Alan Broadbent (born April 23, 1947 in Auckland, New Zealand), is a jazz pianist, arranger and composer most notable for his work with artists such as Woody Herman, Diane Schuur, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Charlie Haden, Warne Marsh, Bud Shank, and many others. He studied piano and music theory in his own country, but in the 1960s came to the US to study at the Berklee College of Music.
French for Rabbits are a dreamy alt-folk duo from Wellington, New Zealand. Their songs, often awash in nautically themed language, tell delicate stories of longing and regret. For the uninitiated, their music is reminiscent of dream-folk troubadours Marissa Nadler and Alela Diane or perhaps an acoustic Mazzy Star. Brooke Singer, who previously played in the much-loved Ragamuffin Children folk band and the shoegaze outfit The O’Lovelys, and jazz guitarist John Fitzgerald, formed the duo in 2011 after they both graduated from university.
The Stones - named cheekily after The Rolling Stones - were a band from Dunedin in New Zealand. One of the earliest bands to record on the Flying Nun label, they helped form the style of music known as the Dunedin Sound. The Stones split up not long after its release, although all members of the band went on to success in other local bands. Most important of these was Wayne Elsey's time in The DoubleHappys, a band which itself led to the formation of Straitjacket Fits.
Crocodiles is the name of more than one musical group. (For the group from New Zealand, see The Crocodiles.) 1) Crocodiles are a two-piece from San Diego, USA formed in 2008 playing lo-fi new wave, featuring former members of The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower. So far they have released a 7" on Zoo Music, and have two forthcoming split 7"s with a number of artists plus an LP entitled 'Summer of Hate'.
Hard to describe rock and roll band from New Zealand, moved to Melbourne, Australia, and now hopefully on to bigger and better things in London, England. Their music is a quasi-grunge, at times droning, atonal mess of heavily distorted guitars with the occasional tender, almost fragile, near-acoustic sound making it through the turbulence. Contender for the least pretentious band on earth and a powerhouse live.
The Ruby Suns are an indie/pop group from New Zealand. They formed in 2004 when Californian Ryan McPhun moved to Auckland and started playing in several bands such as The Brunettes and The Tokey Tones. Originally known as Ryan McPhun & the Ruby Suns, they reverted to the latter some time in 2006. The Ruby Suns are signed to Lil' Chief Records in New Zealand and Memphis Industries in Britain. In early 2007 the band embarked on their first European tour in support of their self-titled debut album.
Hayley Dee Westenra (born 10 April 1987 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is a New Zealand soprano of Irish heritage. Her first internationally released album, Pure, reached #1 on the UK classical charts in 2003 and has sold more than two million copies worldwide. Westenra has received awards for her contribution to music, both in New Zealand and elsewhere. Pure is the fastest-selling international début classical album to date, and Westenra became an international star, aged 16, when the first of her international albums were released.
The Joint is a weekly radio show broadcasting on rdu 98.5FM in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Herb Whisperer, Fraserhead and assorted guests play a super dope mashed up blend of hip hop, house, dub, rock and all sorts of things in between. The Joint is also the name of a easy listening band from Lebanon, CT.
Kids of 88 are a Psychedelic New Wave duo from Auckland, New Zealand signed to independent label Dryden Street. Formed in 2008 by friends of ten years Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy, Kids of 88 are best known for their single My House which reached number one on the RIANZ charts. Their new single, Just A Little Bit, debuted at #13 on the chart. They released their first album entitled "Sugarpills" on August 16, 2010.