The lost art of the cassette tape is enjoying a resurgence thanks to New Zealand rapper Coco Solid, who will release her new mixtape on cassette later this month while on a nationwide tour.
The mixtape, titled ‘Pacific Rims’, is a twelve-track release featuring previously unreleased material and new tracks by long time Coco Solid collaborators from Czech Republic, Portugal, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the UK and New Zealand.
Pacific Rims features musicians close to home, such as Wellington’s Disasteradio, Auckland outifit Unitone Hi-Fi, local producers Jizmatron, Scott Detail and Coco’s vocalist sister Hayley J. Hansell. The tape also features many international friends Coco made while attending the Red Bull Music Academy in Barcelona back in 2008. Says Solid, “I chose specifiic collaborators. Online mixtapes are punk in approach when you think about it but Pacific Rims is hip-hop/electronica angled too. So I asked people who understood that combination.
Punters to any of Solid’s New Zealand dates can get one of the limited edition run of 400 hand packaged and lovingly crafted cassette tapes. Door entry will also include a download link for everyone wanting to get it digitally. Following the tour Solid will make the mixtape available as a free download on www.cocosolid.com.
In true mixtape style, Solid will perform a mix of the release, as well as tracks from side projects Parallel Dance Ensemble and Badd Energy during her live shows later this month. Says Solid, “It'll just be me vs. the sound system.”
COCO SOLID – PACIFIC RIMS TOUR DATES
HAMILTON – Wed June 29th, Static Bar feat. Doteyes & Frankie. 9pm $10 Door sales only.
WHANGANUI – Fri July 1st, Space Monster feat. Redback Villian & Caves. 10pm $10 Door sales only.
WELLINGTON – Sat July 2nd, San Francisco Bath House feat. Thought Creature, K-Lab & DJ Han Baby. 10pm $15 Tickets from www.undertheradar.co.nz & on the door.
QUEENSTOWN – Thurs July 7th, Sub Culture feat. local support. 9pm $10 Door sales only.
DUNEDIN – Fri 8th July, XII Below feat. Manthyng & Mental Health Triangle 10pm. $10 w/ 91CARD or $15 without.
AUCKLAND – Thurs July 14th, Rising Sun feat. local support. 10pm. $15. Tickets from www.undertheradar.co.nz & on the door.
