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

David Dallas - Ever Get The Feeling

I've probably said all I need to say about David Dallas on this blog. In my eyes he is the New Zealand hip hop artist most likely to succeed. His music and accompanying media have evolved to become quite cinematic, sometimes dramatic, often personal and as a byproduct of his mission to conquer his industry, quite inspiring. My favourite anecdote is running down the Champs Elysee in Paris listening to "Caught In A Daze" and having what felt like an instant personal connection with David Dallas' thought process as I too worked to grow an international career. This is a very good video (not Special Problems for a change). The video is directed by Tom Gould. And I love the song by the way.

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David Dallas - Ever Get The Feeling

Kimbra - Come Into My Head

It is quite a sight seeing someone at the top of her game, riding an industry support wave and getting it right.  I think this video is a good example. This whole offering is exhilarating. I feel slightly guilty that I am putting a tall poppy out there when clearly she is not suffering for resources required. I prefer the undiscovered diamonds, rough or maybe less so. But I just can't ignore how good Kimbra and her collaborators are here. This video rides that razor's edge between artistic integrity, and commercial viability as well as anything I have seen for some time. Well done Kimbra. It is great to see someone who takes her craft seriously, but herself, not too seriously, except where it counts. Madonna and others, a lesson for you.



Kimbra - "Come Into My Head" [Official Music Video]

Randa - Las Vegas Sunset

Readers of NZMusic4U will know I am an enthusiast for RANDA.  So far however I have not posted a video as there hasn't really been anything substantial beyond the live series, one of which was posted on NZMusic4ULIVE. But finally we get a video that is "postable" and it is fun (just your standard abduction video!). I just can't help thinking that one day RANDA is going to break out in a big way. It is original, fun, quirky and occasionally insightful material. You can buy RANDA's music at this link: http://randa.bandcamp.com/



Randa - Las Vegas Sunset (Official Music Video)

Minuit - Fuji

Can't believe this is six years old. Exotic, sort of erotic, with a driving, dissonant soundtrack accompanying sometimes dissonant imagery. Superb. For me, probably one of the best videos ever made for a New Zealand song. Can't help feeling sympathetic to the poor fish. Not sure he/she bought into the benefits of getting local music video exposure. Hope bigger things have come it's way. As for the beautiful Ruth Carr...you can read a short interview with her here. http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/communities/2-minutes-with/6940612/Minuit-plays-Nelson-for-Tony-Bayard



Minuit - Fuji

Minuit - Stories For Boys

An anthem for an anniversary. Minuit continue to contribute high quality material, sometimes with a message - this time, explicit, bitter and direct. For those outside New Zealand, Minuit, originally from Nelson, have been around for over a decade and have never managed to put out a less than above average recording. It is hard-edged electronica, and much of their material is great. I have only heard this a couple of times, but it is getting up there. Minuit are Ruth Carr on vocals, with Paul Dodge and Ryan Beehre on keyboards, programming etc. Highly recommended.

You can download the track for free here: http://minuit.bandcamp.com/track/stories-for-boys-the-occupy-edit



Stories For Boys (the Occupy edit)

Funkommunity - Pass It On

From the hook, to the steadily-stepping guitar line (comes in at 1:15), to the brilliantly-placed synth pads, this groove is superb. I had heard it before, not sure if it was on the radio, or on C4, and had mentally registered it without knowing who it was. Someone recommended it on Twitter so I chased it up, this post being a testament to the efficacy of Twitter as a marketing tool. "Funkommunity" is Isaac Aesili (ex-Solaa) and Rachel Fraser. You can buy their music at the link here: http://funkommunity.bandcamp.com/ . I know I will be.



Funkommunity - Pass It On

Street Chant - Frail Girls

Street Chant have a follow-up album to their debut "Means" due sometime soon. "Frail Girls" is the first single release off the new album and has been out since late 2011. Reviewers have been kind to the band so far, often citing the strong combination of punk influences. I can plainly hear late 1970s New Wave in there, but it doesn't feel derivative, and they have some great hooks. I have read that there is substantial offshore interest so the new album will be important in terms of capitalizing on that interest. "Frail Girls" bodes well for the album's quality.



Street Chant - Frail Girls

The Phoenix Foundation - Buffalo

I understand The Phoenix Foundation (TPF) are in the studio, or maybe have just finished. The new album is eagerly awaited, "Buffalo" being a triumph - a logical step in the ongoing integration of the disparate talents of the group. It didn't feel like a combination of songs by different writers. The loss of drummer Richie Singleton to environmental enterprises will be significant, this song being an example of his influence. The drum riff that drives the song, and is an essential linch-pin, is his. But Richie is on the new album so we will have to wait for some time to find out the extent to which his loss slows down TPF's creative freight train. In the meantime, the proverbial lips are getting licked. "Buffalo" is a reminder of how good they can be.



The Phoenix Foundation - Buffalo

Lydia Cole - Hibernate

I am going to spend the next few days on the road in the US Pacific North-West so I am posting a couple of videos up-front of which this is the last. I suspect I may have been judged against, for my judgement (expressed through the banality of a tweet), but I must call it as I see it. I am only one person and my opinion is essentially of little consequence. But I do hold my opinions with vigour. Most guitar-hugging singer/songwriters are mediocre, possibly because they are not prepared to take risks. The risks don't have to be comprehensive, are not prescriptive, but they must be defining, and the reason I like Lydia Cole's music, despite its flirtation with the occasional predictable motif, is the raw soul-baring authenticity of the material. Sung in a real "New Zilland" accent, and when layered up with incidental arrangements, it is beautiful, and very hard to resist. I can see this material being used on television and movie soundtracks. The faster that Lydia Cole's management get it in front of these people (offshore - not locally), the faster this will be recognised for how good it is. And then it will really sell. The song is from the album "Me and Moon" available at the link below. The video is by Claire Littler. It works well with the material.

http://lydiacole.bandcamp.com/album/me-moon



Lydia Cole - Hibernate

She's So Rad - Circles

There is an intentionally dumb irony to the use of "Circles" as a means of closing off my circular She's So Rad/Junica love-fest for now. A great song, great video. I don't really need to say anything more about how good these guys are. Junica is in the same class. I am looking forward to new albums from both...and will post the videos when they turn up - assuming I like them. Fingers crossed...but don't really think I need to.



She's So Rad - Circles

Junica - Living In My House [ Feat. Ladyhawke ]

Today I put Iva Lamkum's "Doo Bop" on the blog, and postulated the creative integration of her marvellous voice with the songwriting of either the She's So Rad team (Jeremy Toy and Anji Sami), or Nik Brinkman (Junica). Iva has a vocal depth, some gravel-like personal integrity, and I believe that, her intuitive understanding of grooves, and her lyrical acuity, coupled with the songwriting/arranging nous of both of the aforementioned, could be very interesting. My hypothesis needs some empirical evidence, and so I present Junica's joint venture with Pip Brown aka Ladyhawke. I know it's not "like for like". But think laterally. In my (humble) opinion it would work, but there would need to be some rhythmic/thematic compromise from both parties. The end result could well be more than the sum of its parts. A good time to now rest my case (and shut the proverbial up).



Junica -  'Living In My House' Ft. Pip Brown

Iva Lamkum - Doo Bop

First time I heard this, I could recognize it was a well-rounded, commercially-viable offering from one of the best voices in the New Zealand music industry...but I just couldn't warm to it. I suspect that it is the predominance of (a great) riff over melodic variation/dynamics. But this morning, the penny has finally dropped, having played it again, and being on the road in the USA, it was a welcome groove to start my day with. I just love Ms Lankum's voice. I would like to see her doing something unusual with it though...say working with someone like She's So Rad or Junica. "Doo Bop" is very well-produced by P-Money. It is also an excellent video by AskewOne. All round good.



Iva Lamkum - Doo Bop (Produced by P Money) (Official Video)

Wet Wings - You're Not

Wet Wings are a Wellington indie band made up of "Lucy" and "Darian". I have no other information on the principals at this time! I love the textures they put together. And of course melody is an important and attractive part of the the layers that they build over simple ostinato-like samples. After pressing the play button, you will be happier in 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Or you're a grinch.  You can buy their music at the link here: http://wetwings.lilchiefrecords.com/



Wet Wings - You're Not

Nik Brinkman (Junica) - True North

A lovely little short film by Nik Brinkman who is better known by many as "Junica". He both directed the short, and wrote the music. It's hardly substantial, but that doesn't take away from the fact it is a  very pleasant way to spend 2 minutes of one's life. I am sure I saw Brian Eno hiding behind one of those trees...



Nik Brinkman (Junica) - True North

Zowie - Broken Machine

This blog has been a little slow to post Zowie which does not reflect the fact she is making crisply-produced, well-constructed pop songs which have significant international potential. Zowie is Zoe Fleury who has previously promoted herself as "Bionic Pixie", was originally a drummer and member of "The Bengal Lights", and comes from both a musical family, and the business side of the industry. I am not a fan of all of her material, but I have heard enough to think she could make it big. This song is from her first and recent-ish album "Love Demolition" and is my favourite off that album.



Zowie - Broken Machine

Cool Rainbows - Reality And A Clue

Due to the difficulty of posting on the road, tomorrow's video is being uploaded today...and is "Reality And A Clue" from one of the year's best album releases, "Whale Rocket" from Cool Rainbows. Cool Rainbows is Djeisan Suskov, who has is very active behind the scenes with a range of acts, including as producer of the (very good) new album from Artisan Guns, "Coral". His own material is some of my favourite walking music. You can buy "Whale Rocket" here: http://coolrainbows.lilchiefrecords.com/album/whale-rocket



Cool Rainbows - Reality And A Clue

David Dallas - Start Lookin Round

I am travelling on the West Coast of the USA at the moment so posts will be truncated for some time. In the ongoing tradition of occasional superficiality on this blog, i.e. to mark the fact that David Dallas was on the same plane as me (as he heads off on his USA tour), I am posting my second favourite track off "The Rose Tint", "Start Lookin' Round". Nice tracking shots of the Empire State Building.



David Dallas - Start Lookin Round (Official Video)

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Thought Ballune

Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) emerged out of the break-up of the Mint Chick's as the two Nielson brothers, Ruban(UMO) and Kody (Opossom) looked to forge different creative identities. Its interesting then that there some similarities in the material they are coming up with. As usual, it took me awhile to warm to UMO as I struggled with the lo-fi production quality, but immersed in the music for some time now, it is not an issue for me. I like the use of unconventional chord progressions  and in this song, the syncopation which actually makes this "danceable", unusual for the sometimes stodgy beats of indie music. A great little pop song with a twist. The video is directed by Jordan Blady and Ryan Knowles. Works perfectly well.



Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Thought Ballune

Honour Roll Change

I have been informed by Popstrangers that due to an international release schedule (which unsurprisingly for me, indicates they are doing rather well), they are redoing their videos and the old ones will no longer be available. We look forward to the new videos. However, we need an active video for the Honour Roll so Family Cactus' "Moss Green Cape" has been reinstated. Probably a huge moment in Family Cactus' career. :)  Go buy a Lotto ticket guys!

We will reinstate Popstrangers if we like the new video. I am hopeful.

Lydia Cole - Blind Boy

I recently posted a live performance of "Running On My Own" on NZMusic4ULIVE. Lydia Cole writes beautiful, heartfelt songs but that alone is not enough to make it onto this blog. I am looking for dynamics, texture, melodic variation, decent production values, and that "je ne sais quoi" that marks an artist out, and makes the artist marketable offshore. And part of that of course is the video really needs to be of a reasonable standard. "Blind Boy" is extremely well put together. I love that mid-song build into the chorus. The simple but effective piano part is a favourite as well. I think most viewers will like this. The video (art & direction) is by Ralph Matthews. Perfect Sunday fare.



Lydia Cole - Blind Boy

Farah Loux - K.I.D.S.

I like running some sort of connection between posts if I can, and the connection here is Daniel Fowler ("Fowl Face" as he is known to some of his clients apparently!). Daniel is the drummer from Tom Lark's band, and is making a very good go of creating high quality music videos, I assume at a budget price level. This video is very good. I have especially enjoyed the "knight" with the colander on his head. An awe-inspiring character...(!)  Farah Loux are an Auckland-based folk-indie band and "K.I.D.S" is their first release as such, the band being previously known as "Alaska". I have to call it as I see it. I can hear Evermore in here. Not saying there was any sort of influence, but I suppose that might be a perspective you could come at Farah Loux from. I assume that is not the way the band would have it, but people in the industry may well do just that, which is probably good for Farah Loux. This is a good song, with some great arrangements, and very effective dynamics. One quibble would be that the brass arrangement used throughout in the song might have been mixed differently. Maybe it is the compression or EQ? This weakens the song's impact slightly, but doesn't do irreparable harm to the overall offering, which I have been enjoying for several days now. And of course, I only post music I like. You can buy Farah Loux's music at the link here: http://farahloux.bandcamp.com/



Farah Loux - K.I.D.S. (Official HD)