Self-acceptance and reinvention is the theme behind Ashley Alexander's new music video

Auckland-based solo artist and multi-instrumentalist Ashley Alexander presents a testament to following your own path with the brand new video for Nicotine, which was released on Friday.

Nicotine, the infectious sophomore single from Ashley Alexander was released in June 2019 to instant acclaim and featured in major Spotify playlists including New Music Friday, Just Chill, Unwind, Low Key Weekend and Chill AF in Australasia and Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Poptronix in the USA. The single made its debut in the NZ Top 40 Hot Single chart at #8.

A soul-drenched R&B earworm that pays homage to the sound of the 2000’s, Nicotine is a loved-up celebration of the person you are behind closed doors when nobody is around. It’s about resetting your compass through a renewed sense of self-worth and reconnecting to your feelings of self-belief. The video treads the same path, and follows the lead character on a journey to self-acceptance and reinvention through the power of performance.

Ashley elaborates on the concept; “I wanted to convey a part of my life that rings true to a lot of us. We have dreams and aspirations and for one reason or another we can get lost, convinced that we have to settle for what’s expected of us instead of unleashing our own identity. Some of us feel we are viewed very differently to how we want to be seen. But sometimes, if you’re lucky, a person comes along and treats you as you perceive yourself. In the video, it was important for us to tell that narrative. It’s about giving yourself permission and celebrating it!”

Lunar Phase, Ashley Alexander’s third single is set to launch mid-November. We can expect live dates, and another single release before the highly anticipated EP Staring At The Sun Too Long is released in February next year.

Nicotine is out now through Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes.

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Bygones, the new album from Raiza Biza out now

Independent label Low Key Source is proud to be releasing Raiza Biza’s forthcoming album Bygones. 

A hypnotic culmination of hundreds of hard drive demos, eclectic musical inspiration and collaboration, enter Bygones - a record striking the balance between the intricacies of electronic production and at times, melodic half-sung poetry, delivered with raw intensity. 

The nine track record features cameo appearances from Sudanese-American rapper/producer extraordinaire Oddisee, Australia’s REMI and B Wise along with AmmoNation collaborators Blaze the Emperor, Embher, VULC, and more. 

Speaking with a sense of urgency in his flowing baritone voice, Biza’s work has always carried a socially conscious heart, backed up by honest storytelling and captivating jazz/soul infused production as the aura to his words. His new material follows a new sound arch, and with those changes comes a newly found freedom. 

On Bygones, Biza found inspiration in the deeply written metaphors of the Marvin Gaye-era soul and the heart-hitting rhythms of 1970’s funk groups like Gapp Band. Binding his grounding in socially conscious thought and observational storytelling, he studies the human condition and the world around us - from his own experience.

Though this time, he admits, the record finds the balance between fun and seriousness. Rather than be ruled by the lyrics, the music plays an emotive part. 

“I wanted to create space for emotional interpretation of the audience,” he reflects. “I’ve tried to find a balance between the things I’ve released in the past and the further left-sitting things on my hard drive.”

The newest generation of hip-hop has forced him to just do; and overthink less. “Being able to take that fun within the music and combine it with raw melody, you hopefully connect with people.”

He tells the angles of the human condition through high octane moments, the party life, through to the low, self-reflective moments found in tracks like ‘Stolen Youth’ and ‘Trouble’ where he teams up with Oddisee and Zenyth. Both tracks have gone onto become student radio network hits, sitting in the top 10 of the Radioscope Alternative Airplay chart in New Zealand for consecutive weeks.

A humble titan within the antipodean isles and Aotearoa’s underground scene, Biza has firmly planted roots, supporting the up-and-coming generation of local MCs and hip-hop producers. As the hearty driving force behind AmmoNation, Biza believes in the power of community and the sharing of knowledge. A voice from within the African-New Zealand diaspora, Biza has strived to bridge the gaps of understanding and preservation of his experience in New Zealand, while also supporting his fellow artists on the same mission. 

“We, the African diaspora, we are no longer toddlers in the places we immigrated to. We have an identity and a growing presence.”

Bygones is available on all streaming platforms.

Bygones by Raiza Biza, released 04 October 2019 1. NEON Feat. Kye & Beau Monga 2. Palm Tree Feat. REMI 3. City Girl Feat. Embher 4. Paranoid 5. Self Medicated Feat. VULC 6. Funds Feat. Blaze The Emperor 7. S&D Feat. B Wise 8. Stolen Youth 9. Trouble Feat.

New single from Shapeshifter 'Break Me Down' out today

Now recording their 7th studio album for a 2020 release, Shapeshifter continue to innovate while solidifying their status as New Zealand’s premiere live electronic outfit. The five-strong live line-up of PDigsss (vocals), Sam Trevethick (guitar/synths/sampler), Dan McGruer (synths/sampler), Nick Robinson (bass/synths/MPC) and Darren Mathiassen (drums) have created their very own heavy soul; a stadium-sized sound which adds layers of drum & bass, jazz, funk, rock and electronica to solid bass culture foundations.

The eagerly anticipated first taste is the single ‘Break Me Down’, combining the intensity of modern drum and bass with mature song writing and inspirational vocals – a combination the bands legion of fans know well. Written on tour in the London studio of Brad “Baloo” Ellis (Nextmen, Wilkinson, Little Mix, Plan B), the tune has already been a highlight of live performances at New Zealand’s biggest festivals including Homegrown and Bay Dreams.

On top of their upcoming summer New Zealand tour dates, Shapeshifter have just been announced as one of the 2020 Homegrown headliners. We’re stoked to be bringing them to Hawkes Bay on Friday 20 December so make sure you’ve got your tickets.

Shapeshifter New Zealand Summer Tour Dates

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We all need a time of 'Renewal' - new E.P from D.Matthews out now

D.Matthews has dropped his new E.P today titled, ‘Renewal’

As human beings we need to feel every bit & piece in realising the need to be renewed in all seasons.

Everyone needs to be renewed/freshened up in all spheres of life. It could be with a song, new seasons, taking gratitude of what you have or just counting your blessings at the same time with the renewal stage you've come across.

The inspiration towards this E.P was that we all need a time of renewal in our lives. Whether we just got out of a relationship trying to figure out the next step or a space in our spiritual life where we can get creative again.

“I look all around me and see the significance of what the word, renewal brings in our lives. It’s what everyone needs. To feel alive & steady to take over something great.’

D.Matthews is currently working on something phenomenal for October as well working towards a music video for the song, Blow Out’ which will be released later this year.

Have a listen to Renewal here:

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