Sweden Private Press 55mins Artwork By  Saida Krause Soderstrom My Rating 90/100 https://www.facebook.com/bjorn.sandstrom.5 I was delighted to receive a message from my friend Björn Sandström, asking me to check out his recently completed ‘solo project, which is due...

Part of me is incredibly pleased that Coridian are based in Auckland, as it means I get to see them play, but another part of me really wishes they were in somewhere like London as if they could get in front of the mass media and fans, I am convinced they would be...

My mother was a trained singer, while she and my dad met when they were both members of a choir founded and conducted by my grandfather. I was raised in the church, and perhaps unsurprisingly I was also a soloist, and heard a huge amount of choir music. I am sure this...

The Albion Christmas Band features the combined talents of Simon Nicol (founder member of Fairport Convention) on acoustic guitar and vocals, Kellie While (Albion Band), acoustic guitar, vocals, Simon Care (Edward II), melodeons, and the Guv'nor himself, Ashley...

I still find it wonderful that one of the unexpected side benefits of the release of my books is being brought back into contact with Maryen Cairns, who I first reviewed some 30 years ago! Over the last few years, I have been getting up to speed with Maryen’s releases...

E rere ai is a song which originally came from a poem written by Riqi and his partner Floss (who appears in the video) which touches on love, hopes, and dreams. They are a Māori/Pakeha blended couple deeply in love with each other, with the idea of an equal union...

Here we have the debut album by Wellington band Tahini Bikini, who at the time were Mads Taylor, (lead vocals, lyrics) Alex Coffey (keyboards, rhythm guitar, production), Lukas Jury (lead guitar), Cae Heke (bass), Chev Fraser (trumpet) and Barney Johnson (drums)...

Following on from the release of her first two singles earlier this year, alt-folk artist Greta O’Leary has now released her debut EP which contains five songs, including both singles. In the past I have likened Greta to Vashti Bunyan, {Jazmine Mary} and {French For...

I guess it will be a long time before I think of Anderson of anything different to how I first saw her, playing a grand piano wearing a wonderful ballroom dress as she opened for {Sol3 Mio}. We have kept in touch since then, and last year I reviewed her excellent...

I know I was not the only one within the metal scene to be excited when I heard there was a new release coming from Seas of Conflict. Although there have been significant line-up changes since I last saw them play, the duo of Kody (vocals) and Nic (all instruments)...

This four-piece alt folk group was originally a solo venture by James Hunter, but he brought in others to work with him, and The Gatherers are now Taylar Mallo (bass), Jacob Gates (lead guitar) and Emerson McCullough (drums.) They say they are influenced by the likes...

This multi-media project commenced in March 2020, and more than 2 ½ years later the release had come together with five songs (one of which is a remix of the opening title cut by electronic producer Paddy Free, so there are six tracks). These are accompanied by three...

If it hadn’t been for an unfortunate clash with an event I had to attend, I would have been at Whammy a few weeks back to hear Goodnight My Darling, (Maxine Macaulay), and now I have listened to her debut album I so wish I had been able to make it. Still, at least...

Last week I was fortunate enough to see husband and wife duo Lauren and Matt Barus, otherwise known as Terrible Sons, perform at Wine Cellar, and it was truly a magical evening. Both are wonderful singers, with Matt providing different styles of guitars and Lauren...