Music News

Weekly Round Up: Friday 6th April

Friday 6th April, 2018 7:02PM

It's been a short but crammed week of musical releases and exciting tour announcements, highlighted by the unveiling of Unknown Mortal Orchestra's kaleidoscopic new record Sex & Food. We spoke with UMO helmsman Ruban Nielson about his latest collection, you can read our in-depth conversation here and Soong Phoon's insightful review of the album here. If that wasn't enough UMO for ya, Nielson also announced a nationwide tour this September and dropped a mind-bending animated clip for soulful single 'Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays'!

Tour announcements for the week included a forthcoming visit from Berlin-based electronic innovator Rashad Becker in April, Auckland emo-punk duo carb on carb's upcoming national tour in May in support of their new album for ages, an Auckland solo performance by Toronto songwriter The Weather Station, Wellington-based electronic artist Nicole Andrews' upcoming nationwide tour, and a run of shows from proponents of the "new Dunedin Sound" Soaked Oats and Marlins Dreaming. Auckland's Worn Out collective announced the mouthwateringly diverse lineup for their annual Double Whammy festival, which is guaranteed to thrill the the eardrums of left-field music lovers.

We were stoked to premiere a stylish new video from Auckland's Roy Irwin whose latest album King Of Pop recently dropped on vinyl, an accomplished collection of psychedelic tunes from Wellington artist ONONO, a gorgeous slice of chamber pop from North Shore songwriter Mali Mali, and a sunny single from songwriter Tom Cunliffe, whose album Template For Love is out next week. We also caught up with visiting Australian surf-rock duo Hockey Dad, who are currently blazing a trail across New Zealand with tour buddies Good Boy.

There was a raft of top notch local releases this week, Muriwai-based artist Arlo dropped a dreamy collection of instrumental tunes, Dunedin ratbags Coyote shared a scrappy new five-song EP, Auckland hip hop artist Lightskinjohn dropped two new tracks, and ex-Auckland punx The Cavemen unleashed a killer new album.

This week's Caught Live clip features Auckland sonic adventurers Sere, who are playing a two night residency this weekend at The Wine Cellar alongside pals in sound Babyface, SoccerPractice, Dateless and Unsanitary Napkin. Check out great footage of the group playing a powerful rendition of Wipers' 'Alien Boy' at sadly now-closed venue Golden Dawn Tavern Of Power...