Amplifier | Articles http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/forum,1,articles.sm Amplifier NZ ???rss.title??? en-us Copyright (c) 2012 Amplifier NZ ARTICLE: Elizabeth Marvelly Heartland Tour http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,662,article-elizabeth-marvelly-heartland-tour.sm Amplifier Kiwi songstress Elizabeth Marvelly will sing time's most beautiful songs on her very special tour of Heartland New Zealand.
She will be accompanied by some of New Zealand's best musicians including maestro Carl Doy and violinist Ben Morrison.
These outstanding artists will perform show-stoppers from Burt Bacharach and Whitney Houston's catalogues, as well as from blockbuster Broadway musicals.
From Leonard Cohen through to Crowded House, Gershwin and Joni Mitchell – this spectacular concert series will showcase the unique vocal abilities that make Elizabeth one of New Zealand's most treasured artists.
Elizabeth will also sing some New Zealand favourites including Whakaaria Mai and Tarakihi, as well as The Prayer which featured on her most recent album Home as a duet with Britain's Got Talent phenomenon Paul Potts.
She will also introduce audiences to some of the new original material she's working on for her eagerly anticipated third studio album.
TOUR DATES:
Sunday 15 JulyCivic Theatre, Rotorua
Sunday 16 JulyBaycourt, Tauranga
Monday 17 JulyWar Memorial Hall, Whakatane
Wednesday 19 JulyGreat Lakes Centre, Taupo
Thursday 20 JulyClarence Street Theatre, Hamilton
Saturday 22 JulyTown Hall, Auckland
Sunday 23 JulyTurner Centre, Kerikeri
Saturday 28 JulyTheatre Royal, Palmerston North
Monday 30 JulyIlott Theatre, Wellington...

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]]> Thu, 03 May 2012 16:54:00 +1200 ARTICLE: Hollie Smith South Island Acoustic Tour http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,657,article-hollie-smith-south-island-acoustic-tour.sm Amplifier Following her successful sold out North Island Acoustic Tour earlier in the year, Hollie Smith will grace the stage again will perform five intimate shows in the South Island accompanied by Tyson Smith.
Make sure you get along to these intimate shows.
TOUR DATES:
Thursday 28 JuneThe World Bar, Queenstown
Friday 29 JuneAlbert Town Tavern, Wanaka
Friday 6 JulyRevival Bar, Christchurch
Saturday 7 JulyThe Free House, Nelson
Sunday 8 JulyThe Mussel Inn, Takika
Tickets available at http://www.eventfinder.co.nz

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]]> Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:36:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Win a double pass to any Six60 show on their upcoming New Zealand tour! http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,655,article-win-a-double-pass-to-any-six60-show-on-their-upcoming-new-zealand-tour.sm Amplifier Six60 are about to embark on their first world tour.
First up is New Zealand, where the band will hit a few towns they didn't get to during their summer tour.
We've got a double pass to any of Six60's New Zealand shows up for grabs. To enter the competition, just answer the question below...
TOUR DATES
Friday 2 MarchThe Regent Theatre, Palmerston North
Friday 9 MarchRotorua Convention Centre, Rotorua
Thursday 15 MarchAltitude, Hamilton
Friday 16 MarchAltitude, Hamilton
Friday 23 MarchThe Front Room, Wellington
Saturday 24 MarchThe Colombo, Christchurch
Friday 30 MarchSammys, Dunedin
Saturday 31 MarchSammys, Dunedin
Friday 13 AprilThe Powerstation, Auckland
Saturday 14 AprilThe Powerstation, Auckland

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]]> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:53:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Knights Of The DUB Table Album Release Tour http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,654,article-knights-of-the-dub-table-album-release-tour.sm Amplifier Knights of the DUB Table are set to hit six cities in three weekends for the official tour of their recently released debut album Way of the DUB.
The Way of the Dub Tour will kick start in the band's hometown of Hamilton on the Friday 3 February in the bar which they deem the birthplace of the band – the legendary Flow Bar. Other locations for the tour include Auckland, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Gisborne and Wellington.
The Knights have made it their goal to do the album justice on the live stage. A lot of thought has been put into the arrangements, build-ups, drops and vocal techniques to ensure the Knights bring an uplifting and infectious live experience.
Front man Mr Samy'samson says "we want to push the boundaries of our live performance and take the audience to another level"...

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]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:03:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Like Festival On K Road http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,651,article-like-festival-on-k-road.sm Amplifier The idea for the upcoming Like Festival on Auckland's K Road is simple. Fans of live music attend the event for free and hear some superb artists show off their sonic wares.
In exchange for the awesome performances, all you need to do is 'Like' the artists on Facebook to keep track of them and give a long-lasting benefit to the bands' work.
The main line-up includes Harvey Knows A Killer, This Flight Tonight, The Fritts and Kohl's A Killer. There will also be two more bands playing on the night.
Get along to this great show at the Whammy Bar and Wine Cellar on Friday 10 February!


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]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:42:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Win a double pass to either of The Mutton Birds' two club shows! http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,650,article-win-a-double-pass-to-either-of-the-mutton-birds-two-club-shows.sm Amplifier The original line-up of The Mutton Birds, reunited after 10 years, will break off from the Classic Hits Winery tour to play two club shows in Aucklandand Wellington.
We have a double pass to each of the shows to give away. To enter the draw, all you have to do is answer the question below!
The Mutton Birds were founded by singer and songwriter Don McGlashan, who had earlier fronted kiwi favourites Blam Blam Blam and The Front Lawn.
Three years later The Mutton Birds were about as big as it is possible to be in New Zealand. They had released two platinum albums: a self-titled debut and another collection called Salty. They'd scooped music awards, McGlashan had won the APRA Silver Scroll for his song-writing, and they'd become one of the biggest live acts in the country.

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]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:36:00 +1300 ARTICLE: The Adults Add Two Members For A One-Off Show In Auckland http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,649,article-the-adults-add-two-members-for-a-one-off-show-in-auckland.sm Amplifier As a special warm-up for their Homegrown Festival performance in Wellington on Saturday night, the regular Adults line-up of Jon Toogood, Shayne Carter and Julia Deans will be joined for this Auckland show by drummer Gary Sullivan and percussionist Steve Bremner, both of whom also appeared on The Adults' acclaimed debut album.
The gig will take place at The Winchester, Auckland on Thursday 16 February.
Toogood, Carter and Deans are three of New Zealand's most respected musicians and the result of their live collaboration has been incredibly rewarding for both punters and band members alike.
Drummer Gary Sullivan has serious history within the NZ music scene, having played for Chug, Solid Gold Hell, JPSE, The Stereo Bus and Dimmer; and as well as performing on six of the twelve tracks on The Adults album, he also appeared on the Last Train To Brockville tour alongside Shayne Carter.
Steve Bremner comes from an orchestral background. A regular performer with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Vector Wellington Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, he has appeared on albums by Crowded House, Rhombus and Hollie Smith; and performed live with Shihad, Dave Dobbyn and Che Fu...

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]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:04:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Win a double pass to a show by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra on their upcoming tour! http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,648,article-win-a-double-pass-to-a-show-by-the-wellington-international-ukulele-orchestra-on-their-upcoming-tour.sm Amplifier The Wellington Ukulele Orchestra are hitting the road with songs from their latest recording, calling in at as-yet-unvisited towns throughout the country.
TOUR DATES
Thursday 16 and Friday 17 February
Q Theatre, Auckland8.00pm
Tuesday 21 FebruaryClarence Street Theatre, Hamilton7.30pm
Wednesday 22 FebruaryWar Memorial Little Theatre, Whakatane7.30pm with Pi'ikea Clark
Thursday 23 FebruaryGreat Lake Centre, Taupo7.30pm
Friday 24 FebruaryRoyal Wanganui Opera House, Whanganui7.30pm
Friday 2 MarchGeraldine Cinema, Geraldine7.30pm
Saturday 3 MarchWaipara Wine & Food Festival, Waipara10.30am – 5.00pm – Tickets $45 (Separate event)
Sunday 4 MarchRegent Theatre, Greymouth7.30pm
Tuesday 6 MarchCivic Theatre, Invercargill7.30pm
Thursday 8 MarchQueenstown Memorial Hall, Queenstown7.30pm
Friday 9 MarchSammy's, Dunedin9.00pm

We have a double pass to one of The Wellington Ukulele Orchestra's upcoming shows up for grabs. To enter the draw, all you have to do is answer the following question correctly...

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]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:03:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Head Like A Hole National Tour http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,646,article-head-like-a-hole-national-tour.sm Amplifier New Zealand's most outrageous rock band Head Like A Hole is back! 11 years after the carnage of a messy rock n roll cliché-filled break-up, the cleared grudges are now forgotten or forgiven and the band have emerged again; older and more hirsute but still able to rock harder than any of the young ones out there.
Booga Beazley, Nigel Regan, Andrew Durno, Mike Franklin-Browne and the addition of Andrew Ashton on guitar, have proved they are back with a vengeance. They have produced their finest work to date, Blood Will Out, featuring 11 tracks of classic stonking rock 'n' roll, an album they proclaim to be their best yet.
Ripping guitars, pounding drums, brutal bass and Booga's heart poured out in the way that only he can. So on the back of this album release, Head Like A Hole are pleased to announce their Blood Will Out national tour where lucky fans will get to hear all the new songs plus some hanging from the rafters favourites...

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]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Big Day Out 2012 Final Line-Up http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,645,article-big-day-out-2012-final-line-up.sm Amplifier As always, the Big Day Out is ever evolving. The event continues to support local musicians, DJs and artists in every city, making each Big Day Out a unique experience.
It's not just about bands. Hitting the custom built 40 foot Big Day Out touring skate ramp will be some of the hottest skaters on the planet right now. There is always more to explore at the Big Day Out.
The Big Day Out prides itself on presenting the best, most outstanding artists in the world, and the second round of acts is no exception.
Unfortunately Kanye West and Odd Future will not be appearing at the Auckland event.
This means for Auckland it will be:
NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS, NERO (LIVE), THE VACCINES, BASSNECTAR, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, REGURGITATOR, KIMBRA, PARKWAY DRIVE, MIDNIGHT YOUTH, DAS RACIST, SIX60, MT EDEN, THE ADULTS, I AM GIANT, CAIRO KNIFE FIGHT, JAKOB, BULLETPROOF, JUNICA, @PEACE, DJ SIR-VERE and NICK D
Who will now be joining:...

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]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:54:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Amplifier's Top Twenty Albums of 2011 http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,640,article-amplifiers-top-twenty-albums-of-2011.sm Amplifier All the staff at Amplifier have come together for the 6th consecutive year, entering into intense deliberation as to what they consider to be the Top Twenty Albums of 2011.
It was an epic skirmish, taking place over an almost-as-epic dinner, but in the end it succeeded in showing the following releases as Amplifier's Top Twenty Albums of 2011.



Equal 1st. Tiny Ruins – Some Were Meant For Sea
Spunk Records is proud to present Some Were Meant For Sea, the debut album from Tiny Ruins. Its songs, composed and performed by Hollie Fullbrook, follow a year spent collaborating and performing internationally in which the young artist's worldly voice and stories would connect with audiences as distant as Northern Spain and with artists including Joanna Newsom, Beach House and Holly Throsby.
Both vocally and instrumentally, Some Were Meant For Sea exists in dappled warmness: Fullbrook's striking timbre recalling a smooth Jolie Holland and conjuring a similar natural imagery born from earth and sea...

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]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:36:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Getting your band overseas http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,568,article-getting-your-band-overseas.sm Amplifier 18.08.09
Getting a band touring overseas has daunted bands and managers since we began exporting music. However when bands have managed to get overseas and tour it's made it seem more do-able for the rest of us, and their achievements have opened doors we can all cash in on. Although in some societies funding is available in some capacity, for every band that gets funding to assist touring, there are dozens in the wings with their hopes dashed. I have set up tours with and without funding.
Bearing in mind the things I have said before: 'don't rely on anyone' and 'there is no formula' here are a few tips to how you can get your band an international tour.
Costs: Until a bridge is built linking all major continents, stumping up with the flight costs is unavoidable. However if each band member is prepared to sacrifice their own time and money to cover a share of it, I recommend that you do it as soon as possible. There are a ton of opportunities if you can get overseas, and at the very least touring internationally is one of those unique life-experiences that is worth the investment...

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]]> Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:04:00 +1200 ARTICLE: Tiki Taane Joins The More FM Southern Vineyard Tour http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,635,article-tiki-taane-joins-the-more-fm-southern-vineyard-tour.sm Amplifier In an exciting addition to an already stellar line-up, the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour is pleased to announce musical maestro Tiki Taane will join Aloe Blacc, John Butler Trio and Annabel Fay on the tour for an acoustic set, while local DJ favourites the Sweet Mix Kids will also be entertaining between acts.
Tiki Taane is a multi-platinum award-winning artist and considered a pioneer in the New Zealand music scene with a career spanning nearly 15 years. Earlier this year, he took out three Tuis at the New Zealand Music Awards including Best Male Solo Artist, Best Electronica and Best Maori Album, as well as re-releasing his #1 album In The World Of Light which features three bonus tracks, including the epic RWC remix of My Lion.
His debut LP Past, Present, Future achieved double platinum sales and picked up a swag of awards, and also features the beautiful acoustic love ballad and #1 single Always On My Mind...

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]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:36:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Kaikoura Roots Festival 2012 http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,634,article-kaikoura-roots-festival-2012.sm Amplifier 14 and 15 January 2012 mark the re-launch of the Kaikoura Roots Festival. The last event was in 2006 and, like a good painting, the organisers chose to hang it on the wall.
After a five year break and with the emergence of some exciting new artists, the festival has been shifted down the road to a new site that has beautiful panoramic views of the Kaikoura Ranges, whilst retaining the close proximity to the beach with lush sprawling paddocks to laze on.
The goal is to produce an interactively creative environment for artists and audience alike. For this reason, capacity is restricted to a maximum of 2200 people on site. This year's line-up features Salmonella Dub, Cornerstone Roots, Kora, DLT, Sunshine Soundsystem, AHoriBuzz and more.
All camping and parking is now within 200 metres of the main stage. Gates will open at 8.30am on Saturday 14 January. All parking and camping will be free to ticket holders until 5pm on Sunday 15 January. Ticket holders and artists will be welcomed by powhiri on to the site at 12pm on the Saturday...

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]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:26:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Amanda O'Connor - An Obituary http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,633,article-amanda-oconnor-an-obituary.sm Amplifier Long-time integral member of kiwi acts Lava and The O'Connors, Amanda O'Connor, has passed away in the presence of her loving family in Wellington.
Amanda O'Connor was 39 years old, and she will be sorely missed by the New Zealand folk community, having made many great contributions to kiwi music during her life.
She was involved in a joint musical adventure with her husband Simon O'Connor for the last two decades, so this loss will doubtless be felt in other parts of the world as well.
She was set to play with Lava at the Acoustic Routes Concert in Wellington this Sunday, but the event has had to be reorganised due to these tragic circumstances.
She died very unexpectedly, as a result of a rare condition complicated by her recent pregnancy. Her five month-old daughter, Ava May Atahua O'Connor, also did not survive.
Amanda O'Connor is survived by her two daughters, Acacia and Rosie...

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]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:11:00 +1300 ARTICLE: New Zealand Roots Festival http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,631,article-new-zealand-roots-festival.sm Amplifier George FM and DUBJB Music have collaborated to deliver a concert that celebrates a humble yet powerful genre of New Zealand music.
Recognising the growing popularity of roots music amongst kiwi musicians, The Roots Festival at Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 3 December brings together both on-the-rise and established local and international talent in a seven-hour extravaganza that also incorporates styles of funk, reggae, soul and dub.
The Roots Festival was designed with the idea in mind that Auckland lacks a festival totally dedicated to this spiritual and culturally-influenced music genre.
Director of DUBJB Music and co-creator Rasam Moghimi believes The Roots Festival is perfect for true roots reggae lovers who appreciate the unique vibes that this style of music offers.
"The Roots Festival is for those of us who love nothing more than to immerse ourselves in soul-pleasing melodies and rhythms that feel completely natural to have a good skank to.
"And with bands and artists of this calibre performing at such an iconic musical venue as the Auckland Town Hall, it will certainly set a high mark for the rest of the summer festivals to follow."...

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]]> Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:02:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Earthtonz NYE Music Festival Gets Bigger Yet http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,629,article-earthtonz-nye-music-festival-gets-bigger-yet.sm Amplifier Earthtonz, the biggest NYE party in the South Island this year, just got bigger!
In addition to main stage acts including New Zealand's own Minuit, Tommy Lee (Motely Crue) & DJ Aero, The Crystal Method, British break beat musicians The Freestylers, hip hop legend DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill), Dutch trio Kraak & Smaak, AK 1200/DJ Dara/MC Messinian (Planet Of The Drums), Boombox, Ana Sia and Heatbox, a second stage at Queenstown's Gibbston Valley, named The Edge Bass Camp, will run especially for Earthtonz Festival campers from 2pm to midnight on Friday 30 December.
Featured at The Edge Bass Camp will be Hamilton musicians Knights Of The Dub Table, Dunedin groups Hunting Bears and Simple Thieves, Invercargill band Rhythmonyx and Queenstown based acts The Station Agents, Dub Side, Getto Blaster and The Fletcherz. DJs and MCs will keep the party going by cutting up the music breaks courtesy of The Edge FM.
Earthtonz American partner Dan Allen said the Kiwi bands bring another dimension to the event...

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]]> Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:21:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Campaign For New Student Radio Frequency In Hamilton Launched http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,624,article-campaign-for-new-student-radio-frequency-in-hamilton-launched.sm Amplifier New Zealand's fourth largest city is now without a student radio frequency.
A new campaign has been launched today to pressure the Government to allocate a new student radio frequency for Hamilton. The city has effectively been without a high powered student radio station for more than a decade.
The former student radio frequency was yesterday allocated to Waikato Community Broadcasting Charitable Trust, who run Community Radio Hamilton, removing the possibility of student radio's return to this frequency.
Cities as small as New Plymouth and Palmerston North currently have Government allocated high-powered student radio FM frequencies. Although Hamilton is the fourth largest city in New Zealand, with an urban catchment in excess of 200,000, it has an estimated 40,000 tertiary students who remain without access to student radio.
The Independent Broadcasting Community (Hamilton) (Inc), who have run the student radio station Contact FM on a low powered frequency since 2004, are spearheading this campaign to have a high powered student frequency allocated for the city.
Nick Johnston, Chairperson of the IBC said, "The Minister of Broadcasting needs to find a student radio frequency for the city to address this gap in the cultural infrastructure of Hamilton."


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]]> Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Blam Blam Blam Reunite To Fundraise For Starship Children's Hospital http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,621,article-blam-blam-blam-reunite-to-fundraise-for-starship-childrens-hospital.sm Amplifier Blam Blam Blam, one of the most important and influential New Zealand bands in the early 1980s, are getting back together to perform a special fundraising gig for Starship Children's Hospital.
They'll be playing at Juice Bar at Auckland's Windsor Castle in Parnell on Friday 11 November, with Mark Bell, Tim Mahon and Don McGlashan all on board.
Also playing will be Scrunch (all the Newmatics minus Ben Staples) and seminal 80s New Wave act The Features, as well as Fetus Productions, former Mocker Andrew Fagan, and Soul Agents.
Tickets will be $25 with all proceeds going straight to Starship Children's Hospital.


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]]> Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:54:00 +1300 ARTICLE: Shapeshifter In London This Saturday http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,618,article-shapeshifter-in-london-this-saturday.sm Amplifier London can expect heavy soul, barreling drum'n'bass, cavernous dub soundscapes and pounding rock as Shapeshifter roll in with their monstrous live show this Saturday 24 September.
After gracing Amstedam the previous night, Shapeshifter will treat those in London to a solid performance at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, with doors opening at 8pm.
Shapeshifter will be back in Aotearoa some time later in the year to play as one of the headline acts at the Coromandel Gold festival over New Year's Eve.
Tickets to the London show are available at http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=450060


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]]> Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:00:00 +1200 ARTICLE: Anika Moa And Barnaby Weir Spring Tour http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,616,article-anika-moa-and-barnaby-weir-spring-tour.sm Amplifier Jump out of the winter blues this spring when Anika Moa and Barnaby Weir strap on their guitars, strumming and humming through your town this September and October on their first accoustic tour together.
Bouncing like new born lambs through daffodils, Anika and Barnaby take their mischevious, but light hearted show through vineyards, halls, theatres, cellars and cinemas of New Zealand, collaborating on new, familiar, and sometimes surprising material.
Anika Moa will be releasing a CD of NZ artists covering songs from her recent Gold album, Love In Motion. Artists include Street Chant, Julia Deans & Cairo Knife Fight, to name a few.
Barnaby Weir, while not only making a name for himself in The Black Seeds, also released his debut solo album Tarot Card Rock earlier this year, which met with acclaim for his foray into Americana.
The first time these artists have collaborated on a tour it promises to be a soundtrack for spring. All venues have been handpicked by both artists and are modestly sized for that 'intimate' experience. So get amongst!
TOUR DATES
Thursday 15 SeptemberHopetoun Alpha, Auckland
Friday 16 SeptemberAscension Wine Estate, Matakana
Saturday 17 SeptemberHarrington Hall, Pukekohe
Thursday 29 SeptTown Hall, Raglan...

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]]> Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:55:00 +1200 ARTICLE: David Dallas & Tahuna Breaks To Play Coroglen http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,615,article-david-dallas-tahuna-breaks-to-play-coroglen.sm Amplifier Escape the city and come celebrate the long weekend at Coromandel's Coroglen Tavern with a special one-off show, featuring Tahuna Breaks and David Dallas on Saturday 22 October, Labour Weekend.
Synonymous with summer, Coroglen Tavern is well known for its massive gigs and beachy vibes, so kick off the sunny months the right way with some of the country's finest acts.
Recently signed to US label Duck Down Records, David Dallas continues to reign as New Zealand's hip-hop man of the moment. His new album The Rose Tint was recently released to overwhelming critical acclaim. He will hit the Coroglen off the back of his recent sold out NZ shows.
Tahuna Breaks' last Kiwi gig was also a sell out. With a live stage sound that encompasses funk, disco, soul, live electronics and roots, their addictive rhythms are always guaranteed to get crowds moving.
Tickets to the show are available at http://www.nikaurhythm.co.nz


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]]> Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:56:00 +1200 ARTICLE: Win a double pass to any Fly My Pretties show on this tour! http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,614,article-win-a-double-pass-to-any-fly-my-pretties-show-on-this-tour.sm Amplifier Having not ventured out since early 2009, Fly My Pretties are back with a re-imagined show, new cast and wealth of new songs.
The fresh concept will see the 16-strong cast collaborate with celebrated contemporary visual artist, Hayley King (Flox). Audiences can expect a completely new production, from re-imagined costumes, to unique boundary-pushing visuals.
Led by Barnaby Weir, the latest Fly My Pretties family will combine an exciting and diverse mix of established and up-and-coming New Zealand talent, with performances in Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland.
Fly My Pretties will also be working with the Heart Strings project. Heart Strings have created seven guitars crafted from the timber of historic and iconic Christchurch buildings devastated by the recent earthquakes.
Once again, all shows will be filmed and recorded live for release as a limited edition deluxe set in early 2012.
To celebrate – we've got one double pass to the gig of your choice to give away! All you have to do is answer the question below and be in to win! Here are the tour dates:
Saturday 29 OctoberThe Regent, Dunedin
Sunday 30 and Monday 31 OctoberGeo Dome, Hagley Park, Christchurch...

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]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +1200 ARTICLE: Katie Thompson - Impossible http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,606,article-katie-thompson-impossible.sm Amplifier New Zealand singer-songwriter Katie Thompson clearly has a following. This album was funded to the tune of US$50,000 through Sellaband (where supporters chip in for the artist to record an album) and she has just been announced as the opening for an Elton John concert in Dunedin later in the year. That's pretty good for a girl from Hokitika on the West Coast.
This mature outing – just enough new country/pop crossover the get her to radio and Elton's audience – comes with excellent musical support (Andy Taylor's guitars worthy of mention) and was produced by Greg Haver's studio in Britain. It sounds terrific and the neatly arranged strings and backing vocals never overwhelm.
Katie Thompson writes and delivers a smart song too: Good As Gold leaps out as the kind of single which could head straight into the US charts where country-kissed pop is given a good hearing...

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]]> Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:38:00 +1200 ARTICLE: A Letter Home from Urbantramper http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/forum/topic,602,article-a-letter-home-from-urbantramper.sm Amplifier Currently meandering around the world playing music and seeing some sights, Urbantramper took a moment to reflect and wrote us a little letter home. Awww!Dear Zealand.
I miss you.
I miss your vaguely clean rivers and the people's desire to swim in them.
I left your shores for the great north in July. I travelled via Tokyo where I played a show organised by the incomparable Kohei Katsura. The concert took place in a futuristic sky high cafe with a glass dome roof. Everything was white or red. At the behest of the former Mighty glassie turned promoter, his cousin and I sang Chris Knox's 'love not given lightly' and a traditional Japanese tune for the finale. Hands were clapped. Glory and surreality fused...
Eli and Ben then joined me in London and we commenced Urbantramper's second 'European' tour. The UK comprised of three festivals, two London shows and incessant NZ accent mockery. We then took our small rental car across the channel to play shows in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Czech Republic. That mission, the '2010 Rise & ride toward tour', was lovingly serialised here: www.urbantramper.com (label: European summer tour 2010)...

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]]> Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:30:00 +1200