One distinctive feature of our music blend is the mix of old and new. Every now and then we engage in a bit of nostalgia and press play on a Classic Gold Track. This song is absolutely outstanding, Classic Gold in every possible sense.
Written by the legendary Bob Dylan it was first heard on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde, an album often rated as one of the greatest albums of all time. Although this original version by Dylan is great, look out for the cover by UK 60s band Manfred Mann. Their version features German artist and musician Klaus Voormann playing the flute (better known for his association with The Beatles and his photography and design of their Revolver album cover). The 60s cover is the classic although a later variant of the band (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band) also covered it.
Like A Prayer
29 years ago today Madonna’s legendary single (and seventh US no. 1) was released. Still sounds just as fantastic today.
Just Added: ChVrches – My Enemy
Scottish band CHVRCHES (@CHVRCHES) are building up to what should be a great album. We’re already enjoying Get Out which is a fantastic track. Yesterday they premiered My Enemy, a collaboration with Matt Berninger from The National – we’re already confident its going to be another favourite. Look out for this one in regular rotation!
Just Added: Yungblud – Polygraph
We’ve just added this great track from UK band Yungblud (@yungblud). Its called Polygraph and although the song is a nice piece of pop-rock it has a more serious message.
It deals with the regret following a drunken night, and issues of consent – very topical.
New Music Friday – 2nd March 2018
Well howdy folks! Its Friday so time to spin some new tunes. Here’s our selection for this week, playing on the hour each hour from 9am.
Frenship – LOVE Somebody
Frenship are a US duo who met in a sports shop. They hit the charts for the first time in 2016 for a single called Capsize. They dropped this single earlier this month prior to heading off on tour. A nice unpretentious love song, this new music is designed to take them from from one hit wonder to greater things. We think this track is a step up, and a step in the right direction.
Sarah Blasko – Everybody Wants to Sin
Sarah’s new album Depth of Field has the critics raving, and rightly so. It is filled with delicate and sophisticated songs, and we’re already playing a couple. This one premiers for us this morning and strikes a different tone on the album, something to dance to. The Guardian described it as “Goldfrapp without the high heels”.
Twin Shadows – Saturdays Ft. Haim
Twin Shadows have been quiet for three years (perhaps related to a tour bus accident in 2015) but this single presages a new album Caer in April. Haim seem to be the golden touch at the moment, certainly on this nice track.
Greta Van Fleet – Highway Tune
This isn’t really a new release – Highway Tune was first released early in 2017 but was re-released on this EP along with other three songs from early 2017, and four new ones. Elton John has described Greta Van Fleet as his favourite new band. Amidst all the angst about the decline of rock, these guys are showing that dynamic new rock music isn’t dead. Of course its everywhere if you are willing to look!
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats- Coolin’ Out (feat. Lucius)
This track should put a smile on your face. We’re loving the honest rootsy sounds from artists like Chris Stapleton, Anderson East and Glen Hansard. It’s a bit like the savory to complement all that sweet pop! Of course the lead singer having a majestic beard also helps! The Night Sweat’s new album is shaping up to be another great listen.
New Music Friday – 23rd February 2018
Have we got a great New Music Friday for you! Five great tracks on the hour every hour from 9am Friday, getting their first spin on New Zealand Net Radio.
Rozzi – Uphill Battle
At the age of 19 Rozzi Crane was discovered by Adam Levine (lead singer of Maroon 5) and began touring with that band. She recently announced she’ll be releasing an album this year, and kicked off the process by releasing this single a few weeks ago. What a great voice! She told Billboard:
“We’re all complicated and complex in different ways and we all do and say things that challenge our partners,” Rozzi said. “It’s easy to feel disappointed or frustrated with yourself after an argument & for me that often led to feeling like I was too much, like an uphill battle. This song is saying, I know I’m am a lot to handle, but I’m okay with it, it’s who I am and it’s who we all are.”
Ryan Adams – Baby I Love You
Mr Adams began his solo career back in 2000, and made a splash with his song for song cover of Taylor Swift’s 1989 a few years ago. He released this new song for Valentines Day, positive and joyful, a pleasant number.
Lauv – Getting Over You
Another Valentines Day release, however with a slightly less positive angle than Ryan Adams
But the truth is
I could spend my whole life getting over you
Moonga K. – Let Go
OK we’re a bit behind the 8 ball with this track – it came out last September but has just garnered more interest with the release of it’s album, Wild Solace. Moonga K. Kapambwe is a 22 year old musician from Botswana who performed in the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School in high school, and his musical career has grown from there. Great production and full of energy.
October – 1000 Eyes
Auckland based electronic artist October has released this follow on to All She Does Is Stare from last year. We’ll be playing this track a lot more.
Enjoy!
New Music Friday – 16 February 2018
Another great set of tracks on the hour every hour from 9am this Friday on NZ Net Radio.
LOVA – You Me and the Silence
ANOTHER fine example of ‘Scandipop’, LOVA is a Swedish singer/songwriter whose debut single has a great hook – enjoy!
Marshmello/Anne-Marie – FRIENDS
Sounds like the perfect recipe – mix producer of the hour Marshmello with English singer Anne-Marie (hits like Rockabye, Do It Right) and it is – enjoy this foot tapper! Kat Bein of Billboard says “The English singer delivers a bossy performance that would put any dog’s tail between its legs, while Marshmello plays clever on acoustic guitar over a bumpin’ electronic beat and even works in some G-Funk, West Coast synth work.”
Andrew W.K. – Ever Again
Andrew is a motivational speaker and ‘party guru’, whatever that means. He produced an album for the Japanese market back in 2009 (Gundam Rock). This single presages a forthcoming album. Nice single – perhaps this will be the breakthrough for this US artist who has been performing since the 1990s. Andrew describes the song as:
“A fantasy in which I imagine what it would be like to actually know the meaning of life — an ecstatic nightmare in which I’ve returned from the brink of annihilation, having clawed the Ultimate Insight from out of its hiding spot, and am finally able to solve the riddle of existence while I cry out in triumphant elation. The desire to possess this total internalized clarity — not only knowing what life really means, but actually feeling the Truth from the inside out — is a mirage for the mind, but a reality for the heart.”
Hmmm…
Josie Dunn – Old School
Another new US singer-songwriter, Josie’s debut single “Old School” is a simple love song, based on the experience of seeing her parent’s love for each other. She told Digital Journal:
“They were born five days apart, and lived two blocks away from each other, and went to high school together, and got married after college. They had such a cool story, and I wanted my actual parents and my actual home to be in the video. That was such a fun experience,”
The Teskey Brothers – Forever You &Me
Victorian (Australia) band The Teskey Brothers are described as “purveyors of smokey-voiced soul music”. We like this new single -hope you do too. They’re touring New Zealand in March – details here.
Bekon for You
See what we did there? 🙂
Bekon was a pretty mysterious character who produced a load of tracks on Kendrick Lamar’s much vaunted album DAMN – see this article for details.
Anyway he has quietly released a new album called GET WITH THE TIMES. Watch out for 17, one of the tracks which we’ll be spinning over the next week. You (probably) heard it here first!
James Bay’s New Single Wild Love
UK singer-songwriter has just released a new single “Wild Love” which we’re playing. Here he is talking about the song:
Justin’s New Music Video
Justin Timberlake is busy touting his new album Man From The Woods. We’re enjoying it, although some critics seem disappointed he didn’t follow through with a ‘rootsy’ album, or alternatively criticise him because he didn’t produce something like he did 10 years ago! Oh well, you can’t please everyone! The video for his new single Say Something is certainly something to behold though …