SoundBites: Tami Neilson, Skux, Jon Toogood

Tami Neilson has released a video for Loco Mama. Photo/Supplied

Tami Neilson has released a new video from her critically acclaimed album Don't Be Afraid.

Loco Mama was filmed in one take and once again showcases Neilson's diverse range.

As one critic describes it "Loco Mama shakes and smokes...Mexicali spice in both the music and Neilson's voice...".

Neilson tore up the stage at last week's Vodafone NZ Music Awards with her live performance of the single Holy Moses.

She was a finalist in the Album of the Year and Best Female Solo Artist categories, while her previous album Dynamite won Best Country Album in 2015. Don't Be Afraid was released late September after nominations for this year's awards closed.

Skux also has a new video. More Than 10 Things references the 90s teen flick 10 Things I Hate About You and features a puppet Skux.

Directed by Liam Moore, the clip is a wild, fun, low-tech romp through Auckland back streets.

Skux, aka Ayisha Jaffer, said: "Liam gets my total vibe and style, very DIY, very detailed, and freakin hilarious and it was awesome to be a part of one of his artworks and through video".

Skux's upcoming gigs include Norty or Nice at Auckland's Whammy Bar on December 17 and A Gathering In The Forest at a spot "somewhere near Whanganui" on Waitangi Weekend.

Kiwi rock legend Jon Toogood is hitting the road this summer on a solo acoustic tour.
The Shihad frontman will be playing songs from his own repertoire and from his favourite artists.

Venues will be transformed for an intimate fan experience.

The tour kicks off on January 2 at Mangawhai Tavern, and you can also catch him at summer hotspots including Coroglen, Mt Maunganui, Raglan, Oakura, Queenstown, Wanaka and Akaroa.

See www.jontoogood.nz for dates and venue and ticket details.

SoundBites Extra:

Aaradhna performing at the Vodafone NZ Music Awards. Photo/Norrie Montgomery

Aaradhna had a good point when she stunned the crowd at the NZ Music Awards by not accepting her award for Best Urban/Hip-Hop.

It wasn't the right category for her.

The singer told the Vector Arena audience she felt like she'd been lumped into the category because she was brown.

She was the only non hip-hop artist among the finalists - the others were Swidt and PNC.

Aaradhna's own Facebook page lists her genre as Old Soul Rhythm & Blues, and one listen to her music makes it clear that if she was to enter a genre category it would make for sense for it to be Soul or R&B.

But in a small music market you can only sustain so many categories - you need enough acts willing to enter to be able to justify a new section. Or to justify reducing, say, the category in question to just Hip-Hop.

Recorded Music New Zealand says it was already looking at a potential change for 2017 after discussions before the awards with Aaradhna's manager.

Does it risk creating a new catch-all category to ensure enough entries, but open itself to more criticism?

A new category could prove useful for acts like Hollie Smith, Gin and others who may feel that Pop isn't quite suitable.

Russell Brown also makes some of these points and more, including pointing out that Aaradhna presumably made the choice to enter in the Urban/Hip-hop category, in his Friday Music piece on Hard News - well worth a read.

Aaradhna was the pick of the live acts at the Music Awards - with a powerful performance of Brown Girl.

Those who missed it can catch her on tour this summer with Katchafire and Sons of Zion.

Tour dates:

Mon 26 Dec 16 Mangawhai Mangawhai Tavern
Tue 27 Dec 16 Russell The Duke of Marlborough Tavern
Wed 28 Dec 16 Coroglen Coroglen Tavern w/ Kora
Thu 29 Dec 16 Whakatane Whakatane War Memorial Hall w/ Kora
Fri 30 Dec 16 Petone Beach McEwan Park w/ Kora
Sat 31 Dec 16 Oakura , New Plymouth Butlers Reef
Tue 3 Jan 17 Gisborne TBC w/ Kora & MORE TBA
Wed 4 Jan 17 Napier Sacred Hill w/ Kora
Fri 6 Jan 17 Opononi Opononi Hotel w/ Kora
Sat 7 Jan 17 Mangawhai Mangawhai Tavern w/ Kora