New Zealand Music

[eliselovesmusic]

The Aussies have their glory thread so it's about time us kiwis did too.

Split Enz, Crowded House, the Exponents (originally the Dance Exponents) and Dragon are all amazing kiwi musicians.

More modern NZ music is Evermore, The Datsuns, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystic, The Mint Chicks, Cut Off Your Hands, Pluto and (my personal favourite) Ladyhawke - recently nominated for the the British Music Award For Best Solo Female Artist (yes, I know it's a British award but still).

All of the bands/artists mentioned above are definitley worth a look.



ElJeffe: Back me up on this one bro!!!

[dancelukedance]

Antagonist, but there medioCORE

[AP_Punk]

flight of the conchords? :-d

[thesafeword]

What's next, Vatican City music?

[eliselovesmusic]

Yeah antgonist are alright.... I was waiting for someone to mention Flight of the Conchords haha.

Now, whos gonna mention Lord of the Rings despite it being a movie....

[eliselovesmusic]

What's next, Vatican City music?


Oh surely we're not that pathetic a nation!

[thesafeword]

Haha, no, I was just commenting on how each country is going to have a thread on its music.

[eliselovesmusic]

Oh I get it. haha true.

[UnderMyDreams]

Haha, no, I was just commenting on how each country is going to have a thread on its music.

I think the pope should start a band:-d

[eliselovesmusic]

I think the pope should start a band:-d


The Jesus' of Suburbia

[FormerClarity]

Antagonist? Seriously?

Flight Of The Conchords is alright.


New Zealand thread? XD

[eliselovesmusic]

Antagonist? Seriously?

Flight Of The Conchords is alright.


New Zealand thread? XD



WOOP! Another kiwi!!!! Welcome :wave: I'm dying to ask if your great aunt knows my second cousin haha....


ANYWAY What's the name of that band with that song "What Will It Be Like"... I know it's awesome with a great video but can't think who it is.

[eliselovesmusic]

Oh I remeber... False Start - "What Will It Be Like" it's a great song and everyone should check it out (really catchy )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJuS8d54Eas

[FormerClarity]

It must be False Start.

I'm just not into that 'scene' in New Zealand.

The Goodnight Nurses, 48 May and stuff.

[eliselovesmusic]

It must be False Start.

I'm just not into that 'scene' in New Zealand.

The Goodnight Nurses, 48 May and stuff.


Yeah fair enough... I never was huge on 48 May but I gotta say Goodnight Nurse, Shihad, The Datsuns, Midnight Youth, Clap Clap Riot etc etc all have some great stuff.

What are ya into? (as far as NZers go?)



Oh and to all the non-kiwis out there: look up the bands mentioned above. Especially if you like pop/punk, rock or whatever.

[FormerClarity]

Especially Shihad and maybe even Cut Off Your Hands/ Die! Die! Die!

[_Andrew]

I love Crowded House, and I like all of Evermore's stuff except their most recent album which i just thought... was blehh.

[AussieBoy]

one word... SCRIBBLE!

[eliselovesmusic]

I love Crowded House, and I like all of Evermore's stuff except their most recent album which i just thought... was blehh.



Have to agree with you there. They seem to be trying to hard to change their 'good boy' image that they had going on their first stuff.

[_Andrew]

Have to agree with you there. They seem to be trying to hard to change their 'good boy' image that they had going on their first stuff.

Yeah, they sold out.

[FormerClarity]

I saw the singer's new bleached hair or whatever and I changed the channel.

[eliselovesmusic]

one word... SCRIBBLE!




I do believe you mean the great Scribe who had one amazing album and is now but a meer distant memory?


FORMERCLARITY: Hell yeah Cutt Off Your Hands don't get nearly enough credit.

[eliselovesmusic]

I saw the singer's new bleached hair or whatever and I changed the channel.



haha Amen. And don't we all love people who try and pull off top hats but can't.

[FormerClarity]

Not many? If any?

[eliselovesmusic]

Lol well said.


I suppose it's kind of my duty to mention Bic Runga, Anika Moa, Carly Binding and Hayley Westernra as NZ musicians, but honestly they don't really do anything for me.

[El_Jeffe]

the finn brothers, in all their various projects, are incredible. my two all-time favourite singer/songwriters. split enz was the band that got me into music, the way i am today, many years ago. i was even lucky enough to catch them on their reunion tour last year, incredible

nice to see an exponents mention, something beginning with c is one of the best albums ever, up there with the likes of the kinks best material

i'm also big on some of our ska/reggae/dub culture here, especially fat freddy's drop. a band that everyone needs to be aware of, despite what your "usual genre/sound" is

this country has produced tons of great bands over the years, & most of which put such a strong emphasis on their live performances that it really makes our music culture that much more special

[FormerClarity]

I don't think New Zealand is as successful in rock as much as in previous times.

The rise of punk in Dunedin and Auckland especially.

I met Liam Finn and he was a very nice dude.

[FormerClarity]

Bic Runga, Hollie Smith are good at their genres.

[eliselovesmusic]

the finn brothers, in all their various projects, are incredible. my two all-time favourite singer/songwriters. split enz was the band that got me into music, the way i am today, many years ago. i was even lucky enough to catch them on their reunion tour last year, incredible

nice to see an exponents mention, something beginning with c is one of the best albums ever, up there with the likes of the kinks best material

i'm also big on some of our ska/reggae/dub culture here, especially fat freddy's drop. a band that everyone needs to be aware of, despite what your "usual genre/sound" is

this country has produced tons of great bands over the years, & most of which put such a strong emphasis on their live performances that it really makes our music culture that much more special



100% agree with everything you just said. Especially about the exponents: definitley one of my favourite bands of all time (not just because they did "why does love do this to me")

I can't believe I forget Fat Freddys!!! Based on a True Story got me into that genre. One of my greatest memories from a couple of years ago is cruising over the Auckland Harbour bridge with "Flashback" playing.


Salmonella Dub and The Black Seeds are also worth a mention.

[eliselovesmusic]

I don't think New Zealand is as successful in rock as much as in previous times.

The rise of punk in Dunedin and Auckland especially.

I met Liam Finn and he was a very nice dude.



Lucky!! What an honour. Although I have to admit that his Dad's stuff was always more appealing to me (he must hate being compared to his Father/Uncle)


I haven't been to Dunedin, but I can only imagine what the students get up to down there haha

[FormerClarity]

I heard Christchurch is boring :P

Auckland University is not cool unless you live in the dorms :c

[eliselovesmusic]

Cut Off Your Hands are on c4 right now. haha

[El_Jeffe]

the exponents had such an incredible, honest, raw, jangly, melodic sound. i wish they didn't call it a day when they did, they still had so much left to give. i've tried to get a lot of ap members into the band, but they don't seem to have any tunes to stream for anyone to hear, what a bugger

backing bic runga & hollie smith, very talented artists. hollie's album, long player, shows the most potential out of just about any new artist i've heard in the last decade. i hope she doesn't blow it. & bic, get writing again!

i actually saw the black seeds live about 4 weeks ago, they put on another awesome show. which is exactly what we've all come to expect from them. their last album was recorded poorly, in the sense that i don't think it really captured their energy, but damn those songs sound 100x better live

[FormerClarity]

You must have loved that collaboration amongst Kiwi artists that played on that song on Bic's album. It had Neil Finn in it didn't it? With Anika Moa and some others.

Yeah Hollie Smith is one hell of a singer.

[eliselovesmusic]

Agree with everything said above.

If you guys are into Bic and say Cold Play you might like this local band from Hastings called Reverse. They won the regional rockquest down here. Definitley worth checking 'em out.

[eliselovesmusic]

I was thinking about it and I think what I wanna know is why NZers find it so hard to really hit the big time on the global stage. Obviously being a tiny country at the bottom of the world doesn't help, but could anyone offer a plain answer?

Sorry I didn't word that very well.

[phil19]

somerset give you kiwis cred but you lose alot becuase of scribe

[FormerClarity]

Scribe is an artist? I'd call him a hip hop mini-star at best.

[eliselovesmusic]

Yeah that sums him up pretty well, but I gotta say: even I joined the cult of kids addicted to those first few singles he released.

[FormerClarity]

Shame on you!


heheh

[eliselovesmusic]

I was ashamed... But come on What Now came out singing "How many dudes you know got the skills to go in and rock your Sunday morning." It was inevitable.

[eliselovesmusic]

somerset give you kiwis cred but you lose alot becuase of scribe


I haven't heard any of Somerset's stuff.... (BTW awesome avatar dude: pray that Alkaline Trio comes down under)

[FormerClarity]

Don't count on the Alkaline to come to New Zealand. Probably just Australia.

I'm just happy about Ratatat.


Somerset is a bit better than the other rock we have produced in recent years.

[eliselovesmusic]

As far as NZ rock goes, personally I've loved what I've heard from the Mint Chicks purely because it's it leaves you kind of weirded out but dying for more... And their videos are awesome compared to some of the half-arse stuff NZ video directors come up with (not saying all NZ videos suck but I'm comparing them to the likes of the Dance, Dance video by FOB)

[FormerClarity]

Dance, Dance.... ugh

I loved that Phoenix Foundation video.

Can't remember the title...Something about grey?

[eliselovesmusic]

Oh yeah I think I know the one.... It's pretty cool.

That False Start one is my guilty pleasure of all videos/songs though. Its a shame their other stuff isn't that great.

While on the note of videos: Shihad's Pacifier is great.

[FormerClarity]

Home again by Shihad is great as in the song.

[eliselovesmusic]

Yeah gotta agree with you there. Do you know if thier current album is any good?

[FormerClarity]

I'm not so much into that type of rock I can say it was just meh.

[eliselovesmusic]

Fair enough... do you get into the dub/reggae/roots scene much?

[eliselovesmusic]

While I remember: I'd like to mention the Exiles. They won't change the world, but I don't mind them

[FormerClarity]

I'm never explored too much through that genre but I like whatever I hear.

[eliselovesmusic]

Yeah it's good stuff - as El Jeffe mentioned Fat Freddys are definitley worth a listen. It took me a while to get into their first album but when I 'got' it, it was great.

[FormerClarity]

I hate when you don't get it at the same time as others.

[eliselovesmusic]

I can so associate with that.... "what does 'lol' mean?..."
not one of me brighter moments (and totally irrelevant to this discussion) haha

[FormerClarity]

What a blonde. LOL

[eliselovesmusic]

:whine:

At least I don't wear top hats with my apparent blondness (pathetic Evermore reference)

[FormerClarity]

Oh Jon, where did you go wrong?

All that australian-ness got to him.

[eliselovesmusic]

Yeah that'd be it. Or maybe he's tryna do a Kanye and start a new trend..?

[FormerClarity]

God, I'm sick of Kanye. Even though I love that heartless song.... Too much LiveLavaLive for me I thinks.

[EchoPark]

You left off your list one FANTASTIC Kiwi band:

Goodnight Nurse....The Night FTW

[phil19]

I haven't heard any of Somerset's stuff.... (BTW awesome avatar dude: pray that Alkaline Trio comes down under)

quality nz punk rock!!
haah thanks =)
they were just here for the soundwave festival! they were so good too i jizzed in my pants. but hoping they come back again soon!!

[J7X]

www.myspace.com/almastreet (http://www.myspace.com/almastreet) - awesome Auckland band.

[eliselovesmusic]

God, I'm sick of Kanye. Even though I love that heartless song.... Too much LiveLavaLive for me I thinks.


OMFG. I love livalavalive!!! Although nothing beats Shane Dawson and Swifty hehe... As far as Kanye is concerned: Heartless is a great song, but I gotta say I was really impressed with his earlier stuff (the album with the teddy bear on the cover haha)


Yeah we haven't mentioned Goodnight Nurse yet.... they're pretty impressive as far as NZ pop/punk goes...



Welcome J7X :-)

[FormerClarity]

I actually saw the drummer from Goodnight Nurse today.

He seemed genuinely normal. Too bad his band is shiite.


Almastreet has a cool guy playing the bass for them :c

[eliselovesmusic]

I actually saw the drummer from Goodnight Nurse today.

He seemed genuinely normal. Too bad his band is shiite.


Almastreet has a cool guy playing the bass for them :c


Haha nicely put actually.


Winner of best avatar :-d

[AussieBoy]

I do believe you mean the great Scribe who had one amazing album and is now but a meer distant memory?


FORMERCLARITY: Hell yeah Cutt Off Your Hands don't get nearly enough credit.

yeah scribe, but Scribble is his nickname of his rap name if that makes sense, he drops it in his songs a few times here n there

rhyme book was pretty eh, but 2 of my fav scribe songs ever are on that Champion & FRESH!

[AussieBoy]

blast from the past... remember Steriogram!


Goodnight Nurse rule, saw them support Getaway Plan last july

[phil19]

yeah scribe, but Scribble is his nickname of his rap name if that makes sense, he drops it in his songs a few times here n there

rhyme book was pretty eh, but 2 of my fav scribe songs ever are on that Champion & FRESH!

i sacrificed late nights going out with my freinds, just to stay home alone with my pad and my pen
hahahah scribe :-P

[lonelysuperstar]

lol scribe is terrible. he makes me embarrased to be a new zealander. all of the best kiwi bands are the ones that aren't even famous. bearcat for the win.

[AussieBoy]

i sacrificed late nights going out with my freinds, just to stay home alone with my pad and my pen
hahahah scribe :-P


he probably just stayed home n pulled off to sbs (or the NZ equivelant!)

[FormerClarity]

Bearcat sounds like a win.

[lonelysuperstar]

it is: http://www.myspace.com/bearcatbearcat

all of the songs are about pandas.

[FormerClarity]

Okay I've been missing out on life.

Thanks a bunch.

[phil19]

he probably just stayed home n pulled off to sbs (or the NZ equivelant!)

hahaha
and the reason he was staying home is probably because he didnt have any friends

[FeynmanWannabe]

Grabbing some promising music from The Chills and The Clean right now. Labeled indie pop/jangle pop - I think I'll dig. Thanks New Zealand.

edit: Checking out The Verlaines next.

[porttheman]

No love for Jakob?

[FeynmanWannabe]

I totally slept on the Surf City EP from '07 but I must say, it's great stuff and I look forward to a full-length. Any word on that from some of the NZ people in here?

[El_Jeffe]

Grabbing some promising music from The Chills and The Clean right now. Labeled indie pop/jangle pop - I think I'll dig. Thanks New Zealand.

edit: Checking out The Verlaines next.

ahh that classic & cult defining "dunedin sound". two great bands right there, & there's a lot more to come from that era, but unfortunately it's all very hard to find on cd, let alone online

[FeynmanWannabe]

ahh that classic & cult defining "dunedin sound". two great bands right there, & there's a lot more to come from that era, but unfortunately it's all very hard to find on cd, let alone online
I read a couple comments putting down the Dunedin area. What's the deal with that, Craig? Also, miss you buddy. Hope good ol' NZ is treating you swell. I dig The Clean. Are you a fan of any of these types of bands?

[El_Jeffe]

I read a couple comments putting down the Dunedin area. What's the deal with that, Craig? Also, miss you buddy. Hope good ol' NZ is treating you swell. I dig The Clean. Are you a fan of any of these types of bands?

putting it down in what way? the city or the music culture? the thing about many local nz music cultures, the early "dunedin sound" especially, is that they rely heavily upon live performances, & always sound many times better in a live setting than on disk. it's a staple characteristic to much of the muso talents here, which is great for fans in the region, but not the best when you try to get into said bands many years later haha. i'm a big fan of a number of bands from that era & that jangle/pop/rock sound, such sincere melodies & all the diy ethics of any "punk" band

but yea i'm doing great mate, my new puppy has been keeping me busy, but i'll be trying to catch up on music over next couple weeks. the chills (who i see you said you were getting into) made some really good albums. if you can ever get a hold of the album something beginning with c, by the exponents, don't ever hesitate mate. it's like jangle pop, meets kinks style rock. it's a masterpiece. i'll up it one day for ya if i have to (individual songs on dial up though sorry haha). i could really see you getting into them

[coldbyfletch]

No love for Jakob?

Hell yeah, saw they play when they opened for Thrice a while back, definitely a quality band...
Have to say though there hasn't been too much good stuff lately, don't get me started on all the shit dub and hip-hop bands that somehow seem to do well in NZ, although have to give props to Cut Off Your Hands and the Datsuns (amongst others) for doing well overseas, got The Datsuns playing here in Toronto in a couple of weeks time, hanging out to see the Kiwi lads again...
Have to say Shihad have been the best Kiwi band consistently for a while, although I'll also admit my favourite live band to see in a NZ pub...Deja Voodoo..

[FeynmanWannabe]

So many of these NZ bands are underrated. Listening to The Verlaines' Bird Dog right now.

[Jaimehere]

1GUneJ9qg-Y

New Zealand's contribution to the hardcore community :-d

[FeynmanWannabe]

Enjoyed pretty much everything I've from from Flying Nun. Got some Toy Love going right now. :thumbup:

[El_Jeffe]

Been jamming to a lot of new works from some of the roots music artists.

Hollie Smith's new one is great, could become a bit of a favourite among some people here if I can expose it enough haha.

Also, right now, The Exponents - Something Beginning With C. Which may just find itself to you Marco...

[FeynmanWannabe]

Been jamming to a lot of new works from some of the roots music artists.

Hollie Smith's new one is great, could become a bit of a favourite among some people here if I can expose it enough haha.

Also, right now, The Exponents - Something Beginning With C. Which may just find itself to you Marco...
What do you know, that album just appeared before me. Track 3 and I like it. Can definitely hear a bit of the Kinks in there.

Gonna check out Hollie Smith. Reading now about what happened with her and her masters. Sounds like an awful ordeal.

[distilledw]

The Poisoners, now defunct, released one amazing album, if you are into gritty ska/punk

Not such a fan of Goodnight Nurse etc. And went to school with Midnight Youth.