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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Kinross hosting ‘king of noir'
Delaney Davidson. PHOTO: SABIN HOLLOWAY Fifteen years after releasing his first album, celebrated Kiwi songwriter Delaney Davidson's preparing to perform a rocking collection of bangers at Gibbston's Kinross this Saturday night. Lyttelton-based Davidson, a finalist for 2025's prestigious Taite Music Prize with his latest solo album Out of My Head, has spent the past 20 years as an international travelling troubadour. He's also written and recorded with big names including Neil Finn, Marlon Williams, Al Park, Barry Saunders, Tami Neilson, Bruce Russell, The Eastern and Troy Kingi and has collaborated with Tame Iti on visual work. For Out of My Head, co-produced by Mark 'Merk' Perkins, he's co-written with Williams, Hayley Westenra, Sam Scott and Miranda Eastern — Williams and Reb Fountain feature on two songs. Davidson initially joined Reverend Beat Man, founder of Swiss record label Voodoo Rhythm Records, to release his debut album, Self Decapitation, in 2010 — it included Little Heart, a Silver Scroll finalist in 2011, and barnstormer Dirty Dozen. In 2011 he released Bad Luck Man, which featured You're a Loser, named APRA New Zealand Country Music Song of the Year in2012. He scooped the same award, with Williams, in 2013 for Bloodletter, and won it again in 2014, with Neilson, for Whiskey & Kisses. He and Neilson teamed up again to win it in 2023 for Beyond the Stars. He's also won the NZ Country Album Music of the Year, the One Man Band competition in Zurich and was Artist Laureate of New Zealand 2015. Davidson, who's also a multi-instrumentalist, producer and filmmaker, has been described as the "reigning king of capturing the essence of 'noir' in country and folk music". With multiple album anniversaries this year, he's formed the aptly named The Anniversaries, featuring Alex Freer, Heather Webb and Mark Hughes, for a New Zealand tour, which is opening up his 14-album songbook to share "a rocking collection of bangers". As for what the audience can expect at Kinross? "A night of dark-hearted ballads, wry humour and the unmistakable energy that made him a cult figure across Europe and beyond." Limited tickets for 'Delaney Davidson Anniversary Tour 2025' are still available, priced at $59.81 plus fees, via — the R18 event starts at 6.30pm.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
FromThePit 2025: A Celebration Of Aotearoa's Live Music Scene Through The Lens
FromThePit, Aotearoa's annual music photography exhibition, returns for its seventh year – capturing the spirit of our vibrant local music scene through the eyes of those closest to the stage: the photographers. For photographer Gabriel Hailtree, it's simple: 'I love live music. I love the language, I love the lights, I love the atmosphere, and I love working with all these elements to create photographs.' It's this passion that fuels FromThePit 2025 —a curated collection showcasing 102 powerful images by 59 photographers from across the motu, all focused exclusively on New Zealand musicians playing live in local venues. This year's exhibition highlights the mana of performance and the connection between artist, audience, and image. For Thomas Nan, the purpose is clear: 'I love music photography as a way to try and capture the emotions of the bands and their songs, as well as the vibes from the gig – as a way to encapsulate what live music is all about.' Previewed at the 2025 Taite Music Prize, the centrepiece of the exhibition is its Audio Visual slideshow—an immersive experience that weaves still images into a moving celebration of New Zealand's music culture, from iconic artists to fresh new talent. Photographer Samuel Richards puts it best: 'Music photography for me is a way of connecting creatively my love of music with my love of photography. Musicians are great people to be around, and music is the best office to work in.' In a time where the Aotearoa music industry continues to face challenges, FromThePit stands as a living record and a support of our local scene – honouring those who keep the music playing and the moments alive. FromThePit 2025 is available to experience online and at locations across the motu during Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa | NZ Music Month, including Spark Arena Fan Zone, Supply Room in Wellington, and libraries throughout Aotearoa. To view this year's mahi, explore the archive, or learn more about upcoming events, visit FromThePit is made possible through partnerships with Sony, Audioculture | Iwi Waiata, Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland UNESCO City of Music | Tāmaki Makaurau UNESCO Pā Puoro, NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa, Independent Music NZ (IMNZ), New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa, and AgentX. Designed and curated by some of Aotearoa's leading live music photographers— Dave Simpson, Chontalle Musson, Stella Gardiner, Brenna Gotje, and Jennifer de Koning — FromThePit 2025 is a powerful tribute to the artists, photographers, and communities that bring our music culture to life.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
FromThePit 2025: A Celebration Of Aotearoa's Live Music Scene Through The Lens
FromThePit, Aotearoa's annual music photography exhibition, returns for its seventh year - capturing the spirit of our vibrant local music scene through the eyes of those closest to the stage: the photographers. For photographer Gabriel Hailtree, it's simple: 'I love live music. I love the language, I love the lights, I love the atmosphere, and I love working with all these elements to create photographs.' It's this passion that fuels FromThePit 2025 —a curated collection showcasing 102 powerful images by 59 photographers from across the motu, all focused exclusively on New Zealand musicians playing live in local venues. This year's exhibition highlights the mana of performance and the connection between artist, audience, and image. For Thomas Nan, the purpose is clear: 'I love music photography as a way to try and capture the emotions of the bands and their songs, as well as the vibes from the gig - as a way to encapsulate what live music is all about.' Previewed at the 2025 Taite Music Prize, the centrepiece of the exhibition is its Audio Visual slideshow—an immersive experience that weaves still images into a moving celebration of New Zealand's music culture, from iconic artists to fresh new talent. Photographer Samuel Richards puts it best: 'Music photography for me is a way of connecting creatively my love of music with my love of photography. Musicians are great people to be around, and music is the best office to work in.' In a time where the Aotearoa music industry continues to face challenges, FromThePit stands as a living record and a support of our local scene - honouring those who keep the music playing and the moments alive. FromThePit 2025 is available to experience online and at locations across the motu during Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa | NZ Music Month, including Spark Arena Fan Zone, Supply Room in Wellington, and libraries throughout Aotearoa. Auckland Central Library also features a physical print exhibition until 17 May. To view this year's mahi, explore the archive, or learn more about upcoming events, visit FromThePit is made possible through partnerships with Sony, Audioculture | Iwi Waiata, Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland UNESCO City of Music | Tāmaki Makaurau UNESCO Pā Puoro, NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa, Independent Music NZ (IMNZ), New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa, and AgentX. Designed and curated by some of Aotearoa's leading live music photographers— Dave Simpson, Chontalle Musson, Stella Gardiner, Brenna Gotje, and Jennifer de Koning — FromThePit 2025 is a powerful tribute to the artists, photographers, and communities that bring our music culture to life.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Finalists Announced For 2025 Apra Best Country Music Song
Celebrating the best in Aotearoa country music APRA AMCOS NZ are pleased to announce the 2025 APRA Best Country Music Song award finalists, with the winner to be presented at the Country Music Honours in Gore on Friday 23 May. ' 5432 ' written and performed by Mel Parsons ' Blue Dreams ' written and performed by Holly Arrowsmith ' Borrow My Boots ' written and performed by Tami Neilson, Ashley McBryde, and Shelly Fairchild, featuring Grace Bowers Multi award-winning Mel Parsons is one of New Zealand's most established songwriting stars with a dedicated fan base across six records and countless tours. Having won the MLT Songwriting Award in 2024 with ' Hardest Thing ', Parsons returns to Gore with ' 5432 ', an expression of love and quiet hope above gnawing self-doubt. With a soaring Crosby-Stills-Nash style vocal harmony in the chorus, the song explores the common experience of artists – the inner battle between anxiety and being able to produce work. Having toured with Crowded House in 2024, her latest album Sabotage saw her a finalist for the prestigious Taite Music Prize and 2025 Aotearoa Music Award finalist for Album of the Year and Best Folk Artist. Mel celebrates her latest single and video ' Post High Slide ' with a run of shows through Aotearoa and Australia in June. 2024 APRA Best Country Song Award winner for ' Desert Dove ', Holly Arrowsmith returns to the finalist with the title track from the album ' Blue Dreams '. A leader in New Zealand's contemporary Folk, Alt-Country and Americana movement, Arrowsmith was a finalist for the coveted Taite Music Prize while the album also sees her with a finalist nod at the upcoming Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Folk Artist. The moving title track ' Blue Dreams ' delves into life as a first-time parent, surviving those early days of chronic exhaustion while managing the huge burden of responsibility, bringing life into such a turbulent world. Showing a real domestic scene, not a glorified one; the often-invisible work of Mothers, especially. Those messy, imperfect, sometimes lonely, tender and mundane days with your beautiful baby, time in suspension – for a time. Tami Neilson is no stranger to awards, having won this award five times since 2014, alongside multiple Aotearoa Music Awards, an APRA Silver Scroll and chart-topping success. Fresh off the back of a tour with Willie Nelson, her next studio album ' Neon Cowgirl ' will be released 11th July, followed by US tour supports for Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. Nominated track ' Borrow My Boots ', out 15 May, was co-written long-distance with US country stars Ashley McBryce and powerhouse songwriter Shelly Fairchild after Neilson's experiences of being lifted up and encouraged by her musical peers in the US; in Tami's words that's how you say, 'Hey Sister, you can borrow my boots'. Ant Healey of APRA AMCOS says 'These songs speak with honesty, power, and heart—capturing the stories that connect us all. Each songwriter offers a perspective that is both deeply personal and reminds us of the strength found in community. It's an honour to recognise such exceptional songwriting talent.'
Otago Daily Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Apra Best Country Music Song award finalists named
Holly Arrowsmith. Photo: Si Moore The finalists have been announced for the Apra Best Country Music Song award, with the winner to be announced at the Country Music Honours in Gore on May 23. The finalists are: 5432 written and performed by Mel Parsons; Blue Dreams written and performed by Holly Arrowsmith; Borrow My Boots written and performed by Tami Neilson, Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild, featuring Grace Bowers. Parsons won the MLT Songwriting Award last year with Hardest Thing. She returned to Gore with her nominated song, an expression of love and quiet hope above gnawing self-doubt. Having toured with Crowded House last year, her latest album Sabotage saw her a finalist for the Taite Music Prize and Aotearoa Music Award finalist for Album of the Year and Best Folk Artist. Last year's Apra Best Country Song Award winner for Desert Dove, Arrowsmith returns as a finalist with the title track from the album Blue Dreams. She is a leader in New Zealand's contemporary folk, alt-country and Americana movement, a finalist for the Taite Music Prize and for the upcoming Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Folk Artist. Blue Dreams delves into life as a first-time parent. Neilson is no stranger to awards, having won this award five times since 2014, alongside multiple Aotearoa Music Awards, an Apra Silver Scroll and chart-topping success. Fresh off the back of a tour with Willie Nelson, her next studio album Neon Cowgirl will be released on July 11, followed by US tour supports for Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. Borrow My Boots was co-written long-distance with US country stars Ashley McBryce and Shelly Fairchild after Neilson's experiences of being lifted up and encouraged by her musical peers in the US. Apra head of New Zealand operations Anthony Healey said the songs spoke with honesty, power and heart. — APL
