Larger version of above video, and more about Káren Hunter and Scrapyard Cabaret, now updated.

Aly Cook is a very successful self managed independent New Zealand musician.

Once a backing vocalist for Rick Bryant and now a country music star in her own right – check out singer songwriter Aly Cook on Sellaband inviting you to share in the profits of her next album.

Bressa Creeting Cake Bressa Creeting Cake, Pie Warmer, Haunted Love. Nov 20th – Chch – Als Bar, Nov 21st – Dun – Chicks Hotel, Nov 27th – Akl – Kings Arms, Nov 28th – Wgtn – Mighty Mighty, Tickets on sale shortly.

Káren Hunter Ron Samsom duo accompanied by Neil Watson and Aaron on double bass – a jazz grunge folk ensemble to suit the late night set of K’Road in one sense but with delicately played well-composed music. Hunter’s vocal clarity and playful lyric is combined with an moving repertoire of sometimes quirky spoken word pieces and stories.

But first, The Beautiful Losers made their mark. I have not heard them before and enjoyed their Kerocwacisation of Beethoven and The Beatles dun beat but there is real talent in this intense expression. Paul’s electric cello is reminscent of a 60s moog maniac with a huge array of foot pedal pariphenalia at his disposal. Shane Hollands creates a persona and beat demeanor that mashes into it with a choreography of words and action. He is quite the maestro in this guise, woven with music. Reformed, we think Beautiful Losers is a rising star in spoken word.

One of New Zealand’s most famous and most popular entertainers ever, Sir Howard Morrison died on Thursday morning, September 24th 2009, at Rotorua, aged 74 years. He was one of the great crooners and a true master of the craft of entertainment. Taking his family tradition, he turned it into a national institution. This year a DVD of his life Once in a Lifetime outsold Michael Jackson’s two DVDs – reaching No 1 by mid-September.

After twelve years, the launch of a record label and a new LP for Jan Hellriegel with a very special release concert at The Civic on October 22nd. Read more…

Updated the Gallery with the last batch of shots