Welcome to April everyone!
Easter has been and gone and many a hot cross bun (Hershey's hot chocolate buns for me) were consumed. Hope you all had a relaxing break and enjoyed the beautiful weather we had (while it lasts!)
The clocks went back last night as we say goodbye to another great Summer, but rainy cold Autumn and Winter weekends are a great way to stay in and listen to some great tunes. Definitely some of my favourite seasons!
This month we have features from Villainy, Illuminus, Damien Binder and ex-pat Kiwi band, Agent, courtesy of Ryan Kershaw, who is now based in the UK. Speaking of Ryan Kershaw - he also tells us about his new website and musicians confidence course.
Villainy are currently on their Dead Sight tour with City of Souls and Decades and are gaining rave reviews all round. I'm looking forward to catching them again for a third time on the 16th and I hope many of you also get a chance to see them if you haven't already.
The start of April also starts the countdown to Music Month in May. While every month is music month for muzic.net.nz, May is always a exciting time in the calendar - it is a month that recognises and supports the amazing music New Zealand has. It looks like this year's music month is going to get off to a great start, with Shihad performing 3 shows all on 1 May.
Here at muzic.net.nz, we always strive to always bring you the latest and greatest music news and work hard to give our readers the very best in reviews, interviews, features and photography because we love what we do. Passion fuels our fire for music and we are proud of that.
Music is something to be acknowledged every day, anywhere, anyhow, but Music Month is something special that all Kiwis should be a part of and help support. Your support does make a difference.
Kerry and the muzic.net team.
My new website has been launched and includes help and freebies for musicians - a downloadable workbook for beginner guitarists to help with their creativity (although it contains useful info for guitarists of all levels), and links to interviews with musicians offering advice. The website also includes the interviews I have done for muzic.net.nz.
I think the most important thing that I would love musicians to take advantage of is the free online course to help musicians with their confidence. Confidence can be the biggest thing holding people back, I know that from first-hand experience, and I wanted to make something I could leave behind for musicians that would really be a help, so this is something that is a sort of gift I suppose - it will always be free and I share quite a lot of useful tools and techniques for improving confidence in a practical sense. Please check it out yourself - you can link straight to it here.
The new website can be seen at www.ryan-kershaw.com.
Villainy's music traverses musical fault lines which makes for dark, intricate, and engagingly well presented alternative rock and speaking from personal experience I can tell you that their music is a complete assault on all your senses, especially when heard live. Simply put - you have to see Villainy during their current NZ tour with City of Souls and Decades - no ifs, buts or maybes! Thom answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
How did you become
involved in music?
I got my first guitar aged 6 and discovered that if you played The Rose with
just the right level of feeling people would weep. It was a frightening amount
of power for a child.
If
you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I'd be a backup dancer
for Beyoncé. I feel like it'd be a good
challenge. Either that or I'd play the triangle in The Beatles.
Which
one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
Ha, all of them for a variety of reasons. At the moment, No Future from Dead Sight sticks out for me because of the way it was captured - we wrote
the track in about an hour, and the vocal take on the track is actually the
rough guide performance that we left in because they felt right.
How would you
describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?
The sound of everything breaking.
What can we expect to see from you in the next year?
We're on our nationwide tour with Decades and City of Souls throughout New Zealand right now - we'll be heading back to Australia mid-year - and we'll also write a new album, so may need an excuse to road-test some songs later on in the year.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
The Tattletale Saints. I used to flat with Cy before the band moved to Tennessee and they're some of the most gifted and driven New Zealanders making music.
What local albums have you been enjoying recently?
The new Marlon Williams album is excellent. I've also been listening to a lot of Jakob and The Skeptics too.
What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?
You can't go past the Powerstation. Dark, but not grimy, the sound is amazing and it's got the best sight-lines in the country.
Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?
Unless you're in some kind of weird cutthroat band comp, no-one is watching you hoping that you fail. You know what you're doing, you'll be fine (unless you don't know what you're doing, in which case you should totally sort that out).
How do you balance
your music with other obligations; family, job etc.?
With great difficulty and understanding from all involved. Gifts also help.
Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?
It can come from anywhere. Reading books, watching movies, being outside, being alone - all of those places have a vibe attached to them and it's fun to sit down to try and channel those feelings into songwriting.
Do you have any
advice for aspiring musicians?
Write constantly. Creativity is a muscle which you need to keep flexing -
you just have to be OK with writing a lot of bad things. I have a phone full of
about 300-400 voice memos - many of them are not-good ramblings of me
whispering chords in my phone at 3am. But if even 10% of the ideas are
good, that's 30-40 demo ideas. Those are sweet odds.
Villainy are Neill Fraser (vocals, guitar), Dave Johnston (drums), James Dylan (bass) and Thomas Watts (guitar).
Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Youtube Page
Instagram Page
Villainy
Announce Dead Sight NZ Tour (press release)
2016 could well be Illuminus' year. They recently released their single Fade Away, which is about being true to yourself and holding onto your values when challenged by society to conform, and their album Endless will be available within a couple of months. Described as "explosive, heavy and fast", Illuminus is well worth checking out. Aidan answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
How did you become involved in music?
I loved music from an early age, particularly rock and metal, and started singing in bands with my mates during school and after. I taught myself guitar and piano and played in various bands in NZ and then Australia, then back in NZ again.
If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Probably Chino Moreno from the Deftones, he's awesome and people have said that I look him!
Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
Fade Away is pretty awesome, I'm proud of taking my wife Milla's advice and letting her join the band as her vocals contribute so much to our sound now and I can't imagine the band without her in it.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?
Alternative progressive rock and heavy metal with beautiful female vocals.
What can we expect to see from you in the next year?
A new album, some more singles and music videos and a tour.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Jakob, Beastwars and Devilskin; they're all awesome.
What local albums have you been enjoying recently?
Beastwars' second album Blood Becomes Fire and Jakob's latest album Sines.
What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?
The Powerstation, I have many fond memories of awesome shows I've seen there.
Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?
Do lots of warm-ups, it helps to take your mind off it. Alcohol can help too but too much just leads to sloppiness and if you want people to take you seriously then it's good to not be drunk on stage.
How do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc.?
Very carefully.
Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?
My struggles with life, lol, things I read in the news about how crazy the world is nowadays, things I've been through. I stay positive and that comes through in some of the music I write.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
There is no substitute for hard work and discipline.
Illuminus is Aidan Dickens (vocals, guitar, piano), Patrick Bowe (drums), Holden Schade (bass)
and Milla Dickens (backing vocals, keyboards).
Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Youtube Page
ReverbNation Page
Album Review: Fading By Degrees
Album Review: Until The End (Remastered)
Fade
Away By Illuminus (press release)
Accomplished singer-songwriter Damien Binder has recently released his fourth album A New World, which showcases his effortless ability to swing from soulful hymn-like ballads to moody rock and country-tinged numbers. The ten new songs find him in an expectant and buoyant frame of mind with meditations on destiny hope and rejuvenation. Damien answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
How did you become involved in music?
I was at school with Luke Casey (Eye TV) and he encouraged me to come with him to meet some guys he was jamming with in Titarangi. That’s where I met Chris Van de Geer (Stellar*) and we went on to form Second Child.
I couldn’t really sing or play but I was super keen to get on the mic and express myself. Obviously they saw something in me so I became the singer.
I knew a few chords so I was pushed (thankfully by Chris) into the second guitar spot and gradually then later through that developed my songwriting. I was the least accomplished musician but playing with others who were streets ahead definitely made me lift my game and learn fast!
We had a good run making a couple of records under that name (Magnet, Slinky) with some different line ups and played some high profile supports: Fugazi, Jesus & Mary Chain, Hunters & Collectors, Rollins Band and Nirvana. We split around 1996.
If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
My heroes are many and varied so it’s hard to single one out. I’d like to try and write something with Bruce Springsteen or Jackson Browne – actually just to maybe have a beer with them would be great! Equally there are lesser-known favourites like Bob Mould who was a big influence on me coming up and still listen to, Ron Sexsmith – too many.
Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
I wrote a song called Ships Sail Out on my latest record A New World. It looks back on the first bloom of a relationship, an idyllic time, through to some inevitable ups and downs then ends with a pledge for a future together. I really like how it turned out and it conjures up some vibrant images for me. People really seem to respond to it so I guess it’s done its job. I like different songs at different times. I feel happy with that one now.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?
It’s kind of classic singer-songwriter stuff really. It’s optimistic while acknowledging some darker stuff. It’s hymn-like at times but not shy of a quirky upbeat turn here and there. It’s melodic though doesn’t always go the way you think it’s going to. I go from minor to major a bit sometimes in the same song.
What can we expect to see from you in the next year?
I want get A New World heard by as many as possible and hopefully see it reviewed a great deal too. The last record While The Wind’s At Your Back was good but not a lot of people heard it and didn’t get much press despite being reviewed favourably. So my aim is to get it in front of as many folks as possible. I’ve been working on some publicity now.
I’ve just finished a new video for the title track A New World and a few weeks ago and I did an interview and performed 3 songs on Marty Duda’s 13th Floor webcast series in Auckland on a recent visit.
I’m making another video in a couple of weeks in Sydney with an old NZ friend. Aside from those things I’m currently organising a record release gig here in Sydney and a gig later in the year in Auckland.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
I admire Dave Dobbyn’s songwriting a whole lot, which reminds me I’ve gotta buy his new album. I like what Wayne Bell does, he played drums on this record I was honoured, very talented and tasteful guy.
How do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc.?
It’s tricky at times. I have a full time job which I like but it can be draining so I have to force myself to rehearse when I really not in the mood. I do it and I’m always glad I did - it pays off. I try to do one thing a day towards music whether it’s admin/emails/contacting or singing/playing/writing. I feel better when I do. In terms of a balance, most of my friends have children and zero time, so I feel I’ve nothing really to complain about.
Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?
Sometimes when I get a chance to reflect on events and specific times – good or bad that’s when songs come. In really quiet times songs come like when you’re almost asleep a song will come and tug at you to get up and get the guitar or paper and pen.
When I hear a great album or see a great artist perform it can give you a rush or to try a new direction or idea. If I see a good or interesting movie sometimes it will spur an idea – though quality movies are rare these days. I do love words and language though and conversations with friends or others are a big source of material for me.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
Play with people much better than you and you’ll be better.
Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Bandcamp Page
ReverbNation Page
SoundCloud Page
iTunes Page
A New World is the new album from Damien Binder (press release)
Ex-pat New Zealand band Agent is now based in London and have a new album coming out later this year. They spoke to Ryan Kershaw from muzic.net.nz about moving to London, their influences and their new album.
Hi guys, your Kiwi fans are excited to hear of a new album in the making. For the Muzic.net.nz readers who may not be familiar with your music though, could you please give a brief bit of a background as to how you all met to form the band, and where your first gigs were.
Sure. The original line up (of which James is the only original) formed back in New Plymouth in New Zealand in 2003. Our first ever gig as Agent was in the Naki at the now closed Salvation opening for some death/thrash metal bands. Shortly after that we played at the first ever Basement Bar gig which eventually became a venue that most of the touring NZ bands made a point of stopping off at and is still hosting the occasional gig. Jimmy’s claim to fame is that he designed the Basement Bar logo when he thought he was awesome at photoshop.
Your influences include Guns N Roses (yeah!!) and A Perfect Circle. What are some of the more unknown artists that have influenced you over the years either individually or as a band?
So sooooooooo many. They may not all be unknown but we can certainly give you a idea of how diverse the spectrum is - Jaco Pistorius, Stanley Clark, Supergrass, Blur, Lamb of God, Mark Knopfler, Joe Cocker, Mastodon, O Brother, Prodigy, Lesser Key, Shapeshifter, Karnivool, Stevie Wonder, Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Nirvana, Radiohead, Marilyn Manson…. the list goes on and on
Your back catalogue has some cool tracks to check out; Lunatic has some interesting lyrics. How did that song come about? There are some cool vocal/mix effects on that track too.
The main riff of Lunatic was a bit of a happy accident during a rehearsal when the drums and guitar went slightly out of synch and we were like “hey that actually works” and we went on and built the song up around that. We tried to make the post chorus vocals contrast with the more staccato delivery of the verses and the effects just all seemed to make sense at the time.
You made the big move from NZ to London in 2008. What prompted the move?
At the time the motivation was more exposure to a far bigger market and the desire to give ourselves the best shot possible. Things have come along way in the last 8 years and it’s easier to get out there a lot more these days for bands. There are a lot of bands from NZ and Oz doing well here now that are still based in the southern hemisphere. At the time we took the decision to be where the action was. You only live once why die wondering?
How have you found the music industry in London compared with NZ? In general are there pros and cons to each?
There are definitely pros and cons to the UK but more pros..… The pros of being here is that European market is on the door step, the UK press is amazing with huge publications and radio being based here (e.g. Metal Hammer, Kerrang, Prog, Classic Rock, Radio 1, xFM), there is a swarm of really cool UK and European bands if you ever need inspiration, plus if you want to see an international band there are shows most nights around London. Cons…. a huge amount of bands trying to make it, its a bit harder to stand out, industry people that are ready to take advantage of bands, to an extent its a bit less personal than NZ.
James, talking to you (albeit very briefly!) for a lead singer you are very grounded! Seriously though having a good nature in the tough music industry works out better for everyone in the long run and in band situations too. How important has it been as a band to keep communication between band members clear and to all get on as you made some pretty big changes.
You just have got to be straight up as you can with each other and set expectations right from the start. Respect each others opinions and decisions but don’t be afraid to say what you think as long as you do it in the right way. As long as you all keep talking and everyone is moving in the same direction its OK. As for being grounded there is no room for egos, it’s just not good for anyone involved and to be honest takes too much energy.
Matt, as well as the obvious bass lines, you have some pretty cool harmonies happening. What’s your approach, do you experiment with intervals or just go with what comes instinctively; or is does it depend on the song?
A bit of both really it does depend on the song largely and what fits the track.
Your last album Kingdom of Fear was mastered by Tom Coyne who has worked with another great band – Karnivool. How did that come about?
Tom Coyne is a bit of legend. Not only has he done Karnivool, Dead Letter Circus, and I Am Giant through whom we met Tom, he has also done some huge pop names as well such as Michael Jackson, Adele and Beyonce. He is the real deal and we were very happy to work with him.
Kiwi bands can be a bit “relaxed” when it comes to mastering but it can be a very important part in the process. What are your thoughts on mastering and how it helped with your recordings?
Its simple - don’t release anything that hasn't been mastered, it sounds quiet and dull next to a mastered track. First impressions do count. You don’t have to spend thousands as there are plenty of places around that do a decent job for not too much. If you are serious about your music you should be willing to spend a few bucks. We went with Tom Coyne on Kingdom of Fear because it was a full album released internationally and it was being listened on radio next to the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, Tool, Metallica, Soundgarden etc. the recording needs to stack up.
Although enjoying being in the band is the ultimate, Agent has also done well in terms of radio play and live shows – being played on BBC radio 1 and Kerrang TV. For the benefit of Kiwi musicians who might not have approached radio because of a lack of confidence, how would you recommend going about it?
Get a PR agent or radio plugger that knows the industry and the people. It costs a few dollars but it’s worth it. The most success we have had is when we have paid someone to work with us. The PR/plugger should be able to recommend the right track and which stations to approach. You have to remember if you send your CD to radio or send an mp3 link via email it may never get listened to. A plugger will make sure the right people hear the song.
Gerald, listening to your guitar tracks you really add a cool ethereal vibe to the songs, (like on Collecting Scars and Dark Dreams) with the things like tremolo picking and that spacey tone. Can you tell us a bit about the sounds/settings you like to use and if there are any standout techniques or ideas that you love to play or hear with guitar tracks
Delay and reverb! I love it! This is where the ambience is at! I also use a Kemper head - a profiling rig with a million amps, cabs, and effects in one unit. Having the contrast between my more atmospheric vibe and James’ chunky warm Mesa Boogie sound really helps to define the Agent sound especially on the new tracks that we have been working on.
As a band you are all skilled players so it would be stink as to not ask about the drumming! A track that stands out to me is Vondelpark from Kingdom Of Fear. Dean, I guess it depends on the song but is there someone in the band you usually lock into first, or can anything spark off an idea for the drum parts to the song (including an idea that started on the drums)?
As a drummer I naturally try to lock into the bass but at the same time if we are jamming on something and the guitar riff is doing something MORE staccato I might lock into that on the snare or kick. It’s all very organic and we all try to do what works best for the song.
The new EP Suicide By Tiger sees you working with Paul Matthews again. How did the recording process go?
Well, well… quite smooth to be honest. We were better prepared than we have ever been before going into the studio so had 90% of everything planned out - you never have it 100% as some of the best ideas may still come to you in the studio but we had a good idea of what was going down. We have been mates for years and we have a good understanding of how we work together. It’s become productive and efficient and we all have a similar vision of how the tracks should sound. The EP has now also sprouted arms and legs and will now be a full blown album so we are heading back into the studio with him from April.
What can we expect from the new tracks and more importantly where can everyone get them?
The news tracks are sounding more like where we want the band to be. Vocally James has taken it up a notch, musically its tighter, hookier, more accessible, yet more diverse at the same time. We are really happy musically and enjoying the new tracks especially playing them live. The first single When Gods Collide will be released along with a new video in the next few months - official date to be confirmed with our PR company.
You guys have all done really well and have a loyal following. Do you take time to chill out and just go “yep cool, it’s been awesome and things are good”? How would you rate the ride so far?
Thanks mate. To be honest we are not very good at sitting back and enjoying it as there is always something to do - rehearsals, writing new music, PR, planning a video, improving the live show, personal practice…. It’s been a long hard road so far and nothing in this industry comes for free so it will continue to be hard especially as the industry has changed so dramatically but there will still be good times, achievements, successes, and moments along the way when everything comes together at the right time and you are like “Fuck yes!”. Primarily you have to do this first and foremost because you LOVE it and want to do it as well as you can. Musicians are like addicts looking for that next high be it a rush of goosebumps listening back to a beautiful vocal harmony or the adrenaline rush of a flawless live set. We cannot stop.
Thanks guys, it’s great to see a Kiwi band doing their thing together on the opposite side of the globe! Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans back home?
Thank you so much to our NZ fans for all your support over the years. We really enjoyed our tour back home in November 2014 and we hope to make it back for some shows again in the future. We hope you like the new tracks and record we have coming out this year. Much love and respect Agent.
Agent are James Donaldson (vocals, guitar), Dean Gibb (drums), Matt Flower (bass, backing vocals)
and Gerald Gill (guitar).
Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Phil Broadhurst Quintet, the band of the first jazz musician to be awarded the MNZM for services to jazz, has won the Tui for this year’s Best Jazz Album for Panacea.
Alongside the winner of the Best Jazz Album, the inaugural APRA Best Jazz Composition winner has also been announced with Motueka’s Callum Allardice taking the award for Sons of Thunder.
Panacea is the third instalment in a highly successful album trilogy from the Broadhurst ensemble and has been described by many as the finest of the three albums.
Broadhurst is one of New Zealand’s leading Jazz artists, working as a pianist, composer and educator. He is currently course coordinator for the Albany campus of Te Koki New Zealand School of Music.
Independent Music New Zealand today announced that The New Zealand Music Foundation is the charity partner of the Taite Music Prize 2016 being held at Galatos Live in Auckland on Wednesday 20 April.
The charity develops and supports projects that use music to make a positive difference to people in need across the country. It also provides caring, confidential and practical assistance to people from the NZ music community who are experiencing illness and hardship.
The next MMF seminar is on Tuesday 19th April and is all about Social Media.
Social Media use has exploded over the last 10 years and it presents an exciting opportunity for businesses to launch and grow. With reach and engagement to rival TV and radio, an extensive array of tools available and a very low barrier to entry, effective use of social media can supercharge any band's profile.
Aspiring event managers and musicians are invited to hear from top music industry professionals at the IGNITE Seminars, held on Saturday 9 April at the Aotea Centre. IGNITE Seminars will offer insights and tricks of the trade for organising and marketing shows and tours. IGNITE Seminars are free to attend and open to all, with the Event Management session in the morning followed by Marketing and Publicity in the afternoon.
IGNITE is very proud to host some of New Zealand’s top promoters in the Event Management seminar covering venues, budgets, ticketing, sponsorship and much more. The session will feature Mark Kneebone (Laneway Festival NZ and Live Nation) and Katie and Lucy Macrae (Chicks that Scream and Mystery Girl) and will be facilitated by Kingsley Melhuish, the Programme Leader in Diploma in Music and Event Management at MAINZ.
NZ Herald Entertainment Writer Lydia Jenkin will facilitate the Marketing and Publicity seminar held in the afternoon, joined by publicists Josie Campbell (Great Things) and Janine Russell (Noise PR).
---
Broods - Free
The Jason McIver Collective - I May No Perf
J Plates - Visions
Will Wood - Magpie Brain & Other Stories
Delaney Davidson - Devil In The Parlour
MC Tali - How To Get High
Damien Binder - A New World
MayaVanya - Maribelle
Pacific Heights - The Stillness
Mermaidens - Undergrowth
Mice On Stilts - Khandallah
Anna Coddington - Release Me
Street Chant - Hauora
The Raskolnikovs - The Raskolnikovs at the Hour of Sunset
The Jordan Luck Band - Debut Album
Beastwars - The Death of All Things
Ladyhawke - Wild Things
Ha The Unclear - Secret Lives of Furniture
---
Echo Children with Superturtle and Alan Gray
6 April @ The Clare Inn, Auckland
Stretch
8 April @ Common Room, Hastings - 14 April @ Golden Dawn, Auckland - 22 April @ Cabana, Napier - 29 April @ Caroline, Wellington and 6 May @ The Dome Bar, Gisborne
Mermaidens
8 April @ San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington - 9 April @ Imbibe Bar, Mt Maunganui - 15 April @ Great Job, Palmerston North and 16 April @ The Old Arc, Whanganui
Beastwars
21 April @ Churchills, Christchurch - 22 April @ San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington - 23 April @ Galatos, Auckland
Street Chant
8 April @ Caroline, Wellington - 9 April @ Great Job, Palmerston North, 15 April @ The Crown, Dunedin - 16 April @ Darkroom, Christchurch and 29 April @ Kings Arms, Auckland
The Raskolnikovs
8 April @ Wunderbar, Lyttelton - 9 April @ The Crown Hotel, Dunedin
The Jordan Luck Band
30 April @ Nivara Lounge, Hamilton - 5 May @ Cabana, Napier - 6 May @ The Cossie Club, Upper Hutt - 7 May @ Riverside Bar, Whanganui - 14 May @ Kings Arms, Auckland - 20 May @ Penguin Club, Oamaru - 21 May @ The Carlton, Christchurch - 26 May @ Refuel, Dunedin - 27 May @ The Sail & Anchor, Timaru - 28 May @ Tillermans, Invercargill - 3 June @ Totara Street, Mt Maunganui and 4 June @ Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawahi
Ladi6 and Jon Toogood
14-15 May, Wanaka
Avalanche City
27 May @ ASB Theatre Marlborough, Blenheim - 28 May @ Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch - 3 June @ Powerstation, Auckland - 4 June @ Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton - 9 June @ Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga - 10 June @ Great Lake Centre Theatre, Taupo - 11 June @ MTG Century Theatre, Napier - 16 June @ Theatre Royal, New Plymouth - 17 June @ The Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North and 18 June @ Opera House, Wellington
Villainy with City of Souls and Decades
8 April @ Churchills, Christchurch - 9 April @ Refuel, Dunedin - 14 April @ Totara Street, Mt Maunganui - 15 April @ Altitude, Hamilton and 16 April @ Galatos, Auckland
Hollie Smith
7 April @ Black Barn, Napier - 8 April @ San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington - 9 April @ The Mayfair, New Plymouth - 14 April @ The Butter Factory, Whangarei - 15 April @ The Tuning Fork, Auckland and 16 April @ Mauao Performing Arts Centre, Mt Maunganui
Will Wood with Tourettes
6 April @ Common Room, Hastings - 7 April @ Napier House Concert, Napier - 8 April @ Moon One, Wellington - 9 April @ Le Café, Picton - 15 April @ Wunderbar, Lyttelton - 16 April @ The Sherwood, Queenstown - 17 April @ Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru - 20 April @ Donovan's Store, Okarito - 21 April @ Strawberry Tree, Kaikoura - 22 April @ Moutere Inn, Moutere
Doprah and Yumi Zouma
4 May @ Darkroom, Christchurch - 5 May @ ReFuel, Dunedin - 6 May @ Crystal Palace, Auckland and 7 May @ Meow, Wellington
Tahuna Breaks (Final Show Ever)
14 May @ The Studio, Auckland
Shihad - 3 Shows in one Day
1 May @ CPIT, Christchurch (12pm) - @ Meow, Wellington (4:30pm) - @ The Powerstation, Auckland (9pm)
Lontalius
15 April @ PreFab Hall, Wellington
Common and Talib Kweli
11 May @ TSB Bank Arena, Wellington
Average Rap Band
7 May @ Neck of the Woods, Auckland
Johnny Osbourne and Max Glazer
29 April @ Neck of the Woods, Auckland
A Wilhelm Scream
2 June @ Whammy Bar, Auckland
Steel Panther
26 June @ Powerstation, Auckland
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
28 July @ Vector Arena, Auckland and 30 July @ Horncastle Arena, Christchurch
Gang of Four
27 April @ The Powerstation, Auckland
Deradoorian
13 April @ The Kings Arms, Auckland
Twenty One Pilots
18 April @ Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland
Matt Corby
23 April @ Town Hall, Auckland and 26 April @ Opera House, Wellington
Disturbed
18 November @ Vector Arena, Auckland
Drowning Pool
24 July @ Kings Arms, Auckland
---
Latest NZ Music News
Latest Gig and Tour Announcements
Do you love listening to music? Do you enjoy going to gigs? Maybe you get a buzz out of discovering new music and telling everyone about it, or perhaps you'd like to meet some of the incredible musicians that NZ has on offer?
If any of these apply to you, we want you to join our team!
The incredible volunteers that make up the Muzic.net.nz team are looking for more people to join us as reviewers, interviewers and photographers. The criteria is simple - you must be computer literate, a 'people person', and able to meet due dates.
Being a member of our amazing team gets you free entry into most gigs (usually with a +1), free music to listen to and fantastic opportunities to meet some of the finest musicians this country has to offer, all while knowing that you're doing that little bit more to support NZ music.
If you think you are the best person for us, we'd love to hear from you! Email [email protected] today - we'll look forward to hearing from you.
The dates for our 2016 newsletters have been announced here.
If you would like to feature your music in one of our 2016 newsletters, check out this forum and email [email protected] for more info.
We've compiled together a list of important music industry dates for 2016. You can read about them here.
The following musicians and bands have been added to the muzic.net.nz website during the past month:
It's free to add yourself or your band to muzic.net.nz:
Add Artist Form
Info about filling out the add artist form
Check out our latest reviews at the links below:
Gig
Review: The Jordan Luck Band @ The Thirsty Dog Auckland 11/3/16
Written by Andrew
JCK
- Album Review: Land of the Wrong White Crowd
Written by Peter
Steezin' Hawkings - EP
Review: Steezin' Hawkings
Written by Andrew
Gig
Review: Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders @ The Powerstation, Auckland
09/03/2016
Written by Crystal
Karl
Jensen - Album Review: Flee the Ground
Written by Peter
Urban
- Album Review: Everything Except Time
Written by Gray
Louie
Knuxx - Album Review: Tiny Warm Hearts
Written by James
Jason
McIver - Album Review: I May No Perf
Written by Peter
Super
Narco Man - EP Review: Dank Mammoth
Written by Charlie
Swamp
Dixie - Album Review: Beautiful Forever
Written by Andrew
His
Master's Voice - Gig Review: The Forge Of His Masters Downfall @ Kings Arms,
Auckland - 5/03/2016
Written by Kerry
Cub
Sport - Album Review: This Is Our Vice
Written by Crystal
---
All of our reviews can be read here.
All our interviews can be read here.
Email [email protected] if you would like us to review your music.
Check out our latest photos at the links below:
Groeni
Sol3 Mio
WOMAD 2016
Photos by Bradley
Return of Clash of
The Titans
Brendon Thomas and The Vibes
Photos by Grant
Eb & Sparrow
Photos by Ngamihi
---
All of our photo galleries can all be viewed here.
Email [email protected] if you would like us to photograph you.
---
All muzic.net.nz tour features can be viewed here
Email [email protected] if you would like us to create a tour feature for you.
The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on Sunday 1 May 2016!
If you are a NZ musician and you would like to promote your music,
we would love to feature you in our newsletter
and you can choose the date which suits you
We can also feature record labels, venues, music stores, music websites...
anything that has something to do with NZ music
Check out this forum and email [email protected] for more information about our newsletters
Muzic.net.nz newsletters are currently sent out to over 7980 members
with this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter is an excellent promotional tool
Access our newsletter archives here
- The muzic.net.nz team
Music Downloads
Photo Galleries
Reviews, Interviews and Previous Newsletters