Munashe - Wide Awake Ft. Blaze The Emperor & Raiza Biza

This post is not about the video. New Zealand musicians are budget-challenged. Crime Heat has done what he can within the usual restrictions, and it works. He is a very good director (and beats producer). No, this post is about an exciting new artist...a musically-talented, lyrically gifted MC with an ear for a hook that suggests massive potential. A member of the Ammo Nation collective, Munashe (Munashe Tuwe) is a precociously-talented teenager whose "1st Impression" album released late last year  is one of the most exuberantly assured local debuts I have heard. We all know it would have been made on a shoe-string, and there are production aspects that hint at those limitations. But despite that, it is superb. Munashe is from Zimbabwe, currently living in West Auckland, and the stress of a family moving countries, being permanently away from a troubled home/continent makes for great raw material for a songwriter. And Munashe doesn't waste it. The album is a combination of bravado, satire, romance, and acute socio-political insights that belie his age. Munashe cites influences such as Nas, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, J Cole and Erykah Badu. Though the two influences he cites that I see as most relevant here are Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco. There is also indirect artistic reference to the historical body of work we associate with old RnB such as Rod Temperton, the Jacksons etc. "Wide Awake" features Raiza Biza, a personal hip-hop favourite seen many times on this blog (and who discovered Munashe), and Blaze the Emperor who slinks in midway through the song with a sorta-laid-back style that has me looking up more of his work. Courtesy the immigration from Africa of the last twenty years, New Zealand music is benefitting from an African wave which is further enhancing New Zealand's reputation as punching above it's weight in the world of hip-hop. I have bought "1st Impression" and it has been on high-rotate as I navigate the streets of London. If handled right, I truly believe Munashe's career could be massive. You can listen to, and buy the album, at the link below.

http://illumunashe.bandcamp.com/album/1st-impression

Munashe - Wide Awake (Ft. Blaze The Emperor & Raiza Biza) (Official Music Video)

There's too much - P & S

This video may be a challenge to some readers, but it demanded a post. A brilliant interweaving of stark, disturbing aural texture with striking imagery, "P & S" is the work of two Tokyo-based Kiwis, Bryce Eden (There's too much) and director, Chris Fitzgerald. Chris is an art school alumni who has been working with Bryce for a little time now. Having spent much of the last couple of years between London and Tokyo, Bryce has come up with his new EP, "there's too much for". He describes his music as "my own style of computer pop set amongst dark landscapes",and as capturing a "running theme of psychological something's and paranoia". "P & S" doesn't make that difficult to understand. The EP, which was mixed by Ben Gibson, can be bought at the link below. Go have a listen. I have bought it.

http://therestoomuch.bandcamp.com/

There's too much - P & S

Sherpa - Love Film

Pristine pop songs, cleverly, and delicately constructed...and despite a sometimes sorta-intellectual approach to their construction, there's nothing too contrived about it. Is it wrong to call it "fun"? I was looking forward to Sherpa's new album (which is available to listen to at the link before), and they have delivered. "Love Film", the first single, was released last year. I am not quite sure how this glamorous little film didn't make it onto the blog. But it has now - sorry! Directed by Marc Swadel,  http://www.marcswadel.com/ it takes us on a trip through Paris of 1962, with our starlet besotted by a slightly effete, but clearly charming young director. The album sounds like much love has gone into it - close to a work of art - hence the blog post. "Love Film" is a goodie, but I also like "Bzzy", "Can Surreal" and "Eclypse The Night Away" and "Not Today". Go have a listen at the NZ Herald link below while it is still up. The album should be released by the weekend I believe (May 16). Otherwise, there are a bunch of other links you can use to swot up on this charming band. (I love the break and the outro in "Love Film" by the way...especially the outro.)

"Blues and Oranges" album stream: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11251927

Get "Love Film" here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lov...

Like the band: https://www.facebook.com/sherpaaa

Band website: http://www.sherpaband.com/

Sherpa - Love Film

Aldous Harding - Hunter

Aldous Harding has generated quite a bit of industry noise over the last couple of months or so...with "Hunter" being one of the reasons, although I think her exquisite (and video-less) track "No Peace" (linked below) might just be driving more of the momentum. It is stunning. With both a vocal and visual presence, all that was needed were truly special songs to help this artist have a shot at international success...and it is all there. It will be interesting to see whether international distribution deals turn up quickly. I think they will. Aldous (real name Hannah Harding) is currently distributed locally through Lyttleton Records. I am not sure when the new album will be released, but you can listen to some of it at the www.directcurrentmusic.com link below. The album was produced by Lyttleton Records' Ben Edwards, and Marlon Williams. The "Hunter" video, beautifully done, was directed and photographed by Julian Vares.

Why not have a read of this while you are at it. It has the link to "No Peace": http://www.directcurrentmusic.com/music-news-new-music/radar-aldous-harding.html

A Radio NZ interview link is here: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/2592327/aldous-harding

Aldous Harding | HUNTER | Music Video 2014

Delete Delete - Between The Lines

Shot by Si Moore (New York-based member of Streets of Laredo) on a Phantom high-speed camera with a cast-of-thousands, this video must have needed some planning to work. The (very talented) Si talked to the NZ Herald about the inspiration behind the video in March (linked below). The video was produced by Fran Coulibaly and Sophia Bayly. Editing was by Daryl Habraken. Delete Delete is Lani Purkis, Kurt Shanks and Chris van de Geer, seen previously on this blog with the excellent "What Do You Take Me For" video. Si Moore's current bandmates actually used to work with Lani in Elemeno P, a band that seems so long ago now, but which was responsible for some great pop tunes (remember "Fast Times in Tahoe"?). Chris van de Geer was also one of the key members of late-90s, early-2000s band Stellar with Boh Runga, a band that really should have done better internationally than it did, with some well-written well-produced pop songs. Delete Delete have an album release planned for mid-year sometime. If you like "Between The Lines" you can buy it at the iTunes link below.

https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/between-the-lines-single/id832952891?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Si Moore interviewed at the link below...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11215652

Delete Delete - Between The Lines

Sheep, Dog & Wolf - Glare

Sheep, Dog & Wolf (Daniel McBride) launched his debut album (and second anthology), "Egospect" to almost unanimous acclaim in 2013. It is difficult for me to pick a favourite track but "Glare" is one of the high points of the album. All the arrangements, instrumentation, vocals are Daniel's. For the album to end up as cohesively as it has, it is clear he has a well-developed creative vision. The songs are interesting enough on their own, but when accompanied by the startling imagery created by Thunderlips here, I don't think it is going too far to call this "greatness". I can't stop watching it. The thematic transition from "chasing fire" to "daylight" is amazing. How does one think of that? According to the video's blurb, it was shot 12 hours north of Adelaide in the Australian desert, at a place called "The Moon Plains", on what used to be ancient sea floor. It took them 10 days to get the sun in the right place for the shoot. Spectacular. You can buy Daniel's album at the link below. I have it. There is also a link to Candlelit Pictures if you would like to see more of their brilliant work. This video has made the NZMusic4U Honour Roll.

http://download.sheepdogandwolf.com/

www.candlelitpictures.co.nz

Sheep, Dog & Wolf - Glare

She's So Rad - Levels

She's So Rad urbanely surf between genre's...a common thread being rich textures, and a big "international" sound. The skateboarding imagery is maybe a little apt?! They are one of the reasons this blog exists. Wary of boring my (tired) friends with NZ musical talent, it was She's So Rad's "Confetti" video that pushed me to set up this Blogger account. Jeremy Toy, Anji Sami, (now with Phil Hadfield [bass] and John Parker [drums]) routinely spark up the smorgasbord of local offerings. I have always maintained She's So Rad are one of the ones that could do very well internationally. But it doesn't help if someone smashes one's head in...which is what happened to Jeremy a little while ago (no thanks to one of New Zealand's many local psychopaths)...so what should have been a flood of material has been a low volume exercise in creative therapy. Thank goodness it is all still there. This swift-moving, nicely-edited video is directed by Bill Bycroft, and features skateboarder Christian Low. I love this band. See links below.

http://shessorad.com/
http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/blog/shes-so-rad-levels-premiere-149561

She's So Rad - Levels

Yumi Zouma - The Brae

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Part 2 of 2. Was that betrayal, or buy-in? "The Brae" might just be my single of the year. As it is, Yumi Zouma show such promise, I am pretty much gagging for future material (hyperbole for effect). I can't quite work out what it is with their material to date, but there is a seemingly effortless elevation above the usual dream-pop fare. For me it sounds a little bit like lazy sunburnt evenings on West Hollywood roof-tops. Boutique hotel Petit Ermitage comes to mind for those who know it's delightful roof terrace. Interesting that the video takes a similar tack. Yumi Zouma emerged from a long-term collaboration between Charlie Ryder and Josh Burgess. They were joined later by friend Kim Phlaum. Both Charlie and Josh have previously been known for their work with Bang!Bang!Eche!. If you would like to buy "The Brae", you can do so at the link below.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ep/id795031143

P.S. Martyn Pepperell interviewed the band just over a month ago. Have a read at the link below.

http://www.vanguardredmagazine.co.nz/interview-yumi-zouma/

Yumi Zouma - The Brae

Yumi Zouma - A Long Walk Home for Parted Lovers

Having been remarkably busy in my real life, NZMusic4U has had to limp along. But it is time to get back into it...before the next onslaught. I came across Yumi Zouma early this year, and was captivated by their single "The Brae". The single was part of their self-titled EP from which this track is sourced. Kindly sponsored by NZonAir they have put together a two-part video offering that has as it's raison d'etre, the magical poison of a love triangle. Today I give you the first episode. Tomorrow I will follow it up with a little more on the band, and the second instalment of this mini-soap. Yumi Zouma are on the Cascine label. If you want to buy their EP...go to the link below. I am in love with this band.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ep/id795031143

Junica - I Know A Place

Nik Brinkman, who is Junica, has fans. Of course he has the usual global mix of demographics, but in contrast to many, he has a high ratio of industry heavyweights (producers and artists) that continue to put their weight behind his creativity. And his is a 360 degree sort of creativity. I personally believe those that will succeed in a do-it-yourself future will have skills, not just in composition, production and performance, but also in their ability to cost-effectively communicate their vision....visually. Nik writes great pop songs, and ensures they are produced to a state-of-the-art level, but what marks him out his is ability to put together videos that look, not just innovative, but professional. His is the complete package. I have no doubt that if he wanted to, Nik could script, produce and direct a movie of his own. The video for "I Know A Place" is vintage Nik, with wide-angle tracking shots, great design and top-notch production values. The song itself is produced by Mark Saunders, a former member of Tim Simenon's Bomb the Bass. Mark was responsible for mixing The Cure's "Wish" album (remember "Friday, I'm In Love"?), and has worked with a wide range of other artists including Neneh Cherry and Depeche Mode. Mark has produced the new Junica EP which I believe is due later this year. This track sounds like the best of both Nik and Mark. I am really looking forward to the EP. If you would like to hear more, or maybe buy some of these pop gems, I have supplied a few links below. Go on.

https://itunes.apple.com/nz/artist/junica/id428851973
http://www.amplifier.co.nz/artist/68740/junica.html

Junica - 'I Know A Place'