| independent fighting spirit | MUZAI Records |
After a breakthrough year in 2012, earning critical plaudits and chart success on radio stations up and down New Zealand, Wellington’s atmospheric space-rock trio Sunken Seas finally make their long awaited trek to Australia throughout February and March – in association with MUZAI Records and Tenzenmen.
Proton Beast, touted as Auckland’s premiere (perhaps only) “disco doom” outfit, have been handpicked after months of coffees on Queen Street as the latest signing to “very alternative” independent label MUZAI Records this morning.
Coming off a stunning performance with the mighty Beastwars this past weekend, Wes and Stu sign amidst strong praise with their single “Tetris”, currently playlisted on 95bFM and doing the rounds on alternative radio up and down the country.
There’s been an audible hum ever since Sam Perry’s latest musical output, Zen Mantra, signed to MUZAI Records earlier this year. How Many Padmes Hum?, released October 26th, presents that such high expectations were not only warranted, but also exceeded from this debut album. Let the buzz begin.
As the evenings grow lighter in New Zealand, the weather getting warmer and the seasons imminently changing, How Many Padmes Hum? has ideally managed to emerge ahead of another (hopefully pleasant) summer – and with songs such as the dreamy “Cloudgazer” or the hedonistic-blast of “Change”, becomes one of the most apt releases from MUZAI towards the end of another year..
Though they may be scattered across different countries, and their albums all sold out (we should do something about that in 2013), Diana Rozz have triumphed once again, releasing a NZ on Air funded video for the single “Walk On By”. A very popular single at that, charting here there and everywhere… in New Zealand.
Video enclosed in the post (so we don’t drain your bandwidth accidentally)
They’ve opened for Wire and Holy Fuck, countless revered bands of NZ’s underground and successfully covered M.I.A without being sued. The Bemsha Swing’s tireless tour-of-duty in New Zealand’s underground scene finally comes to ahead with the release of their debut album, Against Friends and Lovers, from September 14th.
With a band name taken from the work of hallowed jazz pianist Thelonious Monk and a line up reminiscent of Big Black, this premise alone may create some trepidation regarding the Auckland duo (and their drum machine). It’s that trepidation though which gives The Bemsha Swing’s work that little bit more urgency to listen to.
Things have been a little too quiet on the Wilberforces this year. In 2011, the duo released their sophomore effort, “Vipassana”, to strong reviews and equally strong crowds during their tour. The success of this even led them to opening Big Day Out 2012 – ultimately what became the last BDO to occur in New Zealand.
Thankfully though, Thom and Chris have decided to end 2012 on a high note; and not content with just playing Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington, are FINALLY making their way down to the South Is
Christchurch musician Sam Perry’s newest musical outlet, ZEN MANTRA, have officially joined the MUZAI Roster as of August 2012. It comes at a price though – we’re sad to announce the dissolution of Psych Tigers at the same time. Sad emoticon.
Having released onto 5.25” floppy disc the first time around, it was decided to take a more “conventional” route with Ipswich’s debut studio album. No need to panic though – Baby factory, out July 20th through MUZAI Records, proves that they still are “noisy pricks.”
Winners of RDU’s Roundup 2012 competition and steadily becoming a strong presence on the South Island live scene, Baby factory exudes the bratty nature of the trio, but foremost it exemplifies their incredibly mature song-writing and execution. This is a band who sound like they should of grown up during the heyday of The Gordons and influencing them to a significant degree.
MUZAI Records and Cheese On Toast are proud to announce a one-off show from two bands that have been synonymous with two eras of All Ages scenes in New Zealand this August, as The Bengal Lights and Bandicoot co-headline Whammy Bar on August 25th 2012
As one band played with luminaries such as The DHDFD’s and Yokel Ono during they heyday of the Ellen Melville Hall all ages extravaganzas, the other band took note and a mere few yeas later charted a new all-ages scene with the likes of Nevernudes and Nice Birds – performing at anarchist cafes on K Road and Scout Halls in Mt Eden.
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As premiered yesterday at 3pm on Cheese On Toast, Sunken Seas’s second single “Paid Your Price” also marks the band’s second video. Featuring footage from “Satan en prison” by Georges Méliès, the video was self-produced by Sunken Seas, with additional assistance from David N. of White Gallery.
Sunken Seas will be touring across New Zealand in celebration of the release of Null Hour, due out June 28th.
WELLINGTON – July 11th – San Francisco Bath House (support TBA)
LYTTLETON – July 13th – Wunderbar (with support from Ipswich and one more TBA)
PORT CHALMERS – July 14th – Chicks Hotel (with support from Kahu)
WHANGAREI – July 28th – Space Monster (support TBA)
AUCKLAND – August 4th – Whammy Bar (with support from Cool Cult and Cat Venom)
PALMERSTON NORTH – August 11th – Bad Cave (support TBA)
Copies of the album will be available throughout the tour.
