Diamond Field "RTR Countdown Theme"

Out now - the 2022 remake of Peter Blake's mid-1980s "RTR" (Ready To Roll) TV show theme by Diamond Field.

Peter Blake is an acclaimed New Zealand musician and composer. His work at Television New Zealand over four decades saw him produce many local music shows as well as composing theme music for TV drama and documentaries, and opening titles.

Starting in the mid-1970s, local Top 20 chart show Ready to Roll (or RTR for short) became one of New Zealand’s most watched shows. The original theme music for RTR was the 1974 Commodores’ instrumental track ‘Machine Gun’. In 1983 Blake created a new and contemporary theme for the show using synthesizers which was used up until 1987, when it was updated. The 20 second intro which was quickly scored to a supplied animation concept and featured state-of-the-art video game style graphics. The titles build up to the appearance of the RTR logo and end with a preview of artist clips that would be featured that night. The music was created with a MIDI’d Mini Moog, a Roland MSQ-700 sequencer, Roland 808 drum machine and Prophet 5 synthesizer. The RTR theme, like much of Blake’s other work, became ingrained in New Zealand’s pop culture psyche and for anyone who grew up hearing it, will instantly trigger a shot of nostalgia.

That nostalgia is also the reason why this 2022 remake exists. The RTR theme was only ever 20 seconds in length but I always wondered what a full length version may sound like. In 2020 I got in touch with Peter and asked if I could do a remake of the theme, adding to it and creating a full track. He was cool with it here it is finally. I tried to keep as close as possible to the original sounds and vibe used in the original and simply flesh it out. I’ve also made this fun video with the opening titles that were used between 1983 and 1987, featuring the Top 20 countdowns from September 10th 1983 and February 23rd 1985, and the Top 10 from September 24th 1985. I hope you enjoy it!

• Watch the original RTR opening sequences courtesy Rob McConnell on YouTube
• RTR opening titles overview at NZ On Screen


Abby Holden at Rockwood Music Hall

New Zealand singer/songwriter Abby Holden plays Rockwood Music Hall Stage 1 on Saturday June 4th.
Show is at 8pm and entry is free. 21+
The band features three New Zealanders – Abby on vocals and guitar, Stan Mitchell on drums, myself on bass, and Brooklyn’s Julia Veinblat on backing vocals.
Rockwood Music Hall is located at 196 Allen St, New York NY, 10002

New Album Art - After 'Ours "Odyssey"

I recently put together the artwork for the excellent new album from After 'Ours called "Odyssey".

Made-up of the duo Nick Williams and Michal Martynuik plus a host of top-shelf musicians such as Nathan Haines, Mike Pato and vocalists including Kevin Mark Trail (the Streets), Sharpen Hector (Basement Jaxx), Ange Saunders. The album is a fusion of contemporary jazz/soul/beats. Excellently produced and sounds top-notch.
Comes as a CD in a flexipak and also double 12" vinyl (available November) and of course digitally on Bandcamp etc.
The cover painting is by Jacek Martynuik and photography is by Mary-Anne Thompson and Mark Carter.

Check out After 'Ours here - smooth!

New Album Art - Dave Dobbyn "Harmony House"

Dave Dobbyn is one of New Zealand's most successful and admired songwriters. I had the pleasure to work with him once again for his new album "Harmony House".

Released on both CD and LP formats (as well as digital), the CD is housed in a gatefold cardboard sleeve and the LP is single 12" sleeve with a double-sided insert.
The illustration of the tree house is by Dave.
The front and back cover photography is by myself, the portrait of Dave is by Spid and the inside photos are by Dave, Sam Scott and Luke Buda.
The overall design was intended to be clean and simple.

Always great to work with Dave!

Check out the album here: