Conch Records

Date

March 27 2013

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GIG: Bilal (US) @ The Powerstation - Thur 2nd May

Written By 1 - March 27 2013

Tickets Available Here

On Thursday the 2nd of May, contemporary American soul/jazz fusionist Bilal makes his awaited New Zealand debut at The Powerstation in Auckland.

A singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, since the 2001 release of his debut album First Born Second, Bilal has drawn steady praise from music fans, fellow musicians and critics across the globe. Along the way he's collaborated with numerous profile names in the hip-hop and modern RnB world including Dr Dre, J-Dilla, Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Beyonce, Common, Ghostface Killah, Mos Def and The Game.

After an extended series of record label battles and album internet leaks, Bilal returned in 2010 with Airtight Revenge, which was nominated for the Grammy Awards, and again earlier this year with his third album, A Love Surreal. Building on the soul'n'jazz of his debut, Bilal folded rock, electronica and blues into the mix, leading to works loved and lauded. In the process he comfortably reasserted his position alongside the likes of The Roots, Erykah Badu and Prince as an artistic soul well ahead of the pack.

Live, Bilal will be joined by in concert his full band, an occurrence which for his loyal New Zealand fans, promises to be a pure watershed moment.

Bilal will be joined by an opening set from mercurial Auckland hip-hop/soul collective @Peace. Riding high off recent national touring, a nomination for the 2013 Taite Music Prize and the dual #1 debut of their Girl Songs EP on iTunes and Bandcamp, these talents will set the night off the right way.

Date

March 26 2013

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GIG: Bobby Womack, Sat 18th May @ The Civic

Written By 1 - March 26 2013

Tickets Available Here

He was there at the beginning and he’s still here. Bobby Womack is a soul survivor. Fifty years ago he helped out a struggling R&B band from London score their first hit with a song he wrote. The band…The Rolling Stones, the song…It’s All Over Now.

In 2010 help helped another English band. This time it was Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz. That’s Bobby Womack’s distinctive vocal on Stylo, one of the stand-out tracks from Plastic Beach.

The Stones returned the favour in 1975 when they hired Womack to open their 1975 American tour. Daman Albarn reciprocated by co-producing Bobby Womack’s “comeback” album, 2012’s The Bravest Man In The Universe.

It’s been that kind of career for the R&B innovator. He has played guitar on dozens on sessions (Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley), written hits for the likes of Wilson Pickett and The J. Geils Band, and, of course, The Stones and laid down his own brand of down-home soul on solo hits like That’s The Way I Feel About Cha, Woman’s Gotta Have It and Harry Hippie.

Let’s not forget he started out working with the legendary Sam Cooke who produced Bobby and his brothers when they were known as The Valentinos. Oh, and he also helped give birth to modern funk by sitting in with Sly & The Family Stone on their ground-breaking album, There’s A Riot Goin’ On.

That would usually be enough for one artist, but Bobby Womack isn’t done just yet. His latest album, due out soon, is tellingly titled The Best Is Yet To Come. And the best is on his way to New Zealand . Bobby Womack is bringing 50 years of rhythm & blues to the stage with a voice that was recently described in a London concert review as “magnificent”. That show found Womack playing his classic soul jams alongside the edgier electronica of The Bravest Man In The Universe.

What he will perform in New Zealand is anyone’s guess, but one thing is for sure, it will be dripping with soul. Be sure to catch this legend while you can, it may be your last chance.

More information: 

Date

March 26 2013

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GIG: A$AP ROCKY - TUE 25th JUNE

Written By 1 - March 26 2013

Tickets Available Here

Following hot on the heels of sold out tours by Kendrick Lamar, Tyga, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and the announcement of the Nas co-curated Movement Festival, Niche, Live Nation & Muchmore Music are proud to present the debut New Zealand tour of one of the hottest properties in Rap right now, A$AP Rocky. Released in January this year, his top #10 NZ Top 40 debut album -LongLiveA$AP - defies categorisation, standing out amongst the pack as thedocument of where Rap and Hip Hop culture is headed. A blurry mix of lyricism, slowed down rave synths and featuring a star studded line-up of guests including Florence Welch, Santigold, Skrillex and rap contemporaries Kendrick Lamar, Drake, 2 Chainz and more, LongLiveA$AP is unavoidable in the clubs and on the street. LongLiveA$AP is adorned by production from long time collaborators including Clams Casino and Hit Boy, and features the breakthrough single Goldie which was easily one of 2012’s biggest club hits. Watch the video for Goldie (first video on right) and his most recent performance on Late Night With David Letterman (second video on right). In 2007 the Harlem born and bred rapper, Rocky, assembled his A$AP Mob consisting of rappers, producers and music video directors (A$AP having mutliple meanings including ‘Always Strive and Prosper’, ‘Assassinating Snitches and Police’ and ‘Acronym Symbolizing Any Purpose’). In 2011 the compilation Deep Purple was released followed by Peso, his first official single which quickly gained radio airplay. He was immediately snapped up, signed by Sony and released the LiveLongA$AP mixtape to critical acclaim. This success was not just US based, with A$AP Rocky’s efforts being noticed across the pond as he was shortlisted in the BBC’s influential ‘Sound Of 2012’ poll. Following tours with Drake and Kendrick Lamar and performing at the 2012 Pitchfork Festival (third video on right), A$AP Rocky performed on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and remixed Rihanna’s Cockiness (which was also performed at the MTV Video Music Awards). Transcending art, fashion and music, demand for A$AP Rocky in New Zealand is reaching boiling point and this tour is destined to sell-out. Don’t miss A$AP Rocky when he touches down in Auckland this June.

Date

March 23 2013

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GIG: Blu & Exile @ Galatos - Wed 3rd April

Written By 1 - March 23 2013

Dopamine is proud to announce the first NZ appearance of Blu & Exile.

Los Angeles based Blu & Exile will be joined alongside LA Producer and Detroit’s Hip Hop ambassador to the world ‘House Shoes’  with local support from @peace. Limited $35 tickets available only at undertheradar.co.nz

Date

March 15 2013

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GIG: Funky Fred Wesley @ The Powerstation - Thurs 21st March

Written By 1 - March 15 2013

This is one not to miss!! Funky Fred Wesley, one of the architects of Funk music was a integral part of James Brown & the J.B.'s as well as George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

There is no doubt that New Zealand music fans love a good dose of funk. George Clinton’s Parlaiment/Funkadelic thang nearly brought the house down when they performed at The Powerstation two years ago. Now, one of the prime architects of the P-Funk groove will bring his own take on the funk to the very same venue.

FUNKY FRED WESLEY was an integral part of the P-Funk dynasty in the 1970s. In addition to playing on such classic Parliament jams as The Clones Of Dr. Funkenstein and Motor Booty Affair, Fred fronted the righteously funky Horny Horns, a group that also featured fellow James Brown alumni Maceo Parker Richard “Kush” Griffith. Together they laid down some of the nastiest grooves of the 70s on their album A Blow For Me, A Toot To You which was produced by their P-Funk brethren George Clinton and Bootsy Collins.

Now is your chance to experience the funk live as Fred Wesley and his all-star band bring their audacious talent to The Powerstation. You can bet that Fred and his mighty trombone with be reaching back to the classics he laid down with James Brown and The JBs and the P-Funk thang. And knowing Fred, he’ll be looking to the future, taking the funk into places it’s never been before. Be there!

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