Rhythmethod NZ

tUnE-yArDs "Bizness"

2012-01-11T09:54:00.002+13:00

here's tUnE-yArDs on Jimmy Kimmel Live don't miss tUnE-yArDs at the kings arms thursday 12 january we'll be there in our usual spot...

Kronos Sends His Xmas Greetings

2011-12-21T16:40:00.000+13:00

The Dark Lord and his friends wish everyone the best of the season.

Get in the Van

2011-12-21T16:37:00.000+13:00

Rhythmethod Summer Touring

ARIAL PINK'S HAUNTED GRAFFITI
Auckland - Tuesday 13th March, Kings Arms
Wellington - Wednesday 14th March, Bodega

BEIRUT
Auckland - Monday 16th January, The Powerstation
Wellington - Saturday 14th January, San Francisco Bath House

BIG DAY OUT
Best Coast
Friday 20th January, Mt Smart Stadium

BON IVER
Wellington - Monday 27th February, Wellington Town Hall
Wellington - Tuesday 28th February, Wellington Town Hall

THE CHECKS (w/ The Datsuns)
Waihi - Wednesday 18th January, Waihi Beach Hotel
Auckland - Thursday 19th January Bacco Room
Mangawhai - Friday 27th January, Mangawhai Tavern
Wellington - Thursday 2nd February, San Francisco Bath House

COROMANDEL GOLD
30 - 31st December, Ohuka Farm
Shapeshifter, The Black Seeds, Ladi 6, The Upbeats, Fat Freddy's Drop, Trinity Roots

DUM DUM GIRLS
Auckland - Friday 6th January, Kings Arms

FAT FREDDY'S DROP'S ONE DROP
Matakana - Monday 2nd January, Ascension Wine Estate (w/ Trinity Roots AND Cornerstone Roots)
Havelock North - Saturday 7th January, Black Barn

FLEET FOXES
Wellington - Friday 13th January, Town Hall
Auckland - Saturday 14th January, Town Hall

LA DE DA
Martinborough - Friday 30th December - Saturday 31st December, Dry River Road
Fat Freddy's Drop, State of Mind, Sola Rosa

LADI 6
Lower Hutt - Monday 26th December, The Station Village Complex
Mangawhai - Wednesday 28th December, Butler's Reef
Waihi - Monday 2nd January, Waihi Beach Hotel
Mt Maunganui - Tuesday 3rd January, Brewers Field

LANEWAY FESTIVAL
Auckland, Monday 30th January, Silo Park
The Horrors, SBTRKT, Girls, M83, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Toro Y Moi, Washed Out

THEE OH SEES
Auckland - Friday 27th January, Whammy
Wellington - Saturday 28th January - Mighty Mighty
Whanganui - Sunday 29th January - ARC Theatre

THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION
Wellington - Saturday 31th December, Queen's Wharf

SHAPESHIFTER
Matakana - Thursday 29th December, Ascension Vineyard
Motueka - Monday 2nd january, Riwaka Hotel
Tauranga - Friday 6th January, Brewers Field
Waihi - Saturday 7th January, Waihi Beach Hotel

TUNEYARDS
Auckland - Thursday 12th January, The Kings Arms

WOMAD
Taranaki - 16-18th March
The Black Seeds
The Yoots

RHYTHM AND VINES
Gisborne -29th-31st December, Wai-o-Hika Estate
The Thomas Oliver Band

RIPPON
Wanaka - Saturday 4th February, Rippon Vineyard, Lake Wanaka
Street Chant, The Yoots, Lord Echo, Trinity Roots

11.11.11

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000+13:00

The Checks return with album #3, produced by the band and Grammy award winning producer Bassy Bob Brockman. In early 2011 The Checks took up residence in a semi-abandoned building in the neon guts of Auckland's CBD. Office space was converted into recording studio; dingy walls that look like they would taste of capers and grimy benches became pinup space for song forms and artwork. Treacle Toffee World (their pre-England practice space) was born again.

A month out from zero hour, Bassy Bob flew in from NYC and three instense weeks of demo-ing tracks began. The album took shape just in time to enter the analogue playground of Roundhead Studios.

Deadly Summer Sway combines crisp warm tones of ribbon mics, The Who's 1974 Neve mixing console and 24 track tape with a hip hop producer's digital swagger.

Oh yes indeed.

Happy Checks Day: Deadly Summer Sway is now out!

New Meg Baird video: "The Finder"

2011-11-08T09:43:00.000+13:00

<br><br><br><br>From
From 'Seasons on Earth' - out now on CD and LP via our friends at Drag City.

All aboard! Bannerman Dearly Departed album and tour

2011-11-02T10:16:00.000+13:00

The second Bannerman album is out now. Listen at Bandcamp, buy in stores.

Bannerman on tour:

Nov Fri 18th – Golden Dawn (AK)
w/ Heart Attack Alley
Dec Fri 2nd – Cabana (Napier)
w/ Devil's Elbow
Dec Sat 3rd – The Burgundy Room (Welly)
w/ Rosy Tin Teacaddy
Dec Fri 16th – Leigh Sawmill (Leigh)
w/ Artisan Guns + Jellphonic

Tickets are on sale now at Undertheradar or direct from Leigh Sawmill and The Cabana for those shows.

A Big Heap of Celebratory Hot Chips - We're Ten!

2011-09-29T09:56:00.002+13:00

Rhythmethod Hits 10 Year Anniversary on Record High

Independent music distributor Rhythmethod was established by Peter Baker in a cold, windowless suburban garage equipped with little more than a dial-up connection and a wheezing fax machine. Ten years on, the fax machine is no more and his company is delivering some of New Zealand’s best, chart-topping musical talent – Fat Freddy’s Drop, Tiki Taane, Ladi 6 and Shapeshifter to name just a few.

And add to that stellar list the international names such as the White Stripes, Radiohead, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Interpol and a rather popular British lass called Adele.

For Rhythmethod the recent news that Adele’s album “21” is now New Zealand’s longest charting No: 1 album of any artist ever was the perfect anniversary present with which to celebrate 10 years.

Over the last decade, the company has sold 1.5 million CDs and LPs to retail stores and represented a diverse range of extraordinary local and international acts including OpShop, Cat Power, Dizzee Rascal, Gotan Project and Flight Of The Conchords but local music has always held a special place in its heart.

Peter says of all the albums sold over the last 10 years, 50% were albums from NZ artists. To date the company has returned over 9 million dollars in royalties back to NZ artists, which is something the team is pretty chuffed about.

"From the beginning I idealistically wanted to provide an independent service for artists, retail and media - and that's what the team has ended up doing. I was enormously inspired by Tony Wilson of Factory Records fame. So we were aiming for one part Tony Wilson, one part Peter Saville, one part Rob Gretton and one part Alan Erasmus and 10 years later, the influence of those four parts is still evident throughout the whole business."

Any overview of Rhythmethod would be incomplete without mentioning the phenomenal success of Fat Freddy’s Drop, a group who has been with the company from the beginning, and who has captured the imagination of the NZ public 2006.

Fat Freddy’s Drop has the longest charting Number One album of a New Zealand band ever and their debut studio album Based On A True Story is one of the biggest selling NZ albums of all time, passing eight-times platinum sales (134,000). A fixture in the NZ Top 40 Album Chart since its release in 2006, the album shipped gold (7,500) on the day of release and debuted at number 1, which was a first for any local independent distributor.

But the platinum sales are also mounting up for others on the Rhythmethod roster. Look no further than the Flight Of The Conchords’ self-titled album, The Black Seeds Solid Ground, Tiki’s Past, Present, Future album and Shapeshifter’s System Of A Vampire album; as well as gold sales for Shapeshifter’s Riddim Wise and Live albums, Sola Rosa’s Get It Together and Little Bushman’s Onus Of Sand.

Amongst the accolades Rhythmethod has never lost its heart, championing many small and diverse NZ artist and labels whose releases may have never seen the light of day without the backing of Pete and his team.

“For us the most rewarding and exciting aspect of being an independent distributor is helping artists realise their goals. That’s always been our intention and I imagine it’ll stay that way for the next ten years.”

RHYTHMETHOD

02/10/2001 -

A Dark Lord Sighting

2011-09-23T08:57:00.000+12:00

Oh my goodness, it's a new Checks album!

2011-08-30T16:22:00.000+12:00

CANDYMAN SHIMMER is the explosive first taste from the forthcoming longplayer from The Checks and you can download it right here, right now for a limited time only: www.thechecks.net

"CANDYMAN SHIMMER is really all about you and your stinking mate in a clapped out 1.3 litre Fiat Uno chain smoking cigarettes hooning past two slick fellas in expensive suits cruising the motorway in a silver Porche. You pull your blue jumper over your eyes as you boost along and think about the Barbados coastline.”

THE CHECKS - 11 /11 / 11

The Checks played out their brand new set of material from the forthcoming album over the weekend in Auckland, the response: rapturous…

Keep an eye on www.facebook.com/thechecks for details as this week The Checks will perform their brand new set at the Kathryn Wilson Fashion Show, Friday 10.30pm (free entry to the public). Secret central Auckland venue will be announced at later in the week.

Have You Seen This Cat?

2011-08-29T16:24:00.000+12:00

The War on Drugs vs Shabazz Palaces

2011-08-12T10:02:00.002+12:00

We're not really into fighting, so we gave The War On Drugs and Shabazz Palaces equal billing on next week's release sheet.

The War On Drugs is Adam Granduciel, Slave Ambient is the second album, and it's a brilliant sprawl of rock n roll via Secretly Canadian. "I really like it", says Sales Guy, "it's kinda Springsteen." Listen and watch over at SC.

Shabazz Palaces Black Up is out on Sub Pop. The project is lead by lyricist Ishmael Butler aka Palaceer Lazaro, formerly of Digable Planets and Cherrywine. Bold, experimental, cryptic and dark, it's going straight into the RM staff car player (well, it will, as soon as that vehicle's returned from the panelbeaters).

On Fridays We Play Records

2011-07-27T13:43:00.001+12:00

Well, we play records every day of the week, but Fridays are special cos we take turns to bring our own playlist, have a go on the boss's stereo, eat crisps, drink beer and say kind things about each other's selections.

Happy Heartbreak! Released 1 August!

2011-07-25T15:52:00.001+12:00

After nearly two years in the making, recorded in bedrooms and lounges, between studios and day jobs, The Sami Sisters debut album Happy Heartbreak! is finally here. Happy Heartbreak! is a spunk of a record which takes you on a journey filled with rousing pop songs on a topic we all love to ruminate on. Warm, uplifting and moving, this debut effort sees Madeleine, Anji and Priya trade their acoustic stylings for a full band sound as synths, electric guitars, drums and those trademark harmonies combine deliciously throughout 11 tracks creating a little pop gem that's a treat for your earholes.

Resurrecting the Staff Pick

2011-07-13T17:19:00.001+12:00

Luey's pick of next week's release sheet is the dark, eerie, cinematic Creep On Creepin' On by Timber Timbre via Full Time Hobby.

Need More Rhythmethod?

2011-07-13T17:14:00.000+12:00

Well, pop over to our fancy new Facebook page to get more regular updates.

Head Like A Hole

2011-06-23T12:33:00.002+12:00

Head Like A Hole

New album

BLOOD WILL OUT

Released 4 July 2011

For more info go to:

Head Like A Hole on Facebook

Hot Short Friday

2011-02-21T16:39:00.006+13:00

The call went out the day before: "Wear ya coolest / hottest / bestest / funniest shorts tomorrow for a laff. Winner gets extra potato fritter! Ohhhh....Meeeeeeaaaaannnnnn!"

Who won? Have a look here and you might find out...

The National - Terrible Love (Live Uncut in Brooklyn)

2011-01-13T17:37:00.000+13:00

(The National. Saw them last night at the Powerstation, Auckland. Oh. My. Goodness. Today we are a very happy office).

Merry Christmas, Love Mayer xx

2010-12-17T14:14:00.000+13:00

Download Mayer Hawthorne 'Christmas Time Is Here' for free!

Maybe So? Definitely!

2010-12-13T15:27:00.000+13:00

Wellingtonians! Mayer Hawthorne and the County with special guests, have been confirmed to play at the San Francisco Bathhouse on Valentines Day, 14 February.

♥

2010-11-25T10:15:00.000+13:00

Today our thoughts are with the Pike River miners, their families, friends and the people of the West Coast.

Blog Love

2010-11-19T13:25:00.000+13:00

We take a peep at this blog quite regularly. It's called The Label. There's a bunch of stuff going on over there today:

A stream of The Morning Benders 'Excuses' (Golden Filter Remix), the latest Adele clip - what a fantastic song - plus news (and video) of the new Iron & Wine album (so exciting!). Oh, and there's also a Warpaint MP3.

So what are you waiting for? Much as we'd like you to hang around here, get over there and have a look.

See ya!

(Disclaimer: Rhythmethod releases lots of stuff The Label promotes. And we love it!).

Got ya tickets?

2010-11-16T16:44:00.000+13:00

Dukes tour kicking off in two days time.

We'll be there!

Ladi 6 #1 on Indie Chart

2010-11-12T09:26:00.001+13:00

Ladi 6's The Liberation Of... has landed at #1 on the Independent Music NZ Chart. And for that matter, stormed in at #6 on the other chart, ahead of Stan, Rod & Leonard. Big congratulations from your Rhythmethod friends!

Records We Like - Part One

2010-11-09T10:10:00.000+13:00

A strictly limited blue vinyl 12", Last Week is about shit Hombrew did last week. It's out now. Investigate purchasing at vinyl-friendly retailers nationwide.

http://www.youtube.com/user/homebrewcrew

Crackers

2010-11-04T13:43:00.000+13:00

Today, Timeout in the NZ Herald is our friend:

They rather like Swans My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To the Sky and Ladi 6 The Liberation of... AND Devil's Elbow Sand on Chrome.

STAT!

2010-10-01T09:49:00.001+13:00

We're more than a bit pleased to be releasing Perfect Flaws by Black River Drive.

The kids in the warehouse inform us they've used quite a lot of cardboard packaging this one (it being a popular item and everything), readying box-loads for the land of retail in advance of Monday's (4 October) release.

Crunching rock & roll? You bet:

The chicks in the office like this

2010-09-27T20:52:00.000+13:00

RMHQ Weekly Staff Pick

2010-08-30T09:46:00.001+12:00

This week's pick is from Pete, our mighty leader and most inventive sandwich maker to walk the earth...

The xx- xx
"Released late last year, The xx's debut album was a welcome highlight in 2009. Housed in a Saville-esque sleeve, loaded with '80s references and a large chunk of '00s Londontown, this album won me over pretty quickly. It's warm, haunting, sparse and very beautiful. They've been nominated for this year's Mercury Prize and they'd surely get my vote!"

Means

2010-08-23T09:54:00.000+12:00

We've been waiting sooooo long, and now it's here. Street Chant's Means album is out today. In case you didn't know, the band is Emily Littler, Billie Rogers and Alex Brown. They formed in 2007 with Mikey Sperring (now of the Drab Doo Riffs) on drums; and came to the attention of the underground with the pop-grunge nugget Scream Walk, which was on the Real Groove's Awesome Feeling II comp.

Sperring was replaced by Alex, the band changed their name from Mean Street and things really kicked off...

Means (recorded by Bob Frisbee) is released on Arch Hill via us. Today.

A Swamp Pop Journey to Aotearoa!

2010-08-20T16:02:00.000+12:00

Lousiana Legends

LIL' BAND O' GOLD

Bring Swamp-Pop to New Zealand!

Sept. 23 Dunedin - Re-Fuel
Sept. 24 Christchurch - Al’s Bar
Sept. 25 Wellington - San Francisco Bath House
Sept. 26 Auckland - Kings Arms

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM TICKETMASTER, REAL GROOVY (CHRISTCHURCH, WELLINGTON, AUCKLAND), and MARBECKS (DUNEDIN)

Bayou rhythms, rockin’ accordions, heartbreaking voices and great southern storytelling: New Zealand will get a taste of Louisiana’s best musical recipe when swamp-pop supergroup Lil’ Band O’ Gold tours this September.

Meantime, have this free sample:

Can't wait!

O is for....

2010-08-12T09:35:00.001+12:00

OPSHOP!

Congratulations on your #1 album Until the End of Time

From your friends at Rhythmethod.

Pie Sandwiches Anyone?

2010-08-05T12:24:00.000+12:00

When there's a hangover to be dealt to, come see the RM crew for sure-fire winning cures like this:

This delectable Pie Sandwich belongs to the chief and was captured yesterday (the day after a few brews the night before at Band Of Horses).

Mayer Hawthorne + Girls In Bikinis + A Super Soaker = Good Times!

2010-07-27T16:11:00.001+12:00

What? You want more information here? Doesn't the title sum it up perfectly?!!

OK, OK, so this is the new video from Mayer Hawthorne's awesome album A Strange Arrangement, out on Stones Throw. There you go. Now watch the video!

Holy Howl it's a Roofdog Record

2010-07-22T09:26:00.001+12:00

"Who would've thought these bums could actually get their shit together and release a record...and a record that even sounds good! Roofdog are THE band to have at your party and now you can bring the party home, without 4 smelly booze-soaked dudes (and a lovely lady) in tow. Onya Roofdog. It's as comforting and familiar as slipping on ya fave old breakup pants." - Katie, Puppy Killer Records / Chicks That Scream

Roofdog is the self-titled, self-released, full-length debut studio album from this AK-based ska rock reggae five piece. Their sound is guitar driven ska, backed by a relentlessly danceable beat. From the politically conscious lyrics of Drop the Bomb to the dancefloor fave Dance to the Moon, this album delivers 12 tracks of infectious ska.

Go fetch from 26 July.

Wild Bill Ricketts - Mangi Mangi

2010-07-13T11:22:00.001+12:00

All Tied Up

2010-07-10T05:00:00.001+12:00

We're quite casual here at Rhythmethod HQ. No need for suits, it's okay to show your knees, wear jandals or ride your imaginary pony around the warehouse. However, our man who worries the calculator, Gerry the Acccountant we call him, has the best range of ties you've ever seen. These are stylish ties. Enviable ties. Some of them are quite bright and clash with his shirt. In a good way. Just wanted to say thanks for the ties, Gezza.

Intrepid Journeys

2010-06-29T10:04:00.000+12:00

Our fearless Koozer says "HELLO!" from the sunny South of NZ. We miss your mildly annoying ass here in the office, Macrae! Come home soon...

Aloe Blacc v Michael Jackson

2010-06-28T10:23:00.000+12:00

One of the best cover versions of a Michael Jackson song that we've ever heard. Check out Aloe Blacc getting seriously soulful & bluesy on this stripped back version of Billie Jean. His new album, Good Things, also featuring the outstanding single I Need A Dollar, is due to drop in August on Stones Throw.

Hot Chip Friday!

2010-06-25T10:19:00.000+12:00

And - Rhythmethod being an equal opportunity employer - let's not forget it's also Cold Chickpea Salad Friday!

Secondhand Sureshots Film Screening

2010-06-23T16:34:00.000+12:00

Just like it says on the tin: Wed June 23rd at Khuja Lounge, just $5 on the door, from 8.30pm...

Screening the awesome Secondhand Sureshots film & DJ support from Scratch 22... wrap your listening gears around it! Big thanks to J & Morgan for setting up the THIS CULTURE film series.

Propers!

Forthcoming Seu Jorge album

2010-06-23T11:19:00.000+12:00

OK, so we're pretty excited about this one! The Brazilian actor Seu Jorge has an album forthcoming on Now Again Records, due for release in July. There's a fantastic cover of Roy Ayers' Everybody Loves The Sunshine, alongside some incredible music - take a click over here to find out a little more & take a listen to some soundclips.

If you don't know who Seu Jorge is, ask your Brazilian friends! This is music to make you smile on these wintry days...

Label Love

2010-06-23T11:06:00.001+12:00

Just a quick recommendation for you to point your mouse at this to check out/download for FREE a 14-track compilation featuring artists from Tru Thoughts, Ubiquity, Now Again, plus Fania, Bastard Jazz, ESL & Plug Research! Tu meke!

New Belleruche video

2010-06-21T11:07:00.000+12:00

Clockwatching is the first single to be lifted from the new Belleruche album, forthcoming on Tru Thoughts. This talented 3-piece have been lifting eyebrows & feet in the RM office since their debut Turntable Soul Music - so we're definitely looking forward to checking the album when it drops!

In the meantime, enjoy this clip & another wicked groove from Belleruche.

RMHQ Weekly Staff Pick

2010-06-18T09:41:00.002+12:00

TALK NORMAL - Sugarland
Label: Rare Book Room

Sandra says: "Months on from release this record is still making a big racket in my world".
We all say: you should watch this clip for In A Strangeland cos it's pretty darn great.

Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar - Video

2010-06-14T16:32:00.000+12:00

Great track. Firm downstairs favourite here at RMHQ. Have you heard it yet? Should've. Great video too. Impressive. Have you seen it yet? You're in luck... Aloe Blacc is a LA-native who's about to release his 2nd album for Stones Throw, entitled Good Things, sometime in August or September. For now we have to make do with the video from the lead single, I Need A Dollar, & the promise of more, er good things to come...

RMHQ Weekly Staff Pick

2010-06-02T11:01:00.001+12:00

Our "Man on the Street", Lio, selects one of his favourite albums of the moment...this week it is:

THE LIL' BAND O' GOLD - The Promised Land

"Some good friends of mine gave me the heads up on this 9-piece Cajun Swamp pop group before we released this album and I'm mighty glad they did! The Promised Land is the soundtrack to the documentary (that hopefully gets a DVD release here) The Promised Land: A Swamp Pop Journey. It's heartfelt music from down Louisiana way, and is best enjoyed with some cold beers and good company. A quote from the doco sums the sound up for me nicely - "White guys, playing Black music, damn good"."

Muddy Water

2010-06-01T13:45:00.001+12:00

And we thought flood was yet another pallet of classical CDs for Ode Records.

This was the view from our front door a couple of hours ago.
Owner of car swore impressively.

Not Arse

2010-05-21T22:21:00.001+12:00

Record of the week: CX Kidtronik Black Girl, White Girl. Kidtronik had the Big Girl, Skinny Girl anthem on the Stones Throw 2K8 soundtrack. This piece is limited to 1000 copies worldwide, and comes with a CD. Best show the other (A) side too:

Album forthcoming.

....................

We're liking the latest from Hardly Art: the Unnatural Helpers album Cracked Love and Other Drugs. 15 songs, 25 minutes. Rockin.

....................

Here at Rhythmethod we enjoy a good reissue.

So we decided to release some:

Spacemen 3 - Sound of Confusion

Originally issued in 1986, this is the debut

Jawbreaker - Unfun

The 20th anniversary edition of their 1990 debut

Claude Von Stroke - Beware of the Bird

Collects the original 2006 album and remixes which followed

Michael Hurley - Armchair Boogie

Back in print! Reissue of the 1971 album with new back cover

.....................

And Friday just wouldn't be Friday unless we were eating. Not just any old takeaway slop day either. This was Fair Trade Friday. We started changing the world one cup at a time.

Fair Trade coffee and chocolate, fruit and...carrot sticks? Hang on, what about these bad boys:

That Mr P Baker, he's a great cook.

The Death of Hot Chip Friday

2010-05-14T22:01:00.001+12:00

Just when we thought we had one of those traditions going someone went and bought a bloody pizza. We still had sauce with it though.

We've been well-fed this week. The upstairs salad and potato chip binge continued. Broke out the cheese and bread midweek. Didn't lack for wine either. The Ode contingent served themselves homemade leek & potato soup. The mocking continued for days. (They know you're just jealous sales guy. Parp! Sick of those baked beans yet?). And we discovered there was a giant mouse in the house. Best keep an eye on that cheese...

Records? One or two good ones kicking about:

The National - High Violet
Yes, indeed worthy of another mention. Rog reckons it sounds like The Boss, and that's more than ok.

Holy Fuck - Latin
Psyched out and loop-heavy, and shit, look at that die-cut cover on the vinyl, and the CD, but the vinyl is just that much bigger and cooler.

The New Pornographers - Together
AC Newman and co joined by Zach Condon of Beirut, Annie St Vincent Clark and Will Sheff of Okkervil River? Yes please.

The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever
Well, it's that The Boss thing again, alright.

Unkle - Where Did the Night Fall
And you thought there were heaps of guests on the New Pornographers album?

Humphreys & Keen - The Overflow
NOW ON VINYL!

Nightchoir - 24 Hours of Night
Their debut on famed local label 1157, this is one beautiful record.

Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
Debut for this LA bunch, out on Sub Pop, hype a-plenty, we believe it.

Madlib - Medicine Show #4 The 420 Chalice All Stars aka Son of Super Ape
79 minutes of all Jamaican sounds, special artworks, this is Madlib's fourth album in the one-a-month compilation/original release schedule for 2010. Getting excited about #5 already...

Various Artists - Auteur Labels: Robs Records
Plucked from the catalogue of outstanding UK label LTM Recordings, this is Mr P. Baker's album of the week. It's Rob's label. Rob Gretton. You know, Factory, the Hacienda, Manchester, the 80s....

Would You Like Tomato Sauce With That?

2010-05-08T17:13:00.001+12:00

Thanks Alligators for the crispiest chips and the giant bits of fish.

Too far to walk to for even for the fittest and speediest amongst us, so on ya sales guy for hooning down the road and rescuing us from a barely-warm-chip Friday.

Thanks also to Rog for the leftover booze, some tasty drops indeed. No thanks to the soggy donuts for pudding though. Maybe some lamingtons next time? But you made up for it with the homemade tomato sauce. Beats NZ's favourite by about seven million miles.

Our Friday wasn't all greasy wrappings, crumbs of batter and empties though. Got a shipment in, and round here it's always a race to be first to open the boxes. Inside we found...records. Lots and lots of vinyl. Of the reissue variety. These will be appearing on a release sheet soon:

The Dead C - Clyma Est Mort / Tentative Power

Reissued by Jagjaguwar/Ba Da Bing, the sticker says Clyma "was recorded live in the band's practice room in 1992 to an audience of one - and released as a "fake bootleg" - it is the real-est album of the Dead C's long career". This double gatefold comes with Tentative Power, a bonus 12" with seven extra tracks from contemporary singles and out-takes. And since that stuff's never been on CD, they put one of those in too.

The Dead C - The Dead Sea Perform M Harris

Stealing from the sticker again: "First ever recordings by the Dead C from 1987, made in their first month of existence. Two epic versions of Max Harris that will screw your head to the floor. Released as a cassette in an edition of 21 and subsequently never available together as originally intended, this is the first vinyl release of these historic tracks". Has one of those digital download thingys too.

We also found some items from decent reissue label Drastic Plastic:

The Meatmen - War of the Superbikes: "One of the great summer albums of all time" say our friends at Revolver USA.

Agent Orange - Living In Darkness: "The greatest skate-punk record of all time" say the Drastic people.

Crispy Ambulance - Plateau Phase: "Their best record" says their biggest fan P. Baker.

Exploited - Punk's Not Dead: "The album earnestly delivers one of the great, sincere and authentic performances in its genre, projected the Oi! movement forward with fangs and aplomb." (thanks, again, Revolver).

These Drastic Plastic releases are all 180 gram limited editions.

And an album from office favourite Michael Hurley turned up. Armchair Boogie was originally released in 1971, and this re-mastered version is via Mississippi Records.

That was just the first box friends.

Good listening times ahead...

Hot Chip Friday!

2010-05-01T09:27:00.001+12:00

Today's hot chips came from our closest fish and chippery. We like this one. Walkable, quick, not too greasy, generous portions.

The soundtrack to this Hot Chip Friday:

Katie, screaming for the lost Gooch while High on Fire.

Lu not eating hot chips but liking Surfer Blood.

Jo wrestling with cardboard packaging all day to bFM.

Pete & Sandra fighting over the ideal box to ship that order in with the new National album "High Violet" blaring.

For Rog it's been all about Mr Corelli in London. Maurice Steger plays mean recorder.

Gerry's day included The Hilliard Ensemble.

And Dave's been stuck in his room with a pile of unsolicited demos.

(Lio was on the road so we imagined his lunch was a lonely panini at the mall food court with piped background muzak...)

Don't Call It Yob Music

2010-03-08T19:52:00.001+13:00

Scott Kara likes Megasus.
And we do too.

Soon Come Wooden Shjips

2010-02-10T17:14:00.001+13:00

Well it's been quite some time. No excuses really.

Right now we are particularly excited about the Wooden Shjips playing Auckland on 13 March at Whammy, and Wellington on 14 March at Bodega.

And there's a new record coming. Released here on 1 March via Sick Thirst, Vol. 2 digs deep to collect the band's Sup Pop and Mexican Summer singles, a track from Yeti Magazine, plus some live tracks. 44 minutes of fuzzed-out psych jams.

Meantime, check the clip for Motorbike from previous album Dos.

Cosmic bliss.

See you at the show.

2009-12-01T16:13:00.000+13:00

On the first day of December I bought;

DAD: Mayer Hawthorne ‘A Strange Arrangement’ Mayer's debut track “Just Ain't Gonna Work Out” premiered on Giles Peterson's Best of 2008 (BBC Radio 1) which led him to announce “One of the biggest records of 2009!” Mark Ronson picked it up for his show, saying “I have no idea what this is, old or new, but it's fucking good!” Justin Timberlake soon got on board “Ever heard Mayer Hawthorne? No? Well, let’s fix that.” "Best album I've Heard This Year": Lily Allen & Chas Smash (Madness). #14 on Mojo’s 50 Best Albums of 2009.

Check out Mayer Hawthorne's debut track “Just Ain't Gonna Work Out” here:

MUM: ‘Merry Christmas Baby!’ It’s a Christmas album with proceeds going to Plunket. Featuring Nathan King, Jordan Luck, Jackie Clark, Opshop and more!

Check out the website for more information on the project and the artists: :here

MYSELF: James Blackshaw 'The Glass Bead Game' The solo 12-string guitar master creates his most exquisite, euphoric records to date. "The Glass Bead Game is one of the year's best and most beautiful releases to date" - Scott Kara (NZ Herald) 5 Stars.

Check out the video for "Cross" :here

These albums are available to purchase now in all good record stores and online.

***There will be an email a day for 10 days with more fantastic gift ideas for Christmas, so please forward this email on to friends and family.***

STAY SUBSCRIBED TO BE IN TO WIN!!!

Vote! Vote! Vote!

2009-09-15T15:18:00.000+12:00

The following are Rhythmethod's nominated artists in the running to win the Vodafone Peoples Choice Award: Fat Freddys Drop & The Black Seeds To vote either - TXT - txt ARTISTS NAME to 787, you'll receive a voice message from the art...ist. PXT, Pxt your face with the artists name in the text space to 787. You'll receive a video message from the artist. ONLINE, go to www.vmusic.co.nz to register to vote.

2009-08-20T10:16:00.001+12:00

2 Fantastic NZ Herald reviews: Miike Snow & The Opensouls:

Ch-ch-heck em out!

Check out the video for some 'real' dutty wine!!!

2009-08-14T17:32:00.000+12:00

Check out the video for some ‘real’ dutty wine!!!

Rhythmethodnz <3's Marianne

2009-08-14T17:29:00.000+12:00

Rhythmethodnz <3's Marianne

marianne-dissard

People get ready, It's time to Rcoksteady

2009-08-05T15:14:00.000+12:00

Rocksteady 'The Roots of Reggae'
Label: Moll-Selekta / Rhythmethod
Release Date: Coming Soon!

Recorded in April 2008 at Tuff Gong Studio, Kingston, Jamaica in connection with the wonderful documentary film “Rocksteady – The Roots Of Reggae”

For more information visit: www.rocksteadyrootsofreggae.com OR www.moll-selekta.com

In the style of Wim Wenders' Buena Vista Social Club, Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae reunites some of the old-timers behind those great records to revisit their hits in the studio and, ultimately, to perform a live show. It's a fascinating look at the times, but what keeps one coming back to this film, and its excellent soundtrack, is the music…

Check out the trailer for the film here

Rocksteady the album shares its title with the wonderful film, a heartwarming homage to the golden age of rocksteady. It documents the recordings being made for this very album at the Tuff Gong studios, Kingston, Jamaica in April 2008, telling the story of the original vocalists and musicians involved. Excerpts from an all star reunion concert staged in Kingston and older archive material complete the picture. Never before in the history of Jamaica, which already occupies a unique place on the world map of song, its sound embraced by western popular music, has such an illustrious collection of singers and players been assembled.

The album showcases 15 rocksteady classics in sparkling, deeply inspired new versions, recorded in the studio which also played host to album sessions of a certain Bob Marley. Under the musical direction of Ernest Ranglin, a guitarist of considerable renown not only on the reggae circuit, but also on the jazz scene, mixed by legendary engineer Errol Brown – in Duke Reid’s employ at the Treasure Isle studio in the sixties – and freshly arranged by Lynn Taitt, each of the new versions was recorded using authentic instruments to capture the true rocksteady style. Lynn Taitt – alongside Ernest Ranglin the most famous guitarist and bandleader in 1960s Jamaica, was actually penciled in to direct proceedings, but had to withdraw for health reasons.

In the context of Jamaican musical history, Rocksteady enjoyed a relatively brief, two to three year spell in the limelight, taking over from the faster-paced, predominantly instrumental ska sound of the early part of the decade and laying the foundation for reggae to come with its emphasis on bass, more intricate melodies and by bringing singers and vocal trios to the fore. Between 1966 -1968, an unprecedented, and unrepeated, proliferation of marvellous songs moved many fans to call this the golden age.

Perhaps the show will take to the road, following in the footsteps of the Buena Vista Social Club, whose renaissance and the accompanying resurgence of interest in Cuban music owed much to a cinematic portrait by Wim Wenders. This wonderful musical style from Jamaica and the great personalities behind it would certainly be deserving of similar belated recognition.

A historical and essential work in every respect, guaranteed to sweeten the summer for reggae fans everywhere and hopefully opening a door onto Jamaican musical history for a whole host of other listeners.

The CD come in a special 8-page digipack with 15 new recordings of old classics many photos of all the artists and a 16 page booklet containing extensive liner notes by the American music journalist Chuck Foster, who takes a closer look at the rocksteady years. Detailed background on each song and its performers rounds off the package.

TRACKLISTING:

LEROY SIBBLES: People Rocksteady

HOPETOWN LEWIS: Sounds & Pressure

JUDY MOWATT: Silent River Runs Deep

U-ROY: Stop That Train

KEN BOOTHE: Freedom Street

DERRICK MORGAN: Tougher Than Tough

DAWN PENN: You Don’t Love Me (No No No)

STRANGER COLE FEAT. GLADSTONE ANDERSON: Love Me Today

HOPETOWN LEWIS: Rivers Of Babylon

KEN BOOTHE: Shanty Town (007)

MARCIA GRIFFITHS: Tide Is High

LEROY SIBBLES: Equal Rights

DERRICK MORGAN: Conquering Ruler

HOPETOWN LEWIS: Take It Easy

LYNN TAITT: Bog Walk

"Smokin' On That Grandaddy"

2009-08-03T11:40:00.000+12:00

Just check this out. Please. It's priceless.

Mayer Hawthorne LIVE with members of The Roots!

2009-07-28T09:32:00.001+12:00

The hype continues to build for Mayer Hawthorne & his forthcoming album, A Strange Arrangement, due out on Stones Throw Records early in September...

Check this video for a recent performance by Mayer in NYC with members of The Roots band.

Dope.

Sa-Ra Creative Partners

2009-07-23T14:17:00.001+12:00

One of the most hotly tipped & sincally adventurous releases of 2009 is turning heads everywhere, right now. We implore you to check out Sa-Ra Creative Partners' new album Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love. Your ears will seriously thank you for it...

Paul Simon & Friends

2009-07-08T13:34:00.000+12:00

This youtube link gives you an idea of how remarkable this experience is for all S & G fans (and elmo and grover too)

Paul Simon & Friends
Title: The Library Of Congress
Release Date: 6th July 2009

In May of 2007 the Library of Congress gathered an unprecedented group of musicians together in Washington, D.C., to honor Paul Simon as the first recipient of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Alison Krauss, Stevie Wonder, Lyle Lovett, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Marc Anthony, Art Garfunkel and a host of others joined Paul onstage in a multicultural tribute to the music of a great American artist and a great American art form.

This gala event, called "the greatest night of popular music ever presented in our nation's capital," was beautifully filmed and captured with stunning 5.1 Surround Sound for a truly pure concert experience.

Our boy JT on Mayer Hawthorne

2009-07-08T13:28:00.000+12:00

Our boy JT on Mayer Hawthorne

Earning fans one note at a time...

Dutty Wine!

2009-06-16T16:32:00.000+12:00

New Major Lazer 'Guns Don't Kill People... LAZERS DO' out soon through Rhythmethod - Brilliant!

To prepare ourselves for this release we have been doing some reasearch on Dutty Wine and strumbled across this gem,
Beware of the dangers of Dutty Wine

Enjoy! And keep your eyes open for Major Lazer 'Guns Don't Kill People... LAZERS DO'

Panama! 2

2009-06-15T10:10:00.000+12:00

Rainy days getting you down? Threat of A/H1N1 keeping you indoors? Talk of the recession tightening your belt? Well, you need to dance.

Check this outstanding mix from DJ Beto aka Roberto Ernesto Guymant, the man who - alongside Soundway label founder Miles Cleret - compiled the remarkable & recently released Panama! 2 compilation.

Dancing yet?

El Traducir de Quantic!

2009-06-10T15:23:00.000+12:00

Aye carumba! We're getting all hot under the collars about the forthcoming album from the incredibly prolific, globe-trotting musician, producer & DJ Will Holland aka Quantic, Tradition In Transition.

Will has been living in Cali, Columbia for the last few years, where he recorded the exceptional Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno album, Death Of The Revolution.

In that time he has also been assembling a brand new band, which he has dubbed Quantic & His Combo Barbaro (translating almost literally as "Band Of Barbarians").

The album is due for release 6th July, but in the meantime there's a whole bunch of cool stuff about the making of the album, a short film with photography from B+ & tunes from Tradition In Transition you can check out right here:

Tradition in Transition: A Postcard from Cali (TRAILER) from Quantic on Vimeo.

And keep your ears peeled for details of a NZ launch party for the album...

More Mayer Hawthorne News!

2009-06-10T15:14:00.001+12:00

RMHQ is delighted to pass on news of the forthcoming debut album from Stones Throw's much hyped new signing Mayer Hawthorne.

The album, titled A Strange Arrangement, is due for release 9th September worldwide. We've got a couple of copies of his outstanding red heart-shaped vinyl Just Ain't Gonna Work Out in stock & will be landing the new 12" Maybe So, Maybe No very soon.

Oh & check THIS out for old school smooth...

2009-06-10T11:23:00.000+12:00

Check out Duncs blog on Doms new video
Go Duncan Grieve!!!

Hold You Close

2009-06-10T11:18:00.000+12:00

Check out the old school video for Hold You Close , the gorgeous new
Opensouls single.

....

2009-06-09T17:32:00.001+12:00

State Of Mind - Kinetic - new video!

2009-06-09T17:24:00.000+12:00

Meant to post this last week but got drunk and forgot...so here it is now, enjoy! State Of Mind feat Tiki - Kinetic

The Mans a genius!!!

2009-06-02T15:39:00.000+12:00

This is the music video to the 2nd single off Tourettes album "Who Said You Can't Dance To Misery?" It features Jay Roacher, Lubin Rains, and Producer Scratch 22. It was filmed in and around Auckland over 3 days. It is filmed on the Sony EX3 with a Canon 58mm lens and on the Sony PD170.

THE BLOODIEST MUSIC VIDEO EVER

2009-05-22T12:02:00.001+12:00

North Carolina's WRETCHED came up with a video that is so heinous, gory and unsettling that it would make Lucio Fulci and Eli Roth cry themselves to sleep. With Director Scott Hansen at the helm, WRETCHED's A Preservation of Immortality has proudly claimed the title of "The Bloodiest Music Video Ever." After 72 hours of cleaning off fake blood and guts and spending days locked inside an editing room, WRETCHED is proud to unleash this horrific accomplishment at last. This video is not for the weak-stomached or the faint of heart, but if you are up to the challenge it can now be viewed at The Bloodiest Music Video Ever Watch now, if you dare, and be repulsed by the Bloodiest Music Video Ever!

Shakin' All Over

2009-05-15T13:15:00.001+12:00

And from one of our latest favourites...

Eilen Jewell's “Sea of Tears seems sparked by a crush, a new old-soulmate called early rock 'n' roll... This is a must for anyone that’s every mooned over a sensitive folkie.

Have a look at the new video for the single "Shakin' All Over"

The Horrors

2009-05-14T13:03:00.001+12:00

Check out the video for Who Can Say by the Horrors. And afterwards do yourself a favour and buy their fantastic new album 'Primary Colours'.

Tourettes Dances To Misery on 2nd album

2009-05-11T11:15:00.001+12:00

Watch Tourettes, aka Dominic Hoey chat to Nightlines David Farrier at Bodyshots, a successful Auckland business built on transforming average women into sensuous bombshells Here

Did anyone else read Tourettes' interview in the latest Real Groove!?

New Sonic Youth Album!?

2009-05-07T15:59:00.001+12:00

OK, it's not music. But it IS topical!

2009-05-05T17:02:00.000+12:00

Never let it be said that we at RMHQ don't care for our reading public! We've just been alerted to a rather sobering piece of news which we thought we should pass on.

And if it isn't true, hell, it sure deserves to be.

Can We Still Say Shizzle? (As in: "This is the...")

2009-05-04T14:18:00.000+12:00

It's only Monday, sure, but could this be the best new video of the week?

Yes. Yes, it could.

Stonephace PODCAST from Tru Thoughts

2009-05-01T11:41:00.000+12:00

Check out the brand new Tru Thoughts podcast, a psychedelic journey through the epic debut album from Stonephace. That name may be unfamiliar, but how about these names: Larry Stabbins from Working Week & Adrian Utley from Portishead?

These gents are behind the Stonephace project & whether you're a forward-thinking jazz cat or an old school head, we reckon this album will tickle yer tastebuds.

The Ode Blog

2009-05-01T09:32:00.001+12:00

Man, this blogging thing is great. We should have got onto it years ago!
Check out this Ode lovin' blog we found from across the ditch...

Watch This Space!

2009-04-30T16:10:00.001+12:00

From today's 'New Zealand Herald'

MURDERCHORD
For every 1000 bands who claim their music defies definition, there is one that actually does. Perhaps the only way to sum up Auckland band Murderchord is to say they are piano-burning zombies. Think of the vampire rock opera scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall ... They're really very good.

kick off music month with some murderchord.

2009-04-29T14:27:00.001+12:00

Cobra Khan 'Liquid Separation' - YUMMY!!!

2009-04-29T12:27:00.002+12:00

MAYER HAWTHORNE JUST AINT GONNA WORK OUT VIDEO

2009-04-29T11:48:00.000+12:00

MAYER HAWTHORNE
JUST AINT GONNA WORK OUT VIDEO
Directed by Henry DeMaio, Mayer Hawthorne in his first video, where the hero does not get the girl. Premiering on Stonesthrow.com and pitchfork.tv

Testing, Testing... Is This Thing Working?!!

2009-04-28T12:47:00.000+12:00

Well, hello! Thanks for dropping by. We appreciate it. No, really, we do! Problem is, these are early days & we haven't even posted anything here yet. We will, though. Promise! And it'll be choice. Really, really choice...