Tiki Taane, is a New Zealand based musician and former front man of leading New Zealand band Salmonella Dub. Tiki left Salmonella Dub on the 1st of January 2007 to pursue his solo career. His first album Past, Present, Future (album) was released under the name Tiki on 22 October 2007. The song Always On My Mind became the highest-selling NZ song of all time on the New Zealand charts, and the third highest selling overall.
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/
Lawrence Arabia is New Zealander James Milne. He calls his music pop / folk-rock / psychedelic.
Urbantramper is a 'Future Folk' band from Wellington, New Zealand. The group formed in 2000 and has undergone a number of line-up changes. "Rise and Ride Toward..." was the group's fourth and most recent album.
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.
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...
Anika Moa (born 21st May 1980) is a singer-songwriter from Christchurch, New Zealand. While still at school in Christchurch, Moa entered the 'Smokefree Rockquest'.
She received a record deal with Warner Music in New Zealand and Atlantic Records in New York. The record company had big commercialized plans for her - which conflicted with her brash down-to-earth personality. Overall Moa did not enjoy her time in America and returned to base herself in New Zealand. Her first album was released in 2001.
Auckland, New Zealand native Zoe Fleury (aka since 2010 Zowie’s) tender years belie a formidable fascination for pop in all its varying forms. Born into a musical family, she specialized in drums from age eleven, then studying a Diploma in Contemporary Music majoring in Drums in her hometown. Her passion for beats, along with her encyclopedic enthusiasm for all things pop has witnessed Zoe master vocals, guitar and programming along with her drumming skills.
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.
The origins of New Zealand's Verlaines can be traced back as early as 1979, with the group's founder Graeme Downes took direct inspiration from fellow Dunedin group, the Clean to form a band of his own. It wasn't until 1981 that the group made their first public appearance with their initial five-piece line-up. The band have so far released seven full-length albums on three different labels, one mini album, three singles and two compilations.