New Zealand's Finest In 2018 According To New Zealand's Finest Carb on Carb
Jump on a plane headed in the right direction and in a couple of hours you’ll find yourself in New Zealand. Australia’s high achieving, high definition cousin with a bustling, vibrant music scene that I sadly know very little about. Thankfully Carb on Carb are here to help with that. Laundry Echo is proud to present Carb on Carb’s favourite artists of the Long White Cloud in 2018.
Before ripping the lid off a few fresh music discoveries, let’s first take a moment to appreciate the year Carb on Carb have had themselves. Having most recently released the cracking film clip for “It’s been a rough year” (a song I would easily place in any of the Top 10 list I’m sure I’ll soon be crafting), 2018 saw Carb on Carb release and tour their phenomenal sophomore album For Ages both locally and internationally. Flush with beautiful, honest lyricism and an innate naturalism in their song construction, For Ages saw Carb on Carb further cement their place as a benchmark band in the DIY community they call home whilst winning over the hearts of a swathe of new fans along the way.
I’m certain this song and film clip would have led any New Zealand wrap-up article had it not been written by the band themselves.
Now without further ado, The Best Songs From New Zealand in 2018 with James Stuteley of Carb on Carb.
Bad Friend - Mollie
This song is an anthem, probably my favourite NZ song this year so far. They're from Wellington and they're the best NZ dreamo band around. Ironically features one of my best friends.
Fruit Juice Parade - Rice Cooker
We've been playing with Fruit Juice Parade for years even though they're only just finishing high school. This is a beautiful song and a spicy satire. So stoked they've released this EP. Great show banter, I have literally seen someone double over from laughter and have to leave the room.
First Move - Focus
For the noise rock fans out there, First Move is a band from small town New Zealand in the vein of early My Disco. Far more melodically and tonally interesting than a lot of bands in this genre.
Lontalius - I Wanted Him/That Includes You
And in pop world, Lontalius released his first music in a couple years. These two are twin singles, and are co-written by Om'mas Keith (Jay-Z, Frank Ocean) and Jim Fairchild (Modest Mouse). Pretty wacky considering we were labelmates and used to play DIY shows together a few years back!
The Beths - Future Me Hates Me
Oh hey, it’s me Dave again with a quick editors pick. I’ve been stoked on The Beths since their 2016 release of Whatever. Catching the band live at BIGSOUND earlier in the year only further confirmed The Beths as one of the most endearing, catchy and brilliant bands in any country. I couldn’t more strongly recommend listening to The Beths as they are going to be your favourite band real soon and 2018 was huge for band.
