IMNZ Chart April 2008: Conchords Fly to Top Spot

IMNZ Independent Album Chart April 2008

Rank Artist Title Label/Distributor
1 Flight of the Conchords Flight of the Conchords Rhythmethod
2 dDub Medicine Man Vunderchick/Border
3 Tiki Past, Present, Future Dirty Dub/Rhythmethod
4 Kora Kora Kora/Border
5 HDU Metamathics Shoot the Freak/Border
6 Dudley Benson The Awakening Border
7 Flight of the Conchords Distant Future EP Rhythmethod
8 Geoff Sewell Believe Sewell Music/Ode
9 Recloose Perfect Timing Loop/Border
10 An Emerald City An Emerald City EP Monkey/Rhythmethod
11 Fat Freddy's Drop Based On A True Story Rhythmethod
12 Opshop Second Hand Planet Siren
13 Hollie Smith Long Player Soundsmith
14 Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra Heartache EP Rhythmethod
15 Little Bushman Pendulum Rhythmethod
16 Shapeshifter Soulstice Truetone/Rhythmethod
17 Samuel F Scott Straight Answer Machine LOOP/Border
18 Shapeshifter Shapeshifter Live Truetone/Rhythmethod
19 Various Conscious Roots 4 Moving Production
20 Tiger Tones Tiger Tones Pinacolada/Rhythmethod

(Shows sales from 1 – 30 April 2008. Compiled from outbound sales registered at selected music retailers by Media Sauce Ltd. for IMNZ. Eligibility requires IMNZ membership or by registration fee. For further information on IMNZ releases, labels or membership contact IMNZ Operations Manager Renee Jones.)

April/May News

IMNZ is gearing up for a very exciting international event: Independents Day 2008. This is a worldwide celebration of independent music running from Friday July 4 to Sunday July 6 – and it starts in New Zealand! There will be an international auction of music memorabilia; IMNZ will be releasing a digital album of great local and international independent music; and we will be revealing to you the Top Ten NZ independent albums of all time (well, since IMNZ started in 2008 anyway). Also this month the IMNZ family continues to grow, we have three new members aboard this month – a big hello to Silverwood Studios, DRM and Oikos Music.

Congratulations to Te Vaka and Scribe who took double honours at the S3 Pacific Music Awards 2008 announced on May 31 in Manukau City: Te Vaka won Best Pacific Group and Best Pacific Music Album and Scribe won Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Song plus was a co-winner with Tyra Hammond, Aaron Iusitini and Jordan Iusitini for Say It Again which has prevailed in the APRA Best Pacific Song category; other IMNZ winners included Cydel (Best Pacific Urban Artist) and Three Houses Down (People’s Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist). The audience was treated to live performances by Pacific music stalwarts and newcomers alike including Nesian Mystik, Three Houses Down and Cydel.

In their continuing progress toward taking over the world, Flight of the Conchords are on the cover of this month’s edition of US music magazine Filter; you can also check out the exclusive YouTube premiere of Flight of the Conchords’ video for Ladies of the World. Die! Die! Die! have been chosen by UK imprint Too Pure to be the latest in a series of indie next-big-things to release limited edition 7" singles as part of the Too Pure Singles Club. Monthly subscribers in May received two exclusive offerings from the band, limited to just 500 copies worldwide. Die! Die! Die! have just wrapped up their Von Bondies tour and their invitational Wire support, and are about to embark on a UK tour. Chris Knox’s song It’s Love is featuring in a clever US advertisement for Heineken.

LA-based Jackie Bristow is visiting home after showcasing at the International Folk Alliance in Memphis and doing a run of shows in Nashville, Los Angeles and Austin, which lead to securing a release of her album ‘Crazy Love’ with US label BeanBag1 and Burnside Distribution. A US tour is currently being put into place including a support for Phoebe Snow in July at the prestigious Birchmere theatre. Jackie supported legendary songwriters Jimmy Webb and Paul Williams at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre in Australia, and has recently toured with and opened shows for Renee Geyer, Rick Price, Christine Anu, and will be opening for Wendy Matthews in Sydney in June. She’s in NZ to film the clip for her forthcoming single Crazy Love, the title track to the album, with director Paul Taylor from Fish n Clips; and her album is a finalist for the RIANZ Best Country Music Album award 2008, being held in Gore this Friday. Her first single The World Is Turning also received an Honorary Mention at the ISC International Songwriting Competition.

Geoff Sewell, founding member of internationally successful opera band Amici Forever, released his first solo album ‘Believe’ in May; it entered the New Zealand album chart at number 2 and went gold straight away. Sewell left Amici Forever to spend time with his autistic daughter – and as part of his commitment to raising awareness about autism, proceeds of the track Sienna’s Song, written by Sewell’s wife Simone, will go to families afflicted by autism. Carol Storey is presenting her Mokomoko project in Bologna (Spain) in July at a the International SME Conference. Liam Ryan has relocated to the Waikato and is seven tracks into a follow up album to his 2007 release ‘M2M:Mississippi To Mauao’; M2M2 will be released at the end of the year.

Lil’ Chief Records are celebrated in the UK’s Sunday Times - the most widely read UK Sunday Paper - under the headline ‘New Zealand, pop mecca?’ Proposing a list of top 5 bands from New Zealand, the article includes an interview with Jonathan Bree from the Brunettes, Ryan McPhun from The Ruby Suns, James Milne (AKA Lawrence Arabia) from the Reduction Agents and praises the NZ label Lil' Chief Records, from whence they came. It's a timely piece as the Brunettes are currently touring the UK and Europe before heading off for the US leg of their tour; the Brunettes’ UK profile being lifted substantially by their song BABY which was featured on a national ad campaign in December, and the release of their American-made music video of Small Town Crew (with Heather Mansfield as a giant woman wandering the streets of New York). Also gathering critical approval are The Ruby Suns, currently on tour in Europe following great reviews of their latest album ‘Sea Lion’ in major music magazines as well as the accolade of “best new music” from indie website Pitchfork. Another member of the Lil’ Chief crew, James Milne (Reduction Agents/Lawrence Arabia) is currently on tour with pop mega star Feist on her European tour including a date at the Royal Albert Hall. Looks like Lil Chief aren’t so lil’ any more…

Minuit had had to put on a second show London show on May 28 after their gig on the 29th sold out in double-quick time. So So Modern were named New Band of the Day on the Guardian.Co.Uk website on May 21. They’re about to embark on their 3rd European tour; before they leave they were picked to support !!!’s Wellington show on May 29, while Bang! Bang! Eche supported the energetic US 8-piece in Auckland. Kora return to the UK in July 2008 where, as well as playing live on the main stages at WOMAD (July 26th), The Larmer Tree Festival (July 19th) and 2 nights in Edinburgh, Kora will play their only London show of the year at Shepherd's Bush Empire on Friday July 25th. The band will release their UK debut, the ‘Flow’ EP, on July 7th on Shiva Records (remixes come courtesy of Shiva's resident dons of eclectic cool Crazy P and amillionsons). Shiva Records will the ‘Kora’ album in the UK and Europe on July 14th.

Universal Republic Records, a record label subsidiary of The Universal Motown/Universal Republic Group, has signed Savage for a worldwide deal. His hit song Swing leapt from #77 to #17 in one week on the iTunes Hip Hop chart, peaking at #14, after it was featured in the movie ‘Knocked Up’. Others on the label are Amy Winehouse and Jack Johnson. LOOP are releasing the album ‘Rock This World’ by new internationals Yes King, who are Mark Rae (formerly of Rae & Christian) and Rhys Adams (Rockers Hi-Fi) working with a selection of Jamaican and UK vocalists including Veba, Mystro, Sweetie Irie, Prezident Brown and the legendary Dawn Penn; Yes King are playing Auckland on June 13 and Wellington on June 14. LOOP have teamed up with Huffer to with a unique offer: buy the Yes King t-shirt and you can download the album from a code on the swing tag. LOOP also now has its own radio show, LOOP Selector, which can be heard on Sundays from 6-8pm on Kiwi FM. Disruptiv may no longer be curating an art gallery, but they are busily producing music and art. Disruptiv’s PEST5 and his world champion graffiti crew TMD will be defending their title at the Write4Gold battle this July in Germany; if you’d like to support them you can buy a special edition Dissruptiv t-shirt; the proceeds will help them in their quest.

The SilverwoodStudio band have won the Best World Music, Best Ambient Music and Best Live Performance categories for three separate songs on independent music website IAC Music.com (Independent Artists’ Company) – and only four songs were finalists in each category. The International Academy of Independent Artists is a group of artists not signed with record companies and the awards are nominated by their peers. 87,000 people were logged on to listen to the awards ceremony earlier this month.

Minuit sold out their London show on May 29 several weeks in advance, so they scheduled a second night for May 28. Pitch Black are heading to Europe, and their shows include supporting the Easy Dub All Stars in Croatia, playing a New Zealand Film Festival in Poland and headlining the Liquid Stage at the prestigious Glade Festival in England in July. After a huge summer which is turning into a huge winter, the boys are excited to announce the re-release of their first two albums, ‘Futureproof’ and ‘Electronomicon’; both albums feature a team of international and local collaborators, and each of the re-releases is a double album, combining remastered originals alongside remixed versions. The quick-fingered collaborators featured on ‘Futureproof’ include Tom Bailey aka International Observer, the UK’s Youth (The Orb, Killing Joke), Auckland’s Submariner and the Mainland’s Epsilon Blue. ‘Electronomicon’ features Youth, Salmonella Dub’s Rockwood, Sunshine Soundsystem, P-Diggs (Shapeshifter) and Epsilon Blue.

Opshop had a bit of an entanglement in red tape when they attempted to embarked on their UK dates in May; however they promptly rescheduled their London show for June 18th and this promptly sold out. Opshop also totally owned the town of Greymouth last Friday – it was chosen from hundreds of entries to host the official closing gig of NZ Music Month 2008, Little Town Big Gig, and the band played to a capacity crowd of around 800 people. This gig gave the locals an idea of what the rest of the country can expect on their Big Energy In A Can Theatre Tour.
Shapeshifter have been on tour in the UK, and their song Bring Change is one of those covered by international musicians in a new TV show on C4, ‘Making Tracks’, presented by Nick Dwyer and also featuring songs by Scribe and Motocade amongst other popular Kiwi tunes. Hollie Smith performed her song Philosophy on the high rating Australian breakfast TV show Sunrise in May, and ‘Long Player’ was released in Australia that month too. Charlie ASH is tickled pink to present New Zealand's first 3D video, Ah-hA; you can contact the band if you’d like a pair of handmade 3D glasses with which to view the video: check out their MySpace page. The band is also off to Sydney to play 2 shows on Friday June 6 (with Flamingo Crash) and Sunday June 8.

Scribe performed on the MTV Mile High plane along with Dizzee Rascal. He also won the MTV Australia award for NZ Music Artist of the Year as voted by the public, and at the awards was asked personally by Wyclef Jean to record a verse for the Fast Cars remix that also features Lupe Fiasco – so the next day they went into the Sony studio (along with Eve) and recorded it; the song goes to radio in NZ this week.

SAM artists are doing well overseas: Katchafire’s album ‘Slow Burning’ is a finalist in the Hawaiian Music Awards for Best Reggae Album, and Whirimako Black has been invited to appear on the main stage at The Dreaming in early June in Australia; it’s the biggest indigenous festival in the southern hemisphere. In April she was in Turkey to sing at the commemoration events at Gallipoli on ANZAC Day and in May appeared with the NZSO in Wellington, as well as playing gigs for the Variety Club plus a jazz show at the TRENZ conference in Rotorua for 1200+ guests. House Of Shem's debut album ‘Keep Rising’ has been requested ever since their appearance at the Ragamuffin Festival and their inclusion in the ‘Conscious Roots’ compilation series, and it is out now. Pacific Curls have recently returned from a string of successful Australian dates and are now off to Canada for more gigs. Ermehn's new CD is due to hit the streets soon through SAM - expect a change in image and style from the man who is now head of his own security firm, Pride Security, and a proud father. And despite some trouble with the law over alleged drug offences and some CD stock being seized, the Colourway Records crew haven’t slowed down; their ‘Tunnel Vision’ album is out now and there were over 1000 units sold 'on the street' in 2007/2008 of their preceding release, ‘Skull Fingers Up’.

Round Trip Mars Riot nicely rounded off NZ Music Month in Auckland, featuring SJD, Phelps and Munro, James Duncan and The Naked And Famous with DJ Maiden Hong Kong and label founder Stinky Jim; the label justifiably celebrated nine years of releasing seismic sounds. Real Groovy stores around the country get stuck in to NZ Music Month every year, and this year they have featured a range of bands instore in Auckland and Christchurch including The Enright House, The Eastern, Minuit and Tiger Tones. If you were lucky enough to be at the Bluff Oyster Festival, you may well have caught a rare Southland appearance by Fat Freddy’s Drop. At the end of April Juice TV filmed seven acts playing live at Auckland’s Sky City Theatre, and the individual showcases are airing now including performances by dDub and Goldenhorse. Clap Clap Riot won the MTV Kickstart competition 2008; Cause For Alliance were amongst the finalists. Over NZ music Month, Kiwi FM hosted 31 Bands in a Box (i.e. the Kiwi FM studio!) playing intimate live-to-air sessions. Acts included Steve Abel, dDub, Moana Maniapoto, Charlie Ash, Goon, Ruia, Flip Grater, the Have, Samuel F Scott, Johnny Barker and Minuit.

Parachute Music’s Noise ’08 music conference is happening from June 12 – 14 at Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral; local music industry folk from record companies, the media and industry agencies will be sharing their knowledge, and participants can catch showcases by Rapture Ruckus, Mumsdollar, Julia Grace, Nathan King (Zed) and many more.

Cosmic Rays of Death formed early this year, and following good feedback about their debut shows at Camp A Low Hum, they’re releasing their debut EP and plan to play in England later in 2008, where bassist Mike Logie (formerly of the Mint Chicks, F-n-Math, Pussy Glitch) is now based. Matt Brennan’s activities include solo project Flick, FX and roles within the experimental/improv music scene, and Si Frost beats the skins for The Managers, Inside Arkham and Army of Darkness. Their debut 6-track EP is influenced by old skool video game music, with spazzy robot-disco breakdowns and an R2-D2 going off on a bender guitar solo, plus a cover of the Shadow of The Beast Soundtrack from the Commodore 64.

Rattle releases commanded the top of the Classical charts with NZTrio’s new ‘Bright Tide Moving Between’ at number one in its week of release, followed by Michael Houstoun’s ‘Inland’ which was released in December. An upcoming Asian tour sees the contemporary chamber trio perform not just at the prestigious Beijing Modern Music Festival, but also within 100km of the literally earth-moving events in Sichuan province.

Something to note in your diary for June is a rare opportunity to witness the Bleeders along with pals Los Muertos and Trauma Hounds lay waste to K’ Road’s Thirsty Dog pub – the place ain’t huge and tickets are limited to 185. Oakley 'O.G.' Grenell has announced a national tour of the sounds from his critically-acclaimed new album ‘Moving On’. That Thing in the Park ran for free in Auckland’s Potter’s Park on May 31 as part of Youth Week; performers included Misfits of Science, Bulletproof and Fast Crew performing among a lineup of music and dance talent. The event was delivered by the event management students from the Music and Audio institute of New Zealand (MAINZ).

Actor and musician Johnny Barker has released his solo album ‘Lullabies for Macy Rose’. Perhaps best recognised from his recent stint as serial killer Joey Henderson on Shortland Street, Barker has also been in the band Jester and provided the vocals on Something New, the song by fictional band The Zephyrs which was part of an Air New Zealand campaign and went on to reach number 3 in the New Zealand charts. Having supported Bryan Ferry and Joan Armatrading in December, acoustic duo Danny McCrum and Ben Jurisich are now releasing their EP ‘These Dirty Days’ by celebrating with drinks, dinner and a live show.

Nathan Haines is about to release a new CD in mid-June produced especially for Barkers Clothing. dDub headed to Hastings to “cellarbrate” the release of their new album ‘Medicine Man’ as well as the close of the grape harvest and a busy summer season. Lucid 3 supported James Blunt April 29 and 30 Auckland and Wellington. Little Bushman are embarking on a nationwide tour over May and June, which includes a concert with the Auckland Philharmonia on Sunday July 13 in the Great Hall of the Auckland Town Hall. This evening will see the band perform songs from their two critically acclaimed albums ‘Onus Of Sand’ and ‘Pendulum’ with a full orchestra, scored by John Psathas. Psathas has worked with a plethora of artists and he feels that his collaboration with Little Bushman is one of his most exciting to date.

Following the good response to his first album ‘Little Death’, Steve Abel regrouped his band The Chrysalids to release their second album ‘Flax Happy’ in May, which was recorded over 2 days in a “dream session” with Dale Cotton (HDU, Dimmer) at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios in Auckland. A bit of a “Kiwi supergroup”, Abel’s band brings together Geoff Maddock (Goldenhorse, Bressa Creeting Cake) on guitar, Mike Hall (Brunettes, Dimmer, Pluto) on double bass, Milan Borich (Pluto, Bic Runga band) on drums and Gareth Thomas (Goodshirt) with the accordion. The album also features the talents of Texan luminary Jolie Holland – a longtime fan of Abel – on 2 songs; plus local songstress Anika Moa, who shares a bilingual duet with Abel.

‘Monkey Magic 2’ has been released amidst a chorus of praise. The CD/DVD package features Monkey Records artists such as Tim Guy, The Hot Grits, An Emerald City, Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band and Káren Hunter, plus Monkey friends Haunted Love, Steve Abel, The Mamaku Project and Ragamuffin Children. The DVD features all of the Monkey music videos made since 2000, featuring some of New Zealand’s most talented emerging filmmakers and animators. 22 year old Wellington singer/songwriter Iva Lamkum’s debut EP has a unique sound, no doubt due in part to her New Zealand, Chinese and Samoan heritage as well as her blending of musical styles. Iva appeared on ‘Nuclear Free Nation’ with Benny Tones, and is working with Sola Rosa on a track for his eagerly awaited new album.

Ring Around The Rosie is the first single from Flip Grater’s new album ‘Be All and End All’, due for release in July. The song features a choir of 12 including the voices of Anita Clarke (Ragamuffin Children), Ben Edwards (Degrees K) and Flip’s sister Helen Grater. Flip has performed with a number of New Zealand’s premiere artists, including The Phoenix Foundation, Dave Dobbyn and Anika Moa, she’s shared the stage with international stars such as Ben Lee, The Shins, and Hugh Cornwall, and she has traveled to the Texas based South by Southwest (SXSW) festival twice. Songstress Anna Coddington is embarking on a nationwide 15-date tour to celebrate the release of her debut solo album ‘The Lake’. Coddington is no stranger to the New Zealand music scene - she has featured on albums by Bic Runga and Anika Moa and was the frontwoman for Handsome Geoffrey and Duchess. Sharing the stage with Anna will be guitarist Ned Ngatae (Hollie Smith, Dimmer), drummer Riki Gooch (Trinity Roots, Eru Dangerspiel) and bassist Chip Matthews (Opensouls, Anika Moa).

As New Zealand drifts into another winter and another recession, Tono brings relief with his debut EP ‘Love & Economics’ which came out on June 2 on She'll Be Right Records; on the EP Tono examines relationships in the free market world, and recognises the confusion children of the Rogernomics era face as they come of age. Tono takes his band the Finance Company on a national tour during June and July, and not content with 'dropping in’, the band will be relocating themselves to each main centre for about a week, making appearances in good record stores, radio stations, and on street corners. SBR head Jody Lloyd has relocated to Melbourne and there is now a new Trillion band based there, consisting of Jody Lloyd (vocals), Eneti Waretini (vocals/guitar), Seth Rees (guitar) and Pat Marks (drums); Jody is also part of the Pataphysics band on percussion and occasional raps and coming soon - a puppet show. He was also involved in making the soundtrack for Frond Films’ entry into the 48 Hours film Competition. The Delaney Davidson and Alpine Cretins CD is now in stores with very limited numbers available in New Zealand, you can catch Andy Gibson with his big live band in Auckland on June 5, and The Eastern have new songs in their MySpace player and a lengthy list of gig dates.
Kolab will be dropping their debut album ' What Comes Next' on the 16th of June and then heading off on the ‘What Comes Next' New Zealand tour. J-Dubb’s debut project ‘I Stay High’ is coming out on StateHouse via 833 Records this July. StateHouse Records has also started work on a new project by Otara duo Tha Movement titled ‘The Stand Over’, which will feature former Nas protégé Quan, along with Roc-a-fella Records artist Memphis Bleek, and Bad Boy Recording artist Gorilla Zoe. Ethical's album ‘Age’s Turn’ is available now on Move the Crowd Records; the singles are Talk Of The Town featuring Roc Raida, and On My Throne and Head On My Shoulder featuring Bradd Marquis. The album features appearances from Cyphanetik, Neesh, Young Sid, M1 (of Dead Prez), Sway, Bradd Marquis and Daniel Merriweather,

With an original repertoire and a reputation for energetic live shows, the WBC have featured at many of the country's top festivals, including every Rhythm and Vines, Queenstown Winter Fest (2001 – '03), Beach Day Out ('03 – '04) and the Grey Lynn Festival (2004). They have also performed alongside a range of high profile acts such as Bad Manners, Reel Big Fish and Coolie Ranx, and after 10 years together, the band will play their final show at Auckland's Kings Arms Tavern on Friday June 6 with support from Skankamelia and 4 Mexicanos. City Newton Bombers have also called it a day and performed their last show on May 28. Individually, the band members shared a rich history in New Zealand music, with links to a spectrum of local acts including The Chills, Garageland, Upper Hutt Posse, Peter Stuyvesant Hit List, Bike and the Hallelujah Picassos. They played with a host of local and international acts such as the Bouncing Souls (USA), The Hard Ons (AUS) and The Bleeders (NZ), and their intense live shows will be missed by many.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Paul Mclaney is teaming up with Goldenhorse’s golden girl Kirsten Morrell on her first tour as a solo artist after having impressed the crowd when she supported Scotsman Malcolm Middleton. Venues they’re visiting include: the Ponsonby Cruising Club (a seated venue with a stunning backdrop of Auckland Harbour); Southland’s spectacular Caitlins hosts a show at the Woodstock Lodge; and just out of central Dunedin there’ll be an intimate gig – the first of its kind – at the infamous Careys Bay Hotel.

Dawn Raid's new reggae band Sweet & Irie have released their debut single Mama, Don't Cry, it’s available at the Warehouse; it marks a turning point for both the label and the retailer as it’s last physical CD Single to be made by Dawn Raid and the last to be stocked by The Warehouse. The band have already gained over 500,000 unique views on YouTube through their guest feature on the Horseman Family’s summer hit Feels Like Magic. DJ Montana of the Horsemen Family has signed a production and publishing agreement with Dawn Raid Music on the strength of his production skills. Montana produced Hush Mode by Alphrisk, Family Tribute by Savage, Bring It Back by Axeman and Good Times by Mareko (featuring Frum Tha Stablez & Lyric from ‘Horsemen Family - My Shout: The Album’). If you have been lucky enough to score a copy of the Horsemen Family’s Alize mixtape you will find that this wonder kid has also produced a number of bangers on there and he’s currently producing material with Mareko for the new US Savage album. The first video, Betcha By Golly Wow, from Aaradhna's album ‘Sweet Soul Music’, is out and about now. Mareko’s new album ‘White Sunday 2: The Book Of Mark’ is available now and unlike the OG classic ‘White Sunday’ this album is a lot more homegrown - Mareko produced most of the album himself with the help of master keysman Heatchild; Nate D and Emile also lend a hand. And of course it wouldn't be a Mareko project without the Deceptikonz - Devolo, Savage & Alphrisk all have a part to play as featured artists, as does Baby Down, Tek of RES, Cydel and talented newcomer Mike Jacobz. And some of New Zealand's hottest hip hop artists are hitting the road on the Urban Playground North Island Tour, which showcases Young Sid, Chong Nee, PNC, Mareko, Chase, Delani, Lady Sheeq, Donald from Nesian Mystik, DJ SMV and they are LA singer Mirrah.

‘The Ends of the Earth’ project is a triple CD compilation of breakbeat releases exclusively from the UK and New Zealand, so 50% of the tracklisting is by artists inhabiting this faraway place to the south of the equator and features some of the IMNZ whanau. Its creators, Broke, have commissioned the talents of a US-based comic book illustrator to turn everyone involved into Marvel or DC Comic style "super heroes/villains/beings" for the CD and vinyl sleeve artwork. UK artists featured are The Aut0b0ts, Screwface, Unbalanced Jack, Far Too Loud (winners of "best single" at Breakspoll 2007), Affinity and Duel Calibre, with special guest vocalists including Bez and Shaun Ryder from The Happy Mondays. New Zealand artists featured are Timmy Schumacher with Bex Riley and MC Kyla, Antiform (featuring Tiki, MC Twincam, Ethical and Neesh), Antiform vs The Autobots, Fight it Out, Agent Alvin and Dunsta. Got to be You by Antiform and Tiki has been made into a music video currently viewable on music TV in New Zealand and soon to be released on MTV Europe. Make sure you secure yourself a place on the dancefloor at one of the shows on the ‘Ends of the Earth’ tour this June.

Coco Solid strikes back with the upcoming release of her double album ‘The Radical Bad Attack’ heading our way on June 16. Mixing psychedelic raps, 80's electro, booty-bass, dancehall, grime, punk and experimental noize, Coco is joined by over a dozen eclectic artists. The first disc (Sex) is dedicated to the dance floor with the second (Science) showcasing more experimental sounds. The album features both underground and established names: the usual line up includes Erik Ultimate, DJ Han Baby and long-time punk producer ALC5, as well as some new recruits: ex-Coolie Melissa West, The Grafitti Girls, Kidz With Guns, Flowsion, Agent Ali and DJ Exile all feature alongside producers DJ Jizmatron, Extravagangsta, Sam Moore and Alan Holt. The single Electric Love reunites the award-winning team behind the bNet hit Crime Fighters: Coco, Erik Ultimate and local producer (and Hungry Eyes member) DJ Jizmatron. A MySpace Secret show in Wellington and an album release party in Auckland gives fans a chance to see the duo perform live for the first time in over a year. Her MySpace page is also hosting online-video and album listening post exclusives leading up to the album release.

‘Chapters’ is a limited edition (500 copies) collection of songs by Grayson Gilmour (one quarter of So So Modern), dating from 2002 right up to the present. Dubbed by Grayson as a “small” release at roughly the halfway point between two albums – last year’s ‘You Sleep, We Creep’ and the forthcoming ‘Oh! Stasis’ (due for release in late 2008 or early 2009), ‘Chapters’ is a project which undertook two rules in the making: no piano and no distortion. These rules were broken, but only twice – you’ll notice only if you listen close enough…Chapters also displays a more “acoustic” side of Grayson’s songwriting than fans may have heard elsewhere. He’s spent 9 months out of the last 12 touring with So So Modern throughout the US, UK and EU and he’ll be leaving these shores again in June for another 3 months of overseas dates.

New and Forthcoming Releases
1812 Band album, Steve Abel and the Chrysalids ‘Flax Happy’, An Emerald City ‘An Emerald City’, Antix ‘Wanderers’ and ‘Wandering Remixes CD/DVD’, The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band ‘Danse Macabre’, Bulletproof ‘Dark Times - Desperate Measures’, Calico Brothers ‘Calico Brothers’, Cause For Alliance ‘Coalesce’, Jess Chambers album, Charlie Ash ‘Ah-ha’ single (+ 3D video), Coco Solid ‘The Radical Bad Attack’, Anna Codington ‘The Lake’, Colourway Records ‘Tunnel Vision’, Johannes Contag ‘Sleepytime 3 - The Twilight Drone’, Cosmic Rays of Death ‘…Of Doom’ EP, Delaney Davidson & the Alpine Cretins ‘Pitch Inst Master Key Chrom’, Ethical ‘Ages Turn’, Flowz ‘In The Heart of The City’, Fur Patrol ‘Local Kid’, Grayson Gilmour ‘Chapters’ EP, Flip Grater ‘Be All and End All’ (July), Oakley Grenell (O.G.) ‘Moving On’, Hayley J Hansell ‘Space in Time’ EP, The Have ‘Tell Yourself It’s Alright’, HDU ‘Metamathics’, Horsemen Family Alize mixtape, The Hot Grits ‘It’s Too Drunk To Be This Late’, House of Shem ‘Keep Rising’, J-Dubb ‘I Stay High’, Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson ‘You Are Sound’, Jefferson Belt / Unitone Hifi ‘Gold Dust / Up To Eleven’ split 7”, Junior John album, Kolab ‘What Comes Next’, Chris Knox & The Nothing ‘A Warm Gun’, Kokomo ‘In The Well’, Ladi 6 Walk Right Up 7”, Shona Laing ‘Pass the Whisper’, Iva Lamkum ‘Iva Lamkum’ EP, Los Muertos ‘Los Muertos’, Otis Mace ‘Two Black Cats’ EP, Dirty Coward Angel (split vinyl single with Smashed Records), Otis Mace/Greg Franco - Anita / Thanks For The Pen (NZ Tour mini single), Magik Johnson ‘You Are Sound’, Mareko ‘ White Sunday 2: The Book Of Mark’, Wayne Mason ‘Sense Got Out’, Danny McCrum and Ben Jurisich ‘These Dirty Days’ EP, The Midnights ‘Keep Calling’, Misfits of Science Bang! (single) and Can’t Leave You Alone (single), Moana & The Tribe ‘Wha’, Mr Sicc Presents J-Dubb ‘Old School Machete Funk’, The Naked And Famous ‘This Machine’ EP and Kill The Little Black Dots/Serenade, NZTrio ‘Bright Tide Moving Between’, Recliner single, Redline ‘Trapped Inside’, Ruia ‘12:24’, Samuel F. Scott ‘Straight Answer Machine’, Savage Swing Remix ft Soulja Boy, Geoff Sewell ‘Believe’, Sleepy Kid (Johnny Barker) ­‘Lullabies For Macy Rose’, Sola Rosa album, Strangers ‘The Weight’, Sweet &Irie Mama, Don't Cry single, Tiger Tones ‘Tiger Tones’, Ariana Tikao ‘Tuia’, Billy TK Junior album, Tono ‘Love and Economics’ EP, Trillion ‘SILENTinvisible’, The Tweeks ‘The Tweeks’, Various ‘Bulletholes 3’, Various ‘The Disruptiv Mixtape Vol 5’, Various ‘Monkey Magic 2 CD/DVD’, Various ‘The Ends of the Earth’, Vorn ‘Past Mistakes’ double album, The Weather ‘Aroha Ave’, Windy City Strugglers album, Charlotte Yates ‘Beggar's Choice’

Tours
An Emerald City: JUNE: 28th Happy, Wellington

The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band: JUNE: 7th Instore at Real Groovy Wellington (3:00pm), 19 Red Bull live to air on the bNet (3:30pm)

Chuganaut: JUNE: 20 Axces, 21 Oblivion Auckland; JULY: 5 Basement Bar New Plymouth

Anna Coddington: June: 5th Auckland The Classic, 6 Flow Bar Hamilton*, 7 Nectar Thames, 11 The Penguin Club Oamaru*, 12 Cinema Paradiso Wanaka*, 13 Wunderbar Lyttleton*, 14 Dux De Lux Christchurch*, 17 Orange Zephyr Cafe Tauranga, 18 The Works Gisborne, 20 Mighty Mighty Wellington*, 21 Le Cafe Picton, 25 Bar Mode Palmerston Nth, 26 L'arte Cafe Taupo, 27 Brooke Ale House New Plymouth, 28 Tussock Tavern Mt Ruapehu - * Are Full Band Shows, Others Are Anna Coddington and guitarist Ned Ngatae

dDub Medicine Man Tour: JUNE: 13th San Francisco Bath House Wellington, 14th Galatos Auckland

The Eastern: JUNE: 6th Sol square Christchurch, 7th 11amLyttelton Coffee Co., 7th 8:00 pm Wunderbar Lyttelton, 8th Cartel Christchurch, 10th Cartel Christchurch, 11th Wunderbar Lyttelton, 13th Sol Square Chch, 14th 11:00am Lyttelton Coffee Co.

1157 Tour Dates: JUNE: 14th Auckland, Thirsty Dog (R18) W/ Los Muertos + Guests, 27th Wellington, SFBH (R18) W/ Strung Out (USA) No Use For A Name (USA), Los Muertos, 28th Auckland, Kings Arms (R18) W/ Strung Out (USA) No Use For A Name (USA), Los Muertos, 11th Auckland, Rising Sun (R18) W/ Antagonist, Tourettes + Guests, Bleeders, Los Muertos, Trauma Hounds 14 Thirsty Dog K’Rd

The Ends Of The Earth New Zealand CD Release Tour: JUNE: 6 Dunedin Bath St with The Autobots (UK), Agent Alvin, Antiform DJs, Dunsta, 7 Auckland: Fu with The Autobots (UK), Agent Alvin, Antiform DJs, Timmy Schumacher & MC Kyla, 12 Nelson: Phat Club with The Autobots (UK), Agent Alvin, Antiform DJs,Dunsta, 13 Wellington: Sandwiches with The Autobots (UK), Antiform DJs, Dunsta, Timmy Schumacher & MC Kyla, 14 Christchurch: The Drop with The Autobots (UK), Antiform DJs, Dunsta, Timmy Schumacher & MC Kyla, 15 Ohakune: Projection Room with The Autobots (UK), Page3, 16 National Park: National Park Hotel with The Autobots (UK), Page3, 20 Tauranga: Buddha Lounge with The Autobots (UK), Page3, 21 Hamilton: Sekure & The Loft with The Autobots (UK), Page3

Oakley ‘O.G.’ Grenell: JUNE: 6 ALBUM RELEASE PARTY Double Happy Christchurch, 13 Support for Yes King, Bacco Room Auckland, 14 ALBUM RELEASE PARTY Khuja Lounge Auckland; JULY: 11 ALBUM RELEASE PARTY Red Rock Wanaka, 12 ALBUM RELEASE PARTY Sub Culture Queenstown

Kolab: JUNE: 14 Auckland Zen bar, 28 Gisborne Soho bar; JULY: 5 Wellington San Francisco Bathhouse, 11 Dunedin Backstage, 12 Christchurch Double Happy, 25 Wanaka Base Bar, 26 Queenstown Subculture

Little Bushman: JUNE: 7 Happy, Wellington, 12 Bar Mode, Palmerston North, 13 Cabana, Napier, 14 The Poverty Bay Club, Gisborne, 19 King's Arm's, Auckland, 20 Town Hall, Raglan, 21 Basement Bar New Plymouth; JULY: 13 Little Bushman meet the APO, Great Hall, the Auckland Town Hall

Otis Mace + Greg Franco: JUNE: 5 Mighty Mighty, Wellington, 7 PR Bar Auckland, 8 Alien, New Lynn

Danny McCrum and Ben Jurisich: JUNE: 8th 7pm Horse & Trap Mt Eden; JULY 3 'These Dirty Days' EP release party, The Reef Bar, Mission Bay

Paul Mclaney And Kirsten Morrell: JUNE: NORTH ISLAND: 19th Happy Wellington, 20th Masonic Tavern Devonport with Hannah Curwood, 21st Ponsonby Cruising Club Westhaven Marina (under the Harbour Bridge) very limited capacity, with Hannah Curwood; JULY: SOUTH ISLAND: 24th Harbour Light Lyttelton, Fri 25th St Lees Restaurant & Cafe Dunedin, 26th Woodstock Lodge Caitlins, 27th Careys Bay Hotel Dunedin

Monkey Magic II: JUNE: 1: Revolver, Queenstown - The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band, An Emerald City and DJ Balkanetic, 6 Bar Mode, Palmerston North – The Hot Grits, The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band, DJs Balkanetic and Uncle Barnie, 7 San Fran Bathhouse - The Hot Grits, The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band, DJs Balkanetic and Uncle Barnie

Opshop: JUNE: 25 Municipal Theatre Napier, Hawke’s Bay, 26 Regent Theatre Palmerston North, 27 Opera House Wellington, Wellington, 28 School of Music Nelson, Nelson, 29 Blue Pub Methven, Canterbury; JULY: 2 Theatre Royal Timaru, Canterbury, 3 TBC Christchurch, Canterbury, 4 Regent Theatre Dunedin, 5 Winter Festival Queenstown, Otago, 6 Stadium Southland Invercargill, Southland, 9 Civic Theatre Rotorua, 10 Great Lakes Centre Taupo 11 Founders Theatre Hamilton, 12 Bruce Mason Centre Auckland, Auckland 17 TSB Showplace New Plymouth, 18 Town Hall Auckland, Auckland, 19 The Holy Trinity Tauranga

Hollie Smith June 5th and 6th Bar Bodega Wellington, 28th - Queenstown Winter Festival

Surf City: JULY: 3 Auckland Whammy Bar, 4 Auckland Dogs Bollocks (3pm), 5 Wellington Happy

Tono and the Finance Company: JUNE: 11 Oamaru (solo) The Penguin Club, supporting Anna Coddington, 12 Wanaka (solo) Cinema Paradiso, supporting Anna Coddington, 14 Dunedin The Backstage, with Graeme Downes, 19 Al's Bar, with Le Mot Café, 26 Whammy Bar, with Andrew Keoghan, JULY: 3 Mighty Mighty, with Intense Mystical Feeling

Unity Pacific: JUNE: 12 Harbour View Hotel Raglan, 13 Diggers Back Bar Hamilton with DJ Captain Nemo, 14 Brewers Bar Mount Maunganui, 21 The Thirsty Dog Auckland

The Urban Playground Tour: Young Sid, Chong Nee, PNC, Mareko, Chase, Delani, Lady Chic, Donald (Nesian Mystik), DJ SMV and Mirrah. JUNE: 5 Memorial Hall Wanganui, 6 Yarrows Stadium New Plymouth, 7 Rodney Centennial Events Centre Hawkes Bay, 12 Taupo Events Centre, 13 Civic Theatre Rotorua, 14 Regent Theatre Palmerston North.

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