Our Cultures Celebrated

The South Waikato Cultural Festival was held at The Plaza in Putaruru recently and the South Waikato News was there to capture all of the energetic performances. Performances were of Polynesian and Maori and some of the schools involved included Tokoroa High School, Te Kaokaoroa O Patetere, Cargill Open Plan School, Tainui Full Primary School and Tokoroa Central School.

David Henry School's Polynesian performance was awesome.

Tokoroa High School's Te Puna Vai Ora was one of the best
on the day.

Tainui Full Primary School's polynesian group had fantastic
costumes and choreography.

Tokoroa Intermediate School's polynesian
performance.

Tokoroa Intermediate School's kapa haka group.

Te Rau Oriwa Early Learning Centre.

Tutti Frutti Time

This Day In History brief.

Did you know that on this day in 1955 rock and roll architect Little Richard recorded his hit Tutti Frutti.

The song, which was recorded in a New Orleans recording studio became a sensation.

SW Variety Fest Attracts Hundreds

Hundreds flocked to Youth Park in Tokoroa last Friday to watch the South Waikato Variety Fest. The event was a success.

WIN Tickets to see Ardijah

SMOOTH: Ardijah is on their way to Tokoroa.
Creator: Dean Pemberton

Ardijah is on their way.

The group, which is one of New Zealand's most iconic musical acts will play at Tokoroa Cosmopolitan Club.Go into the draw to win a double pass to see them live, simplytell us what year the group formed along with your name and contact details.

G luck.

:)

Enter to Win Anika Tickets

GIG: Singer-songwriter Anika Moa. Creator: Elliot Sim

We have one double pass to give away to go and see Anika Moa and Barnaby Weir at the Raglan Town Hall on September 29.

For more dets check out out latest issue at http://www.southwaikatonews.co.nz/ or pick up a copy.

This Day in History

LEGEND: Despite dying at 22, Buddy Holly became a pioneer
in rock and roll.

The South Waikato News has started a series called This Day in History where we search historical archives to see what happened on this day. On September 7 (Wednesday), 1936 American singer-songwriter and rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly was born. His success only lasted a year and a half before he was killed in an airplane crash, but he is described as one of the most influential forces in early rock and roll.

Rip It Up's New Chief

CHIEF: Leonie Hayden.

Since becoming the editor of iconic music magazine Rip It Up, Leonie Hayden said she is having a riot. Leonie spoke exclusively to the South Waikato News last week.

When were you appointed the editor of Rip it Up?

"I took over a full issue after Sirvere left, which meant six weeks of editor-less madness for my boss Nikki. Been in the hot seat three weeks now, so far so good (by which I mean I haven't burned anything down or called anyone a bad word)."

Why did you want to be editor of this mag?

"Free CDs? Rip It Up is an iconic title with incredible history and limitless potential. If you look at its punk, post-punk and new wave origins compared to where it is today - the evolution of the magazine has mirrored the evolution of popular music itself. Not just in terms of content, but how that content is shared and discovered - new technologies, new media. I'm in love with all of that - the history, the media, the process. I'm a pop culture dork, what can I say.

"I love the transfer of ideas; that constant and unstoppable tide of knowledge and information. To be the medium between the artists and writers, with both sides so stupidly passionate about music... its as good as being in Bananarama (which is what I wanted to be when I grew up)."

What do you bring to Rip it Up?

"I have no musical agenda, I have no hang-ups with what people perceive as cool. All good music, regardless of genre or whether or not I would listen to it, has a fundamental truth to it and I think I'm good at recognising that spark."

Your name is very familiar, you were the editor of Real Groove. Jessica van Dammen mentioned you once.

"I was the editor at The Groove Guide but we all worked very closely on both The Groove Guide and Real Groove magazine. Jessie and I had a very special designer/editor bond. She's the bomb diggity, as both a mate and a designer."

Refreshing sounds but a little goes a long way

Few can deliver cafe- style sounds like Norah Jones.

The singer has recorded delightful songs over the last decade, says reporter Aden Miles. . . . Featuring has its sweet spots but some songs are stale.

. . . Featuring is a compilation album of 18 songs. For the most part . . . Featuring is a delicious listen with a diverse lineup from Outkast to Ray Charles who is heard on Here We Go Again, a soft gospel influenced song.

The first cut on the album is The Little Willies' Love Me, and is followed by Virginia Moon with the Foo Fighters.
Though many sceptics challenged the collaboration, the artists mix their distinctive styles effectively.

The easy listening sound, while refreshing on several, follows through without let up to the final song.
Little Lou, Ugly Jack and Prophet John by Belle and Sebastian are covered.
Loretta, Take off Your Cool with Outkast and Bull Rider, and Creepin' In with Dolly Parton are also on the album.
All have one thing in common, they fail to ignite.

Benchmark for quality

Maisey Rika sets the benchmark for quality.

Few singers in New Zealand can compare to a sound like that on Maisey Rika's Tohu. In an era where over-exaggeration is celebrated and autotuned performers become icons, Maisey Rika and Tohu emerged as the benchmark for quality.

Tohu is a socially and culturally conscious collection of 12 songs that Maisey wrote over the past decade.

The tracks include Ladeda Day, Nia, Repeat Offender, Omaio and Untouchable, some of which are the very first songs written by Maisey and demonstrate her organic soul and illustrate her developing songwriting flair.
Tohu, which was produced by Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, is rich with tales and the universal emotions of adversity, happiness, love, and justice.

Maisey dedicated a song to Nia Glassie, where she sings: "Nia, sets my soul on fire. Justice, enforce punishment. Too young, a cry her only defence."

The ancestral sounds of traditional Maori instruments have been used alongside guitars, drums, animated horns and pure strings.
Well placed lyrics fused with an effortless soprano, Maisey Rika's Tohu will take you by the hand and walk with you barefoot through the forest of life.

Songs from singer's soul

ADELE: British song bird Adele's new album.

The South Waikato News launched its review series on the entertainment pages several months ago. Reporter Aden Miles chose to begin with British songbird Adele's album 21
 
I DIDN'T know much about Adele's debut album, only that it gave a platform to a gorgeous voice.
Her second album, 21, offers the same exposure. This time the material is darker, deeper and more melancholy.

21 draws heavy inspiration from Motown as well as country, blues and rhythm and blues.

This album flaunts break-up songs with most of them reflecting Adele's most recently ended relationship.

Some of the most notable songs are Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You and the most recently airplayed Set Fire to the Rain.
However, it is Take It All, one of the quieter songs which only has a piano accompanying Adele's voice, that stands as the ballad of the album.

Her voice is a generous instrument that carries its tone right through to the height of its range. With power, soul, clarity of tone and a crystal clear belt, as well as a solid album, Adele has cemented herself as one of the finest vocalists and musicians of her generation.

Some shining moments



HIP HOP: Jessie J's new album Who You Are.

If you haven't already belted out the song Price Tag, then chances are you haven't heard of Britain's latest octave straddling singer Jessie J. Reporter Aden Miles listened to her debut album Who You Are which was released earlier this year  
Jessie J, or Jessica Ellen Cornish, is the latest graduate from the Brit Institution for the musically talented and has picked up a BRIT award and a hoard of hit singles.
She can sing but is the album any good?

Who You Are hosts a duo of personalities: one side is sweet, warm, honey coated while the other is tough and rude. As schizophrenic as it is, I like it.

Who You Are showcases 13 tracks crossing between 90s soul, contemporary pop and hip hop.

The album, which took the 23-year-old singer-songwriter more than six years to complete, includes Price Tag, Nobody's Perfect and Do It Like A Dude.

Shining moments involve a live version of Big White Room, Casualty Of Love, and Stand Up.

However, some songs do fall extremely flat like Mamma Knows Best. The overly used burlesque sounding orchestra on Mamma Knows Best is too loud, too complicated and doesn't gel with the rest of the album. And I won't be replaying Rainbow as the tune is utterly pointless.

Album dark and genuine

There are two types of Mariah Carey: one sings fresh rhythm and blues with hip- hop collaborations and the other sings monotonous pop songs. Reporter Aden Miles said Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is home to the rhythm and blues singer, the "real" Mariah Carey and the work deserves more credit than it receives
 
On her 12th studio album, Mariah Carey along with producers Terius "The- Dream" Nash and Tricky Stewart ignore the obvious choices when it comes to Carey's talent. Instead they focus on her honey tones.

Memoirs is heavy on slow jams, the quiet bedtime confession types which take you back to the sound Carey had during the 1990s.

Carey co-wrote everything on here, except for her failed attempt at covering Foreigner's I Want to Know What Love Is.

Apart from the last four songs, which are remixes, the album is tight, fresh, dark and genuine.

The heavily promoted Obsessed was the album's lead single, and was followed by H.A.T.E.U and the Foreigner cover.

Up Out Of My Face, Standing O, It's A Wrap, Betcha Gon' Know, Languishing, Angels Cry and Ribbon are also featured.

Just to remind listeners of her abilities, the one-minute-long song Angel (The Prelude) is sung entirely in whistle register.

It's strange, yet alluring.

However Candy Bling, with its late 1990s vibe and summertime lyrics, and The Impossible, a sexy confession to a lover, are absolutely supreme.

Whatever the image, deserved or not deserved, when Mariah Carey is in this kind of mood the result is just fantastic.

Latest album immerses listener in another world

Immersion, the new album released by drum and bass band Pendulum proves silence makes the heart grow fonder as fans rave about the transition and pure professionalism in the latest work. Wintec intern reporter Rebecca Smith says the album is the creme de la creme after years of previous work

 

AFTER popular Aussie band Pendulum disappeared from the music scene in 2008 many said the band was over, until their latest album Immersion was released last year.

Albums before Immersion simply seem like mild stepping stones in comparison to the latest. The band has finally found its niche after a subtle confusion on the matter in previous albums such as In Silico.

Pendulum isn't a category of music you can engage in with everyday life sequences.

The music has been made for its passionate followers and mind-blasting live concerts. Their newest sound fully credits their experience, falling between a complex genre of dubstep/drum and bass.

Lead singles Watercolour and Witchcraft are essential tracks that identify and illustrate the change between albums but also sound diluted compared to the rest of the album's material. The pick of the tracks is the two-part, mid-record The Island.

Immersion's theme (a virtual reality) is simply genius. The music is otherworldly. The 15 electrifying tracks have the ability to take your mind on an illusional journey and this is what originates the work and adds to Pendulum's mysterious ways.

Joe's I Wanna Know

Our Joe competition is now open and to enter you need to record a video of yourself singing the chorus to I Wanna Know to our facebook page. The official video may provide you some inspiration.

Music video by Joe performing I Wanna Know. (C) 2000 Zomba Recording LLC.

Win Tickets to see American singer Joe

The word is out that the South Waikato News has one double pass to give away to go and see American rhythm and blues singer Joe perform in Auckland.

To go into the draw all you have to do is upload a video of you singing the chorus to I Wanna Know to our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SouthWaikatoNews.

Most awesome singer wins!!!

Dougy Takes Out 3rd Place



Dougy Petley. Credit: Maori Television.

 Congratulations to Dougy Petley of Putaruru who came third on Homai te Paki Paki. Out of the thousands who have entered this year, South Waikato had a place in the top three. Great stuff Dougy.

SPOTLIGHT: Stan Walker's From The Inside Out

Stan Walker's last album, From The Inside Out was released last year to generally positive reviews. Despite being a fan, reporter Aden Miles reveals the album, which debuted at number two on the ARIA albums chart, does have its flaws.
 
There's no doubt Walker has pipes, he has a deep lower register and a piercing falsetto but with the exception of three songs, the album left me thinking "Okay, now what".

A highlight is Choose You. Its beat is magnetic, the rhythm consistent and the vocals connect with the material.

Love Graffiti is perfection andStuck In A Box with Young Sid is also a snap track.

Walker's cover of Kissing You, made famous Des'ree and her luscious voice, is nowhere near the original but it isn't bad. The song production is altered, making it more tense.

Debut album will be a hard act to follow



SYNTH POP: Kids of 88's debut album Sugarpills.








One of the features of the South Waikato News entertainment pages are the CD and book reviews.










The debut album Sugarpills from this New Zealand electropop band holds a collection of driving techno beats. Reporter Aden Miles says this album is worth banging your head to.

Sugarpills was released in 2010 featuring singles My House and Downtown.

Often described as good party music, the album is among the new breed of synth pop groups cropping up all over the country.

Sugarpills is husky, arrogant and projects a style that is consistent with the 1980s while staining the group's own individuality on the mix.

Kids of 88 is made up of Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy who created the 10-track playlist which includes Ribbons of Light, Cotton Mouth, Everybody Knows, Apart of You, San Fran, Feel the Birds and SQRL.

The album is so good that it won Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year for their single Just a Little Bit at the 2010 New Zealand Music Awards,
There is no doubt that Sugarpills is a summer album, I don't think its reception would have been so glossy if it was released during the winter.

However, I am more interested to hear their new material, an album like Sugarpills would be a titanic act to follow.