They’ve been on the album charts for two years, they’ve had a number one single, and now they’re one of our biggest live draws too. So what comes next for L.A.B? Even in a year marked by disruption, L.A.B’s 2020 has been more eventful than most. Forced to postpone local shows and an Australian tour … Read more
Bob Marley played his first and only New Zealand concert on Monday, 16 April 1979, at Auckland’s Western Springs. Writing for RNZ, Gareth Shute looks back on that visit and the seismic effect it had on this country’s relationship with reggae music, which continues to resonate forty years later. In the days leading up to … Read more
The last five years have seen Israel Starr develop into one of the leading lights within Aotearoa’s reggae scene. Gareth Shute caught up with him to discuss his new single with Reality Chant, ‘Future Navigator,’ and the astounding popularity of local reggae music. Israel Starr has the kind of grassroots support within the reggae community … Read more
The Spinoff and Spark proudly present Pod On The Couch, a weekly podcast exploring music and the people that make it. This episode: Henry Oliver talks to Katchafire about their world travels and new album Legacy. Spinoff Music editor Henry Oliver talks to members of Katchafire, who, after nearly 21 years as a band, have just … Read more
Reggae musician Carl Perkins has died, aged 59, after a battle with bowel cancer. He was a member of pioneering Aotearoa reggae group Herbs in the early ’80s, starting on percussion with the band when they were recording their second album Light of the Pacific. He had a hand in writing the hit ‘Long Ago’ … Read more
Hussein Moses talks to Tomorrow People, a sunny reggae band from Wellington who took the top spot on the charts while taking shots at a local music critic. Last week, Wellington band Tomorrow People knocked Ed Sheeran out of the top spot on the NZ top 40 albums chart with a record that takes a … Read more
The Spinoff and Spark proudly present the first episode of Pod On The Couch, a weekly podcast exploring music and the people that make it. First up: Leonie Hayden, Tigilau Ness and Graham Reid join host Duncan Greive to talk about a new tribute to Bob Marley. Stepping in for Spinoff Music editor Henry Oliver, Spinoff … Read more