The Songwriter's Diary

This is Part.2 of episode 14 featuring Balamohan Shingade 

Balamohan Shingade is tangata Tiriti, a New Zealander from the Deccan region of India. He is a singer of Hindustani music, an improvised tradition from the Subcontinent. He is a student of Rajendra Kandalgaonkar with whom he continues his education in the guru-shishya tradition. Formally trained in Western philosophy and contemporary visual arts, he currently works in communication research at CARE Massey University.

If you haven't already, please listen to Part 1 where Balamohan introduces us to Hindustani music, explains the concept of rāga, and shares a few stories from this tradition, such as how rāga Bilaskhani Todi got its name. We even get into philosophical questions like how is the music contained not only in the combination of notes but in the expression of a single note? This is an idea that the Kirana Gharana holds dear, the school of thought to which Balamohan belongs.

Please enjoy Balamohan's performance of Rāga Bilaskhani Todi near the end of this episode.

Hosted by: Mukukā

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This episode features Balamohan Shingade. 

Balamohan Shingade is tangata Tiriti, a New Zealander from the Deccan region of India. He is a singer of Hindustani music, an improvised tradition from the Subcontinent. He is a student of Rajendra Kandalgaonkar with whom he continues his education in the guru-shishya tradition. Formally trained in Western philosophy and contemporary visual arts, he currently works in communication research at CARE Massey University.

Hosted by: Mukukā

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Today’s episode features Eszter

Eszter has been a part of many ensembles in a realm of music genres over the years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Media Arts (Commercial Music) at @wintecmediaarts in 2018, receiving the APRA Award for Excellence in Composition and the Hamilton Operatic Society Award for Excellence in Performance.

Currently a mum, violin tutor and assistant concertmaster with the Hutt Valley Orchestra. Eszter is a keen composer for the solo violin, creating music inspired by her Hungarian roots and exploring the role of improvisation and electronics in her work.

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This episode featured Arjuna Oakes.

Arjuna Oakes is a singer-songwriter and producer based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand). Following the release of his debut EP The Watcher in 2019, Arjuna has released another two projects both to widespread acclaim, 2020’s Recovery Pt. 1 and 2021’s First Nights. The latter is a collaboration with longtime friend and co-producer Serebii, released by LA-based record label Innovative Leisure (Badbadnotgood, Bambii). First Nights debuted at #5 on KCRW’s Top 30 Albums chart and has had extensive play on BBC6 and BBC1xtra.

‘Recovery Pt. 2 is the highly anticipated follow up to Arjuna Oake’s 2020 EP Recovery Pt. 1. Recorded at the same sessions as Recovery Pt. 1 back in February of 2020,  Recovery Pt. 2 continues delving into the same themes such as climate change, identity and the journey of healing, which are all themes that seem more timely today than when these songs were recorded. Largely performed live in studio by Arjuna and his band of talented young musicians, these songs are exploding with intense youthful energy and feature a unique mix of creative songwriting and explorative improvisation. Recovery Pt. 2 provides an exciting climax to the themes and musical ideas introduced in ‘Recovery Pt. 1, and solidifies both records as an important piece in Arjuna’s discography.

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Management: Squaresums&Co

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This episode features Holly Wright, a musician, composer, singer/songwriter, producer and playwright.

In this episode, we discuss Holly’s journey as a trumpet player for Auckland Scoundrels,  her musical Perseus and her debut EP Holly Wright.

Listen to Holly Wright’s EP here

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This episode features Dean Rodrigues.

Dean is a session musician and plays drums, bass, keys, guitar and percussion in various covers and original bands.

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Mazbou Q, formally known as Unchained XL, is a UK-born, Tāmaki Makaurau based Nigerian-Kiwi rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. His music journey began at the age of four when his parents encouraged him to take classical piano lessons.

Since then Mazbou Q has modulated from classical music, funk and heavy metal. During university, he transitioned to hip hop. By then he had learned a lot about composition, performance, keys, guitar, bass, arranging and music production.

In his latest album, 'The Future was’ Mazbou Q reflects on his journey coming to Aoeteroa as an African child and having to navigate the third culture experience. In his single ‘Best of you (feat. Cee Blu) Mazbou Q tells us “I need to be the best of me, and the best of me is to embrace that third culture experience... at the end of the music video you see me turn into an African superhero, and that represents the fact that I’ve fully embraced who I am now. Because I’ve embraced this identity I've got this power beyond anything I could have imagined. That was the journey and underlying theme of Best of you."

Make sure you check out his new album 'The Future Was'

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This episode features Auckland based Nigerian singer-songwriter, D.Matthews (aka David Matthews).

D.Matthews is known for his idiosyncratic style and abundant charisma and inspires an audience through his stimulating lyrics and lively blend of Afrobeat/Afopop & Rap. He cites Afrobeat music pioneer & singer, Fela Kuti, Burna Boy & Patoranking as his inspiration which takes him to higher grace in lyric writing.

Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, D.Matthews knew he was destined to entertain from a very young age during his times at church but did not realize how destined he really was to make a change/shift at a very young age as everything was still new to him at the time. As he grew older, he went on to take music as a career at age, 20. Releasing his first track in the year, 2018.

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This episode features Robert Westall from Naked Accounting. Robert and Mukukā talk about tax, business structure and wage subsidy. If you're making an income from your music, you won't want to miss this episode!

Who is Naked Accounting?

Based in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, Naked Accounting is an accounting firm providing accounting and business services for artists, small-medium businesses, startups and individuals. Naked Accounting aims to be a forward-thinking and future-focused business, with social responsibility as one of their core values. They currently offer wage gap discounts and discounts for artists.

Musician Initiative

COVID-19 has significantly impacted musicians and artists, therefore Naked would like to offer free accounting and business support to musicians and bands. This support includes the basics such as wage subsidy help, tax advice (e.g. what can I claim?), GST advice, structure advice (e.g. Should I be a sole trader vs company?) and budgeting. The initiative will run from now to the end of November 2021 and is open to all musicians and bands who are deriving income from their music

Naked will try their absolute best to help as many people as they can, but the offer will end when they reach capacity! Please contact them at [email protected]

Naked PR

From their home on Karangahape Road, Naked PR strives to help creatives connect with audiences in interactive and innovative ways. They are big on supporting artistic communities, by offering creative discounts for creative people. Since their inception in 2020, they've worked with the likes of The Black Seeds, Luke Buda, Lips, Jazmine Mary, and Soft Plastics and WHO SHOT SCOTT. Naked PR is a partner and driving force behind the Student Radio Network Awards, and curates and produces the indie club night FLOW. Naked PR was created as a sister to Naked Accounting.

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This episode features Kyla Greening. 

Kyla is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Mukukā and Kyla talk about the process of her debut single Rich Girl. Written by Kyla and produced by Nic Manders, Rich Girl is a love song about the people that enrich Kyla’s life. 

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Listen to Rich Girl Here

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