Overview
To celebrate the launch of Corona's www.lacasa.net.nz, which profiles performances in music and other creative musings from the Artist Residency in Byron Bay, we invited Music and Programming Director for New Zealand's Rhythm and Vines Festival Hamish Pinkham, to rattle off ten musicians that has not only caught his attention, but are definitely on their way up the musical ladder and about to do something big.
A career in NZ music can be an uphill battle. Any struggling musician with any talent in this country finds themselves at the bottom of the world, a declining recording industry, a live music industry with high barriers to entry, limited government funding, and only one decent festival to play at. They must compete with the high profile music acts performing at Vector Arena each week, and seasonal EDM trends such as dubstep and trap brainwashing the limited market of thirsty consumers.
Having returned from SXSW and attending the NZ showcase, we can't rely on the kiwi brand to attract any sort of international media interest either, leveraging on the success of cross over hits like Kimbra, Ladyhawke and The Naked and Famous. We are but another small territory trying to grab a small slice of the global pie.
Still with accessibility of the internet and a bit of kiwi ingenuity and naive ambition, anything is possible. But the future surely lies off shore. Here are ten great hopes for NZ music with the vision, connections, product and talent to do it. God speed.
1. No
Hailing from Echo Park the current creative hotbed of LA, NO is fronted by kiwi musical troubadour Bradley Carter (ex Steriogram). NO began as a home recording project in July 2011 when a group of friends began building something to represent their collective ethos of searching for the more authentic elements in music and in themselves.
Having recently toured Europe with Father John Misty, management who have worked with Oasis and Arcade Fire, and playing no less that 9 shows at SXSW, expect to see big things from these guys in 2013.
2. Willy Moon
Willy Moon is a NZ-born musician, singer and producer now based in London, England. His music has been described as a brilliantly odd fusion of 50s rock'n'roll and modern production using hip-hop production technique. Currently being released by Jack Whites label Third Man Records, Moon's debut single is been used in Apple commercials - a sure of sign of getting in front of a potential audience of fans.
He rocked SXSW with an Elvis like swagger, crooning throughout over 10 showcases to a willing and hungry international music industry. Yeah!
3. Louis Baker
With an astute eye for lyrical detail, a rich vocal tone that harks back to classic Motown-era soul and a direct and expressive guitar style, Wellington-based singer / songwriter Louis Baker is one of the most promising new talents to emerge from New Zealand in recent years.
After wowing audiences as opening act of choice for The Thomas Oliver Band, and as part of new generation super-group Brockaflowersaurus-Rex & The Blueberry Biscuits, Louis is moving into the center stage spotlight. He will be attending the Red Bull Music Academy in New York this April - expect a flurry of activity around this young chaps chocolate vocal tones.
4. Weird Together
Lead by the Michael Palin of world music Nick D and the Floyd Landis of the Waitakeres Dick Johnson, Weird Together is a creative ensemble of african influenced percussion combined with bass heavy rhythms. Having curated their own World Together extravaganza of all things ethnic and eclectic down at Auckland's Silo Park, WT are developing a loyal following.
Check out their new remix of Shapeshifter's Diamond trade (did someone say even better than the original?), complete with original film samples. With offshore interest in Asia and a number of bookings from street festivals across Auckland, look out for more original material from this stable.
5. Goldroom
After the success of their single "Fifteen" which found itself with over 300,000 plays on Soundcloud, the top spot on the Hype Machine charts, features on Pitchfork, Spinner, MTV, and spins on BBC Radio 1, few can say that they've had quite a year like Goldroom.
One of the stand out live shows in Austin, sharing the stage with other shining lights like Rudimental and Solange Knowles before a hungry music press. With kiwi vagabond Beno Walt on drums, Goldroom are only one chin stroke away from mainstream glory.
6. Unknown Mortal Orchestra
An American and New Zealand rock band composed of singer, guitarist and songwriter Ruban Nielson, bassist Jake Portrait and drummer Riley Geare. The band was started by Nielson, formerly of The Mint Chicks. Having posted a song Ffuny Friends on his Bandcamp page, the blogesphere went crazy with every flannel shirt-wearing hipster from Portland to Brooklyn declaring them as their new favorite band.
Chosen as one of the top 30 acts to see at SXSW this year and currently on an extensive North American tour, expect to hear more about these modern day rockers in 2013, from Pitchfork and beyond.
7. Five Mile Town
Hail from Auckland and deliver a fresh and highly accessible brand of indie folk with a strong Blues twist. With influences that range from the Fleet Foxes to The Kooks, The 'Town are seeing themselves popular at outdoor music events up and down the country. This fresh take on kiwi summer music recently added a percussionist for the live shows, providing a rhythm to their double bass and banjo melodies.
Their debut single ‘Saturated’ is proving popular at home and abroad, and their debut Five Mile Town EP is beginning to receive critical acclaim.
8. Popstrangers
Popstrangers have a simple recipe - loud, melodic, fuzz-drenched ditties and some darn good pop fun. The band – Joel Flyger, Adam Page, and David Larsen – have developed a following for their unmissable live performances, and have supported international acts Peaches (US), Crocodiles (US) and MGMT (US).
They have taken their grunge inspired noise-rock sound to a number of NZ festivals including Big Day Out , Rhythm and Vines and have toured New Zealand and Australia. Popstrangers have recently returned from numerous shows throughout the USA including CMJ Music Marathon and a sold out show at New York's Bowery Ballroom.
9. Stafford Brothers
Stafford Brothers are the house music DJ and Production duo of Matt Stafford and Chris Stafford - kiwi-raised but formed on the Gold Coast, Australia. They are the first Australiasian DJ’s to get their own reality TV show on a major network, showcasing their tour antics from Miami to Ibiza. Both brothers perform at all DJ shows and are sometimes accompanied by instrumentalists and vocalists including their good mate Timmy Trumpet.
They have been ranked the #1 DJs in Australia according to the inthemix DJ Awards, the boys are now based in LA with residents in the clubbing mecca that is Las Vegas. St Pats Silverstream boys done good.
10. Truth
Sonic architects of songs with an emotional heft as heavy as the subwoofer rupturing basslines that underpin their work, Truth are one of New Zealand's finest creative exports. Respected across the globe, since inception several years ago, Truth have, as both world-class producers and party-rocking DJs, cut a clear pathway through the international dub step scene.
Now based in San Francisco, California, Truth have toured extensively including numerous USA tours and three tours of the UK and Europe. They can be found regularly playing in the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Europe. Acclaimed by critics both within and outside the dub step scene, their momentum is undeniable and impossible to ignore. Face the truth or get well outta the way.