Could you let us know a few of your fantastic achievements and also how overcoming your own obstacles in life has related to your music?
Emma G: Haha. You make me sound a lot more impressive than I think I am! I’ve been teaching vocals since I started my own business at the age of 17 (self professed geek!). After moving to Auckland in 2010, (and selling my soul to the corporate market for a year), I decided to throw my life into the grip of fate, so I quit my job and became a full time busker and musician. Shit, if I can survive 10 brain surgeries, what the heck did I have to lose? Haha.
Eventually, I discovered I missed teaching, and came across an ad for a vocal tutor (kaiako) at Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Applied for the job, and got it! Which has been a phenomenal privilege - being able to do music for a living still, but with the added benefit of gifting knowledge, empowerment, positivity and strength; funnily enough, the same qualities that Static Era aims to promote.
I’m exactly the same with my youth empowerment crew. Building a stronger future generation through the power of music - there’s not much cooler than that.
As far as overcoming my own obstacles, I think everyone has their own demons to a degree. I’m lucky that music has been such a valuable tool when it came to dealing with mine - whether it was expressing my struggles with severe depression, or trying to deal with the pain of loss, abuse or surgery. The magic of songwriting and music, however, is that it always gifts you with the option of overcoming those obstacles - coming out on top as a champion against your own struggles. Being able to incorporate that into Static Era, teaching and youth empowerment is a blessing.
Chris: Let’s not forget Emma G also received a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero award in 2012 for inspiring others through music and an I Am Auckland award in 2014 for best youth worker. She’s extremely modest about these things.
You have also been involved with the X-Factor. How is that going and do you think it will affect the band activities in any way?
Emma G: I’m not actually allowed to talk about it! Haha. But it’s an exciting challenge, and I’m looking forward to whatever 2015 has in store for me, and Static Era!
Chris: When Emma and I talked about her entering X-Factor, I said at the very least if people learn about you and it helps to build your profile then it will be worth it. It will definitely be an experience and anything that may come from it is a bonus.
Chris as the guitarist for the band, do you write the songs, or are they shared between members?
Chris: I am an active songwriter and always have been since Tadpole. The degree of my involvement can vary between songs and there isn’t a set methodology we use in Static Era. Ideas can be developed in several ways.
Emma G: diversity is the spice of life yo! We like to mix it up!
You (Chris) were in NZ band Tadpole a few years back, and did really well there. What did those years teach you for what you do now?
Chris: I’ve realised how little I understood about the music business back then. I’ve also learnt that if you believe in what you do, just go out there and do it.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll make a living from your original creative works anytime soon in NZ, financial success is a jackpot and you’ll need to invest far more than you get back. Tadpole was successful yet I was on the dole.
Treat your fans like gold, even if you only have 10, because to them you are a rock star.
Time for a serious question for Chris: better guitarist – Chris or Scooby?
Chris: Scooby for sure, he is a living legend with many hidden talents!
Do you have riffs that you write that don’t suit the band, and what do you do with those? This question could apply to both of you – I know Emma you have a decent sized acoustic repertoire as well …
Chris: Yes I do and at this point in time, they stay on hard drive until I figure what to do with them.
Emma G: Haha. Yeah, I’m the same. I’ve written over 300 songs in my life - and they’re definitely not all rock and roll! I’ve even got a rap hidden somewhere too. Who knows? Limp Bizkit is still a thing, right? Haha.
Back to Music is Dead: Have you played with any of the bands before and which bands are you looking forward to hearing that you haven’t heard live before?
Chris: Yes we have. I haven’t seen Braves, Thin White Lines or Dead Beat Boys so keen to see them live.
Emma G: Yeah, I’ve heard some awesome things about TWL. I’m just psyched about hanging out with some epic and like-minded rockers!
Are there any other projects coming up that you can hint at?
Chris: Emma and I have discussed releasing a Static Era album in 2015, we just need to work through the logistical challenges to make that happen.
Emma G: The fun never stops!
What would you like to say to fans coming along to Music Is Dead?
Chris: You are the lifeblood that keeps local music alive and enables artists to chase their musical dreams. We are in this together so lets get together at Music is Dead and make magic happen.
Emma G: I’m just looking forward to seeing and meeting everyone. It’s still kind of weird to think of it as having fans, because to me, when it comes to music, we’re all just kinda one big family - brothers and sisters of rock and roll. Let’s do this!
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Cairo Knife Fight
You have just finished up your Australian leg of the tour with Shihad, Airbourne and I am Giant. How was Aussie?
Great. Its easy to forget that we think of Shihad as ours but Australia feels a similar way, they have a following over there that’s pretty dedicated and they come out to see them in good numbers.
The guys from Karnivool (great band) lent you some gear on the recent Australian tour. Did you come across any other Aussie bands that you haven’t heard of before?
There’s not much time for getting out and seeing anything and the tour tends to become a motorised cocoon that doesn’t let much in. The guy playing guitar with me on this tour has another band called The Occupants that was the only other music I heard outside of the tour. They’re a really interesting band I think will be all over the radio soon.
You guys are playing some mint venues on this tour - The Mount, Matakana, Cathedral Square – sounds like a road trip most of us would like to take. Which venues are particularly looking forward to, apart from all of them?
Cathedral Square in Christchurch for NYE, without a doubt. It’s my hometown and we haven’t played there for quite a while.
Your latest single/video Rezlord was released in late July/Early August. It’s nice to see a band doing well whose players are good at their instrument, and who aren’t overproduced. How have you felt that track has done in your live set?
It’s gone over very well. Both of the new singles have actually. It’s a great feeling to see new music fitting into the set, especially when some of the older stuff goes back a few years now.
A lot of artists like to ‘leave the song open to interpretation’. Sometimes there is symbolism or metaphor and sometimes it’s just a fucking song and should be listened to without overanalysing. There’s probably quite a range of opinion of how the vid relates to the music, but how did you come up with the title Rezlord and can you give us your thoughts on what the video says to you
The song and the video are about power, who actually has it and who is under the impression that they do. Karl from RedYeti did a great job of demonstrating that through the images he chose to use in the video. The title is meaningless; it was a working title that stuck. I like the way it sounds. Seems to suit the sound of the track.
On the playing side of things – Nick, do you think that drummers who are beginning to learn or be in bands can benefit from trying vocals as well, even if it’s just for backing vocals? How do you go about practicing the two? I guess it depends on the song in the end?
It’s probably fair to say that the best drummers in NZ are all making music of their own, and doing it very successfully. This goes to show just how many musical ideas would be lost should those characters simply sit behind a drum kit exclusively. Singing is one way of adding to those gifts and if you’ve got a decent voice you probably should try and develop it. Having more skills and more options to create is never a bad thing.
As far as practicing it? Doing it is the only way really.
As well as playing it pays to know a bit about the business side of things. Have you experienced some negative events as a band that you have had to overcome or learn from?
Oh yeah, absolutely. Every band has those moments if you stick at it long enough. We’ve some crazy things go down. Probably best to keep them to myself for now and write a book or make a documentary in the future.
You have separate management for Australasia and the US/UK/Europe. How did that evolve and how do you find having management for separate areas?
If you’re endeavouring to work in territories that far apart, you’re going to need people on the ground to make things happen. Tom Larkin looks after us in Australasia and Kirk Harding in the US etc. Both of them know their territories well so there’s no point having too many cooks getting in each other’s way.
Kirk came on board after seeing us play at NYC’s CMJ festival a couple of years back. Tom feels like he’s been around forever but it was probably at the same time.
As mentioned before a lot of musicians appreciate Kiwi's like yourself who have done well while still remaining true to your sound. As well as management, bands can benefit with booking agents. Would you mind giving some advice on how to approach or work with an agent as an originals act?
Agents are vital, I think so anyway. Some people do the whole thing themselves. If you’ve got a following and the time to dedicate to it without it getting in the way of the work, then you should exploit that opportunity, but that’s not for me.
Generally you need to start things off yourself. We did loads of touring ourselves (booked entirely by me) before anyone else came on the scene. If you’re making good music and getting out there around the country, agents will hear about it and probably find you at some stage. If that doesn’t happen then the best thing you can do is simply get in touch with an agent who’s doing things you like. It’s a small country so it’s not hard to find people.
Respectful approaches by bands that are serious about what they’re doing and have put in the time and effort for 1-2 years with a track record of performance generally don’t get dismissed easily.
Back to the tour in NZ– what are you looking forward to the most?
Just getting there and getting it done. I’m a pretty simple guy at heart.
Is there going to be some room for jamming on stage or do you stick to a pre determined set?
There’s always a little room here and there but we don’t have hugely long sets on these tours so there’s not much room for getting too carried away.
The other bands that you are touring with – have you seen them all live before or is there a band that you haven’t seen that you are looking forward to checking out?
We’ve toured with Shihad and I Am Giant before so it’s more a case of catching up with mates there. I’ve never seen Airbourne before and I’m intrigued, I really do want to see what they get up to live.
Any words for the fans that are getting amped for the shows?
Get there early! We’re first of four bands so hopefully there are enough of you there to help us get things going!
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Editors Note - Airbourne has now been replaced by The Datsuns for the New Zealand Shihad/Cairo Knife Fight Tour.
Minuit
From The 88 to Last Night You Saw This Band there has been a great output from Minuit. Quite often there is a lot of work behind the scenes with music that the listeners don’t hear, from rehearsing to promotion. Has that been the case with Minuit and what are your views on mixing art with work after the last 11 years?
Woah. Huge question. How do you pay the rent? Art is work. People look at a band on stage and think, ah they must be best of buddies. But it's heinously hard work. The fact we're still together to do a final fling is our biggest achievement. Ha. We intentionally took on a lot of the work ourselves. We produced the albums ourselves. Ryan mixed all the material. We got other people to master it yes and do some artwork, and make videos, but the motivation came from us. Right down to the tours overseas. We worked with people to make it happen, but Minuit is extremely hands on for us.
Paul, you have taken the main management role for Minuit, for the sake of other musicians reading this interview, what 3 bits of advice could you give to self managed artists?
The scene has changed so much since we began. And the internet is opening things up. But I would say -
Think small: Do what you know you can achieve and enjoy it. The worst times we've had were when we over stretched and were biting our nails 'til the end. That's not a way to enjoy a gig.
But on the other hand, follow through with the ideas that come to mind that you really like: Don't just do it the way other people do it, if you think something is going to suit your band (venue/online promo idea/set list/what ever ideas you can think up), do it! Who cares if it doesn't work out. That's what we're awesome at in New Zealand, we don't just follow other trends. Back yourself.
Get people involved: We did crowdfunding through PledgeMe for our vinyls and it was awesome, and intense. But one of the funniest times we've had dealing with people directly. I think it helped make people feel part of Minuit, which they are.
And always answer other people's emails.
Paul and Ryan, what are your origins with using electronic instruments, and what first drew you to them?
The mid 90s sound of Tricky and The Prodigy, they were new sounds for us, new styles. We'd come from guitar backgrounds and these were acts using electronic samples and instruments to make them sound like a band, but bigger and broader and creepier. They really inspired us to get samplers and work out how to use them and it felt like a brand new universe of finding any sound imaginable and using it in a tune.
Ruth, you started jamming in the Minuit line up on drums, do you still play?
A mate has borrowed my drum kit. But technically I still own it. Just saying Jacob. Ok.
Ruth, with The Final Fling tour approaching, and the “garage sales” of your old merch etc coming up, has this time inspired you to write or influenced your current writing?
Hmmm, not new stuff. I did a jelly installation down in Christchurch
over Labour Weekend where 1000 kids came and built a city that was
supposed to wobble. Does that count?
It might seem weird to ask but as there doesn’t seem to be any animosity in departure, are you all excited about the doors that may open in the next chapter, and do you have plans musically for the next year or so, or are you taking it as it comes?
Ryan will always do music I think. He has his studio and DJing and producing. Ruth, will probably be elbow deep in jelly. 16 years is a long time in band years. It's been through a few different era's. We really wanted to 'bookend' the catalogue and say, yes that's what Minuit did. Finish it off. I think that's healthy. And then move on. And we're all cool with that. And then as you say that leaves several doors open.
I loved Paul's quote in an interview from a while back: “the best way to make the Gods laugh is to tell them your plans”. Have you had or made time to really enjoy the little milestones along the way, and what are some of the unexpected highlights that have popped up over the years that Minuit fans may not know about?
First of all, I didn't write the quote. But it does seem appropriate, right. You can plan all you like, but then life happens. I'm really proud of where we've ended up. Essentially we tried to do things that we wanted to do. Sometimes to our detriment. Sometimes getting us shows in Viet Nam. But we did things our way. There are always unknowns. Like the cooking course in Hoi An. Or the trip to the Artic Circle after the shows in Finland. Or using the lift in the rickety old St Petersburg apartment building when all the locals used the stairs. One of the things I'm most proud of is doing Ruth's book. The lyrics and words in there are poetry. I even got one line tattooed, it made so much sense.
Although labelling an act like Minuit into “electronic” may be a little irritating, there is no doubt that you have had a big influence on electronic music in New Zealand. Are there any specific underground music groups or artists now - electronic, acoustic, pan pipes, Syd Barrett with a seashell – whatever style – that excites you or ignites your passion for music and who are they?
I never knew what Gamelan music was. And then we teamed up with an 18 piece traditional Balinese Gamelan and did two festivals one summer playing Minuit tunes. 21 people on stage, our samplers and these fiery, loud brass percussion instruments, all intricately and rhythmically played. That whole crew played Gamelan music 'cos they loved it. Not for money or profit. But just to slam out some crazily funky tunes. Enormous respect.
What would make this last tour awesome for the three of you?
Still being alive at the end of it.
Any last words to the fans before the musical onslaught of the final tour?
Thank you!
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NZ Music News
Vodafone NZ Music Awards Winners
Following a hugely successful year locally
and internationally, Lorde has done
it again taking out no less than six Tuis at the 49th annual
Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
The North Shore teen takes out two of the most coveted awards - the Mentos Album of the Year for Pure Heroine and the Vodafone Single of the Year Tui for Team. Lorde also collects Tuis for Best Female Solo Artist, The Edge Best Pop Album, Vodafone Highest Selling Single for Royals and the International Achievement Award.
Lorde’s rapidly growing awards collection now includes four Tuis from the 2013 VNZMAs, an APRA Silver Scroll, The Taite Music Prize, two Grammys, a Brit Award and a MTV Video Music Award.
South Auckland’s David Dallas rounds out a successful 2014 with two Tuis for Best Male Solo Artist and Best Urban / Hip Hop Album for Falling Into Place after opening for global rap sensation Eminem.
Stan Walker, star of the upcoming international hip-hop film Born To Dance, also claims two Tuis; taking home the NZ On Air Radio Airplay award for Bulletproof and Vodafone People’s Choice.
Broods, the hugely popular sibling duo from Nelson - and newcomers to the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards - take home their first-ever Tui for Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
The winners have been announced tonight (November 20) at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards ceremony, held at Auckland’s Vector Arena.
Other winners include previous Critics’ Choice nominees The Naked And Famous, who take home the Tui for Steinlager Pure Best Group. Best Rock Album goes to Blacklistt; while the Tui for Best Alternative Album goes to solo-act turned band Tiny Ruins.
Fresh off the back of shows in the US and UK, family opera trioSol3 Mio add to their Tui collection taking out the award for FOUR Highest Selling Album. The group picked up the Best Pacific Album Tui earlier this year (8 May).
Tama Waipara takes home the Tui for Best Roots Album for Fill Up The Silence and Best Electronica Album is awarded to Opiuo for Meraki.
Campbell Hooper claims his Tui for NZ On Air Best Music Video for his work on The Naked And Famous’ Hearts Like Ours while the Best Maori Album goes to Rob Ruha for Tiki Tapu. The Tui for Best Gospel / Christian Album goes to Mosaic Music for You Surround and Best Classical Album goes to Jack Body for Poems of Love and War.
Full Article
Photo Gallery
Female power-house to honour Kiwi music legends
Six60 tops modernised charts
Dunedin-formed band Six60 has claimed the #1 spot on the Recorded Music NZ Official Top 40 Singles Chart. They also nab the top spot on the NZ Artist Singles Chart.
Both charts were released today and as of today, officially take into
account on demand audio streaming data as well as sales.
Eli Paewai, Chris Mac, Ji Fraser, Marlon Gerbes and Matiu Walters – who make up Six60 – take the top spots for their new single Special. The group is the second local act to hit #1 this year and the second to take the title in the first week of a single’s release.
Recorded Music NZ CEO Damian Vaughan is thrilled to have a local act
claim both top spots in such an important week for the charts.
Full Article
Official NZ Music Charts to include audio streams
New Zealand managers join development programme CONTROL
Successful
applicants for the professional development programme CONTROL: The Business of
Music Management, were announced today. Fifteen music managers have been
selected to participate in the six month programme; twelve from Australia and
for the first time, three from New Zealand.
Six music managers from New South Wales will take part in the programme: Jess Beston, Stefan Emslie, Clara Iaccarino, Dave MacGregor, Monique Rothstein and Matty Woo. Joining them will be three music managers from New Zealand: Cushla Aston (Estere, Louis Baker, Thomas Oliver), Scott Grafton (Batucada Sound Machine, Tahuna Breaks) and Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau (Tiki Taane), Victorian's Alistair Burns and Nick Lynagh will also take part, as will Jane Slingo and Josh Taylor Anderson from Queensland. The remaining places in the programme will be taken by Daisy Brown from South Australia and Bel Skinner from Broome in Western Australia.
NZ Musicians - Tours and Releases
No
Man's Land: New album for Macombee & the Absolute Truth
Winery
Tour Neudorf Vineyard show sells out
Paper
Cranes release date for The Road Home
Aston
Rd Sessions 2014 finale featuring Estère and her new song L'oiseau dans
l'etoile
Tattletale
Saints' New Zealand Summer Tour 2015
The
Winery Tour sells out Black Barn show
Auckland
Blues Club Christmas Party and Auckland City Mission Appeal 2014
Shihad
- New Video Live Now
Miho's
Jazz Orchestra - Live at The Lab Album Release
Independent
Waiheke artist Bede Taylor releases Fond of Falling
Jamie
McDell - Ask Me Anything
The
Jason McIver Collective: The Big Blue
Music
Is Dead Launch Party Jan 15 & 17
Flotsam
and Jetsam - Cinematic new single for Macombee & The Absolute Truth
Fat Freddy’s Drop iTunes Session & Zoo Gig
JCK - Interview With The Vampire
The Delectable Sounds of Tom Lark
Aston Rd Sessions #8: Louis Baker performs Get Back with his band
The Complete Sol3 Mio Collection Now Released
Alexander Wildwood releases debut EP titled South of No North
Tipare takes a stand with her new single My Decision
Latinaotearoa Announce New Album Release & December NZ Tour
Broods Head Out On 6 Date National Tour
These Automatic Changers Have Mercy Album Release
Isaac Theatre Royal Restoration Celebration with Fly My Pretties
Shihad’s Record Breaking Album, FVEY, Is Certified Gold
The Jury And The Saints Release New Single And Video
Decortica releasing immersive music video Dihex featuring VFX New Zealand landscapes
Ladi6 Returns To Africa
James/Cook - When We’re Free - 2014
Cairo Knife Fight Release New Single No Longer Silent
Featherstitch: A Beautifully Crafted Debut For Eyreton Hall
Be Mine Tonight - Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra - Debut album out now
Ruby Frost releases Comeback Queen
Janine And The Mixtape Releases Acclaimed Dark Mind EP In The United States
Bailey Wiley unleashes her flow in cutting edge IXL video
The Black Seeds, Katchafire & Sons Of Zion announce New Zealand summer tour dates
Australian & New Zealand Stars Cover Their Favourite Disney Classics For New Release
Wellington rock band Merrin to debut on US reality series
Dudley Benson Receives New Generation Award
International Musicians - Tours
The
Little Stevies in NZ
Conor
Oberst announces Powerstation show for March 2015
Future
Sound System: Avicii Live In New Zealand 2015
Demi
Lovato Announces First-Ever New Zealand Live Show
Another Round Of NZ Bluesfest Sideshows Announced: Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires/Jurassic 5
Chase & Status To Join Netsky For One Off Show At Wanaka’s Lake Hawea Hotel
Neil Diamond's Highly Anticipated New Zealand Tour Announced
Parquet Courts Announce New Zealand Tour
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls return downunder April 2015
King Missile to play New Zealand for the first time
UK's David Gray Announces Three NZ Bluesfest Sideshows In 2015
Xavier Rudd to Return to New Zealand
Paolo Nutini Announces First Ever NZ Show
In Hearts Wake New Zealand Tour 2014
Spandau Ballet Announce One New Zealand Show With Special Guest Nik Kershaw
Second Announcement Of NZ Bluesfest Sideshows
Drake Announces First Ever NZ Show With Special Guest 2 Chainz
Summer Festivals
Second WestFest 2015 Announcement
WOMAD
adds Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club
Rhythm
& Vines Day Schedule Unveiled
Beyond and Back NYE 2014 - Valhalla
Music at Matua 2015 featuring Fly My Pretties, Estère & The Nudge
Sundaise Music Festival 2015
Final Rhythm & Vines 2014 Line Up
Jim Beam Homegrown - The Full Line-Up
Introducing Ageold A New All Ages Festival In Auckland
NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News
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New Reviews
Kitsch - Album Review: Plastic Lives
Written by Carl
Gig Review: WIUO @ James Cabaret, Wellington
05/12/14
Written by Tony
Poison
Skies - Single Review: Victim of Reality
Written by Andrew
EP
Review: Holy Serpent self-titled EP
Written by Carl
Gig
Review: Up Your Alley Festival @ Ding Dong Lounge, Auckland 20/11/2014
Written by Andrew
Gig
Review: The Jason McIver Collective @ The Wine Cellar, Auckland 26/11/2014
Written by Andrew
The
Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2014 Review
Written by James
James/Cook
- Album Review: When We're Free
Written by Peter
The Datsuns - Deep Sleep Album ReviewWritten by Rodrigo
Madam Tsunami - Man In The Middle Album Review
Written by Andrew
Julie Lamb - When We Hang Out Album Review
Written by Tony
Introducing Darren Watson Album Review
Written by Sean
At Peace - The @Peace And The Plutonian Noise Symphony Tour Review 25/10/14
Written by James
Jakob w/ Heterodox & Moa Belt @ Cabana, Napier 23/10/14
Written by Peter
CuzzyLogic
- Ninja Manuvas Album Review
Written by Andrew
Lucid
Hiest - Album Review: Absence In Motion
Written by James
Written by Nick
Emily Edrosa EP Review
Written by Emma
Silos feat. Nel A - Justice EP Review
Written by Emma
Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes - Live at No.10 South Street EP Review
Written by Kate
Man of The World - On Edge Album Review
Written by Peter
Macombee
and the Absolute Truth - No Man's Land Album Review
Written by Joel
All of our reviews can be read here.
New Photos
Chris Chameleon and Bobby van Jaarsveld
Photos by Calden
Joe Satriani and Jon Mulvey
APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2014
2014 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards
Photos by Bradley
Devilskin
Photos by Megan
Jason McIver
Mahoney Harris
Photos by Stella
All of our photo galleries can all be viewed here.
Tour Features
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