Welcome to November's newsletter everyone!

The weather is starting to heat up a bit more and the BBQ's are getting a dusting off. With Christmas only 7 weeks away, thoughts are turning to end of year festivities, holidays and hopefully a thought about how epic 2017 is looking for NZ music and all the upcoming Summer gigs and festivals.

This month's issue is all about huge tours and new releases with another stellar line-up; Poison Skies, Rebel Sound Radio both have new EPs and are heading out on their Road Rage Tour, Coridian is performing during their Blind Faith Tour and Devilskin will be releasing their second album Be Like The River on 11 November, followed by a tour of epic proportions starting in December this year.

Further down we give you all the info on the brand new music platform, Jam Space, and you can read about all the details on RockFest 2016. Paul Harvey from Splitrock Media Productions has also kindly written another informative article, this time on Songwriting.

And it wouldn't be a muzic.net.nz newsletter without all the latest and greatest NZ music news and views.

- Kerry & the Muzic.net.nz team

Auckland-based high-energy rock band Poison Skies have just released their long-awaited debut EP Day to Defy, and are embarking on the Road Rage tour, a 5-city trip through the North Island, with co-headliners Rebel Sound Radio. Terry had a chat to Jamie (bass), and here's what went down:

What would you describe as Poison Skies' style?

People have put us in the kind of punk vein but we see ourselves as more high energy rock mostly because our influences are vary from metal, punk and normal rock and hard rock music. So we don’t want to just fit into just one category. With some of the things we are doing now we are heading on down more of that heavier end so it’s not real sitting in that punk vein anymore.

You've just released an EP, and you're about to go out on tour could you please tell us about that?

The EP is something we have been working on for a long time now we first went into the studio in 2014 starting to put it together working with Dave Rhodes who was also the engineer for Blindspott’s first album and worked with him in Depot sound studio down in Devonport and we have just worked away at it slowly and finally got it ready for us to put it out there in the world. It’s coming out on the 24^thof October with a 5 date tour of the North Island to follow kicking off on the 5^th of November in Wellington.

Is this the band’s first release?

This is our first EP and from this we have had 3 singles so far of it. The first one Victim of Reality was released in December 2014, we then released City Streets and 86 last year, and we put out a cover of a Tracey Chapman song. We went back and thought how would her song Fast Cars sound if a faster band played it and so we put that out although it’s not on the EP you can check that out on YouTube.

Could you tell us about the writing and recording process please?

We kind of have a number of different ways in which we can work. Because we have 3 guitars, bass and drums, we have quite a lot of people there that could write and can write. So we go from one spectrum of someone coming in with a completed song or at least the completed riffs for their instrument and everyone’s all layering around that to someone just coming in with a riff and we have jammed it and all written it collaboratively. Probably the only constant with the way we do things is Nick usually won’t write the lyrics until we have a completed song musically. But he always has a vocal melody that he is throwing down immediately and finding the words to go over the top of it.

Could you tell us a little bit about how you guys all came together?

We had all been playing in lots of different bands in Auckland and we all knew each from those bands so we all knew each other from the scene but had never played together. Although Poison Skies' is quite new we have all been doing this for 15-20 years around the Auckland music scene. So we all got together and created this new thing that was what we had all wanted all our other bands to have to achieved.

How hard is it to make music in NZ?

Making it isn't hard but the getting it to people is. I came it from a bit of a DIY Punk approach in that at high school was already writing music with mates so music has always been a big part of what I do. The hardest part is getting out to some of those other cities. Getting the product, the songs is the hard part. We're independent, we do it all ourselves. Right down to writing up the contracts, working out how were going to do it, what’s the show going to be like. We don’t have a manager or anything so it can be a bit of hard work, but it’s worth it.

One last question could you please give us some words of advice for young musicians?

Just have fun with it. There’s too many people coming out too quickly and they get discouraged because they aren’t playing massive venues from day one and you have to get some road dirt on your band first. You have to do the miles play some gigs and have some fun. Also a lot of it is around professionalism. There’s so many bands that we work with that are just so easy to work with. You know that they are going to turn up on time to sound check you know that they are going to put on a killer set and I’m always going to pick a band like that instead of worrying about if they are going to turn up are they going to have all their gear. So be professional but have a good time with it.

Poison Skies are Nick (vocals, guitar), Sam (guitar, vocals), Paul (guitar, backing vocals), Jamie (bass) and Carl (drums).

Website Links

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

Rebel Sound Radio are best described as a hard hitting three piece collective, unified by volume, distortion, high energy and with a drive to break away from the everyday grind. Formed to start something new and forge a totally different sound that will sent them apart. Terry spoke to Jessie James Hanright from Rebel Sound Radio for muzic.net.nz. Here's what he had to say:

New EP Regret Nothing has just been released. Is this your first release?

Yes it is our first one, we had recorded the Liberation single and a B side previously at Depot Studios in Devonport with Dave Rhodes. We decided to go back up and work with Dave to record four more songs and put it together as an EP.   

How long have you guys been together, and how did the band form?

Somewhere Circa early 2015 is when the line up was completed and we started putting songs together. Both myself and Craig had been sitting around not doing anything too musical over the last couple of years apart from dabbling with covers and other musical projects that never really took off. We have both been in original bands before and missed writing and playing so it was a breath of fresh air forming Rebel Sound Radio. We got Ash in on drums and he fit in really well pretty much straight away, he made it easy and injected a good dose of energy into the band.

Could you please tell us about the writing and recording process that you go through as a band?

I used to write loads on a beat up old acoustic and take mostly whole songs to band practice in the past but due to having less spare time to work on material I have modified my process to make writing as spontaneous as possible. I will come up with basic ideas at home and take them out to band practice or just roll with ideas on the fly, I love throwing around ideas and seeing what sticks. I also find that the songs have more room to breathe and more natural energy when they have been forged in the jam room.

We are always working on material and will spend an hour or so working on new songs each practice and pull them to bits until we are happy with them, a lot of them get thrown out or recycled but the good ones will get the cell phone recording treatment in their current state and tucked away. We will leave a song a couple of weeks before returning to it to see if it’s still up to par, we are pretty picky! 

I focus a lot on the vocal melody and will use dummy lyrics until it’s time to record, I don’t like being restricted by the lyrics of a song during the process of fleshing it out. Usually by the time I sit down to finish the song I have a good idea of what the song is about and have my chorus lyrics already in place so it’s just a matter of building the rest of the lyrics around the chorus.

Every band has their preferred method of recording but we practice the song until we are sick of playing it and will do all our pre production (tempos, guide tracks etc.) before we hit the studio. We record track by track – drums, bass, guitars, vocals and back up vocals and then do a final edit to strip any unnecessary filler out of the song (as we tend to make really long songs). Welcome to the Badlands was almost a 7 minute song and ended up 4:50.

Before we started tracking the EP we did some live demos in the studio and I loved the energy of the recordings, I may approach the next studio session differently and try cut whatever we are recording live to see how it compares.

What inspires you to write music?

I guess that I have always had something in me that I need to get out and music is my medium, I get fixated on ideas and I get irritated when I can’t do something creative to reflect them. I get inspired for lots of different reasons- whether I have been having a shitty run of luck and need to vent out of pure frustration or I’m feeling nostalgic about past times / events, I just take whatever I’m feeling at the time and channel it creatively.      

Who were some your first musical heroes?

I have so many musical heroes but the ones who really stood out to me when I a young teenager and just getting into music are Kurt Cobain, James Hetfield and Jimi Hendrix. Funnily enough they are all Frontmen and killer guitarists for completely different reasons. I also remember spending the early 2000’s getting into all these older bands from the 60’s and 70’s... Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, The Doors all the really cool guitar based stuff.

What is your favourite Kiwi album and song you class as your Kiwi anthem?

My favourite album is either {Shihad}’s General Electric or {8 Foot Sativa}’s Hate Made Me, both of those albums are great from start to finish and really stuck with me for some reason or another. As far as Kiwi anthems you can’t go past Don’t Dream It’s Over by {Crowded House}.

What is your favourite Kiwi venue?

Probably the Kings Arms Tavern in Auckland, but there is some awesome venues up and down the country. I haven’t toured with a band for about 6 or seven years so my knowledge of venues outside of Hamilton or Auckland is probably a little bit lacking, some of the same venues are still around but a lot of my favourite venues have gone.

How hard is it to make music and play live in NZ?

I don’t think it’s particularly hard but there is very little support for smaller developing bands and very limited industry in place, it depends on what you are looking for I guess? It’s easy enough to get a good covers band together, play the same bars regularly and scrape a living but If you want to tour like demons, play every night of the week and be a full time musician playing original material NZ is not the country to do it in... We just don’t have the population and it’s too expensive. 

What are the bands plans for the future?

It’s been a massive year for us and we have ticked a lot of goals off the list, we have the tour coming up and have plans for a big New Years gig but beyond that we don’t have too much planned yet for 2017. Doing another video and releasing a second single from the EP and playing in a few more new places is the short term plan but for the most part we are already working on follow up material and already have a bunch of newer songs that we are crafting and shaping.  We will probably sit down after Xmas and New years and set ourselves some goals for the year.    

When can we see shows across the country and any plans to travel further abroad?

November on the Road Rage tour with our pals Poison Skies!

5^thNovember – Blind Tiger, Wellington
18^th November – The Mayfair, New Plymouth
19^th November – The Royal, Palmerston North
25^th November – Gravity, Hamilton
26^th November – Backbeat, Auckland

We would like to do some Australia shows as some point, maybe next year if it works out?

Where can we pick up a copy of the EP?

You can pick up a copy at any of the previously mentioned gigs or head online and grab one from iTunes, Google play or Amazon. All the links can be found on http://www.rebelsoundradio.com/

Could you please give us some words of advice for young musicians?

Here’s a few things that either took me a long time to learn or I have observed time and time again. I feel they are key areas for young musicians.

Be organised, no one is going to want to deal with you if you struggle to make it to band practice and show up unprepared. Don’t be that guy. 

Practice, Practice and practice some more, you have to be honest with yourself and know your weaknesses. It’s easy to get halfway decent and not push yourself to get any better. You don’t have to be Steve Vai or John Bonham but you should be always trying to get that little bit better. Turn the TV off and hit those scales!   

Surround yourself with positive supportive people and people who have been there and done it before, their knowledge and experience is invaluable and you can learn a lot if you take the time to ask questions and listen.

Most importantly, stay humble! It’s a small industry and word travels fast if you act like a douchebag. 

Rebel Sound Radio are Jessie James Hanright (guitar, vocals), Craig Tuner (bass) and Ashley Goodare (drums).

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website 
Facebook Page 
Twitter Page 
Youtube Page 
SoundCloud Page 
iTunes Page

REVIEW: EP Review: Regret Nothing
REVIEW: Single Review: Liberation

Rebel Sound Radio @ Nivara Lounge, Hamilton 28/05/16 (photo gallery)
Rebel Sound Radio @ Nivara Lounge, Hamilton - 3/09/16 (photo gallery)

Devilskin are one of the most outstanding NZ rock acts of current times, capable creating a compelling and irresistible sound and performing a stunning, explosive, live show. Described as "a determined and accomplished group of musicians who know what they want", their new album Be Like The River proves that they are yet again on top of their game. Terry had the pleasure of interviewing Paul Martin (bass), here's what he had to say:

Hey there Paul. You guys have a new album due out 11^th of the 11^th, is there any significance to the dates?

Yeah well 11^th of 11^th a lot of people freak out on those numbers and we thought it suited things nicely. When it comes to release dates you so many things that have to be lined up first and it all happened on that day and we thought oh cool number. It wasn’t intentional but the timing was perfect for us.

To the new album with the writing and recording process was there much differences from the last album? How do you guys work with the writing, is it Nails and yourself or do you all come together and write? How do you guys work like that?

It’s weird because like the first album the very first jam we had together we wrote Fade, Little Pills and Until You Bleed. That was in the first jam so it happened real easy for us. Nail or I come up with a riff and we all roll with it from there. Jennie, of all the musicians I have played with has this uncanny gift for melody and she'll just sing over the top of our riffs and I get chills, I get goose bumps. She’s gifted and it just drips out of her and yeah. With the first album we had 3 or 4 years together before we did the album so it was a long process and the songs came real easy to us. For this new album we demoed close to 30 songs for it and there were tracks that didn’t make it onto the first album that we really wanted to put onto this album. With 30 tracks and with the luxury of a bit more time on our side we were able to take some time out to just do some song writing so we would shoot off to the Bach for a few days the four of us. It was really good and we were really focused on it and I think they did better for it the songs sound a lot more focused and to the point.

You guys got lucky and were able to record overseas. Who did that go for you?

It cost us a lot to get that lucky. New Zealand is running out of studios, big ones that is and the fact is that it’s so pricey now days, it’s as cheap to record overseas as it is here so if you’re over there for a few gigs you might as well do some recording. A lot of the studios in the UK and Europe have accommodation as well so you get to stay on site too, which is real good because you’re just so immersed in the recording process. Basically living in the studio and working on it 12-13 hours a day and living there it just makes it a really good atmosphere to get creative and to record in.

In my opinion it’s very difficult to make money and be a musician in New Zealand. How do you get past that obstacle?

It’s taken me 50 years to try and figure that one out myself. It’s a combination of things. You have to have the right chemistry in the band. The first time I heard Jennie sing, she sent a demo into The Axe Attack years ago I think she was about 16-17 I think and holy crap as soon as I heard it knew she had that X factor and knew she was special. I never dreamed I would get to play in a band with her. But once you have that chemistry and it all starts and finishes with having an amazing singer and Jennie's more gifted than any one I have ever met in that department so that’s where you start. But people think Devilskin just popped up overnight, but really we didn’t - we played shitty little bars up and down the country for 3 or 4 years before anyone had heard any our songs. The Rock took a year to play Little Pills once I had presented it to them so I wasn’t getting any favours and I worked for them. But we just stuck to our guns and that’s part of the title for the album Be Like The River. It’s a song that didn’t make it onto the album, much like We Rise didn’t make it onto the first album but it’s on the new one. But the lyric goes Be like the river that cuts through the stone. You just got to keep going and you will wear a path for yourself and make your way out to the sea or get to be where you need to be. But you just got to stick with it. That’s the biggest thing for bands in this country is you just got to stick with it and work hard.

What would you describe as one of your career highlights?

Last time Black Sabbath came over I got to hang out with Tony Iommi for a good hour, so the only thing left on my bucket list is shaking Jimmy Page’s hand. There’s been a lot. Getting to share the stage with Heaven and Hell and Down. Sharing the Motorhead and getting to hang out with Lemmy, there’s been some pretty magic moments.

Could you please give us some words of advice for young musicians?

Be like the river and cut through the stone, fight like a lion defending his home.

I’ve been playing in bands since I was 17 and basically it’s all I ever wanted to do when I grew up. If you still got a band and your still enjoying it after years to me that’s making it, you know. There’s a lot to be said for experience and I see some of these new bands and young bands and they are full of it and I see them making silly mistakes and I just think you’re just going to have to be in it a few more years to learn that you don’t do that sort of thing. Experience counts for a lot and if you haven’t been an arsehole then you’re still going to survive in your chosen scene years later. You have to treat people with respect. You have to conduct yourself well and you have to have that passion and that fire. I think that’s the key to longevity.

Devilskin are Jennie Skulander (vocals), Nail (guitar), Paul Martin (bass) and Nic Martin (drums).

Website Links

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

INTERVIEW: NZ Blokes Interview with Devilskin
REVIEW: Gig Review: Devilskin @ The Powerstation, Auckland - 19/09/15
REVIEW: Be Like The River

Devilskin New Album Announcement - Be Like The River (press release)
Devilskin and Halestorm Rock NZ Audiences this Summer (press release)
Devilskin add Australian Tour Dates (press release)

Coridian are set to tear up New Zealand during November with Anemoia on their Blind Faith Tour. Coridian's growing live show has seen them perform with a number of amazing Kiwi bands such as Armed in Advance, Skinny Hobos and Silence The City. Their new single Blind Faith was recorded and mixed by Zorran Mendosa (New Way Home, Set on End), helping the band capture, polish and deliver in style. Kris answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

How did you become involved in music? 

Our (Kris, Mike and Nick) dad plays guitar and writes in a band called Iceberg and had various other bands so we had music around us from birth, we all played around on different instruments as kids but by our early teens we had all found our instrument and fell in and out of bands together. I would say The Who, was the first inspiration for us. Dity surrounded himself with music throughout his upbringing. He played piano in primary school and later in high school picking up the guitar, joining the school choir and sang in musicals so the natural progression for him as an adult was to channel that energy into a band. 

If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why?

I would say Brixton Academy would be pretty amazing, just because of how many cool and varied bands and artists have performed there. There are so many bands I/we would love to play with. I would say playing with Metallica would be a pretty buzzy experience just because they are on their own level 

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

Blind Faith our new single, just because I love the groove and the lyrics, I love seeing people dance to it and the way it was recorded and produced made it even better. We worked with Zorran Mendosa on it and he just made it epic.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before? 

Alternative rock with a metal tinge.

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

Us on the radio hopefully haha. Another tour, another single, our debut album late next year 

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

I guess just more underground bands we play with getting more of a shot. The talent out there is insane. Anemoia are amazing live, Heart Thieves has cool vibes. Ciaran McMeeken is a cool dude with an amazing voice looking forward to see what he delivers next year. I would like to see the NZ music scene explode in the mainstream more. 

What local albums have you been enjoying recently?

I am waiting to hear the new Armed in Advance album, Heart Thieves EP is cool, loving all the singles from City of Souls and Silence the City and I still love playing New Way Home’s Mirrors album.

What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?

The Powerstation for the memories, would love to play there or Kings Arms because everything there is amazing, as a performer and as an audience member. Mark is the best sound guy.

Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?

Couple of beers, everyone has their own thing, I guess I am always in my own zone before the show but nerves will always be there somewhere.

How do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc.? 

Band is a 2^ndjob, not well paid but I consider it so. Got to put in the hours and work life around it. It just becomes part of life and you balance everything as much as you can 

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

Listening to as much music as I can, new and old, repeating favourites over and over. Other bands and the drive they have. Getting excited by my own band and what they can do.  

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

Don’t give up, it's hard work especially in NZ but there will always be a payoff in some way. Set a bunch of goals that are realistic and even some dreamlike ones haha. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s just a hobby!

Coridian is Dity Maharaj (vocals), Mike Raven (guitar), Kris Raven (drums) and Nick Raven (bass).

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Facebook Page 
Twitter Page 
Youtube Page 
Bandcamp Page 
ReverbNation Page 
SoundCloud Page 
iTunes Page

REVIEW: EP Review: Oceanic

The RockFest 2016 is a mini rock festival, held at the Totara Street venue, Mount Maunganui, Saturday 26th November.

It is a rock music event to help promote & support local rock bands in the area as well as bring in bands from out of town, thus ultimately building the rock music scene in the region and throughout New Zealand. It is more than just a big rock concert; we will have a couple of celebrity guest speakers (Chris Yong - ex TadPole, and Kingsley Smith - Knightshade) getting up briefly to welcome everyone and chat about the rock industry. Also, music videos of each band will be projected onto a big screen in between sets, and a merch / CD stand will be on display.

It is a non-commercial community based event, with profits going to the Bay of Plenty / Waikato Cancer Society.

There will be 6 bands playing over a 6 hour period, taking place on Saturday 26th November, for the bargain value of only $10. (includes booking fee, at http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/). Doors open: 6pm

The bands include:

Primacy

Midnight Switch

8 Steps to Madness

The Carradines

Liberated Squid

Metaract - featuring: Chris Yong (Tadpole, Redline, Static Era) & Sharne Scarborough (Just One Fix, After Forever)

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Facebook Event Page
Eventfinda Tickets

Jam Space is an online platform built by 3 kiwi entrepreneurs which allows New Zealanders to buy, sell, list & find everything music in one space.

“There just didn’t seem to be a good online tool that enables musicians and businesses in the industry grow” says Noel Mohandoss - Founder & CEO at Jam Space “Unlike other industries who are spoilt with great online platforms such as Seek for the recruitment industry, Zomato for the F&B industry, Goodnest for the home services industry, etc. there didn’t seem to be anything in the music space fitting of 2016. We aim to change that.”

Jam Space features 6 listing categories in which users can self promote themselves, their businesses or services & also offers a market place to sell musical goods:

1. Instruments, Music & Gear
2. Lessons & Tutoring
3. Musicians Wanted
4. Record & Rehearse
5. Gigs & Support Acts
6. Gear Hire & Artist Services

Jam Space users can also gather member feedback as a seller or buyer and build positive reviews on their listings to gain more trust with other users and customers in order to build and grow a reputable brand within the Jam Space community.

The Jam Space team have also partnered with some major players in the industry bringing you exclusive deals on great brands & products from retail giants Music Planet, also offering top notch recording services from the likes of Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios, musical lessons for all ages from community focused places such as Debase Studios, gear & party hire options from local favourites like the Rock Factory, and even offering a music news section powered by Libel Music Magazine.

The site is FREE to use for all members of the public and music community but you can opt to pay to boost your listings above others. They will also charge a very market competitive 3% success fee if you do sell your item using their “Buy Now” service.

We suspect the site is going to be a huge success and will be great to see little old NZ be the first to catapult the music industry into the future!

Links:

http://www.jamspace.co.nz/
www.facebook.com/jamspacenz

Song Writing
An article written by Paul Harvey from Splitrock Media Productions for muzic.net.nz

If ever there were a case of inverse power, then the song writers of today can certainly make the claim. For the song writer is the starting point of every musician’s and music consumer emotional and intellectual journey.  A whole billion dollar industry is reduced to one person with a melody and an idea.

We would have no music industry without the song writer.  Even for all the instrumentals, and that goes for all the classical enthusiasts out there too, without someone sitting down and capturing the melody and a story and putting it on paper. Without it there would be no music industry.

So what does it take to write a song? Well there are a plethora of books, articles, music magazines, on line lessons and a range of other sources and devices available for the aspiring song writer to tap into. Despite there being all these resources, none of it would matter if there were not two fundamental elements that are common to all who would grace us with their musical offerings. They have an ability to make some kind of musical pattern/melody in their head or play it on an instrument and an array of images and emotions that they want to share. They must also have a compulsion, a deep seated need to share anything from their inner most sufferings to their joy and or whatever lies between these two extremes.

To begin with, before we dive into the nuts and bolts of the song writing process, I think it is important to understand that there are certain conventions that must be respected for any musical offering to be given serious scrutiny. This comes about because those who read and interpret your song will need to understand those ideas with which you have captured on paper.  In today’s modern world we also have other electronic means of capturing these ideas that will actually write the musical notation as you play the instrument into the computer.

This means you need to be able to write your song in either musical notation, or understand musical script ie: standard musical text which uses the language of crochets, quavers, bars and time signatures. That being that they are written onto a music sheet with the five lines and spaces that represent the full arena for musical notations. Or you can use another system, commonly attributed to the stringed instruments of a modern non classical format, that being the form of tablature which denotes the finger position on the guitar/bass and its derivatives.

Written by Paul Harvey.

Full Article

2016 VNZMA Finalists announced

With five weeks to go until the 51^st Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards it’s time to reveal the Tui finalists at NZ’s biggest night in entertainment.

First up for this year’s Tui contenders are pop group Broods. Their sophomore album Conscious dropped in June 2016 and was hugely popular both here and overseas.

Brother and sister duo Caleb and Georgia Nott are finalists for five Tui Awards including the Godfrey Hirst Album of the Year, Best Group, The Edge Best Pop Album, Vodafone People’s Choice Award and Vodafone Single of the Year for their song Free.

After the release of her fourth album Brown Girl, Kiwi singer-songwriter Aaradhna is nominated for four Tui Awards – Godfrey Hirst Album of the Year, Fiji Airways Best Female Solo Artist, Best Urban/Hip Hop Album and Vodafone Single of the Year for Brown Girl.

Another quadruple award nominee at this year’s Music Awards is newcomer Maala. After the breakout success of his debut album Composure he’ll be contending for Best Male Solo Artist, The Edge Best Pop Album, Vodafone People’s Choice Award and Vodafone Single of the Year for the infectious Kind of Love.

Full Article

Bic Runga Celebrated With 2016 NZ Herald Legacy Award

The NZ Herald Legacy Award is recognised as one of the highest honours for Kiwi musicians. Every year we celebrate the impact that one artist has had on our national identity, and this year we are acknowledging one of our most successful and lauded songwriters and recording artists, Bic Runga.

When Bic Runga released her debut album Drive, she started a career that has gone from strength to strength.

Bic has received the most Tui’s by a New Zealand solo artist, counting 20 throughout her illustrious career – including Album of the Year for her debut Drive, and Best Female Vocalist on four separate occasions

She’s been involved in the music industry since 1994 winning the APRA Silver Scroll in 1996 for her song Drive, and has since released four critically acclaimed albums, a live album, one B-Side compilation, one Greatest Hits and brand new album Close your Eyes will be out in November.

Full Article

Scuba Diva wins the NZ On Air Critics' Choice Prize

Scuba Diva has been announced as the winner of the NZ On Air Critics’ Choice Prize as part of the 2016 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

He was awarded the Prize after performing at the Tuning Fork in front of an enthusiastic live crowd and fellow finalists Kane Strang and SPYCC & INF.

Scuba Diva aka Auckland’s Jimmy Mac showcased his own brand of hi-fi alt pop – mixing elements of classic rock, 80’s electronic, funky-jazz fusion with a sprinkle of synth to top it all off.

He’s taking home a NZ On Air grant worth $8,000 to go towards recording a single or music video and $1,500 voucher for audio services from Stebbing Recording Centre.

He’ll also receive expert advice and professional guidance about working in the music industry from Lynda Parsons Entertainment Accounting, Eccles Entertainment and 12 months’ access to the Music Managers Forum – including one-on-one mentoring and access to educational resources.

The NZ On Air Critics’ Choice Prize is now in its seventh year and was created to identify and recognise our up-and-coming Kiwi musicians as future Tui award winners.

Full Article

Poison Skies & Rebel Sound Radio - Road Rage Tour

New Zealand rockers Poison Skies and Rebel Sound Radio are set to take their music around the North Island this coming November.

Jamie from Poison Skies says "We are stoked to announce that we are finally getting to do something we have wanted to do for a very long time. We will be hitting the road in November with our good mates Rebel Sound Radio for our Road Rage co-headlining tour! We’re playing Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Hamilton and Auckland, and we will be joined at each show by some stellar local bands/musicians."

Featuring an incredible line-up of support acts, and playing at some of the best venues New Zealand has to offer, this is one tour that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Full Article

NZ MMF announce Orientation bookers networking session

Continuing with their incredibly successful Speed Networking Sessions, the NZ Music Managers Forum are proud to present a brand new session with the major National University Orientation Bookers.

The event will be held in Auckland on Wednesday 23 November.

For the first time in years, most of the bookers for University Orientation and Re-Orientation events from around the country will be in one room accepting pitches from managers and self managed artists. 

This will be an invaluable opportunity to receive first hand advice on how to get artists booked onto Orientation line-ups.

Full Article
MMF announces successful CONTROL applicants

Bandcamp To Join IMNZ Members In Auckland For One Day Only

It is with pleasure that Independent Music NZ announces an exclusive session with one of the leading lights of Bandcamp – the worldwide online music store & artist promotion platform that sells 25,000 records every day.

Independent Music NZ have partnered with Face The Music in Melbourne to exclusively connect our members with Andrew Jervis, the New York-based global Chief Curator of Bandcampand host of Bandcamp Weekly.

Andrew Jervis will be joined by Mikee Tucker of Loop to discuss the ins & outs of Bandcamp. They will cover how artists and labels can maximise their incomes using the trusted platform to sell music, merchandise & physical products, how to access the public-facing editorial & discovery opportunities, how to increase traffic to their artist/label accounts and gain a deeper understanding of the back-end mechanics available to them.

Full Article

Help Base FM Find A New Space

Sadly, the building which has been home to Base FM since 2009 has been marked for development. They have until the end of November to find a new home, build a new studio and relocate the entire station, in order to keep broadcasting and promoting great music across NZ and the world.

To assist in funding the relocation and a potential frequency boost, Base FM have set up a Givealittle Fundraising Page to cover this expensive mission.

Base FM is 100% independently owned & operated, with a small team which provides assistance to over 80 volunteer DJs. Since 2004, the station has broadcast on 107.3FM to our neighbourhood in Grey Lynn/Ponsonby, via Freeview Ch71 nationwide and an online live stream worldwide.

Full Article

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Full Line-up Announcement - Homegrown 2017

Soundsplash Reveals Final Line-up

WOMAD 2017 Line-Up announcement

Raggamuffin X Line-Up Released: 10th Anniversary Concert

Bay Dreams Festival: Third and final line-up announcement

Northern Bass 16/17 Announce Second Artist Line-up

Reggae, Roots Royalty For East Coast Vibes

Sweet Az Sun Fest

New Releases 

Fly My Pretties - Mud & Stardust
Kimbra - Sweet Relief
Gareth Thomas - Wallow
Jayson Norris - Eroded
Apollo SteamTrain - Double A Side
Weird Together - Ready For This Remix
Zed Brookes - Oh Sweet Cacophony
Jody Direen - Gimme The Beat
Armed in Advance - Change/Evolve
The Eversons - Stuck In New Zealand
Sacha Vee - Stonecold
Streets of Laredo - Wild
Mika Haka - Loved Me A Man
Warner Newman - Runaway
Brooke Fraser - A Sides
Kings - Kings
Tali - Keta
Bic Runga - Close Your Eyes
Rei - Out Dancing
Cheshire Grimm - Awaken
The Eversons - Good At Making Enemies
Thomas Oliver - If I Move To Mars
Bob Marley Tribute
The Solomon Cole Band - Bruises
Clap Clap Riot - Help Me
Sacha Vee - Feels Good
Louis Baker - Fade
Jupiter Project - My Girl
Decades - If It Kills Me
Israel Starr & Kapabal - Always Question?
Cheshire Grimm - Awaken
The Nudge - Dark Arts
The Wendys - On The Committee
Iris G - Supernova
Titan - The Gift
The Aristocrats - VHYes
Jody Direen - Shake Up!
Estere - Ambition
Bryony Matthews - Voices

November Gigs & Tours

(in no particular order)

Local

Poison Skies and Rebel Sound Radio
18 November @ The Mayfair, New Plymouth - 19 November @ The Royal, Palmerston North
- 25 November @ Gravity, Hamilton - 26 November @ Backbeat, Auckland
Coridian and Anemoia
18 November @ Totara Street, Mt Maunganui - 19 November @ Biddy Mulligans, Hamilton
- 25 November @ Valhalla, Wellington - 26 November @ Cabana, Napier
Armed in Advance
25 November @ Valhalla, Wellington and 26 November @ NZ Tattoo and Art Festival, New Plymouth
Fly My Pretties
12 November @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Shapeshifter
10 November @ Horncastle Arena, Christchurch - 11 November @ Shed 6, Wellington
- 12 November @ Vector Arena, Auckland
Checaine
11 November @ The Old Stone Butter Factory, Whangarei - 19 November @ Crates n Cues, Rotorua
Woolshed Tour
2 November @ Rotorua - 3 November @ Gisborne - 4 November @ Wairoa - 5 November @ Patoka
- 6 November @ Hastings - 9 November @ Wanstead - 10 November @ Hunterville - 11 November @ Afredton
- 12 November @ Martinborough - 13 November @ Hutt Valley
Bleeders with Fireshark and Blue Ruin
25 November @ Kings Arms, Auckland
Lola Sola
13 November @ Portland Public House, Auckland - 16 November @ Nivara Lounge, Hamilton
- 18 November @ Smash Palace, Gisborne - 20 November @ Blind Tiger, Wellington
- 24 November @ Roots Bar, Takaka
RockFest 2016
26 November @ Totara Street, Mt Maunganui
Yasamin
24 November @ Wine Cellar, Auckland
Koi Boys
18 November @ Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland
Solomon Cole Band
18 November @ The Thirsty Dog, Auckland - 19 November @ Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
Vixen Execution 10th Anniversary
26 November @ Churchills, Christchurch
Bernie Griffen and Kirsten Warner
11 November @ Settler's Hall, Barrytown - 12 November @ Blue Smoke, Christchurch
- 17 November @ House Concert, Invercargill - 18 November @ Gin & Raspberry, Wanaka
- 19 November @ House Concert, Gore - 20 November @ The Edinburgh Folk Club, Dunedin
- 24 November @ The Grain Store, Oamaru and 25 November @ Fools of Desire, Rangiora
The Nudge
26 November @ Whammy, Auckland - 27 November @ Yot Club, Raglan

International

Disturbed with Devilskin
18 November @ Vector Arena, Auckland
The Mission with Disjecta Membra
18 November @ Bodega, Wellington - 19 November @ Powerstation, Auckland
Tech N9ne
15-16 November @ Bodega, Wellington - 17-18 November @ Powerstation, Auckland
Tash Sultana
11 November @ Kings Arms, Auckland
The Monkees
29 November @ Isaac Theatre, Christchurch - 30 November @ ASB Theatre, Auckland
Black Milk
26 November @ Kings Arms, Auckland - 27 November @ Bodega, Wellington
TLC
10 November @ Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington - 12 November @ ASB Bay Park Arena, Tauranga
- 26 November @ Vector Arena, Auckland
Northlane with Saving Grace and The Brave
24 November @ Kings Arms, Auckland - 25 November @ San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington
Nelly
29 November @ Vector Arena, Auckland - 30 November @ Horncastle Arena, Christchurch
MC Keith Ape
11 November @ San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington - 12 November @ Neck of the Woods, Auckland
Silence of the Wolves
17 November @ Kings Arms, Auckland - 18 November @ Zeal, Hamilton - 19 November @ Valhalla, Wellington
James with Melic
9 November @ Powerstation, Auckland - 10 November @ Opera House, Wellington

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Latest NZ Music News
Latest Gig and Tour Announcements

New Artists

We added the following new bands and musicians to muzic.net.nz during October:

It's 100% FREE to add yourself or your band to muzic.net.nz, and you'll get free access to update your page, as well as access to add mp3 and photo galleries:
Add Artist Form
Info about filling out the add artist form

New Reviews

Check out our latest new release and gig reviews at the below links:

Armed In Advance - Album Review: Change/Evolve
Written by James H

Gig Review: The Church Tour @ Chapel of Christ The King, Hamilton - 22/09/16
Written by Jason

Destructatron - Single Review: Stoned to Death
Written by Matt M

DateMonthYear - Single Review: Spit Out The Sun
Written by Peter

Anna Coddington - Album Review: Luck/Time
Written by Ria

Silent Torture - Single Review: Torn to Pieces
Written by Matt M

Amos/Anon - Album Review: Toil On, Poor Heart
Written by Andrew

Gig Review: Collins Class @ Kings Arms, Auckland - 23/09/16
Written by Paul

Jake Stokes - EP Review: Before We're All Dead
Written by Paul

Black Fox Trio - EP Review: Rhythm Is Your King
Written by Jacob

Inhale - Album Review: Ten Cones
Written by Matt M

Openside - EP Review: Push Back
Written by Crystal

Grizzly Smith - EP Review: Home
Written by Peter

Electric Wire Hustle - Album Review: The 11th Sky
Written by Lora

Rebel Sound Radio - EP Review: Regret Nothing
Written by Sarah

Mitch Alderlieste - EP Review: City Calling
Written by Paul

Gig Review: Villainy @ The Kings Arms, Auckland - 14/10/16
Written by Andrew

Lola Sola - Album Review: Walking Back From Hell
Written by Ria

Dilz - Album Review: Word Smith
Written by Kerry K

The Solomon Cole Band - Album Review: Bruises
Written by James C-K

Cheshire Grimm - Single Review: Awaken
Written by Matt M

Bakers Eddy - Single Review: Big Man
Written by Kerry M

Makeshift Parachutes - EP Review: Mr Happy
Written by Momoko

Sacha Vee - Album Review: Luminous
Written by Kerry K

Devilskin - Album Review: Be Like The River
Written by Kerry M

EP Review: Bonfire Baby
Written by Lou

Mishap - EP Review: Toaster
Written by Lou

Apollo SteamTrain - Single Review: The Electric Sun/Streets of Gold
Written by Lou

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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.

New Photos

Our photographers took an incredible amount of photos during September, check out all the latest photo galleries at the below links:

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Electric Wire Hustle
Mice On Stilts
Toledo Springs
Cowboy Dan
Yoko-Zuna
Photos by Steve

A Girl Named Mo
Photos by Stella

Falling in Reverse
Slipknot
Photos by Matt H

Dave Dobbyn
Photos by Dani

Villainy
Photos by Bradley

---

All of our photo galleries can all be viewed here.
Email [email protected] if you would like us to photograph you.

Tour Features

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All muzic.net.nz tour features can be viewed here
Email team@muzic.net.nz if you would like us to create a tour feature for you.

The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on Sunday 4 December2016!
IT'LL BE THE LAST ISSUE FOR 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 are now accepting expressions of interest for 2017 newsletter features**

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 8340 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

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