The Spinoff Music’s songs of the month: July 2019

Featuring a New Zealand supergroup, a Spanish superstar, Canadian’s finest super-lesbians (just go with it) and more. International ‘Milionària’ by ROSALÍA Not gonna lie, I’ve had this on repeat all month. ROSALIA continues her reign of triumphant, major-key yet low-key, hits with ‘Millionara’. The song is a tribute to extreme wealth, in the same way … Read more

No pressure, just Leisure: how one NZ band cracked the formula for success

Since their first single release in 2015, Leisure has had over 75 million streams and a handful of sold-out international concerts. Jaden Parkes sat down with Josie Adams to talk about the secret of success: leisure time. Leisure is made up of the New Zealand music industry’s shining stars, and its quiet heroes. They’re writers, … Read more

Jordan Arts aka HIGH HØØPS: ‘The worst case scenario would’ve been Kids of 88 working’

Ex-Kids of 88 star Jordan Arts talks bidding wars, bigwigs and breakdowns – and tells Hussein Moses how, with new project HIGH HØØPS, he came out the other side. When Jordan Arts is in “aeroplane mode”, that means it’s time to get to work. It’s the term the Auckland musician uses to describe his late-night … Read more

April NZ music round-up: UMO, October, Matthew Young and more

On the first day of New Zealand Music Month, Max Tetlow introduces a new monthly round-up of some of the best things to happen in New Zealand music in the previous month. Unknown Mortal Orchestra drop Sex & Food ahead of a world tour This album made headlines for two reasons. First, it’s very good. Second, during … Read more

Soul, R&B, pop and… classical? LEISURE and the APO, reviewed

This weekend, Auckland supergroup/side gig LEISURE collaborated with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, playing at the Auckland Town Hall as the first in a series of APO concerts with pop acts. Hussein Moses came away with mixed feelings. A supergroup or a side gig? It’s hard to justify a band like LEISURE as both, but that’s how … Read more

Best Songs Ever: Taylor Swift has absolutely botched it and Rod Stewart is still alive and singing

Our regular round-up of new songs and singles, featuring Taylor Swift’s return and an attempted relevance revival for Rod Stewart and Hot Chocolate… LEISURE – Alone Together Ahhhh Leisure, the sex gods of New Zealand music, and maybe the world. I think all of us except for killjoy Henry Oliver can agree the band’s self-titled … Read more