Studio Stories

Donate to Studio Stories for as little as $5 through Buy Me A Coffee! Support the promotion of New Zealand music and keep the lights on at Studio Stories HQFollow us on Instagram for the latest updates: instagram.com/studiostoriespodcast Stream episodes subscribe, review and more at www.studiostoriespodcast.comThis is a very raw - and real look at the career of Semi Lemon Kola. In this episode we don't just focus on an album, but on the entire recording career of the band.Semi Lemon Kola was four very different people with 4 very different musical identities, a band that was not easily categorised with an industry approved label - and, were a band that should have been one of the greatest rock acts of the nineties. Early gig-mates of Head Like a Hole and Supergroove, the band found themselves in a makeshift studio within their first year recording what would become their first 'album' - "The Extended Pleasure of Reality". "Happy Day" was their BFM chart-topping single the following year, but it was to be the soaring "Before Heaven" single that SLK grabbed national attention.Semi Lemon Kola's sound took a giant leap forward with The Before Heaven EP, recorded under Malcolm Smith at Revolver. Bouyed by the reception to the single and their growing reputation as a stellar live act, the next couple of years saw Semi Lemon Kola playing in front of ever larger audiences, gaining slots at the Strawberry Fields festival in 1994, Big Day Out in 1995 and Mountain Rock festival in 1995. When they returned to York Street Recording Studios in May 1995, they were at their height as a band, both in terms of songwriting and the fullness of their sound. The Malcolm Welsford produced "Otherwise" single showcased a more aggressive side along with the equally high sounding "Henry XXL'.In 1996 the band finally headed into the studio with Nick Abbot to record their only full length album. It was during these sessions that the band would undergo a controversial name change to Propeller, with the self-titled record becoming their Swan Song.Live, the band supported several big name international acts, including Fugazi and Tool, But due to internal struggles, they disbanded in 1998 due to "culinary differences".Read more about the band at Audio CultureOur GuestsTosh GrahamDeryck HuntRob YoungGareth PriceNick AbbotBuy or Stream Semi Lemon Kola:Spotify

Season 6 of Studio Stories is coming May 6th for New Zealand Music Month. What album gets the Studio Stories deep dive for episode 1????

Donate to Studio Stories for as little as $5 through Buy Me A Coffee! Support the promotion of New Zealand music and keep the lights on at Studio Stories HQFollow us on Instagram for the latest updates: instagram.com/studiostoriespodcast Stream episodes subscribe, review and more at www.studiostoriespodcast.comChristchurch's Pumpkinhead came roaring out of the mainland in the early 90's. The band's 1995 album Sloth was recorded at Phil (AC/DC) Rudd’s rural Mountain Studio, near Tauranga with the band's live engineer David Wernham co-producing with the band. Wernham was also the guitarist/vocalist in the band 147Swordfish. The album yielded hits "I Like", "Third Eye" and the first single "Water".After playing on the Sloth recording sessions, guitarist Jason Harmon left the band in December 1994. When the band played Strawberry Fields Festival in Raglan, February 1995, Dave Hunt proved to be a more than capable replacement on guitar. Pumpkinhead were an absolute force of nature on the live stage with Rip It Up magazine's John Russell wrote of their Strawberry Fields performance: “Every element gelled, all stops were pulled, and the result was the most supreme live performance. Just when you think they are peaking, Brent begins swigging kerosene and blows a series of enormous fireballs that tips the performance over the edge into the realm of something other worldly.”The band imploded in November of 1996, but at the time of this writing are set for a series of reunion shows to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sloth as well as a remastered vinyl reissue, now expanded with two bonus tracks. Originally recorded at AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s Mountain Studio and released in 1995, Sloth climbed the NZ charts and gave us the single 'I Like' earning critical acclaim as one of the wildest debuts of the era. - Flying OutOur GuestsAaron HoggBrent MilliganJason PetersBuy or Stream Sloth:SpotifyApple Music

Donate to Studio Stories for as little as $5 through Buy Me A Coffee! Support the promotion of New Zealand music and keep the lights on at Studio Stories HQFollow us on Instagram for the latest updates: instagram.com/studiostoriespodcast Stream episodes subscribe, review and more at www.studiostoriespodcast.comHead Like A Hole's 3rd album marked a turning point for the band. With the addition of 2nd guitarist Tom Watson, the direction veered away from the noisy chaotic sound of previous albums towards a more bluesy, song-focused approach. Recorded in Melbourne in 1995 at the legendary Sing Sing Studios under the watchful eye of Producer Robbie Rowlands, the band was to face the uphill struggle of bettering the set of demos they created for the record - dubbed "The Stench Electric" and the quick changing musical environment that was the mid-nineties.**Former bassist Andrew Durno declined our invitation to appear on the podcast and former drummer Mark Hamill was approached, but did not return contact in time to be interviewed.Our GuestsBooga BeazleyNigel ReganTom WatsonRobbie RowlandsBuy or Stream Double Your Strength...SpotifyApple Music

Donate to Studio Stories for as little as $5 through Buy Me A Coffee! Support the promotion of New Zealand music and keep the lights on at Studio Stories HQFollow us on Instagram for the latest updates: instagram.com/studiostoriespodcast Stream episodes subscribe, review and more at www.studiostoriespodcast.comSoulstice  - the third album from NZ drum and bass icons Shapeshifter was released in 2006, reaching No. 4 on the New Zealand Album Chart.It's production marked a distinct change in creative direction by the band, as well as being the first record to feature former part-time contributor Paora 'P Digsss' Apera as a permanent feature in the group's line up. As a result - 'Soulstice' features a far heavier vocal focus compared to Shapeshifter's earlier, more traditional work with additional vocal contributions by long time collaborator Ladi 6.in 2005, relocating back home to NZ from Melbourne, the band set about creating a more organic approach to production - seeking out a back to basics 'bach' (a New Zealand holiday home) in the heart of Kaikoura to convert into a studio. The result is a record that showcases their versatility, seamlessly blending elements of soul, drum and bass, funk, reggae and rock, tied together with incredible work from Mix Engineer Evan Short and long time live sound engineer and producer Tiki Taane.Soulstice achieved Gold sales status in New Zealand in just 3 weeks and has since achieved Platinum sales and spawned some of the group's most popular songs, such as fan favourites "Electric Dream", and "Bring Change", "New Day Come" and "One". “Bring Change” received the Tui Award for Best Electronic Release. Our GuestsP DigsssSam TrevethickNick RobinsonEvan ShortBuy or Stream SoulsticeSpotifyApple Music

WE’RE COMING BACK FOR SEASON 5! New episodes coming soon.Donate to Studio Stories for as little as $5 through Buy Me A Coffee! Support the promotion of New Zealand music and keep the lights on at Studio Stories HQFollow us on Instagram for the latest updates: instagram.com/studiostoriespodcast Stream episodes subscribe, review and more at www.studiostoriespodcast.com*Season FinaleWith "On The Sun", Wellington's The Black Seeds circa 2004 found themselves on the cusp of change. Not only were the band embracing a more funk approach with this record, but post release, would see founding members depart with their blessing for the band to continue.The album spawned several huge hits, "So True", "Fire" and "Turn It Around" and It reached number 3 on the New Zealand albums chart.The Black Seeds, of course, have gone on to huge success, and it really began with this - their 3 x Platinum second album, recorded with Lee Prebble at The Surgery Studios in Wellington.THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ON THE SUNTo celebrate 20 years since The Black Seeds released their sophomore album “On The Sun”, they have FINALLY pressed it to vinyl for the very first time.All 11 original Songs have been carefully remastered for this format by Mike Gibson from the original masters by Don Bartley at 301 Sydney way back in 2004, and this delicious NZ made package comes on two 180gm black vinyl with printed inner sleeves.They have included two bonus tracks in this release with the 2023 Waiata Anthems Te Reo version of So True “Koia Ko Koe”, and a previously unreleased track Rogan Josh, which was favourite live tune The Black Seeds would sometimes jam for 8-9 minutes.Limited to 1000 copies world-wide. Includes digital pre-order of On The Sun (20th Anniversary Edition). You get 2 tracks now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released.Our GuestsBarnaby WeirLee PrebbleBuy or Stream On The SunSpotifyApple Music

Buy Me A Coffee support the promotion of New Zealand music and keep the lights on at Studio Stories HQFollow us on Instagram for the latest updates: instagram.com/studiostoriespodcast Stream episodes subscribe, review and more at www.studiostoriespodcast.comSpecial thanks to Carl Thompson for helping make this episode possible.The story of Villainy's debut album Mode. Set. Clear, is the story of a young band, who find the right producer, and set about becoming the band they always wanted to be. The high School band that was "Inverse Order" had to undergo a reset in order to achieve their dreams - and they did just that with Mode. Set. Clear. Mode. Set. Clear was recorded and produced predominantly in Melbourne under the watchful eye of Shihad's Tom Larkin and engineer Ben Ehrenberg.Villainy is Neill Fraser, Thomas Watts, James Dylan and Dave Johnston.Villainy's official website: villainymusic.comSome of the enormous guitar and bass tones on Mode. Set. Clear were created with New Zealand made effect pedals from Red Witch Pedals and Crowther Audio's Prunes and Custard pedal.Buy or Stream Mode. Set. ClearSpotifyApple Music

Buy Me A Coffee support the promotion of New Zealand music and keep the lights on at Studio Stories HQFollow us on Instagram for the latest updates: instagram.com/studiostoriespodcast Stream episodes subscribe, review and more at www.studiostoriespodcast.comTroy Kingi's second album Shake That Skinny Ass All The Way To Zygertron solidified his ambitious plan to record 10 albums in 10 genres over 10 years.The album, recorded at Red Room Studios in Helensville [now rebranded as The Chapel Studio in Puhoi] was Troy at his creative best, weaving an inter-dimensional sci-fi concept into a soul-funk stew, thick with vibe and character.The band features producer Mara TK on vocals, guitar and backing vocals, Trey Liu on Drums, and J Colbert on bass along with Ed Zuccollo on keys.Our GuestsTroy KingiEd ZuccolloMatt TeMatera SmithBuy or Stream Shake That Skinny Ass All The Way To ZygertronSpotifyApple Music