New Music Review - ‘Toni Hawke’ by Hot Sauce Club
Well, you can tell the guys are definitely Dunedin-ites with the art for Toni Hawke! Photo by Jude Stevens and design by Zara Cook.
They’re saucy, just as their name suggests and so is local Dunedin student band, Hot Sauce Club’s latest release, Toni Hawke. (Not to be confused with Tony Hawk, the skateboarding legend.)
This electric-rock infused track will have you flying off the handle quite literally. It will take you for a ride to funky town and all the way back with it’s energetic, 80’s rock ‘n’ roll vibes. It’s cheeky, fun and showcases the southern student life the way it has been mixed down and recorded.
Hot Sauce Club have been recently popping up on gig posters and with good reason - they have mad power skills with their talented ways and let me confirm to you that Toni Hawke just proves how excellent student bands can be, they have ambition beyond belief and will stop at nothing to prove their worthiness to be in the music industry.
Toni Hawke is one of the songs off Hot Sauce Club’s forthcoming debut album, Shower Beers, which is going to be unleashed in February, so make sure you’re on the lookout for that one because it is going to be exceptionally steamy.
It’s easy to follow Toni Hawke with it’s thorough likeability and the tune has many hooks that will make you want to jump on couches at a flat party on Castle Street, but keep the burning couches out of it (if you get this reference, you’re definitely Kiwi.)
Grungy vocals drive Toni Hawke, which makes it an absolute jam, alongside the heavy duty drum and electric guitar work. It’s charged full of oomph and you’re going to find it hard to wait for the album to be released once you hear this banger.
The song from what I can gather is about a girl called Toni Hawke who appears to also be a skateboard lover, just like the living legend and the Hot Sauce Club guys are trying to figure her out, but not in the way you’d think. Toni sounds like she might be a bit of a reckless party princess who has no care or worry in the world about her actions. I guess that is open to interpretation and is my opinion on what the storyline may be going along the lines of.
Get on your board right now and grab some beers - see you at the party tonight with Hot Sauce Club as the main act!
Find more Hot Sauce Club below -
New Music Review - ‘Follow Me’ by The Raddlers
The delightfully wonderful artwork for Follow Me! Art by Megan Grautstuck. This really depicts what the band are all about.
It’s so good to see you again, how you been, my friend?
The Raddlers are here to exclaim that they aren’t playing around with their single, Follow Me, released on Friday last week and wow, what a release to start this year feeling fresher than ever.
Follow Me is dashing, fun and certainly a step in a slightly different direction for The Raddlers, who are always looking to expand and improve on what they have previously created.
I personally wonder each time how this five-piece can consistently keep making delightful music when they’ve already released such top quality EPs in the past, however, they certainly have hit the nail in the board harder with Follow Me, a release so powerful that makes you want to dance around at 3am. (Can confirm this is 100% accurate and based on true thoughts).
Follow Me is down-to-earth and sends out all of those signals telling you that The Raddlers are back and ready for a big 2022. Get your best shoes on and let’s get dancing!
Living in different cities doesn’t stop these five talented lads coming together to create such tunes that will have you gripped from the moment you hear them, a very special thing that they are able to balance and do. The Raddlers may sometimes be far apart, but they piece the puzzle back together each and every time to bring us a sizzler. Careful, this track is far warmer than you think. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.
The Raddlers are not shy on showing emotion or even putting everything on the line musically to bring us only the best of what they have to offer, which really pulls through on their first single release since 2020.
Follow Me has some great grooves and some hooks that are highly energetic and will have you wishing you could be on stage with the band when you hear it at their upcoming tour. (Tickets available now!)
I like how thoughtful it is, yet it is not a hard song to tune into. You can feel the depth, but you can also feel the lightness at the same time, something that The Raddlers are more than capable of doing time and time again, without it getting stale.
You’ve got some fun aspects of the track - from moments of claps to either a tambourine or some egg shakers thrown in which take it to another level of pizazz. Bloody lovely.
Honestly, everything that is encompassed within Follow Me feels like you’re sitting down with an old friend and absolutely smashing life which is something I personally love to hear.
This is a song that you need to listen to, then recommend it to your pals and then they recommend it to their pals, so on and so forth. Just whatever you do, don’t think “I’ll listen to it later” and come back a year on and have not listened to it. You need Follow Me in your life right now. Don’t waste time, get on your bike and head over to Spotify to have an epic jam fest.
Fun fact: The Raddlers were my first ever write-up and interview for the blog, if you wish to check it out, you can read the interview here.
-
Follow Me (no, sorry, The Raddlers) below!
Hey there, thanks for reading this review, you’re too awesome and I like that. If you’d like to get in touch with me regarding any reviews/interviews or features, please see the top of the site (Instagram is best) to chat.
New Music Review - ‘The Tapes’ Album by Wells*
Another present received in 2021 - Wells* released this incredible album on the 23rd December, with heartfelt emotion and many different paths of stories. Image credit: Wells* Instagram.
Wells* has recently given us a gift in the form of a 16-track album of songs, old and new, on his newest art in the form of The Tapes Etc.
The Tapes Etc opens up a world of entirely new possibilities with all of the tracks that Wells* has put out there for us to have a listen to. The album feels very thoughtful and like a whole lifetime of stories that he has been wanting to tell us and is finally able to do so with these magical paragraphs that have been put into words that can not be described as anything less than shining stars. Sit back, take your pick of a song and settle down with a coffee to have a listen and read this review at the same time.
The Tapes Etc is a treat of an album and Wells* shares his depth with us and really drives us to another city with every unique mix that is tied together. You’ve got everything from acoustic to mid-bass to pop elements and it doesn’t go unappreciated how each song is relatively unlike the last.
Therapy Summer is one of my personal favourites off the album, it’s a rather chilled out song and it holds a lot of emotion in it, exuding quite a power play within the range of vocalism and sunshine it lets out. This is possibly the most danceable song off the entire album and incredibly well sung, too.
Jealous is a highly enjoyable tune - it expresses just how Wells* feels about someone he cares about and he tends to get in the zone with this upbeat song that will have you feeling Jealous on behalf of the girl that he is singing about. It is a light-hearted song that doesn’t intend to make anyone feel hurt, it’s just thoughts inside his head explained. Very easy to feel parallel with.
Depressed is pretty self explanatory - however, though this is also quite light-hearted, I do just want to advise that while it may be relatable, it is about depression and if you’re feeling this way, make sure to talk to a professional. Depressed is especially catchy and you’ll be singing it in the shower, for definite. Wells* certainly likes to name his songs after emotions, which is quite a fun concept and helps him remain true to what his particular music style is. Very Wells* like. Love it.
Any Time Soon comes across as a near break-up song in a way. Wells* sings about thinking his partner is going to be cutting him loose soon and how he is hurt by the actions previously carried out by this particular person. They’ve tried to piece him back together, however, he mentions he never felt glued together. Any Time Soon will give take you on a metaphorical rollercoaster and take you to new heights. A stunning track.
As The Tapes Etc is quite a romantic-based album for 99% of the tunes, it may not be for everybody, however the way it has been curated and clearly thought out makes it a really wonderous listen. I would recommend at least checking out a few of the tracks before you make up your mind on what you think about it. Overall, the concept of the album and what Wells* puts out is pure gold.
Wells* is a lyrical genius, can we all just agree on that one?! I really cannot wait for more music from him and with his collaborators in the future.
Find more Wells* below -
Hi! If you’re reading this and you’re looking to be featured on the blog in 2022, please touch base. I am looking at writing a lot more this year and am a bit stuck for reviews/interviews at the present time. Recently, I have been writing reviews of international artists, as well as New Zealand artists, so please touch base. Email, Instagram and Facebook are at the top of the website.
New Music Review - ‘Goof’ by Retro Valley
Goof is out now!
Honestly, the shadow had me feeling like I was looking at an optical illusion at first. Total 90s vibe with the static TV background and the voodoo doll. Great job, Retro Valley!
It has been a hot minute since Hamilton-based Retro Valley have released a song for our waiting eardrums and they have now bought out their latest song, Goof.
Retro Valley are great at creating their own thoughtful, sunny sound and Goof goes to show that they have been thinking long and hard about what to write for their follow-up from Who’s to Say, released earlier this year. Bringing the matured nature of their music to the scene for the ending of 2021, Retro Valley have really surprised me with Goof - even more than I thought!
Where some of their other songs have been more soft-pop, Goof can definitely be perceived as that indie-rock vibe that the guys are certainly expressing. It has a great blend of growth and spice, two things that make a fresh new song quite enticing to listeners, so they have nailed it with this new journey that they are going on.
Goof is a really great party song and I feel that this one will be quite the dance-starter at Retro Valley’s future gigs. It has that feeling about it that you just know so many people will be all over this one. (Try to, you know, not jump on the stage with excitement when the band end up chucking this one at you!)
The song brings it in with a ~retro (aha, get it!) electric guitar and it pops off with class which makes you go, “oh! This is going to be excellent” and you’re not mistaken if you think that. Nice work.
Goof takes you out and wants to promise you a damn fiery, good time. Imagine fireworks night, this song playing along to the display - perfect for that type of situation and Goof also showcases Retro Valley’s musicality which I know is very important for the guys to be able to show to the world.
This is one of their favourite songs they’ve created as a band and to have it out there for people to listen to is such an epic achievement for these lads.
Get around it and stream Goof now. There is no time like the present!
More Retro Valley on Welcome to the Gig -
Who’s to Say Review
Follow along with Retro Valley at the below -
New Music Review - ‘Lights Burn Low’ by Gabriel Bond
The Lights Burn Low shot is just one of the most incredible things I’ve seen in terms of art work. Love this one so much! Photo credit: Josh White.
Owl City - oops, I mean Gabriel Bond - is dishing up the ultimate love song that will certainly fill your heart with the most warmth you’ve probably felt in quite some time. This stunning track is about to have you on the floor, with puddles of tears beneath you and it is very easy to see why I’d say this when you hear his fresh drop.
Lights Burn Low is one of the most golden, iconic and treasurable romantic songs of 2021. There, I said it. It is much more than a beautiful masterpiece and there are many words to describe Gabriel’s skills and talent, but I am personally at a loss for inserting the correct words into this review, which makes a change!
Gabriel’s voice puts him at top level of one of my new favourite up-and-coming Kiwi artists who should be at the height of musicians that you wrap your head around and turn the volume up to.
Lights Burn Low will make you feel like a giddy little kid on Christmas morning, but 10x more intensified - how groovy is that? If you don’t believe that, you might just need to click on the link above and test this theory out for yourself. This one is for the lovers and the lovers of love, anyone with a romantic head and heart, essentially.
Imagine the perfect first date, accompanied with your dream partner with many happy twists and turns, that’s what Gabriel’s songs feel like. The over-the-moon, in the stars moment that is so majestic that you could never picture it ending.
In Lights Burn Low, Gabriel talks about not caring about what the girl looks like, what she is wearing as she always looks fine to him. He is daring to send out into the world that he values the time spent with her, even if it makes him look silly when he tries to dance, or the fact that he intends to spend all evening with her through to when she has to go to work early the next day. It can sometimes take a lot for males to express their feelings like this, however, I feel that Gabriel put a special twang on it and is honest about what he feels, which us females like to hear from time to time.
Lights Burn Low will literally melt you, just like an ice block on those blistering hot days. Trust me, this is one song that you will be glad to have been melted by, no questions asked. Just listening to the lyrics, you can hear the passion and care that Gabriel has about his art and he continues to amaze with bringing out tracks that are classy and tell you more about what kind of person he is.
Turn out the lights and listen to this one until the sun rises tomorrow morning - you might even find a new piece of mind from the glow of Lights Burn Low.
You can find Gabriel at the below -
New Music Review - ‘Off to Nowhere’ by Lunar Intruder
The album cover art for Off to Nowhere makes me want to go on a roadie this Summer. How about you?! Art by Hayley Jean.
Get ready to go Off to Nowhere with the latest single release from an outstanding upcoming third EP. Yes, you did read that correctly! The Lunar Intruder boys are back at full speed, dropping us yet another tune to get us into the groove of the new year ahead.
Off to Nowhere is pretty special from the get go. It tells the story of finishing a chapter in your life and feeling like you’re not entirely sure what you can do next, which every single person on this planet can relate to in one way or another. What really pulls me into the Lunar Intruder trap is not only how much these four take the time to put in all of the effort that they do, but also the fact that they appeal to a wide range of age groups (my Mum is in her early 50s and finds Lunar Intruder incredible and wants to see them live eventually!) They don’t seem to have that set target audience and they care about every fan that thrash’s their music in their cars and homes.
Off to Nowhere allows each member to showcase their talent, proving that with every new project that they blow us fans away with, they’ve worked 10 times harder on it than the previous release, if that is even possible because they are consistent and always put in 100% effort.
Lunar Intruder’s indie-soft rock sounds are in place, with moments of light which will take you sailing through the waves of the track to get to the other side where there is a whole other Lunar world waiting to be discovered.
Off to Nowhere has proven that the band have taken on a whole other level of growth since the release of their second EP in July of this year (review for Outerworlds here). It takes a lot to be able to push through any tough boundaries and hardships you have in order to create something great that is going to impress people, however, Lunar Intruder have succeeded and preserved their natural form of being completely themselves throughout the entire time of their careers. Something I admire a lot when listening to musicians projects and getting to know them.
In the track, Cam sings about wasting time and wasting moments, a great insight to how musicians are also quite normal people and they feel the same things as us. It’s hard to know which direction is best when sometimes you feel completely glued in place, which is just a temporary thing, thankfully. Lunar Intruder express this in a way that is thought provoking and I noticed after the 10th listen, Off to Nowhere left that feeling in my stomach that they understood me and I said, “everything that is being sung is the epitome of my life right now. Wow.”
Go and chuck your ears on and have a listen to Off to Nowhere as soon as you possibly can, it is another track that is very worthy of taking the time to breathe in and get the words, beats and everything in between inside your head.
For more Lunar Intruder on Welcome to the Gig, click the following links -
Matt G on the Podcast
Outerworlds EP Review
Lunar Intruder Interview
Ready to Know Review
-
More Lunar Intruder you say? Check them out below -
New Music Review - ‘Salamanders’ by Ayla Wesley
The very Summer-esque cover for Salamanders, created by Eden Harris. Vibrant and classically Ayla!
Talented Tauranga musician, Ayla Wesley, is here to present the best version of herself, after spending the past few years finding her sound, she has put out a burst of pure magic into the world with her new single, Salamanders.
This track will give you all the warm fuzzies on the inside, coming from the heat of the heart, Ayla puts it out there with her folk-indie music that will lift you off the ground and take you to cloud nine with this high-beat track that was the catalyst to finding her genre of music.
The inspiration behind Salamanders was the summer that has just been, according to Ayla. It’s about when you have a friend that you are really close to and they end up getting into a relationship, however, due to this, you don’t get to see them as much as you’re used to, yet you still want to be there for them as much as possible. Ayla sings about being invited out for a cup of coffee to catch up with her friend, regardless of the fact that she does not drink it. She wants to know what has been happening in this particular friends life and let them know how much she misses them.
Salamanders fulfils that folk sound that no artist should shy away from and Ayla certainly stands out from the crowd. How it has been produced brings the song to life and really adds this difference in energy to your end-of-week listening. It is evident that the thought of every aspect of this song has been carefully created to be the perfect summer blend of fun and honesty.
Ayla draws inspiration from artists such as There’s a Tuesday, Stella Donnelly, Broods and other brilliant acts, which you can certainly hear throughout every element of Salamanders.
While listening to Salamanders, I found myself bopping my head along to the catchy and cruisy vibe of the tune. The lyrics are really easy to catch on to and you will be singing them after a few times of hearing this epic track. You will literally forget about the rest of the day once you’ve had your morning dose of Ayla!
While the music video is not set for release until tomorrow (11th December), I can tell you that it is also as fun as the song is and it’s guaranteed to make you feel transported to a warm, sunny island of your choice. Featuring Ayla playing electric guitar by the beach, tree swings and awesome pops of colour, the video will not disappoint. The music video was directed, shot and edited by Finn Lloyd who did an outstanding job at making it what it is. Make sure to check this out when it is released tomorrow.
Keep your ears checked in for more from Ayla - she has a unique and quirky sound that sets her apart from the rest.
You can find Ayla below -
New Album Review - ‘Bridges’ by Mike Haggith
Mike Haggith released his latest album, Bridges, as a surprise release on the 6th November 2021 after four years of writing for the 10-track masterpiece. The album cover is giving nothing away - making you want to listen to find out more!
Pilot by day, musician by night, Canadian singer-songwriter, Mike Haggith, is here with a surprise release to his fans around the world with his latest album, Bridges!
The album is a fantastically welcoming work of art in which it has an umbrella of a few different genres to it, which is not something that you hear a lot of the time on one album and I admire the fact that Mike has tried and tested multiple sounds on Bridges, making it quite unique and a great listen.
Mike has poured a lot of his metaphorical cup into creating this album over the past four years, having moved to a different area in Canada has proven to be quite difficult for him, leaving friends and family behind. The inspiration for Bridges comes from a lot of his mental health battles from dealing with that move and feeling rather isolated at times.
Come on Home is one of my personal favourites from the album as the lyrics are quite heartfelt and I resonate with them a lot. This song seems to settle with my not so well-known like for a bit of indie-country music and it’s just a lovely, well curated track if you’re feeling nervous or anxious as it will bring you back down to earth and calm any unsettling feelings that you may have. Sometimes, looking back at the past can be a bit of a headache, however, in Come on Home, it seems as though Mike is craving to go back to where he came from with his loved ones. You can hear that this is true from the way the song is sung and how it was produced/mixed.
Over Indecision starts off with a sweet piano vibe, then it slowly turns into some medium-rock, 2000s band sounds, which is so much fun and a total throwback. The electric guitar in this track makes a standout performance with the groovy riffs and the blending of Mike’s excellent vocal ability. The track talks about leaving town and catching a flight, a vision that many of us have, especially these days. Definitely a suitable vibe for anyone who is more into meaningful-rock songs. A totally full circle track of goodness.
The Nature of the Times sounds like it may take inspiration from Incubus’ song Drive for the opener of the track and honestly, I love it. As soon as Mike starts singing, it becomes even more his own which is clearly very important to him. The Nature of the Times really stands on a solid base and I can only imagine that this is a fan favourite when performed live. Mike proves that he can bring his laid back vibe into his music and it makes you feel at ease while listening to this track. It reels you in and keeps you engaged for the full 4 minutes, 46 seconds. Excellent.
Dangerous Town is a lot of fun to have on rotation, but don’t let that track name fool you, the song itself is far from being dangerous. It plays it safe with the structure and is an essential track for Bridges as it speaks a lot of truths and again, is very relatable. I like how it takes you through different journeys that Mike has been on and helps you to think from a perspective that maybe you haven’t before.
Check out the full album over on Spotify, Band Camp or on YouTube - all listed below! Highly recommend giving this one a spin and making your own judgement on it - there are several more tracks to listen to, don’t sleep on this one. The album for me opens up a lot of different emotion and is brilliant to listen to on a walk in the sunshine. Worth the four year wait for fans!
-
Find Mike at all of his social media platforms below -
New Music Review - ‘Can You Hear Me Now’ by Little Sunday
How lovely is the cover for Little Sunday’s new EP - Sun Down, coming very shortly! Following on from their previous release, Sun Up.
Talented North Island-based band, Little Sunday, are about to release their second EP of 2021, Sun Down, which comes shortly after they let us in with the first half of this project, which came out a couple months ago and has been on rotation on many playlists since then!
Today, they released their next single off Sun Down which is dutifully called Can You Hear Me Now which aligns with Little Sunday’s values and what they are trying to convey in terms of climate change which has been frustrating for the band to see nothing being properly done about it and leaders letting it just wash over them like a light shower of rain.
Arthur told me that this song was written during the summer of 2019/2020 where the Australian bushfires were taking over every news outlet and also washing over the skies here in New Zealand, as well. Can You Hear Me Now has the voices of Donald Trump, Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough to capture your attention to the issue at hand.
Can You Hear Me Now is a powerful song that has been written with a heavy heart, fielding a lot of emotion that has been bought from the bottom up to evaluate how the world can change the climate issues. How do we get through to these leaders that are not listening or putting their feet forward to get something done?
Little Sunday bring in their alternative-rock sound and make sure that the track stands out on its own with everything they have put into it. They have drawn inspiration from Australian rockers, Ocean Alley, who bring their basslines to the forefront of their songs and make it highly noticeable - the more noise you make, the more likely it will for you to be heard. That is the intention with this song I believe and it feels as though Little Sunday are going to make a great impact with sharing this to the universe of listeners that they have.
Can You Hear Me Now cuts deep and it is well deserving to be played not only on the radio, but other places where people can hear this. Politician offices, conferences, meetings, in schools, etc.
Little Sunday are heading in the right direction to become leaders of these bigger issues and I hope that you all will check out the song, share it around and get some attention behind it as Can You Hear Me Now is wildly important and as everyone says, there is no planet B.
Get behind this amazing group of humans and do your part!
You can check out more Little Sunday at the links below - be sure to let them know how great their work is and what they are doing in truly inspiring.
-
-
Keep an eye on the blog as this isn’t the last time you will be reading about Little Sunday! Be back in a few weeks for more on these five legends.
New Music Review - ‘King of the Reef’ by Flaxxies
Depicting what Flaxxies are all about - a fun single, ready for your summer vibes playlist. Dropping on all music platforms at midnight!
King of the Reef is about to be the hottest drop of your December because Flaxxies are back with their punchy-surf music, rearing to get up again with this upbeat, fun and ready-to-go song, which is going to be dropping at midnight tonight, so get on your surfboard and hit those waves with a good tune!
Flaxxies never fail to impress with their chilled tunes and somehow always seem to turn it up 5 million notches when they chuck us a new single, how good! If you’ve been to one of their gigs before, you may recognise this energised single as it always tends to pop off with the audience when it is performed and is finally here for you to listen to whenever you please.
King of the Reef brings a feeling of being able to pop down to the beach (for some reason, I feel this would be appropriate on a road trip to Raglan or to their favourite place, the Coromandel) with the windows down, the music up and a few iced drinks in the chilly bin that is sitting on your mates lap while bumping this absolute tune. At the beginning, they bring it in with a bit of synth-indie-rock, which is the best to way describe it, adding a little more pizazz and excitement to the tune you’re about to be taken in by.
For me, the highlight of the song is just how light it is and easy to listen to. The bass really drives through to make some epic movement in this jam.
King of the Reef seems the most Flaxxies-like song, however in saying that, I know that all of their music is their own, it’s just that one is a standout track that truly announces their names from the rooftop, like “hey, we’re Flaxxies and we are here to let you know that we are all kings of the reef! Just listen to our music and you will find this out!” It’s full of each member of the bands personalities. (It’s also a fun wee thing that they chucked the band name within the tune, also.)
Flaxxies have big ambitions and it’s easy for listeners to hear what they pour into their music for these to come true. From getting to know them this year, it’s easy to see that their hearts are in this for the long haul, especially with this release that is catered specifically to themselves and who they are going to become, they’re looking to be heard and they achieve this greatly in King of the Reef.
Here at Welcome to the Gig, I am (clearly) a big fan of Flaxxies and am always super eager to hear what they have coming up next because I know that it will always be musically pleasing and a fun vibe to sing/dance along to. These five legends are proof that even though they may be young, that doesn’t stop them from producing and creating high end, good quality music, which is thoroughly appreciated and always enjoyed.
If you want to know more about Flaxxies, check out the Feature Friday we did a while back here and hit them up on their social media platforms below!
-
Music Review - ‘I Was / I Am’ the album by Noah Kahan
Welcome all who have come from different corners of the world to have a read of my first ever international write-up on Welcome to the Gig! I am pleased to announce that every so often, there will be reviews and such from musicians outside of New Zealand, which is super exciting and something that has been encouraged by friends/family and also in my thoughts for a while.
Today, we are kicking it off with someone I have wanted to write about for quite a while on the blog, American musician, Noah Kahan who loves White Claws and dogs!
Noah comes from New Hampshire in America where he has faced many challenges, but has still tried to keep himself true to whatever he chooses to do within life and his career.
Noah’s latest album drop, I Was / I Am, released back in September, has been really life-changing for many listeners around the world, telling some hard stories from the past, with hope for the present and the future. I Was / I Am takes you on a journey to whichever destination is next on the roadmap that is life.
What I thoroughly enjoy about I Was / I Am and Noah’s music is that it is always raw, no matter how much it hurts to hear it or for him to sing it, he still puts it out there and has let fans know that they are not alone with their struggles and that he also faces them daily. A truly authentic and genuine way to release an album and to share your experiences with those who may need some comfort right now.
In the track Howling, Noah references the big black dog of depression that he often has to cope with, a topic many people tend to shy away from talking about as it is frowned upon in many situations, when in reality, we should be able to be vulnerable and honest like Noah is without any judgement.
Caves is a cracker of a song - it is a little more upbeat, however it still holds value with the importance of the lyrics, which I believe may have been derived from a relationship that potentially wasn’t working out, but both parties wanted to try and keep it going, even if there wasn’t a light at the end of the tunnel, as they had originally hoped. Eventually, someone has to cave and say “okay, this is not working out” but it feels to me that finding the courage to do so strikes as very difficult to do and it was never going to be an easy conversation to begin with.
Someone Like You is another track that draws your attention in - featuring the wonderful Joy Oladokun, this song pulls all the stops out with beautiful vocals from both Noah and Joy, a treat for the ears. I really like the inviting sound to it and feel that it is a fresh kind of pop-love ballad that would do well in the top 40 chart and become quite a hit with those of all ages.
The lyrics and movement of I Was / I Am is driven by the honest admission of some of the changes being best and some for the worst for Noah and I think we can all applaud that and recognise that change has a lot of good impacts in so many ways (even if it’s tough) and whether you’re a musician, or wherever you are on your path, to find new things and endure growth is such a huge thing to go through and it will take you on to many new opportunities that you probably would never have given thought to previously.
The bottom line of this review is that Noah’s words really resonate with me and millions of listeners throughout the world, making him an extremely likeable person whose music comes in all shapes and sizes, meaning you are guaranteed to find a song of his that you will relate to and really enjoy. The 10-track album is a perfect embodiment of who Noah has been and who he is now.
I Was / I Am is most definitely worth taking the time out of your day to have a listen to. Make sure that you go and check it out right now and have a follow along with Noah at the below links -
Spotify
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Website
-
Thank you so much for sticking around and reading my first international write-up on Welcome to the Gig! I hope that you enjoyed this album review and find some hope from Noah’s words as much as I personally do. He is a fantastic person with a heart of gold and hopefully one day, we will all get to see him on our side of the world.
I will be posting more international write-ups, however, they won’t be as frequent as New Zealand music ones. That being said, if you would like to touch base, please flick me a DM, PM or email at any of the below -
Much love and appreciation to you all!
New Music Review: ‘6:18 (Remember Your Name)’ by Simon Hirst
A strong soldier, Simon is back with his latest and one of the greatest songs he has released so far. 6:18 (Remember Your Name) is available to stream on all musical platforms!
Hot off the press - get amongst this epic tune that was just released in the weekend from Hamilton-based legend, Simon Hirst, who has come back full throttle with his honest and functional single, 6:18 (Remember Your Name) which is an absolute bop to bring in the warmer weather with. 6:18 has a brilliant, upbeat vibe to it and it can be likened to a John Mayer song in a way - which of course, is a compliment.
6:18 is a guaranteed earworm that will help you understand Simon's writing style a little bit more - this humble and kind musician is someone who sings and writes from the heart, each lyric and each strum of guitar that he releases, it’s inevitable that he has taken all of his energy and placed it gently into the passion projects he works on. 6:18 is fantastic not only because of Simon’s vocals that just bring it home really well, but the use of instruments and way it has been mixed down. The beats make it feel a little more light-hearted than the lyrics that may have you thinking “wow, this man is a lyrical genius even though that is some gut wrenching stuff!”
During the course of 6:18, Simon tells stories from multiple people who come from all walks of life, allowing us to put our respect out for these people who have maybe gone through tough times, but even though the lyrics tell some harsh truths sometimes, Simon puts them together constructively and in a respectful way to those he is telling the stories of. What I truly enjoy about Simon’s music is the fact that he takes care to ensure that he puts out music that makes sense but doesn’t hide behind safe lyrics - he is always willing to tell us something more than you can imagine a musician doing and from others’ perspective. When we as humans write, particularly songs, we tend to write about our own experiences, however, Simon tends to go in the opposite direction and that is quite refreshing.
For me, listening to 6:18 feels like the sun coming out after a huge rain storm, making something unpleasant more pleasant.
While this track might not be a country song, the more I’ve listened to it over time, the more it becomes apparent that it would be also mind blowing if it had a bit of a country twang to it, which would be an incredible twist.
If you’re interested in listening to the song, please click on the link either in the title of the cover art, or in the first line of the review - this will take you over to Spotify to have a wee jam with this beauty.
You can find Simon at all of the links below (and please make sure you do go follow him and comment on his stuff - he is a brilliant human with incredible skill!)
-
Find Simon at -
Spotify
Instagram
Facebook
Website
-
A couple of disclaimers, etc.
International write-ups coming in DECEMBER!
Also, my sincerest apologies for first of all, this post not going live on the day of release - the track was released on Saturday and I promised Simon it would be out the same day, or the day before! Had bad writers block, so that unfortunately did not help on reaching this deadline (which for me, is extremely unusual to not meet a personal goal like getting something up on time). Apologies for anyone who came to the blog and saw half a written post for this review over the past couple of days - completely forgot to reschedule this post!
Anyway!! Thank you, Si, for allowing Welcome to the Gig be a part of your journey through your musical life. Much respect for what you do, pal!
New Music Review - ‘Love Won’t Run Away’ by Wulfie and Loveta
A stunning capture of two very talented musicians - Wulfie and Loveta, photo captured at the Pink Lady Rooftop bar in Christchurch. Perfect for the cover of the newest single, Love Won’t Run Away, out NOW!
Love Won’t Run Away is the newest ballad from the powerhouse duo that is Wulfie (Tim Heeringa) and Loveta (Lauren Marshall), encapsulating you with everything these two have to offer and by the time this wonderful track ends, it will reignite your belief in not being alone forever if, like me, your dating life is a bit of a disaster or non-existent.
This absolutely melting ballad will have you realise that it is very different to other relationship songs that we have become accustom to hearing - this one does not have a sad ending, a wonderful twist to hear. In fact, from the beginning and even through the middle, it will have you floating on cloud 9.
Love Won’t Run Away is a really magical love song mixed with many emotions that will have you wishing for more Wulfie x Loveta - it is a beautiful song that hits all the right notes and I genuinely hope that these two continue to put out projects together.
Just like these two very lovely musicians, Love Won’t Run Away is classy and that spark is at the highest rank while you tune into this one.
It has elements of unique flare in the mixing of the music - making it an even more shiny experience. It is an electronic, pop infused love ballad that is about the one that managed to not get away, like a fairy tale that many of us can only dream of.
Love Won’t Run Away is also about a love for someone that you could never picture letting go of as you know there is something quite special to be shared between the two and you want it to be continuous and never-ending. This type of true romance is rare in the world nowadays and to me, the song feels as though it goes back to when humans felt more depth in their soul than they do now. It is a heart pumper, one that will have you thriving and wanting to share your care and love for that certain someone (you’re thinking of someone, aren’t you - it’s okay, we’re all friends here!)
Check out those synth beats and leading vocals - everything rolls into one wonderous song and the music video is pretty incredible, too! (However, at time of publication of this review, it is not available on YouTube).
An excellently constructed new vibe to listen to on your Friday evening. I would highly recommend this song to anyone who likes listening to softer tunes and love ballads that have a bit of electro-pop thrown in there. I adore this song and if you do too, be sure to check out Wulfie and Loveta at all the links below -
Wulfie:
Spotify
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Website
-
Loveta:
-
International write-ups coming to the blog soon! Please feel free to contact me - all social media and an email address are above and I will check out any recommendations sent. Thanks! Ash.
New Music Review - ‘Hannah’ by Parabola West
A breathtakingly, mystical art piece for the cover of Hannah, available at midnight!
Calling all souls - old and new!
Magical, mystical and authentically herself, Parabola West (real name Amy Tucker West) is here to treat us with a new tune that will take you away to the lands of fairy tales and beyond.
Hannah is due to be released on Friday at midnight and the Raglan local is not a stranger to adding dashes of fantasy into her music which makes it a very different vibe to what I’m personally used to, however, Parabola opens up her wings and shows us a different world with this track which incorporates a lot of mellowed out sequences of events and lyrics.
In Hannah, the main character (obviously named Hannah!) is stuck between the physical and spiritual worlds in which she has essentially dabbled too much and has gotten herself lost. The mystery remains, will she end up luring in others to share in her fate, or will there be a plot twist?
Hannah mixes science with maths, two subjects that Parabola thoroughly enjoys, which you can tell is incorporated right into the track. Hannah is also infused with electronic tones and a drop of folk in there, too, making Parabola’s newest release a very unique one in the music world.
A fun fact about Hannah is that it was recorded at healing volume. Yes, you read that right - recorded at a slightly lower volume than normal songs, this one is meant to send you to higher places, while helping you to feel soothed and relaxed, a technique in which I’ve not heard of other artists doing (or at most, it would be very rare to hear of that!), which is a fantastical taste of what is to come from Parabola’s debut upcoming album.
Parabola will take you to the depths of what warms you up with a bit of Glastonbury-vibes popped in with her expressions of differences, all presented through her musical career and also her website. It is like an enchanted fairy land and Hannah promises to be no different to the attractive fantasy-reality she has shared with fans in the past. Spin this track when it drops at midnight tonight and check out Parabola’s previous drops.
-
To find out more about Parabola and follow along with her, check out the links below -
New Music Review - ‘What Should I Do?’ by The Gateways
Serving those 80s vibes for the cover of What Should I Do? Available now!
Christchurch garage-rock band, The Gateways are here with a brand new single which was released on Thursday, 11th November, What Should I Do? They are certainly dishing up the super grunge, in-your-face splash for us with the first song they ever wrote coming to life, now available for you to hear.
Following on from their debut single, Noise Control, The Gateways are on the way to creating some other new tunes that will blow the roof off venues this summer and beyond.
When you listen to The Gateways, you may find that some of their songs start out softly, like in What Should I Do?, but within seconds, you will realise how loud and proud these boys truly are with their infectious rock n roll attitudes which is the style of a great band that has come out of the wonderous walls of TuneSoc at the University of Canterbury.
You will thoroughly enjoy their fresh release if you’re quite into noisy grunge-punk, The Gateways exude this and you’re most likely going to want to do some decent head banging while you hear What Should I Do? It is a tasteful track and while it may not be to everyone’s liking, it certainly has the high beats for those of us who enjoy heavier musical tastes - this will be such a great song to add to your party playlist, for sure! It will get guests up and pumping, potentially keeping them up all night grooving.
While The Gateways lads have work, study and a band to be in, their efforts of fulfilling their musical passions are never in vain with a few supportive friends, family and new fans who quite often attend their gigs around Christchurch, where their talents are always invited in by people of the audience because of the work they put in to being appreciated and heard. They go hardcore on stage and really show up, which pulls through into What Should I Do?
Make sure to have a listen and go check out what The Gateways are all about by following them on their links below -
-
More of The Gateways on Welcome to the Gig -
New Music Review - ‘LA’ by Jaz Paterson
How sweet is the photo for LA! Available for you to listen to right now - make sure to click through and please your ears with this stunning track. Made with the help of NZ On Air, among many other very talented people!
Jaz is back, back again… Tell everyone you know because LA is the third single off Jaz’s upcoming EP, Ache, which is due out in a couple short weeks and it will have thought bubbles hovering over your head for days with the way that she has depicted this track in a form of being able to express what most of us wish we could do - run away (sometimes).
LA tells the tale of how Jaz understands that even though she may want to jet set off to another place where she isn’t known and no matter how glittery and absolutely wonderful new people and places are, she knows that she will still be the same person that she is now. Essentially, if she uprooted everything and moved to LA, for example, she has come to the realisation that she would not become a different person just because everything else has changed. That tends to get you right in the heart and I can feel that anyone who wants to make a big change will be really influenced by this track to give their future changes a lot of consideration.
LA is a brilliant single release off the EP, Ache - you can hear Jaz’s passion and emotion in this song, with lyrics that will have the fire flowing through you and really stick to you like a magnetic force. The path of lyrics will resonate with many listeners and will even teach you a few things about life as Jaz proves that she is wise beyond her 26 years.
With this song, it seems as though I’ve known it for years - a warm welcome to my playlist and it should also be added to yours immediately to avoid disappointment when everyone knows about it. LA showcases Jaz’s voice in terms of pop, rather than the beat of almost drum and bass from her previous single, Ache. I love how she changes it up, but at the same time, she still stays as true to herself and what she knows. A true inspiration of a musician.
Jaz is a rather magical storyteller, always singing truthful hopes, dreams and fears through her perfectly pieced together music. As soon as LA starts, Jaz’s calming voice follows within seconds to tell us about wanting to be on a plane and how she’d love to see pink sunrises from her window seat, a beautiful description.
Jaz is one of the very talented individuals that has come out of Sole Music Academy and I know that this is just the beginning of her long-term career. She brings joy to the music world, even if that means telling raw and depth to the universe. That is always admirable and makes a song even more explosive! Well done, Jaz. LA is fantastic.
-
More of Jaz on Welcome to the Gig -
-
Make sure to follow along on her journey at the below!
New Music Review - ‘Hero Skies’ by Dolphin Friendly
How gorgeous is the art for the cover of Hero Skies! A glowing owl. Who would’ve thought - so epic. Hero Skies, available NOW!
Preash. The Dolphin Friendly lads are here to take us on a new, trippy rollercoaster with their first single in nearly a year, Hero Skies, released on 5th November 2021. Dolphin Friendly have adopted a new, fresher sound with this mix and their upcoming EP, levelling up from their previous releases and this one will make you absolutely fizz and allow you to put that extra dash of spice back into your life. This song is not for the faint-hearted, so make sure to get yourself prepared, this is going to keep you on your toes with excitement. The track is essentially setting out the framework for what the guys are going to be handing us over the next while, get ready to take a ride with this one, so strap yourself in.
With infectious, hardcore rock sounds that will have you head banging so hard that you may need to glue your glasses to your face (me while listening to it), you’re going to absolutely dig this new vibe that Dolphin Friendly are going for and appreciate the elements that have been used in this track. The band worked with Connor Jaine (CJ) of Mako Road on this track and it certainly comes through how well they collaborate on songs, which has been continuous over the newest EP they have been working on, coming together as a clear dream team.
Hero Skies pays respect and thankfulness to the bands musical inspirations who have passed on, hence the name of the song. To pay homage to the heroes that are now in the skies above is something that I personally would never thought of for a musical idea and that is what makes the song a really spectacular listen because it is so different, yet it speaks many volumes. They are reaching out to these musicians that have helped them pave their way in the music industry - while Dolphin Friendly set themselves out individually from the crowd, they have taken some tricks from former musicians who walked this earth and inserted the power ques from them into their songs.
The psychedelic video for the song is one of the most impressive that I’ve seen this year. Produced and edited by Wade McClelland of Made by Wade and Bradon McCaughey, it will awaken every part of you.
Hero Skies is one of the least serious tracks off the upcoming EP, however, as a band, Dolphin Friendly have never limited themselves to anything and they are always willing to try to put their thumbs in many different pies which makes them so fantastic to continue to listen to. They make such an impression that it will sound like fireworks going off on each new track that you hear from them. Once you hear Dolphin Friendly, you are never going to get them out of your head and that is an absolute promise.
The creative lyrics jump out at you and add fuel to the incredibly fiery song that is Hero Skies, so make sure to go and have a listen to the track which is available worldwide now for your listening pleasure!
Brilliant song, bloody wonderful men, they are absolutely worth following their journey and seeing what their next steps are.
-
More Dolphin Friendly at the links below -
Spotify
Instagram
Facebook
Website
YouTube
Lifetime Tour Review - Welcome to the Gig
Big T on the Podcast - Welcome to the Gig
-
Welcome to the Gig will be soon doing international musician write-ups! Please contact me via the links at the top of the website if you wish to touch base for consideration of write-ups.
New Music Review: ‘Railroad for Two’ by Mini Simmons
Lovely artwork for Railroad for Two - it certainly has that train station, Harry Potter-type vibe. A calming and beautiful piece of art.
Mini Simmons are an Auckland based rock and roll band that are proving that no matter what challenges anyone faces (such as not being able to do proper band practises currently), you can get through anything. As a band that may not be all in one bubble, however they are certainly still ensuring that they are putting out work and keeping themselves on the ball such as with this track, as they have been since their formation in 2017 in Mexico. Mini Simmons are a delight to see live and listen to. Buckle in for this review and enjoy!
—
With their newest single, Railroad for Two, having splashed out into the world from midnight last night, this special track takes you back a step in time with its old timely feel, enhanced by the strong presence of calm, it comes with the feeling of a romantic movie with a happy ending. I can almost liken it to being on an actual train and being zoned out from everything, just listening to this track and feeling the most peaceful you ever have been - a lovely few minutes of time coming to a halt for your Wednesday evening!
Railroad for Two will take you on the journey of falling and being in love with the magical sweetness of the words and the music that ties it together. A little more mellow than their previous releases, Mini Simmons have found a way to pull at your heartstrings with this moving, classic song.
Mini Simmons remind me of a smooth 70s band that have been transported to the here and now with Railroad for Two. It may not be a song for everybody, but I do highly recommend having a listen a few times to this one as it is just a really wholesome track.
Emily described the song as “a sink-back-in-your-seat-with-a-cup-of-Earl-Grey love song that winds its way through the English countryside and it’s a journey home.” I love how the artwork intertwines with that description of the lyrics sung - the classic glass stained window and the Harry Potter-esque, English train. Perfect and visually pleasing to look at.
A thirst for love and an addiction in carrying this through musically, Mini Simmons showcase their talents in all areas of their newest drop. Make sure that you have a listen and see what the song feels like for you - I would agree with Emily on the statement that it feels like you need a cup of Earl Grey tea while tuning in! Check out Railway for Two, out now on all streaming services.
—
You can find Mini Simmons at the links below -
New Music Review - ‘TRIVIAL’ by The Butlers
Simple, but a fun cover for TRIVIAL, out now!
Crisp. Blended. Flat out great. Just a couple of words in the English language that describe the new song, TRIVIAL, from The Butlers which rained down on us from midnight last night and it is a beauty.
TRIVIAL pulls you in from the very beginning - it is mellow enough to have your ears tuned in the entire time, yet still has that flavour of The Butlers sound that we all know and love, with a twinge of fresh mystery. A true soft indie-rock vibe, TRIVIAL is certainly far from being what the title is. In fact, it takes you on a ride to get away from anything trivial, a fun adventure for the new evolution of sound that these talented men have taken on.
My favourite lyrics are “I manifest these thoughts until I think I’m over this” - that has got to be one of the utmost outstanding lines of the year. Incredibly brilliant and perfectly intertwined into TRIVIAL.
The video is an absolute blast - filmed in front of a green screen that makes everyone pretty much disappear, apart from some their features (and Walt’s face is the only one visible), giving the illusion that we can just be taken away to outer space at any moment, which is what The Butlers clearly strive to achieve by putting out their tunes. Plus, the video also has this epic, groovy galaxy theme to it, which I am definitely digging.
You can always count on The Butlers to put out solid projects and TRIVIAL is another foundation for the growth of their musical careers and setting out the path to their upcoming album release.
The song is not an in-your-face track by any means, but it gives off that oomph of energy that you’d expect and I can imagine that it will go off really well when they can perform it live, along with their other previous new releases which have been jammed non-stop for the past little while.
TRIVIAL has a fun, easy-listening and consistent beat to it, never dropping below the baseline.
Make sure to check out the tasty tune right now and give The Butlers a good ole round of applause for the hard mahi that they are smashing out.
Want more of The Butlers? Check out the review for their previous track, WHEN I’M BACK, here.
—
Check out The Butlers on all platforms -
Spotify
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
—
Hey! If you’d like me to check out some new music you’ve got coming out for a review, want to potentially do an interview or simply just a feature on the blog or podcast, feel free to pop me a message on Instagram or Facebook, or, email me. At this stage, I only have capacity to do coverage for New Zealand musicians as I am just one human who works tirelessly to run this blog and keep it good, that means I am a little limited sometimes. Please do keep an eye on my socials if you would like to be considered in the future if international artist capacity becomes available. Thanks for checking out Welcome to the Gig!
New Music Review - ‘The Time of Our Lives’ by Mild Orange
This brilliantly shot photo was taken in Tokyo, Japan by Mehrt and features snippets of the bands other ventures such as Barry’s Bread, Rosham Beau, the last names of the guys and some song names. Can you spot them all?
Hello, good evening and welcome back to another Mild Orange review. Hey, it wasn’t entirely my decision to write this one - I asked and everyone on Instagram voted that they wanted this review, so I gladly will oblige to the readers of Welcome to the Gig! (Plus, we know how much I love Mild Orange and all they stand for, so realistically, I would have probably written this whichever way the votes went… So, I am absolutely stoked to bring you this, hope you enjoy the read.)
-
Warning: slight gushing and feelings ahead in this review.
Following hot on the tail of their previous release, This Kinda Day, Mild Orange have hit the airwaves once again with their newest internationally renowned single, The Time of Our Lives which, for a track that was released less than 24 hours ago, it is already gaining traction from more than their home country of Aotearoa - watching the comments in the live chat from all different countries prior to the video premiere was pretty special and I know that the feedback that was coming through would have meant a lot to them, too. It’s wonderful to see how much Mild Orange are appreciated and welcomed all over with the energy that they bring to the music they put out, which always sends out such positive and enticing vibes.
The Time of Our Lives opens the gateway to different stories of what the band have enjoyed and learned whilst having been previously in Japan, which obviously holds a very epic part of Mild Orange’s hearts.
The beginning of the song comes in with a little intentional glitch-like, drum sound and that few seconds really makes you curious to hear more of The Time of Our Lives - setting the tone of a colourful story in which the accompanying video pairs perfectly with it, just like when you have a cup of Mild Orange tea with a Mild Orange song - absolute pure happiness at the end of the day.
While the song may require you to listen to it more than once to love it (upon writing this section of the review, I’m up to about listen number nine of The Time of Our Lives and I kid you not, you will fall head over heels with it each time you hear it), this track is not just one to glaze over and move on from. No. You need to take every moment of it in, thoroughly enjoy it, like the breeze on a hot summers day. Same with the video, too (check that out below!)
Mild Orange are not ones who put out standard, subpar songs or anything that sounds exactly like what everyone else is pushing out because they are certain of what they want and where they are taking their projects, which sometimes can lack from different musicians (my personal opinion).
They make sure to put a brilliant spin on everything and take you on unexpected paths, making it feel like you are traveling through another space in time. For me, The Time of Our Lives makes me feel warm, comforted, thankful and pleased to have discovered their insane talents. These emotions are the intentions that Mehrt, Barry, Jah and Jeck incorporate into everything they throw their passions at and as per normal, this flows through like rapid fire, especially in this new drop where fantastic is an understatement.
Now, lets move on to the video, shall we? It’s very Mild Orange-esque from the start. It begins in a dark room where we get a glimpse of photos that have been taken around Tokyo and slowly but surely, we see Kento Yoshioka skating through freeze frames of people, who if they were moving, would be going about their daily lives. Kento wows with his incredible skateboarding tricks which look incredibly fun - he is clearly a professional at his art of choice and makes a groovy addition to this excitement-filled mini movie, if you will. The video filters between blood orange tones (kind of giving it a vibe like the Freak In Me video), normal colouration and then black and white. The video was a collective effort between a lot of wonderful people including Tomoyuki Kujirai, Mehrt, Nion and Keita Motegi, just to name a few. (All of the credits are listed in the official YouTube video description).
All in all, the execution of everything for The Time of Our Lives gels well together and if you don’t overly enjoy the track the first time, listen to this in a quiet room, turn off every other distraction and hone into the storybook of wonder that they are telling you. If it helps, pretend you’re in Tokyo yourself and cruising through the streets, this will guarantee that you’ll find that bliss state you are searching for.
For this new wave of epic skate, busy-city life drop, I would happily give this one a 9.8/10. Keep crushing your projects, Mehrt, Jah, Jeck and Barry - we appreciate you and thank you for all the goods you are providing us fans!
—
Mild Orange have just released their latest Europe, USA and Canada tour dates for the Looking for Space tour, which you can check out at their official website here. Want more Mild Orange to read on Welcome to the Gig? Check out the interview I did with Mehrt during lockdown here.
—
I currently have capacity to write reviews, do interviews and features for NZ musicians on the blog at the moment, please feel free to get in touch via Instagram, Facebook or via email. You will find these links at the top of the blog.