As an eager new-ish migrant to New Zealand, I wanted to explore and absorb the musical cultures of my new home. Having grown up though the '80s & '90s in the UK, I have quite eclectic music tastes swinging wildly from electronica to jazz to grunge to underground house. But when it came to my knowledge of New Zealand music it pretty much began with Crowded House and Split Enz, and ended with Ladyhawke and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

Thus began my quest for enlightenment, through which I discovered the many varied and talented New Zealand musicians that never made it across the airwaves to my UK ears. My journey was one of the naive and admittedly ill-informed; it was not influenced by the social bias and peer group opinion that one’s musical conscious is usually molded by. What emerged was a list of music which reflected what I liked, what moved me, and what made me want to explore the artist more.

This Spotify list contains some of the highlights of that journey….I hope you enjoy!



Want to hear more....? Follow the links below to view each of the albums and their tracklistings on the Auckland Libraries catalogue:

Elemeno P - Takes a Radical
Breaks Co-op – Duet
Iva Lamkum – Kung Fu Grip
Gin Wigmore – Kill of the Night
Brooke Fraser – Hosea’s wife
The Naked and Famous – Girls Like You
Ladi6 – Like Water
Tahuna Breaks – Listen
Che Fu – Fade Away
Good Shirt – Sophie

Written by Jo C

Written by Richard Giles



If you're an Alt-J fan, you might be surprised that I find their new album "This is all yours" to be their best album yet. In fact, i'd go as far to say that it was my top album pick for 2014, if not one of my favourites of all time. Maybe this is because it is not conventional Alt-J, but something completely different, a huge step up from their first album "An awesome wave" whilst maintaining elements of their traditional, quirky style.

It may take a few listens to get to grasps with the album, but once you do it is one that will be on repeat throughout the house. The intro alone is perfection, combining elements from Indian, Japanese and British music cultures to create a flawless track with inspiring drumming, harmonies and riffs before any lyrics have even been sung.

To be honest, upon first listening I thought the album to be a bit of a dud. The first 10 minutes of the album passes without so much of a pulse; There's the introduction and then "Arrival at Nara", which is essentially a secondary introduction and a very deflating post-hype entree. But how wrong could I have been? Each listening offers another dimension to the album and you begin to pick up on minor subtleties, such as emotions, lyrics and images that weren't originally triggered. Indeed, you realise that it is not at all a load of 'nothing' tracks, but rather Alt-J successfully taking the listener on an emotional journey with them through the landscape of Japan and the personal struggles the band have faced over their 2014 hiatus.

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We've just passed the middle of NZ Music Month and so it seems like a good time to share some new local rock tracks that have come out over the last year. I've made the list on spotify, but there's a couple of videos embedded at the bottom of this post if you'd rather check out the music via youtube.

The list includes new songs from long-time favourites like Don McGlashan, Liam Finn, and Sam Flynn Scott (from Phoenix Foundation, but here playing with Bunnies on Ponies). However there's plenty of upcoming acts too - whether it's the catchy rock of Clap Clap Riot, the electro infused sound of She's So Rad, the sixties influenced music of The Eversons or the bluesy approach taken by Streets of Laredo. I did want to put "365" off the latest Dictaphone Blues album on the list, but it's not on Spotify yet so I've chosen an older tune that it's equally great (though the library does have their new album if you want to check out my original pick).
And do have a look at all the events that Auckland Libraries are holding for NZ Music Month - there's something for all ages.

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Our first Music Month playlist dives straight into NZ Pop, past and present. For now we'll forgive the '80s their frizzy perms and 'seated dancing' (see above) and thank them for some well-loved classic hits instead. Moving on, we bring you a short selection of our finest singer/songwriters and bands. It's not exhaustive by any measure, but hopefully enough to help you explore the genre. Enjoy..

Tracklist

A Minute of One Day - TrueBliss
Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House
Love Me Anyway - Ginny Blackmore
Waste Another Day - Brooke Fraser
Melting Pot - When The Cat's Away
Run Run Run - Goldenhorse
Listening for the Weather - Bic Runga
Special - Six60
Picture Me in The 70's - Anika Moa
Persuasion - stellar*

"No matter where you are, music will always have some meaning. When you have music in your heart, it stays with you. Music will always live on" -  Pixie Costello (nee Williams), January 2010. Williams is probably best known for her recording of Ruru Karaitiana's song 'Blue Smoke' in 1948, arguably New Zealand's first pop song.

With that little piece of history we welcome you  to NZ Music Month, 31 days that celebrate the talents and diversity of our unique musical culture. As well as a wide range of events across the region, we at blog central will be sharing our own musical discoveries and favourites, with playlists to suit all tastes. Check back regularly for more.