Formed in 1998, Trinity Roots established themselves as a leading act in the New Zealand music scene. The band produced a contemporary sound with roots in the guitar/vocal melody and harmony of reggae, a rock-steady groove and the improvisation of jazz-schooled talented. New Zealand singer Hollie Smith sang and toured with Trinity Roots from 2003 onwards; she appears on their 2004 album Home, Land and Sea.
King Kapisi is a Hip-Hop artist prominant in the New Zealand/Australian Hip-Hop music scene. His real name is Bill Urale. He was the first Polynesian Hip-Hop artist who received the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award for Songwriter of the Year for his single 'Reverse Resistance' in 1999.
He released 3 albums: "Savage Thoughts", "2nd Round Testament" and "Dominant Species" and has his own clothing label "Overstayer Clothing".
Lawrence Arabia is New Zealander James Milne. He calls his music pop / folk-rock / psychedelic.
Urbantramper is a 'Future Folk' band from Wellington, New Zealand. The group formed in 2000 and has undergone a number of line-up changes. "Rise and Ride Toward..." was the group's fourth and most recent album.
The Clean are an influential indie rock band that formed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1978. The Clean soon forged a distinctive and quirky sound, inspired by punk filtered through to the relatively isolated New Zealand. Although they released several chart-topping singles in their native country, The Clean are a little-known cult band outside of New Zealand, although their influence is surprisingly far-reaching.
The origins of New Zealand's Verlaines can be traced back as early as 1979, with the group's founder Graeme Downes took direct inspiration from fellow Dunedin group, the Clean to form a band of his own. It wasn't until 1981 that the group made their first public appearance with their initial five-piece line-up. The band have so far released seven full-length albums on three different labels, one mini album, three singles and two compilations.
Born in Australia, but moved to New Zealand as a child, Liam Finn's passion for music begins as early as childhood as the son to Neil Finn (of Split Enz and Crowded House fame), and nephew to kiwi rock legend Tim Finn. Liam attended Auckland high school Selwyn College. It was during high school that Liam Finn pursued the musical talent in his blood and helped in the formation of the band Betchadupa (with other band members Joe Bramley, Matt Eccles and Chris Garland). The band saw the release of two albums which charted well in New Zealand.