It is no secret that I am a big fan of Wellington punks Underwire. These highly experienced musicians know exactly what they want to make music sound like, and they succeed every time. This new single, Heatstroke, is for me the best one yet from a stable of quality tracks. Usual frontman Johnny Mills takes…

I love Ska. This is a genre that spans so many ethnicities, so many nationalities, so many social demographics. I was introduced to Ska in the late 70s by one of my five older brothers. Bad Manners, The Beat, The Selecter. Quality music from quality musicians. And something to say about society and its ills.…

Minimaiz is quite the enigma. Following on from his dark debut we have another song from the depths of the snarling night with the simply titled Why? We get a hip-hop kind of back beat, and Ivy Marie again puts in a quality vocal performance of the saccharine-bitter melody that at the same time repels…

And here’s a belter out of left field! Taranaki native (already got me onside!) Paul Martin has delivered an unbelievably catchy single called The Duke & The Duchess and you must hear it! It’s on Spotty Fly already, so give it some air. I’ve not got too much detail on Paul‘s history other than he’s…

And here we have it. Unique. Enchanting. Vital. Commercially viable. Ōtautahi lads Dillastrate have got me. Right in the musical feels – and more, which I will go into momentarily. Taku Ngākau is their new single and video release, and it is powerful soul-pop. With a simply beautiful melody, delivered by jaw-droppingly talented vocalist Henare Kaa…

Hit alt-indie rockers Investigator return with their new single Drift, and I must say this surprised me. I didn’t know what I was expecting but I wasn’t expecting the delightful blend of California late 70s to mid 80s pop-rock that I got, and this made me smile. Adrian Drew, singer, songwriter and guitarist, has written…