Lots of live NZ music this month and some exciting new releases to check out
Kia ora <<First Name>>
Happy Friday! I hope you are getting along to at least one of the 10 (yes 10!) Kiwi gigs happening in the UK this weekend.
Gig reminders, exciting new releases and a 14 year old Kiwi becomes world champion scratch DJ - read on!
LIVE EVENTS IN THE UK
If you were planning on seeing the excellent ASTRO CHILDREN tonight in Camden but were put off by the unhelpful ticket message on the website, come along anyway - it's door sales only. Five bands for a fiver with the Dunedinites taking the stage just before 8pm. Small venue, great tunes - see you there!
Get ready for CONNAN MOCKASIN's upcoming gigs this week with this Under The Radar interview where he gives background info on his recently released concept album, his directing debut and his love of theatres - he is going to LOVE playing London's amazing Barbican on Saturday!
...and get ready for KIMBRA's London gig early next year by watching this behind the scenes clip from her Primal Heart: Reimagined EP sessions. This will be an intimate show and will sell out fast - get tickets here.
Good news if you missed out on tickets to THE BETHS sold out London show later in the month...the hottest band in NZ right now have announced a January headline show in London between support gigs for Death Cab For Cutie - get tickets here.
For a comprehensive list of Kiwi gigs in the UK (including ticket links) head to our EVENTS page - Fat Freddy's, Don McGlashan, Devilskin, Astro Children, Liam & Neil Finn, MC Tali, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and more all on sale now.
NEW RELEASES
ORCHESTRA OF SPHERES released their fourth album last week, titled Mirror. The Wellington band have built a cult following with their mix of psychedelic groove and electronica rhythms, and the new album continues their cross-genre journey. If you have been listening to our New (Zealand) Releases playlist you'll be familiar with first single Koudede - read the Quietus album review here.
Post-punk fans must listen to Wellington band DEAF's debut self-titled EP. The release follows a run of well-received singles in NZ and great live reviews supporting Peter Murphy of Bauhaus. Listen to the EP here and read the muzic.net.nz review here.
WAX CHATTELS made plenty of fans when they played in London earlier this year - the intensity of their live show overwhelmed the packed room (in a good way) so it's great news that they have captured that live spirit on record (or cassette!). If you are new to their sound read this Loud & Quiet article or jump straight in and listen to the new Live at Part Time Punks release here.
A new supergroup has formed in New Zealand, comprising of members of The Black Seeds, Fly My Pretties, Trinity Roots, Flight of the Conchords and...the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. They call themselves CONGRESS OF ANIMALS and new single Depends On Youfollows their first release Astral Tumbleweed.
NZ MUSIC NEWS
Amazing news: 14 year old Aucklander DJ K-SWIZZ (AKA Kalib) won the 2018 DMC World DJ Championships right here in London, backing up his IDA Technical World Championship win at the end of last year. Hit this link to be wowed by video of his skills in the final.
Te reo-singing metallers ALIEN WEAPONRY have had a massive year internationally on the back of rave European tour reviews and heavy rock magazine features. The latest media headlines are unusual, though...they are unable to fulfil their Ministry support spot in Utah during their current US tour because the band (aged between 16 and 18) can't get permission to play in underage venues! Listen to the album Tū here.
Trailers are emerging of a new Kiwi film to be released early next year called Daffodils (not to be confused with the excellent NZ band of the same name - listen here). The musical is "a universally resonant love story that is also uniquely Kiwi and driven by the songs New Zealanders grew up with" (NZ Film Commission) and features KIMBRA's acting debut. I can't wait to see a film loaded with songs by The Clean, Bic Runga, The Swingers, Darcy Clay, Blam Blam Blam, The Mint Chicks, LIPS, Chris Knox, Th'Dudes, Ray Columbus and the Invaders, The Mutton Birds and Crowded House.
That's it for this week folks. Next week we'll focus on the upcoming NZ Music Awards and see if we can keep our 100% record of correctly predicting winners following the Taite Prize and Silver Scroll Awards earlier this year.
Please help us spread the word by forwarding this email to your Kiwi mates. Get along to see our awesome talent in great UK venues - it's a busy November for gig goers...see you there!
