Tommy Ill – Bill Murray meets Frida Kahlo

Quirkiness and a bit of humour are always good to lighten the mood, take your mind off your worries and make you realise ‘hey, things are pretty damn good!’. They also help to show you don’t take yourself too seriously, which also a good thing. One chap who isn’t afraid to have a bit of a laugh is Tommy Ill.  He is a Wellington based rapper/producer by night, who also earns his crust as a web developer/graphic designer by day. He frequently plays and attends gigs in NZ’s capital and writes songs about diverse topics for consideration like the fame of Bill Cosby.

His myspace self-description reads: “If Bill Murray and Frida Kahlo had a baby and it grew up in the suburbs listening A Tribe Called Quest.” This is his typical kind of off-beat, random humour that features throughout his music, with lyrics you can laugh along with.

His debut EP “Toast and Tea Kettles” and his latest EP with offsider/colaborator Bucky Beauchamp “Matchsticks” are both out on Loop Recordings. He has received some great critical reviews and acclaim among the indie hip-hop scene and on student radio in NZ.

Here is the vid to the song called “Letters to the Editor” off the Matchsticks EP:

Word is they coloured each frame by hand, that shit takes time people! Tommy Ill also has his own blog (on a corporate news website, but ohh well still good!) which just informed me that he has a live album that can be downloaded for free! To quote the man himself: “It’s got a few unreleased tunes you may not have heard, some weird versions of songs from Matchsticks/Toast & Tea Kettles, and a few suprises too. “It’s called ‘The Day we became models’, a title which he promises to explain later. So why wait? Go find that shizz now if you’re keen! (links below as always…)

The Free D-load

Tommy on Myspace

Happy downloading faithful readers!
…Yossarian

Tags: Comedy, hip hop, New Zealand Artists

Fly My Pretties – Unleash the Beast

Let’s get ready to roll, sing in your soul and possibly catch the light!

Because after few years off, Fly My Pretties are back once again for the third instalment of multi-visual merriment. That’s right Barnaby Weir (front man of The Black Seeds) is taking his crew of travelling musicians and story-tellers around New Zealand with a new show and collection of songs. As the official press release states:

“Fly My Pretties is New Zealand’s favourite live multimedia event starring a selection of our finest contemporary musicians, set to a stunning visual backdrop and filmed and recorded live! Since its inception in 2004, Fly My Pretties has grown to become a local legend of music that continues to reach people all over the world. Through their last series of live performances and two award winning albums the music from this event has captivated listeners of all ages. An absolute must see, the new show is sure to set your imagination alight and indulge your senses with future and past Pretties classics.”

Originally starting with mostly Wellington-based cast members in 2004, the crew has expanded to include musicians from the wider reaches of Aotearoa, but still includes a reputable crew from the capital.

Presenting the 16-strong 2009 Fly My Pretties Cast:

Anna Coddington, Barnaby Weir, Eva Prowse, Jarney Murphy, L.A. Mitchell, Lisa Tomlins, Mara T.K, Mike Fabulous, Nathan ‘Nato’ Hickey, Nigel Patterson, Paul McLaney, Riki Gooch, Rio Hunuki-Hemopo, Ryan Prebble, Tessa Rain and Tom Watson.

The new Fly My Pretties membership committee will deliver a unique live show with plenty of fresh ingredients to keep it surprising and progressive. Another interesting aspect of this years show is that Barnaby has brought his dear old dad, Dick Weir, along for the ride. He is actually a legendary NZ broadcaster with a 44-year history in storytelling and performing, who won a Queens medal award for services to broadcasting. He will be narrating an original story woven into the music of the new live show. As the myspace site states: “This adventure, written by Barnaby and Dick Weir, will also be available as a book illustrated by brilliant new-comer Kieran Rynhart. Illustrator Kieran Rynhart and Kraft:Haus Films have been working closely with the Fly My Pretties crew to create a dynamic visual symphony to accompany the live shows and to feature on the live CD/DVD release and documentary planned for release later in 2009.

“I can’t wait to unleash this beast.” Barnaby Weir.

Here are the Tour dates -but as you can see by the sell outs- you better get in fast.

Selling Out isn’t alway bad…
…Yossarian

Tags: Collaborations, gigs, New Zealand Artists

Electric Wire Hustle

OG told us this would be one to watch out for, so when you first hear the name Electric Wire Hustle maybe you would think of Common’s ‘Electric Wire Hustler Flower’, unless your like me and just typed it into Youtube, however to no surprise this is just one of Electric Wire Hustle’s many influences, which include J Dilla, Deangelo, Slum Village, Badu & Miss Hill to name a few. Comprising of (above from left to right):  TaayNinh, Myele Manzanza & Mara TK, collectively EWH are mapping their way through Australasia as innovators of sound.

While Electric Wire Hustle is fresh on the scene, this Wellington based production trio is no stranger to the music game. David ‘TaayNinh’ Wright – multi-instrumentalist and producer Taay is also co-founder of Hip-Hop Soul Funk collective Solaa and production duo Peace Militia. Mara T.K who is responsible for those unmistakable soulful vocals, is also a guitarist / turntablist / and producer as well as being one of the most promising vocal talents in New Zealand.
Myele Manzanza on the drums (with african rhythm in his blood) Myele is a highly sought after session and performance artist, as well as drummer of afro-futuristic-roots crew Olmecha Supreme and the Recloose Live Band.

And if you didn’t think that was enough to be be fucking psyched about, throw in highly regarded Sound engineer and producer Benny Tones to add that “no shit” factor.  Having set up his own facility as Organik Muzik Workz, Benny has already recorded and engineered for such acts as Solaa, Pacific Heights, Julien Dyne, Iva Lamkum and P-Bass Expressway.

A little slow on the pulse, as I see they’ve already played here in Melbourne earlier this year, but the good news is they stopped in at Triple R (102.7FM) and left a whole lot of love.

Show Electric Wire Hustle some love by checking out:

www.myspace.com/electricwirehustle

…miss P

x

Tags: Funk, hip hop, New Zealand Artists

Iva Lamkum

Maya Angelou – “Phenomenal Women”

It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s….

.

.

So the story goes;

bs asks me  “Miss P, have you seen the latest article from Yossarian about Sola Rosa?”  “Sola huh?”  “Of course!” I reply in full support of our Very Good brother, with a “yeah yeah yeah, awesome, dope, I’m really feeling that shit” and then race off to my lappy to find out what the hell he’s talking about.

And so I read
And so I hear
And there she was…

Iva Lamkum – Kung Fu Grip

Iva Lamkum. How’s this for blessed… 22 years old, absolutely gorgeous, funk with a capital F, that “…and you know this…” attitude, one of the richest voices, and she’s stepping out with the hottest group in Aotearoa right now.

This Wellington based singer/songwriter has just released her first self-titled EP, produced by independent label, Base Promotions Ltd.

Not much else to say here.

Go buy it.

Iva Lamkum.  Part Samoan, part Chinese, all Kiwi, and one truly soulful sister.

You can check out more of Iva Lamkum at:

www.myspace.com/ivalamkum

…miss P

x

Tags: Funk, hip hop, New Zealand Artists, Soul

Chartfest 09

Next month (May) is NZ music month all throughout the land of the long white cloud.  To celebrate the occasion and shine the spotlight on some local talent in the garden city, Christchurchmusic.co.nz are putting on a bit of a gig. There will be 4 stages of live music, a school band search, career workshops, backstage tours, prizes and lots more action to keep the crowds entertained. This will be Christchurch’s largest annual indoor music festival and industry expo. Everything you need to know about the Christchurch music scene is on show. It’s not only a concert but a chance for people who want to be involved in this industry to learn more and do some ‘networking’.

Solaa – ‘Seek’ feat. Hollie Smith

So here are the vital statistics:

What: ChartFest ’09
When: Friday 29th May 2009 4pm-10pm
Where: Christchurch Town Hall Complex | 86-95 Kilmore St, Christchurch
Who:

Solaa
Shocking Pinks
Aaron Tokona Buzz
The Eastern
Ragamuffin Children
Lindon Puffin
and many many more…

All ages welcome!

To find out more about the festivities, check out the organiser’s website!

Get into it, not out of it!
…Yossarian

Tags: Funk, gigs, New Zealand Artists