48May first made a noise in 2003. Singer Jon Austin is joined by Jody Stowers (guitar), Shannon Brown (bass) and new kid on the block, Stan Bicknell (drums). Their 2005 LP The Mad Love sold gold (7,500 +) and was packed with radio-friendly pop anthems, delivering no less than six radio hits. Lately 48May has been adding the finishing touches to their self-produced second album, Streetlights & Shadows. The first single from this album, Nervous Wreck (Kiwi Hit Disc 86), confirmed their popularity at radio with a #15 RadioScope NZ Airplay chart peak. The band says the new album deals with contrasts, “blending styles and highlighting dynamics”. Big Shock is another guitar-driven monster set to electrify national playlists.

Ironman is the second single for Wellington rock band Ammp, following All I Wanted (Kiwi Hit Disc 84). Focusing on themes of perseverance, being strong, and the will to live, Ironman has already made an impression on the organisers of the International Ironman who have made it their theme song for the 2007 event. Ammp are obviously delighted with the news that is sure to gain the band even more recognition in an already successful two-year career; to date the band has received two NZ On Air new artist grants, two music video grants and were finalists in the TV2 2005 Songstar competition.

The 19 year old rising star, Annabel Fay, has made many friends at New Zealand radio with her first single Lovin’ You Baby (Kiwi Hit Disc 87), which reached #9 on the RadioScope100 Airplay chart. Annabel recently signed with independent label Siren Records for an album release through EMI in May. With Brady Blade (Brooke Fraser) on production duties, the pair garnered a lot of inspiration from old school tracks, blending the songs with funk, soul and r’n’b samples, resulting in laidback yet infectious pop. This reflects Annabel’s own diverse musical tastes, with her iPod shuffling from Panic! At the Disco to Portishead and Breaks Co-Op.

Auckland-based singer-songwriter, Cliff Hedley first came to attention with Overcoat (A/C Hit Disc 8). Since the 2004 release of this debut single, Hedley has been building his profile with live performances with the Cliff Hedley Band; comprising Cliff on vocals and guitars, Andre Birt on bass, AJ Hay on keys and Brent Martin on drums. Sink Or Swim, an album completed in December with Andrew Buckton at Auckland’s Studio 203, is to be released through Cliff’s independent label, Orange Sonic. Indecision is his second single to radio, which he describes as an “upbeat pop-rock track”. The accompanying video is out now.

Just as Auckland’s Shaky Hands were set to celebrate their first birthday, news came through of a potential legal dispute with a Portland, Oregon band who filed an injunction claiming name ownership. The band quickly averted a litigious battle by adopting the title of their 2006 EP Cut Off Your Hands. The four-piece are signed to Australian indie label Speak ‘n’ Spell, and have spent the last year playing over 120 shows, both in Australia and back home. The band has beat off 8,000 contenders to be one of 1,400 bands to play at the 2007 SXSW festival and has additional showcases in New York and Los Angeles. Expectations is the third single from their EP.

Duchess evolved from Waikato band, Handsome Geoffrey. The original members, Anna Coddington (vocals), Aidee Walker (keys) and Janna Hawkins (bass) recruited drummer Jonny Corker in 2004, debuting live as Duchess at the Illicit Street Christmas Party that same year. The band describe their songs as “often melodic, harmonic and friendly, occasionally distressed, antisocial or nasty, but always very honest”. Taken from their EP released in 2006, Raglan City is an ode to the town that both Anna and Janna grew up in. The song was produced by Ed Cake (Anika Moa) and was funded through the NZ On Air new artist discovery programme.

New Zealand-born, one-time Australian resident and now living in Los Angeles, Jackie Bristow created her second long player, Crazy Love, with engineer Helik Hadar (Joni Mitchell) and producer Mark Howard (Tom Waits, Sheryl Crow). While a Sydney-resident, her break came in 2002 with the release of her debut album, Thirsty, on Liberation Records. Now with Greg Johnson’s manager, Michelle Bakker, Bristow has played support for Madeleine Peyroux and is organising a June national tour. Tempted is the first single from the Crazy Love album and highlights her mature, sophisticated songwriting. As a live performer she “hypnotises listeners with her subtle yet beautiful melodies”.

From a musical apprenticeship including covers bands, metal bands, sound engineering and choreography and now acclaim for her onstage performances, Miriam Clancy has earned the spotlight. Five years ago, Miriam began writing songs for her debut album, gaining inspiration from the greats of Nashville. With the protracted writing period complete, she returned from a stint in LA to begin recording at York Street Studios. The result, Lucky One, has attracted four and five-star reviews in the national papers. The alt-country themed Don’t Let It Get You Down was funded through NZ On Air’s new artist discovery programme and was produced by Greg Haver.

Single five from the Nesians’ Freshmen album is one for the ladies, a slow-jam featuring beautiful layered harmonies, and the guitar stylings of Demon Fingahz. Nesian Mystik’s second album, Freshmen, came out in May 2006 spawning an array of successful singles, particularly the Paul Weller-inspired If It’s Cool. Freshmen follows the trademark poly-urban sound of their debut Polysaturated but draws more influence from old funk, r’n’b and hip hop tunes. Production and mixing duties were shared between the group and record label owner, Dean Godward aka Cuba. The next three months sees the six-piece performing shows all over the country, including Auckland’s Pasifika festival.

OMC’s Pauly Fuemana and producer Alan Jansson are back for the first time since the debut album, How Bizzare. The Otara Millionaires Club story is a well-publicised tale of rags to riches and back again. A decade since the smash hit took him around the world, guitarist, singer and MC, Pauly Fuemana, is now a father of five, far away from excess. 4 All Of Us is a song with passion and meaning, written with love for Pauly’s family, country and its people. The song also spoke to the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, where the lyrics “Me to you, you to me, for all of us” will be the heart of an important national campaign.

The genesis of Ryan McPhun & The Ruby Suns is Californian-born Ryan McPhun. Citing influences from greats such as The Beach Boy’s Brian Wilson, The Ruby Suns has been dubbed the mini-Polyphonic Spree. Their music is awash with multi-layers and harmonies, carefully orchestrated by now local resident sole songwriter Ryan. The debut self-titled album was released in 2005 to four-star reviews in Uncut magazine, Mojo magazine and The Guardian. Lil’ Chief in New Zealand has also secured distribution for Ryan McPhun in the US, Australia and Europe. Hard To Let You Know is backed by a NZ On Air-funded music video.

Following their first single Just Like You from their second album This Is Not The Target Market is another amps-at-eleven, lesson in rock from the hard working five-piece. Steriogram’s second album has seen the band cut ties with Capitol/EMI and set up their own label, Short Stack Records. Their DIY approach is paying dividends as This Is Not The Target Market has just been released in Japan, a major market for the group. Always on the ball with promotion, Steriogram’s Brad Carter has been involved with the on-line music sharing community, Text Tunes, giving Steriogram and many locals another avenue to sell music over the internet.

Formed in 2001 by instrument-swapping brothers Rupert and Chazz Hill-Hayr, The Rabble has evolved through line-up changes to a more recent emphasis on writing melodic tunes without straying from their punk/rock roots. Joining the brothers are Roi Irwin and Sam Hume. The band’s live shows are incredibly energetic and full of surprises, such as the one included on this single – the Auckland City Pipe Band! At the end of last year, the band released their new extended play This Is Our Lives, which includes previous single Friday Night (Kiwi Hit Disc 88).

Minutes Last For Years is the title track from the much-anticipated Tourist debut. For the album sessions, the Auckland-based four-piece packed their bags and headed to Wales, to record with Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, the feelers, Opshop) at Stir Studios in Cardiff. Distributed through King Music, the band’s British-tinged rock anthems hit CD shelves nationwide recently. Tourist formed nearly six years ago and are regular performers at gigs and festivals (their latest playing support for touring headliners Snow Patrol). Tourist are Peter Rudd (vocals & guitar), Rob Ranger (bass), Scott Gamble (guitar) and Simon de Vere (drums).

The 21-year old Tyree was originally a member of hip hop crew, Smashproof. With a solo deal then inked to label Move The Crowd, plans were quickly realised to have Tyree record his debut in New York. Championed by Kiwi ex-pat Kirk Harding of Universal Music New York, the resulting hook-ups on album, Now Or Never, are impressive, including performances by Kardinal Offishall, Black Rob and Flashy. Tyree ideally wants to “make music that gets people bouncing, at the same time as being real and spitting the truth”. Would You Mind is Tyree’s third single and features MC Majic Massey.