Fly My Pepeha: New children's series filmed in Bay of Plenty premieres this weekend
'Fly My Pepeha' brings together te reo Māori, drone technology, and tamariki-led storytelling in a 10-part, 10-minute digital series.
Produced by Rotorua-based
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11 hours ago
- Scoop
WILSN Announces New Album 'Bloom' Out October 17
[20 August 2025] Melbourne/ Naarm-based soul Queen WILSN (aka Shannon Busch) today shares exciting news with her fans, with the announcement of her sophomore album Bloom to be released on Friday 17 October. The album announcement is also accompanied by the release of new song, 'GIRL'. A heartfelt ode to female friendship, 'GIRL' sees WILSN's gorgeous, honeyed vocals shining over warm, soulful production. "'GIRL' is a love letter to the kind of friendship that runs deep, the ride or die kind. It's about checking in, showing up, listening and loving your friends through the chaos of life, even when words don't come easy. 'The song started with a gorgeous instrumental idea by Melbourne based production house Frollen Music Library. Made up of Henry Jenkins, Darvid Thor and Hudson Whitlock all legends of the Melbourne soul and funk scene in their own right, playing in bands such as Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo. Together they have been working on sample creation that's been used in songs by artists like Leon Thomas and Schoolboy Q. I was super inspired by their instrumental and love my melody and lyrics that came from it. It felt instant and super natural." - WILSN Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'GIRL' is one of the many standouts on WILSN's new offering Bloom - the classic soul album she always dreamt of making. Recorded live and to tape at Hive Mind Recording in Brooklyn, NYC, alongside a dream team of musicians who have played with the likes of Mark Ronson, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and modern soul superstar Jalen Ngonda, it finds WILSN channelling the spirit and sound of late-60s soul to create something both timeless and of the current moment. 'This is such a dream record for me. I'm still pinching myself that I got to record it in New York with a bunch of my favourite soul musicians,' WILSN says. 'Literally every time the band played through one of my songs for the first time, I was like: this is what I came for.' Bloom was produced by Stephen Mowat (Jessica Mauboy, Matt Corby, Gretta Ray) and Billy Aukstik - the co-owner of Hive Mind and an esteemed producer and trumpet player in his own right. The ensemble took an old-school approach to recording, with the band members all together in the same room, feeding off each other's energy and vibe. 'This is how a WILSN record is supposed to sound,' she says. 'Since I was a kid, I've been captivated by soul music - the emotion, the power, and the stories woven into every note -and I always strive to create music that not only reflects my own truth but also pays tribute to the stories and voices that built the foundation I'm standing on.' WILSN's recent releases 'The Way' and 'Keep Walkin'' have reached a whole new wave of fans on social media, amassing millions of views on TikTok and Instagram, and resonating across the globe with people of all ages and genders. Her songs have received support from triple j, double j and community radio locally, along with spins from BBC Radio 2 and 6Music, and playlist adds to Apple Music's Soul Revival, New In Indie and Spotify's Soul 'n' the City, Dinner Chill Music and more. Now, the near arrival of Bloom sees WILSN truly blossom into the fullness of her musical powers, cementing herself as one of the most essential voices in a new generation of Australian soul singers in the process. As a key line in the album title track states, 'I think I've had enough life lessons, I'm ready for the flower to bloom.' MORE ABOUT WILSN… Originally hailing from Geelong in Victoria,WILSNmoved to Melbourne to study jazz at the Victorian College of the Arts. She signed a deal with US publisher Pulse, prompting a move to America, where she spent two years working with Grammy-Award winning songwriters honing her craft, before being asked to join The Teskey Brothers on their 2020 tour of Europe and the UK, playing to sold-out crowds across the continent. Since thereleaseof her debut album, Those Days Are Over, in 2023 - a record bursting with jaw-dropping vocal performances and fusing modern soul, pop, jazz and Motown – it's been a big couple of years forWILSN. Her debut album won the AIR Award for Best Independent Soul/RnB Album or EP and was also nominated for the Australian Music Prize, she's sung alongside Jimmy Barnes and Budjerah and shared the stage with contemporary heroes like Allen Stone and she's played at Bluesfest two years in a row. Alongside her success asWILSN, she's also been amassing praise as a songwriter, winning the 2025 Vanda and Young Global Song Competition with 'Give You Love', a song she co-wrote for Jessica Mauboy and Jason Derulo.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Exhibition explores iconic performers
There is plenty of glitter, glamour and outrageous style in Auckland Museum's ''Diva'' exhibition but it is the underlying story that really resonates, finds Rebecca Fox. Getting up close to outfits most only see on the big or small screens at the ''Diva'' exhibition, there are two things that hit you. One is the extraordinary lengths artists will go to make a statement at the cost of their own personal comfort, and the other is how small they are. Discovering the mannequins the garments are hung on were all custom-made to fit the outfits only reinforces that - such as the Louis XIV-inspired look with towering powdered wig and train worn by Sir Elton John for his 50th birthday celebration, designed by Sandy Powell, or designer to the stars Bob Mackie's Cher costumes or Rihanna's 2018 Met Gala crystal outfit. They are among 280 objects, including show-stopping costumes, fashion, photography and music, that form ''Diva'', an exhibition by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London that has travelled to Auckland Museum. Each garment arrived already on its mannequin in crates. The exhibition is split into two acts: the first traces the origin and legacy of the diva across opera, stage and screen; the second explores the construction of the modern diva through fashion, voice, image and political power. ''Diva'' curator Kate Bailey says ''Diva'' explores the performer, not just as an artist, but as a trailblazer and how they have leveraged their fame to advocate for change from civil rights to gender equality. ''At the heart of this exhibition is a story of iconic performers who, with creativity, courage and ambition, have challenged the status quo and used their voice and their art to redefine and reclaim the diva.'' A highlight is the inclusion for Auckland of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's millennium coat, worn at the New Year's Day 2000 performance that was broadcast to 1 billion people around the world. Auckland Museum curator of social history Jane Groufsky says it was selected from Dame Kiri's collection at Te Papa because it is one of the most conspicuously Aotearoa garments of the opera singer's due to its reference to the kākahu (adorned Māori cloak). ''She also fulfills a lot of the other things that we see with the other divas. She really fought for what she did, she worked hard, but then now in her more retired career, she has the foundation where she's supporting other young singers to come up and come through and follow that same path - which is kind of something she has in common with a lot of the divas in the exhibition, is that they're all using their voice to kind-of effect change in some positive way or bring up others and to follow in their footsteps.'' But there are also the stories of the first divas, with one of Groufsky's favourites, the Mariano Fortuny dress worn by American dancer and choreographer Isadore Duncan (1877-1927). ''It's hard to remind yourself how groundbreaking that style, that lack of form-fitting, was in the early 20th century. I think its still not known today how he did those pleats. So it's really special to see it in the museum.'' Another standout for her is the only known surviving dress worn by American actress Clara Bow (1905-65), who rose to fame during the silent film era of the 1920s, that is rarely seen outside of the United States. ''I went through a big silent film phase in my teens. She was the original ''it'' girl. It's amazing it survived.'' Accompanying all of these items is a soundtrack to match, played through headphones which cleverly pick up where you are looking and play the corresponding track, adding to the immersive feel of the exhibition. To see: DIVA, Tmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, until October 19.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Polyfest returns
REPORT & PHOTO: NINA TAPU The best of Māori and Pasifika culture was brought to the ILT Stadium Southland stage for the first day of the Murihiku Polyfest yesterday. More than 8000 performers — including pupils from Te Kura O Rimu School (pictured) — will perform over the week to bring the sights and sounds of Polynesia to Southland. Over 1000 spectators, including whānau and friends, filled the auditorium armed with cameras and video recorders, cheering on their tamariki. More than 120 schools from across the region will be taking part in the annual festival, now in its 16th year.
