Young - Ruby Frost

Could this be it? The one that breaks Ruby Frost? It has several things going for it including faint echoes of The Naked & Famous"Youngblood" both in terms of video, and to a lesser degree song & sound. And of course there is Ruby Frost (who projects well in the video). The whole thing is very polished. I have to be honest, I don't think this is her best song and she has clearly proven capable of much better. But it is a good song. I think part of the problem is her voice is not pushed to those places which mark her out. I know this song will grow on me, and maybe with a bit of airplay this could be the kicker that Ms de Jong needs. I don't post anything I don't like, and I have posted this. Enough said.



Young - Ruby Frost

Scratch 22 - Distance From View EPK

I bought "Distance From View" a couple of days ago and have since had the realization that Scratch 22 is pretty amazing. He is already successfully building a global awareness base, but there is a depth to the creativity that interests me that makes me think he has multitude of options to work with, including cinema and TV. I highly recommend the album, although for me it is not an album to listen to, so much as an album to experience. It is great music to accompany activity of some sort. And that explains how the integration of a cinematic vision based on movement can work so well with Scratch 22's textured grooves. Following on from that, this EPK shows off Scratch 22 to good effect...the intentional and very effective visual irony being the lack of movement seen in the other videos.



Scratch 22 - Distance From View EPK

KidsOf88 - LaLa

The latest single from KidsOf88, "LaLa" from the new album "Modern Love" which is coming early October from Sony. I have previously posted "Tucan" which I prefer as a single, but this still has merit and sounds like it could be a chart hit. "Tucan" never really sounded like it had chart potential, but it is one of the best tracks they have put together. Old friends for over ten years, having met at St Peter's College, Auckland, KidsOf88 is Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy. They have a strong body of work now and it seems the new album might just have a few highlights. I am looking forward to it.



KidsOf88 - LaLa (Official Video)

Die! Die! Die! - Trinity

The gorgeous Amy Usherwood (previously seen in "Out of the Blue" and "Shortland Street") stars in what is probably one of the best Die! Die! Die! videos, although not the usual cut. Nice little twist. Just where is Andrew Wilson...? Well done 45rpm - well directed. Nice photography. Oh - and the song? "Trinity" is off the new album "Harmony". Great song although I think it is a little overwhelmed by the video. But we will live with that.



Die! Die! Die! - Trinity

Scratch 22 - Cold Hands

An awesome video from Scratch 22 who have previously been posted on this blog. In each case the video has augmented the musical offering although I think both "Cold Hands" and "Medicine Man" stand on their own musical merits if you like a laid-back, many-textured groove. The man on the walking machine is a recurrent theme in both videos. Not sure why, but it works for me. The imagery is startling in both cases. This video is directed by Bob Van Der Wall. I note the involvement of Veronica Crockford-Pound and one of the Dryburghs in acting roles, which links this indirectly with the brilliant "Fortune" video from Dear Times Waste directed by Ms Crockford-Pound. I suppose not surprising that talented individuals know each other in such a small community! Not even sure why I am commenting on it! This song is from the "Distance From View" album available at the link here: http://www.scratch22.co.nz/releases.html



Scratch 22 - Cold Hands

Mother Goose - Baked Beans

To mark cracking the 100 post mark on NZMusic4U, I am providing a demonstration of the historical depth of talent in the New Zealand music industry, more specifically Dunedin. This was a major hit in 1977. "Baked beeeeans, running down my cheeks, down my shirt, cross my feet...in my hair"...

For info on this song go to: http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/baked-beans-1977



Mother Goose - Baked Beans (1977)

Janine & The Mixtape - Holding Hands with a Dark Mind [Teaser]

Here we have a little teaser for new material from Janine & The Mixtape and it bodes well. The song (excerpt only) is "Holding Hands with a Dark Mind". I think it is footage from her arrival in New York recently. Nicely edited. And that marks the 100th post on www.nzmusic4u.com!



Janine & The Mixtape - Holding Hands with a Dark Mind [Teaser]

Tom Lark - All Night Long

I am a big fan of Tom Lark's writing sensibility. He doesn't seem to write a bad song, and sometimes he gets it very right, witness "Give You All My Lovin", previously posted on this blog. I noticed on Twitter today that someone in Brazil was plugging that song. I am not surprised that Tom Lark's market is offshore as I have always thought they need to target a global niche with the idea that they might potentially crossover and break out. This is another excellent song with great melody and dynamics. The video is by the drummer of the band who they like to call "Fowl Face"(!)...Daniel Fowler. Catch his other work at www.youtube.com/nzmusicvideos. You can buy Tom Lark's music at http://tomlark.bandcamp.com/. I already have done so, and was listening to it as I walked through London today - thinking what potential it had over here.



Tom Lark - All Night Long

Family Cactus - Fields and Fields

Wellindie band Family Cactus have already featured twice on this blog, as well as being featured at www.nzmusic4ulive.com. There is a reason. They are superb, and have global potential within their niche. They also deliver well on the criteria that I require to post a song, that being dynamics, melody and texture (amongst other things). The band has had several line-up changes in its history but I suspect the current iteration has some stability to it. Adam Ladley, the principal songwriter and vocalist appears to be the binding force around which the other talented band members have coalesced. They have released two albums, "Come Howling" in 2009, and "Spirit Lights" in 2011, both being reviewed well. They have also managed to put together a strong set of videos. You will see that "Moss Green Cape" is on this blog's Honour Roll. "Fields and Fields" is from "Spirit Lights" which can be bought at this link: http://archhillrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/spirit-lights. "Come Howling" is available at this link: http://music.familycactus.com/.



Family Cactus - Fields and Fields - Official Video

K.One - So Long feat. Scribe

This is a favourite which I often listen to when running. Kaleb Vitale aka "K.One" is one of a small bunch of New Zealand hip hop artists who I think have the ability to go parabolic offshore. Much has to happen to get to that point (which I am sure they are working on now) but the basics are there...some great songs with crossover potential. I understand he has recently been in Japan on a successful tour with other NZ hip hop acts. The more that happens, the more likely that offshore gets cracked. Asia clearly has some interest which is great. He is signed to Illegal Musik.



K.ONE - SO LONG REMIX feat SCRIBE