Superb original NZ music, on East FM, Saturday from midday

Phil from Farm Cove

New original Kiwi music by Karra Rhodes, Jack Moser, Black Smoke Trigger, Flaxxies, Courtnay and The Unholy Reverie, and Fin Rah Zel, features on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, midday to 4pm (NZ time, July 20) on East FM.

All these musicians have been brought to our attention by the good folk at Blackout Music NZ. Thank you.

Aōtearoa-based Scottish-born Karra Rhodes is an exciting rising talent. An accomplished songwriter with a special flair for pouring her emotions and melodies into every song and lyric, Karra’s music resonates with authenticity and depth. Her new song, Tell Me Mama, follows previous singles Burn It Down and country-pop banger Why Can’t I Love You Less.

Blackout Music NZ says, ‘for Karra, the personal sentiment in Tell Me Mama moved her to get more involved in supporting causes important to her. She’s decided to donate 100 per cent of proceeds of all streaming royalties from her upcoming debut album for one year to go towards domestic violence charity Shine’.

Karra says: “As I prepare to crowd-fund for my debut album, I want to honour the support I receive by paying it forward. It doesn’t sit right with me asking for support without giving something back. A few of the songs in the album touch on domestic violence and I feel that Shine is a dedicated organisation that truly helps and supports victims.”

Blackout Music NZ says Tāmaki Makaurau-based indie songwriter Jack Moser ‘fearlessly channels his personal experiences into heartfelt compositions. With an unwavering commitment to authenticity, he bares his soul into each and every song’.

His newest single, Where You Are, ‘a gentle ode to the broken-hearted, is a spacious, dreamy trip of a tune that delves into the black hole of a dying intimate relationship, from the early signs signalling separation, to the inevitable breaking away that sets you floating lost and powerless in a dark and lonely orbit’.

Jack Moser says: “I wrote Where You Are as my relationship was coming to an end. It was clear from the signs, and I knew it was coming. The lyric ‘And I wonder where you are’ describes the helplessness I had as I saw my partner becoming more distant emotionally, while the lyric ‘I can sense you’re not that far’ displays the hope and optimism I was holding onto.”

Rock stars Black Smoke Trigger, who’ve featured previously on She’ll Be Right, are putting out their highly anticipated debut album Horizons on August 2, and in the lead-up their newest single Sun Cries Red has been released.

Guitarist and band leader Charlie Wallace says: “Sun Cries Red came to life while we were in pre-production for Horizons. After the initial writing session, we stayed up all night recording the demo. The song lyrically is about looking back at something that’s important but neglected, seeing something in a shadow of its former glory. Continuing the recording process, producer Nick Raskulinecz suggested we experiment by adding a string section to the song. Josh ended up writing all those parts and it took the song to another level. We are beyond excited to finally release the album Horizons. It has been such a crazy journey to get to this point and we poured everything we have into it.”

Another SBR favourite, Flaxxies, have a new single Blister, described by Blackout Music NZ as ‘a momentary departure from their signature sun-drenched surf-rock-reggae blend’.

Blister is Flaxxies’ first release for 2024, following on from last year’s stand-alone single Liquid Gold, and the release of their acclaimed EP Sunstruck, which featured Snapped Up (By The Boss), Time To Go, and Cast Me Away, that all received widespread radio airplay and spots on the Hot 20 NZ Single Chart.

The new single by Courtnay and The Unholy Reverie, entitled Lost at Sea, is ‘a soul-stirring folk-country anthem that delves deep into the universal experience of loss and the healing power of unity’.

Courtnay and The Unholy Reverie – Chad Williams (drums), Keith Parker (bass), Courtnay Low (rhythm guitar / lead vocal), Anna Brooks (backing vocals), and Tim Lloyd (lead guitar) – are ‘steeped in the mystique of genre bending alt-country-folk and blues-swamp vibes, melding a tantalising blend of traditional blues instruments and contemporary elements’.

And like the two previously mentioned bands, Fin Rah Zel also hail from Taranaki, presently a real hotbed of excellent original NZ music, and their newest single, Going Home, is as heartfelt as you can get.

Blackout Music NZ says ‘truly heartfelt and a gentle acceptance of the fragility of life itself, this is a universal love song that offers solace in times of great grief and sadness. As such, it requires no explanation, just empathic ears and a warm, open heart.

‘Fans of Fin Rah Zel are familiar with the rising indie soul stars’ distinct blend of dreamy zen, infectious optimism and catchy summer vibes, as evoked in their radio smash hit Unity, and their growing back catalogue of impressive tunes. But a life curve ball sees the band shift gears down a notch to offer a big warm, enveloping hug of a tune with this incredibly moving, stripped-back, and gospel-tinged song, Going Home.’

Singer, Brian Norton, says: “I guess it’s easy to assume people will always be around, and it’s easy to put things off like family time and meaningful conversations. But really life is so fragile and I reckon we all need to take each step with gratitude and really appreciate the people around us.”

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She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. Providing a platform for NZ music and performing artists to exhibit their talents since ages ago. Ka pai. – PJ