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.
Ladi6 is one of New Zealand's premier vocalists and MCs. Starting her musical career in Christchurch, Ladi6 was part of the all-girl hip-hop group Sheelahroc. Sheelahroc had the hit track "If I Gave You The Mic" and Ladi6 was nominated for Best Vocalist/MC at the 2003 bNet music awards. Ladi6 then moved to Auckland with her band Verse Two who quickly gained a reputation as a top New Zealand live soul/hip-hop group. They won the bNet best new act award in 2004, toured New Zealand with packed shows and supported international acts such as The Roots and De La Soul.
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.
"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.
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.
The Onus Of Sand is the highly anticipated debut album from Warren Maxwell's rockin' heavy blues band Little Bushman (from New Zeland). Warren Maxwell, formally lead singer with NZ band Trinityroots, is masterfully navigating his new band Little Bushman through the deep waters of 60s/70s style Blues tinged Psych Rock (with heavy nods towards Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and The Who), all the while keeping it aimed directly at the heart of the New Zealand roots sound he helped pioneer.
Lawrence Arabia is New Zealander James Milne. He calls his music pop / folk-rock / psychedelic.
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:
The inspiring acoustic pop/folk tunes of symmetry, articulate the need to recognise that which is greater than ourselves. Exceptional.
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.