Auckland Music

Marmalade’s future is looking Bright

Indie Rock

Reviewing Marmalade’s debut single is a strange thing. They came out on top in the Kick Unsigned competition and have toured with almost every international act that came to New Zealand in 2023 (including 10:32, Beach Bunny & Hot Potato Band). It’s easy to forget they don’t have music out there yet. 

“Bright” is the first sampler of a debut body of work that is in the making. It opens lush and optimistic with gorgeous licks from guitarist Liam Nuttall and huge sound drums from Dean Rodrigues over the solid foundation of bass from Chelsea Naepi. Singer Jemilah guides us through the concerns and musings of an up and coming musician dreaming for success. The lyrics are down to earth and help put you in the shoes of a band that is nervously excited for imminent success.

The production on this track is slick. Within seconds you know you’re listening to something above the general noise of a K-Road youth band. Something only the beautiful marriage of Koen Aldershof, Scott Seabright, Chris Chetland and Tom Broome can achieve.

With several tours under their belt and visibility Aotearoa wide, Marmalade are looking to be propelled into a year of success already. Their future is looking bright. 

Isolated – Nick Dow

Acoustic, Singer Songwriter

Nick Dow is back, and immediately sending shivers down my spine.
Isolated, is an eerie and ethereal piece that belongs in an abandoned ruin of a concert hall. The sound builds on echoing arpeggios with a rough falsetto that soars through the spacious soundscape reminiscent of Radiohead. This is one of the simpler songs Nick has released steering away from earlier complex works, but I believe the beauty of this song comes from it fully utilised stripped back arrangement, a delicate touch on the keys, and flawless harmonic progression. The song appears to be topical with 2020’s isolating lock downs worldwide, striking a chord with many of us pent up inside isolated from the world around us.

Isolated is the first we’ve heard from multi-instrumentalist Nick Dow since his well received debut album “Layers” quoted as being “about as good as debut albums get” which charted in NZ and set Nick off playing shows around NZ. Nick has built up a reputation around Auckland as a formidable musician, with talent as a vocalist, pianist and violin player, playing for musicians such as TEEKS.

Catch Nick Dow playing in Auckland on the 31st of October with BEING. and Chris Wallace at the Wine Cellar.

Keep up with Nick Dow on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.