A lifelong obsession with all things music led to light and noise being set up in 2012 by Wellington-based photographer and music writer Alistar Wickens, with the aim of helping bands develop professional looking promotional material. With over 10 years experience writing reviews and interviewing bands, and six years photographing for some of New Zealand's top music magazines and websites, it became clear that a lot of bands were creating great music, but didn't necessarily know how to go about creating the written and visual materials to promote themselves. After seeing one too many photocopied A4 press kits, Alistar decided to offer bands an affordable way to stand out from the crowd.

A lot of bands already have material that just needs tweaking, or a crazy idea that they don't know how to make happen, so that's where light and noise comes in, working with musicians to ensure they get a product that they're happy with, that shows them in the best light, and most importantly, that they can afford. Work so far has involved promotional photo shoots, delivery of live photos, website creation, press kit development, and designing media plans to ensure maximum publicity for whatever the band is working on. 

Check out what light and noise has to offer at www.lightandnoise.net, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lightandnoise.net

Greg answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

What inspired you to start Prowler?

Rahhpz, Dave and I started jamming mainly because all of our previous bands had split and we needed to keep playing music. Then one day Everdt came to jam and drink beers, he screamed into a mic and we busted out three tracks in one night that blew us away. A year later we convinced Geoff to play bass for us and it’s been dick jokes ever since.

Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?

I think every new track we write is my favourite, but we definitely have a few standouts that I can’t wait to hear recorded. We have a track that has been in progress for a while now that gives me goose bumps every time we play it. But that is all I can say about that track. It’s a secret.

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

Suckafish, Blacklick and Not OK. Check them out, you will see why.

How would you describe Prowler’s music in one sentence?

Black Sabbath Vs The Bronx.

Tell us about Prowler’s next release.

We are currently finishing tracks for our first release on Deadboy Records that will hopefully be out mid year..... All killer, no filler. Nah but seriously, it’s going to be good.

What can we expect to see from Prowler over the next year?

2013 is shaping up to be a busy year. We supported The Bouncing Souls in February and have been working on the record since which we will be recording with Chazz Hill-Hayr in early April. We have a few shows coming up in Auckland and will hopefully make it to Wellington sometime soon as well. After the record is tracked we will book an NZ/Aus tour which will most likely be around August. Watch this space...

Prowler is Everdt V (vocals), Rahhpz W (guitar, backing vocals), Dave P (guitar, backing vocals), Geoff C (bass, backing vocals) and Greg S (drums).

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Bandcamp Page 
Facebook Page 
Twitter Page 
YouTube Page

Pleased to meet you, Julie Lamb’s my name… doo doo…

I’ve been poodling around the music scene for a bit. Tend to hang around Wellington – venture out sometimes with the acapella 10cc group, 10dd. Published an album in 2008, called it Most and Least, dedicated it to memum. It’s a good benchmark. I’m proud of it…

Then last year, a “nek level” album fell out of the ether. It has “legs” - The songs have a life of their own.

Sure – I wrote most of ‘em – but between my page and the finished product, some extremely talented people made magic happen. Some of that talent belongs to Phill Adams, Matrix Digital. Then there are the musicians. In this format, they are The Lambinators. They get my head and heart space.

Our role this year is to “journeyman” the album - keep getting it out there, keeping it live, keeping it fresh.

People often ask what genre we play. “Not Celine Dion” is the stock reply. Rock, blues, jazz, a little prog metal is the actuality. The gift to you is arrangement. I Am Lucky. I can call on choirs, cellists, horn, clarinet, even saw players. A love of many styles gives me a massive network. Musical influence from all of these provides the point of difference you hear in the music.

My music ears are always on – inspiration is anywhere. A jackhammer in a peculiar rhythm, a Tui (of either sort!) a snippet from the ether.

…How privileged am I?

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
Amplifier Page
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Youtube Page
Reverbnation Page
Soundcloud Page
Bandcamp Page
iTunes Page

Haines’ ‘pursuit of sound’ resonates with critics

Nathan Haines has taken out the Tui for best Jazz Album 2013 with his eighth recording, The Poet’s Embrace.

The award has been presented today (March 31) by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) at the National Jazz Festival in Tauranga.

The album notes The Poet’s Embrace as Haines’ “first ‘real’ jazz record, in light of his commitment to reviving the almost extinct art of analogue recording”. The entire album is recorded live to a late 1950s two-track Ampex tape deck during just two sessions, with no overdubs or mixing.

Critics say it provides a soulful throwback to classic Jazz albums of old, likening it to Miles Davis’ timeless 1959 album, Kind of Blue.

Haines worked with friend and long-time collaborator Mike Patto to produce the award winning set. The album credits Patto as having a significant influence on the final result; he decided Haines would play only tenor and that Yusef Lateef’s Eboness would serve as the only non-original piece on the set.

Patto and Haines have been on similar journeys throughout their careers and the album served as an opportunity for them both to pursue their goals of creating a traditional vinyl sound, virtually unheard of in the modern age.

Full Article

2013 Pacific Music Awards Finalists Announced

The finalists for the 2013 Pacific Music Awards have been announced and it’s the ladies who are racking up multiple finals spots.

Exotic Porirua songstress Aaradhna stands out for special recognition with five finals berths and she goes head to head with neo-soul singer Iva Lamkum who is in line for four gongs.

Well known for her soulful R & B voice, Aaradhna is a finalist in a new category, the New Zealand on Air Best Pacific Music Video, for her song Lorena Bobbitt produced with Tom Gould.

She’s also in the running for Best Pacific Female Artist, Nui FM Best Pacific Urban Artist and Best Pacific Music Album for her new album Treble & Reverb and the APRA Best Pacific Song for Wake Up.

Full Article

New crowd-funding website Boosted welcomed

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Christopher Finlayson has welcomed Boosted, the Arts Foundation’s new philanthropic crowd-funding platform, saying it will encourage greater private sector giving to strengthen the arts sector.

“Boosted is a great example of the innovative thinking by Arts sector participants to allow the public to become more involved in supporting the arts,” Mr Finlayson said. “The Arts Foundation is to be congratulated on its determination to generate new streams of incomes for the arts.”

Boosted is similar to other crowd-funding websites, but is dedicated to promoting arts projects exclusively.

Full Article

WOMAD NZ 2013 Lathered In Praise

Artists and audience alike have flooded the WOMAD NZ Facebook page with photos, messages and memories marking the 2013 WOMAD as a very special year.

TAFT CEO, Suzanne Porter says, “This has been one of the best WOMADS yet. We are delighted with audience numbers, operationally and with our amazing audience who continue to support us.”

Having impressed the WOMAD international organisation with the continued high standard delivery of the festival, Taranaki Arts Festival Trust have secured the event for Taranaki for the next three years.

WOMAD 2014 dates have already been set as March 14th -16^th, 2014. Planning for the next festival is starting with a survey for festival go-ers to place their feedback and suggestions with the sweetener to go in the draw to win two 3-day tickets to WOMAD 2014. http://www.taft.co.nz/womad/left-menu/sign-up.html

Full Article

Warner Music New Zealand Announces An Exciting New Partnership With Isaac Promotions

Isaac Promotions and Warner Music New Zealand are proud to announce a new partnership.

Mark Kneebone, founder and director of Isaac Promotions is thrilled about the alliance and says, "We are incredibly excited to be teaming up with Warner Music to create this partnership; we have some excellent records that are ready to go and 2013 looks like it is going to be the perfect start."

Full Article

NZ On Air Music News and Funding Decisions - February 2013

After two months off, Making Tracks is back. The first funding round for the 2013 calendar year was February. We took in a record 215 applications and funded 23 projects, including new songs from old friends like The Phoenix Foundation and new songs from new friends like Wellington's Estère, who picked up her first NZ On Air grant.

Full Article

From Aotearoa to the Amazon

Palmerston North’s Rob Thorne, a maker and performer of traditional Maori musical instruments, has just been offered a learning opportunity of a lifetime – to spend time working with indigenous shaman in the Peruvian Amazon. He is hoping that community spirit, via crowd funding website http://www.pozible.com/, will help get him there.

Rob performs and collaborates regularly with musicians around Aotearoa and is releasing an album on Rattle Records later this year. “I see this journey not just as a chance to develop my own experience as a musician, social anthropologist, a Maori, and practicing healer,” say Rob “but importantly to share new knowledge and music around Aotearoa and beyond.”

The campaign to help Rob with $2,640 flight costs was started on Sunday 24 March and runs for 32 days on http://www.pozible.com/. By the end of the first day nearly 20% had been raised. “That’s a truly wonderful start” says Rob “it is humbling that people are being so generous, but I really do need their help to get there. This dream opportunity came out of the blue and time is unfortunately short, especially in regard to securing well priced flights. That is why I am crowd-funding. The total cost of the trip is closer to $5,000 but I’m only asking for help with the flights.”

Full Article

New Releases

Tattletale Saints release new album 'How Red Is the Blood'
New single for PlasticGroove
Tama Waipara releases new single Medicine Man
Rhian Sheehan – Stories From Elsewhere
Matt Langley announces 'Virginia Avenue' Album Release and Tour in May
P-Money Releases Series of Singles for Free

Tours and Gigs

bStreet 2013 Announced
Decortica and New Way Home announce North Island tour!
Bilal Live In New Zealand This May
Bobby Womack Live In Concert
The Gunslingers’ Ball April/May 2013 Tour
They Might Be Giants - first NZ shows since 2001'

NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News

New Artists

The following musicians have been added to the muzic.net.nz website in the last fortnight:

Add yourself or your band to muzic.net.nz!
Add Artist Form
Info about filling out the add artist form

Reviews

Urbantramper - Tomorrow We Leave Here EP Review
Written by Alistar

Nathan Haines - Vermillion Skies Album Review
Written by Janise

Badd Energy - Underwater Pyramids Album Review
Written by Alistar

8 Foot Sativa Gig Photos

Hashini took some photos of 8 Foot Sativa's performance at The Royal, Palmerston North on 23 March 2013. You can check out the photos here.

Tour Features

All muzic.net.nz features can be viewed here.

The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on Sunday 14 April!

Any NZ bands and musicians can feature in our newsletters
You can choose any newsletter date which suits you.

We can also feature record labels, venues, music stores, music websites
and anything else that has something to do with NZ music!

If you would like to feature in a muzic.net.nz newsletter, contact Lisa for further details.

Muzic.net.nz newsletters are currently sent out to over 8080 members!
With this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter is an excellent promotional tool.

Our newsletter archives are one of the most accessed areas on the site.

If you would like to advertise in our newsletter and/or gig mail out, email Lisa.

The next muzic.net.nz gig mail out is going out on Sunday 7 April.

- The muzic.net.nz team

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