February/March 2016
COVER STORY
Interviews
Yoko-Zuna: Diversity And Collaboration
Both individually and collectively the four musicians who make up Yoko-Zuna have earned themselves a great reputation in a fairly short time, and that with a sound and style that is very much their own. ...
FEATURES
Interviews
Jhan Lindsay: Household Essentials
Wellington-based multi-instrumentalist and music teacher Jhan Lindsay saw the release of her debut album ‘Jhan Lindsay and the Chattelaines’ late last year. The album’s creation was a 17-year journey ...
Fresh Talent
Fresh Talent: Lij
“I love creating, it feels right,” states Elijah Neblett, an assured but cheeky grin on his face, a cap covering his characteristic flat top. Now going by his stage name Lij, the young Kiwi splits ...
Interviews
Parents: Nature vs Nurture
The band name alone should be enough to tell you Parents do a fine line in ironic – all the more apparent when in a darkened beer- and sweat-stained venue you sustain the withering assault of their oldie-frightening ...
Industry
Industry: Modular Synthesizers
Hidden away in basements and bedroom studios exists an ever growing musical addiction; one that leads to new musical possibilities, previously unheard sounds, and an empty wallet. This is the world ...
Interviews
Groeni: The H Isn’t Silent
On the face of things Groeni is an electronic act producing a deliberate, almost minimalist, percussive rhythm-based ambient drum’n’bass-meets-trip hop. We’re thinking bedroom producer with a laptop ...
Fresh Talent
Fresh Talent: Bekah
For someone who dreams of a full time career playing music, the decision to pursue it seemed suprisingly spontaneous for Aucklander Bekah Smith. “One day I said to my friend, ‘Okay, I’m gonna ...
Interviews
Night Gaunts: So Not Afraid
With their flaming, high energy cocktail of sing-a-long punk, pop, ska, reggae and hip hop, Night Gaunts might just be Auckland’s best-kept secret. The five-piece have just self-released a gloriously ...
Interviews
Tim Moore: Beyond Von Klap (Part 2)
In the pre-earthquake moralistic confines of Christchurch, Von Klap enjoyed a mixed reputation for providing bawdy ‘carny prog’, musical entertainment of a quality that won them many fans among fellow ...
Interviews
Tunes Of I: Sounds Like A Kiwi Summer
Wairarapa-origined neo-dub act Tunes Of I were able to raise enough funds through a Kickstarter campaign to record their first album, a follow up to their late 2013 EP titled ‘T.O.I’. Having just listened ...
Interviews
Jackie Bristow: Shooting For Gold
Meet her in person or watch her perform on stage and you can’t help sensing that Jackie Bristow is a happy person. She has an honest, ready smile and the kind of genuine and delightful laugh that you'd ...
Interviews
Music Sucks: Beyond Von Klap
Music sucks according to Sam Wilkinson, or rather Music Sucks is Sam Wilkinson, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, probably best known as the drummer in Christchurch’s defunct pseudo-sleazy ...
Interviews
Mermaidens: A Tangle Of Vines
Painting a picture of Wellington trio Mermaidens to NZM readers back in April 2014, Maddie McIntyre told it like this: If you took a dash of stoner rock, sifted in a bit of classic ‘60s surf, added a ...
Ex-Pat Files
Ex-Pat Files: Matt Eccles
After stints living in Melbourne, London, New York and doubtless several other exciting cities, Betchadupa (on extended hiatus) drummer Matt Eccles, now mainly of Das Pop (presently on hiatus)fame, these ...
Interviews
Doprah: Psychedelic Enclave
Doprah first appeared on the radar in early 2013, when then-Christchurch resident Steven John Marr, previously known for indie rock, shoegaze outfit Ipswich, released single, Love That I Need, in collaboration ...
Moments Like These
Moments Like These: Zaine Griff
Since the time he joined The Human Instinct (one of Aotearoa’s most distinguished ‘underground’ bands) Zaine Griff has been on an amazing musical journey that saw him recording and touring in the ...
Interviews
71 Sunset: Nothing Left To Say
An oddly catchy name that, on the face of it, might deliver anything from Californian radio pop to nu metal. Turns out 71 Sunset belongs to a band of four mature gents who play a grunged up brand of alternative ...
Fresh Talent
Fresh Talent: Maple Syrup
Wellingtonian quartet Maple Syrup all hail from the windy city, and first met at Wellington High School. They originated as a folk duo (then only Vera Williams and Jerry Ramirez), with influences like ...
LESSONS
Building Blocks
Building Blocks: Status in the Scene Part 3
Part three of this Building Blocks' Status in the Scene series concerns touring bands. It all started very casually for Band X. They got well-established in the local scene, and before long got to play ...
Deep Thinking
Deep Thinking: And We Could Be Heroes…
This issue’s Deep Thinking column presented a dilemma. The last couple of years have seen the bass world lose two of its innovators and I provided columns in tribute to both. I was going to do some slap ...
Finding Your Voice
Finding Your Voice: The Paua Of Evaluation
Good singers and songwriters are master-craftspeople and artists – albeit, often sensitive and insecure ones. Therefore, I’m upset when an armchair critic or unqualified non-musician argues that assessing ...
X-Factory
X-Factory: Dave Dobbyn – You Oughta Be In Love
Valentines Day will have passed when you get to read this, but in the spirit of the day have a watch and listen to this romantic Kiwi gem. With iconic well crafted tunes, compelling lyrics and patriotic ...
Legal Advice
The Lawful Truth: Recording Release Agreements
Recording Release Agreements are incredibly important documents as they clarify just what rights all the parties involved in making a particular recording are to retain. If some parties are to waive certain ...
Guitar Cool
Guitar Cool: Do Your Solos Sound Like Scales?
A common grumble among guitar players is that their solos sound like they’re playing scales. Have you complained of this before? Read on, I have the cure. Many new students say they thought they needed ...
Tutors' Tutorial
Tutors’ Tutorial: Hunting For Noise
You’re a guitarist, and you’ve been carefully crafting a new tone for weeks for your next show. The day arrives, you plug in on the stage only to find your amp buzzing and humming like a swarm of bees ...