Tama Waipara
By Ben Doy
Last week saw the release of Tama Waipara's latest album 'Fill Up The Silence'. An album which features traditional, grunty Pacific infused afrobeats with raw vocals, 'Fill Up The Silence' was produced by Aaron Nevezie and recorded in Brooklyn, New York. Waipara describes the new album as "Unashamedly rugged."
Cloud Control
By Poppy Tohill
After the critical acclaim for their debut album 'Bliss Release' the four piece Australian alternative rock band, Cloud Control are back with the release of an impressive second studio album 'Dream Cave.'
Interview: Bernard Fanning
By Christina Croucher
Bernard Fanning heads over to NZ on the 30th August to end his Departures tour. I spoke to the engaging Aussie who's currently in central Queensland playing sold out shows night after night. The Departures tour has taken off...
The Drones
By Alva Casey
The Drones are making their way across the Tasman this October to play shows in Auckland and Wellington.
Swamp Thing
By Ben Doy
Rotorua based Swamp Thing are embarking on their first Southern Tour August 2013. This two headed musical monster heads southward from August 7th until August 18th for a full on twelve date tour in under a fortnight , including an outdoor performance in Queenstown to open the New Zealand Winter Games on Thursday 15th August 6 PM and with first ever shows in Wellington , Palmerston North and most of the South Island centres.
Amanda Palmer
By Eve Cheesmur
Amanda Fucking Palmer.
Some say she's an arsehole, some say she's a genius. Either way, it doesn't seem to phase Amanda Palmer who is all about the music, the art, her fans and pushing boundaries.
The Phoenix Foundation
By James Manning
The Phoenix Foundation have just returned from a one-month tour through Europe and the U.K., taking their recently released fifth double album 'Fandango' to international shores for the first time.
Willy Moon
By Ben Doy
Willy Moon released his debut album 'Here's Willy Moon' this April through Island Records/Universal Music. The former Wellington schoolboy has been making big waves in the U.K and garnering huge acclaim for his uniquely throwback sound and style. Moon has been tipped by everyone from Q to Vogue as the one to watch in 2013. Having been snapped up by legendary label Island Records in the U.K and music giant Interscope in the U.S, Moon seems destined for worldwide stardom.
Birds Of Tokyo
By Ben Doy
Multi-ARIA award winning band Birds Of Tokyo released their fourth studio album in March titled 'March Fires'.
The album became their first to hit the Number 1 position on the Australian Album Charts and also charted at #26 on the RIANZ Album Chart in New Zealand; becoming the band's first international album chart debut.
Nick Dwyer
By Paul Ballard
Things in Auckland are about to get very weird, but luckily in a good way. Weird Together is the studio and live collaborative music project from NZ producer and DJ Dick Johnson and George FM Breakfast and Making Tracks host Nick Dwyer, and this week they celebrate the launch of their new debut EP 'Chale'.
Soljah
5 piece band Soljah have just released their debut album Aotearoa.
Consisting of Ben Ratima, Les Watane, Tawhiri Littlejohn, Raniera Littlejohn and Jacob Nansen, the band are well known for their mesmerising live performances showcasing elements of blues, funk, R&B, reggae, soul and rock.
Ivy Rossiter
By Maegan Johnsen
Luckless and Nadia Reid are set to hot road and embark on the 'Ballads And Badlands Tour' throughoutNew Zealand, perfect timing for NZ Music Month.
Interview: LatinAotearoa
By Sam Jeffery
This week marks the release of "Sonido", the first album from the funkily named LatinAotearoa, forged here in New Zealand but firmly rooted in the rasping sounds of Latin America. I chatted with Jennifer Zea,
Deap Vally
By Scott Birnie
When asked a while back who is currently ‘holding the torch' for rock music, my answer was simple. No one. No one band or artist will ever need to carry on the tradition of rock n roll as the genre is, in itself, more than just about the music. It's an attitude, a way of life for artists around the world who wow millions on the big stage or just their friends in a garage down the street.
Interview: The Veils
By Maegan Johnsen
Time Stays, We Go is the latest album by London based band "The Veils".
They Might Be Giants
By Alva Casey
They Might Be Giants are heading to New Zealand this May to play shows on Friday May 17th at Bodega inWellington and Saturday May 18th at the Kings Arms in Auckland.
Max Raptor
By Scott Birnie
Hot off the UK summer circuit, I managed to catch up with Wil Ray, frontman for English rock upstarts Max Raptor. With only a few years' experience and one album under their belt they are rapidly carving a path on the punk rock scene.
Interview: Bella Kalolo
By Maegan Johnsen
The soulful Bella Kalolo performed last week at the Festival Of Colour in Wanaka. Maegan Johnsen caught up with her and found out some more about the talented songstress.