Welcome to the music pages!
This is where it's all happening if you're into the music scene locally,
like stuff from overseas, or are a musician yourself!
What can the library give me?
If you're wanting to hear some good sounds, you don't need to go any
further than your local library, and you only need to spend $1 to borrow
any CD for a week.
First you'll want to find out if we have your kind of music. Here are
some ways to see if we've got what you're into:
. Title - just type in the cd name (eg Based
on a True Story )
. Author - type in the band name (eg Shihad
or if it's a solo artist remember to put their last name first as in
Runga,
Bic)
Remember, if we don't have what you're looking for you can make a suggestion
for purchase.
How can I find the newest music?
There's a world on the web if you're into music. We're not going to
tell you how to download music from bands without their permission,
but there are plenty of places that really good up & coming bands
gather to share their music with you for free. (Some of the bigger bands
have their own websites with free samples too!)
Amplifier provides
a showcase for a mixture of big names and newcomers. You'll see some
of the big hitters of New Zealand music on the front page, and you can
listen to some of their songs for free, although a permanent download
will cost you.
NZmusic.com is
a great way for bands to promote themselves. You'll find bands galore
here in whatever style you like, and if you click on the music tab you'll
find an archive full of cool music videos to watch. If you find your
favourite band, chances are you can go to their website and find some
free sounds there.
A great site for free music is mp3.com.au
- its an Australian site but a lot of Kiwi bands register themselves
there, as unlike the previous two all downloads are free. Again, you
can search by band name or style of music.
Where can I go?
Wanting to see some live acts? There are a few different places where
you can find listings.
BFM
provides one of the better guides for gigs in Auckland. The music.net.nz
gig guide has also got some great information.
Just remember if you happen to be under 18yrs you won't be able to go
to every gig that's playing, so check out the details before you make
your decision!
What can I do?
Musicians have a lot of opportunities in front of them. There's lots
of ways to get a band started, and we recommend asking around some of
the kiwi music sites listed above if you're interested.
If you've got your band together, got a good sound going and you think
it deserves a wider audience, you no longer need to wait for a record
company to find you to get out there. Whether you just want to record
yourself and get your songs up on the web or you want really make a
splash and put a CD out, we've got some resources that can help you.
Future
sounds is an awesome book for people looking to promote direct to
the web.
There aren't currently any well-established recording websites in New
Zealand, but a couple of good international ones to look into are Home
Recording Dot Com BBS and The
Project Studio Handbook.
It's hard work, but it can be worth it. Good luck!
Reviews
Borrowed a hot CD from our collections? Why not let others know about
it! Send
in your review and we'll put it up on this page!
Soulstice
- Shapeshifter
Shapeshifter’s new album combines their brilliant Drum and Bass sounds
and the phenomenal vocal abilities of P Digss which has taken their
music to a whole new level. Their ability to constantly challenge and
breach genre definitions makes their music truly unique and incredibly
diverse. This album has the added contributions of some on NZ’s top
vocal artists. A band never to be missed in live performance and guaranteed
to get the dance floor moving.
Katie
Into
the Dojo - The
Black Seeds
This is the third album release by New Zealand reggae/funk band The
Black Seeds. The album has been well reviewed and is constantly referred
to as the perfect party album. Combining easy listening, upbeat tracks
with sing along lyrics, this album will complement any summer festivities
Katie
Steps
in Time - Solaa
Solaa formed in 1997 and developed a unique New Zealand sound described
as a fusion of electronic and organic music. Steps in time is their
debut album and features several guests including; Ladi6, Hollie Smith
and Cherie Mathieson.
Katie
Long
Player - Hollie
Smith
It was hard to miss the hype surrounding Hollie Smith’s new album release.
Her soulful voice and powerful lyrics in combination with some of New
Zealand’s top vocalists makes for an album not to be missed.
Katie
Chaos
by Design - Concord
Dawn
They have been dubbed pioneers of Drum and Bass. Their experience and
knowledge in the music industry have created an album that will be played
on the drum and bass scene for years to come. These boys know their
stuff and love to push the boundaries. Chaos by design is exactly that
and incorporates some of our favourite kiwis as guest vocalists and
co-writers.
Katie
Heal
Me - Salmonella
Dub
Not quite the sounds of the Sal Dub of old, but with the departure of
Tiki Taane comes a new feel and new flavour. Track three sums it up;
Love, sunshine and happiness. It has a real summer feel to it,
BBQs in the backyards and ‘laxing on the beach. The lyrics are fun and
catchy and will have you bursting out in song.
Katie
Based
on a true story - Fat
Freddy's Drop
Born and Bred in Aotearoa; the seven members of the Wellington based,
reggae-soul-funk-jazz group blend digital dub rhythms, that showcase
their amazing talents and are unlike anything else you have heard before.
Fat Freddy's Drop are first and foremost a live band, with no two gigs
the same they improvise often and take their songs to new and different
levels - If you haven’t heard it then you’re missing out!
- Katie
Kaleidoscope
– Opensouls
It has been five years in the making and well worth the wait. Kaleidoscope
has incorporated sounds inspired from all over the world with an Aotearoa
twist.
This 16 track album incorporates soul, blues, hip hop and funk and is
a landmark in New Zealand soul sounds. All that’s left to be said
is ‘TURN IT UP!’ :) - Katie
The
Return of Fly My Pretties - Fly
My Pretties
Fly My Pretties is a concept assembled by Black Seeds front man Barnaby
Weir. A unique musical experience; filmed and recorded over four nights,
live, at the Bats Theatre in Wellington. Cast includes members from;
Black Seeds, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Phoenix Foundation and Paseload.
Not a band as such; more a collection of phenomenal New Zealand contemporary
artists, coming together to collaborate on a extraordinary project.
- Katie
Riddim
Wise - Shapeshifter
Formed in Christchurch in 1999 shapeshifter brings an album NOT designed
to lull you to sleep. The constantly changing beats and layers mean
you can’t predict what’s coming next, nor keep still. Made
for the dance floor the music provides D&B beats with the depth and
sophistication and the influences of jazz and house, as well as including
vocal cuts of Ladysix and Joe Dukie. This album will keep you dancing
till dawn! - Katie
Rippon
2006
This is an awesome selection of NZ artists who came together in 2006
to play at the Rippon festival. Rippon is now a biennial event and supports
a wide variety of international standard kiwi acts.
Talent includes; Get - Fly My Pretties, Slightest shift in the weather
- The Phoenix Foundation, First Time – Sung by the amazingly talented
Hollie Smith, Pluto's 'stick in your brain hit' - Dance Stamina and
Shihad's - Get Up. - Katie
