With a lot of live arts people out of work due to red light settings, a new variant on the rise and troubles in the capital, it’s been a TIME. So, it felt like we needed another collaborative community playlist. We’ve hit up singers, dancers, DJs, drummers, writers and a bunch of other people, a lot who make their livelihood through live art. We asked them to give us a song they’re vibing with right now and tell us how we can all support them. Click the links and find some cool new stuff to follow, watch, listen or even attend.
We’ve put most the the songs in a Spotify playlist or you can make your own YouTube playlist from the videos below. If the artist and track name are highlighted blue, click for the Bandcamp link.
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Frankie Knuckles - It’s Hard Sometimes
Mike & Brenda Sutton - We’ll Make It
We’re kicking off this playlist with an uplifting selection from DJ Azbo. He also gave us the gift of a rare gem - We’ll Make It by Mike & Brenda Sutton.
Azbo says “These are 2 big songs of perseverance and positivity for me and have been since the start of pandemic. While the content isn’t related to what we are going through, the message of love, care and positivity always help me through whatever difficult feelings im experiencing. Hope they have the same effect for others”
Aretha Franklin - Day Dreaming
Next up is an equally uplifting selection from local singer and Cross St Mama, Romi. She’s moving to Wellington with her babies very soon and we’re going to miss her round the neighbourhood.
Romi has new music coming out soon so follow her on IG to stay up to date
Mukhtar Ramadan Idii - Check Up Your Head
Selected by DJ Jubt who says “I keep coming back to this heatrock which came out on the very awesome "Mogadisco - Dancing Mogadishu (Somalia 1972-1991)" on Analogue Africa Reissue label Mukhtar Ramadan Idii "Check up your head". When this gets under your skin, it's game over. "Life is excellent!"
You catch Jubt & Kirk playing records on bFM on their show The Swap Meet every Sunday afternoon. Have a listen to their Sandy Mill special.
Mark Williams - Love The One You’re With
This song was selected by Ngāruwāhia based DJ/Dancer and community innovator Dujon Cullingford - “An uplifting and lesser known jam from local legend Mark Williams in 1975.
Whether it's you or someone else, love the one you're with!”
Dujon has spent hours collecting “obscure New Zealand music from back in the day by archiving, compiling and DJing local music”
Latest mix: A Māori Soul Mixtape (hugely recommended listening!)
Follow Dujon on Instagram
The Hulamen - Working For Living
The Mint Chicks - Welcome To Nowhere
The good people at AudioCulture gave us these two upbeat selections. AudioCulture describe themselves as the “noisy library of New Zealand music” and that site really is the number one place to find the history of anything musical that has happened on this motu.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland - Sunset Village (Blood Orange remix)
This selection comes from DJ Jess Fu - “a very calming track” which feels like something we all need right now. Play it when you wake up and all throughout the day. Check out Jess Fu’s show APEX with a rotation of guest DJs from Asia-Pacific and “music from the deepest corners of the globe”
This selection comes from Stinky Jim who’s says Angel is his song of the year so far. Stinky Jim has a new album coming out later in the year so follow him on Bandcamp to stay in the loop. You can check out everything Stinky Jim on his website. He also wanted to use this opportunity to give bFM a shout out : “bFM continue to shine, dazzle & broadcast through everything thanks to the mighty efforts of staff, vollies and listeners”
Yeule - Don’t Be So Hard On Your Own Beauty
These beautiful selections come from DJ and artist Liam Brown aka Atarangi. You can see Liam’s stunning exhibition Te Tīnana down at the Britomart Atrium for all of February so get down there this week! Have a listen to Liam’s latest mixtape while you’re at it.
Parquet Courts - Everyday It Starts
These selections come from local music writer, musician and podcast host Hahko who says of Pom Pako “My fav new band at the moment - like a weird emo deer hunter indie guitar vibe” and of Everyday It Starts “my favourite band ever and very relatable to this time period ha”. Check out the very good podcast Hahko Meets Humans (in his most recent episode he talks to NOTW owner Jonah!) and subscribe to the totally free Hahko Club newsletter for playlists, interviews and more.
Lucky Daye ft. Ari Lennox - Access Denied
This song pick comes from producer, educator and dancer Amanda Wilson. Amanda is the dance manager and dancer apart of The Sixxes, LADI6’s dancers. Red light restrictions have put a hold on all LADI6 shows and Amanda’s usual mahi but follow her on IG to see when the F.I.N.E Festival she’s co-producing and the Fala Muncher show she’s producing are resheduled later in the year.
LAYA ft Fivio Foreign - Brag
This selection comes from DJ Zeki. To get some more of Zeki’s stunning selections watch this amazing Filth X Boiler Room set filmed right here at Neck of the Woods, and listen to their latest mix on soundcloud. Follow Zeki on IG to stay updated.
Steve Lacy - Ryd
SZA - Supermodel
H.E.R ft. Daniel Ceaser - Best Part
Tyler The Creator - Glitter
These next four songs were selected by four Year 9 / Tau Iwa students (that’s third form for all the old heads!) from Ngā Puna o Waiorea at Western Springs. Hopaea, Owairea, Haeata and Izzie are all currently training up to 26 hours a week for Polyfest. Haeata’s original selection of 2Pac - Hit Em Up didn’t quite fit the vibe but we’ve posted the video below along with second choice of H.E.R just in case you feel like listening to a classic.
You can watch Hopaea, Owairea, Haeata and Izzie perform in their award winning kapa haka Ō Rehu on the Māori TV live stream at the end of March. Keep an eye on Māori TV for updates.
Myele Manzanza - Two Chords & The Truth
The next very welcome addition to the playlist was selected by Myele himself of his Soho Radio Vinyl Sessions. It’s almost time for Bandcamp Friday so do yourself a favour and get some Myele Manzanza into your music library.
Rev. Timothy Wright - Trouble Don’t Last Always
This selection comes from your friendly Neck of the Woods community manager, currently putting this playlist together and playing this song on loop for about two weeks now.
This truly ethereal selection comes from multi disciplinary artist, musician, producer and record label director Coco Solid. Coco is currently fundraising for a new art & community space, Wheke Fortress, in Onehunga. They’re already at 95% of their goal so get in now if you want to support this very cool project!
Harvey Sutherland ft Surprise Chef - New Ferrari (Harvey Sutherland’s Weird Flex 12 inch mix)
This selection comes from DJ and musician Nick Gudgeon of Friends Of All The World. Check out their Bandcamp and remember Bandcamp Friday is coming soon!
Curated and written by
Rebekah Bristow