Latest news with #TinyRuins
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
PHOEBE RINGS Release Their ‘Quietly Beautiful' Debut Album Aseurai
June 6, 2025: Tāmaki Makaura dream-pop quartet Phoebe Rings – dubbed an 'indie supergroup' by RNZ given its members' involvement in other notable projects such as Tiny Ruins, AC Freazy, Princess Chelsea, Fazerdaze and Lucky Boy^ – today release their anticipated debut album Aseurai via Carpark Records with the focus track 'Playground Song', alongside a string of new live dates including supporting Japanese Breakfast in Auckland tomorrow night + their first live shows in South Korea and Japan this month (full details below). Stream/order Aseurai HERE. A lullaby-like, cyclical track which reflects on childhood friendship and nostalgia, focus track ' Playground Song ' features stereo acoustic guitars, warm synth textures, and gentle wave-like noises, with its centrepiece – a flute solo played by Lukas Fritsch – adding a dreamy, reflective touch. It's released alongside its floral-adorned live performance video directed by Nahyeon Lee – watch HERE. On Aseurai, Phoebe Rings continue to explore their disco and city-pop influences while staying true to the dream-pop sound of their self-titled debut EP released last year. 'Aseurai means around you in the atmosphere, hard to reach, fading away,' singer Crystal Choi says, 'it's a poetic expression. You wouldn't say it in normal conversation, but I like that.' Across its four singles so far – 'Aseurai', 'Drifting', 'Get Up' and 'Fading Star' – the album has garnered praise from international outlets like Pitchfork, FLOOD, Beats Per Minute, Rolling Stone, frankie, Happy, Northern Transmissions and Paste Magazine, who said the album finds the band 'sharply in the pocket that makes them terrific.' While Phoebe Rings – named for the outermost ring around Saturn which is known to be the largest, but the least visible – was originally a solo project of singer Crystal Choi, who is also a university-trained jazz pianist, Aseurai marks a shift with contributing songwriting credits from the whole band, which includes guitar/synthesist Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent, bassist Benjamin Locke and drummer/producer Alex Freer. With a more ambitious collection of instruments, Choi says this album heralds the start of true collaboration: 'I feel more precious about this LP because it includes everyone's gems.' The broth is richer with more cooks in the kitchen, and the brewing of textures creates a distinct ' Phoebe Rings ' sound. If their S/T EP was spacey, then Aseurai settles on earth, rooted in tangible moments. 'Without getting too gloomy, it's a weird world out there. A lot has changed in the world since the EP came out,' says Kavanagh-Vincent on this transformation. The album delves into hope and longing across all possibilities, and this exploration of holding on and letting go is organically threaded throughout. They mark out a brilliant new constellation in their sky, bringing their individual compositions to the fore whilst seamlessly threading them into one celestial body all underpinned by their ongoing inspirations: Studio Ghibli films, Zelda and Stardew soundtracks, Bossa Nova, Stereolab, and 90's Korean ballads. Phoebe Rings' storytelling ranges from tongue-in-cheek musings on gentrification, to commentary on the housing crisis (' Mandarin Tree '), musicians moving on in their careers (' Fading Star '), finding small oases in everyday life (' Not A Necessity ') and tender autobiographical memories – including on the title-track and 'B lue Butterfly ' both wrapped in grief, Crystal yearns for people she can't see anymore, in this case her late grandmother who she was separated from for a large period of her life (she also thinks that's why she wrote ' Aseurai ' in her mother tongue of Korean, in a way using it to be closer to her grandmother through song and shared language), ' Get Up ' on which drummer Benjamin Locke talks of the paralysis of extended periods of struggling with mental health and leaning on the famous scene from The Matrix to try to will yourself out of it, and ' Goodnight ', a tender, loving ode to our cats and the comfort they bring us.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
PHOEBE RINGS Release Their 'Quietly Beautiful' Debut Album Aseurai
June 6, 2025: Tāmaki Makaura dream-pop quartet Phoebe Rings - dubbed an "indie supergroup" by RNZ given its members' involvement in other notable projects such as Tiny Ruins, AC Freazy, Princess Chelsea, Fazerdaze and Lucky Boy^ - today release their anticipated debut album Aseurai via Carpark Records with the focus track 'Playground Song', alongside a string of new live dates including supporting Japanese Breakfast in Auckland tomorrow night + their first live shows in South Korea and Japan this month (full details below). Stream/order Aseurai HERE. A lullaby-like, cyclical track which reflects on childhood friendship and nostalgia, focus track ' Playground Song ' features stereo acoustic guitars, warm synth textures, and gentle wave-like noises, with its centrepiece - a flute solo played by Lukas Fritsch - adding a dreamy, reflective touch. It's released alongside its floral-adorned live performance video directed by Nahyeon Lee - watch HERE. On Aseurai, Phoebe Rings continue to explore their disco and city-pop influences while staying true to the dream-pop sound of their self-titled debut EP released last year. 'Aseurai means around you in the atmosphere, hard to reach, fading away,' singer Crystal Choi says, 'it's a poetic expression. You wouldn't say it in normal conversation, but I like that.' Across its four singles so far - 'Aseurai', 'Drifting', 'Get Up' and 'Fading Star' - the album has garnered praise from international outlets like Pitchfork, FLOOD, Beats Per Minute, Rolling Stone, frankie, Happy, Northern Transmissions and Paste Magazine, who said the album finds the band 'sharply in the pocket that makes them terrific.' While Phoebe Rings - named for the outermost ring around Saturn which is known to be the largest, but the least visible - was originally a solo project of singer Crystal Choi, who is also a university-trained jazz pianist, Aseurai marks a shift with contributing songwriting credits from the whole band, which includes guitar/synthesist Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent, bassist Benjamin Locke and drummer/producer Alex Freer. With a more ambitious collection of instruments, Choi says this album heralds the start of true collaboration: 'I feel more precious about this LP because it includes everyone's gems.' The broth is richer with more cooks in the kitchen, and the brewing of textures creates a distinct ' Phoebe Rings ' sound. If their S/T EP was spacey, then Aseurai settles on earth, rooted in tangible moments. 'Without getting too gloomy, it's a weird world out there. A lot has changed in the world since the EP came out,' says Kavanagh-Vincent on this transformation. The album delves into hope and longing across all possibilities, and this exploration of holding on and letting go is organically threaded throughout. They mark out a brilliant new constellation in their sky, bringing their individual compositions to the fore whilst seamlessly threading them into one celestial body all underpinned by their ongoing inspirations: Studio Ghibli films, Zelda and Stardew soundtracks, Bossa Nova, Stereolab, and 90's Korean ballads. Phoebe Rings' storytelling ranges from tongue-in-cheek musings on gentrification, to commentary on the housing crisis (' Mandarin Tree '), musicians moving on in their careers (' Fading Star '), finding small oases in everyday life (' Not A Necessity ') and tender autobiographical memories - including on the title-track and 'B lue Butterfly ' both wrapped in grief, Crystal yearns for people she can't see anymore, in this case her late grandmother who she was separated from for a large period of her life (she also thinks that's why she wrote ' Aseurai ' in her mother tongue of Korean, in a way using it to be closer to her grandmother through song and shared language), ' Get Up ' on which drummer Benjamin Locke talks of the paralysis of extended periods of struggling with mental health and leaning on the famous scene from The Matrix to try to will yourself out of it, and ' Goodnight ', a tender, loving ode to our cats and the comfort they bring us.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Mighty: A Small Venue With A Big Voice Lands In Te Komititanga
In celebration of NZ Music Month, a new musical experience is coming to the heart of the city, and it's not what you'd expect. From Tuesday 26 May to Sunday 1 June, a custom-built mini theatre called Mighty will pop up in Te Komititanga, offering the most intimate live gigs you'll find anywhere in Aotearoa. Completely free. Built around a 10-foot shipping container and clad to look like an old-fashioned theatre - complete with red velvet curtains, a rug and a standing lamp - Mighty offers front-row seats to unforgettable performances from some of our most talented songwriters. Each show invites just 4–6 people at a time into the cosy interior, where they'll hear one song, performed totally live and completely acoustic. No mics. No tech tricks. Just voice and guitar or keys. With 20 performances over the week and a line-up of exceptional local talent, there's a twist: while all performers will be announced in advance, their set times will stay secret. It's songwriter roulette, designed to surprise and delight. Some of our brightest lights and rising stars will be performing, including Tiny Ruins, Anna Coddington, Julia Deans, Lips, Romi Wrights, Phoebe Rings, Jazmine Mary, HINA, PARK RD, Rewind Fields, Jol Mulholland + more. Mighty celebrates the power of a single song, shared in person. Live. Acoustic. Solo. Mighty is a love letter to live music, reminding us that sometimes the smallest stages create the biggest moments.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Jazmine Mary Shares Single 'My Brilliance' — New Album Out June 13th
Flying Nun Records are very pleased to welcome noir folk artist Jazmine Mary to the whānau! Their album, ' I Want To Rock And Roll ' is out digitally and on black vinyl LP on 13th June. 'I Want To Rock And Roll' is Jazmine Mary's third album, following on from the critically acclaimed, ' Dog ' (2021) and the award-winning ' The Licking of a Tangerine ' (2021). Recorded at Tāmaki Makaurau's Roundhead Studios by De Stevens, the upcoming self-produced album features musical contributions from some of Aotearoa's greats: Louisa Nicklin, Cass Basil (Tiny Ruins), Cello Forrester (Womb), Dave Khan (Marlon Williams) and Arahi. Possessing one of the country's most esteemed and idiosyncratic folk voices, Jazmine Mary's new single ' My Brilliance ' showcases their crystal clear vocal abilities that sit atop their signature rhythmic changes; a wonderfully bright, folk gem. Flying Nun Records couldn't be more stoked to have Jazmine aboard our train — listen to the new single below. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Jazmine Mary was named the winner of the Best Independent Debut at the 2022 Taite Music Awards for their album 'The Licking of a Tangerine'. Their critically acclaimed sophomore album ' Dog ' was named one of Aotearoa's Top 25 albums by Rolling Stone Magazine. They have played in support of Kurt Vile, Billy Bragg, Gang of Youths, and toured the country in support of Reb Fountain. Most notably, to celebrate their 2023 album ' Dog ', Jazmine and their band hosted a spellbinding Hollywood Theatre show with support from Julia Deans. "When you step into a Jazmine Mary gig, be prepared to be met by either a clown, a popstar, a pilgrim farmer, or a nightgown-clad ghost howling brazenly onstage. It's a whimsical experience that you won't want to miss." — VICE They make music not to earn a living, but to survive, and it's through their songwriting that Jazmine Mary feels tethered to something tangible, a constant. It's the action of translating their experiences into poetic folk compositions that helps in "understanding parts of the beauty and ugliness of the world", and which might help listeners do so themselves. Jazmine Mary also recently announced their album tour dates; celebrating the album around the motu with a live show sure to mesmerise with full band — spanning the dark to the light, the brilliant new emotive release, from award winning, indie-folk visionary.
