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 Black Seeds are a band from Wellington, New Zealand. Formed in 1998, The Black Seeds fuse dub, reggae and funk sounds to form a unique musical "party" sound. They usually perform with ten members, with instruments including vocals, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, bass, drums, bongos, keyboard, woodblock and more.
Former band member Bret Mckenzie is also a member of international award-winning comedy duo Flight of the Conchords. Official Site: http://www.theblackseeds.com/
King Kapisi is a Hip-Hop artist prominant in the New Zealand/Australian Hip-Hop music scene. His real name is Bill Urale. He was the first Polynesian Hip-Hop artist who received the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award for Songwriter of the Year for his single 'Reverse Resistance' in 1999.
He released 3 albums: "Savage Thoughts", "2nd Round Testament" and "Dominant Species" and has his own clothing label "Overstayer Clothing".
It’s always been the element of struggle that makes music human and exciting. Neil and Sharon Finn discovered that for themselves at home late one night in their pajamas, having their first jam, making a racket in the grand tradition of enthusiastic amateurs. For Neil, after a career of writing songs and strumming guitars, it was liberating to be behind a drumkit, no chords or melody to navigate, just keeping time and making it swing. For Sharon, after raising 2 fine boys and coping with Neil it was just 3 notes, pure feel on the bass guitar.
Kimbra, born and bred in Hamilton, New Zealand has been writing a fusion of jazz and soul for over 5 years, known for her erratic but graceful voice inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Bjork and Jeff Buckley. Kimbra's first success was in 2004, recieving Second place in the Smokefree Rockquest along with Best Vocals and Womens Musicianship (gaining $7000 in total from the competition raising artists like Brooke Fraser, Bic Runga and Anika Moa).
Wellington 5-piece The Thomas Oliver Band have spent the past few years touring and playing live throughout New Zealand with the likes of Fat Freddy’s Drop, Gin Wigmore and Britain’s Oli Brown. Within this time the band have also written and recorded their debut full-length album ‘Baby, I’ll Play’ to be released in early 2011.
“From the sexy, dirty blues/rock of ‘Nothing Left’ and ‘In My Bones’ to the glorious, perfect-pop balladry of ‘A Letter’, Every Penny is flawless.
Formed during the mid 1990's, Subtract have gone on to become one of the premier acts in New Zealand metal and true forefathers of the local heavy scene. Combining elements of metal old and new, with a penchant for punishing grooves and pummelling rhythms with charismatically aggressive vocals and passionate, meaningful lyricism, Subtract are an act that have gone from strength to strength throughout their years; never relinquishing an iota of the intensity and sheer heaviness that have become their sonic trademarks.
Akaname is an instrumental post-metal and experimental quartet based in Melbourne, Australia. The band has undergone many transformations in the time since we made the move to Australia. We said goodbye to a member, shed the old skin and engaged a new approach. Now we feel like this ever-changing mechanism has finally shifted up a gear. Kallie - Vocals (2005-2007)
Alex - Guitar (2006-2008) Ben - Guitar
Matt - Bass
Swampy - Sampler/Guitar
Otis - Drums
Born in Australia, but moved to New Zealand as a child, Liam Finn's passion for music begins as early as childhood as the son to Neil Finn (of Split Enz and Crowded House fame), and nephew to kiwi rock legend Tim Finn. Liam attended Auckland high school Selwyn College. It was during high school that Liam Finn pursued the musical talent in his blood and helped in the formation of the band Betchadupa (with other band members Joe Bramley, Matt Eccles and Chris Garland). The band saw the release of two albums which charted well in New Zealand.
Jakob is a New Zealand post-rock band, based in Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The band consists of guitarist Jeff Boyle; bassist Maurice Beckett; and drummer Jason Johnston. They have been compared to such bands as Mogwai, Sonic Youth, and HDU, though they largely eschew any vocals or samples in their songs. The band formed in July 1998, and began by opening for New Zealand bands Salmonella Dub and Pitch Black at the local pub O'Flaherty's. They toured extensively throughout 1999, releasing that same year a self-titled EP recorded with David Holmes at Napier's Venn Production Studios.