The Black Seeds

Line up

Andrew Christiansen (trumpet, trombone)
Barnaby Weir (vocals, guitar)
Daniel Weetman (vocals, percussions)
jabin Ward (sax)
Jarney T Murphy (drums)
Mike Fabulous (guitar, percussions)
Nigel Patterson (keyboards)
Tim Jaray (bass)

country:
New Zealand
style(s):
Dub Reggae
label:
Sonar Kollektiv
type:
Band
gender:
male
instrumentation:
instrumental, vocal
artist submitted by:
De Remusat Management

With gold and double-platinum selling albums at home and several years of hugely successful international touring, New Zealand based 8-piece band The Black Seeds have been winning over fans with their unique blend of reggae, dub, funk and soul since forming in 1997.

Being at the forefront of a South Pacific reggae/roots scene that is fast gaining international attention, The Black Seeds have carved out their reputation on the strength of their acclaimed albums and masterful live shows, gaining them massive support in New Zealand and Australia, and a fast growing international fanbase.

After recently signing record deals with renowned European based labels - Sonar Kollectiv, and Rough Trade NL, The Black Seeds will release their new double-platinum selling album Into The Dojo throughout Europe in August/September.

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The Black Seeds first started turning heads with the release of their debut album, 2001's Keep On Pushing. The album received widespread critical acclaim, including being named one of the top 50 albums of the year by Rip It Up Magazine, and eventually reached gold sales status. Keep On Pushing was released in Australia through Shock records and France, Belgium and Switzerland through Productions Speciales, with the first single reaching #29 in France's 'Groove' charts and #100 in the overall French single charts.

The group's second studio album, 2004's On The Sun, added a heavy dose of funk and soul to the dub reggae sound that underpinned their debut. On The Sun debuted at #3 on the New Zealand album charts, achieving double platinum sales and solidifying The Black Seeds' status as one of the countries premier groups. Album single So True was one of the most popular and highly played New Zealand songs of 2005, receiving massive support from commercial radio and music television, while singles Turn It Around and Fire received widespread airplay on student radio. In 2005 On The Sun was again released in Australia through Shock Records.

An 8-piece live band, The Black Seeds is renowned as one of Australasia's finest and most dynamic live acts. They regularly sell out tours and play headline slots at the regions biggest music festivals. In September 2006, they completed their second, successful European/U.S tour. The 27-shows tour saw the band perform in Holland, Austria, Germany, Scotland, England and Ireland. In October 2006, the band returned to New Zealand via the U.S, where they performed successful showcase performances in New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

In late 2006 The Black Seeds released their highly anticipated third album Into The Dojo in New Zealand. Spending 5 consecutive weeks at #1 in the album charts, the album has already reached double platinum sales. While Into The Dojo (named after the band's practice room at The Surgery which was once a karate dojo) contains the elements that has characterised The Black Seeds' music in the past, it also shows a great deal of development in the group's sound. Song-writing duties are shared throughout the band, with Daniel Weetman joining Barnaby Weir on lead vocal duties. The result of a year-long creative process, Into The Dojo is The Black Seeds' most mature and accomplished music to date.

The album was also successfully released in Australia through Remote Control Records in late 2006, followed by a successful album release tour. In December 2006 the band performed standout shows at Australia's biggest New Years Music Festivals - The Falls Festival and Southbound.

In early 2007 The Black Seeds signed record deals with renowned European labels Rough Trade Records (Benelux) and German label Sonar Kollektiv (Rest of Europe/Japan). Into The Dojo will be released in Benelux on July 7th, and throughout the rest of Europe/Japan from August 27th, 2007.
A 12'' EP featuring 4 songs from the album was released throughout Europe on June 12th through and is available now through Best Seven/Sonar Kollecvitv.
Single The Answer also features on the latest Best 7 Selections compilation, released worldwide in April. (Best Seven/ Sonar Kollektiv).

''An entire set of high energy, pumping, thunderous bass and slick reggae grooves had a bright-eyed audience stomping and swaying rapturously as one. Returning for their encore they almost brought the house down with their amped, high- energy finale…..a truly phenomenal live performance''
The Press, August 2006