Category: New Zealand

Pledge campaign for UK and Europe by Shihad

From Shihad To all Shihad fans.

We are running a Pledge campaign for UK and Europe as a means of properly releasing our FVEY album there independently and you can now pre order FVEY through Pledge. Clearly that excludes our fans at home who already have the record or can buy through traditional retail routes.

So as part of our efforts and through Pledge we’re opening the campaign up globally so all have the chance to acquire something from our incredible archival catalogue . Hopefully there are things here which every Shihad fan will want a piece. Thanks for your ongoing support and we look forward to realizing our goal of a well funded, effective and independent release of FVEY in the UK and Europe in August 2015.

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/shihad-fvey

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It’s New Zealand Music Month: Spotlight on Kiwi Bands #7 The Bats

It’s New Zealand music month and 27 days into it I am highlighting some great Kiwi Bands. Most will be 80’s and 90’s band that I grew up with and are those classic albums.

Band number #7 is: The Bats

My first experience of The Bats, was finding the Couchmaster at the Christchurch City City and that blew me away, From there it was back to the library to track down the back albums, with The Law of Things becoming a favourite.  The jangly rock sound with great lyrics. Very much that Flying Nun vibe to it, and one that many bands have tried to couple (and failed). They keep me company while up late studying…..okay you got me playing Civilisation in the cold nights in Christchuch.

The Bats started in Christchurch, New Zealand in the early 80’s with  Robert Scott, Kaye Woodward and Paul Kean. The spend the next few years on the live scene in Christchurch and Dunedin. In 1985 they went to London and recorded the Made Up in Blue EP at the 24 track Point Studio in London in December 1985. ‘Made Up in Blue‘ was single of the week as voted by NME.

.From 1987 to 1994 was a busy period with Daddy’s Highway, The Law of Things, Fear of God and Silverbeet. The band them released Couchmaster in 1995 and then had a break till 2005 when they released At the National Grid. Since then they have released The Guilty Office and  Free All the Monsters.

If you have never heard of them, now is a great time with Law of Things being reissued in 2013.

Official Homepage

http://www.thebats.co.nz/

Discogs

http://www.discogs.com/artist/261399-Bats-The

It’s New Zealand Music Month: Spotlight on Kiwi Bands #7 Anika Moa

It’s New Zealand music month and 23 days into it I am highlighting some great Kiwi Bands/Artists. Most will be 80’s and 90’s band that I grew up with and are those classic albums.

Artist number #7 is: Anika Moa

What can I say about Anika, Great song writing skills, great voice and just as important a great social conscience.

Her first album, “Thinking Room” was released in 2002 and man what a fully developed that was for a first off effort. I think in New Zealand we are so lucky to have great musicians that create just great albums during their careers, from the get go.

I urge you to have a listen to the albums and experience the magic that she creates, part song writer, part singer, part sorceress.

Discogs:

http://www.discogs.com/artist/193592-Anika-Moa

It’s New Zealand Music Month: Spotlight on Kiwi Bands #6- The Feelers

It’s New Zealand music month and 22 days into it I am highlighting some great Kiwi Bands. Most will be 80’s and 90’s band that I grew up with and are those classic albums.

Band number #6 is: The Feelers

The Feelers exploded from Christchurch in the late 90’s and had some big hits, Pressure Man, Venus, Space Cadet and more. I discovered them in the mid 90’s via a demo tape of songs a friends had and was amazed. I would love a copy of the tape if anyone has it too!!

More albums and great songs continued over the past few year.

It should also be noted that The Feelers have sold more albums in New Zealand than any other New Zealand Band. They don’t always get the best press, but that is a function of New Zealand society more than anything I think.

Any band that can create music, produce a album is a feat in itself, no matter your musical taste.

For those readers overseas here are some of the best of the best below

Discogs:

http://www.discogs.com/artist/302213-Feelers-The

It’s New Zealand Music Month: Spotlight on Kiwi Bands #5- Greg Johnson

It’s New Zealand music month and 22 days into it I am highlighting some great Kiwi Bands. Most will be 80’s and 90’s band that I grew up with and are those classic albums.

Band number #5 is: Greg Johnson

Greg Johnson has always been a big favourite of mine, ever since I heard Isabelle in the early 90’s.

He has released quite a few albums now, all of the, high quality, full of great song writing.

He now self releases his albums, based in California. His website is below, so if you like his music please help him make more.

My favourite album would have to be “Chinese Whispers”, there is not a song I do not like. This is a MUST listen.

Anyway the best way to experience, is to listen.

His Website:

http://www.gregjohnsonmusic.com/

Discogs:

http://www.discogs.com/artist/256531-Greg-Johnson