May 31, and so passes another NZ Music Month. The best thing this time for me has been seeing so many different people picking up the ukulele and having a go. And so much has been happening throughout town too. I think we're so rich to have such a diverse range of good quality music in this space. So here are our final two videos to see out the end of NZMM2012, a couple of oldies but goodies:
We have six days of videos to catch up on! Ukulele classes are almost over. Our last one is tomorrow at Titirangi Library, where we'll do a special song for Samoan Language Week. And this Thursday at Zeal in Henderson, we will be awarding the Launch Your Lyrics finalists, followed by a free show from Rodney Fisher.
So here are six more favourites, including Tono & The Finance Company, who did a beautiful opening set at the Grey Lynn Library Hall on Saturday night:
So we've been trying to compete with nzmusicmonth.co.nz for best daily video post. But their one today is just too good. So here it is (intro from Bic Runga):
The best reference query I had the other day was when a young Japanese guy asked for Superette's Tiger album, and for advice on other shoegaze-or-similar local bands. We flicked through the shelves and grabbed some Arch Hill & Flying Nun stuff, and did a whole lotta Youtubing. So here are three of our favourite videos from that exploration:
Superette: Killer Clown
Street Chant: Salad Daze
Mestar: Konked Out
In other news, Spotify is here! I just downloaded the app. Subscription music streaming. Check it out!
I love NZ On Screen. I've recently discovered their sweet collection of music videos, old and new. Here are three to finish of our third week of NZ Music Month. Make sure you check out the Dam Native clip.
We're halfway through NZ Music Month, and there seems to be a whole lot of goodness happening. Album release parties here & there, free downloads everywhere, etc etc.
So here we go: videos for today and the two before. These are all great - but look out for Bob Parker.
Our old mate Nicky made her way over the Pacific to Bellingham, Washington, USA. Just north of Seattle. And thanks to her, the Bellingham Public Library have a New Zealand Music Month 2012 display!
It's interesting how present, and even influential, our music has been in the seedy underbelly of great American music. I remember talking to a record store guy in Athens, Georgia who was crazy about Chris Knox. Look at Knox's "Stroke" album and you can see those influences. So today's video is dedicated to him.
So ukulele classes have gone pretty well so far. We've seen and heard some incredibly talented students. But no one has quite mastered Bach's Gavotte II yet. Jamie will be teaching it tonight at New Lynn Library. Get there if you don't want to be playing Mary Had a Little Lamb for the rest of your uke-life.
For Thursday & Friday: something great from Auckland, something great from Wellington.
It was a big weekend, with weddings & shows. And Home Brew debuted at #1!
So here are four favourites from the last couple of years, some beautiful songs with artistic direction thanks to the likes of Veronica Crockford-Pound and Joel Kefali.
Gig pick this week: Tono & the Finance Company & Cool Rainbows at the Lucha Lounge on Friday.
Today's contender, and one of our favourites here in the music department: Tha Feelstyle.
These guys have a very long-awaited album due in the next couple of months. They're really good at crafting some beautifully cinematic tunes.
Ok, I didn't know our pals at the NZ Music Commission were doing a video a day for NZMM as well. So for each video they post, we'll post a worthy adversary. Keep watching, and send in your suggestions in the comments for what we should post!
Today our contender is Upper Hutt Posse:
