The greatest Silver Scrolls performances of the past decade

Each year, the highlight of the annual Silver Scrolls aren’t the speeches, but the covers. In advance of tonight’s ceremony, Sam Brooks runs down his favourite performances since 2010. Tonight is the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Awards, New Zealand’s most prestigious prize for songwriting (and you can stream them right here from 7:30pm). The nominees … Read more

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

Maioha Award finalists: fearless navigators negotiating ever-shifting tides

The five finalists of APRA’s Maioha Award for contemporary Māori songwriting were announced today. Miriama Aoake looks at the final five and their place in the future of te reo Māori. This August has been a particularly busy month for Māori music; a celebration of the capabilities and dexterity of a thriving community. Alien Weaponry, a teenage thrash … Read more

EXCLUSIVE: SoccerPractise ‘Kaua E Mate Wheke’ video premiere

The Spinoff presents the video premiere of SoccerrPractise ‘Kaua E Mate Wheke’ animated video by Kim Newall & Frances Haszard. Geneva Alexander-Marsters says: As a Māori speaker, growing up in central Auckland in an English-urban environment has been challenging for my reo. I find myself looking on the internet to find whakataukī (proverbs) and check kupu as … Read more

Pod on the Couch: Soccerpractise’s messy DIY electronica

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 Soccerpractise’s Geneva Alexander-Marsters and Thom Burton. Spinoff Music editor Henry Oliver talks to Soccerpractise’s Geneva Alexander-Marsters and Thom Burton about their debut self-titled album, singing in te reo Māori in an indie context, … Read more

Best Songs Ever: SoccerPractice’s indie-electro-waiata, Selena’s basic perfection, and more!

Our regular round-up of new songs and singles, this week featuring SoccerPractice, Selena Gomez, Dion (D4) Lunadon, Liam Gallagher, Otoboke Beaver and Arcade Fire. SONG OF THE WEEK SoccerPractise – ‘Amene’ Waiata + electronic music + indie rock From the outset, SoccerPractise vocalist Geneva Alexander-Marsters has made a point of incorporating Te Reo Māori into the group’s music, … Read more