TUKI Festival - Glendhu Bay, Wanaka

What a blast! 
Thanks TUKI Festival for having us along to film + interview an outstanding line-up. From treasured personal favourites like The Phoenix Foundation + UMO to new encounters such as Aaradhna, Marlon Williams, Lips, Maala and more, TUKI festival delivered great set after great set.  We filmed a portion of each set and then interviewed the artists about their upcoming year in music, their experience of TUKI + then threw in a few curveball queries...  

The TUKI crew were welcoming + so hospitable.  Much aroha to the organisers, Lake Wanaka SouNZ.  Profits made from the festival go directly back into future events and the Wanaka community.  Since the first festival put together by the non-profit group in 1998, more than $118,000 has been put back into supporting music, youth, and the environment within the region.

It was also our son Theo's first festival - and he not only survived it like a champ, he seemed to really get into it!  And of course, last but not least, thanks to Aerial Vision for coming aboard to film and capture some drone footage! It's always great to work alongside this duo.

#tukifestival #lovelivemusic 

Marlon Williams charming the crowd with a fantastic band backing him. This set was the start of a 60 shows for Marlon.

Interviewing these babes Anika Moa + Mel Parsons - what a blast. 

 Anthonie Tonnon at the mic's helm after his Forest stage set

Theo! Our little man on high watching Marlon Williams' set. His first festival of many.

UMO - Unknown Mortal Orchestra were phenomenal.

Theo's first festival! That's right, our little man was there for the festivities and was a champion. 

Sound crew at The Forest Stage

TUKI! We loved being a part of the festival - all the crew were efficient + onto it, and it felt stress free.  

The Upbeats #NOSLEEPTILJAPAN

It's hard to believe we're finished this leg of our journey with The Upbeats!  What a time.  It was such a privilege to get to know this crew and document this collaboration project with The Upbeats, Noisia and Kitty Izu Studio. Filming goals.
どうもありがとう Japan!  We also captured many stills along the way - here are a few of them.
Much aroha + thanks to The Upbeats. 

#NOSLEEPTILJAPAN

We're in Japan filming with The Upbeats as they undertake their International recording project. Here are some of the social media videos we've put together for them.
Bright lights, big city, -4°C last night, and robot sushi is legit. #welovetokyo

Shapeshifter Summer '18 Tour Diaries

We've been on the road filming Shapeshifter as they make their way around the country performing live for punters all the way from Whanagamata to Wanaka.
We've put together Tour Diary videos for the guys - check them out!
www.shapeshifter.co.nz for tour dates + details

'Everybody Knows' Official Music Video - The Black Seeds

Merry Chrimbo! Happy Holidays!
A special release just in time for fiesta season - the Official Music Video for the latest single from The Black Seeds "Everybody Knows". We filmed this on a stunner of a Wellington day.
Many thanks to The Black Seeds, Dawn Creative, The Makers Initiative + Wellington for their help in making this one heck of a feel-good, summer-vibing vid.

#summersounds #theblackseeds

'Tis the Season - WETA X-MAS PARTY 2017

Ho Ho Ho!
'Tis the start of the Silly Season - and this is the most exciting and lavish Christmas Office Party out there. We were there to capture some of the excitement, with music by the likes of The Phoenix Foundation, Estere, and visuals by Lady Lazer Light. 
Party brought, by KoKo Creative.

Great Barrier Starscapes - Astrophotography Workshop, GBI

The Renegade Peach Project's Mark Russell flew over to Great Barrier Island this weekend to host an astrophotography workshop for GBI residents.  The photography and star enthusiasts learnt more about their cameras' manual settings and were able to experiment with them.  Due to poor weather conditions we weren't able to photograph outside, but each participant left equipped with the know-how and practical workshop experience to capture the stars in their own time.  

Great feedback for those involved, and looking forward to future workshops (and to seeing some of those starscapes!)

Behind the Scenes - SHAPESHIFTER 'Oculus' Official Music Video

Here are some behind the scenes photos from filming the official music video for SHAPESHIFTER's new track 'Oculus'.  We teamed up with the Shapeshifter crew, drone masters Aerial Vision and three amazingly talented dancers from Identity Dance Company Ltd. and went down to Christchurch to capture some ridiculously smooth choreography in some fantastic locations. 

Keep you posted.

'Colours of the Night' - exhibiting at Tutere Gallery, Kapiti Coast

We are very pleased that Tutere Gallery in Waikanae Beach is exhibiting a selection of Mark's astrophotography as part of the Kapiti Arts Trail. 

There are 9 framed photographs up featuring the celestial wonders above Great Barrier Island and Kapiti Island.  The photographs will be exhibited until 04 November. 

DARK SKY SANCTUARY - Great Barrier Island

We have been very immersed promoting and working with the islanders involved in establishing the Dark Sky sanctuary on Great Barrier Island.  Mark contributed many photographs to raise funds for the project and also donated photographs for the Dark Sky sanctuary book, "Sanctuary".  
The sanctuary is one of only three places on Earth that have been made into a Dark Sky sanctuary, protecting it from developing potential light pollution.  The island, being completely off the electrical grid, is the perfect place for star enthusiasts, star photographers, and astronomers.

Great Barrier Island - Nightscape, by Mark Russell

The Black Seeds - NEW MUSIC VIDEO / Freakin' /

IT'S HERE!
The official music video for The Black Seeds - Freakin' from their upcoming album 'Fabric'.
It was great to be working alongside The Black Seeds and The Makers Initiative again on a feel-good, 80s vibe, pumping track.
Dance + choreography from Hero Dance Company, Pump Dance Studios and The Company NZ.

The Black Seeds - NEW ALBUM 'Fabric'

We've been filming The Black Seeds as they record their new album 'Fabric'.
Here's a little of our behind the scenes footage of that Black Seeds magic unfolding...

Float Well - Photoshoot

We've been working with FloatWell to create a series of promotional videos, and today Mark was back by the float tank to interview another blissed out patron about their float experience.  Personally, we love the benefits of using a float tank, and are very happy to be helping with capturing content showcasing many of the positive elements of a float session. Float Well is the best secret to a thorough unwind, right in the bustling heart of capital city.

The Common Unity Project Aotearoa

What a fantastic project this is.  We can't wait to share what the awesome community-minded people of The Common Unity Project Aotearoa are up to with their latest undertaking.  Mark was there to capture some of their story, and where this charitable trust hopes to steer itself in the future.  More soon!

Barnaby Weir talks "Better Days"

We had a chat to Barnaby Weir talking about The Black Seeds fresh single "Better Days". Check out this audio + visual preview snippet of good things to come, and some sweet animated graphics courtesy of The Makers Initiative.
Happy Friyay! 
#theblackseeds #betterdays #new #single

Forest and Bird - the Kiwi Conservation Club kids

We interviewed some of the Kiwi Conservation Club kids, and they have a message for the Government: “We need clean water, and so does nature. Your decisions affect our future.” 
The time to act is NOW. 
#forestandbird #etu #standup #conservation

The Black Seeds - BETTER DAYS

 The Black Seeds New Single "Better Days" is out now.
Here's a little video compilation of footage we've taken of The Black Seeds in action, in the studio as they recorded their new album + footage around our backyard, ol' Aotearoa. #BetterDays #newsingle #TheBlackSeeds

Carpool Karaoke with The Saints

We teamed up with The Saints and the Greater Wellington Regional Council to promote their fantastic new app - Smart Travel the carpooling app.  This app is available via Google Play + the Apple App Store, will help ease congestion and save you money + time!
Check it out! www.smarttravel.org.nz

Behind The Scenes - The Black Seeds

We got to check out behind the scenes at Surgery Studios with The Black Seeds as they laid down their new album!  More to come...
The Black Seeds "Better Days" - the countdown begins 19/05/17.

ASTON RD SESSIONS - Thomas Oliver "Losin'"

The second release from Thomas Oliver's LIVE Aston Rd Session 2016. Presenting Thomas Oliver "Losin'" filmed before a live studio audience at Surgery Studios, Wellington. 
Many thanks to Thomas, Aston Rd, Dr Lee Prebble, Terry Longley, Barrett Hocking, Bella Florence, Katie McCarthy-Burke and Ariel Bamborough.
Enjoy!