Welcome to April everyone!

Easter is here! Loved by those who get a well deserved break and hated by dentists everywhere! Easter is chock full of delicious chocolaty goodness and hot cross buns (my favourites are the Hershey’s chocolate ones!)

Aside from the overload of sugar, April brings us another great reason why we love NZ music! Real Groovy Record Store Day is coming up this month (18th April) and is another awesome reason to go out and support great music wherever your are! Get amongst it and support and appreciate the value of independent record stores!

Featured in this month’s newsletter are interviews with progressive-rock outfit, Jackal, and indie-folk singer and songwriter, Mel Parsons. Elsewhere, we have a feature on the new single from Paper Cranes, and check out up and coming Wellington band, Carnival Drive, and their crusade to re defining ultra-cool in rock! We have another great column from Ryan Kershaw, and find out what happened to 90's Hip Hop trio, 3 The Hard Way, and plenty of music news to sink your teeth into!

Happy Easter everyone!   

Kerry and the Muzic.net.nz team   

Circa 1993. Left to Right: Lance 'DJ Damage' Manual, Chris 'Boy C' Ma'ai'i and Mike 'Mike Mixx' Paton

3 The Hard Way is a New Zealand hip hop group formed in 1994. They are best known for their two #1 singles - Hip Hop Holiday from 1994 and It's On (Move to This) from 2003.

3 The Hard Way's first release was Hip Hop Holiday, which was released on Deepgrooves Entertainment in 1994. The song spent five weeks at the top of the New Zealand charts, selling in excess of 30,000 copies, and became a New Zealand anthem. It was the first New Zealand record to knock another New Zealand record off the number one spot (The Heater by The Mutton Birds).

Following the success of the record and the top-three status of its follow-up, Many Rivers, the group released their debut album later that year, Old School Prankstas. It went platinum in 1995.Hip Hop Holiday spent three weeks at #1 and also charted in Australia, peaking at #5. The song featured an element of Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc.

Due to a mix up with the clearance rights, all of this song's royalties now go to 10cc members Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart. At the end of 1995, after a dispute with their label Deepgrooves Entertainment the group decided to take a break. That break lasted longer than anyone anticipated, and, despite a number of demos freshly recorded, it wasn’t until a chance meeting with producer Alan Jansson in 2001 that 3 The Hard Way found themselves back in the studio, signing a deal with Jansson and Simon Grigg's Joy label through Sony Music.

3 The Hard Way released their second album Eyes on the Prize in November 2003. It peaked at number 14 and was certified gold. The first single released from this album, It's On (Move to This), which featured expat R&B singer Clement Karauti, went #1 after 4 weeks in the charts and made further New Zealand music history when 3 The Hard Way became the only NZ artists to take the #1 spot from another NZ artist twice. This time it was Scribe whose single Not Many spent 10 weeks at the top of the NZ charts. Former member Lance 'DJ Damage' Manuel did not rejoin the band when they reformed.

As a result of personal problems, the band have been quiet since, however, Old School Prankstas was reissued by Joy Records in 2012.

In 2004, Chris Ma'ai'i is alleged to have manufactured methamphetamine in his Newtown apartment, in a court case heard at the crown court.

With their unique progressive rock-meets-psychedelic sound, Jackal's high energy shows are an absolute must-see and their brand new album is definitely a must-hear. Impressive and captivating, this four-piece band based in Auckland have proven time and time again that they are at the forefront of the alternative scene. Unfortunately, Jackal will be calling it a day by the end of the year - even more reason to and get their album today! The band answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

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

You never know what you're going to get. 

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

Well we're going to break up in about 3 months. We're just going to keep writing and recording like we always do and hopefully we'll have something to release again before we call it quits. Whether we'll have time to get a full album done remains to be seen but making music is what we love doing so we're not going to stop until we have to.

What is Jackal’s long term goal?

Our guitar player, Will, is leaving the country later this year so we've decided to end the band when he goes. It's been a great run over the last 8 years but we know that without Will the band just won't be as good. We don't want to keep going and not live up to the high standards we've always set for ourselves. We've released five albums and we're really proud of everything we've done. We're happy to leave Jackal there.

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

Anywhere, everywhere. Other music, films, conversations, friends, books. Anything that's interesting or emotionally stimulating can be a source of inspiration for a song, even if it comes from a completely different medium. 

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

Just push yourself to be original. Take inspiration from everything you love and twist it and combine it to make it your own. Your music should represent you, not just sound like a copy of some bands you like.

Don't wait for people to hand you opportunities. Nowadays, it's possible to go so far just with your own hard work. Booking gigs, recording, releasing your music. It's all possible now without having to compromise or wait for someone else to take an interest in you.

Tell us about Jackal’s new album Sparkle.

We released our new album Sparkle last month. 10 songs recorded and produced ourselves over the  length of last year. It's a nice change from our previous stuff, a good progression into some of the more mellow stuff we started on Castle in the Air and well as some more punk-influenced rock songs that we've never done before.

We're confident it's our best record yet and are excited to see how people respond to it. 

What inspired you to start Jackal?

Simply, wanting to play music. Wanting to write music. We were all at that age where you really start listening to a lot and we wanted to expand our interest in music beyond just listening. To us it felt like an immediate and satisfying way to create something.

Jackal are Theo McGrath (vocals, guitar), Alec Cummins (bass, vocals), Will McGrath (guitar) and Hayden Keach (drums).

Website Links

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Download Sparkle for free!

REVIEW: Album Review: Sparkle
REVIEW: Single Review: Funny Side

If you want something different, you can find it in Hide and Tallow - a solo performance of drums, foot synths and vocals - pressing and pulling beats, monologues levering with and against searing effects and sub frequency bass lines. Hide and Tallow's music completely escapes the norm and showcases musical creativity at its most unique. The man behind Hide and Tallow, Horriths Ritherland, answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

What sets you apart from other bands and musicians?

I guess I'm not much of a band. I took a bunch of elements I enjoy and heaved them all in the soup. A drum-kit, those bass keys from old electric organ (now plugged into a mid 90's synth) guitar effects, writing short poems and passages. Just happened that the project evolved mainly by myself, to a point where it felt right to just keep it as a solo project. Maybe what is different from similar solo projects is the absence of looping pedals or computer based gadgetry. 

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

I reckon Watcher and the Goatherd. These short lines started coming to me as I drove to and from work (around dusk and dawn). It is my most reflective song so far. I still find it to be a mysterious piece, like when memories get all jumbled up and may never had made sense in the first place. At least now they are all in one place together with my general view of things. 

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

No musicians yet as such, but I am planning a collaboration with a fantastic group of fire performers who work under the name Circus Kumarani. It will be for Matariki to be held around the Dargaville area. Hopefully the idea develops further to a point where we can take it to other places and audiences.

What is the one thing you want NZ to know about Hide and Tallow?

If you get the chance to experience a live set, you should take it. I can't promise you will like it all, but I reckon you will take away something new and worth while.

Tell us about Hide and Tallow’s next release.

Quite likely the last single before the hopeful album, named Glorious Glorious. In loose terms, that feeling of witnessing the beauty and weight of our stormy coast-lands but with that un-detachable tether connecting most of us to our elaborate habitats. Failing that maybe a live recording of one of my piano pieces I have yet to figure out how to play.

What can we expect to see from Hide and Tallow over the next year?

Another single release or two, an album (fingers crossed) and a whole bunch of gigs around the country, hopefully a good bunch of them at DIY venues/living rooms/kitchens and the like. So far they have been the most memorable gigs.

Hide and Tallow is Horriths Ritherland.

Website Links

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Left to Right: Simon Houston (bass), André Very (drums), Rob Cousins (vocals, guitar) and Carl Green (guitar)

Carnival Drive is the product of collaboration between a fine balance of Kiwi and South African friends with a solid history in the music industry and a range of influences somewhere between Foo Fighters and Britney Spears.

The feel good vibes exuded by this Rock outfit, composed by singer/songwriter Rob Cousins, guitarist Carl Green, bassist Simon Houston and drummer André Vrey, has been blasted across the vast landscapes of Wellington since 2012. One twilight night in 2012 while walking through the woods, singer/songwriter Rob pulled a sword from a stone and the curtains of heaven opened up and he realized that his musical destiny involved loud guitars and short bad-ass pop songs about super hot girls.

That next morning the band was formed when Rob began musically fornicating with a bunch of random dudes. Since that magical evening to this day the fresh sonic explosion stuffed with hooks and catchiness that sounds like you've plugged a USB cable into Sasha Grey’s chest and recorded her dreams has evolved to be known as Carnival Drive.

Three years in the making the upcoming release of the band’s debut EP promises to be a sonic explosion infused with the essence of their live performance. Welcome to Carnival Drive, re-defining ultra cool since 2012.

Catch them live on the 8th May 2015 at the Parrot & Jigger for NZ Music month.

Check out Carnival Drive on Facebook www.facebook.com/carnivaldrive and Twitter www.twitter.com/carnivaldrive

Photo by Bradley Garner (www.BradleyGGarner.com)

PAPER CRANES 折り鶴

Inspired by folk music that harks back to its heady heyday: think old brick fireplaces, good wine, books and conversation; tales of love and loss, heartache and elation, and everyday life. Paper Cranes 折り 鶴 are a small folksy bunch of goodness - an escape from the cold. Intertwine Fraser’s love of lyrical poetry and Naomi’s Japanese upbringing with a great band, and you have Paper Cranes 折り鶴. The group weaves their stories into captivating and dynamic live performances, using a diverse range of instruments (shakuhachi, ukelele, mandolin, ocarina, harmonica, accordion), in songs that move between delicacy and outright abandon.

The band’s debut album The Road Home came out on March 20.

Again and Again is a light-hearted, fun song about escaping your troubles with someone special. With a rustic and carefree 60's feel, it takes you to a world without dirty corporate hierarchies, money troubles, or snivelling politicians. Or maybe it just takes you to a place that's a little simpler. Written in the peaceful bushes of the Waitakeres, the song has the clash of city and country in its verse and chorus.

Again and Again was recorded in Roundhead studios with producer Nic Manders and mastered with Masterdisk New York. It's the first single from the forthcoming Paper Cranes album The Road Home.

Paper Cranes are Fraser B & Naomi B.

Website Links

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Well recognized as one of New Zealand’s established songwriting stars, indie-folk singer songwriter Mel Parsons’ star is on the rise. Following the success of both her debut album ‘Over My Shoulder’ in 2009, and sophomore offering ‘Red Grey Blue’ in 2011, Parsons is on the cusp of the release of her third full length record Drylands. Mel answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

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

I think it changes - at the moment, it’s a song called Far Away - happens to be the first single from the new album, but I think it’s my favourite because it’s really fun to play, it’s got a big sound and people seem to enjoy it and go away singing the chorus.

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

I do! But...they are top secret so can’t tell you at this stage. Watch this space.

Where is your favourite place to relax in NZ?

At home! Being at home is a bit of a luxury at the moment, so that’s top of my list. Otherwise, a quiet beach somewhere in the Able Tasman, or Northland, or just anywhere that I can’t use a computer.

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

My cousin Jed Parsons, because he’s ridiculously talented, he’s a very good drummer and great songwriter too, and I’m really excited to see what he comes up with next... ·

What is the one thing you want NZ to know about band/artist/yourself

Other than that I have an album out on April 10th?! That I have a tour running from April 15th - May 17th all around the country, and chances are we are playing in your town! Also that I am a pretty nice person, and I am REALLY good at backing trailers.

How would you describe band/your music in one sentence?

Well, (long sentence) I think we are all a product of our influences... I grew up listening to artists like Cat Stevens, Paul Simon, Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits, The Police, Tracey Chapman, Sinead O’Connor, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and later artists like Gillian Welch, Ron Sexsmith, The Shins... I’m not comparing myself to these artists but I think we subconsciously try and write the music that we like to listen to, it’s hard to be objective about your own work, but I think I’m probably a mix of my influences - a singer songwriter with pop/folk/country sensibilities.

What has been your most memorable show to date?

That’s a tough one, I’ve played a lot of cool shows in the last little while. There was one in Hawera a couple of years ago where someone (I didn’t know) proposed to me while I was onstage. It was hilarious and awkward, and in the end I said no. Another where I was playing in a woolshed on the shearing board, and a sheep busted out of a pen and ran across the stage - that was a show-stopper. The Fly My Pretties shows are always buzzy - big crowds in beautiful theatres.

What local albums have you been enjoying recently?

Anika Moa’s new album is awesome. I’m still enjoying Eden Mulholland’s album from last year, and also Bunnies on Ponies new album.

What is band/your long term goal?

To make records that people like, and keep in their longterm music collections. And to keep touring and playing festivals to a growing audience - here and overseas.

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

Everyday life for the most part - people, experiences. Other music is a big one too. Going to live shows often sets me off with inspiration or ideas, and listening to music often triggers emotions that then start me off with lyric ideas.

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

I’ll be on the road pretty much as soon as the new album is out, so, predictably, quite a bit of touring... I’ve spent the past six weeks touring in North America, so hoping to get back there as well.

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

That it’s not an easy road or job, but if you have passion and drive and the be-bothered-ness and belief to keep going it can be very rewarding. I’m lucky enough to be a full-time musician, but it has taken a lot of years and perseverance to get to this point.

Tell us about your next release.

I have a new album out on April 10th. It’s called Drylands, it’s my third album, and I’m pretty excited to have it out and start touring it.

What can you never leave home without?

Is it too obvious to say guitar?! Generally I’m usually on my way to one gig or another, so fairly key to remember that. Otherwise sunscreen, phone.

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

When I was still studying I used to play gigs at The Temple on Queen St, it was a bit of a institution back in the day. I had been given a fancy effects pedal with all sorts of different buttons and pedals on it. I practised and practised and thought I had it totally sorted and sounding great. I got onstage and the thing sounded absolutely awful, went crazy feeding back and I didn’t know what to do. I was standing on stage with a whole room of people just staring at me awkwardly. Eventually, some kind person came up and unplugged it.

What inspired you to become a musician?

Ever since I was small I have loved music, listening to it or bashing away on the piano. When I was a teenager I was quite shy about singing, but I remember singing around a campfire one night, and overhearing someone saying that she loved my voice and thought that I could be a professional. I’d never really thought about it before because I never really knew I could sing. It was quite strange, but that moment, I started to wonder if maybe I could become a musician...

What rumour would you like to start about yourself?

That my new album is really reaaally good, and everyone should buy it.

Website Links

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Muzic.net.nz's Review Co-ordinator and fellow reviewer is Peter-James Dries a.k.a Amos/Anon. The music, variously described as Progressive Doom Metal and Gothic Industrial, is dark, haunting and brooding. Thanks to Peter for answering the following questions:

What can you tell us about the new album?

It’s called Anomy and it’s loosely based on Suicide by Émile Durkheim, and his idea of mechanical solidarity. It was kind of an experiment in mechanical solidarity in a way. Made without help from the industrialised music world and doesn’t work within the standards of the contemporary scene. The basic narrative is someone outside society trying to join it and failing, which is a common theme over our previous releases.

I’ve worked it out at thirteen, plus this one, plus two I’m working on. That’s sixteen over the past ten years. That’s including the DVDs and the demos, but other people probably wouldn’t call them albums. Actually, all of my releases are probably classed more as demos and EPs in the traditional sense than albums. This one I’d say is more conceptual art.

Not so much. If I had to pick a least favourite, it would be Darkness from Light, the album I did with Marque Duckmanton. More because of the mixing than because of the music. I’d fluked my way through mixing the albums before it, and they were ok at the time. With Darkness I put too much effort in and over-cooked it. If I get a chance I’ll make a Darkness Redux one day, though a lot’s changed since then. I don’t think the songs hold the same relevance to me.

Almost everything. My ability as a musician and producer especially. It’s like every album is practice for making the next. I’ve been trying to treat the product with the same reverence as the process with this album.

One good thing about vanity projects like this is the lack of deadlines. You don’t have labels or band mates or fans breathing down your neck. It’s good to take your time to iron out the creases. 

But you’re constantly fighting the desire to rush out half finished work because you want to get something out there for the world to hear, which is something I’ve been guilty of in the past. You listen to it weeks later and think I should have… I could have… Like what I was saying about Darkness from Light. I’ve had to tell myself "look you’re doing this for you. No one else. There’s no rush."

Yeah. Plus I’ve had a bit of a shit year. You’d think that would be good for making music like this. No this time apparently. I used to use the creative process as a retreat from the world, and release all the built up crap I couldn’t deal with or say that way. I think recently I’ve been bottling up to the point of being numb. No feelings, no music.

And I was a student back when this [Amos/Anon] thing all started. I had all the time in the world. Now, there doesn’t seem to be enough time between working full time and sleeping. I must be getting old.

Kind of, but I’m making another album about that.

Yeah. It’s slow going, cause it’s based on the Kübler-Ross model of grief. You kinda have to go through the five stages before you can write about each one.

I’m also working on, have been working on, the next acoustic release. I think that will make it out first. It's going to be a thematic extension of Anomy in a way. A prequel kinda. From a place before the decision to change represented in Anomy. It kinda leads up to the first track.

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As we get well into work and start looking ahead, many of us will want to play shows during the year. For some it is a regular thing and for others, it will be the first open mic or full set of songs that we play in front of an audience.

One of the best tips I can give you when you have an ambition to do something, is to draw out the picture first. An example is with albums. Just the simple act of coming up with an album cover idea, or writing down the set of songs you want on the album can start to get you feeling inspired and motivated to turn the fantasy into a reality.

Deciding which songs you want to play early on can free up more time to actually rehearse and feel comfortable with playing the tracks. There is an art to writing set lists, but just like painting, the artist can use skills acquired or can choose to abandon learned technique all together and be totally random.  In this column I will give you some ideas for constructing set lists that work well.

Impact using ‘Bookends’

There are two major components to really affecting people with your music – Impact and Connection. We will look at both but I will touch on ‘Impact’ first.

It is ideal to have a big impact at the start of a set, and at the end. The start is the listeners’ first impression of you at the show, and the end is what you leave the listener with. You really want to get both of these right. You might make a mistake in the middle; your song might lose energy during the ballad later in the set, but get the start and ending on target. Don’t confuse making a big impact for meaning a certain tempo or Major/Minor tonality. For a lot of artists your more upbeat or ‘big’ songs will be good to start and finish with, but for some styles it may be best to finish accapella if the words are really important, or with a song that means something very personal to your story – which we will talk about in idea 4. Just remember – big impact start, big impact finish.

Action step: Assess your current set list, or create a new one. Focus first on having a big impact, and think about what songs you could shift or add for a stronger start and finish. Hear and picture it in your mind.

Tunings

The second thing to think about, apart from what tunings suit the singers voice, is how you will position the songs in relation to their tunings. This can be affected by whether or not you are using multiple guitars. Lets consider first that you are using one guitar for the entire set. Say that your songs are mixed with some in standard tuning (E) and some in Drop D. Rather than having two songs in E, than tuning on stage to Drop D for your next song, then tuning back up to E, then Drop D for the next two, then tuning to E while the audience is waiting again, keep the flow of the set by grouping your Drop D songs together first and then playing through your standard tuning songs. This means that you only have to tune on stage once, rather than making the audience sit through tuning 5 or 6 times.  You can also purchase a stage tuner, which has a nice big display for seeing on a dark stage, and silent/bypass option so the audience doesn’t have to hear you tuning up.

For those of you that have multiple guitars, you may like to have the guitars set to different tunings and simply switch guitars for the songs that match their tuning. If you are doing a solo show or clinic, this can actually be a feature to talk about during the set and an interesting part of the show for the audience.

Action step: Order your set to encourage minimal tunings between songs if you are using one guitar. Think about tunings and make sure that you are in the best tuning for the song (does it need to be down a half step, have you tried tuning higher etc).

Shape

Although this can be altered slightly by the two previous ideas, it is an idea to look at the general shape of the set list in terms of energy. Think of a graph depicting the rise and fall of a line. How do you want your set list to be shaped? If you started slow and soft and each song steadily grew with energy or got a bit more lively, the line on the graph would rise diagonally from left to right. If you started very strong, went to some ballads in the middle and rose back up with your strongest songs at the end, it would resemble a ‘U’ or ‘V’ shape. There is no right or wrong with this, but it is a great way to mould the basic form of your set list to suit your intentions for the set.

Action step: Write out 3 separate shapes that your set list could take. Once you have done this, write 3 set lists, each with the songs in the order that each shape would need.

Connect using story

Along with Impact, connection is one of the most important things to establish if you are to really have people loving what you do. All aspects of music - and to be honest, life - involve connection. When people connect with something, they can relate, and when they feel like they can relate, they will listen. Marketing gurus use connection in their selling, promoters use it in their advertising and artists will inspire with it by being honest in their work. Whether you are a folk singer, a gangsta rapper or a teacher, we are all storytellers.

Giving people insight to either your songs or yourself as an artist will form a deeper bond between the listener and your music, and will also help that ‘impact’ that was mentioned earlier. You certainly don’t have to talk about every song and songs are still able to be open to interpretation, but introducing a song with it’s background or even why you wrote the song can give you confidence as a performer, and increase interaction between performer and audience. There has been many times where the audience has left feeling a bit let down because they didn’t feel involved. A show takes the audience too. If they were not there you would just be playing to an empty room, so be brave enough to share the story and it will work wonders.

Action step: insert a back-story to two songs in your set. If they are covers, think about why that song resonates with you and share that in the description. If you wrote the song, you may share what the lyrics are about, or how you came up with a certain riff or progression.

Direct the audience

Usually there is a point to a show. If you are a beginner or are doing a random show casually, this step may not feel too important to you and you may just say ‘thanks for listening’ at the end of the performance. If you are, or desire to be a professional – this idea is essential. Direct your audience to support you. Hopefully you will have new listeners in the crowd, and they will most likely be unaware of your website or recorded material. If a song is from a certain album, you can let that be known before you start the song. You can direct concert go-ers to your merch (merchandise; clothing items, recorded material and promotional material available for sale at shows). It is also wise to announce any upcoming projects or shows, and having a microphone in front of you makes it easy to put your website (which should be your musical hub) in the minds of listeners. The audience want to find out more about you – let them know where they can do this.

Action step: Go over your set list and make sure you have some parts where you direct the audience to your site etc (do not repeat the same message over and over). Check that facts are up to date (website hasn’t changed and you haven’t run out of merch at the show etc) and be sure to put the information out there at your show when the time comes!

NZ on Air - March Music News and Funding Decisions

NZ on Air are back into Making Tracks after two months off in December and January.

In the first Making Tracks round for the 2015 year there was 115 applications. NZ on Air supported another 20 very cool songs from the likes of Marlon Williams and Ginny Blackmore, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and The Veils. That makes 132 Making Tracks songs so far this funding year.

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Record Store Day 2015 / Real Groovy

Having celebrated in style turning 33-and-a-third in November of last year, Real Groovy prepares for the next big day on its calendar, Record Store Day 2015. Celebrated by independent record stores around the world, Saturday 18^th April is the day Real Groovy will be showcasing the store at its most vibrant.

Highlights will include two exciting new vinyl releases on the Real Groovy Records label, with live performances and signing sessions from the featured bands, a limited edition FREE vinyl 12” for buyers of Record Store Day titles, and a full days DJ line-up of guest personalities spinning their favourite tunes.

Real Groovy is a quarter-acre music lovers paradise open 364 days of the year where people of all generations come to meet, browse and enjoy.

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WOMAD 2015 The 11th year in Taranaki comes to an end on a calm Sunday night

The sell out crowd of over 22’000 people at 2015’s WOMAD festival will rejoice in the memories of the last 54 hours they experienced here in the stunning Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands in Taranaki. Visitors from near and far have been lucky enough to enjoy some of the best sounds, sights, tastes, smells and experiences from around the globe and Aotearoa.
 
With over 300 artists representing 22 countries across 4 stages, this years stellar line up included headliners Sinead O’Connor, Rufus Wainwright, Richard Thompson, Youssou N’Dour and Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club. The highlights for many came with the discovery of the Malawi Mouse Boys, Flavia Coelho, The Gloaming and Luzmila Carpio. WOMAD is more than just music, and festival-goers happily ate, drank and shopped their way around the world over the weekend within the Kunming Garden and the Global Village. Te Paepae, the art installations, site performances and Kidzone continued to be crowd favourites.

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Music Revenue Sources More Diversified Than Ever

Recorded Music NZ released its wholesale revenue figures on 12 March for the New Zealand recorded music industry in 2014 and it proved another massive growth year for streaming services.

Public awareness and uptake of streaming services within NZ has grown significantly with streaming as a format claiming 15 per cent more of the overall revenue pie this year.

On the whole, digital music services still remain the number one source of revenue for rights owners accounting for 60 per cent of all music sales by format, leaving physical music products accounting for the remaining 40 per cent of the market.

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Devilskin Having A Platinum Year

Devilskin, New Zealand’s most explosive rock band are continuing their exponential success in 2015.

Devilskin’s debut album We Rise is now certified Platinum. They are the first ‘new artist’ in 2015 to reach this significant milestone, with sales exceeding 15,000 albums. This is an incredible feat in this new age of music. The last NZ rock band to achieve a Platinum album was Shihad in 2013 with their album Killjoy which took 18 years from release to hit the milestone.

We Rise released on July 11, 2014 and went straight to the top of the charts remaining as the #1 Album and #1 Kiwi Artist Album for 3 weeks and achieving gold sales after only 2 weeks. After 34 weeks, We Rise remains in the top 30.

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Tainted Announce New Album Release Into Temptation

New Zealand metal weights Tainted announce their long awaited 3^rd album release Into Temptation.

After a prolonged engagement, Christchurch metallers Tainted are pleased to finally announce the release date of their highly anticipated third studio album, Into Temptation as the 1st of May 2015. The boys have once again teamed up with Producer Clint Murphy (whom produced their second album Carved and Created) to create what they say is their best work to date, and for all those that have waited patiently for this album to be released will be treated to a new era of Tainted that will indeed deliver into a new realm.

Pre-sales are available to hungry fans on their online merch store (http://taintedmerch.bigcartel.com/), with an extremely limited time hand pulled, editioned print made by their very own Slim. Printed on heavy weight, cotton rag archival paper, if looked after properly, it will stick around longer than your very mortal body.

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Team Kill A-Bomb A Nation Tour

After stepping up to the limelight as headline act for last years inaugural “Rooster’s Roadshow”, the indomitable Team Kill are back, teaming up with Caveman Events to put together an 8 date tour, reinforcing their reputation as the hardest working metal band in the country!

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Jackal - Album Review: Sparkle
Written by Peter

Festival Review: Homegrown @ Wellington Waterfront - 7 & 8 March 2015
Written by Terry

The Jury & The Saints - Album Review: The Jury and The Saints
Written by River

Flirting With Disaster - Album Review: Live It Up
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Written by Peter

Single Review: Peace Pipes by Rei
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Album Review: Tahuna Breaks Live 10
Written by Alistar

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Thy Assassin Interview

Terry interviewed Thy Assassin about their debut album A World Left Behind. You can read his interview here.

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