 Arpie fired some question at Auckland/Hamilton based indie rock trio Universal Authors to find out about how they got together, how their songs come to be, and vital information such as who the best cook in the band is, and who is the most likely of the three to get arrested. Click HERE to read more.
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 Making the switch from classical to pop was a bold move for Louisa Nicklin. Her new Roundhead-recorded, eponymous full-length album bristles with an introspective intensity belying her genuine, easy-going nature. Barnaby Greebles spoke with Nicklin about transitioning from classical and pop, lyrical inspirations, recording at Roundhead, and more! Read the interview -> HERE <-
 “It makes one cry for the days before the internet ruined our collective intellect”.
With respect to lyrical themes, Auckland’s Anecdata has more in common with the earliest of British synth-pop bands, having an obvious intellectualism to them. We review Anecdata's latest album, 'Undelete', HERE.  I used to think that as artists got older, their ability to produce good music dissipated. Scatterbrain, the seventh studio album by The Chills, is another piece of evidence to the contrary. Read our review of the album 🠖 HERE 🠔
 After postponing the original dates in early March due to the covid restrictions at summer's-end, GRRRL FEST Kirikiriroa (GF) is ramping up again for the first ever round of female-led festivities. Founded on four creative cornerstones - visual art, music, performing art and makers market - Never Project Space hosted the GF art exhibition called ‘Work’ back in March and the remaining events have been compressed into a ‘mini’ version of the festival.
After a small break and a reshuffle of events, festival director Gwyn Barrie says that although it’s been tough, she and the team were determined to just keep ‘pushing through’. “All of the artists and crew we have on board are completely behind the kaupapa of GF,” she said. “So it’s been really rewarding to know that this festival means so much to everyone involved.” The female and gender-non-binary focused arts festival kicked off last night Friday 14th of May on Hood Street, catering to the performing arts aspect with a Cabaret Variety Show at Biddy’s Back Bar and dinner at Craft Bar. Kat Waswo, the Communications Manager says they are ‘extremely blessed’ to have such an amazing array of talent booked for the show. “We’ve got burlesque performers, entertainers, drag queens and an acapella musician - a massively high calibre of performers all in one show,” she said. Inspired by the ‘Riot Grrrl’ feminist movement from the early ‘90s punk-rock scene in the US, the Basement Show at Nivara Lounge on Saturday May 15 will be showcasing the musical aspect of the festival’s core ethos. Headliner post-punk duo TOOMS are accompanied by Hole tribute band Nothing But Hole and up-and-coming artists Cootie Cuties, Scarlett Lashes, Vikae and Team Squad. The show will also be featuring Iris G who was a stand-out participant of RNZ Music’s recently released programme ‘The Collective’. “We wanted to ensure that most of our artist lineup is made of newcomers and underground artists,” Kat says. “Getting onto festivals and big-billed shows is so hard when you’re ‘gender diverse’... Musicians are still competing in a patriarchy-controlled industry.” Recent statistics published by Dr. Jada E. Watson shows just a small portion of the major discrepancy that women and gender-non-binary artists are faced with ‘all the time’, Kat says. “Mega talented artists such as Tami Neilson, Anna Coddington and MC Tali, who are often headlining music festivals are still not getting adequate radio play... So there’s this wider movement in the music scene across New Zealand right now that’s trying to raise awareness about these issues of inequality in our local music industry.” One of the additional aspects of GF is keeping ticket prices accessible and including at least one free event. On Sunday May 16, GF is hosting a Sunday Session at Brewaucracy Brewery and Taproom - which is free or koha entry - and includes six hours of music from seven talented artists. Also attending the Hamilton Zinefest on Saturday 8th of May at The Meteor, GF has reached out to their audience to provide table space for crafters in lieu of the marketplace aspect being cancelled on the original festival programme. Displaying ‘a bunch of riot-grrrl-style zines’ and hand-made accessories, the brains behind GF are aiming to keep a continuous base of events and community engagement rolling throughout the next 12 months. “We’re already looking ahead to our next event,” Gwyn says. “We’re really excited to be organising an all-ages music show in the Spring, so watch this space for more announcements coming really soon!” For more information about tickets, GRRRL FEST Kirikiriroa and upcoming events, please visit their website www.grrrlfestnz.org or find them on Facebook or Instagram @grrrlfestnz. CONTACT: WEBSITE _ www.grrrlfestnz.org FACEBOOK_ www.facebook.com/grrrlfestnz INSTAGRAM_ www.instagram.com/grrrlfestnz FESTIVAL ENQUIRIES_ geebeepromotions@gmail.com  2021 represents the 41st year of The Chills career, and is marked by a new album – Scatterbrain – and touring, including Tauranga on May 13, Auckland on May 14 and Raglan Town Hall on May 15. Dean Ballinger presents a retrospective review of the band’s recording career to date.
Read it -> HERE <-  ‘Bridge City Beat Down 2021’ is not your usual festival. Happening this year on 29 May at The Meteor, it features not only music, but Pro-wrestling, Medieval cage fighting and retro games! We caught up with organiser Ayman from ‘Mad Arab Industries’ to get a better understanding of the concept, find out about the bands playing, and more!
Read the interview -> HERE -<  You might have heard a bit of GROK over the last year or so, having donated tracks to the ‘No Sound: A Nivara Lounge Fundraiser’ and ‘In Thrust We Trust’ compilations. The former New Zealand band, now based in the UK, have released a new six track EP tiled ‘Lost Orbits’. We spoke with Scott Brodie about the inspiration for the songs on the current EP, how the band have been affected by the pandemic in the UK, and more! Read the interview -> HERE <-
 Dean Ballinger was on hand to review last Saturday's show by Francisca Griffin and the Bus Shelter Boys / Bitter Defeat / The Biscuits at Nivara Lounge in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. Skip on over to FEATURES to read more!
 Hp caught up with the incredible Theia and Vayne ahead of their upcoming tour around Aotearoa in May. Skip on over to FEATURES to read more.
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