Curse of the Crooks?
Covid has been the end of many gigs, but the timing couldn’t be more unfortunate than for the Rezzy Crooks, writes Fraser Thompson.
Sounds Good to Me
Complementary forces
Complementary forces
I haven’t been writing about local music much recently because I’m in self-imposed exile from local gigs until I’m fully vaccinated. On the bright side, though, it’s giving me a lot of time to listen to albums, writes Fraser Thompson.
Dreaming of touring again
Dreaming of touring again
Local indie band Marlin’s Dreaming have just released their third studio album, and to summarise, it’s another winner.
Flying high and solo
Flying high and solo
Local musician Mackenzie Hollebon, aka Juno Is, has been filling Otepoti venues with dreamy psych vibes since 2019, writes Fraser Thompson.
Distinctly in harmony
Distinctly in harmony
The spirit of song and the wairua of waiata flow together in the music of Aro. Tom McKinlay talked to the two halves of the musical partnership about their new EP.
Finding some space
Finding some space
It’s been a winter of discontent for Dunedin’s music community. Old grievances that have tormented the scene for decades are bubbling to the surface and erupting.
Back to bust out the beats
Back to bust out the beats
James Barrett has spent the last few years making a splash in the venerable techno scene of Berlin. Now in Covid-ravaged 2021, he’s escaped to his homeland and is wasting no time in bringing his...
Winter fest a winner
Winter fest a winner
While Dunedin may perpetually lack venues, we make up for it in the sheer quantity of community organised events - often taking place in strange and innovative spaces, writes Fraser Thompson.
Experiments in style and substance
Experiments in style and substance
In March this year ex-Dunedinite Kane Strang surprised everyone by quietly dropping an album, his first in four years, without any of the extended industry machinations which usually go with an...
And all that jazz
And all that jazz
If there’s one thing we can all agree on in the music community, it’s that we’d quite like more spaces to perform and experience music in, which is why it pleases me greatly to see a new initiative...
People get ready
People get ready
In February 2020, just before everything turned to custard, New New New hosted its largest line-up of acts to date. The event was called Music for People.
Making some noise for Myanmar
Making some noise for Myanmar
It seems like there’s a lot of turmoil in the world right now, maybe there always has been. But it’s good to be aware of what’s happening outside of your bubble and help where you can, writes...
Embracing a happy vibe
Embracing a happy vibe
The evolution of Bathysphere has been fascinating to witness.
Tracks converge on new compilation
Tracks converge on new compilation
Local music compilations have lost a bit of lustre in recent years, but their contribution to music can’t be understated.
Delving into The Veils
Delving into The Veils
Indie band The Veils is touring New Zealand and, for the first time, will perform its dark and brooding 2006 sophomore album Nux Vomica in its entirety. Fraser Thompson caught up with frontman Finn...
Only spectacle is guaranteed
Only spectacle is guaranteed
The Dunedin Fringe Festival is officially under way and if you’re looking for something to see, hear, or do this weekend, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Reality TV and radio
Reality TV and radio
There are two things that get me out of bed in the morning: music and reality TV. So you can imagine my excitement when it was announced that Dave Borrie, local Radio 1 DJ and musician (The Shitz,...
Males back on stage
Males back on stage
In 2012, Males, Astro Children, Two Cartoons and Kane Strang were the main stays of the local Indie scene. Males’ catchy single So High was thrashed by student radio stations across the nation....
Back on schedule
Back on schedule
When local musician Abby Wolfe returned to Dunedin in 2019 she noticed something was missing. She’d just spent three years in Auckland, the centre of New Zealand’s music industry and the home of...
Reasons to get on board
Reasons to get on board
It’s got distortion and feedback and harmonics, enough to pique the interests of the more doom-prone metal people, but not too much to scare away everyone else. It’s got songs: Catchy ones, groovy...