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Jess Harlen

Now arrives Jess Harlen, a taste of soul, urban roots, lyrical stylings and poetic incision. This songstress hails from the rolling hills and coastlines of New Zealand and is of Ngati Porou and Nga Puhi decent. Moving to Australia with her family at a young age, Jess spent her school years growing up in Brisbane where she began singing and was taught to play the guitar by her family. Throughout her musical upbringing, influences include blues artists such as John Lee Hooker and Nina Simone, Motown greats such as Otis Redding and Gladys Knight...

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Shihad

Shihad are a four-piece band from New Zealand, comprising Jon Toogood (guitar/vocals), Tom Larkin (drums), Karl Kippenberger (bass) and Phil Knight (guitar). Their style is best described as "hard rock", although they were described as "metal" in their formative years. Shihad were formed in 1988 in Wellington, New Zealand. They were briefly known between 2002-2004 as "Pacifier". During this time the band was attempting to break into the US market and it was decided that Shihad sounded too much like the arabic word 'jihad', thus the name change. Their major albums and EPs include:

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Tahuna Breaks

Tahuna Breaks are an uplifting reggae / funk / soul band based in Auckland. They formed following inspiring jams that stretched from a garage in Onehunga to the remoteness of Piha on Auckland’s west coast. With influences varying from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, James Brown, UB40 and New Zealand’s very own dub and reggae movement, Tahuna Breaks are a fine tune roots blend of funk and reggae with that distinctive New Zealand summery sound.

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Young Lean

Young Lean is best known in Australia as hype-man to emcee Louie Knuxx, a fact that is about to change with the release of his debut EP, Worth The Wax. While Louie has quickly gained a solid following for his husky drawl and gritty imagery, in contrast, Young Lean's music is distinguished by his crystal clear flow and positive outlook. The 6-track EP features the aforementioned Mr Knuxx, along with Grips & Tonic band mate JJ Peters.

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Decortica

"Check into Decortica’s Love Hotel and experience the pleasures of a masterful album and allow your jaw to fall." -The NewReview (rating: 5/5) Decortica is an alternative/progressive rock act from New Zealand. Following on from the 2008 debut “A New Aesthetic,” the band’s second album “Love Hotel” was released August 2010. As evidenced by the lead single “Monster in a Pretty Dress,” this a modern rock album that sees the band explore several new sonic and technical territories. The end result is a precisely crafted balance of the band’s renowned explosive performance and mature song writing.

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The Black Seeds

The Black Seeds are a band from Wellington, New Zealand. Formed in 1998, The Black Seeds fuse dub, reggae and funk sounds to form a unique musical "party" sound. They usually perform with ten members, with instruments including vocals, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, bass, drums, bongos, keyboard, woodblock and more.
Former band member Bret Mckenzie is also a member of international award-winning comedy duo Flight of the Conchords. Official Site: http://www.theblackseeds.com/

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Trinity Roots

Formed in 1998, Trinity Roots established themselves as a leading act in the New Zealand music scene. The band produced a contemporary sound with roots in the guitar/vocal melody and harmony of reggae, a rock-steady groove and the improvisation of jazz-schooled talented. New Zealand singer Hollie Smith sang and toured with Trinity Roots from 2003 onwards; she appears on their 2004 album Home, Land and Sea.

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Tim Finn

Tim Finn started as a member of New Zealand's art-rock pioneers, Split Enz, and eventually emerged as one of the band's chief songwriters and most recognizable voices. He has also released a number of solo albums, and was for a time a member of brother Neil Finn's band Crowded House. He and Neil have also released two albums to date as Finn Brothers.

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The Nomad

New Zealand producer Daimon Schwalger has released music under the name The Nomad for many years. The first album Movement was drum'n'bass, but subsequent releases have been downtempo releases with (obligatory in New Zealand) dub influences. Prior to his solo project he was performing drum'n'bass as part of trio Locust with Pearl Runga (sister of Bic Runga) and Ryan Smith (aka The Silversmith). They had no official releases.

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Salmonella Dub

Salmonella Dub began in New Zealand in the summer ending 1992 when Andrew, Dave and Mark applied reggae rhythms and bowel stirring basstones to a handful of bad taste covers. Salmonella Dub's first show was a mixture of covers from Fred Dagg to Nancy and Lee plus some original material in the Westport Racetrack tearooms with EST on January 13th 1993. Over the course of 1993 the band with the aid of Ice Mac and his soundsystem worked the Dux de Lux and Steel Magnolia bars with percussionists Marcus Puentener and Craig Allen.

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