“…We also have sound houses, where we practice and demonstrate all sounds and their generation… Diverse instruments of music likewise to you unknown, some sweeter than any you have, together with bells and rings that are dainty and sweet. We represent small sounds as great and deep; likewise great sounds extenuate and sharp. We make diverse tremblings and warblings of sounds, which in their original are entire…. We have also diverse strange and artificial echoes, reflecting the voice many times… We have also the means to convey sounds in trunks and pipes in strange lines and distances.”

Sir Francis Bacon “The New Atlantis”

The above is an excerpt from a book that has fascinated me for years. Though by today’s standards it may not seem groundbreaking, in its description of a room where sounds are manipulated, tremoloed, flanged, vibrated, chorused, delayed, orchestrated, fattened out, eq’ed and amplified, it just sounds like a recording studio, but when you think it was written in 1623 and I can’t help but think either Francis Bacon was centuries ahead of his time or we makers of sounds are not necessarily as advanced as we could be… Possibly a little of both.

Personally both possibilities interest me greatly as a musician… Finding the musicians who were ahead of the game, often to their detriment, guys like jazz cat Jimmy Webster who was two handed tapping on his guitar back in 1951, fusioneer Al DiMeola who was shredding like a demon a decade before anyone had heard of Yngwie J Malmsteen, and bands like Kings X whose dirty guitar sounds would seemingly channel years later through many a grunge band. Personally I find it comforting to think the greats didn’t just reinvent their instruments by pulling genius out of airy nothing, most the building blocks were left there by others and they just happened to have the big picture.

Likewise the flipside interests me greatly- the thought that if concepts of unusual instruments and sounds now considered commonplace have been in someone’s consciousness for centuries then there has to be someone out there with a blueprint for something cool and new yet to be realised.

Just a few random thoughts…

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Thanks to Simon Whitlow from Ishtar for this editorial.
If you would like to write a feature editorial for the newsletter, please drop us an email and we'll get it set up!

1) What is your greatest achievement?

Recording with Jamaican ghetto star Big Youth

2) What do you think could be done to make NZ music even better?

Competitiveness needs to stop. It doesnt matter what genre we choose to play. We ought to open our minds and support each other. We need to encourage, appreciate and acknowledge everybodys artistic efforts .

3) Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Touring album #5

4) What is the best thing about making music?

Being creative with other like minded people and sharing that with others.

5) What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Have a plan and stick to it.

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The Cornerstone Roots are Brian McMillian (vocals, guitar), Naomi Tuao (bass), Boyd 'Rikkihana' Turongo Dixon (drums) and Lisa McLeod (keyboards).

Official Website
Muzic.net.nz Artist Page

These questions were answered by Jason Johnston, drummer for Jakob.

1) What is your greatest achievement?

Our greatest achievements are firstly having my baby girl (Emily Hata Johnston) born on the 11/11/06... As a band I thnk releasing albums/singles on vinyl and CD and Video and being able to see parts of the world that we'd probably never see if we were to travel by ourselves. Being invited to play festivals in Denmark and Austins SXSW would probably be some of the highlights. Yet in saying that even some of the local shows back home have been great. Also, another would be people being moved with the music we create.

2) What do you think could be done to make NZ music even better?

If there were move live venues for bands to play. With decent sound systems, lighting, back stage areas - if you're a band just starting out to bands that have been around for ages. Better funding systems in place for bands of all genres.

3) Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Next five years - ah... I'll still be a dad of a 5 year old and a 6 year old and the band will still be releasing music and touring the world and NZ and live a comfortable life playing music, and surfing as much as I can... World domination? You've heard that line before hahaha

4) What is the best thing about making music?

The best thing about making music whether it's in Jakob or in any other band is that 'magic' you get when you have a group of musicians in a room jamming and you all start to gel - you just know when it starts to feel right - smiles start to happen and it feels great. Fully improvising and recorded jams... Just so you don't forget what you were doing.

5) What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Don't stop practicing your instrument, there's always something to be learnt. Jamming with friends and having fun doing it. Don't let anyone put you and your music down. Be good to people and listen to all sorts of music.

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Jakob is Maurice Beckett (bass, vocals), Jeff Boyle (guitar) and Jason Johnston (drums).

Muzic.net.nz Artist Page
MySpace Page

Conan and the Mockasins!

Conan and the Mockasins played at The Kings Arms in Auckland on 20 January and we sent two people along. The result was a great review and some awesome photos - check them out!

New Artists

We have also added a few new artists to the site over the last few weeks. They are:

Don't miss the next issue of the newsletter which will be featuring Streetwise Scarlet!

• 1
  Anxiety Club
• 2
  Devilskin
• 3
  Coridian
• 4
  Take Hold
• 5
  Skinny Hobos
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Head Like A Hole
• 8
  Shihad
• 9
  Villainy
• 10
  Katchafire

• 
  When The Cats Away @ Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington - 21/04/2024
• 
  Luke Buda @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  Phoebe Rings @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  Geoff Ong @ Big Fan, Auckland - 19/04/2024

• 1
  TOO SWEET
  Hozier
• 2
  BEAUTIFUL THINGS
  Benson Boone
• 3
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 4
  I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
  Artemas
• 5
  SATURN
  SZA
• 6
  STICK SEASON
  Noah Kahan
• 7
  END OF BEGINNING
  Djo
• 8
  LIKE THAT
  Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
• 9
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 10
  WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
  Ariana Grande

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