Hollie Smith and Mara TK - Lives for Living

It's beautifully sunny outside, and I am stuck inside doing the blog. Happy New Year!  I happened on today's video while browsing the Ready!Steady!Studio! website at  (www.readysteadystudio.com).  I have enjoyed listening to Hollie Smith for some time but had not come across Mara TK (the son of NZ rock guitar legend Billy TK). I was hooked on this offering after a single listen. The song is the result of a project put together by Hollie Smith to experiment with a range of artists over a series of albums under the moniker "Band of Brothers", this album of course being "Band of Brothers Vol. 1". The album was released in 2011. You can find out more, and buy the album, at the link below.

http://www.holliesmith.co.nz/band-of-brothers



Hollie Smith and Mara TK - Lives for Living

Dictaphone Blues - Spicy Fruit Loaf

With a commentary on the industrialization of modern society (including some possible "Soylent Green" references?), Dictaphone Blues give us "something to chew on" (nooooo!), and a great song to go with it. The video is by Ready!Steady!Studio! (www.readysteadystudio.com). Dictaphone Blues are Edward Castelow, Myles Allpress and Rob Collins. The "Spicy Fruit Loaf" single is a free download, and is taken from their sophomore album, "Beneath the Crystal Palace". Everything is purchaseable at the link below.

http://dictaphoneblues.bandcamp.com/

Here is an excellent little interview/monologue with Edward Castelow from the great www.cheeseontoast.co.nz website. http://cheeseontoast.co.nz/2012/04/08/watch-our-interview-with-eddie-from-dictaphone-blues/



Dictaphone Blues - Spicy Fruit Loaf

Liam Finn - Jump Your Bones

Most New Zealanders would know the lineage of this very talented songwriter and musician, but for those offshore, Liam Finn is the son of Neil Finn, ex-Split Enz (1970s and 1980s) and Crowded House (1980s and 1990s). Liam deliberately innovates, challenges, and has put together some of the more interesting music coming out of New Zealand today. But global success, apart from niche recognition, has so far eluded him. Maybe it is the shadow of his father's success. Or maybe he isn't really chasing superficial success for it's own sake. That wouldn't surprise me. There is definitely an integrity to everything he has released so far, and I never feel he is compromising. Subsequent to a spell in his first group, "Betchadupa" he has released three albums, "I'll Be Lightning" (2007), "Champagne in Seashells EP" (2009), and "FOMO" (2011). Liam Finn is a rewarding artist to follow. You can buy "FOMO" from which the "Jump Your Bones" single is taken, at the link below.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fomo/id436427381



Liam Finn - Jump Your Bones

Little Bark - I Need a Shot

I linked this video into one of two posts I did last week on "Little Bark", Sophie Burbery's vehicle for her synth-pop material. In retrospect, I should have probably posted this video at the same time. It is very good. Crisp engineering, mixing, and production on the song itself by Conrad Wedde and Lee Prebble. The first part of the video has echoes for me of a mid-1990s US indie/psychedelic girl band video (that I can't quite place - someone please remind me), that had acres of pink blossom as one of its core images. Credits for the video are as follows: Idea/Concept - Peter Graham; Director/Post Production - Ruth Korver; Director of Photography - Andy Chappell; Art director/Editor - Kate Logan. You might notice The Phoenix Foundation's Luke Buda rather poorly disguised as "The Sloth". The song is from 2010's "Hope is Rubbery" album which you can buy at the link below.

http://littlebark.bandcamp.com/album/hope-is-rubbery-2



I Need a Shot - Little Bark

The Datsuns - Gold Halo

It was getting just a little too comfortable on the blog, so time to throw some hard rock into the mix. "Gold Halo" is from 2012's "Death Rattle Boogie" album. Superb dynamics. The break is a beauty. The album was recorded at Gutterview Recorders in Stockholm and Roundhead Studios in Auckland, and was produced by Nicke Andersson, previously known as lead singer for The Hellacopters. The video was directed by Sam Kristofski. The Datsuns continue to deliver, despite entering their 13th year of existence. I love the band. You can buy "Death Rattle Boogie" at the link below.

https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/death-rattle-boogie/id558714247




The Datsuns - Gold Halo

Dear Time's Waste - Heavy/High

Claire Duncan's Dear Time's Waste has been the source of some of my favourite music in 2012, firstly on the discovery of some of the older material, then with the new album "Some Kind of Eden". Ms Duncan makes frequent use of 1980s post-punk references as well as some other less obvious ones, for example what I think might be The Blue Nile, in the intro for this song "Heavy/High". As a 1980's participant, it is almost as if that era's back-catalogue has been brought to life again in a range of refreshing mutant strains. "Some Kind of Eden" is a superb album and highly recommended. An album to listen to, it is not background music...unless you like feeling slightly off-centre. Veronica Crockford-Pound's video for "Fortune" from the album was a triumph, and I find it slightly frustrating that there hasn't been the viewership that this video deserves. Her video for "Heavy/High" is also very good, continuing with the use of slow-moving evolutions of a central motif, in this case the female body, upon which a range of images are projected that are indirectly linked to the lyrics of the song. The song itself, in the artist's words "is a highly melodramatic depiction of the distance between humans, the hollow structures we build in an effort to connect". You can buy "Some Kind of Eden" at the link below.

https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/some-kind-of-eden/id554154192

There is a very good interview with Claire Duncan and Veronica Crockford-Pound at this link. http://www.yenmag.net/artery/dear-times-waste-video-premiere/




Dear Time's Waste || HEAVY/HIGH

Mt Eden produces QuESt - One Way

With well over 100 million views on their YouTube channel, a new deal with big US dance label Ultra Music, and a permanent base in New York, the Mt Eden boys are living the dream. They have been playing to big crowds all over the world and have an enormous loyal fan base. There is apparently a new album on the way as part of the deal with Ultra. Jesse Cooper and Harley Rayner (Split Enz's keyboardist's son) met when 13 and put together a YouTube channel to get the material out. They are now one of the YouTube success stories. Their biggest YouTube hit is 2009's "Still Alive" with over 36 million views. Today's video has them producing US artist QuESt in the song "One Way". The signature washes of aural textures, combined with driving beats, define the Mt Eden sound and this is a good recent example. They are looking to evolve their sound beyond dubstep, hence the change in name from "Mt Eden Dubstep" to just "Mt Eden". Some big things to come. Their YouTube, Soundcloud and official website links are below.

http://www.mtedenofficial.com/
http://www.youtube.com/mtedendnb08
https://soundcloud.com/#MtEdenOfficial



QuESt - One Way (Produced by Mt. Eden) I Directed by SNKNY

Bailterspace - World We Share

From the 2012 album "Strobosphere", Bailterspace give us the video for "World We Share", filmed in it's entirety in the Manhattan area around the Hurricane Sandy period. The video was directed by fellow ex-pat Stuart Page. Bailterspace have been with us since 1987, but in reality, longer, as the genesis of the group was in The Gordons, at one stage promoted as "the loudest band in the world", and credited as an influence by Sonic Youth. They initially came together in 1980! The album is the first since 2004, the band members coming out of what turned out to be temporary retirement in 2008. After a range of line-up changes, current core band members are Alister Parker, and Brent McLachlan. Both were members of The Gordons. I am really enjoying this quite laid-back groove from the band. You can get a free download for "No Sense" off the new album, as well as buy the album at the link here: http://www.archhill.co.nz/profile/Bailterspace .

Here is a link to a Gordon's video to give you a taste of what they used to be like. The Gordons - "Adults and Children": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oThSPqmIRxQ



Bailterspace - "World We Share" - Music Video

Little Bark - New York and The Dead

I profiled Little Bark's "Party" from the 2010 album "Hope Is Rubbery" album yesterday. Today we have Sophie Burbery's latest single, "New York and The Dead", a more intense offering with house/disco roots, and a bloodline that goes back to acts such as the Pet Shop Boys and Giorgio Moroder.  The song is another example of Sophie Burbery's strong songwriting abilities, this recording being very well put together with great dynamics, nicely-balanced arrangements...and a healthy dose of drama. I love that chorus with the “Gregorian monks” on backing vocals!  I could easily imagine the song as a Top 40 hit internationally, but for me, what is interesting is that might also be in the hands of another act. Such is the beauty of Sophie's songs, which I think are eminently "saleable" to a range of artists. For example, (and hopefully not treading on too many toes), I can easily imagine someone like Rihanna using "New York and the Dead".  So where did "Little Bark" come from? Sophie Burbery started recording with Conrad Wedde (ex-The Phoenix Foundation) about seven years ago, the result being the very well-received video "I Need A Shot" (at link below). As a result of the search for a pseudonym, the partnership came to be named after their cat, "Little Bark". Sophie has material that fits less easily under the synth-poppy Little Bark moniker, so she presents those songs under the "Sophie Burbery" tag.  She describes these songs as being more "indie" and they do tend to have a darker, more contemplative feel, although synths remain. The "New York and The Dead" single was a collaboration with Stef Animal (Mestar, Golden Awesome) and took over a year to put together. The video, which Wellington writer Martyn Pepperell appropriately pegged as “possessing an inverse scale to the huge disco/house informed synth rock sound”, was directed by Mike Heynes, assisted by (Little Bark guitarist) Menno Huibers. It was shot at Sophie's parents' bach  (NZ term for a vacation home) at Waitarere (near Wellington), with costume supplied by her mother's wedding dress! The new album, being done in collaboration with Stef Animal, is called "USB". Sophie described it as a combination of "Sophie Burbery" and "Little Bark". You will be able to buy it at the Bandcamp link below. In the interim, you can download “New York and The Dead” for free at the link.

http://littlebark.bandcamp.com/

The "I Need A Shot" video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVCvjubacVk

Little Bark - New York and The Dead

Little Bark - Party

I caught the last two thirds of "Party" by Little Bark on C4 many months ago, and since then I have been trying to find out who it was, and where I could get access to the song. I got there finally yesterday, and unusually for NZMusic4U, I will be posting two videos in succession as I believe we have an enormously talented songwriter in Sophie Burbery. There are clear 80s and 90s influences in her work, but the songs are strong enough to transmit across genres and could be used by a variety of artists. I wonder to what degree she is "published" offshore? More on Sophie tomorrow. "Party" was co-produced with Conrad Wedde (ex-The Phoenix Foundation), and mixed/mastered by Dale Cotton (The Bats, Bachelorette, Beastwars). The video was directed by John Lake. You can buy the 2010 "Hope is Rubbery" album from which "Party" is sourced, at the link below. Tomorrow, we will cover the latest material.

http://littlebark.bandcamp.com/album/hope-is-rubbery-2



'Party' - Little Bark

Earthquake on the NZMusic4U Honour Roll...

The NZMusic4U Honour Roll must change, and so for the first time we have two new members...Streets of Laredo "Girlfriend" and Watercolours "Pazzida". Both are very strong songs, well-produced with extraordinarily good videos - especially considering the resources available for putting them together. I have now included a section that shows previous Honour Roll members to make sure they continue to be recognized for their high quality.

Watercolours - Pazzida

It can hardly be said that Chelsea Jade Metcalf has been prolific under the Watercolours moniker. But what has appeared so far has been of such high quality, that there was a palpable mood of expectation around the release of the new song "Pazzida" over the last couple of weeks. The song is a moderate stylistic divergence from the more ethereal releases "Under" and "Nightswimmer" (not purchasable yet), and is a cooperative effort with the talented James Duncan. Where James' previous work has often been deliberately challenging, this eminently commercial little number takes the best of his creative repertoire, but still leaves it a Watercolours' song. The lyrics, as is usual with Chelsea Jade, are elegantly simple, and evocative. I saw Chelsea Jade with the James Duncan Experience as a support act for The Phoenix Foundation back in 2010, and even then the two seemed like potential stars in the making. This song again highlights the potential the duo share, especially if taken down the more melodic Watercolours pathway. The video for "Pazzida" was shot at a new artspace in Grey Lynn, Auckland called "Flagship" and was directed by Alex Gandar, produced by Tom Townley, with photographic direction by Tim Flower. The photography and editing work brilliantly within the overall aesthetic. In Mr Gandar's words "I pieced it together in my head by thinking of it ...as an exploration of a sculptural aesthetic...the elements of the sculpture being...everyday normal objects; chairs, clothes, light, people - especially Chelsea". Re. Chelsea's perspective on the video..."I think a curious little narrative has emerged where all of the characters are witnessing something or headed somewhere that we are never privy to...it speaks about lateral thinking". It is one of the best videos of 2012. The song is purchasable at the link below. If you like it, I dare you to pay a little more than the nominal $1 price. I paid $4 which reflects my view on the quality of this offering.

 http://chelseajadeiswatercolours.bandcamp.com/track/pazzida

UPDATE: Since writing, Watercolours have released a 4-track EP of remixes by some of my favourite local artists including Jeremy Toy (She's So Rad), Alistair Deverick (Boycrush), Haz'Beats and James Duncan. At this link: http://chelseajadeiswatercolours.bandcamp.com/album/over-and-under-remix-e-p



WATERCOLOURS - Pazzida

Collapsing Cities - Favours for Favours

From Collapsing Cities "Strangers Again" album, their second, this track "Favour for Favours" has a slow-burn on it. First listen it doesn't do much, but repeated listenings drag one in. I have previously posted the video for "Regret" on this blog and it was on the NZMusic4U Honour Roll for a couple of months. A superb song/video combination that one. This is not quite in the same league, but still worthy of a post. Can't help feeling there is a bit of a Morrissey influence somewhere back there. I really like the song. The one-shot video is nicely done with some pretty clever crane work (I assume). The video is a Blur and Sharpen production, directed by Tim van Dannen and produced by Alex Gandar. The (very good) "Strangers Again" album is now available at the link below on a "name your price" basis. Have a listen.

http://collapsingcities.bandcamp.com/



Collapsing Cities - Favour for Favours

Streets of Laredo - Girlfriend

Hailing from Elemeno P roots, but heading in a new direction entirely, including geographically, Streets of Laredo are an alt-folk band that proudly wears it's Kiwi credentials while basing themselves in Brooklyn, New York. (This works better than it does in the UK). I have stated in previous posts that anything that has the word "folk" attached to it, I tend to immediately fall back on old negative stereotypes. But bands such as Streets of Laredo are changing that for me. I saw them live at Union Hall in Brooklyn a couple of months ago and was blown away by the energy, dynamics and professionalism in their short set. They had several tunes available on Soundcloud which I listened to, and enjoyed, but I have to admit there was a "tinniness" (technical term!) to the demos. It worried me that the band's live energy might not translate to the fully finished product. And man they have really done it here. A great song, superb production, and a world class video that has been worth the wait - and must have required much waiting around! I got friendly with these guys after the gig in Brooklyn so I have been checking myself to make sure that I have not got a bit close to judge this objectively. But working it through, I just can't fault the offering. I am currently deciding whether to put this video into the NZMusic4U Honour Roll. If it doesn't get there, it will be a close-run thing. I highly recommend you catch up with Streets of Laredo, both live and recorded. You can buy the track at the link below. I will be. And looking forward to an album!

http://streetsoflaredo.bandcamp.com/



Streets of Laredo | Girlfriend (Official)

Teen Fortress - Say

I first came across Teen Fortress a couple of months ago and liked the "Tepid Vapid Callow" album enough to purchase it. Teen Fortress is the solo project of Christchurch-based Zach Doney from Bang Bang Eche, and is a further example of the high quality of music coming out of Christchurch scene at the moment. The album was released in May 2012 but has since been remixed and remastered which has improved the sound substantially. Zach has put the video for "Say" together himself. In his words, "I conceived the video as a collage of the video art relevant to me at the time of completion". It is excellent. You can buy Teen Fortress' music at the link below. I am also a bit of fan of the track "Sick". Have a listen.

http://teenfortress.bandcamp.com/



Teen Fortress - Say

Princess Chelsea - Frack

In space, no one can hear you giggle. Directed by Simon Ward (director of Lawrence Arabia's latest - also posted on this blog), this video is an ode to a variety of science fiction movies/shows (including Battlestar Galactica) and features spaceships, cryostatic bed hair and the Princess looking a bit bored in space. Psychopathic traits exhibited in terms of a lack of empathy for the loyal skeleton. Fun video. Great "futuristic" production. Also contains personal biblical themes apparently! You can buy the track at the link below.

 http://princesschelsea.lilchiefrecords.com/track/frack



Princess Chelsea - Frack

Popstrangers - Heaven

Auckland's Popstrangers are now signed to Carpark Records (www.carparkrecords.com) although the new "Antipodes" album is released in NZ and Australia on Spunk Records (www.spunk.com.au) in February 2013. They have clearly been earmarked for potential global success within their niche. There is no-one in New Zealand making music like theirs, and the only parallels I can make are with the Nielson brothers' two offerings (and I don't necessarily classify that as purely local now). What I love about Popstrangers is the contrasts they build into their music...unusual changes both in terms of texture and tonality, and deliberate discordance which puts just the right amount of "crunch on the cream". It is so rewarding to listen to. This "Heaven" chorus is one of the best transitions I have heard in a long time. Have a read what NME says about Popstrangers at the link below. There seems to be wide agreement on that chorus.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151155046289247&set=a.147608609246.113016.8448179246&type=1&theater



Popstrangers - Heaven

The Ruby Suns - Kingfisher Call Me

One of my singles of the year, "Kingfisher Call Me" from The Ruby Suns demanded a video of comparable quality, and here we have one, directed by Sweden's Frode & Marcus (Lykke Li, El Perro del Mar). Coming from an unusual tangent with a very hairy, very primeval-looking Ryan McPhun, it is not what I imagined for the song with it's 80s musical references, but works brilliantly. The song is off  The Ruby Suns' (keenly awaited) new album "Christopher", which was recorded, at least partially, in Norway. The album will be released in January 2013 on the Memphis Industries label. Knowing very little about Scandinavian mythologies, but still a little, I can picture the cultural fabric this video might be emerging from. We have ended up with a sort of Scandinavian forest psychedelia. I love it. You can find out more about The Ruby Suns at the link below.

http://www.memphis-industries.com/artist/the-ruby-suns/



The Ruby Suns - Kingfisher Call Me

SJD - I Wrote This Song For You

Sorry the blog has not been updated daily the last few days. I have been in Paris on a work trip. Following on from our recent sojourns into SJD-land, here is "I Wrote This Song For You" from 2007's "Songs From A Dictaphone" album. This was not the best of his albums...but still a very good one. If you would like to hear more, or purchase the album, it is available at the link below.

http://sjdnz.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-a-dictaphone



SJD - I Wrote This Song For You (Round Trip Mars 2007)

Die! Die! Die! - HowYe

From 2010, and the last album with Flying Nun Records called "Form", this Die! Die! Die! video is directed by the enormously talented Special Problems team. As usual there is the unusual juxtaposition of imagery/themes/elements. What rabbit hole this creativity comes out of I don't know. It is special! Die! Die! Die! have a new self-released album called "Harmony" which is very good. From what I understand it was largely recorded in late 2010 at France's Blackbox Studios. If you would like to listen to the album, it's at the link below. Both the albums mentioned today are available on iTunes.

http://goldenantennarecords.bandcamp.com/album/harmony



Die! Die! Die! - HowYe

Great North - Lead Me To The Light

Well I'm not used to Bob Harvey looking sad/pensive - but we all have our moments! A lovely song from Auckland-based alt-folk indie outfit Great North, driven by Hayden and Rachel Donnell (husband and wife). Hayden has cited Bruce Springsteen as an inspiration to his writing. Some may recoil at referencing an artist that is sometimes perceived to be bombastic and stadium-driven, but "The Boss" has written some beautiful music in his time. I can feel the influence here, and it is a positive one. Great North have released three albums now - "Soldiers" in 2009, the critically well-received "Newfoundland" in 2010, and the latest, "Halves", released in May 2012, from which this song is sourced. I like it. Get yourself a dose of poignant Americana at the link below. The "Lead Me To The Light" single is available free!

http://greatnorth.bandcamp.com/



Great North - Lead Me To The Light

SJD - Beautiful Haze

From 2007's "Songs From A Dictaphone" album, we continue with our SJD project and give you "Beautiful Haze", another in the series of astonishingly-consistently-good song/video combinations from Sean James Donnelly. He has recently released a new album, "Electric Wasteland", which is easily one of his best, albeit darker. This is from a slightly lighter period, but still special. One of the comments on YouTube suggested this song should replace Dave Dobbyn's "Loyal" as an informal Kiwi anthem. Couldn't agree more. You can buy the album this song at the link below...

http://sjdnz.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-a-dictaphone




SJD - Beautiful Haze

Badd Energy - How Do You Sleep

Been getting a bit dark around here lately, and the scary videos aren't helping. This Badd Energy song is from their "Underwater Pyramids" EP, released early in 2012. I think there is an album due early in 2013 although can't confirm. The Auckland-based band describe themselves as thus: a "trippy quartet that kick out motley jams blending stoner-swamp riffs with laid back 808 raps". The sound on the EP is certainly quite diverse, albeit as diverse as you can get from four tracks! The slightly-disturbing video is directed by Thom Burton. Good job done on that. Nice clean but bold sound to the song's production. If you would like to purchase their music, it is available for a song (no! no! no! - no pun intended)...at the link below.

http://baddenergy.bandcamp.com/




Badd Energy - How Do You Sleep

The Golden Awesome - Astronomy

From Wellington we have the awesome Golden Awesome (yes - that was awful). An indie/shoegaze hybrid, I adore the texture they have created through this song. I am always a sucker for overdriven bass (that started with the post-punk bands way back when I was 15), and the way they have integrated this into a structure with melodic and harmonic dynamics of just the right amount, at just the appropriate time. This has had me playing the video over many times. I really like the video concept too. (Missing home!) You can buy their 2011 album "Autumn", from which "Astronomy" is taken, at the link below. I will be. I love this! I can't wait to see them live.

http://thegoldenawesomenz.bandcamp.com/



The Golden Awesome - Astronomy

SJD - Rising Falling Rising

From SJD's "Southern Lights" album, here is the video for "Rising Falling Rising". This video was put together by Dominic & Simon Taylor, and continues the high standard of videos that have accompanied SJD's single releases. The "Southern Lights" album was his fourth album and was released in 2004. This post is one of a series reflecting on the creative brilliance of Sean Donnelly. To buy this track, the album, or other SJD material such as the excellent new album "Electric Wasteland", please go to the link below.

http://sjdnz.bandcamp.com/



SJD - Rising Falling Rising

Spycc - Life Feat. Che Kamikaze

Spycc's "Self Progression" EP/album (not sure which is what these days) is one of my releases of the year. A world class compilation of personal perspectives and vignettes from the writer's life. "I'm trying to beat life cos I can't cheat death" is one of those great lines. I highly recommend you download this offering - (ridiculously) free from the following link. I suspect there is much more to come from this very talented artist. (I like the video also with it's Louie Knuxx "Stan Howse" feel to it). The download link is here:http://spyccmusic.tumblr.com/ .



Spycc - Life Feat. Che Kamikaze