How many people live in Taranaki that aren’t in really great bands? Asking because I’ve just been introduced to Twin Tiger (The Twin Tiger?), a four piece combo from New Plymouth who are extending my increasing appreciation for the talent pouring out of one of my favouritest regions of these islands. Comprising Craig Jones on…

Loved ones we have lost is a bittersweet thing to consider. We all have that yearning, that need, to see them, hold them, smell them, and hear their voice, jut one last time. Steffany Beck, from Portland in the USA but now resident of Ōtautahi, verbalises her wishes to see her late father one last…

Kristin Paulse is KRISTN, South African born, Tāmaki Makaurau based but currently a resident of Australia where she’s exploring numerous opportunities and contracts in the entertainment industry over the ditch. New single Lowkey is R & B blue-blood. Absolute royalty in this genre. Boasting a fey TLC vibe, a la No Scrubs backbeat as a…

Eve Kelly, proudly Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi and born and raised in Whakatāne, has come back to Flash-Trax with a jaw-droppingly professional piece of pop. This track, Summer Lovin‘, has funk, R & B, an incredible earworm of a melody, and one of the coolest, tightest mixes I’ve heard from the genre in quite some time.…

Tawhito is the Te Reo noun for “old”. Tāmaki-based Māori producer Mokotron, hailing from Ngāti Hine, is releasing this track from his up-coming album The United Tribes Of Bass. And we are diving deep in D & B turf. I get to review this single on Waitangi Day 2024. Recognised as Aotearoa New Zealand’s National…

Taranaki is really providing my happy place this week! Courtnay Low, a member of the fabulous Mons Whaler, is also the leader of Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie. This band takes its influences from a number of classic forms like jazz, blues, rock and roll – and have delivered an absolute monster of a rocker…

Another band from the fabulous Taranaki region, and another delightfully unique one at that. TheSlacks are not newcomers, and have had some ticks with previous hits, as well as some serious shows on their CV. Consisting of Scott Armstrong on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mark Armstrong on vocals and lead guitar, Blake Gibson on vocals…

Moana Leota is Mozie, Wairarapa-raised but now resident of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Her new single is called Sonshine (I have spelled it correctly, before anyone brays their faux annoyance!) and once again I have been provided with something special. I’ve said before that there are certain sounds that seem to be synonymous with these islands and…

Fraser Ross, from Ōtautahi, has a delightful, playful tenor that immediately puts you at your ease. I got a great vibe from the new single Cards, the forerunner to his pending album release in March, entitled Thunderhead. Now this single is absolutely charming. It’s got a gentle, catchy melody that will draw you in. Backing…

Chances Are is a three piece unit from Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Tāmaki Makaurau and London collectively. Alexander Grant, Lliam Powell and Maté Vella make up the unit, and I have a lot of thinking to do. Let’s get this straight, right off the bat. This is not a song for the pop charts. I’m very much put…