NEW Singles & Videos + Release Announcements + Brand New Signings
DANNY ELFMAN releases Ghostemane Remix
Danny Elfman has teamed up with Ghostemane to release a brand new remix of 'Native Intelligence' (Featuring Trent Reznor.) Ghostemane’s reinterpretation marks the eighth and latest track to be released from Bigger. Messier, Elfman’s brand new genre-defying album of remixed and re-envisioned renditions of songs from his acclaimed 2021 record Big Mess.
DRY CLEANING Release new single 'Anna Calls From The Arctic'
London-based band Dry Cleaning release a new single, ‘Anna Calls From The Arctic’, check it out here! Taken off their highly-anticipated second album, 'Stumpwork'. The breadth of influences on Stumpwork is dizzying, a definitive rebuke to those who might reduce Dry Cleaning as a post-punk band.
Buffalo, New York Tenor saxophonist JAMES BRANDON LEWIS signs to Anti
James Brandon Lewis, a critically-acclaimed saxophonist, composer and writer, announces his signing to ANTI- Records. Also sharing a new single which features - The Messthetics AND Shahzad Ismaily on Moog synthesizer. So what's that about Fugazi then? Click through to find out!
KHRUANGBIN & VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ Honour Late Malian Guitar Master
Khruangbin and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré announce their collaborative album Ali honouring Vieux’s late father, Ali Farka Touré. Hit the link to check out the first taster of music from the album that pays homage to Ali by recreating some of his most resonant work and experimenting with different sounds.
LA all girl punks THE LINDA LINDAS share a cover of THE GO-GO’S Tonite'
Originating in the Los Angeles punk rock scene in the late 1970s, The Go Go's are widely considered one of the most successful all female rock groups, ever, so it makes perfect sense, that our new fav girl gang The Linda Lindas cite them as inspiration and include many of their songs in their repertoire. So popular is this one at their concerts, they decided to record it. It's an absolute MUST LISTEN!
LA based Whistler MOLLY LEWIS returns with new EP
Following on from Lewis’ 2021 debut EP, The Forgotten Edge, which earned widespread critical acclaim. There’s no one else quite like the Sydney born Lewis in music today, and that’s not only because she plays a wind instrument that few others do—her lips. It's a see-it-to-believe-it type deal, a lost art revived by the amazing Molly - so if you're intrigued, hit the link to check out her new single!
Christchurch- based MOTTE shares 'Plateau' song/video off upcoming record
As a master violinist, Anita Clark aka Motte (pronounced Mot-te) is a favourite of the NZ music scene. She’s been employed by Nadia Reid, Marlon Williams, Lawrence Arabia and Maryrose Crook of The Renderers for her skills. Currently, she plays with The Phoenix Foundation, Luke Buda and Don McGlashan and The Others. *WATCH the stunning video here * Filmed on location @ some of our most stunning locations, the shimmering guitar sounds, sci-fi radio frequency sweeps and pulsing basslines will have you swooning!
Baltimore/D.C. post-hardcore band PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH share enigmatic new single 'Buckley'
Pianos Become the Teeth have shared the third single off their upcoming album (their 5th full length Drift). Vocalist Kyle Durfey says, "I refer to a song like ‘Buckley’ as 'heavy blue', because there are heavy parts in there, but they are really deliberate," and that's a good way to describe 'Buckley,' which takes its time before exploding into a driving rock coda. Check out the video here!
Introducing… PLAINS - the new collaborative project from Waxahatchee's Katie + Jess Williams
Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield and Texan singer/songwriter Jess Williamson have formed a new band - together, Crutchfield and Williamson are Plains, and they’re releasing their one-time-only collaborative album in October. Listen to the first single here! It's a rootsy, fun track, foregrounding the duo's fantastic vocal harmony; their musical chemistry is reminiscent of The Chicks and Wilson Phillips.
Telenova release new track 'Scarlet' prior to NZ shows
Ahead of their August Aotearoa tour dates hypnotic Melbourne trio Telenova further tease their forthcoming EP with latest track ‘Scarlet’. Assembled by Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie) in early 2020, Telenova evoke the elegance and feminine power of Lana Del Ray and Karen O, the sophistication of Massive Attack and Portishead and the effortless energy of Khruangbin and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Check out the video and get the lowdown on the tour dates HERE!
Brooklyn pop-punk trio THICK releases 'TELL MYSELF' Single + Video
Since first forming in 2014, New York trio THICK have triumphed at turning the harshest truths into wildly exhilarating punk songs. Today they share their second single from new album Happy Now (Out Oct). 'Tell Myself' invites listeners to time travel as the band tenderly imparts wisdom to their younger selves. Check it out here!
Toronto's U.S. GIRLS Releases New Single ‘So Typically Now’
Originally from Illinois, Meg Remy is established as one of the most acclaimed songwriters and performers to emerge from Toronto’s eclectic underground music scene where she currently lives. Today, U.S. Girls – her nom de plume – has shared a brand new song the first taste of new U.S. Girls music since the release of Christmas song ‘Santa Stay Home’ and the Polaris Prize-shortlisted album Heavy Light.
Chicago pop duo WHITNEY release two new songs
Whitney launched their new era in June by announcing the album Spark and sharing the lead single 'Real Love,' which showed the duo heading in a more pop-inspired direction than their previous output. Now, they offer two new songs that see** Julien Ehlrich** and Max Kakacek continuing to explore different styles; 'Twirl' is a meditative and lush tune while 'Blue' is a more upbeat bit of soulful indie-pop.
New Albums & EPs Out Now
Asbury Park punk supergroup (& we mean that!) Beach Rats release their riotous debut Rat Beat
OUT TODAY across all digital platforms - it's The Beach Rats with their debut album Rat Beat. An impressive lineup of punk rock lifers, the band is comprised of vocalist Ari Katz (Lifetime), guitarist Pete Steinkopf (Bouncing Souls,) bassist Bryan Keinlen (Bouncing Souls,) guitarist Brian Baker (Bad Religion, Minor Threat) & Danny Windas (Let It Burn) on drums. "You’re gonna get authentic punk and hardcore from *BEACH RATS** because we are all from the 80’s,"* Bryan Kienlen comments. "It’s literally taking it back to some of our biggest influences like *Negative Approach** and Poison Idea, And of course, Minor Threat.”*
New Orleans no-wave punks SPECIAL INTEREST release a new 7"
New Orleans no-wave punks Special Interest release their first music on Rough Trade Records, in the form of 7" 'Hermans House' The B-side features a cover of Amanda Lear’s 'Follow Me'. The artwork for the single is inspired by the original Rough Trade 7”s design such as the classic Augustus Pablo single ‘Pablo Meets Mr Bassie’ from 1978.
Tours, Events and Festivals
REB FOUNTAINS' long awaited IRIS tour is in full swing - Tonight (July 29) @ The Auckland Town Hall
"This week we perform in Tāmaki Makaurau’s iconic Great Hall for one very special night as part of Elemental Nights. This performance means so much to us as we are (finally) able to share our work and the music of *IRIS** with you … and in such an iconic space. It’s been a long time coming - final tickets available now. Unfortunately our friends @purplepilgrims are unable to join us for the show - we wish them well - we are very honoured to announce our tour compadre @jazmine__mary will share the evening with us … we can’t wait for you to hear their music."* <3 Reb
Brooklyn based singer/songwriter STEVE GUNN announces 2022 NZ tour dates
A regular visitor to New Zealand, the New York-based guitarist and songwriter will play three solo shows across the country this October marking his fourth visit to our shores, his first since the release of Other You, his brilliant sixth studio album released last year by Matador. Get all the details on shows and tickets here!
Hear BRET MCKENZIE'S two new tracks from Songs Without Jokes
McKenzie believes Songs Without Jokes marks a new stage of his career, but one that isn’t far removed from his past work that is loved by fans around the world. Written throughout 2019 between Los Angeles and Wellington, McKenzie was inspired by the likes of American songwriters Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman and 70s soft-rockers Steely Dan. You can listen not one but TWO brand new tracks from the record HERE!
DON MCGLASHAN shares video & special song to accompany NZ tour dates this October!
“Hi all. I was telling my friend *Harry Sinclair** that I wanted to shoot a short video to accompany the new tour dates, and he said: “Hang on. I have an idea!” Here it is, shot by both of us; edited by Harry. We had so much fun that we really should do it again one day. The main difficulty is organising the various different Dons to turn up to the Zoom on time”* - The DON
WOOHOO!! CONGRATS!! Soaked Oats
The NZ contingent for Big Sound is out! Congrats to our very own Soaked Oats heading over the ditch to take part in the HUGE 4 day event in Brissy! This year's fest include's 300 artist showcases and more than 20 parties, while the conference side of things will welcome in 150-plus speakers over 55 sessions (and more than 1500 delegates as well). MASSIVE!
We Made You A Mix Tape
Get Your Ears On The Latest Indie Greatest!
Your weekend listening, watching, dancing, singing, crying & playing sorted with the latest indie gems from Aotearoa and beyond .... we made you a mix tape <3