New Music Review - ‘Smokechasers’ the album by Lunar Intruder
Smokechasers is a dream, a soothing state of mind. Released on 5th April 2024, Lunar Intruder have created something special with this body of work. Artwork: Matt Genet.
In the works for what felt like an age, Christchurch-based favourites garage, rock-indie-pop, Lunar Intruder, have finally flown down from their own space to personally hand deliver us their flawlessly massive debut album, Smokechasers, released on 5th April 2024.
Targeting all audiences from the young ones to the slightly older generation, Lunar Intruder have this tendency to gain access even to the coldest of hearts; allowing their magic to work in mysterious ways.
Blood, sweat and a thousand beers were poured into creating Smokechasers, bringing this exceptionally home-crafted delight of an album to life.
Having been out in the world for an entire month now, Lunar Intruder have had the time to let the album seep into all of our minds and Smokechasers has proven to be sticking well, like one of those slap-hand things that stick to everything.
Smokechasers comes with these massive collaborations with other upcoming New Zealand musicians such as This Dog with their track, Crows Feet, pouring out the natural aptitude of these two bands merging together to create such a powerfully pounding tune.
Another collaboration on the album is the song called Left Behind with the ever-outstanding Honey for Jupiter which will make you melt entirely. With melodic vocalism and beautifully structured placements with the deep instrumentals, this track will have a direct grasp on you.
If you’ve been following along with Lunar Intruder for the past four plus years, you’ll be delighted to hear that their ever-maturing sound will keep you on your toes for a long time yet.
Smokechasers is a whole new chapter of this forged path for these young men; they constantly hardcore deliver in terms of the art they make known to the crowds across New Zealand and surely will hit the big time across the shores of the globe eventually. As I type this, I am enthralled by Smokechasers far from home, right in the depths of North England and I will continue to release the vibes by blasting Smokechasers, whether that be near or far, for all to hear.
With crowd-pleasing bangers such as House and Inside Out included on the 43-minute gem of an album, don’t you dare bypass any of the other new hits that will have your head swirling into an absolute state of pure bliss.
Other notable moments on Smokechasers include Twice Shy, Common Curse and Luck, however, let’s not get carried away otherwise the whole album will be listed here which would ruin the surprise if you have yet to take a drive with it roaring out your roof.
Smokechasers has been labour intensive and not an easy road for the Lunar lads, so make sure that you chuck the album on Spotify now and tell your friends, family and strangers on the street to do the same.
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For more Lunar Intruder, check out the links below!
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Lunar Intruder - A Day in the Life - WTTG
New Music Review - ‘Why Can’t I Love You Less’ by Karra Rhodes
Why Can’t I Love You Less is a new drop from singer-songwriter, Karra Rhodes, released 1st March 2024, it is a well-crafted country-pop song that will have you shaking with joy in your cowboy boots. Cover artwork: Karra’s Instagram.
Energetic, with this hint of a fiery mentality meets country-pop in Karra Rhodes’ mystifying release, Why Can’t I Love You Less.
A crossover between Shania and Taylor, Karra takes matters into her own hands, pushing up a storm in the country scene; empowering her fellow female friends to embrace their feelings of how difficult it can be to let someone you love go for good.
Pop-country love is a rarity in New Zealand music, however, Karra showcases how impactful these moments can be with brilliantly gripping guitar hooks and fluttering vocals that will have you dazzled from the beginning.
Karra delights her audience with her consistent passion through Why Can’t I Love You Less and admittedly, this track in particular makes me want to burst into song each time it comes up on shuffle.
One of the most relatable lines from Why Can’t I Love You Less is definitely “Sunday mornings don’t feel the way they should, I’m not telling jokes to all my friends” which is punchy and tells a story within itself.
Karra is candid with her approach in terms of her music, which is an enlightening aspect to any singer-songwriters career, and I find this is a highly admirable trait that makes Why Can’t I Love You Less a desirable piece of art that you can be enveloped in time and time again.
Stay tuned for more of Karra on Welcome to the Gig, however, in the meantime, make sure you follow along with her journey at the links below -
New Music Review - ‘Feel for You’ by Monk Seals
Christchurch local legends have landed right into my mind with their latest making everyone feel for them. Feel for You was released on the 16th of February 2024 and has been a proven hit with listeners across the board. Cover artwork by Lola Ruu Macleod Watts.
Doctors’ office? Yeah, hello. I would like to get my vitals done as soon as possible because Monk Seals have set my heart alight with their heated new single, Feel for You, that will also leave you feeling unequivocally hot and bothered.
Coming in with these sublime psychedelics, cowboyish, blue noted tones, the Monk Seals know how to treat their adoring audience to treats pulled straight from their bag of goodies, leaving Feel for You making your mouth water like the best ice cream you could possibly ever taste in your life.
Having such prominent dominance in the Christchurch music scene, this is a new phase of an even more mature era for the Monk Seals, bringing this wildly enhancing, menacing-like energy to the table which perfectly captivates everything that the Monk Seals embody in both their personalities and their top tier musical capabilities.
Feel for You tends to appeal to listeners across the board as the Monk Seals never leave anything they want heard to be unsaid; the powers they provide come across with this unapologetically high-energy that snatches you up.
The way the instrumentals are superbly and effortlessly strung together to compliment Yannik’s voice will make you want to jump into the sea at Sumner beach* and get chaotic with your group of pals this summer.
Feel for You is set to be one of the songs that everybody at the rager you’re about to attend will know and will sing along to. Strap on your ankle boots and get shaking, you’re bound to love this song from the first second.
I also hope that Johnny and Becky are okay.
*Sumner Beach is relevant to the Monk Seals and other Christchurch musicians, hence the shoutout here.
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New Music Review - ‘Carpenters Daughter’ by Steffany Beck
Country superstar, Steffany Beck, has recently struck hearts around the globe with her newest, vulnerable song, Carpenters Daughter. Released on 9th February 2024, Carpenters Daughter is one of the songs off Steffany’s upcoming EP, PILLARS. Cover art provided by Steffany from her EPK.
Carpenters Daughter is the stunning, latest country track from Christchurch-based Steffany Beck, who has taken pen to paper to share her love for her late father, carrying pockets of emotion with acoustic, heart squeezing moments.
A world-rocking tribute adorns the lines of Steffany’s mind, allowing her father to long live within the walls of her music, whilst speaking to the souls of others who have lost someone important to them.
Carpenters Daughter has many pertinent points throughout where Steffany expresses who her father was, honouring the memories she has of him. Tear-worthy lines such as “there ain’t a nail without your fingerprint on it that’s holding my frame together…” may just remind you of someone you know, shattering the notions that it’s not okay to express how deeply you love. (Which, we all know it is okay to express them).
Steffany reveals that she has found the loss hard; trying to find the strength to act fine when deep down, she was in a lot of pain from losing her father. Carpenters Daughter pulls the curtain back and allows Steffany to present this phenomenal piece of work in such a pure, exposed way that even myself, as the listener, felt the weight of her words without experiencing what she has.
Steffany has more music on the way during this side of the year and I am looking forward to hearing if she is holding onto more raw emotion from her upcoming EP, PILLARS, or whether there will be more light-hearted country tracks to be ingested.
Either way, I look forward to listening to more of Steffany’s music when on my daily commute.
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New Music Review - ‘Supernova’ by Castaway
Supernova is smooth, flows effortlessly and carries the most fun vibe. Released on 9th February 2024, Castaway have turned the fire on to prepare for their sophomore EP release which will soon be in the world. Cover credit: Castaway’s EPK.
Put your hand up if you’ve ever felt personally victimised by how cracking Castaway’s music is? Great, now that we’re on the same page, let’s have a chat about how they’ve built a mass amount of anticipation leading up to their first release in over three years, Supernova.
Supernova comprises of these nostalgic, pop-rock drops that will have you energetically shouting, “I don’t like it, I love it!” at the top of your lungs, the electricity pulsating throughout your body, allowing you to be absolutely taken aback by the forceful impact that Castaway generously give you through and through.
While we’ve not been treated to any new Castaway songs since their debut EP release, Chaos and Order, all the way back in the pandemic days of 2021, Supernova has been the star from the universe that we have been waiting to be gifted; Castaway have delivered such an impeccable, flawless performance that truly cannot be faulted.
So, make sure to get into your rocket ship and be transported to the moon with this fully fledged tune that will make you dance the night away because Supernova is one hot track for the summer that you need to get your claws into immediately.
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New Music Review - ‘Shuteye’ by Bella Rose
Shuteye is the debut single from Auckland-based Bella Rose. Released on 19th January 2024, this song will bring out the most vulnerable feelings for all who dare listen. Cover art provided by Bella.
This powerfully glistening recent release has joyously made its way onto Welcome to the Gig this week, with the emergence of the debut single, Shuteye, from the ever-so wonderful newcomer, Bella Rose.
Written during one of the most vulnerable times of Bella’s life, Shuteye showcases that those intensifying, heated moments are not ones that should be locked away or sent away like a message in a bottle.
Bella has taken the time to curate this gut-wrenching tune for her debut single, one that is usually reserved for later down the line; however, I am pleased that Bella has taken this major leap and allowed this captivating piece of art to be released full force in order for her career as a musician to emerge.
Shuteye is tranquilising, moving and thoughtful beyond imagination as Bella brings forward her exciting vocals which enable you to be absorbed into this alluring universe where everything else ceases to exist for 4 minutes.
The raw experience of hearing Shuteye enables you to be devoured in the hopeful truth that things can change course at any moment and become better, a valid message that Bella’s audience will be able to pick up on straight away.
Bella is inspired by the likes of Delta Goodrem, Olivia Rodrigo and Lorde, all of which, you can hear throughout the journey of Shuteye.
Shuteye is just the very beginning for Bella, with an upcoming EP arriving on earth at some point, I look forward to being able to listen closely to what she has coming next.
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New Music Review - ‘Bittersweet’ by Jack Roberston
Bittersweet is the perfect name for the latest release from talented emerging artist, Jack Roberston. Released on the 18th January 2024, it has had an array of musicians writing and recording the track alongside Jack himself including Carlos Martin, Angus Hampton-Carr and Te Kaua Pene from Park Rd. Cover art created by Kael Preston.
Emerging artist, Jack Robertson, has dived headfirst into 2024 with a splash, allowing his solidified, youthful voice to be heard widely throughout New Zealand and beyond with his indie-pop-rock new release, Bittersweet, which strips everything you thought you knew about music way back to the roots and brings you to the heart of it all.
The seducingly calming fulfillment of Bittersweet has the right temperature of what I think to be a perfect new release this month as it is honest from the get-go and comprises of such compassion that you may be knocked right off your feet.
With lines such as “precious memories of the love we’re working on” depicting this literal Bittersweet love story that grapples with many levels of emotion, Jack showcases how classy he is with allowing the words that he wants to be taken in by listeners.
Bittersweet may surprise you as it comes across as being so professionally thought out that you’d think Jack has been on the music scene for multiple years, it is that enchanting.
Whether you are currently experiencing heartbreak or going through the motions of a situationship, Bittersweet has a blend of the perfect taste for all of the ships that you could ever think of.
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New Music Review - ‘Kiss Like This’ by Coast Arcade
Kiss Like This was released on the 10th November 2023.
Coast Arcade, the sweeties of New Zealand indie pop-rock have come back with their face melting track, Kiss Like This after hitting the ground running with their debut EP, Next to Me, released earlier in 2023.
Kiss Like This brings through this wind of bubbly, more pop-like punch from Coast Arcade, something that steers slightly away from what we are used to from the band and in all honesty, it’s nice to hear that they’re able to adapt to new moments with ease, ensuring that they discover themselves musically, allowing them to evolve in new light.
Bella and Thom, who are the two remaining original individuals from Coast Arcade, are this wildly dynamic duo who come together to ensure that what they play, and produce is unique to them in all releases, which sets Coast Arcade apart from the crowd. Kiss Like This takes this full force front seat mode of heat, throwing it to the world and essentially saying, “this is what we have to offer you, you can you like it, or you can love it” and I think that tells quite a story when a musical group can do this without physically saying those words out loud, but more so, demonstrates it.
Kiss Like This doesn’t overcomplicate things. Coast Arcade know what works for them and what doesn’t, without throwing this big challenge for listeners into the mix. Kiss Like This is an easy song to follow along with, they cast out those catchy hooks that you will be singing indefinitely. At the gym? You’ll be singing “I wish we could Kiss Like This…” constantly. Driving? The same. Asleep? Oh, this is when that will all come to you and you will be dealing with that earworm, even in your dreams.
In order to delve deeper into the work that Coast Arcade do, they have played around with slightly different genres and tweaked things that have clearly worked for them in the past and maybe put some that haven’t on the backburner. It is evident that through Kiss Like This, the maturity has risen. Whether that be through age or growth throughout the industry, Coast Arcade are on the track to make it into the international music scene and here at Welcome to the Gig, I could not be prouder to be on this journey with them and you should be, too.
Kiss Like This can be streamed on all good platforms for your entertainment right now, so I wouldn’t sleep on taking a listen to this punchy tune.
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Next to Me Review - WTTG
New Music Review - ‘Misty’s Mystique’ by Fool’s Lagoon
Misty’s Mystique was released on the 23rd June 2023. Cover provided by Joe/Fool’s Lagoon.
Misty’s Mystique is the latest release from good Auckland-based legends, Fool’s Lagoon, who have been working their way into the hearts of listeners with their cheeky personalities and toe-tapping good musical vibes for the past year and a half, showing proof that they are not going to leave without breaking into the minds of anyone who dares listen to them.
Fool’s Lagoon bring this funky-jam, indie infused dream with Misty’s Mystique, the song aptly named after Matt’s beloved cat, Misty and inspired by her, too. This is a big win in my books as I am quite the cat lover myself and love the idea that this scale of epic inspiration formed from a furry family member.
These Fool’s will literally have you up on tabletops, or, if that’s not your scene, throughout the kitchen, threatening to make you dance the night away with the swooning sensation that Misty’s Mystique carries you through. Fool’s Lagoon make it incredibly hard for you to not enjoy their music from the moment you hear them - they have this structurally sound pull of intensity that sets everything alight, each new release allowing different elements to not only be heard, but also felt within multiple capacities.
Misty’s Mystique isn’t a song that you would generally hear on mainstream radio as the attributes of those pop songs you’re used to are vastly different to those of the unique wave lengths that Fool’s Lagoon are relatively good at entertaining. The lads welcome providing this exceptional dash of doing something that appears somewhat rare in the New Zealand music industry in terms of how they are able to portray their craft, along with how adequately well they utilise each of their instruments and vocal work. The added touch of the keyboard in their music is always a delicate touch and brings their level of distinction to an all-time high.
Misty’s Mystique is a completely effortless listen, with so much having been put into the creation of the song. It flows, is sensual and special.
An immensely good time to be had by all.
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Meet FL - WTTG Interview (2022)
New Music Review - ‘Inside Out’ by Lunar Intruder
Inside Out is the newest track from Christchurch legends, Lunar Intruder. Cover artwork created and provided by Matt Genet (bassist of Lunar).
Just in time for the first full moon of August, Lunar Intruder dropped their much anticipated first single from their upcoming, debut album last Friday titled Inside Out.
Lunar Intruder have proven time and time again that they are ready to take on the challenge of making it in the music industry, no matter what they have to endure. This breaks through with the likes of Inside Out as the track is affirmatively their own. Lunar Intruder, in a way, have stripped back their old layers and bought in some newly refreshed moments during Inside Out. The track feels (as previously mentioned in other reviews of theirs), more mature and like they have come into their sound as of late.
The way that Lunar Intruder have illuminated their indulgence of evolutionary growth since their previous releases has been reflected throughout Inside Out. As a three-year long Lunar Intruder fan, I’ve been lucky enough to see them from their first set of singles up until now and the way they have formatted their music to suit the scene without overtly changing themselves. This journey they have been on has been nothing short of a fantastic watch and listen situation and I applaud them for taking their craft so seriously, with such passion that anyone would be exceptionally proud of.
Inside Out is a softer toned moment of Lunar Intruder’s if you compare it to their first EP, yet, it still has that decadent garage-indie-surf vibe that will make its way directly into your ears to create the mammoth earworm of the century that you can expect from all of their tracks.
Admittedly, initially, I was unsure how to feel about Inside Out, however, as soon as it played again, that completely changed, and I was able to rediscover my love of Lunar Intruder all over. They have this deep hold over you with their music - once you become a fan, there is no way they can’t entice you to keep coming back for more.
Inside Out has entities of enjoyment on different levels and the stunning instrumental work collated by all four musicians of the band brings it together to allow listeners to be enveloped in this toasty delight.
Given that Lunar Intruder tend to do everything musically themselves from production, to mixing and mastering, they’ve always had quite the solid foundation to be able to build upon and I am genuinely very ecstatic to continue to watch them build their careers.
Be sure to catch them on their upcoming Good Dogs Go to Heaven tour, tickets on sale now!
For more Lunar Intruder, make sure that you check out the links below -
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A Day in the Life (WTTG)
New Music Review - ‘Bright’ by Marmalade
Bright was released on the 2nd June 2023. Cover artwork provided by Marmalade.
Bright is absolutely right with the recent debut single from Auckland based Marmalade who have been allowing themselves to be heard in many ways since the release.
Bright is this comprehensive piece of art that soars with this effective, unique amount of high energy that only Marmalade can provide. Their infectious, smooth flowing music allows the journey to be this luscious mix of dancing on your taste buds with energetic folds of music that will take you back to your childhood charm filled with sweetness that make you feel fully alive.
Bright has these moments of wondering if the things the band are working towards are worth it, then they realise that as the old saying goes, they can fake it until they make it. With Marmalade, I don’t believe they are required to fake anything until they make it, they just naturally are there and so likeable on all accounts.
Jemilah’s vocalism is powerful as she has this ever so slight grit to her voice that takes the song on a whole 180 journey and that in turn, makes Bright this rollercoaster of fun to be on board with. Accompanied by the remainder of the band pitching in with their drop in the ocean, Bright endeavours to be heard from the rooftops on which Marmalade are playing (MoveSpace, I’m looking at you).
Marmalade have this unique perspective on the world, issuing strong feelings, accompanied with music that is extensively thought out to maximise their astonishing efforts in creation as much as they possibly can.
Bright doesn’t hold back in the field of letting listeners know what’s up, taking them on the road with them of hope, as they do with decadency and power.
Bright suggests that you can take the juices flowing from life and let them drop wherever they are to land in your dreams-turned-realities scale.
Marmalade are quite prominent in the New Zealand music scene, making every single move that they can to get themselves noticed. This includes playing gigs with the likes of SKRAM and other notable musicians, then scoring a slot at the Fifa Women’s World Cup halftime recently (exceptionally impressive if you ask me!).
None of the five members of the band are looking to slow down and the amount they put out into the world is slowly giving their delicious desserts back to them and rightfully so.
Marmalade are a band that you are going to want to keep on the ball with, so make sure that you are following along with them on their journey at the below links -
New Music Review - ‘Next To Me’ the EP by Coast Arcade
Next To Me the debut EP by Coast Arcade was released on the 19th May 2023. Artwork provided by Coast Arcade from their EPK.
Being that you’ve come to Welcome to the Gig and potentially been here before, you will have certainly heard of Auckland legends, Coast Arcade, who have been making these surfy waves across the board that have got everyone completely absorbing their soothing, indie-rock-punk music.
Chris, Thom, Bella and Nate have made light of the fact that they’ve gained some massive attention as of late, which has led to them recently releasing their debut EP, Next To Me, which is a five-track blast that flexes on what you can be treated to from Coast Arcade.
Starting off the EP is the title track, Next To Me, which is a flawlessly brilliant tune to bring it in full speed. It has this twang of a dream sequence of events that are entwined into the tune which is paired perfectly with the guitar rhythm and smooth slightly grungy vocalism from frontwoman, Bella.
Highest Heights has everybody’s mouths talking and the hips popping - with over 60k listens on Spotify alone, Coast Arcade have certainly pulled listeners into their web to get them tangled in this wildly, intensely, catchy web they’ve weaved. Highest Heights comes in full force, taking the wind out of your chest and knocking you flat on the ground with the immense perfection that it serves. Evidently, it is obvious why this one is a major fan favourite.
Salty Blonde is the one song that I am particularly happy that has made the cut for the EP - Coast Arcade had done a backyard session during a covid lockdown of the song and during those couple of years since, it has stuck with me and has always been a favourable delight to go back to listen to while waiting for the EP to drop. Even though I only went around singing the lyrics “my salty blonde…” every few weeks, I’m over the moon that we finally have a recorded version of the tune. As with everything that Coast Arcade do, it has some cheeky moments to it which adds personality to the song. Salty Blonde is such an underrated tune that will surely have you also singing along each time you hear it. Salty Blonde is a timeless indie-rock piece of art that I’m sure other listeners will be in agreeance with that statement.
Surf Club is yet another round of fireworks to light up your world. When Surf Club was initially released as a single, I had played it on repeat the entire weekend that it had come out. You know it’s overly phenomenal when you’ve only got one song that you’re listening to for an entire 48 hours (okay, maybe not the full 48 hours, but you get it). Surf Club genuinely feels like it is on an entirely different planet of greatness and I think it will forever be at the top played of the list of Coast Arcade songs for me. There is just something about this delectable, enticing mid to high-mid rock sound that is effortlessly poured out from the track from these four surf rockers. The words sung throughout the tune are also just impeccable. It truthfully makes you want to go out there for a surf in the cold weather that we are currently having. Whether you are a surfer or not, this one is going to appeal to all of your taste buds (or ear buds because other than the salt water, you can’t physically taste anything, but again, you get the drift!)
Just Peachy has some of my absolute favourite lyrics in place, such as “you’re just a thorn, in short that means you’re a prick…” and it makes me laugh every single time. The pure honesty that Coast Arcade have given here has given this EP a whole other side to the band. They have outrageously contagious personalities that are highly prominent in this song and Just Peachy will get you into the ultimate groove for anything you’ve got to do.
Overall, Next To Me presents this intense versatility that gets thrown out to sea in order to catch the fish (well, listeners) and comes back with more than expected when being reeled back in.
The way every instrument mashes so perfectly together to create such a wild ride throughout the five tracks is unbelievable. Coast Arcade know what they are aiming for and can see the major career they have ahead of them. They won’t stop for anything, which is a highly ambitious move that all of us can take a cue from in our daily lives.
Next To Me so far, wins the “award” for Welcome to the Gig’s EP of the year, rightfully so.
Well done, Coast Arcade, for creating something so special for the world to indulge in!
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Coast Arcade Interview - WTTG
New Music Review - ‘Strange Rituals’ the EP by Phoebe Vic
Strange Rituals has finally emerged into the universe, being born on the 5th May 2023. Artwork credit: Phoebe’s EPK.
Phoebe Vic is back on her game with her stunning latest offering, the Strange Rituals EP that has ruthlessly dropped into listeners’ minds since release day.
Phoebe delivers this luxe diligence with Strange Rituals, a fantastical delight to bring out into the world this New Zealand music month.
Full of highs and small lows, Phoebe has this atmospherically brilliant approach to her creativity with Strange Rituals that will leave you feeling encompassed by danger if you are not turning it up and getting on board with this brightly curated piece of work.
Phoebe explains that her anxiety was at the core of the creation of Strange Rituals, helping form this power against the throws of mental health, pushing through the barriers to create this wave of explosions, which have helped to make her music what it is.
Strange Rituals is full of veracity, elegantly paired with immensely breathtaking instrumentals that will hold your heart in place and slow down the pace of everything around you.
Beginning the EP is the strength-hitting target track, Starting Again, which pushes out this intense force that is yearning to be heard. Out of all of the songs that Phoebe has written and put forward for Strange Rituals, I feel that Starting Again is the most distinguishable to me personally. It comes along with this killer beat that will have you feeling all funky inside and let's face it, who doesn’t want to feel that way?
Closure sparks a few minutes of Phoebe’s vocals that are in between these incredibly fun, slightly grungy and absolute girl boss moments. Speaking about Closure to a relationship, this tune really drives the end of the situation home.
Interlude is this pretty one minute 30 second track that, as the name suggests, puts an Interlude into the final movement, Strange Ritual. A perfect segway into the zestiest end track that you can taste with your ears. You will be able to delve right into this one and get a sense of how influential Phoebe’s music is.
Overall, Phoebe has done a phenomenal job with Strange Rituals and it is worth taking a listen right now. Go! You’re still here and not listening to the EP yet? Every minute you are not listening to Strange Rituals is a minute wasted.
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New Music Review - ‘Overthinking’ by Isla
Overthinking by the incredible Auckland based artist, Isla, was released on the 12th April 2023. Album artwork credit: Isla’s EPK.
Isla has just gone and done it again with her flourishing new song, Overthinking released just last Friday.
Overthinking is the cosiest cup of tea to ease your tough days - it will even make you want to burst out of bed in the morning with the brightest smile along with the feeling of a friend being understanding of your own Overthinking, which Isla effortlessly provides.
The song generates a warm embrace that just is so full of soul and beauty. Isla’s lyrical talents always pull through in that aspect, everything that she writes and performs always resonates with me so much that it feels unbelievable to be able to relate to such an empowering woman so much.
Overthinking is this spectacular capture of Isla’s power in terms of not only her words, but how she carries herself and uses her beautiful voice to expand everything around her to carry this dream-like state experience of fairy lights and near raw-acoustic vibes.
Overthinking is the first piece of musical art that Isla has released since October 2019 and it is crystal clear that the work that she has put into allowing this song to be taken from her mind to being put out into the wild universe has been a diligent journey with this exquisite destination.
While trying to find the correct words for this review, I felt myself quite stunned and unable to think about how to phrase Overthinking as it truthfully puts you into this total relaxation mode that will block out anything that isn’t to do with the song. It is pure bliss.
Isla is eloquent, harmonious and brings this burst of vulnerability to Overthinking, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her and her career.
For more Isla, make sure to check out her socials below -
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Mini Interview with Isla - WTTG
New Music Review - ‘i dreamt about you’ by Lizzy Kula
i dreamt of you is the first single for Lizzy Kula, released on the 21st April 2023. Design by Piper McConell, photo by Daniel Kulasingham.
If you don’t know the name Lizzy Kula, then get to know her because Sri-Lankan/Chinese Malaysian-Kiwi Lizzy has hit the ground running with her debut single, i dreamt about you which is hitting all of the right notes in more ways than one and you are not ready for this heated drop.
The funked up i dreamt about you will send you into this hazy daze of delight, as Lizzy has clearly intended the track to be heard.
Lizzy has created this fun spirited, almost flirtatious mix of an endearing gravitational pull towards the 2000s with i dreamt about you, something a lot of us 90s kids will be sure to appreciate and thrive off of.
What makes i dreamt about you stand out from the current crowd of releases is that Lizzy has this outstanding, unique voice that pairs perfectly with the way that the song has been produced, mixed and been bought to life.
i dreamt about you will dynamize the way you listen to new music as Lizzy allows her intensity of her vocals to reach through to capture your heart, mind and soul.
Lizzy’s tunes are about taking relationships from the past and ripping them open with the aspect of adding the most gritty-funk era to bring to this new chapter of her career.
i dreamt about you has made this grand entrance into the world with its immense, upbeat significance that can be held high above the threshold of expectation for New Zealand music. It encompasses this night-out aspect that could leave you moving for hours without the need to stop.
Lizzy has written the song with a lot of relatability which is always a pulling factor when you’re looking for new songs to add to the playlist. i dreamt about you has hooks that go deeper than the relationship that was lost and while she mentions she was worn out from the stranded ship she decided to jump off of, the creation of the song from the situation has made such a deep water impact that it stands on its own in a remarkable way.
I’m fishing for the next tune that Lizzy drops because her style is purely indulgent.
You can find out more and follow along with Lizzy at the links below -
New Music Review - ‘Cards’ the EP by Jennifer K. Austin
Jennifer K. Austin released her latest offering in the form of her EP, Cards, on 8th April 2023. PC: Jennifer’s EPK.
A fusion of multiple genres mixed together in a melting pot fresh off the stovetop, Jennifer K. Austin has recently unveiled her newest offering, a two-year-creation of her EP, Cards with the wait being well worth holding onto your patience for.
Jennifer, who was born in the United States is proud to now call herself a Kiwi and she brings along her American-style musical talents that we don’t have much on offer of here in New Zealand, where she is continuously flourishing with her career.
Cards holds many levels of distinctiveness for every song that is gracefully placed in front of us, meaning that you get many different sides of Jennifer to listen to, which I think turns the aspect of listening even shinier when hearing an EP. Jennifer has absolutely nailed it.
Dream Weaver is the opener to Cards and with it comes this old school, 90s rock-pop feel that could also be comparable in a way to what Paramore have released previously. However, Jennifer adds her own magical twist into the sound to tick all the boxes of making it indefinitely her own. Dream Weaver could easily be put onto a soundtrack for one of those teen rom-com movies because it also has this extremely edgy side to it that would perfectly suit that type of story.
Jennifer has these beautiful, infectious vocals that will easily capture your attention, making you want to follow her along this wonderous journey that she is on.
Cards would be my pick of favourites on the EP as the mellowness, emotion and just general good feeling of the song that is poised with country vibes really takes you to another space. There seems to be this electricity that jumps out from Cards, making it something that is hard to put into words. It just feels like a warm hug. Inviting, comforting, just generally a lovely song.
A collaboration with James Grant on the track In the Deep End creates this ambient, low-lit moving few minutes on the EP. Jennifer and James pairing together for this song adds this delight that you wouldn’t have known you previously needed. You should really take the time to soak this one in with minimal distractions if possible.
All in all, Cards has been intentionally put together to create this brilliant EP in which the tracks that come after one another just make sense. I think that this is something that listeners may not think about, however is important for musicians to order them in a way in which they feel that the EP is intended to be listened to, which I believe Jennifer has done here.
Cards is an EP that you should not skip on past.
You can follow along with Jennifer below -
New Music Review - ‘Show Me The Way’ the album by Sun Veins
Show Me The Way was released on the 17th March 2023 and is the final offering from Sun Veins. PC: Sun Veins EPK, provided by Dane Oates.
Right out of the Dunedin sunshine emerges Sun Veins, who have recently dropped their highly awaited album, Show Me The Way before they decided to actually part ways and work on different aspects of their careers separately.
While it is a shame to see the work that the legends from Sun Veins have worked on for five years come to an end, Show Me The Way is a final piece of art that will last forever.
The ten-track album is an integral part of the Dunedin music scene to come out in the past couple of years, proving that the sole focus of what happens down South isn’t just all partying and setting couches alight.
Sun Veins have put their complete souls into flexing their talents for their farewell and it really comes across structurally sound through the entirety of Show Me The Way.
Starting the record strong, Sun Veins decided to do a re-release of their much-loved song, I Wanna Know, which turns up the vibe a whole other notch, creating this ultra special movement of the song, allowing listeners to take it in from a differing perspective to what we were entitled to from the first release. It’s quite the catchy tune that your ears will lap up immediately. It utilises more acoustic elements to enlighten the tune to another level.
A personal favourite of mine from the album is the indie-jam, Escape, which allows you to jump into the waves of the ocean that Sun Veins create. The track features Ed and the Shadow Boys, which turns it into this super-epic collaboration that puts this bright spark into Show Me The Way. It has this rhythm that holds its own with this depth that goes deeper than that metaphorical ocean floor mentioned above. Escape has this entertainment of being so crucial to the album that it gives your skin these insane goosebumps. When a song takes over and does that, you know it is without a doubt, a piece that will stick with you.
Tracks such as Needy will have you feeling like you are listening to a cross between 48May x The Butlers. A bit of a mix from mid-2000s tones and indie music now. Needy is reminiscent of a sweetly lit summer evening underneath the beauty of the sunset. A feeling of a first date through to the end of a situation-ship. This is the type of track that Needy reminds me of and it has a lot of oomph in it.
As mentioned above, Sun Veins have done a couple of re-releases on Show Me The Way, which allows the journey of how they have paved the path they have made, adapting their musical skills over the years from the first release of the tunes until now. I enjoy when artists take the time to indulge audiences with a second take on their own music later down the line.
Sun Veins stripping down the re-releases, making them even more delectable than they previously were, adds this twinge of an unexpected gift to Show Me The Way.
Other pieces that were delicately placed onto Show Me The Way include the seductive hit Little While (With The Lights Out) which you can read a review of right here, The Cover, among some other tracks that will make you think, woah, I wish Sun Veins weren’t ending their career as a band. However, this is a good reminder that while Sun Veins have seized, that music lives for eternity. It never dies.
Here are the links to Sun Veins’ socials, if you would like to check them out in the hopes of them reforming later down the line -
New Music Review - ‘Let’s Call It A Night’ by Just Another June
Let’s Call it a Night was released on the 17th March 2023. Artwork by Ana Cubillana.
Fancy that, you’ve just rocked up to read the latest write-up on Welcome to the Gig just in time as legendary locals, Just Another June, have not long bought out another highly anticipated piece of art in the form on a new track, Let’s Call It A Night, which was released mid-March, dividing all of the goodness between day and night to bring this overly special masterpiece that will be impossible for you to stop singing along to for the coming weeks.
Just Another June bring this wholesome, indie-grunge-infused energy with them that carries through into each project they release, with Let’s Call It A Night being no exception to that ruling. The track is quite lightly sprinkled with these flecks of indulgent delight that will certainly get your ear taste buds going and for good reason. The track is gracious and hits all the right spots.
Let’s Call It A Night gives off this wildly calm, charming feeling of telling stories from the past and present in which the band gift us in the form of strong vocalism and well-thought-out guitar hooks that close it all together to create their fresh release.
Just Another June are known for allowing their creativity to come through in a positive, straight banger type of way, which we have heard previously from their older singles such as Driving and their EP, Mo(u)rning, released in 2022. All tracks come in very different forms, with a couple of band members having their turn to showcase their insane vocals to the world, something that is rare within music, but makes such a unique movement with releases that I feel should be incorporated more.
Let’s Call It A Night is an almost six-minute-long song that allows the listener to be constantly engaged the entire run through, with it’s easy-to-follow, well-lit pathway. When you hear it for the first time, you will understand what I mean by this.
If you’re looking for some new indie hits to rock out to, listening to Just Another June would be a great place to start.
If you want to check out more Just Another June, make sure you click their socials below -
New Music Review - ‘Diamond in the Blue’ by The Raddlers
The Raddlers released their fresh wave in the form of Diamond in the Blue a month ago on March 10th 2023 and it has been pulling some straight numbers on streaming services. PC: Fran Scrimgeour.
It has been quite a while since we've had the honour of hearing anything new from The Raddlers, as the five lads take on different directions, changes and challenges in their own lives, however, they are back after releasing their previous smash, Follow Me and my goodness, are you in for a treat if you’ve not yet had the gracefulness of this tune tickle your taste buds.
The Raddlers are known for their pop-indie vibes usually, so their newest offering, Diamond in the Blue is quite a bit edgier than the previous tunes that you’re used to and I love it.
The Raddlers have had many trials and tribulations since starting their journey as a band, which you may recall if you read the very first interview published on the blog back in June 2021 (which you can read here), however, they’ve come back in crashing through what we all thought we knew about them to bring us this super song that will leave you wondering where they’ve been hiding these fantastic new, fresh hooks they’ve challenged themselves to put out.
The pouring splash of what Diamond in the Blue is all about is seemingly the direction that future songs from The Raddlers will be all about. Their openness of not only their music, but life is a breath of deliciously warranted excitement.
Diamond in the Blue brings about thoughts that we are all thinking, such as “is there anything positive in the news?” to which I feel that we can answer an astounding “no” to unfortunately, which is a sad reality of what the world is currently looking like.
I admire the honesty that The Raddlers provide, whether that be in terms of the songs they write or when having a chat with them. They offer you what’s on their minds and because there are five of them, you get all unique sides to differing topics.
Diamond in the Blue, while not meaning to, does sit quite heavy on the heart if you take the time to engage the lyrics into your mind. It’s a tell-all, enhancement on what the universe needs to hear currently and I am all for those moments.
If you’re in the mood for feeling some slight moodiness, pop on Diamond in the Blue, soak it in and let yourself be enthralled with the nature of this direction The Raddlers have taken. Diamond in the Blue is beautifully constructed with perfect measurements of every instrument entwined into the song.
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New Music Review - ‘The Illawarra’ by MADELINE.
MADELINE. is back with her sophomore single, The Illawarra, released on the 24th February 2023. Photo credit: MADELINE.’s Facebook.
MADELINE. has come in, thriving with her latest track, The Illawarra which has heads turning here in New Zealand and across the ditch, where the tunes’ inspiration comes from.
The Illawarra is a hotel in Wollongong, New South Wales, where MADELINE. spent some of her downtime with friends and having the most fun you could only ever imagine.
The Illawarra is written from a different perspective - it has been taken on in a form of an outsider looking in on someone that MADELINE. met in that hotel, a girl that was ditched by her boyfriend along with a mass amount of humiliation that came with it in front of a room full of people.
MADELINE. always brings in her songs with these magical moments that will ensure they hook you in with the way that the mix of music has been formulated, these sweet, floating vibes that will get your entire senses moving.
When girls get humiliated by their partners (or, rather, exes), do we sit around and cry for a while? Well, statistically, yes, but at the same time, there is revenge to be had in terms of doing things that bring enjoyment and surrounding yourself with friends that while wholeheartedly look out for you. Though I personally cannot relate to the aspects of the mention of alcohol and substance in the song, I can attest to having good friends around during the rougher times.
The Illawarra has this major oomph of confident compensation to overshadow anything that has been the bain of existence throughout the story (the bain being the ex), the way that MADELINE. can grasp an experience, even if not directly affecting her relationship status, is unmatched.
The Illawarra is a song that we need to hear more of, take perspective from and draw inspiration out of. It holds this power that is assertive, dominant and downright sassy, but classy at the same time and for that, I respect MADELINE.’s perspective and perfect energy with the track.
The Illawarra will be guaranteed to get you feeling some type of way and should be the top of your playlist. If you have yet to hear the song, I would make time to sit still, with no distraction, taking every singular module of the tune in.
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