The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is one of the most popular music-comedy acts to come out of New Zealand in years. As well as impeccable musical skills, heavenly harmonies and a canny choice of covers, the dozen-strong strummers have sold-out audiences rolling in the aisles with their on-stage antics. Featuring eleven ukuleles anchored by a double bass, the band
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.
The Chills story is as much the story of Martin Phillipps. The group was dogged by an ever changing line up, with Phillipps being the only permanent member. At times it seemed that the end of The Chills had finally arrived but Phillipps' strong motivation and ambition for success wouldn't allow this. The Chills achieved the success they deserved and were one of the top bands to emerge from New Zealand.
Virginia "Gin" Wigmore is a New Zealand singer/songwriter who was born in Auckland, New Zealand, where she spent most of her childhood. However, while in Argentina at age 16 her father died of cancer. Upon her return to New Zealand, she articulated in song, the pain of losing her father. One of those early penned songs, “Hallelujah”, won the US-based International Songwriting Competition in 2004[2], when she beat 11,000 songwriting aspirants from 77 countries to become the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the history of the ISC.
Surf City first came in to existence when bored friends Davin Stoddard and Josh Kennedy met at a party in Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand in 2004. Tired of the heavy avant-garde music that was prolific at the time Stoddard and Kennedy teamed up with Josh
Anika Moa (born 21st May 1980) is a singer-songwriter from Christchurch, New Zealand. While still at school in Christchurch, Moa entered the 'Smokefree Rockquest'.
She received a record deal with Warner Music in New Zealand and Atlantic Records in New York. The record company had big commercialized plans for her - which conflicted with her brash down-to-earth personality. Overall Moa did not enjoy her time in America and returned to base herself in New Zealand. Her first album was released in 2001.
Midnight Youth are a New Zealand rock band formed in 2006. Their debut album, The Brave Don't Run, was released in 2009 in New Zealand and Australia. The band have subsequently toured and played festivals across Australasia, the United States and Asia. Their second studio album, World Comes Calling, was released in New Zealand in November 2011 and independently worldwide (exc. Australia).
Katchafire is a reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand. They present an infusion of the roots reggae lineage with an undeniably Maori sound. They feature Logan Bell (Guitar, Vocals), Jamey Ferguson (Keyboards, Saxophone, Vocals), Haani Totorewa (Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals), Grenville Bell, (Lead Guitar) Ara Adams-Taratewa (Bass), Jordan Bell (Drums), and Leon Davey (Percussion, Harmonica, Vocals).
Singer/songwriter Mel Parsons is a two-time Tui Award finalist for Folk Album of the Year. Her debut album 'Over My Shoulder' was released in March 2009 and has recently released her second record 'Red Grey Blue'. She currently resides in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Stones - named cheekily after The Rolling Stones - were a band from Dunedin in New Zealand. One of the earliest bands to record on the Flying Nun label, they helped form the style of music known as the Dunedin Sound. The Stones split up not long after its release, although all members of the band went on to success in other local bands. Most important of these was Wayne Elsey's time in The DoubleHappys, a band which itself led to the formation of Straitjacket Fits.