Spotlight Artist: The Eurythmics

Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3N

The Eurythmics were an inescapable force in 1980s pop. A duo consisting of vocalist Annie Lennox and musician Dave Stewart, both contributing their songwriting talents. After a less than happy experience in the band “The Tourists” they decided to become a duo in the early 1980s in a hotel in Wagga Wagga, Australia of all places. Their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) was a massive smash hit and led to a decade of success. Annie Lennox subsequently released outstanding solo music while Dave Stewart has been an in-demand producer (although they’ve rejoined for a couple of projects since.

We look forward to checking out both their “Greatest Hits” this week as well as some less well known album tracks and covers.

Album of the Week: Amy Shark –

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

We’ve been looking forward to this one from Aussie singer-songwriter Amy Shark since her breakthrough last year, including her great EP Night Thinker. Aside from “Adore” this album features a new lineup of songs with some really solid efforts. Everyone will have their favourites but “I Said Hi” is one we’ve really been enjoying as a preview single. This album deserves to do well – the critics have certainly been kind.

New Music Friday: 12th July 2018

Its Friday so its time for five brand new tracks to get their first spin on the hour every hour from 9am. We’ll keep playing these tracks on New Zealand Net Radio, home of streaming radio ad free 24/7 throughout New Zealand.

Odette – Lights Out

Nice selection from a promising album from the Aussie artist.

Tiesto – Tear It Down (from the Hotel Transylvania 3 Soundtrack)

 

Niall Horan – Finally Free (from the Small Foot Movie Soundtrack)

 

Gorillaz – Tranz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spotlight Artist: UB40

Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3N

UB40 came together in 1978 in Birmingham, the eight band members beginning performing in 1979. From the beginning they played popular reggae songs, and got their break when the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde saw them playing at a pub and offered them the opportunity to play as her backing band. Astonishingly their first single reached no. 4 on the UK charts. We’ll play a few tracks this week from their first album Signing Off.

The band crossed over to US popularity in 1983 with an album of cover songs, Labour of Love. This included the Neil Diamond cover “Red Red Wine” which stayed in the charts for over 100 weeks.

We’ll enjoy tracks from throughout their career this week. The band are performing in New Zealand next year as part of their 40th anniversary tour, and they released a great album earlier this year called A Real Labour of Love.

Album of the Week: Years and Years – Palo Santo

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

The second album from this British group lead singer Olly Alexander combines desire and shame in dance infused pop. The Guardian nicely described it as:

an electronic pop confection in giddy, layered debt to the transatlantic R&B of the 80s and 90s

New Music Friday: 6 July 2018

Its Friday so its time for five brand new tracks to get their first spin on the hour every hour from 9am. We’ll keep playing these tracks on New Zealand Net Radio, home of streaming radio ad free 24/7 throughout New Zealand.

Florence & The Machine – Big God

Lots to choose from but that thumping piano intro – think this is our favourite from the new album.

 

 

James Vincent McMorrow – Me and My Friends

 

 

 

 

 

Mitski – Nobody

 

 

 

 

 

Jack River – Confess

 

 

 

 

 

Kota Banks – Child

Spotlight Artist: Steve Winwood

Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3N

As a 15 year old he joined the Spencer Davis Group, his talent on the keyboard and amazing vocals resulting in two big hit singles (Gimme Some Lovin’, I’m A Man). At 19 he formed the band Traffic, and worked with Eric Clapton in Blind Faith. The 80s saw another era for his talent to flower in slick pop tracks off albums like Back In the High Life. We look forward to sampling his varied output over four decades through the week.

Album of the Week: Florence + The Machine – High As Hope

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

 

 

 

 

 

From The Telegraph:

Welch’s singing throughout is extraordinary, shifting gears effortlessly from melancholic softness to high-powered exultation, even ululation. Every gasp, growl and fluttery trill seems perfectly placed.

Say no more.

New Music Friday: 29 June 2018

Its Friday so its time for five brand new tracks to get their first spin on the hour every hour from 9am. We’ll keep playing these tracks on New Zealand Net Radio, home of streaming radio ad free 24/7 throughout New Zealand.

BONUS TRACK:

New Zealand artist Princess Chelsea has released a beautiful new track “I Love My Boyfriend” – we’ll give it a spin after 9.

Demi Lovato – Sober

 

 

 

 

Jack River – Confess

 

 

 

 

 

Florence + The Machine – Big God

We’re love Florence’s work – her new album High As Hope is out today.

 

 

OneRepublic – Connection

 

 

 

 

 

Dan + Shay – Speechless

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spotlight Artist: America

Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3N

A band so melodic and talented they attracted the great Beatles producer George Martin to work with them, America exemplified early 1970s smooth breezy sounds. Meeting as Air Force personnel in London, the band released their self titled first album in 1971. After its re-release in 1972 with smash hit “Horse With No Name” added this album hit number 1 in the US and was a worldwide phenomenon.

They had a string of successful albums (Homecoming, Hat Trick, Holiday, Hearts) through to 1977 when Dan Peek left the band. Although some of their songs have been susceptible to overplaying through the years (anyone who listened to Classic Hits (New Zealand) in the 1990s and 2000s might be in this camp) after a break we can appreciate these exquisitely crafted songs. We’ll enjoy the hits but also some lesser known tracks this week.