Shapeshifter - SSXUB EP Review - Shapeshifter vs The Upbeats
03 Oct 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
This 5 track EP has been probably my most highly anticipated NZ release this year and it doesn't disappoint. This is everything that you would expect from this collaboration, the soulful wailing of P-Digsss and melodic lusciousness of Shapeshifter mashed together with the unforgiving, beat driven groove of The Upbeats.
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Tali - Faster Than Sound Single Review
03 Oct 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
The second tune from Tali's forthcoming record Wolves is a huge departure from the UK drum n bass that made her a worldwide name. Faster Than Sound is a self declared love song and is closer to trip hop than Tali's traditional "Boobs to the Wall" DnB; which is a great departure in my eyes.
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Moana And The Tribe - Rima Album Review
02 Oct 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
According to the albums publicists, this is Moana and the Tribe's 5th Studio album, and it wasn't what I was expecting. This was primarily a good thing as I like surprises but it did catch me a little off guard.
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Oakley Grenell - The Deep Album Review
19 Sep 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
Listening to this record for the first time was a breath of fresh air. With so many Kiwi hip hop artists and beat makers writing the same old wannabe American Gangster drivel, it was inspiring to hear a guy construct something uplifting, tasteful and sonically dynamic.
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Unknown - The Year of the Horse EP Review
11 Sep 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
I was impressed with the work that Whistlejacket management have gone to in producing a very stylistic press package. It's not often I get any info on the reviewed band but these guys had a full press kit which used strong alternate imaginary to represent the band.
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Phil Rudd - Head Job Album Review
05 Sep 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
There are two ways to write this review. One way is looking at the record from Phil's vast and impressive career as the worlds most acclaimed 4/4 drummer, while being wowed by his self indulgent lifestyle.
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TOI - T.O.I EP Review
03 Sep 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
First up, I have to make this clear, Tunes of I are one of my favorite Kiwi bands cracking it at the moment. This review is going to slightly bias.
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Tahuna Breaks - Ten Years of Funk Fusion - Tahuna Breaks Newsletter Interview
02 Sep 2014 // interview by Joel C Blood
Ten Years of Funk Fusion
Tahuna Break Interview02/09/2014Joel C Blood with Marty Greentree
Recently I had the privilege of talking with one of New Zealand's most sonically stylistic and genuine men of New Zealand music, Marty Greentree. Marty is the founder and frontman for long term kiwi funk fusion favorite, Tahuna Breaks.
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Die! Die! Die! - Die! Die! Die! @ Willy's Place, Tauranga - 17/08/14
18 Aug 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
Article Joel Thompson
Originally this gig was booked at Major Toms at the Mount and then a couple of days prior to the show the gig was rebooked for a venue in Pyes Pa. At first glance I didn't think much of this but it was a defining factor in what was to become a very unusual gig.
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National Country Music Awards Review
17 Aug 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
Written by Joel BloodEdited by James FaulknerPhotos by Joel Blood and James Faulkner
The evening kicked off with the extremely talented by Kylie Austin doing a fantastic cover of All Jacked Up by Gretchen Wilson. Kylie then went on to host the evening, a role that she grew into as she got progressively more confident.
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Amos/Anon - Gothique Doesn't Exist EP Review
12 Aug 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
Gothique Doesn't ExistReleased 15 July 2014
Written and Produced by Amos/Anon.
This is the tenth release that Amos/Anon has recorded in as many years, a massive accomplishment in itself.
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Amos/Anon - Beneath the Pound of Flesh EP Review
12 Aug 2014 // review by Joel C Blood
Beneath the Pound of Fleshreleased 09 February 2014
written and recorded: Amos/Anon backing vocals: Paraffin cover photography: Jessicka @ Visceral Photography
BTPoF is a neurotic journey into one of NZ's great underground doom artist's state of mind at it's darkest. This record is a stripped back 6 song thematic acoustic album that picks up where Amos/Anon's last acoustic work, Songs of a Tortured Soul, left off.
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