Tom Lark - Give You All My Lovin'

Well this has been an extraordinary week of talent discovery for me. Although I knew there was talent in Aotearoa, I was worried about finding enough (I liked) to fill regular posts. That hasn't been a problem and to emphasize that, we have yesterday's find. Some of you may have known of Tom Lark for some time, but the first I had really heard of him was when I came across this video for "Give You All My Lovin'" which had been tweeted by Lydia Cole (her latest video to be posted later this week). What can I say? Tom Lark writes hooks like a pop phenomenon, knows how to put together something approaching a Phil Spector classic, and looks like a movie star. The immediate guitar/strings attack grabs the listener at the get-go, and the momentum is sustained throughout. But the song doesn't overstay its welcome hinting at an astute pop sensibility in the writer. Hitting all the marks I have set in terms of melodic variation, dynamics, arrangements/texture, production standards, the overall offering, with the tightly-edited, nicely photographed video (drummer Daniel Fowler directs), also hits all the marks in terms of offshore marketability, either in terms of broad appeal, or for global niches (there are such things). I believe this has broad appeal. But will it be a local success? I don't know. New Zealand is a parochial music market now, with local content succeeding when it fits around the "genre blends" that I have talked of in previous posts. I highly recommend these guys head offshore as fast as possible, preferably the UK, and do the hard yards there for at least a year. I hear they have an opportunity to play CMJ New York as well. They should do so. If they do go offshore, I believe we might someday see Tom Lark coming out of a London hotel to thousands of screaming fans. I kid not. The offshore move will be hard work with many pitfalls, but I suspect if anyone can do it, these guys can. This song and video are good enough so that we now have a new Honour Roll member, replacing Family Cactus' "Moss Green Cape", a Wellindie classic. Sad, but the Honour Roll must evolve. Well done guys. You can buy Tom Lark's music at the link here: http://tomlark.bandcamp.com/.
 


TOM LARK - Give You All My Lovin' (Official HD)

Janine and the Mixtape - Bullets

There is definitely something here. It is not quite fully formed, and this video hints at maybe a lack of resources so far. The video is my least favourite thing about this offering, but that aside, here is a songwriter capable of putting together a song that soars, and is extraordinarily appealing. The production quality is ok, the vocal performance w/ sampled harmonies is lovely, but what brings me to post today is Janine's tantalizing potential. "Bullets" contains a a great melodic hook, nicely balanced arrangements, superb dynamics, and feels like it should be a hit. Here is someone who knows what she wants, and has a 360 degree awareness of her craft. Apparently she is in the studio at the moment. Looking forward to the outcome of that. You can buy "Bullets" at this link here: http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/89315/bullets.html



Janine and the Mixtape - Bullets

Luke Buda - Weekend Dad

Luke Buda, is one half of New Zealand's Lennon & McCartney (oh no...bad I know), that being himself and Sam Flynn-Scott of The Phoenix Foundation (TPF). They have matured into superb songwriters and now execute on a reliable basis, unlike some of the earlier years of the band. I have an intuition that the gorgeous melodies/harmonies of TPF comes more from Luke, whereas the biting lyricism is Sam's stomping ground. But what do I know? (Luke is New Zealand's Abba to Sam's Rolling Stones?...stop it!). Luke Buda's music is hard not to like, and it amazes me that more don't know of it, but I suspect he has a conflict of interest with TPF, which they have clearly decided to keep going for the foreseeable future. That probably precludes him from a commitment to full-on promotion, hence this video has under 3,000 views at time of writing. I have been listening to Luke for years, starting with his first release "Buda - The C Sides" back in 2002, followed up by "Special Surprise" around 2004 (I think), and his last offering from late 2008, "Vesuvius". What keeps me listening, is everything I am looking for on this blog. Melody with unconventional melodic sequences, interesting harmonies, song structures, dynamics. But what sets this all off are the lyrics, which are often clever, with lashings of gentle irony. And they can sometimes be quite poignant, or even sentimental. Its a rich mix. You can buy "Vesuvius" at www.lukebuda.bandcamp.com. "Special Surprise" is available through the more usual commercial channels.



Luke Buda - Weekend Dad

Aaradhna - Wake Up

Aaradhna is a great vocalist. I have watched her through the years and recognized this, but often the material just hasn't done it for me. My old gripe (ok so this is only one amateur's opinion) is that so much of what is put out in NZ is too derivative, genre-blended and/or formulaic to really make it outside these shores. And that's what I would like to see New Zealand artists do. Create sustainable careers outside of New Zealand, being based here much of the time. And one doesn't necessarily need to sell out to do so. Aaradhna's previous material has been competent, enjoyable and it clearly has a market within New Zealand, and maybe a little wider in the Asia Pacific. But the point of this blog is to highlight and reward those acts that might have some international leverage. And that demands differentiation. I haven't historically found enough of that in Aaradhna's material, both musical and visual. There have been several exceptions, one being "I Love You Too" which is a beautiful song, albeit quite conventional. Interestingly, that song I think is closest to "Wake Up" in terms of the correct direction so far. The reason I am posting "Wake Up" is I think this song, and this direction, has potential for Aaradhna offshore, and I don't just mean Australia, which is also a bit of a dead-end. Ok, there is clearly a bit of the retro, "Winehouse" genre in here, which is getting a little long in the tooth, but the genre will probably continue to sell for some time as it has broad demographic crossover potential. The thing is, where Aaradhna has lined herself up next to this genre, it has tended to work. And this works. All round. I love it. I can also imagine huge potential commercial usage so there will probably be a pay-day in there somewhere. As usual, Special Problems have delivered a superb video which just seems so appropriate to the material. The whole thing sparkles. They should continue to work together. I hope this does very well for Aaradhna as it deserves to, and I look forward to hearing about her offshore exploits as a result.



Aaradhna - Wake Up - (Official Music Video)

Dear Time's Waste - Fortune

Last week I posted "Alice", an older track from Dear Time's Waste (DTW) as I couldn't get the Vimeo link for "Fortune" to work. I was a little frustrated as this video is one of the best videos I have seen recently. Growing up in the early-mid '80s, the visual vernacular is familiar, from the David Lynch "Blue Velvet" references, all the way through to that jacket with shoulder pads on steroids. But it is not just the video, the song itself is beautiful, with lyrics that clearly Claire Duncan is proud of (on the DTW Twitter intro), and justifiably so. "I am a legion of concrete reason / A buried basis of shifting seasons / A pleading treatise in brazen armour / Some kind of Eden with flooded gardens". I am a male, and no genius, but I suspect the three dancers are metaphors for a woman's progress through early stages of a relationship. [out on a very shaky limb there...] The quality of the lighting, photography and direction marks this video out. I am not surprised to find members of the Dryburgh dynasty attached to something that looks as pretty as this, its in the genes [camera,lighting, directorial assistance]. The video was directed by Veronica Crockford-Pound, an arts graduate (and ex-international model) now making a name for herself in photography and film (see Ruby Frost's "Moonlight" video). We have a new Honour Roll member. [Sorry Collapsing Cities, its brutally Darwinian. "Regret" is a superb video but the Honour Roll will always evolve.] Just a reminder what the Honour Roll is about. Any video that combines a strong song, performance, production and video is a candidate. "Fortune" hits all those marks. You can buy Dear Time's Waste music at www.deartimeswaste.bandcamp.com .


Dear Time's Waste - Fortune

Glass Owls - Griffin Boy

Glass Owls are an Auckland-based indie-rock outfit who have been around for roughly five years, originally emerging out of schools in east Auckland. I have heard this song many times, liked it but actually thought it was The Strokes! Today I saw the video for the first time and the whole package works for me. Glass Owls might just fly. I look forward to catching them live at some stage. The band's debut EP "Dead Love" was released in 2010, contains "Griffin Boy", and is available at this link here. http://glassowls.bandcamp.com/



Glass Owls - Griffin Boy

Live Reviews Now At NZMusic4U LIVE

As we now have a site dedicated to live performances by New Zealand artists, it made sense to move live reviews across to that site. Today we review last night's performance by Sola Rosa at San Francisco Bath House in Wellington. The gig was notable for my introduction to Estere, who I believe has international potential. You can read the review by going to NZMusic4U LIVE at the following link: www.nzmusic4u-live.blogspot.com .

Sola Rosa - Spinning Top [feat LA Mitchell]

This clip has been posted in celebration of my first attendance at a Sola Rosa live gig - at Wellington's San Francisco Bath House. It will be difficult to refrain from embarrassing myself as I bust my moves through the crowd, but I am a sucker for syncopation. (Thankfully you don't know what I look like). "Spinning Top" is a great example of what Sola Rosa consistently comes up with. A strong song, good production with an innovative video. Sola Rosa's core is Andrew Spraggon who has consistently built teams of very talented instrumentalists and vocalists around a hybrid hip hop, funk, soul, and jazz meld. He writes great songs, often built around a basic riff, then fleshed out through the arrangements. The songs typically make it onto a recording in good shape. I don't remember hearing any one of his tracks being poorly produced. The new album is "Low and Behold, High and Beyond" available at the link here: http://music.solarosa.com/.



Sola Rosa - Spinning Top [feat LA Mitchell]

Glass Vaults - Gold Star

Put it this way, combine Sigur Ros, Brian Eno, New Zealand's Jakob and Boards of Canada, and you are getting somewhere close to Wellington's Glass Vaults. But they are their own...I am just giving a perspective from which to come at them. Last night I bought everything on their Bandcamp website and have spent hours listening to it. And my initial impressions have been confirmed. It is wonderful. Haunting, evolving, complex electronic textures, occasional percussion, with vocals only when needed, and often beautifully effect-laden. There is one tremelo-like effect which I am dying to find out how it was put together. They have just finished touring offshore from what I understand. The band members directed the video, and it is perfectly suited to the material, and of similar-level production quality. You can buy their material at www.glassvaults.bandcamp.com .



Glass Vaults - Gold Star

Die! Die! Die! - We Built Our Own Oppressors

Early Die! Die! Die! (DDD) I didn't quite get, but I am a stickler for strong production values, and superficial though that may be, that is where they were weakest early on (in relative terms to their material only). The songs have always been good. Originally hailing from Dunedin, the band have matured, and as they have done so I have found their music has become more accessible (that might be a problem for them..!), and I find it both challenging and rewarding. For me Auckland's Popstrangers (on this blog's Honour Roll) are a natural successor to DDD  although I hope DDD will be around for many years. I am  going to post some of DDD's live material on NZMusic4U LIVE. This is an older video (2010), shot on location in New York, and is well-directed by Rohan Thomas. There are plenty more videos to post so expect regular appearances of Die! Die! Die! on this blog. The band appear to have had label issues over the last few years, but now have a new album out on their own label Etcetera Records. The album is called "Harmony" and was recorded at Blackbox studios in France. You can buy it at the links below:

catalogID=1022842 http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/86884/harmony.html;

http://www.marbecks.co.nz/detail/index.lsd?



Die! Die! Die! - We Built Our Own Oppressors

Vince Harder - Far From Here

I first came across Vince Harder when he collaborated with P-Money some years ago on "Everything" - a great track with clear commercial upside. I am not sure how it did, but I assume at least pretty well in NZ. It was clear back then that he was a talented vocalist with a great vocal range. He made the song. His material since has been of a reasonably high standard but the problem I have with much of it is it is too formulaic. I don't think NZers can do well internationally without differentiating themselves strongly from some perspective. I would like to see Vince Harder do some more challenging work with less conventional writers and producers to see what came of it. Not sure if that is likely but with a talent like that, surely it is worth giving it a go? Anyway, this blog is about music I like. Where does this clip stand? I don't have a problem with this song. It is a competent pop song performed strongly by Vince. But the reason this clip is here is the video which I think is one of the silliest and most overblown New Zealand videos I have seen in a long time, and I love it. Now this is differentiation! Who has filmed a faux runaway drama in Santiago recently? Not Chris Brown. Stunning camera work and direction by Shae Sterling. If they didn't get paid by the Chilean tourism authority, they should have. I only post clips I like, and this is one.



Vince Harder - Far From Here

Dear Time's Waste - Alice

I have only really happened upon Dear Time's Waste (DTW) in the last month or so and I am glad I have. I have always liked the Cocteau Twins and there are some unabashed parallels, although DTW are not derivative in a plagiarist sense. With high levels of undistorted chorus (effect) on a substantial proportion of the guitar arrangements, the influences are clearly there. I find much of their music quietly hypnotic, and extraordinarily pleasant to listen to (definitely not in bland way). I had originally posted DTW's "Fortune" but due to problems with the Vimeo embed, and nothing for this track on YouTube, I have gone with an earlier song. "Fortune" is superb, both song and video. DTW, who is actually Aucklander Claire Duncan, clearly has a strong visual inclination in terms of product control which lifts the overall offering to international quality. I can't fault anything she has done so far. This video is well directed by Jesse Taylor-Smith and Jenna Ericksen. A bit of the suburban gothic for you...



Dear Time's Waste - Alice

Computers Want Me Dead - Little Steps

A stylish offering from Computers Want Me Dead (CWMD), who are Sam Harvey and Damien Daniels. With previous histories in a range of indie/electronic bands, they met in late 2007 and after discovering shared interests , they very quickly formed CWMD in 2008. The band's sound has morphed a little since they first started and I have to say I am warmer to it now than I was previously. Less noise, more melody. But that's just me. "Little Steps" is well-produced and musically I can't fault it. The video looks pretty good for what was probably a small budget but I do think it misses, and therefore slightly weakens, the strong "taking little steps" hook in the song, therefore probably doesn't sell the song as well as it could. Still, all in all, reiterating what I said at the beginning, it is a classy offering overall.



Little Steps by Computers Want Me Dead (Official)

The Eversons - Could It Ever Get Better?

The Lil' Chief Records website cites The Eversons influences as the Modern Lovers and Pavement, and it is clear to me that from a wider commercial context they might fit into the Weezer "pop-punk" genre. There is clearly a large global market for this. I can imagine the band getting traction offshore after some extended live work. The Eversons' songs are witty, fun, often acerbic, lyrically-driven and can have a socio-political sub-text, with this song "Could It Ever Get Better" being about the ageing process (snap). The innovative video is by Trophy Wife Productions. You can buy their new album "Summer Feeling" at this link here: http://theeversons.tumblr.com/. I have posted a live version of their song "Creepy" at the NZMusic4U LIVE website (see the link at the top right of this page).



The Eversons - Could It Ever Get Better?

Turn Around - Sola Rosa w/ Iva Lamkum

I finally get to see Sola Rosa live. They are playing Saturday August 25th at the San Francisco Bath House in Wellington. This song is one of the reaons why I am going. They have a new album out from which I will post the first single's video sometime later this week. In the meantime, "Turn Around" can set the scene. Tight syncopation, vocal texture, great synth and brass arrangements and that hi-hat - what's not to like. The video works too. A link to the new single is here: http://soundcloud.com/solarosa/spinning-top-ft-l-a-mitchell.



Turn Around Feat. Iva Lamkum - Sola Rosa

1995 - Love Your Ghost

This is 1995's latest video. The previous video ("Nowhere Slow") which I posted this month is working for me. Listened many times. As for "Love Your Ghost", some readers might enjoy what is clearly quite an effort - film noir and plot developments et al. The song and video together clearly don't add up to an inspirational way to start the week - being so dark 'n all. (so its being posted at the end the week?), but weak humour aside, I think the video is very good and the song is doing its work on me. Almost didn't get into the blog...but now I think I know what the band is trying to do with this, I have warmed up. Maybe I'm just a little slow. I have an intuition these guys might be quite something live. I really want to experience that - so management, please let me know when they are next playing...email address is on the right hand side of this blog.



1995 - Love Your Ghost (Official Video)

The Datsuns - Gods Are Bored

Blood on the frets! (0:36). These guys have always scared me a little. Maybe that's because I represent the capitalist system, or maybe I'm just timid...or maybe they're just really mean. I cannot fault this. Fantastic they are back with a new album and this song bodes well. Is it 10 years since I first heard them? They don't seem to look any different. They actually might sound a little better. The new album is "Death Rattle Boogie". This single "The Gods Are Bored" is downloadable for free through the Datsuns website here:  http://www.thedatsuns.com/



The Datsuns - Gods Are Bored

Pikachunes - Nervous

Pikachunes are back on the blog. I've had this clip in mind for awhile. Miles McDougall has been quietly building an international profile in his own niche, with very little awareness at home, which seems de rigueur for talented New Zealand musicians who don't follow the standard dub, pub rock (sometime D&B) fusion model. Rather than getting too bitter about that, it is a small country and I suppose we just don't have the population to support those that take an alternative creative road - not that Pikachunes is exactly radical. The historical influences are obvious. Miles executes well though, and the omnipresent irony is what I like best about his work. I won't go on...there is a good interview with Miles at this link: http://fishpork.com/2011/10/13/the-only-boy-at-the-party-an-interview-with-pikachunes/ . You can buy Pikachunes tracks at the following link: http://pikachunes.lilchiefrecords.com/



Pikachunes - Nervous

Two Cartoons - Better Coast

In a tradition going back at least 30 years, Two Cartoons generate great pop songs out of the one of the last remaining Scottish urban facsimiles in the world - Dunedin. Ironically they come from Auckland - but now live there. According to www.undertheradar.co.nz, the two principal members, Bradley Craig and Isaac McFarlane describe their sound as:  “Sun drenched guitars. Rain drenched surroundings. Pretty, soaring vocals. Manic insomniacs. Two piece, two-step, four eyes, loud drums, melodies, harmonies. Lady Gaga with a guitars, with Justin Beiber's sex appeal”. I'll go with that. I dare you to dislike this song.



Two Cartoons - Better Coast

Shapeshifter - Monarch

It annoys me that we have to call them "New Zealand Shapeshifter" now. But that is the international branding reality now they are being pushed by Hospital Records. This video gives a little taste of how good Shapeshifter might be live i.e. amazing. They are typically very exciting, and the decision to go with live drums those many years ago serves them so well. P-Digsss gives them the soul that was missing early on the life of the band. The reason this video is not at www.nzmusic4u-live.blogspot.com is its not really live. I think there is a new album on its way. Can't wait.



Shapeshifter - Monarch

Opossom - Fly

The Nielson brothers (ex-Mint Chicks) are clever, and whats more, they have an integrity to their art that stands out. Integrity builds careers, and in this case is slowly, but quite surely, building both the brothers a global following. (Kody Nielson in Opossom, and Ruban Nielson in Unknown Mortal Orchestra). Much of contemporary music is so derivative that it has become difficult to define a specific sound that one owns from scratch. But Opossom has managed to create something which I can't pigeonhole, and thus probably implies that they are getting close to being truly original. It has taken me some time to warm to this (that is my problem - not Opossom's), but I have got to the point where I am purchasing their music. This track "Fly" is off their new album "Electric Hawaii" and is one of my favourites. The album is available to purchase at http://opossom.bandcamp.com/. I will post on Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) at a later date. You can find a great live video of UMO at www.nzmusic4u-live.blogspot.com.



Opossom - Fly

David Dallas - Big Time

"Big Time" is the song that brought a new wave of interest (from outside the NZ hip-hop core fan base) into David Dallas' music back in 2009, with even Kanye West liking it enough to post it on his blog. The song has since been used in a range of commercial-type applications e.g. as background music for the 2011 French Open promos on ESPN. With a video by the talented Special Problems team (seen many times on this blog), this is also the song that got me to the point that I started to buy David Dallas' music. For me, he is one of the few New Zealand hip hop artists that I think has the potential to have an extended international career, and it is clear his thinking is sufficiently global, albeit that might be against a backdrop of restricted resources. If there was an artist that could do with a fiscal push, David Dallas would probably fit the criteria



David Dallas - Big Time

1995 - Nowhere Slow

1995. I'd be interested to find out where that band name came from. As for the music, a Youtube comment alluded to traces of Interpol and The Horrors and I can hear it. But everyone has influences, and they are lying if they say not. The more I hear of this band, the more I enjoy their material. This single "Nowhere Slow" was released late last year. They have a new video out now for "Love Your Ghost", a very grim and dark "noir-ish" piece of film that I will post at another time. This song though is my favourite right now. I look forward to seeing them live. You can buy this song at http://1995.bandcamp.com/track/nowhere-slow. There is a link at right where you can go to their Facebook page. They are on Twitter as well.



1995 - Nowhere Slow

Artisan Guns - Pulled You In

To be honest, this song didn't grab me at first. Sort of seemed a little hollow, maybe because the vocal is out there on its own (frequency wise) with  a reasonably emphatic reverb on it, and the arrangement is quite sparse in the first half of the song. But that "hollowness" is actually "space", and now makes complete sense to me and put together with a vulnerable vocal delivery, this song has worked its way into my subconscious. I found myself singing the chorus over and over yesterday...."pulled you in after - aaaaahhhh [choir sample]" (?!). I love the extended fade-out, and despite going on for over two minutes, it doesn't overstay its welcome. We all know where the radio programmers will pull the pin though...somewhere between 2:30 and 3:00! Or maybe there is a radio mix coming? So Artisan Guns deliver again. Their excellent Silver Scroll nominated song "Autumn" is elsewhere on this blog. "Pulled You In" is off their new album "Coral" due out on August 24th. I like the video (the band's bass player, Reuben Stephens again - see Watercolours "Under" on this blog). Its not perfect, but some great imagery (cloth car pull-away at 2:19) and succeeds overall.



Artisan Guns - Pulled You In

Cavell - I Need You

When I put together the idea for this blog it was to reward creative originality that had international potential, by recommending it to an audience that I hope will eventually evolve into a high-value group for NZ musicians - essentially offshore capital. So every file I embed has to have that special "je ne sais quoi". The problem I have with some of the material I listen to is that it is too derivative, or too restricted across a range of criteria (melody, dynamics etc) i.e. "samey". I often have this problem with the archetypal NZ rock band, and more recently some of the fusion type acts. It is also sometimes a problem with NZ R&B and Hip Hop. But there are pockets of excellence, and Cavell is promising to be one. I first came across him on the Sir T track "Forgot Me" posted elsewhere in this blog.  I like the way he has stripped back the production here to its bare bones, which often works well in this genre. The video works pretty well also. With a great voice, a drive to quality-control his material (self-produced), and an obvious commercial sensibility Cavell could progress. But as I said in the previous post, anyone looking to really make it needs to continue to look outward and think of the business in global terms, and deliver on each of the criteria they are measured on. I think Cavell could do that. This song sounds good loud by the way.



Cavell - I Need You

Junica - And It Hurts

The last post was about a very good songwriter (Annah Mac) so we will carry on that theme. Mark my words, Nik Brinkman will be a wealthy man one day. A superb writer of (often elegant) pop songs, as well as an artist and aesthete, "And It Hurts" is a very good example of why Mr Brinkman, who presents himself as "Junica", has such a promising future (ok, from my very limited perspective). A beautifully constructed pop song, well produced and locked into the current zeitgeist, it is probably an offshore label's dream, and from what I have read, he has already locked in a publishing deal with EMI and has several labels courting him. Imagine "And It Hurts" broken down into an acoustic arrangement. It would still work. I believe he will sell many songs to other artists and from what I have heard so far, at least a few will hit. But for me, the key indicator of why he will be successful is that he clearly looks outward, embraces a more global aesthetic, and is prepared to take a few risks, spending the time offshore building a base from the ground up. I understand from online interview material that he was planning to spend many months on the road, offshore. With that work ethic, I look forward to seeing what the future holds. And of course, this video at time of writing only has 9,321 views. Unappreciated at home as per the usual.



Junica - And It Hurts

Annah Mac - Girl In Stilettos

The art of the pop song. Some write beautiful music but can't write songs. Annah Mac knows how to write simple, catchy, marketable pop songs (with meaning) that not only she can perform, but a range of other artists. This could be an opportunity for her in the future I imagine. "Girl in Stilettos" is a shoo-in for radio-play and it has been on high-rotate in NZ for some time. But it is not as simple as just writing good songs. I think "Girl in Stilettos" demonstrates the importance of strong production to a good song. I have heard other Annah Mac songs, and although I can recognize the craft behind the writing, the delivery in terms of the overall sound has sometimes been lacking. There are many other New Zealand artists who suffer from a similar issue. "Girl in Stilettos" I understand was remixed by Josh Fountain (Kidz in Space, Get Well Soon), on behalf of Woodcut Studios. Woodcut Studios is well-known as one of the owners of Move the Crowd/Empire Records, and maybe it is the infusion of an electronica/hip-hop perspective that lifts this song to the level of a potential international success. I can imagine it doing well offshore. I really enjoy the video, but I do wonder how it will translate internationally. The Australians will get it I suppose...



Annah Mac - Girl In Stilettos

Goodshirt - So Charming

After giving us a veritable train of high quality singles (with correspondingly good videos) in the early-mid 2000s, Goodshirt disappeared. But they re-surfaced in 2011, and it seems nothing has been lost. The sound has evolved a little, but the quality remains. I really like this single although I am not confident of it getting high radio-play as it is not particularly "hooky". But the reality of life for a NZ band is probably the acceptance that the charts are hard work in a unfriendly environment. This then demands they focus on delivering to their constituents who will then support them live - and hopefully in terms of album sales, merchandising etc. A pity, as I would much rather hear this on the radio, than the torrent of aural garbage that we live with at the moment. In terms of TV though, C4 is doing an excellent job. A pity it is only available on Freeview. This song "So Charming" is off Goodshirt's new EP "Skinny Mirror" which is available at www.goodshirtmusic.bandcamp.com .



Goodshirt - So Charming

Clap Clap Riot - So You Say

It is hard not to like this. One can pick up a variety of long term influences on the genre, but it is it's own song. Good video. I am surprised this hasn't done better than it has in the New Zealand charts, but I suspect that may well be the perennial problem of not enough airplay of New Zealand music (beyond the commercial first tier). We'll give it some time though. "So You Say" is off Clap Clap Riot's debut album "Counting Spins" from Universal. According to Wikipedia..."The name Clap Clap Riot comes from the applause machine designed by John Lydon for the show Top Of The Pops in the early '80's.[citation needed]". Who cares about the citation. It's one of the better band names I have seen in awhile.



Clap Clap Riot - So You Say

Porcelaintoy - Documentary by Ro Tierney

I don't, and won't, do this often i.e. doing two posts in a row on the same band. But in the case of Porcelaintoy, they warrant it. It is a multi-faceted offering, and I think this short documentary by Ro Tierney (local short-film luminary) gives an interesting insight into the band, made up of husband and wife team, Elizabeth and Emile De la Rey. As one often finds, it appears Elizabeth's unconventional upbringing was instrumental in developing her talent, whilst she has also been lucky enough to find a co-creator (and life-partner) in Emile with a similar level of talent in terms of instrumentation and arrangement. They are an exciting find for me.



Porcelaintoy - Documentary by Ro Tierney

Porcelaintoy - Monsters

Porcelaintoy seem to have flown under the radar despite having an album, "Contrite Elegant Rebel", which was one of the best-received albums of 2011, with the Sunday Star Times reviewer naming it as a candidate for New Zealand album of the year. I tend to agree. The video in today's post is brilliant, with a flawless integration of band footage into a 1930s horror flick. But unfortunately, I don't think this is the strongest song on the album. What brought me to Porcelaintoy was the music in the promo (on YouTube) for the band's multi-media stage show at Wellington's Bats Theatre. I wish I had seen it. I loved the music in the promo and tracked down the album on Bandcamp - and bought it (that old benchmark). I think this album is superb, and "Monsters", even though it is not a favourite, fits well into it's fabric. And "fabric" is the right word. It is a beautifully constructed album. If there were one quibble, it needs a re-master with the low-end a little lost in action. But make no mistake, this band is a real find. They almost seem lost in New Zealand's local artistic landscape. Porcelaintoy has substantial international potential and with the right management, and time spent offshore, might well break internationally in a big way. They have the complete package. A word of advice if they are reading this, take down the rougher video material. I can hear the quality of the songs (they're great!), but your market (probably offshore A&R in reality) may not be able to see through the rough production values.



Porcelaintoy - Monsters

Ladi6 - Like Water

Ever since I heard 50Hz's "Seek No More" back in the early 2000s (it's on YouTube), I have been besotted by Ladi6's rich vocal depth. Similar to Jess Chambers (but clearly a different genre), her voice has the ability to lift material, and to be honest, some (but not all) of her material and/or it's production quality has been indifferent, not bad, just not great. But the 2011 album "The Liberation Of..." lifted her career to a new level, bringing with it, consistent quality material across the album, an internationally "sellable" sound, and a NZ-platinum-selling single "Like Water", the subject of this post. I also purchased the album, which from this blog's perspective might be seen as some sort of minor benchmark. (OK, insignificant for most of you readers). Actually the song that brought me to the album was "Jasmine D.L" (to be posted at a later date) which brought back memories of Soul II Soul in the late 1980s . Ladi6 appears to be maturing as an artist and although I find it difficult to imagine her breaking massively internationally, I can easily imagine a sustainable international career with high/steady sales across a range of albums - assuming she, and her writing/production team, can continue to develop. They seem to be doing that so far.



Ladi6 - Like Water

James Duncan - A Obvious

In yesterday's post I mentioned how I had seen Chelsea Jade join James Duncan as support at The Phoenix Foundation gig back in 2010. As one often finds with support acts at The San Francisco Bath House, the mix can be atrocious, and there were technical problems, but in the case of what was then called "The James Duncan Experience" the mix couldn't hide what were clearly strong songs. Put that together with Chelsea Jade's charisma, and the sullen hipness of James Duncan, the combination hinted at something to watch for. I have since listened to James' first album "Hello-Fi" and enjoyed it, although it takes a few listens. The new album "Vanishing" has yet to be fully digested, and it is definitely a  more challenging listen than "Hello-Fi", but James Duncan takes his music seriously it seems, and that being the case, I am going to keep listening till the songs take hold. Today's video is a clever composite edit of new and historical footage which works well with the one of the songs off "Hello-Fi". I am looking forward to seeing some video for material off "Vanishing". I recommend readers go out and look up James Duncan. All James' albums are available at www.jamesduncan.bandcamp.com . Have a listen to "Skyfall", a non-album release also available on the site. A favourite.



James Duncan - A Obvious

Watercolours - Under

We have a new Honour Roll candidate. Whilst probably not the singer that we find in Ruby Frost, (ok, it's silly to compare), Chelsea Jade Metcalf has an all-round offering that doesn't come along often. In the case of this video, and her subsequent yet-to-be released song, and winner of "The Audience" wildcard video funding, "Nightswimmer" (sound file to be linked another day), the offering is world-class. I saw her when she was playing with James Duncan as support to The Phoenix Foundation back in 2010, and it was immediately clear here was someone who had the ability to project, and dare-I-say-it, "star-quality". She is clearly an artist, and an aesthete, and this comes through both aurally and visually across her work. I have enjoyed her previous work, but it is in the Watercolours guise that I hear something stunning - much akin to my personal discovery of  the UK's James Blake. I just hope she gets traction internationally. She also needs to want it. That I am not sure of as I don't know her personally, but in terms of her abilities, she has everything required to build into a significant international success. The video for "Under" was directed by Reuben Stephens of Artisan Guns (another visual-arts career I am going to watch with interest). The video for "Under" is up there with my all-time favourites, hence it replaces SJD's "Superman You're Crying". (Sorry, but the Honour Roll is brutally Darwinian). I will definitely be purchasing "Under", and "Nightswimmer" when it is available to purchase. Watch for the "Nightswimmer" video in months to come.



Watercolours - Under