Hawkes Bay’s heavy rock phenomenon Black Smoke Trigger returns with newest single Sun Cries Red, and we have a candidate for trademark song. Just as they prepare for their long anticipated album Horizons release at the start of August, the new single arrives and is going to turn heads. All over the place. Band leader…

L.A. Mitchell is Lauren Barus, an Õtautahi-based Kiwi singer and songwriter who is stepping back into the solo world, having collaborated with numerous artists over the last few years. Glove is her new single. While starting in one vein, the song catches fire as it jumps into an electro-pop vein and gets the head nodding…

Voodoo Bloo comes from the label Plastic Groove HQ, run by my buddy Tony McDonald. In fact, I signed Tony and his band – funnily enough named Plastic Groove – to my own label back in the day, so he and I go back some time together. This is not a plug for nepotism towards…

We all know true talent shines through anything. No truer words could be spoken to describe the vocal prowess of Julie Foai, aka Miss French. Having been in the industry for 30 years with her band Te Vaka, Julie is stepping out on her own and bringing us a wonderful album of work, The Trials…

Annemarie Duff, aka T.G. Shand, is definitely an alternative focused artist. This is a good thing. New single Scenes brings us a reflective, winsome little number with a truly delightful video to boot. With a message that’s essentially a reflection on the development of one’s train of thought while people watching while comfortable sitting a…

Now if there was ever a song that resonated with me it’s Give You Up, the new single by Taranaki’s TwinTiger. Wow wow wowzie effing wow! The ‘Naki produces some incredible music, I have to say, and this year that I have been running Flash-Trax has highlighted this to me so much. I am grateful…

It has GOT to be a laugh being a member of Saurian! These guys seem like they really, really enjoy being in the band. I just finished watching the promo vid for new single Park Bench and, despite the emotive song, the sense of fun is still pervasive. Take a look at the end credits…