From within the depths of the Waitakere ranges comes Yebiisu - a soulful mix of reggae, funk and ska. Formed in 2009, Yebiisu wasted no time making an immediated impression on the live scene in Auckland, exciting reviewers and fans alike. Yebiisu continue to be a band whose true love is live performance, and it is within this arena that the band truly shines. Yebiisu answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

What will Yebiisu’s next release be?

Our second EP, 'Exit City' which was recorded at Stargate Studios and mastered at Kog... released this month!

How would you describe Yebiisu's music?

We play a horn-heavy, technical mix of ska, funk, dub, reggae, and rock. Perhaps less 'barbecue', more 'thinking mans' reggae...

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

The 'Moneys Gonna Get Ya' North Island Tour starts 28 Sept, and we will be playing Queenstown and some South Island dates in early January, as well as plenty of Auckland shows in the meantime to support our killer new 'Exit City' EP!

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?

Roofdog, Chur Bo, Harvey Knows A Killer, Acetones, and we LOVE Dunedin's Left Or Right, but of course we gotta do shout outs to our members' other bands too - New Way Home, Glasshouse Stoners, The Murderchord, Drivetown, Three Houses Down, and The Skitz (who used to be known as The Managers).

How do you believe Yebiisu fits into the NZ music industry?

Like a horny dub-hop phalllus excitedly reaming the bloated buttcheeks of musical mediocrity.

What can you never leave home without?

Rizlas and a lighter, obviously.

What is your favourite NZ venue?

Mussel Inn near Nelson, and Yot Club in Raglan are both awesome. Kings Arms and Powerstation in Auckland have great sound and bring the punters...

What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?

We try to put 100% into every show, but Raggamuffin was great and we also loved having the chance to support Groundation (US) last year, one of the biggest reggae bands on the planet.

Yebiisu is Jayme (vocals), John (keyboards), Jamo (guitar), Jono (trombone, shells), Scotty (drums), Christian (trumpet), Sims (bass) and Ignacio (percussion).

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Amplifier Page
Facebook Page

Money's Gonna Get Ya single download
Photo Gallery

Yasamin is a compelling singer/songwriter from Auckland. Upon completion of her Science degree at the University of Auckland, Yasamin attended the Nelson School of Music where she really started to develop her own songwriting style. Yasamin answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

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

I have just independently released my first single 'Platinum & Gold'. The music video for the single is also out now. The story is about a magical forest that has random golden leaves scattered all over it! The two stars of the video are a 2 year old and a 4 year old! They do a fantastic job at portraying the storyline and they happen to be the daughter and son of two of my good friends.  I am also currently finishing the vocals on my debut EP. It is called 'Chasing Melodies] and is being recorded at Little Monster Studios with Dave Parker (Artisan Guns, Great North). I had a whole band of great musicians work on this with me  including a banjo player and a trumpet player. The full band has really breathed life into my little songs that I have been singing with just my ukulele. 

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

So far I have learnt two things: one is "seek and you shall find". Send emails to blogs and websites, put yourself out there, you never know who will be willing to help you. The second thing I learnt is that it is not easy to gain recognition, you really have to start from absolute scratch! Fund your own music, promote your own gigs, find your own connections all while still finding time to write, practice, gig, attend lessons and hold down a full time job!. It basically leaves you with little free time but if you love your craft then its worth it. 

How do you come up with your lyrics?

Usually if a situation or a person is on my mind constantly then after sometime I eventually get a lyric that would make me go "oh this is song material!". I usually record it on my phone for later use. There's heaps of embarrassing voice ideas on my phone, if someone wanted to blackmail me, they should definitely start by stealing my phone!

What can you never leave home without?

Usually keys to lock the door and unlock on my return..

What is the best part of being a musician?

Performing is fun although it used to be my least favourite part because I had terrible stage fright but bit by bit I've managed to get myself to enjoy it and work out ways to control the nerves.  

What inspired you to become a musician?

The urge to put music to lyrics. I can't explain it it's a necessary outlet!

How do you keep in contact with your fans?

I update my music facebook page with news about recording, video filming and all things music. I also write longer blogs on my site every few weeks www.yasaminmusic.com 

What rumour would you like to start about yourself?

That I am currently in negotiation with multiple record labels.... 

Website Links

Muzic.net.nz Page
Official Website
Facebook Page

Platinum and Gold Music Video

Finalists for the 2012 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards

The finalists for the 2012 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards have been announced and leading the charge with six Tui nominations is Hamilton-born pop songstress Kimbra.

In addition to Kimbra there are four other artists with multiple finalist spots. Home Brew and Six60have five, Gin Wigmore has four while Opossom is in the running for three Tuis.

The finalists have been announced at a star-studded function this evening (3 October) at The Cloud on Auckland’s Queens Wharf.

The winning artists are revealed at the 47^th annual Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards at Vector Arena on November 1. The show is being broadcast as live on FOUR on the night, kicking off at 8:30pm. It is preceded by The Mentos Red Carpet Special from 8pm onwards – hosted by Guy Williams and Sharyn Wakefield.

Full Article

SFRQ National Final Results

A band from Nelson took out New Zealand’s major high school music award for the second year in a row, at the Smokefreerockquest national final in Hamilton on Saturday night.

New Vinyl, a quirky three-piece with a folk jazz sound and an unusual combination of instruments won first place, $10,000 worth of instruments from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers, a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth over $10,000, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi HitDisc, radio promotional support for a single, and video play on youth musicchannel FOUR.

The Nelson College year 12 and 13 members of New Vinyl are Ed Palmer (double bass), Alex Farrell-Davey(guitar and vocals) and Allister Meffan (accordion and trumpet).

Spokesman Alex Farrell-Davey says he has entered Smokefrerockquest before but it was the originality of the three-piece combination that brought success – plus ‘practice, practice, practice’.

“When we heard the other finalists we didn’t think we’d win - they were so talented, but we are really stoked,” he said. “Smokefreerockquest gave us a goal to work towards and built my strength as a song writer.”

Full Article

Rockshop Bandquest National Final Results

A Lower Hutt band has taken out the first place in Rockshop Bandquest, a livemusic competition for primary and intermediate school students.

The Bumnotes (pictured) from Muritai School won $2000 credit from The Rockshop for their school music department to spend on musical equipment, with second prize going to Just Kedgely from Papatoetoe’s Kedgely Intermediate, and third to Manawerewere Boys’ Band, te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau from Murupara in the Bay of Plenty.

The contest was judged by Lisa Blatchford from Ivy Lies and Matt Warman from Midnight Youth, who said they were really blown away by the talent of the young musicians.

Rockshops’ Promotions Manager Hamish Jackson said there had been an overwhelmingly positive response to Rockshop Bandquest this year.

Full Article

Franko comes up trumps thanks to theaudience.co.nz

Franko Heke spent the month of September drumming up support for his track ‘Vagabond’ on theaudience.co.nz. His hard work, and that of his dedicated and loyal fans has paid off, as he successfully finished at #1 on the Focus Chart for the month of September.

This success sees him secure the NZ On Air ‘Wildcard’ Making Tracks funding, and comes at a great time for Franko, just as he is about to release his debut album, also named Vagabond.

"It feels SO GOOD to have the top song out of so many tracks, especially with my album coming out this week. This rock 'n' roll machine is only just getting started!” Franko was also eager to pass on thanks. “I have the most dedicated & hardworking fans from all over the globe. And thanks a lot to theaudience.co.nzand NZ On Air as well.”

Franko is the fourth recipient of the NZ On Air ‘Wild Card’ Making Tracks grant, finishing in the #1 position at midnight on 30 September. His song ‘Vagabond’ was the most popular unreleased track on the Focus Chart for the month of September on theaudience.co.nz, and you can listen to his winning track here.

Full Article

Kiwis fly to New York for the 2012 CMJ Music Marathon

CMJ Music Marathon is one of the world’s most important platforms for the discovery of new music. Every October, CMJ invades New York City with over 1,300 artist performances, filling more than 80 of the city’s greatest venues, nightclubs and theatres.

Attendees have access to 1,500+ showcases, plus hundreds of panels, seminars, Q&As, night-time parties, meet and greets, mixers and special events.

Over 120,000 fans, entertainment industry professionals, college radio tastemakers, bloggers, press and musicians come from around the world.

New Zealand has had a presence at the event for over half a decade with previous New Zealand line-ups including: The Naked & Famous, Princess Chelsea, Surf City, Ruby Frost, Street Chant, Electric Wire Hustle, Liam Finn, David Dallas, The Brunettes, Ruby Suns, Bang Bang Eche, Zowie, Kids of 88 and Cairo Knife Fight.

This year’s line-up is particularly strong with Lawrence Arabia, Popstrangers, Tom Lark, Die! Die! Die!, Ghost Wave, Six60, Opossum, and Kimbra, all showcasing throughout the week.

In addition to their official showcases, Lawrence Arabia, Popstrangers, Tom Lark, Die! Die! Die!, Ghostwave, and Six60 will be performing at the annual New Zealand@CMJ showcase taking place on Tuesday 16th October, 6 – 9pm at (le) Poisson Rouge on Bleecker St.

Full Article

All the latest NZ music news can be read here

New Release Announcements

Flip Grater Launches Crowd Funding Campaign For New Album

Jade Louise Set To Release Debut EP October 12

David Dallas Releases Free Download of ‘Buffalo Man’ EP

Villainy release debut album

Die! Die! Die! Brand New Video ‘Trinity’ – Who Killed The Singer?

Kora’s Latest Album “Light Years” Launches at Warp Speed

Heathen Eyes - Ready To Launch!

Aaradhna Is Back With Hot New Album ‘Treble And Reverb’ November 9

Tour and Gig Announcements

Jim Beam Homegrown 2013 ­1st Announcement

WOMAD New Zealand 2013 Festival Comes To Life For Deaf Community

The Concert's Full Lineup Announcement

The Pretty Things are coming back!

Amanda Palmer returns to NZ with The Grand Theft Orchestra!

Boyz II Men Announce Four Dates For NZ Tour

The Bats Announce Two North Island Shows

Emmylou Harris and her Red Dirt Boys are on their way back to Auckland!

The Civil Wars announce NZ shows for 2013!

Top New Zealand bands follow The Beatles musical footsteps on UK tour

The Feelers - All The Hits UK Tour

NZ Music News
Gig and Tour News
Artist News

New Artists

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

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

Reviews

Check out our latest reviews at the links below:

Matthew Pickering - Up at the Bunkers EP Review

Nervous Doll Dancing - Eidolon Album Review

8 Foot Sativa @ Powerstation, Auckland 22/09/12

You can check out every single interview and review in our Articles Page.

Tour Features

Every feature we have ever had on the site can be viewed here

The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on Sunday 21 October!
There are only 4 issues left for 2012!

Feature space is available in our newsletters from 21 October!

Any and all NZ bands and musicians can feature in our newsletters...
...even if you featured in a previous year.
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 sent out to over 7930 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 anything to do with NZ music 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!

The next muzic.net.nz gig mail out is going out on Sunday 14 October.

- The muzic.net.nz team

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

• 
  Muroki @ Galatos, Auckland - 19/04/2024
• 
  Dougfest Junior @ Big Fan, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  When The Cats Away @ Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington - 21/04/2024
• 
  Luke Buda @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024

• 1
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  BEAUTIFUL THINGS
  Benson Boone
• 3
  LOSE CONTROL
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• 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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