MARIO & SARAH QUINTERO of SPOTLIGHTS: The Absurdity Of Labels An interview by Bridget Herlihy. William Shakespeare once wrote, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. Pondering of the relevance of a name or label is applicable The post The Absurdity Of Labels – A Spotlights Interview appeared first on Ambient Light ..read more

After a heavy outcry of “WHY NO NZ!!” over (and over) the socials and a healthy amount of emails requesting that a New Zealand show may happen, we are absolutely ecstatic to be able to say, your voices have been The post The Flatliners to play Three NZ shows this summer appeared first on Ambient Light ..read more

Iron Maiden 16th September 2024 Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand Review by Sarah Kidd with photography by Doug Peters. It has been a long wait for fans of Iron Maiden; last here in 2016 on the Book of Souls tour almost The post Iron Maiden, Auckland NZ, 2024 appeared first on Ambient Light ..read more

GREG BARNETT of THE MENZINGERS: A Greater Degree of Realism An interview by Bridget Herlihy. Just two years shy of celebrating two decades together as a band, The Menzingers are considered an American institution in punk rock history. Hailing from The post A Greater Degree Of Realism – The Menzingers Interview appeared first on Ambient Light ..read more

ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN of TRiPS: Clipping The Ticket An interview by Tim Gruar. TRiPS is a new collaboration project from Andrew Christiansen and Barnaby Weir, featuring contributions from a host of co-conspirators including from Black Seeds’ Daniel Weetman, Paslode’s Elan Van-Mills, The post Clipping The Ticket: A TRiPS Interview appeared first on Ambient Light ..read more

Hollie Smith photo by Mike Thornton / Ambient Light 2017Hollie Smith 3rd July 2024 OngaOnga Hall, OngaOnga, New Zealand. Review by Rob Harbers. The Small Hall Sessions are still alive! It’s been far too long between drinks, such being the price of the collectively self-induced period of doom and gloom in which we find ourselves, but there can scarce be a much better proof of life than the magnificent Hollie Smith. Incorporating a trio of Sessions into her current “Bones” tour, she silenced a capacity audience in the historic (how historic? It’s older than Jamie!!) OngaOnga hall, taking us with ..read more

The Ghost Inside photo by Markus Hauschild Four years since their self-titled album was named one of Loudwire’s Best Rock and Metal Albums of 2020, Searching For Solace arrives at an optimal time in the lives of The Ghost Inside. Nine years removed from the horrific bus crash that forever changed their trajectory, vocalist Jonathan Vigil, guitarists Zach Johnson and Chris Davis, bassist Jim Riley, and drummer Andrew Tkaczyk have learned an esoteric truth about tranquility. As the axiom says, “it’s the journey, not the destination” – a theme explored throughout the band’s dynamic sixth album ..read more

Bad Schematics – C O L L I D E (Independent) Reviewed by Bridget Herlihy. Affectionately known to many as the Swamp, Palmerston North has a colourful music history, some of which has brought the windy city in the middle of the Manawatu widespread notoriety. While it could be argued that the music scene of Palmerston North was at its peak in the 90s, a new generation of musicians are giving the region a new lease of sonic life; with one of the most vital and energetic of the groups that call the city home is Bad Schematics. In the two years since the band was formed by front man Caleb Williams ..read more

Earth Tongue – photo by Warren RodricksGUSSIE LARKIN and EZRA SIMMONS of EARTH TONGUE: Slightly Macabre An interview by Bridget Herlihy. Earth Tongue are living the dream. The New Zealand heavy fuzz/psych-rock duo featuring Gussie Larkin (guitar, vocals) and Ezra Simmons (drums, vocals) have become renowned for their intoxicating fusion of eerie melodies and thunderous rhythms, and their spellbinding live shows, both at home and abroad. This year they signed to iconic rock n roll label In The Red Records, who are committed to groundbreaking artists and fostering creativity (and boasts artists ..read more

Tinariwen 30th May 2024 The Opera House, Wellington, New Zealand Review by Rob Harbers. Photography by Reef Reid. In a spectacular display of passionate and driven musicality, the powers of Tinariwen and support act LEAO asserted the status of indigenous voices, proudly defiant in the face of those who would seek their marginalisation, if not complete silencing. On the same day that the colonialist power structure of Aotearoa sought to further entrench a long history of ignoring the principles on which this country was founded, in another part of the same city was presented a reminder of the ..read more