Charlotte Ryan is one of our most reliable oracles for what’s worth knowing about and listening to right now. The host of RNZ’s Music 101 show (each Saturday from 1-5pm) has a long career in the local music industry, and is known as a passionate supporter of NZ music from emerging acts to established artists.
She’s also great at asking music related questions on Twitter, prompting some insightful replies (i.e. “what song should I play to acknowledge Princes Charles’ coronation?”).
As New Zealand Music Month comes to a close, we asked her to pick some up and coming acts that she has her eye on right now - so we all can, too.
Jujulipps
One of the fiercest, funnest, joyful, cheeky local rappers I have heard in a long time. Jujulipps’ positivity is contagious, and she has spoken openly about her goal to empower her listeners to feel good about themselves and be proud of who they are.
A first-generation immigrant to Aotearoa, she was born and raised in South Africa before spending her teenage years growing up in Invercargill. These days she studies law in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Jujulipps discovered her talent by accident, rapping as a joke with her friends. But during lockdown, wanting a distraction from her law degree, she decided to take it seriously and record some music. And the results, HUGE - uplifting, feminine, sexy, confident rap. With artists like Nicki Minaj and Rico Nasty as her musical inspiration, production by Abraham Kuni and SWIDT's INF, her forthcoming EP Get That Shot will no doubt be awesome.
Those who witnessed Jujulipps performance at Synthony, FILTH's Cakes Da Killa show and Northern Bass have raved - I am making it my mission to see her live soon.
D.C Maxwell
I have never waited with such anticipation for a local artist's debut single. For months I have been checking Soundcloud and Bandcamp with the hope something might pop up. I wasn't the only one waiting. Without releasing any music, D.C Maxwell sold out a headline show at the Wine Cellar, and when he opened for Future Islands at their sold-out Powerstation show, I knew that good things take time. And to be patient.
Daniel Smith is the man behind ‘D.C. Maxwell’ - he is an ex punk, and some may recognise him as former frontman of Roidz. His new music is not punk. It's said to be an alternative country, but I think it's more than that.
The Leading Man is the first single released last week alongside a Western-inspired music video. The wait was worth it: this is a heart-wrenching pop hit. D.C. Maxwell’s debut album will be released later this year, and he has a show at Auckland's Whammy Bar on June 9.
Clementine Valentine
Clementine and Valentine Nixon grew up singing traditional balladry by their grandmother. The sisters are the great grandchildren of the 1960s folk revival, and the lifestyle and music they make is very reflective of this.
The sisters have been making music together for many moons, previously as Purple Pilgrims. With the changing seasons, the duo have transformed into a new phase, now using their birth names to perform and release music by. They have refined their craft, and are presenting themselves in a more sophisticated aesthetic reflecting their new sound - still drawing from their nomadic family heritage, and keeping the rich dream pop that they were known for as Purple Pilgrims.
When they are not off the grid, living in a very isolated part of the Coromandel Peninsula, the sisters are busy performing their spell bounding live shows including local designer Benjamin Alexander's recent fashion show (they’ve also appeared in campaigns for local brands Mina and Scarpa). They open for the transcendent Weyes Blood on May 29 and 30 in Auckland and Wellington.
The sisters' first single under the name Clementine Valentine, called Endless Night, is released on Wednesday May 24.
The Circling Sun
I'm not 100% sure I can officially call The Circling Sun ‘up and coming’ because this group of jazz musicians have been playing live for more than 20 years at venues like Auckland’s East St Hall, The Golden Dawn, Las Vegas Club and Ponsonby Social Club.
Their shows have such an awesome reputation for AfroCentric Jazz inspired world class, psychedelic, good times live shows. Soundwise think Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane with spiritual and latin rhythms – but NZ made, with a fresh, contemporary sound.
The Circling Sun is an ever-mutating collective of Tāmakai Makaurau’s absolute finest jazz musicians, including Julien Dyne, JY Lee, Guy Harrison, Cameron Allen, Ben Turua, Guy Harrison, Finn Scholes and Matt Hunter. Collectively their recording and performance credits include Avantdale Bowling Club, Ladi6, Dave Dobbyn, Troy Kingi, YokoZuna, Opensouls, Carnivorous Plant Society, Nathan Haines. So much experience and playing hours.
The band have been secretly recording their debut album and people are excited. Spirits was released on vinyl and digital release last week, from prestigious London label Soundway Records.
