You might well have heard Nyree Huyser singing before, for instance as one of the backing singers on Tami Neilson's 2020 modern classic 'Chickaboom!', without knowing whose that beautiful voice is. Following ...
READ MORE >With no AMA event being held in 2023, the next Aotearoa Music Awards 2024 are scheduled to take place May 30 next year, at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau - bringing NZ Music Month to a close in style. Produced by Recorded Music NZ, the Aotearoa Music Awards are the annual showcase event for the music industry, recognising the biggest musical successes of the year and celebrating artists and music from Aotearoa. Along with the new mid-year scheduling, RMNZ have announced a considerably ...
READ MORE >Te Whanganui-a-Tara composer Louisa Williamson has won the 2023 Best Jazz Composition Award for her instrumental Dream Within A Dream. What Dreams May Come by Louisa Williamson A regular gigging and session musician, but first time finalist, Williamson's winning song, Dream Within A Dream, is the lead track from her debut album 'What Dreams May Come' released in June 2022, engineered, mixed and mastered by Mike Gibson. The evolving three sectional piece explores themes of dreaming, both when ...
READ MORE >SAE Auckland has announced the launch of a new songwriting programme. Having recently received official accreditation, the new programme is set to commence in February 2024, opening up exciting opportunities for students keen on making a career in songwriting and music performance. The programme offers two pathways for students who are aspiring singer-songwriters and music performers. Students can apply to study either a Diploma in Songwriting and Musicianship or a Bachelor of Songwriting. These ...
READ MORE >The several winners for the 2023 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka were announced at an award ceremony at Spark Arena in Tāmaki Makaurau on October 5. APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka Expert in a Dying Field written by Elizabeth Stokes, Jonathan Pearce, Benjamin Sinclair, Tristan Deck performed by The Beths. APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha Me Pēhea Rā written by Mohi Allen, Hēmi Kelly, Amy Boroevich, Noema Te Hau III, performed by Mohi SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu ...
READ MORE >Jordyn Rapana, who performs under the snappy moniker Jordyn With A Why, last spoke to NZM in 2022 about her second single, Brown Melodies. One year and several singles on, the singer-songwriter’s latest single, Set… Go, featuring fellow Māori artist Mohi, is a smooth, laid back slice of romantic RnB. Nur Lajunen-Tal finds out more. Made with support from NZ On Air Music. The genesis of Set… Go began in Roundhead Studios, where Jordyn and her two co-writers, Mohi Allen and Ruth Smith, ...
READ MORE >You may remember Ōtautahi singer-songwriter Amber Carly Williams from TVNZ's last season of Popstars, which included other strong talent like Jason Parker, Christabel Williams and Avya Trotter. In October she released deeply personal ballad 21 Roses in preparation for the release of her debut EP with the same name, due in November. Created through NZ On Air Music's NewMusic Development scheme the single deals with growing up and the death of her mother. NZM asked Williams to get talk us through ...
READ MORE >In addition to work with acts such as @Peace, Avantdale Bowling Club and Julien Dyne, Christoph James has an extensive solo catalogue under his belt. The Auckland producer, who goes by the name Christoph El Truento, is currently in what he describes as his collaborative era, with his most recent single, a dreamy, uplifting piece of RnB-jazz fusion titled Drip, featuring Ladi6 on vocals. Nur Lajunen-Tal finds out more. Made with support from NZ On Air Music. “It started out as just a hip hop ...
READ MORE >Recording and performing over the previous few years as Jeivenchy, Filipino Kiwi singer-songwriter Jeiel Ian Veloria told NZM in mid-2022 he hoped that through his music people will find themselves empowered to rage, and finally get themselves out of a toxic situation. Only a year later his songwriting's attitudinal shift has been significant enough to demand a change in artist name, to the more plainly honest and intimate Jeiel. Silke Hartung talked with him about his new introductory single ...
READ MORE >Recording and performing under her first name, Avya Trotter-Hlavac writes carefully refined songs that are vulnerable, personal and emotionally moving. Avya’s latest single, Teach Me To Dance, sees her venture into pop artist territory, with sparkling synths and driving drums accompanying lyrics about self acceptance. Made with support from NZ ON Air Music. The youngest of four, Avya comes from a very musical family, and growing up near Mangawhai she demonstrated a determination to get ahead ...
READ MORE >Celebrating five years of local music photography exhibition FromThePit, an exceptional collection of iconic contemporary live snaps was chosen to be on digital display across publicly accessible screens of Aotearoa in May 2023, including a placement in the Parliament visitor centre at the Beehive. This is Ōtautahi photographer Stephanie Cartwright, who submitted a photo of Reb Fountain. What’s your name, where are you from and how did you get into photography? My name is Stephanie, I'm from ...
READ MORE >Actually Heidi Simpson featured as a NZ Musician NewTracks' artist three years back, but then it was as half of Tāmaki Makaurau teen pop duo Laiika, alongside Grace Moller. Recording under her own name that light-hearted pop sensibility remains charmingly evident in her single What's On TV, albeit toned and refined, and programmed with a balancing hint of post-teen melancholy. It features on NZ On Air Music's NewTracks compilation this October. What's your name, where are you from and what instruments ...
READ MORE >Tāmaki Makaurau songwriter Hina has announced a live premiere of her upcoming new record ‘Omen’. 'Omen' is both a beginning and an end; just as Hina’s first project ‘Muse’ spoke to the radiance of a full moon, 'Omen' embodies the dark renewal of a new moon - the death of self and the rebirth that follows. With support from Hun Lynch to start off the evening, Hina will perform the album in full with a six-piece band. Tāmaki Makaurau, Raynham Park Studio, Karangahape Rd - November ...
READ MORE >As part of Chamber Music NZ Puoro Taiwhanga Aotearoa’s flagship CMNZ series, dream pop luminaries French for Rabbits are about to embark on a four main-centre tour that will see the band perform new songs from their soon to be released EP. Led by songwriter and vocalist Brooke Singer, French for Rabbits have dedicated over a decade to creating their warmly detailed and expansive sound. The project came to life when Singer began working with guitarist John Fitzgerald in 2012. For this series of ...
READ MORE >Wellington Jazz Festival is returning to the capital this October, featuring a line-up of international names in jazz alongside leading homegrown musicians. Renowned for bringing jazz to every corner of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, the five-day festival will host over 100 events between 25-29 October this year. Headline acts just announced for 2023 include the multi-Grammy award-winning Cécile McLorin Salvant (USA), GoGo Penguin (UK), the Rodger Fox Big Band collaborating with hip hop artist King Kapisi, ...
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