Purple Pilgrims’ dream-pop is reminiscent of Sonic Youth and Kate Bush, with some cocteau Twins influences added in. Hailing from Tapu on North Island, their sisters make up Purple Pilgrims.
House music‘s energetic nightclub beats quickly became mainstream at the start of the 90s in New Zealand, prompting dance clubs and big synth pop bands to tour nationwide.
Purple Pilgrims
Clementine and Valentine Adams of Christchurch know all too well the meaning of “pilgrim”, both as a religious term and also a metaphor for travelers seeking spiritual and musical adventure around the globe. Whatever interpretation you use, these sisters from Christchurch certainly embodied this meaning with gusto: when not holed up in their Coromandel hut they could be found touring abroad to perform support shows with Aldous Harding, Weyes Blood or John Maus!
Purple Pilgrims hailing from Tapu, a coastal hamlet in northern New Zealand, create music with an otherworldly quality. If you’re searching for an act combining Kate Bush, Sonic Youth and Cocteau Twins sounds, look no further than these talented siblings!
Perfumed Earth was released by Flying Nun Records in 2014 and features dream pop, avant garde and ambient styles that showcase this duo’s distinctive sound.
No matter how diverse their music may be, all its various pieces are held together by beautiful harmonies and incantatory voices of sister Alexis War. Gary War’s expert production further expands their sound into an expansive world where their delicate yet hypnotic vocals linger above waves of exotic abstraction and spectral guitar.
New Zealand-inspired album floating along on a sea of serene beauty, perfect for road trips and hikes in its breathtaking wilderness. And the best part? You can listen for free on their website! But if you enjoy listening to it so much that you want to support its production by making even small donations such as $5 – every little helps us continue delivering such content to you! Thank you so much!
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Unknown Mortal Orchestra are one of New Zealand’s most inventive sonic experimenters. On their initial two albums, their sound explored elements of psych-rock, lo-fi and even some folk and prog. Third album Multi-Love took an unconventional funk approach before their fourth record Sex & Food explored minimalism more inwardly focused minimalism.
Ruban Nielson, the band’s lead singer, sports an eye tattooed on his throat chakra — commonly associated with communication – but doesn’t consider himself to be hippy-ish, having lived in a midwife yurt and taking an unorthodox approach to managing his life that saw him sign a record deal on napkin at bar.
Nielson first gained international acclaim with the release of “Ffunny Ffrends” via an anonymous Bandcamp account in 2010. This song’s unique blend of lo-fi psych guitar and funky drums epitomised Nielson’s pursuit of musical freedom since that day.
He continued in this vein with 2013 EP Blue Record, recorded to just one microphone in his basement. 2014 saw the creation of his next album Multi-Love; although Jagjaguwar provided him with enough funds for studio recording sessions, instead opting to record at home using homemade synthesizers and recording gear from home.
With his brother Kody on drums, Jacob Portrait as bassist and production, and their dad Chris adding occasional saxophone contributions – the album created an eclectic blend that was both lively and thought provoking, reflecting Nielson’s romantic journey at that time.
UMO will not be the only noteworthy local act performing at this festival; other acts include Auckland yacht-rock five-piece Leisure, who recently won a VNZMA for best male solo artist; hip hop duo SWIDT who combine local rhymes with world-class production; and neo-soul songstress MAALA.
Tant Hosford
As the 1990s closed out, electronic music in New Zealand experienced an exciting flourishing. DJs filled clubs around the country while dance music had become a household name thanks to an explosion of homegrown producers. Yet despite all this buzz and releases coming from local artists alone, one thing was missing – most songs weren’t actually made here! Reliable Recordings soon addressed this shortcoming by offering ambient soundscapes and experimental house releases under their umbrella label.
In 1992, the label issued its inaugural release: an album by The Unknown Mortal Orchestra called The Dreams of Trees. This dreamy piece uses waterfalls and birdsong to create an ethereal ambience; perfect for creating the right atmosphere during a hike through New Zealand’s Central Otago Lakes region or driving across its expansive borders.
Clementine and Valentine Nixon from Tapu in Hawke’s Bay region on the North Island’s Hawke’s Bay of the North Island make up this version of the band, who make soothing dream-pop music that exudes nostalgia, joy, and romance – no doubt why their video clips have received millions of views and they remain one of the most renowned acts on this list!
Connan Tant Hosford, better known by his stage name Connan Mockasin, is a New Zealand musician known for crafting jazzy, ’70s-influenced soft rock and avant-garde conceptual projects. Mockasin began his musical journey as leader of quirky psych outfit Connan and the Mockasins which gained some renown – even earning them a short contract with EMI’s Regal Records before eventually exploring other creative avenues with solo work.
Mockasin’s debut LP, Forever Dolphin Love, serves as an introduction to his strange and magical world. Critical praise has come pouring in from notable critics including David Byrne and Johnny Marr of The Smiths; Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes from Blood Orange; Charlotte Gainsbourg among many more.
Vanessa Worm
The Naked and Famous are an indie electronic music band from New Zealand. Established in 2007, when Thom Powers and Alisa Xayalith, both students at Auckland’s MAINZ music college, began recording together they later released two EPs: This Machine and No Light. Their name derives from English musician Tricky’s song of the same name which explores celebrity in general terms; now based out of Wellington they have performed internationally as well.
Purple Pilgrims’ dream-pop and Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s psychedelic rock are two examples of electronic music found here, yet this genre remains relatively in its infancy. Many bands are currently experimenting with soundscapes and ambient electronic music – an example is The Naked and Famous who use samples of waterfalls or nature sounds in their music for an experiential yet meditative listening experience that could become very popular here in New Zealand.
Electronic music in New Zealand has deep roots. Contemporary classical composer Douglas Lilburn founded an electro-acoustic centre in Wellington during the 1960s; early Moog synths and early synths can be found on prog-rock records from the 70s; Ultravox, The Human League and Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark all found a way into New Zealand charts with synth-driven pop music during the mid 80s.
Kog Records was an iconic Kiwi label founded by DJ and producer Roger Perry that provided many Kiwi club classics during the 90s, such as those by P-Money, Mark de Clive Lowe and Scribe. Additionally two further releases by Reliable label also appeared during that era.
JD Twitch’s receipt of Vanessa Worm’s demo caused quite a buzz at his Glaswegian imprint’s Optimo Music HQ in Glasgow. Worm’s 2019 debut Z Time cemented her place within the team and marked an invaluable partnership between herself, JD, Optimo Music and her homeland New Zealand.