Welcome to the new format!

I’m aware Greta Van Den Brink is an actor and stunt artist. She’s turning her hand to music too, and I have to say I am rather impressed. New single, the head-turner of a title being Swimming On A Spoon, has charmed me. I wasn’t expecting it to be as enjoyable as I found it,…

Exciting! A new act for me to review! Papercity are originally from Nelson, although they hang out in the big smoke Tāmaki Makaurau these days. A self-described alt-pop band, they consist of vocalist/guitarist Alex Hargreaves, drummer Sam Edmonds, and bass player (I assume) Jack (great name there!) Rollinson. New single Bored is great. It’s an…

Blake is one of the artists of my journey into music reviewing. Simple as that. As a lyricist this lady is measured, concise, artistic, empathic, and kind. As a songwriter she’s professional and astute. New single The Gift You Gave Me is a beautiful piano-led song about loss. Timed for release on Friday 20th December,…

I have never hidden how much I dig Underwire. I’ve seen this band live in its infancy and even then it was clearly a project that was meshed, tight and going places. I’ve previously mentioned Johnny Mills is a good mate and we go back a good twenty or so years together in the Wellington…

I’ve missed the boat on release date, as it’s already been out since Friday 13th (AAAAA!) but The Transits are right back in the thick of it with another surefire hit named Come Melt My Heart. I find this band to be a complete joy to listen to, so forgive me as I’m about to…

Review by Johnny Mills I’ve been hearing about Powder Chutes for a while, they’ve been making a great name with their live powers, as a tight rocking grungy good time.  Their new single ‘Scalpel’, already anointed by Alien Weaponry as their inaugural AJ Hackett Bungy ‘Thrash More’ winner, opens the throttle wide with a ripple-smash…

Brian Baker is back, and he’s based in Whanganui these days. Recording, producing, writing and playing, he’s a busy boy indeed – but unlike the new single title, let’s not keep in on the Down Low. Brian delivers a rich baritone vocal for this track, itself one of those with a melody I like to…

Van Staden & Böhm are Madison Van Staden and Amelia Berry. Currently based across the ditch in the West Island (sorry Aussie readers, a naughty little Kea told me to type that or it would peck my windscreen wipers off), the duo brings us a new Happy Hardcore anthem to fill the dancefloors here this…

Annnnd Jack is back! Sorry folks, issues outside of anyone’s control. Back now – and OHHHHH what a way to step back into reviews. Pōneke based soul-pop band Shivers are giving us their new single Tahuti and it is a statement in so many different ways. Firstly the song is delivered in Te Reo, which…