Music News

Weekly Round Up: Friday 19th January

Friday 19th January, 2018 5:56PM

It's been a whiplash week for tour announcements and musical releases, including the news that Detroit dance legend Moodymann is visiting New Zealand for a rooftop show at the Auckland Art Gallery this March. Other exciting touring news included Alabama songwriter Jason Isbell is heading our way for a headline show this March, Australian indie-rock groups Cakefight and Quivers will both be embarking on New Zealand summer tours, Auckland alt-rockers Clap Clap Riot are heading out for a nationwide tour this February, and fun-loving UK ska veterans Bad Manners will be hitting Aotearoa hard this May.

We were stoked to chat with incomparable Australian pop-rock artist Alex Cameron, who dished the dirt on his recent collabs with Angel Olsen and Kirin J. Callinan, and will be playing North Island shows this February. We also caught up with Christchurch artists Salad Boys, who shared their thoughts on their excellent new album This Is Glue.

We were once again spoiled for musical releases, with US legends of P-Funk Parliament dropping their first single in 38 years! US alt-pop artist Beck shared a cute new clip featuring poodles and babies ahead of his appearance at Auckland City Limits 2018, party worshipper Andrew W.K. unleashed the inspirational lead single from his first long-player in nine years, currently-touring songwriter Mount Eerie shared a reflective new tune, and Glaswegian indie-pop figureheads Belle & Sebastian released the second instalment of their How To Solve Our Human Problems trilogy of EPs. We were also suitably scandalised by the new video from Atlanta rapper CupcakKe, whose seriously NSFW latest clip is definitely an early highlight of 2018.

Local releases were once again solid, with Kody Nielson (Silicon, Mint Chicks) sharing the psychedelic first single from his upcoming album Birthday Suite. Highlights of the week included a rocking new tune from Datsuns-affiliated group System Corporation, acclaimed songwriter Lawrence Arabia announced a bold new initiative with the launch of his 2018 Singles Club, Wellington dance duo Bright Music dropped a catchy new track with a tropical punch, purveyors of experimental sounds End Of The Alphabet Records announced a five CD collection of works by Blenheim sound artist Omit, and enigmatic Auckland producer WhyFi followed up his excellent Babyface collaborative album with a vibey new tune.

Our Caught Live video for this week features US songwriter Shenandoah Davis, whose comprehensive summer tour of New Zealand kicks off this week. Check out footage of the artist performing a gorgeous rendition of her recent single 'Supernatural Powers' on Colorado Public Radio's OpenAir show, and catch her live in your area...