Newsletter Issue #243: 19 Jul 2009
Mercury Crowe
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
I’d say our Wellington album release at Bodega in May would be well up there. The bar was jam-packed, we played really well and everyone was partying up a storm which made it a wicked night. Plus we had Edinburgh Zuccollo from Harbour City Electric playing Hammond and Lisa Tomlins from Fat Freddy’s singing backing vocals, so it was good to introduce some of the new songs on a bigger scale like that… Having said that, we’ve played mid-week shows to about three people and had a blast doing that too.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Tough call actually. We loved the vibe at the Dux de Lux in Queenstown, the Cavern Club in Wellington (with all its Beatles memorabilia) is great for acoustic gigs and I’d recommend any venue which has Toby Melbourne behind the bar. It basically comes down to the crowd in the end.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
I can’t wait to see Little Bushman again – they completely blew me away last time and Rick Cranson is one of my favourite drummers in the world. The Dukes are also great and I enjoyed The Checks new stuff the other night. I think for it’s size, Wellington is spoilt for good bands and there seems to be a high level of musicianship too. I love the fact that I can regularly go out and see my friends bands (Harbour City Electric, The Thomas Oliver Band, Moonlight Flit, Andrew Moore, Th. Cherry Bombs, Elston Gun) and be constantly amped about how good they all sound.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
We often follow Auckland gigs with a weekend on Waiheke Island which always ends in a debauched mess. One night Rowan fell into an uncovered man-hole while stumbling back to the motel and smashed his face leaving him with a massive, bloody black eye to go home with. We’ve also all had the odd spew out of the van window on a hangover etc but we know each other pretty well now, it takes a bit to get to the embarrassed stage.
How did you come up with the name Mercury Crowe?
Over a Big Mac combo at McDonalds Basin Reserve. That’s where we go to make all important decisions. It’s where we named our band both times (first Supernova, then Mercury Crowe), and where we decided on track-listings and album titles for both releases. It’s phenomenal.
How do you describe your music?
The Black Crowes playing a Hendrix cover of a Beatles song. That’s roughly the mule we’re riding.
What can we expect to see from Mercury Crowe over the next year?
We’ll be touring the 'Set Your Mind to Fly' album around the country over the next few months, continuing our Cavern Club residency on the first Thursday of every month and basically working on the ridiculous amount of songs we’ve all been writing/ demo-ing lately and working those into the shows. We’re loving writing at the moment and relishing the chance to jam without too much of an agenda.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
If you jam with as many musicians as you can, you’ll instinctively gravitate toward like-minded people. After that it doesn’t matter if you’re playing to five people or five hundred people, it’s all amazing.
Mercury Crowe is Allan Mansfield (vocals, guitar), Hamish 'the surgeon' McKoy (guitar, vocals), Rowan Clark (bass, vocals) and Nick George (drums, vocals).
Website Links
Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
MySpace Page
Amplifier Page
Mercury Crowe's debut album 'Set Your Mind To Fly' is out now, and you can download two tracks from the album, 'Pandora' and 'The Game' from their muzic.net.nz page for free! You can also download their earlier single 'Carolina' from their self-titled EP.
You can also read muzic.net.nz's review for 'Set Your Mind To Fly' here.
Good Laika
Wellington band Good Laika return on Monday 6 July with their eagerly awaited sophomore album 'Followed By A Trail Of Sparks'. Recorded live at Nic McGowan’s Island Bay Studios, 'Followed By A Trail Of Sparks' blends indie rock, soul and folk influences into an aural adventure that is equal parts edgy, stirring and haunted. First single 'All's Well (Summer Song)' recently blitzed alternative radio, reaching #3 on the national Alt Airplay Chart, with second single 'Twelve O’Something' beginning to make a similar impression now.
'Followed By A Trail Of Sparks' is just the second album the band has registered in seven years of playing together - their first being the critically acclaimed 'Heads I Win, Tails You Lose'. The slick live recordings from 'Followed By A Trail Of Sparks' recently came alive in front of audiences at album release shows at the Monte Cristo Room in Auckland on Friday 10 July, and the San Francisco Bath House in Wellington on Thursday 16 July.
Good Laika is Robin Hinkley (vocals, guitar), Matthew Armitage (bass, vocals), Jason Fa’afoi (guitar, backing vocals), Ricky Boyd (drums, percussion) and Nic Marshal (keys).
Website Links
Muzic.net.nz Page
MySpace Page
Amplifier Page
NZ Music News
APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2009: Announcing the Top 20 New Zealand Songs Of The Year
Presented since 1965 the APRA Silver Scroll Award is New Zealands pre-eminent songwriting award; and as an event, it is a highly anticipated evening of unique collaborations and performances.
For the first time in the awards history the APRA Silver Scroll Awards are to be held in Christchurch. This invite only event will be held on Thursday 17 September in Christchurchs glorious Town Hall.
APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association) are proud to announce the top 20 songs in line for New Zealands most prestigious songwriting award.
Handle the Jandal DIY Music Video Awards: Stand up and be counted, this is your call to cams
Calling all Kiwi filmmakers: It's time to rise up, throw down the oppression of winter and give yourself a shot at bathing in golden glory. Radio Active 89FM today announced the 11th Handle the Jandal DIY Music Video Awards.
The nationwide DIY music video competiton, Handle the Jandal returns home to Wellington's Embassy Theatre for 2009, to be held Thursday October 29 from 6.30pm and is now calling for entries from far and wide. Anyone can enter so it's time to get busy.
The deadline for entries is 5pm, Monday September 21, 2009. All entry requirements, specifications and further information is available from Radio Active 89FM s website radioactive.fm, ph 04 801 9899 or email Hadden Morrison on [email protected]
New Releases
New Album for Dimmer
Shayne Carter has been in the studio for over a year working on the follow-up to Dimmer’s acclaimed third album 'There My Dear' and the result is one of the most potent recordings of his remarkable career, 'Degrees of Existence', due for release on 27 July.
Preceded by the snarling melodic brilliance of the singles 'Degrees of Existence' and 'Cold Water', the latter currently searing across the airwaves, this Dimmer album promises to meet the exacting standards of one of the finest New Zealand groups of recent times.
Dimmer's 'Degrees of Existence' will be released in NZ on 27 July through Warner Music.
New Album for Minuit
Minuit (Min-wee), the Kiwi band with the French name, are jigglin' hips in Berlin and beyond. The group are back in the country and have finished recording their new album; 'Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death dot com' out on Monday 20 July through Tardus Music.
Minuit teamed up with UK producer Andy Chatterley to hone a sound for first single and album opener 'Wayho'. As much at home recording lo-fi indie or programming beats for the hip-hop elite, Chatterley also has sessions for Kanye West, and remixes for Blondie, Muse and Peter, Bjorn & John under his belt. Studded with delightful buzz and hum, ‘Wayho’ has been a #1 Alt Airplay single at radio, with second single ’25 Bucks’ hot on its heels. The rest of the album has been mixed by Ryan Beehre (AKA FunknSlocuts), and produced by Minuit. It weaves its way into the vibrant underbelly of a world you'd usually have to apply for a visa for.
New Album for J Williams
It’s been just under a year since the young lover J Williams burst onto the New Zealand music scene capturing the hearts of fans with his debut single 'Blow Your Mind'. Three singles later, he’s now ready to take New Zealand’s soundscape by storm unleashing his style and flavour with his debut album 'Young Love'.
'Young Love' was released on Monday 13 July 09.
New Album Updates
Battle Circus enter the studio to record debut album
Auckland band Battle Circus have entered the studio to record what will become their debut album, following 2007's acclaimed 'Half-Light Symphony' EP.
Working once again with Auckland producer David Holmes (Jakob, Gramsci, Decortica), the band have commandeered a remote beach house just outside of Raglan for several weeks, to record a body of songs written and performed throughout the last six years.
Just One Fix Album Update
This from the Just One Fix MySpace Page:
Tracking is well underway for our new album!
Zorran Mendonsa (Producer) is an absolute legend behind the desk - both with sound and suggestions, as we are stoked on what will be coming out of the studio.
"I think the songs on this album are a definite step up from what we've done before for both intensity and complexity - there's more going on - the songs have more layers to them - hopefully people will hear different things each time they listen to the album." - Riccardo Ball
A short trailer for the album of "in the studio" footage is being made and will be put up in a few weeks.
Free Downloads!
The Enright House Split EP now available for free download
Enright House & Pushmi-Pullyu Split EP, 'Together', now available for free download
Combining a traditional limited-edition release model with a contemporary music-for-free ethos and a healthy dose of voyeurism*
'Together' was originally released in April of this year on mam!records as a limited-edition CD, and given that both artists and label have fully re-couped their costs, it seemed only natural to set the release free online.
Gimar Free Download
"I have recently released my second street album entitled 'On My Own Buzz'. It features appearances by Deploy & Capish (of CBC) and Fresh & Elvee (of Ghetto Klownz). Production is handled by myself and my fellow storytellaz crew member A.K.A. I called it 'On My Own Buzz' because I made most of the beats and do not have many featuring artists, so basically its just me and my style of music. The musical soundscape is quite Eclectic, ranging from Grimy underground beatz, to laid back chilled beats to straight up dance tracks. All vocals were recorded at my Mt Roskill Studio, and the album was relesed on my indapendant label: Grind City Music.
MGMT Chris Knox Benefit Gig
MGMT recently SOLD OUT three dates at the Powerstation in Auckland where they are set to perform next week.
MGMT will now be playing a special licensed/ALL AGES, DJ Set, on Monday July 20th at the Bacco Room, with all proceeds going to Chris Knox in aid of his recovery.
MGMT will be spinning some of their favorite songs to raise money and show their respect for Chris.
Upcoming Civilian Down Gig
Site of the Moment: APRA Silver Scroll Awards
The APRA Silver Scroll is the music industry's most prestigious songwriting prize. In 2009, the Silver Scroll will be awarded for the 44th time.
Official APRA Silver Scroll Awards Website
The Top 20 Songs for 2009
Muzic.net.nz News
New Artists
The following musicians were added to the muzic.net.nz website recently. Check them out:
Artist of the Moment: Chris Knox
Chris Knox is something of a living legend in New Zealand. Since the Invercargill born misfit started Dunedin's first punk band The Enemy in 1977, Chris has always been centre stage and always been his own man.
Rolling Stone ran a live review of a Chris Knox performance from New York praising everything from his crooning pop melodies and sincere convictions about politics and love to his "shorts and flip-flop sandals".
On Thursday June 11 2009 Knox was admitted to Auckland hospital suffering from a stroke. Friends and family of Chris Knox have started up a blog site aiming to keep the public updated. An album of various musicians from around the world performing Knox's songs is currently in production with all proceeds going to Knox.
Chris Knox Muzic.net.nz Page
MGMT Chris Knox Benefit Gig
Competitions
Congratulations to the following winners!
- R. Dowler (North Shore City) and S. Kelland (Ngongotaha) have each won a copy of the new album from Mercury Crown 'Set Your Mind To Fly'.
- A. Singh (Waitakere), C. Smith (Manukau) and J. Britt (Christchurch) are the lucky winners of the Prize Packs organised by the Dyslexia Foundation, including a copy of the latest dDub album 'Awake At Dawn' and the single 'The Closer You Get The Bigger I Look'.
- D. Abbott (Porirua), A. Mason (Nelson), K. Soar (New Plymouth), S. Kreegher (Foxton), S. Goodall (Wellington), G. Lauchlan (Waitakere), E. Churchman (Wellington), M. Storey (Auckland), R. Gill (Blenheim) and J. Latto (Waiuku) have all won a copy of 'The Closer You Get The Bigger I Look' single;
- And F. Anderson (Pukekohe) and T. Ward (Waikanae) are the lucky winners of the Hangman EP 'Black Rock White Funk!'.
There are currently no competitions being run at the moment, however keep checking out the competitions page as more will be added in the coming weeks.
Past competition winners can be viewed here.
Reviews and Photos
We sent our reviewer/photographer Amanda to the Fuel Festival in Hamilton on 4 July to see Midnight Youth and Autozamm perform.
Midnight Youth Review
Midnight Youth Photos
Autozamm Review
Autozamm Photos
Tour Features
Every feature we have ever had on the site can be viewed here.
Information about muzic.net.nz newsletters
The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on
2 August and will feature Minuit and Soulsystem.
We have space available in our newsletters from 16 August onwards. You can request a date in advance that suits you, or feature in the next available newsletter. There has been a lot of interest in newsletter features this year, so if you would to have a newsletter feature within the next 2 months you should contact Lisa as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We can feature you/your band even if you have already been featured in a newsletter from a previous year.
With our newsletters being sent out to over 7390 members and this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter provides awesome exposure for you or your band. And, as the people who receive our newsletters have subscribed to them, they are more likely to read what you have to say.
If you would like to advertise your next album release or tour in our newsletter and/or gig mail out email Lisa. It is 100% FREE to feature or advertise in our newsletter and gig mail outs! We also offer advertising on the muzic.net.nz website for very competitive rates.
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Our next gig mail out is going out on 26 July.
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