IMNZ News

International and Industry Action

Bret McKenzie, one half of the comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, has won an Oscar for his original song Man or Muppet. The song was one of three that McKenzie penned for the film 'The Muppets' under his role as Musical Director. He was up against Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown for the song Real in Rio in the Best Original Song category.

New release fanfare

Following on from last year’s remastered collection of classics, Rewind The Hateman, Hallelujah Picassos are releasing the next installment in their reissue series - a newly remastered, digital album collecting the cover versions from the band. It’s a bunch of songs originally done by the likes of Bo Diddley, James, Brown, HLAH, The Sonics, Greg Johnson and more, given a crazy sonic twist - kicking off with Peanut Butter, a hugely popular tune on student radio when released on cassette in 1991, 21 years ago. There are two previously unreleased songs seeing the light of day, covers of The The - Perfect, and Tears of a Clown (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, via The Beat, or English Beat). To celebrate the announcement of their forthcoming album 'Dust and Dirt', The Black Seeds are offering fans the first single ‘Pippy Pip’ for free download for a limited time at www.theblackseeds.com. 

Dawn Raid and Pasifika Festival are proud to announce the release of Pasifika Festival – 20th Anniversary, a collection of twenty songs from The Pacific’s most prolific Polynesian & Maori artists.  The album’s release coincides with the 20th anniversary of the festival that will take place on Saturday 10th March at Auckland’s Western Springs Park and includes tracks from the likes of Smashproof, Herbs, The Yandall Sisters, David Dallas and more.

Shapeshifter and Thomas Oliver both feature on the latest bumper collection of tracks from respected UK drum and bass label Hospital Records – Hospitality Drum and Bass 2012. Shapeshifter’s cut is Monarch, and Thomas Oliver’s vocals are featured on UK artist Rido’s track Twisted.  New Zealand (Christchurch) born and London residing violinist and composer Fiona Pears releases her 6th CD - Feeling. Describing her musical influences as Stephane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt, John Williams and Jean Luc Ponty, Pears performs Celtic, Classical, Tango, Jazz and Gypsy with equal ease, sometimes all in the same composition! She is on tour from next Thursday March 8, starting in Ashburton and winding up in Whangarei on March 25. The Phil Broadhurst Trio’s Iris is their 1986 Jazz Record of the Year re-issued on CD for the first time. The Trio are Phil Broadhurst (piano), Andy Brown (bass) and Frank Gibson Jr (drums) - this is a must have for any NZ jazz aficionado. Tiki Taane has teamed up with Mercury Energy for their new TV campaign, with Tiki performing his own take on the classic song Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Proceeds of the single will go to Starship Children’s Hospital. 


On the live front

Join Salon Kingsadore tonight (Monday March 5) at Auckland's Stardome Observatory under the astronomical guidance of Dylan Story. Salon Kingsadore will explore the galaxies of the known universe, performing under the dome of stars, planets and solar systems, accentuated by personal guide and pilot for the evening, Dylan Story. PLUS hear Gianmarco Liguori's latest release 'Duga 3', in it's entirety, while gazing from the comfort of your very own seat.

Having toured up and down New Zealand too many times to mention, Auckland noise-rock trio god bows to math finally make their way over the ditch, playing eight shows across Australia this April. After acclaimed reviews of their debut album, god bows to math, and earning a slew of accolades for their live shows, the three piece tour up and down the East coast ahead of the Australian release of their album through Tenzenmen. Unitec is gearing up for the fast approaching highlight of Orientation - Lipton Ice Tea Sounds in the Sun on Saturday 3 March. After just announcing their huge headlining band, Shapeshifter, they have just announced that Annabel Fay will also be heating up the stage. Fay will be featuring with Bulletproof instead of Jessie G. Tickets are selling fast. General Admission tickets only $20 from http://www.dashtickets.co.nz

Around the World

ARIA have announced their 2011 wholesale figures and it seems that Australians are quickly making the move towards digital music consumption, with digital sales now making up 36.7% of the industry’s value, compared to 27.2% last year. Digital track sales increased by 39.2%, with digital albums up 45.9% on 2010. The flipside to this, of course, is that physical music sales were down 13.8% on 2010 figures, while still making up $242 million dollars worth of revenue.

While the report acknowledges the positive impact new streaming devices such as Rdio, Spotify will have on digital growth, the report stresses "the impact of online piracy continues to be felt across the industry."

"The current overall industry value of $382.7 million is a drop of 27.5% on the $528.2 million generated in 2005," the report states.

Still, as Yazz once stated, the only way is up.

http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/industry/2012/02/28/aria-announce-2011-wholesale-figures/

International and Industry Action
Dunedin subversive-pop band Opposite Sex have been receiving regular airplay on Marc Riley's BBC Radio show in the UK in the prime weekday evening slot since mid January, the legendary DJ (and former Fall guitarist) proclaiming it   absolutely brilliant .Together with great reviews in UK music monthly Uncut and French music/ culture weekly Les Inrockuptibles, it has led to a run on the album since the new year. The LP pressing was an expensive gamble but now Henderson is wishing he'd had more pressed.    The LPs have been selling as well as CDs and digital album downloads at this early stage. The LP pressing will cover costs now which was the main goal. LP sales have been strongest in Dunedin and Gisborne, which is understandable. But orders via the band's Bandcamp.com page from the UK and Europe account for the next biggest slice of the LP pressing. Meanwhile Opposite Sex have been flying below the radar in New Zealand. The album was released in mid-November and they have yet to play far beyond their Dunedin base or hometown of Gisborne so far - something the band plan to rectify in the first half of this year. http://fishriderrecords.wordpress.com/

New release fanfare
The Black Seeds will release their new studio album 'Dust And Dirt'(the long awaited follow up to 2008's  Solid Ground') on April 9 this year through Rhythmethod/DRM and worldwide from April 10. First single ‘Pippy Pip', will be released on 28 February and will be available for a limited time as a free download from the band's website. ‘Dust And Dirt' will be available from all good retailers on digital, CD, plus limited edition heavy weight 12'' double gatefold vinyl. A limited number of collector's edition pre-sale packages will be available from the band's website from March 12. Fans will also get the opportunity to hear the album before the release date, and New Zealand tour dates will be announced shortly. The Puddle return with their 4th album, Secret Holiday/ Victory Blues - a double EP/LP - to be released on Dunedin's Fishrider Records on 1 March 2012.  This latest album is technically two separate EPs recorded on different occasions at the Auckland warehouse studio of Bob Frisbee (Shaft, Street Chant, Transistors etc.). But no-one releases EPs any more and The Puddle certainly couldn't afford to release two of them so combined them as a side each of an LP, and whole CD. Each EP session came about during a recent tour by The Puddle.  After 25 Years largely lost in the mist, their 1986 - 93 Flying Nun Records catalogue long out of print, The Puddle continue to make up for lost time. Long may their late run continue. http://fishriderrecords.wordpress.com/

The multi-talented drummer, producer, DJ and visual artist Julien Dyne has released his second full length album, Glimpse. Featuring the vocal talents of She's So Rad, Ladi 6, Parks, Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle ) and Claire Duncan (Dear Time's Waste) this record contains elements of soul and indie vocals against a backdrop of futuristic Hip Hop beats. Moana and the Tribe's newly-released Best Of includes the band's remake of the classic Sonny Charles and the Checkmates' track ‘Black Pearl' (co-written by Phil Spector) and the award winning ‘Moko' (2004 winner of the International Somgwriting Competition). The album also features an instrumental experiment with fellow art laureates Alistair Galbraith and Richard Nunns and the title track to ‘Te Po', a film written and produced by her partner, documentary maker Toby Mills. New Zealand crooner Grant P Chilcott is a professional singer, bandleader and recording artist, for 25 years he has been spinning out songs from the great American songbook. His latest album Grant P Chilcott Sings Mitchell Parish is a mix of compositions by lyricist Mitchell Parish and includes collaborations with Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Glen Miller, Benny Goodman and Leroy Anderson. Sings Mitchell Parish features the Kevin Field Trio with guests Nigel Gavin, and Walter Bianco. The vocals were produced by Nathan Haines. Now in their 10th year, the Wellington-based Klezmer Rebs ethnic/European world music band have released their latest CD Anarchia Total, featuring classic klezmer tunes and some unconventional klezmer. Anarchia Total captures the Klezmer Rebs playing in the true klezmer spirit with songs of joy, sorrow and rebellion. (The album features clarinettist Urs Signer - one of the ``Urewera Four'' accused of being involved in a military-style training camp).

On the live front
The 95bFM Summer Series returns March 10th with The Checks, Die! Die! Die!, Street Chant, The Golden Awesome, Princess Chelsea and Wilberforces all going down amidst the shiny new surrounds of Silo Park on the Auckland waterfront at Wynyard Quarter. A couple of support acts for international visitors have been announced. Junica will open up for New Order at Vector Arena on Monday February 27th  and Ruby Frost will take the Vector stage first up for Jessie J, the following evening, Tuesday February 28th.  The Great Kiwi Beer Festival is happening in Christchurch's Hagley Park this Saturday February 25th and the musical lineup features: Black Seeds, AHoriBuzz, The Nudge, The Unfaithful Ways and DJs Nacoa & Seth Hamilton. And March 31 sees beer heaven in The Cloud in Auckland as Hell Presents The New Zealand Beer Festival. Since 2006 The New Zealand Beer Festival has showcased Craft Beer from around the world, and in 2012 in The Cloud on Auckland's waterfront they'll present over over 70 beers, great food to match and a music lineup with The Feelers leading the charge.

Rural audiences will delight this February and March as CMP Presents an unmissable night of music, theatre and comedy with ‘The Bitches' Box and Mel Parsons'. From the oldest working woolshed in NZ at Te Waimate, through to the state of the art facilities at Criffel Station in Wanaka, this exciting tour sees a trio of professional entertainers perform in woolsheds, community halls, and even an aeroplane hangar throughout farming communities spanning the length and breadth of the South Island. Actresses Amelia Guild and Emma Newborn are joined by acclaimed singer/songwriter Mel Parsons on this ambitious five-week 22 date tour. They’re are a string band that roars like a punk band, swings like a gospel band, drinks like a country band, works like a bar band, hopes like folk singers, and sings love songs like union songs, and writes union songs like love songs, and wants to slow dance and stand on tables, all at the same time - and this March sees the release of Lyttelton’s own The Eastern’s third long player. Entitled ‘Hope and Wire’ it’s a double album with twenty new songs on it. The Eastern will be on tour forever, starting March 2nd and 3rd at The Lyttleton Club with support from Lindon Puffin and Marlin Williams. Tickets on sale from www.undertheradar.co.nz

PRESS RELEASE

21^st February 2012

IMNZ responds to KIWI FM’s format change.

IMNZ represents NZ-owned labels and distributors that handle the bulk of New Zealand recorded music and the diverse artists who perform those songs – a significantly large sector of which have received airplay and support via Kiwi FM.

While IMNZ understands the nature of the recent change in format (to 60% NZ music/40% elsewhere) for Kiwi FM is designed to reach a larger audience for the non-profit station, the hope is that in doing so Kiwi FM’s handlers will continue to programme “a diverse and interesting range of NZ songs, not just limiting itself to a formulaic ‘Nature’s Best’ style playlist” said IMNZ’s chairman Ben Howe, earlier this afternoon.

IMNZ knows there is an abundance of great local content readily available from independent sources, where the majority of NZ music is being created – the excellent quality and amount of album nominations received for the Taite Music Prize 2012 will testify to this.

Additionally, IMNZ are hopeful that the new formatting will bring a positive change to the radio market in the alternative / non-commercial field. IMNZ spokesperson Ben Howe says “we would wish to remind everyone that Kiwi FM’s frequencies were put aside for public access radio of some sort and we advocate a radio entity that has the ability to grow a decent audience, support local music and break new artists – as has been successfully done in Australia with Triple JJJ.”

About IMNZ:

IMNZ represents over 70 recording labels all of which are 100% New Zealand owned. IMNZ represents 80-85% of New Zealand recorded music and aims to preserve cultural diversity in the domestic market. It operates to assist its member labels with domestic, export and industry issues.

IMNZ News

International and Industry Action

Otis Mace, Sandra Bell and Jay Clarkson are three of the eight New Zealand poets being sent to New York for a very special event. For two years Jim Wilson travelled to cities and towns throughout the USA and put poem posters by Kiwi poets on poles, walls and in cafes and stores. Then a dedicated group of volunteers also put these poem posters up in cities around the world from London, Glasgow, Paris and Vienna through to Sydney, Australia. Back home in New Zealand, Wilson's company Phantom Billstickers Ltd has put up thousands of Kiwi poems on walls and poster bollards from Invercargill to Whangarei. Now eight of New Zealand's finest poets bring their voices, hearts, and words to a live performance poetry event in New York City.
The Poets From New Zealand to Perform in New York on February 28, 2012 are:
Jeffrey Paparoa Holman / David Eggleton / Hinemoana Baker / Sandra Bell / Jay Clarkson / Pamela Gordon (reading Janet Frame) / Otis Mace / Tusiata Avia

New release fanfare
Almost one year ago on February 22, Christchurch, New Zealand was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in which 181 people tragically lost their lives. The rest of the country mourned alongside the devastated city, the collective national grief over nature's wrath seemingly magnified on a global scale a month later when Japan was rocked by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in which over 18,000 people lost their lives. To this day, both nationally and internationally, the healing and rebuilding process continues. Music Collective The Hypnotics have written and recorded an original track called "Be Right There" in the hope that it may bring comfort and positive inspiration to all those affected.

On the live front
This Saturday February 18 set aside an afternoon to hear one of the most acclaimed melodic pop bands in New Zealand play at the unique venue Silo Park. The Phoenix Foundation will be gracing the Silo Park stage with their unique blend of catchy pop tunes and psychedelic rock, an act suited to attending on a balmy summer’s day. They will be ably supported by Bannerman - if his new album, Dearly Departed, is anything to go by, be prepared for quiet corners of folk, jaunty alt country, some serious guitar brutality and hope-filled pop torch-songs. Not only does Bali have kickass surf, it's also home to some seriously heavy metal - like, in the literal sense. Balinese gamelans are an arsenal of heavy bronze percussion instruments; exotic, frenetic and furious, and Wellington-based group Gamelan Taniwha Jaya has reinvented the live songs of Minuit which they'll be blasting out together on stage for the first time at Homegrown this weekend.

Around the World
Jamie Oliver finds Joy Division and New Order master tapes in basement
Naked Chef Jamie Oliver discovered a haul of treasure worth over one million pounds in the basement of a Manchester restaurant he recently bought. Holy Moly reported that among the jewels, gold and a collection of guns were rare Joy Division and New Order master tapes. The restaurant building was previously a branch of Midland bank. The musical goldmine was hidden in a safety deposit box among hundreds of other boxes under the old bank. Attempts to find the owners of most boxes were futile so the Bank of England opened each using a drill. The celebrity chef has since given all the findings to the national treasury. Later this month, New Order will make their first visit to Australia and New Zealand in ten years.
http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/artists/2012/02/15/jamie-oliver-finds-joy-division-and-new-order-master-tapes-in-basement/

There's been some nice press coverage recently about some of our hardworking IMNZ members...The New Zealand Herald's William Dart talks with Ode's Roger Marbeck: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/music/news/article.cfm?c_id=264&objectid=10783363 Here's a piece about Powertool Records' Andrew Maitai: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/4486604/Powering-ahead-with-a-passion-for-music
And apologies for not getting the news out to you last week - I had to take some unexpected time off - but congratulations to the Parachute Band who pipped Six60 at the top spot in the Album Chart. Here are last week's charts if you'd like to investigate: http://www...indies.co.nz/imnz-album-singles-chart.html

IMNZ News
The Tui for the Best Folk Album was presented on January 29 to Amiria Grenell by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) at the Auckland Folk Festival in Kumeu (West Auckland). The other finalists were Mel Parsons from Westland and Otago quartet The Chaps. After over 35 years of gallant service to the NZ Music Industry James Moss, the man behind legendary Jayrem label has decided to hang his distributor’s hat on the hook and depart our fair shores. Jayrem and Border Music have always had a very close relationship (Border was born out of the same Wellington office many years ago!), so, knowing that they would look after his ‘babies’ James has handed his stock to Border to continue distribution. New Zealand singer songwriter Flip Grater has had a busy and exciting few years, gaining French representation with music management and branding company So-U, securing agents for six new territories, signing a deal with German label Make My Day and completing four European tours including a support tour for popular French band Cocoon. The indie singer’s signing to French indie label Vicious Circle is the latest in her string of new business partnerships. In news from Dudley Benson, at Golden Retriever HQ, freshly in is the second pressing of his double live album, Live Series: Volume One. If you'd like a copy of the deluxe 2CD of concert recordings from 2008 and 2010 with six individual artwork cards by Nigel Brown, buy it at The Shop, or for the digital version pop over to Bandcamp. Designed by Saskia Nicol, a shot of the packaging will be attached. Two Frequency Media Group artists are set to take their music to international audiences with the announcement that local Drum & Bass icon Concord Dawn will play four dates across India in February. Additionally NZ chart topping Hip-Hop artist David Dallas will cross the Tasman to celebrate the release of The Rose Tint Deluxe Edition with four Australian dates. There is no denying it's been a massive few months for Six60 - two platinum singles; one double platinum single; a double platinum album that hasn't been out of the Top 10 since it debuted at No. 1 back in October; and a completely sold out summer tour that saw them play to over 15,000 people in just seven days. Now Six60 are about to embark on their first world tour. First up is New Zealand, where the band will hit a few towns they didn't get to during their summer tour. Then they'll head back over to Australia for their fourth headline tour to celebrate their Australian album release. Next stop is the UK where they have already sold out two London shows! Then Europe and finally America...

New release fanfare
The Black Seeds feature on the new WOMAD 2012 collection, which celebrates another groundbreaking year with a list of acts as diverse as ever.
Sinate return for NZ Metal fans and have recorded their most brutal album yet - ‘To The Death’ is Sinate like you’ve never heard them before.
Alizarin Lizard are four young men intent on avoiding the real world by living in one huge musical party until it all goes horribly wrong. he Weekend Went Without You is a beautiful album of slightly left of centre pop, maintaining an edge but really excelling in writing songs which a lot of people can get into. The boys are about to head off on another sizeable tour, covering Whangarei to Invercargill and pretty much everywhere in between (eg Napier, Wairoa, Rotorua, Dargaville, Riverton, Bluff and tons more).  Ladi6, P-Money & Dan Aux, David Dallas and Tiki are amongst the artists presented on the George FM Yearbook 2011. Kapabal is offering a FREE download of an EP (5 tracks) that he has put together to say thanks to his fans for all the support during 2011 - it also nicely coincides with his Facebook page reaching 6,000 likes. The Brunettes’ 2004 sophomore album 'Mars Loves Venus' is finally available on vinyl…and in a limited edition colour. http://www.marbecks.co.nz/detail/index.lsd?catalogID=856037

Auckland songstress Lydia Cole releases her debut album 'Me and Moon' presenting more acoustic, delicate and light melodies accompanied by intimate and sparse vocals. Andrew Uren’s Steep Steps is a CD of outstanding bass clarinet music from New Zealand and elsewhere, in the solo, ensemble, and chamber concerto genres. Performed by Uren with performers 175 East, Stroma, Sarah Watkins, Lenny Sakofsky, Katherine Hebley, James Gardner, Timothy Sutton and Matthias Erdrich. Tales of Panapa is composed by Gary Daverne and narrated by David Weatherly with the Auckland Aotea Art Ed Choir. Co-writers are Phil Mark and Rosemary Cranswick. Tales Of Panapa is comprised of two stories based around a wise old village elder called “Panapa” - The Mountain Fairies and The Floating Island - based on legends, telling of the need for sacredness and respect when using our environment. Colin Hemmingsen is a name synonymous with jazz in New Zealand, and his reputation as a composer, performer and improviser has spread well beyond these shores. Mike Nock's 40-odd minute composition Transformations was recorded live on October 1st, 2011 at IlottTheatre, Wellington and here Colin Hemmingsen (saxophones, clarinet) is joined by the New Zealand String Quartet, Nick Tipping (bass) and John Rae (drums). Sketches features the compositions of Mike Nock, Phil Broadhurst and John Rae as played by Colin Hemmingsen (saxophones, bassoon). On Martin Riseley's 'Lilburn Master Works for Strings', Martin Riseley (violin) with The Chamber Players of The New Zealand School of Music performs selected works of Lilburn (composed in the 1940s and 1950s).

On the live front

Singer-songwriter Jackie Bristow is a southern girl at heart. Born and raised in Gore, this kiwi has found her wings. Now living in Austin, TX, listeners can hardly discern her lilting kiwi accent when she sings her own brand of alt-country roots rock. After releasing her third album Freedom in New Zealand and Australia and touring in support of Shawn Mullins, Bristow returned to the USA in February 2011 as the opening act for internationally acclaimed guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel.  She starts her New Zealand tour next Friday 17 February in New Plymouth, travelling the country until her final show at Howick's Uxbridge Arts Centre on March 10. Local electronic producer and DJ Scratch 22 has been announced as the support act for Mayer Hawthorne’s upcoming New Zealand tour dates.  Last September saw Little Bushman and Electric Wire Hustle team up for two sell out nights of vibrant psychedelic and soul music at one of Wellington’s premier live venues, the San Francisco Bathhouse. Both bands and audiences alike enjoyed it so much they thought it best to take it on the road. Both bands are also looking forward to the opportunity to play in Christchurch where they will perform in the beautiful garden setting of Deans Bush, the location of Riccarton House that was badly damaged in the earthquakes.
Antagonist A.D have been confirmed to open for A Day To Remember on their one & only NZ tour date.


Around the World

We have two stories this week...
Finalists announced for Australian Music Prize

The shortlist for this year’s Australian Music Prize has been announced, with the following nine artists in the running for $30,000, and bragging rights. The shortlist features:
Abbe May – Design Desire
Adalita – Adalita
Boy & Bear – Moonfire
Gotye – Making Mirrors
Gurrumul – Rralaka
Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders – Hurtsville
The Jezabels – Prisoner
Kimbra – Vows
The Middle East – I Want That You Are Always Happy
The shortlist was decided by a panel of 42 industry, artist and media judges. The winner will be announced at an event at the Sydney Opera House Thursday 8 March. New York based Rolling Stone veteran journalist David Fricke will deliver a keynote speech for the event.
http://themusic.com.au/newsletter/4098/the-amp-s-shortlist-of-nine-announced

These Dressing Rooms Change Their Music to Match the Clothing Being Tried...
The motivational power of music can be astounding, which is exactly why retailers use it to sell products everyday. In fact, there are a number of companies that are focused entirely on creating in-store listening experiences that make customers more likely to buy stuff. 
By now it's basic retailing, but a concept called 'musical dressing rooms' is taking things to an entirely new level.  Over the past few months, a group of clothing stores in Singapore has been dynamically shifting the music that plays in dressing rooms to increase the chances of a final sale.  In the pilot, a collection of 10,000 songs from 16 different genres shifted according to the article of clothing being tried.  The article of clothing then mapped to the demographic in question: male, female, younger, older, hip, utilitarian, whatever.
The system basically works with RFID chips affixed to the merchandise, an installed RFID reader in the dressing room, and directional speakers that go straight to the person trying on the clothing.  This diagram was presented at Midem by UK-based marketing firm Contagious, which actually put the concept (and network of clothing retailers) together for the Singapore-based StarHub Online Music Store.
Check it out: http://digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2012/120207dressing

Happy New Year! And if you have the post-holiday blues, never fear, there are some fantastic summer shows over the next few weeks to cheer you up...

International and Industry Action
The Big Day Out has announced a partnership with C3 Presents, the US-based promoter of Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival. This is an innovative move by Big Day Out founder Ken West which establishes a massive platform for the festival's expansion. Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza each draw more than 200,000 people annually, and Lollapalooza has recently expanded into Latin America.
Learn more about the Big Day Out and its vast history here:  http://bigdayout.com/vault/

New release fanfare
Rackets formed in 2009, perfect chemistry was formed when Oscar Davies-Kay and Vince Nairn invited fellow man-about-town Jeremy Potts to jam along. After the success of the 2 previous releases the latest chapter of the Rackets saga was birthed out of a relationship with Levi Beamish of Chrysalis Films. The idea was to shoot six music videos forming one grand narrative and creating the most hype by stretching it out over a 2 month period. These 6 videos spurned 6 seven-inch pressings… now all conveniently compiled on the very obviously titled full-length CD: Rackets.


On the live front
Cobra Khan will be playing the Auckland leg of a two date NZ tour with local pioneers of big instrumental rock, Kerretta, who have announced they will play two New Zealand shows before heading off for an extensive tour of Europe in February/March of 2012. Kerretta will play Wellington’s Mighty Mighty on January 21st with Force Fields and Auckland’s Kings Arms Tavern on January 28th with Cobra Khan.  Nikau Rhythm have announced the line up for their fifth annual ‘Anniversary Weekend Show’ at the Coroglen Tavern in the Coromandel: on January 28th 2012 be set to have your mind blown by some of the biggest Drum & Bass and Dubstep artists New Zealand has to offer. Iconic D&B act Concord Dawn return from Europe to play this special fifth-year anniversary. After having a huge year in 2011, D&B duo State of Mind and Dubstep juggernaut Bulletproof will both bring their unique live set to the Coroglen Tavern. Incognito and MC Rugged Tekniques join them to round out this epic line-up. I Am Giant have to returned to NZ for their biggest national tour to date. oining them on most of the dates are the electrifying powerhouse that is Cairo Knife Fight. CNF who released their second EP “II” via Liberation Music in August 2011, is comprised of drummer / lead vocalist Nick Gaffaney and
Aaron Tokona on guitar. Together, this potent pair issues forth pulsating guitar riffs illuminated with haunting vocals and phantasmal effects which have taken the stage alongside Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures and Queens of The Stone Age.
Tickets on sale now from NZ Tix www.nztix.co.nz <http://www.nztix.co.nz> and Selected Venues

Knights of the Dub Table are set to hit 6 cities in 3 weekends for the official tour of their recently released debut album ‘Way of the Dub’. The tour will kick start in the bands hometown of Hamilton on the 3rd of February in the bar which they deem the birthplace of the band, the legendary Flow Bar. Knights of the DUB Table will be supported by a variety of talented kiwi artists throughout their month on the road, including Tui Soundsystem, Kingshifta, Soul Society and DJ Briggsy. http://knightsofthedubtable.com

Wildly popular music-comedy sensation The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is back on the road this summer with its newest record, “I Love You…”, another serving of infectious, ukulele-infused hit songs. Led by Age Pryor (Fly My Pretties, Woolshed Sessions), the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra formed six years ago at a tiny café in Wellington and has since become a cult favourite, causing a mad scramble for tickets wherever it goes. All ticketing and tour info is at: www.ukulele.co.nz
The Big Day Out presents a Big Night In with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ghost Wave and She’s So Rad at the King’s Arms on Thursday 19 January. Tickets on sale now from www.undertheradar.co.nz and Real Groovy.

We are feeling super-Christmassy and would like to offer you the chance to go into the draw to win a double pass to the Kaikoura Roots Festival, running over 2 days from Saturday January 14 to Sunday January 15.

The Kaikoura Roots Festival is back after a five year hiatus and has shifted to a brand new site - complete with beautiful panoramic views of the Kaikoura ranges and lush sprawling paddocks just a stone’s throw from the beach.

The Festival to be held on Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th January 2012 on Old beach Rd (4km North of  the Kaikoura township) will feature performances from Salmonella Dub, Kora, Cornerstone Roots, Ahoribuzz, Soljah, Soulsystem, rock quest winners The Peasants, DJ Digital (UK), Australian acts Budspells, Ash Grunwald and Dub FX plus many more – line up details at www.kaikourarootsfestival.com.

Tickets to the event come in the form of The Kaikoura Roots Festival CD – a CD compilation exclusively produced for festival goers, featuring some of New Zealand’s finest roots, dub, reggae, dancehall, indie, blues, DnB, dubstep and dancehall. These limited edition CDs double as the festival programme and gate entry ticket (each track is coded with the playing time) and are available from www.kaikourarootsfestival.com, Everyman, Cosmic & the Kaikoura iSITE. 

“Our Kaupapa is to produce an interactively creative environment for our artists and audience so, for this reason, capacity is restricted to a maximum of 2200 people on site” said festival co-promoter Andrew Penman.  “The last festival in 2006 was like a good painting that we chose to hang on the wall. Now five years later, with the emergence of some exciting new artists, we are ready to paint another scene with a different palette of musicians and with a stunning new venue as the backdrop”.

Parking and camping are available on site (camp just a few hundred meters of the stage!) and scrumptious food and drink stalls will be serving a wide variety of food options including seafood, ethnic and vegetarian.

For more information see www.kaikourarootsfestival.com

To have the chance to win yourself a double pass, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 4pm Friday January 6 and name 3 of the artists playing at the festival.

Congratulations to Jacqui Wairepo who is the lucky winner of a double pass to La De Da this New Year's Eve. She picked Katchafire, Donovan Frankenreiter and Fat Freddy's Drop as 3 acts from the tasty lineup that she'd put on her must-see list.

And if you're feeling lucky, how about entering this week's competition to win a double pass to ONE DROP Matakana on Monday January 2? - featuring Fat Freddy's Drop, TrinityRoots and Cornerstone Roots. Read on for more info...

Plus don’t forget that nominations are open for the Taite Music Prize 2012, which will reward the best New Zealand album released in 2011. Know someone who's put out a great album this year? Tell them to enter - head here for more information.

International and Industry Action
Parachute Festival have just launched their 2012 phone app. And the official Coromandel Gold App is the perfect tool to keep you in the loop with everything happening at the event this New Year s Eve.

New release fanfare
Some new Dub Asylum business has been released: a new digi-EP called Stereo Freeze, out this Monday (Dec 19).  Six songs, some old, some new. Guests include Olly Harris (Kolab) and Chip Matthews (Open Souls). Lotsa melodica in there too.  Hallelujah Picassos retrospective Rewind The Hateman is out now too - and there's a brand new new video, for the song God Gave Us Boom Boom Washington. Over the past two decades, The Renderers have crafted half a dozen albums of intimate psychedelia infused with Southern-fried Americana and noise. A Rocket Into Nothing - crafted during the earthquakes that hit the band's hometown of Christchurch in 2011 - is another extraordinary display of Brian and Maryrose Crook's talent as songwriters and sound sculptors and shows The Renderers as an essential a piece of the diverse New Zealand indie rock puzzle - as much as they were on their first Flying Nun album Trail of Tears (1990). In the past five years Zionhill - hailing from Raglan - have perfected their effortlessly powerful fusion of rock and reggae, leaving audiences wanting more across Aotearoa. Inside Of You is the group's debut album and they're on tour. Keith Statham is an English-born NZ-based composer in his late 70s. His debut album Of Wine And Roses is a collection of chamber music pieces for string quartet and wind soloists -  it's beautiful, lyrical and very English. Craig Smith's third album Not Just For Kids features the APRA award winning children's song of the year (2008)  The Wonky Donkey, plus 9 more fun tracks the whole family will enjoy. This is a must have Children's album and would make a great Christmas gift.

On the live front
The Big Day Out timetable has been announced - here's the goss on when to catch your favourite IMNZ bands: Skate Stage: Ghost Wave 11.45am - 12.15pm, Beastwars 2.15 - 2.45pm, Cairo Knife Fight 3.30 - 4.00pm, I Am Giant 6.30 - 7.15pm; Converse Green Stage: The Wilberforces 10.30 - 11.00am; Boiler Room: David Dallas 12.15 - 1.00pm, Six60 3.15 - 4.00pm, P-Money 7.30 - 8.15pm. At the gateway to Queenstown, nestled in the Kawarau Gorge in Central Otago is The Winehouse. Every second Sunday from January 15th until the 1st of April sees one or two of New Zealand's best: Greg Johnson, Barry Saunders & Lindon Puffin, Jason Kerrison, Hollie Smith, Anika Moa and Julia Deans & Seth Haapu in The Summer Playground Series. This Saturday 17th December, Silo Sessions at Auckland's Silo Park presents The Spoilers of Utopia Brass Band with DJ Mr Music, Fritterhead & Bonahead, free from noon until 5pm. Freight Train Entertainment presents ALIVE 2012, a post-Easter concert featuring local Kiwi favorites Rapture Ruckus and American band P.O.D. This Friday 23 December is Fou Nature’s last live band gig for the year at the Republic Bar in Manukau. Their live performances are known for bringing energetic Pacific flavours and good vibes.

Around the World
A strong year for Michael Gudinski's Frontier Touring has seen them earn $19 million, according to the BRW Rich List (published by Australian business magazine BRW). Ranking the top 50 Australian entertainers, Michael Gudinksi/Frontier Touring raked in $19 million during the 2010/11 period to rank 4 on the list. It's a stark improvement from last year's $7 million, which saw them ranked 17th.
The top five in the list are:
1.. Global Creatures (Walking With Dinosaurs) - $62m
2. The Wiggles - $28.3m
3. Naomi Watts - $19.1m
4. Michael Gudinksi/Frontier Touring - $19m
5. Nicole Kidman - $18.6m
(Thanks to www.themusic.com.au)

Read the full news stories here...

International and Industry Action
Thanks to Cheese on Toast, we heard that in a recent post on NME.com, Rhys Webb of The Horrors was asked to submit his first ever guest Radar column, where he devoted a good third of his column to Connan Mockasin. “…I think Connan Mockasin’s ‘Forever Dolphin Love’ will undoubtedly be one of this year’s finest records. He is one of the best guitarists I’ve ever seen, looking like Andy Warhol and playing (almost) like Jimi Hendrix. But where most musicians provoke the listener with volume, Connan enchants with a delicate delivery. Make sure you check out his fantastically surreal videos. I think he’s a truly important musician and one of the greats of this generation…” he said. The film When a City Falls - the people's story from the streets of Christchurch - features an orginial soundtrack by Tiki Taane and Aaron Tokona (Cairo Knife Fight), with legendary NZ musician Richard Nunns. The sixth annual Playground Weekender - held 90 minutes out of Sydney - features Fat Freddy’s Drop. Have a peak at Lisa Crawley’s brand new (cute, quirky, fun 60s inspired) music video - Lisa Crawley - You Won't Be There.

New release fanfare
This week sees the release of the deluxe edition of David Dallas’ album The Rose Tint (already sitting at #1 on the iTunes Hip Hop Chart!). To celebrate its release, from Wednesday 16th until Saturday 19th November, Auckland based fans of Dallas’ can head to Conch Records at 115A Ponsonby Road for a music retail experience like no other. Last week David was in the U.S for the State side launch of The Rose Tint, and it was revealed that David has created the theme song for charismatic WWE wrestlers ‘The Usos’. The Samoan twins are one of the most exciting & fastest-rising tag teams in the WWE. Knights of the DUB Table combine elements of Reggae, Drum‘n’Bass, Hip-Hop and Rock into their own fusion of Dub flavoured music with powerful high-energy performances that leave the crowds wanting more. 2010 saw them release the 'Tronic EP' containing four original Knights tracks and five bonus remixes featuring 2 from Tiki Taane and Optimus Gryme. Veteran is a term bandied about rather freely these days - almost as much as legendary - but if any band deserves that title in this country it is hardcore punk pioneers Sticky Filth.  Fourth Domain is the band's 25th anniversay release, and their fourth album, and it's out this week.

Describing their sound as many fingers in many pies, The Nudge (Ryan Prebble, James Coyle and Iraia Whakamoe) have served up their new album - Big Nudge Pie - a concoction of a blues and rock base, with a deep swamp filling, and a raucous party crust. The highly anticipated new (and ninth) solo longplayer from NZ born Mark de Clive-Lowe (MdCL), 'Renegad's', is out on Tru Thoughts and proudly distributed in NZ by Rhythmethod. Shake Shake Rattle & Rock N Roll features 17 original Kiwi songs for kids under 7 – including ‘Wibble, Wobble’, ‘Row, Row’, ‘Catch Your Beanbag’ and ‘Pakipaki’. The Christchurch-based String Trio - Cathy Irons (violin), Serenity Thurlow (viola) & Tomas Hurnik (cello), all members of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra - have aimed for a pure, well-blended, carefully phrased and unified classical sound on their album Sapphires. "Time To Go" explores the early history of Flying Nun from 1981–86, a ‘heroic period’ of lo-tech recording, handmade covers and ‘extended play’ 45s. Researched and compiled by Bruce Russell (Dead C), Time To Go features songs from the likes of The Clean, Tall Dwarfs, The Chills and Sneaky Feelings, as well bands that may not have been as prolific but have influenced countless musicians both from New Zealand and overseas since, such as The Pin Group, The Victor Dimsich Band, Look Blue Go Purple and Wreck Small Speakers on Expensive Stereos.

On the live front
Fou Nature - the live band - are playing the Republic Bar in Manukau this Saturday November 19, with DJ Ron, Johnny Angel and more. They'll be mixing up Old School | Nu skool | Contemporary pop & Rnb | Covers and Originals. Cornerstone Roots play the San Francisco Bath House, Wellington 9th December to celebrate their new single Journey. “Journey is a reflective song about how we respond to life’s ups and downs, and the conviction with which we continue on that journey” bandleader Brian Ruawai said. Opening their San Francisco Bath House show is rising star Ria Hall, soul funk singer and kapa haka exponent who has released a self-titled debut EP produced by Riki Gooch. Plus a freestyle mash up of dub and dubstep from Tui SoundSystem led by frontman and producer Mr Samy’samson. After a successful album release tour, The Sami Sisters are once again heading out acrossthe county to play from November 24. Proudly supporting New Zealand music legend Tim Finn for a number of these, The Sami Sisters are also throwing in a couple of shows of their own for good measure. Joining the band in Raglan and New Plymouth will be Alistair Deverick (The Ruby Suns) and Jeremy Toy (She's So Rad, Opensouls). And speaking of She's So Rad....they're set to play the Flying Nun 30th anniversary tribute show in Auckland this Friday and have released a taster of things to come with a cover of The Chills' 'Night of Chill Blue'.

The Roots Festival at Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 3 December brings together both on-the-rise and established local and international talent in a seven-hour extravaganza that also incorporates styles of funk, reggae, soul and dub. Playing the inaugural Roots Festival are House of Shem, 1814, Cornerstone Roots, The Midnights, Tui Sound System, Dead Fool's Fiesta, and DJs Thane Kirby, Grassmouth, Dubhead, Prospect, Exile and Locksteady. Upper Hutt Posse are about to embark on their Declaration of Resistance Tour in support of their new 'live band' studio album of the same name. They will be joined on their shows by a range of energetic acts - NRG Rising, Dam Native, Nytmare and Evil Mule amongst others. USU Students' Association at Unitec presents the Lipton Ice Tea Sounds In The Sun on Saturday 3 March 2012 from 1 to 8.30pm at Unitec Mt Albert. "Drum roll please for Katchafire, 1814, Kidz In Space, Bulletproof feat Jessie G and Rugged Tekniques along with the award winning Prestige Dance Crew. Watch out early next year for the big hitter headline announcement of one of New Zealand's biggest bands!", says Event Manager Adam Basham. The Managers are on the bill for a fundraiser show that  Moisty Atsushi has been working on organising for a little town in Japan called Namie, Fukushima. The show will include artists Moisty Atsushi and Miho Wada, each backed by the Rocksteady All Stars. There will also be performances from The Iron Hammers featuring Solomonix, Managers, and DJ Ska Rob. The final line-up has been revealed for Rhythm and Vines 2011, including the addition of a new Red Bull Music Academy stage. Curated by music aficionado Nick Dwyer, the stage will host many artists who have attended the international music workshop including - The Ruby Suns, Die! Die! Die!, Electric Wire Hustle, Clap Clap Riot, Frank Booker, Recloose, Scratch 22 and She’s So Rad. Other acts announced include - Youngman, Beardyman, Jordan Luck Band, 1814 and DJ’s People of Paris.


Around the World
Google has launched its music service and store in the US, ready to rival the might of Apple’s iTunes. The launch was held last night in a warehouse in Los Angeles, beneath a work of street art claiming “Life Is Beautiful.” As reported on CNET, Google had continued to negotiate and close licensing deals all the way up until the launch last night, securing contracts with Universal, EMI and Sony Music Entertainment, whose signing only just scraped in at the last minute. Google struggled to sign Warner Music Group with terms still yet to be agreed upon. Hundreds of independent labels have joined on to gain the rights to stream 13 million tracks. Unsigned bands can also jump onboard with Google Music’s tool called Artist Hub where they can upload their material to page purchased for $25 and sell their music at a price of their own choosing. The artist will keep 70 percent of the revenue in their own pockets and can later sell their music via YouTube. http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/industry/2011/11/17/google-launch-music-store/

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International and Industry Action
Silo Cinema kicks off its weekly screening of Friday night open air films with a three-date series produced in partnership with the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. Taika Waititi, Oscar Kightley and Florian Habicht are the featured film-makers and all are recipients of Arts Foundation awards. Each week a feature film, a short film and a New Zealand music video by these directors is shown. Ria Hall has just returned home from performing at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany and is waiting for the final stages of editing her first video. Congratulations to Lisa Crawley who won the "rising star award" from the national variety club yearly awards for entertainment in NZ.

New release fanfare
Fans of Dudley Benson’s live performances now have the chance to relive the experience, with the release of a double live album recorded on his two nationwide tours. Dudley Benson – Live Series: Volume One is released on November 14th in both a deluxe two-CD set and digital format by Golden Retriever Records, available now for preorder at dudleybenson.com. The Checks released their brand new album 'Deadly Summer Sway' on Friday (11.11.11). Keep your eyes out for The Checks' big white tour van which opens its doors and stereo over the next few weeks for public playing of the album! After a steady number of EPs and splits, across a wide variety of formats and relentless gigging, Auckland 3-piece noisemerchants and long-time MUZAI act god bows to math are finally ready to release their first full length self-titled album. In true god bows to math fashion though, it wasn’t an easy process…The Yoots release their Nga Iwi E 7"single, featuring two tracks – Nga Iwi E and Toia Mai – takenfrom The Yoots’ debut album Sing Along With The Yoots which was released in May this year. Auckland blues band The Flaming Mudcats confidently move through different components of the blues — shuffles, soul, funk, four on the floor rock and roll and low down blues. Catch them live on tour. 

Rattle Records have a clutch of exciting new releases. Campbell Rae Dyne - guitarist Al Campbell, drummer John Rae, and bassist Paul Dyne - with Storm in a Teacup have produced a recording brimming with vitality, an album that exudes one of the fundamental qualities of good jazz - joy. On This Appearing World (with bonus DVD), Crispell Henderson Nunns bring the ancient sonorities of taonga püoro into a challenging setting. Marilyn Crispell (piano) and Jeff Henderson (reeds) weave an array of textures and nuances around the evocative instruments of Richard Nunns, resulting in a work that is neither jazz, world, nor classical, but one in which elements from each discipline combine to achieve something entirely unique.  And while Rattle’s focus may have been predominantly instrumental to date, the subverted ‘pop sensibility’ of Arcades sits perfectly with their penchant for music that follows its own compass on their new album Who's Most Lost?

For some years, Whirimako Black and Richard Nunns talked about working on an album focused solely on taongo p üoro and vocals. T The resulting album, Te More, is a potent, deeply evocative set of pieces that could only have been created in Aotearoa. Harpist Natalia Mann makes her debut on Rattle with her first album - Pasif.Ist -  under her name. An ex-pat Wellingtonian, Natalia now lives and performs in Turkey with her percussion-maestro husband, Izzet Kizil. Making Baby Float (with bonus DVD) by Meehan Manhire Griffin follows 2010’s highly successful Buddhist Rain with this very fine CD and DVD pairing. If, as some commentators claim, a renaissance is taking place in New Zealand jazz, Tim Hopkins is surely one of its leading lights, and Seven one of his seminal achievements: conceived for a bass-less trio of saxophone, with the inclusion of Richard Nunns (taonga püoro). And finally, Tom Dennison’s Zoo not only marks the debut of a talented jazz composer and performer, but also features a stellar line-up from the new vanguard of New Zealand jazz.


On the live front
The Phoenix Foundation, Shona Laing and dDub are amongst those playing the More FM Devoport Food, Wine and Music Festival on February 18 and 19 2012; you will also be entertained by Che Fu, Boh Runga, Jeremy Elwood and Andrew Clay. South Island New Year party EarthTonz, is now running over two days. Locals Minuit and Knights of the Dub Table join Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) & DJ Aero, The Crystal Method, The Freestylers, DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill), Kraak & Smaak and many others. After an extensive Rugby World Cup campaign playing fan zones nation-wide, The Feelers are continuing their celebratory mood by announcing a string of summer dates with their special guests and partying with you in their favourite summer haunts. Six60, I Am Giant and Cairo Knife Fight have joined the Big Day Out lineuo from the IMNZ whanau, measning the whole lineup now looks something like this: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Nero (Live), The Vaccines, Bassnectar, Cavalera Conspiracy, Regurgitator, Kimbra, Parkway Drive, Midnight Youth, Das Racist, Six60, Mt Eden, The Adults, I Am Giant, Cairo Knife Fight, Jakob, Bulletproof, Junica, @Peace, Dj Sir-Vere and Nick D, Soundgarden, Kasabian, My Chemical Romance, The Living End, Battles, Girl Talk, Royksopp, Foster The People, Gin Wigmore, Mariachi El Bronx, Cage The Elephant, Best Coast, Beastwars, Ghostwave, Cut Off Your Hands, David Dallas, Unknown Mortal Orchestra & Mayavanya. Two of New Zealand’s finest, Matt Langley and Mel Parsons are hitting the road in November/December to support a singer/songwriter described as “Australian brightest new roots music star”, Jordie Lane. Due to unforeseen circumstances Six60 regret to inform that the show scheduled for Jan 6 at Lower Hutt Station Village Complex has been cancelled. The band promise to reschedule another Wellington date soon. Full refunds will be available from point of purchase. Tourettes was amongst the artists playing at a special Occupy Auckland event on Friday 11/11/11.

Around the World
Spotify hurdled through hoops for America, but that's just one part of a global expansion. According to well-placed sources, Spotify is likely to hit Australia and New Zealand 'in or around' February, and boots may already be on the ground. 

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