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.
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.
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.
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.
Born in Australia, but moved to New Zealand as a child, Liam Finn's passion for music begins as early as childhood as the son to Neil Finn (of Split Enz and Crowded House fame), and nephew to kiwi rock legend Tim Finn. Liam attended Auckland high school Selwyn College. It was during high school that Liam Finn pursued the musical talent in his blood and helped in the formation of the band Betchadupa (with other band members Joe Bramley, Matt Eccles and Chris Garland). The band saw the release of two albums which charted well in New Zealand.
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.
The Clean are an influential indie rock band that formed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1978. The Clean soon forged a distinctive and quirky sound, inspired by punk filtered through to the relatively isolated New Zealand. Although they released several chart-topping singles in their native country, The Clean are a little-known cult band outside of New Zealand, although their influence is surprisingly far-reaching.