It's not often that the world gets treated to a release from Cool Rainbows, brainchild of Auckland musician and producer Djeisan Suskov, so we were excited and delighted when this video emerged last week. 'Universe' is the first single from the upcoming album 'Days', released on Indie stalwart Lil' Chief Records. The hazy, dreamy video (directed by Georgie Craw) perfectly accompanies Suskov's signature sunny, psych-pop sound, displayed beautifully here on 'Universe'.

More on Cool Rainbows here.
Find Cool Rainbows on the Auckland Libraries catalogue.

Anthonie Tonnon, one of Mosgiel's brightest sons, made the trans-island move to Auckland several years ago and based himself in the leafy, lofty suburb of Grey Lynn. Inspired by his new locale and the issues faced when flatting in one of Auckland's most desirable suburbs, Tonnon wrote Marion Bates Realty - decrying the ills of gentrification and greed. The album featuring this song - Up Here For Dancing (released as Tono and The Finance Company) - was critically well-received and cemented Tonnon's reputation as a gifted songwriter with a whole bunch of smarts and heart.

Since ditching his previous moniker and embracing his legal name, Tonnon has turned his attention back to his hometown with Water Underground - the lead single from his upcoming album Successor. Carrying on in the protest tradition of Marion Bates, 'Water Underground' is a tale of political corruption in Canterbury, specifically concerning water rights allocation and the National Government sacking a democratically elected regional council body. This is far too complex to delve into further detail but has been written about excellently here.

Anthonie Tonnon is joined by the veritable super-band lineup of Edward Castelow (Dictaphone Blues), Jonathan Pearce (Sal Valentine & The Babyshakes) and Stu Harwood (Paquin).
Successor is released on March 6 with the band touring the country from March 5.

For more on Anthonie Tonnon: anthonietonnon.com.
Find Anthonie Tonnon on the Auckland Libraries online catalogue.

Written by Anna C

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Indie/Alternative band Forleigh arrive in New Zealand next week for the latest leg of their yearlong tour, playing 16 shows over 30 days across the country and featuring 5 local acts in a special ‘Top 5’ event @ Auckland’s King’s Arms on March 5th. See their website for details of how to take part (and win $500!).
We caught up with them in the UK as they prepare to journey down under-

ATM - How would you describe Forleigh’s sound? - you cover a lot of different styles, do you find this broadens your appeal?
F - The different genres do make Forleigh flexible and digestible in almost every live music setting, but to fit in was never the plan, the plan for (song writer) Forleigh X has and continues to be writing timeless music for film, television, video games and other mediums, and share that music on innovative tours around the world, connecting the band with other musicians and creatives. Really it’s more about atmosphere and feeling than genre. 

ATM - What kind of audiences have you been getting?
F - The audience we have seen on tour so far has been much like the music; we have had a bit of everything really. We have played at big venues, smaller venues, art galleries, critically acclaimed venues, music festivals, recording studios, fashion shows, gardens, living rooms, and have seen people of every race and legal age, the turn out itself has been mind blowing, 3 thousand new followers on twitter in just over 3 months was crazy to us, specially since the guys did that all by playing their music live, face to face to real people.

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Last week Portland-based band Unknown Mortal Orchestra released the titular lead single and release date of their forthcoming album 'Multi-Love'. This will be the third album for the trio lead by New Zealander Ruban Nielson, formerly of cult-favourite band The Mint Chicks.
UMO's previous albums 'Unknown Mortal Orchestra' and 'II' were awarded the Taite Music Prize and VNZMA Best Alternative Album award, respectively, whilst receiving widespread critical acclaim.

The single 'Multi-Love' is a fine display of UMO's signature sound: baroque influenced keys, propulsive break-beat drum patterns and soulful, processed vocals while eschewing the lo-fi production of their first two albums. Nielsen's pop-sensibilities and strong instinct for melody are used to full effect here while brother, and former Mint Chicks partner, Kody makes his presence felt with a furiously energetic drum performance,

Find Unknown Mortal Orchestra on the Auckland Libraries online catalogue.

Written by Anna C.

Connan Mockasin

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Sounds of the 80s (2CDs, Rhino)

Sara Cox. Does that name ring any bells?

Well, Sara is the crowning queen of all things 80s in the UK. She presents a weekly Saturday night show-off on BBC2, twisting the corroded cap off a fun and fizzy selection of forever unforgotten mid-eighties floor fillers.

Every week, leg warmers are dropped to reveal stone washed songs, bedazzled beats, alongside a good grab bag of guilty pleasure. To celebrate the endless cash cow that is the good ship ‘80s’, Warner Music has brought together a modern mash-up of the decades worst and wonderful, re-visited by today’s biggest pop performers.

At first, this double dose of eighties excess sparked curiosity and sentimental condemnation, I mean, how dare anyone alter my images or play wicked games with my high school hits? However, there are some very cool cuts in amongst the questionable re-jigs, with many making it onto my elusive and exclusive playlists.

Sultry songstress Lisa Stansfield dims the ever changing mood with a sleepy version of Style Council’s sizzling “You’re the best thing”, whilst Sam Smith’s broody boyish bash on Whitney’s “How will I Know” sniffs a soulful line towards cabaret coolness. My choice cut would have to be the Manic Street Preachers re-launching of the Stones “Start me up”, with Birdy’s quaint take on Madonna’s “Lucky Star”, a cute close second.

Even as an alcohol charged pre-pub quiz squabble, this crafty compilation is sure to feature highly on the lacquered lips of gleeful game players at the next open mike office party. Relax, just do it, you know you want to.

Available here

Dave T

We at the All Things Musical blog are pretty excited about the upcoming St Jerome's Laneway Festival here in Auckland on January 26. Now in its fifth year of visiting Auckland the 2015 line-up is perhaps its finest yet, boasting some of the brightest names in music worldwide as well as some of our own excellent, homegrown talent. Over the next couple of posts we will give a run-down of the acts that we are most pumped about seeing (in no particular order).

Angel Olsen

St. Louis native Angel Olsen garnered much critical praise for her 2014 outstanding sophomore album 'Burn Your Fire For No Witness'. Think Cat Power possessed by Roy Orbison by way of Leonard Cohen.

Angel Olsen on the Auckland Libraries online catalogue.

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We at the All Things Musical blog would like to wish all our lovely readers a happy and safe Christmas and holiday period. To get you in the season's spirit we thought we would share this video from The Christmas Club. We are unsure of who this mysterious yet wholesome band is - or where they came from - but they sure look a lot like some of the members from Auckland band Tom Lark. 

Meri Kirihimete, Manuia le Kerisimasi, 圣诞快乐 and Happy Channukah to those currently celebrating!

tomlarkmusic.com
Find Tom Lark on the Auckland Libraries Catalogue.

Written by: Anna C

Earlier this month Auckland-based singer-songwriter Nadia Reid released her second album 'Listen To Formation, Look For The Signs'. Funded from contributions through the crowdfunding platform PledgeMe, the album was recorded in Lyttleton with Ben Edwards, co-founder of Lyttleton Records.

These are beautifully crafted modern folk songs, buoyed by Nadia's self-assured, lilting delivery and an evocative sonic palette that is at once propulsive and sympathetic. Nadia's tales of love and loss are deftly illustrated by her precise and delicate songwriting. This is an intimate and transportive record from an emerging yet fully-formed talent.

To listen/buy visit: nadiareid.bandcamp.com.

Written by: Anna C

Raggamuffin is Australasia’s premier reggae and roots festival and features an unrivaled line-up of top international and local artists. After seven years in Rotorua, the event has found a new home in Auckland to be closer to its strong fan base.

Headliners include British reggae royalty UB40 ft Ali Campbell, Astro & Mickey Virtue, Jamaican reggae revolutionist Chronixx  and iconic hip-hop legends Ice Cube and Cypress Hill. acts also set to include leading Pacific reggae artist Fiji and Jamaican queen Etana.

They will be joined by more top-shelf Kiwi acts including Katchafire, House of Shem, Che Fu & The Kratez, Sons of Zion, Aaradhna with full band, P-Money, Sammy Johnson featuring Brownhill and Tomorrow People.

Get your name down for the new Raggamuffin VIII album to listen to these fantastic artists.