Fat Freddy's Drop

Last updated

Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddys Drop Group Photo.jpg
Fat Freddy's Drop during a European tour in 2008. Left to right: Tehimana Kerr, Joe Lindsey, Chris Faiumu, Iain Gordon, Dallas Tamaira, Toby Laing, and Scott Towers.
Background information
Origin Wellington, New Zealand
Genres
Years active1999–present
LabelsThe Drop
Members Dallas Tamaira
Toby Laing
Scott Towers
Tehimana Kerr
Iain Gordon
Chris Faiumu
Joe Lindsay
Past membersWarren Maxwell
Chris Munro
Baxter Perry
Nathan Daly
Website fatfreddysdrop.com

Fat Freddy's Drop is a New Zealand seven-piece band from Wellington, whose musical style has been characterised as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and techno. Originally a jam band formed in the late 1990s by musicians from other bands in Wellington, Fat Freddy's Drop gradually became its members' sole focus. Band members continued playing with their other respective groups—The Black Seeds, TrinityRoots, Bongmaster, and others—for much of their 20-year career. Fat Freddy's Drop are known for their improvised live performances. Songs on their studio albums are versions refined over years of playing them live in New Zealand and on tour abroad.

Contents

The group gained international recognition in 2003 after their single "Midnight Marauders" was re-distributed by record labels and DJs in Germany. The group has toured Europe nearly every year since then. The first studio album by Fat Freddy's Drop, Based on a True Story , was the first independently distributed album to reach first place in New Zealand record sales directly after release in 2005, and is the third highest-selling album by a national artist in the country's history. Based on a True Story won Best Album at the New Zealand Music Awards the same year, and remained on the top 40 New Zealand sales chart for over two years, establishing them as one of the most successful contemporary bands in the island nation.

History

Formation: 1999–2001

The band Fat Freddy's Drop gradually took shape from members of other bands in Wellington, New Zealand's music scene in the late 1990s. The group's founder, Chris "Mu" Faiumu, had performed with other bands for most of that decade under the name DJ Fitchie. He and two friends, trumpeter Toby Laing and vocalist Dallas Tamaira, occasionally played improvised jam sessions at his seaside home. Faiumu provided percussion and bass for these on an Akai Music Production Center (MPC). [1] All three were involved with other bands. Faiumu and Tamaira were members of the 15-piece dub band Bongmaster; [2] Laing was a member of The Black Seeds. [3] In 1999, they began performing together at local clubs and festivals, [4] and released several vinyl singles distributed locally. [5]

That same year, Faiumu founded the independent music label The Drop with the help of his partner Nicole, and money from private investors. According to Faiumu, the venture was a learning experience in the business of making and releasing records. The Drop's first release was Dallas Tamaira's solo project, the five-track EP Better Than Change, [6] followed by a single performed by the group named "Hope". "Hope" was written and recorded over two days under the influence of LSD, according to interviews. [7] Each blotter — individual dose — of that type of LSD, popular in Wellington at that time, had the image of Fat Freddy's Cat (from Gilbert Shelton's comic strip The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers ) printed on it. Dropping — common slang for taking LSD — Fat Freddies became the inspiration for the band's name. [8]

The group organised several informal jam sessions in 2000, inviting local musicians to play with them at Faiumu's home. These sessions led to four new members joining Fat Freddy's Drop: Warren Maxwell on tenor and alto saxophone, Tehimana Kerr on guitar, Iain Gordon on keyboards, and Joe Lindsay on trombone. [7] Like the original three, the new members played with other groups in and around Wellington, and continued to for most of Fat Freddy's Drop's career. [9] Gordon was a fellow Bongmaster member with Faiumu and Tamaira. Gordon was also a member of the band Ebb which in 2001 performed an audiovisual concert and released an EP titled Plush Bomb, with Fat Freddy's Drop playing in support. [10] Maxwell was in the reggaemusic group TrinityRoots. [11] Maxwell and Joe Lindsay, who make up the horn section of Fat Freddy's Drop, [12] were students at the Conservatorium of Music in Wellington in the mid-1990s. [13] Faiumu was the "central point [and] the reason for the band getting together," according to a 2009 interview. [14]

Live at the Matterhorn and singles: 2001–2004

Fat Freddy's Drop performing at Hotel Great Northern in Byron Bay, Australia in 2009 Fat-Freddys-Drop-Byron-Bay-30-3-09-1.jpg
Fat Freddy's Drop performing at Hotel Great Northern in Byron Bay, Australia in 2009

The now-seven-member Fat Freddy's Drop, sometimes calling themselves the "seven-headed soul monster", [7] continued to play live at clubs and festivals. The band's first full-length album, Live at the Matterhorn , was released in 2001 by The Drop. The live album is a recording of their show at the Matterhorn club in Wellington that year. Very little mastering was done to the album, which is divided into four tracks averaging 18 minutes each. [15] It was not formally promoted, but sold 9,000 copies in its first few months via word-of-mouth, according to the Sydney Morning Herald . [8]

In 2000, the New Zealand government began a campaign to increase the profitability of the country's music industry, and of music exports abroad, [16] by funding artists and events. [17] [18] The percentage of music sold by nationals went from 5.45% in 2000 to 10% in 2004, [19] and a 2004 government survey indicated one-quarter of New Zealanders attended a live music event in the year previous. [20] Fat Freddy's Drop were not one of the bands funded, but the elevated live music scene, and the relative success of Live at The Matterhorn, gave them more opportunities to establish themselves as one of the area's best live acts. [21] Several of their early singles, like "Hope" and "Runnin", were featured on compilation albums published by local labels and radio stations. [5] An established group from Kaikōura named Salmonella Dub—who one member described as the "forerunner for Fat Freddys"—provided the band opportunities to play in front of larger crowds in New Zealand and neighbouring Australia. [6]

The third single, released by The Drop in 2002, "Midnight Marauders" became their first step towards international recognition when a copy was taken to German record label Sonar Kollektiv by a producer. [22] That year, Sonar and affiliated label Best Seven re-released the single in Germany, and European DJ group Jazzanova used the track in several mixes. [23] A second single, "Hope/This Room", was re-released by Sonar and Best the next year. After the singles' success, Sonar invited the band to play a string of European shows in 2003. [24] Sonar label manager Matthias Bohmbach said he was surprised when one-thousand copies of "Midnight Marauders" sold at a show in Germany. [24] Not wanting a single label to control their work in Europe, the band also partnered with London-based label Kartel in 2003 to handle distribution and promotion in England. [1] From 2003 to 2009, distribution of the band's work was handled by The Drop in New Zealand and Australia, by Sonar Kollektiv and Best Seven in most of Europe, and by Kartel in England.

Fat Freddy's Drop's European profile slowly increased between 2003 and the release of their first studio album in 2005. The BBC's Gilles Peterson called "Hope" one of the top tracks of 2003. The band was invited to play at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. [8] International DJ Magazine listed Fat Freddy's Drop as one of the "top 20 bands to look out for" in 2004. In what became an almost annual trip, they returned to touring New Zealand and Australia in 2004, and—partnering with Sonar Kollektiv—returned to Europe for an official "Hope for a Generation" tour. [25]

Based on a True Story: 2005–2008

Fat Freddy's Drop's first studio album in 2005, Based on a True Story , showcased polished versions of songs the band had developed gradually at live shows over the years—in some cases going back to 1999; the album's title is a reference to that process. [26] Many Fat Freddy's Drop members still played with other Wellington bands while recording Based on a True Story, and scheduling conflicts forced them to record their individual parts at different times to be mixed later. [6] In a later interview, they said it is "healthy for members to be able to do other things," but they hoped to record the tracks together in the same room on their next album. [6] Replacing Faiumu's MPC sampler on the album—and in some live shows afterwards—were drummer Riki Gooch and bassist Rio Hemopo, who together with Fat Freddy's Drop saxophonist Warren Maxwell make up the band TrinityRoots. [26] Also contributing were vocalists Hollie Smith, Ladi 6, and P Digsss, and Bongmaster guitarist Aaron Tokona. [27] After mixing Based on a True Story for 18 months at his home studio in-between tours, Faiumu took the album to San Francisco-based Fantasy Studios to be mastered. [1]

Based on a True Story became the first independently distributed album to reach first place in New Zealand record sales directly after release, [8] and is the third-highest-selling album by a national artist in the country's history. [28] The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand's (RIANZ) sales chart listed Based on a True Story as one of the top 40 selling albums for more than two years after its release, [29] [30] and has since been certified nine-times platinum, denoting shipments of 135,000 copies. [31] The album's only single, "Wandering Eye", spent more than four months on the top 40 selling singles chart. [32] Like Live at the Matterhorn, the album was given no formal promotion or marketing; its popularity largely due to the band's reputation in New Zealand. [33] At the 2005 New Zealand Music Awards, Fat Freddy's Drop won awards in every category they were nominated: Best Group, Best Album, Best New Zealand Roots Group. They also won the People's Choice Award in both 2005 and 2006. [34] [35] Based on a True Story had sold 120,000 copies in New Zealand as of April 2009. [33] The album sold 30,000 copies in Europe. [13]

The band continued touring for the next four years while planning and developing a second studio album. [36] They returned to Germany, England, and Italy in 2005; returned in 2006 for their European World Cup Tour, [7] and again for a set of shows in 2007. [37] They also toured the east coast of Australia in 2006 and 2007. [21] [38] Many band members were fathers by then, a factor increasingly affecting their "touring stamina". [26] Warren Maxwell left the band in 2007 for family reasons, and was replaced in live performances with Scott Towers. Towers attended the Conservatorium of Music with Maxwell, [14] and was trombonist Joe Lindsay's tutor there. [13]

Dr Boondigga and the Big BW: 2009–2012

Fat Freddy's Drop released their second studio album, Dr Boondigga and the Big BW , in 2009. The title refers to "the Big Brain-Wash and Dr. Boondigga [who] is some evil creature who's trying to sign us to a major label," according to Faiumu. [36] The band is still independently distributed by The Drop label, and as of 2009, have handled distribution themselves in Europe. Like Based on a True Story, the album's songs are polished versions of songs they developed over four years at live shows; mixed from 2007 to 2009 in-between tours. [26] Unlike their last album, most of it was recorded live in-studio with all band members present. There were some exceptions; Alice Russell's duet with Tamaira on the album's first single "The Camel" was recorded in 2006 when she was in Wellington with The Bamboos.

Dr Boondigga and the Big BW was the highest selling album in New Zealand for five weeks after its release, and the highest selling album there in 2009. [39] It was listed on the RIANZ top 40 sales chart 38 weeks in total. [40] The album received more international promotion than its predecessor, reaching number 45 in the Australian album chart, [41] and 97th in France. [42] The BBC's John Lusk called Fat Freddy's Drop "New Zealand's most critically acclaimed band since The Clean", and lead singer Tamaira, "one of the most soulful singers of his generation." [43] At the 2009 New Zealand Music Awards the album won the awards Best Producer, and Best Aotearoa Roots Album [44] Dr Boondigga and the Big BW had sold 30,000 copies in New Zealand as of December 2009. [39]

Fat Freddy's Drop returned to touring New Zealand, Australia and Europe to promote the new album in 2009. [45] Three shows on the west coast of the United States, and a show in Canada, were also included in the tour. [46] The only previous time the band had played in the United States was a single performance at the Detroit Electronic Music festival in 2004. [47] Before 2009, the cost of touring in the US, [48] difficulty obtaining visas, and the band's low profile in North America prevented them from including tour dates there. [39] Band members say they now consider playing together as Fat Freddy's Drop their first musical priority, and spend less time playing with other bands. [9]

Blackbird: 2013

In early 2013, the band revealed a new album was in the works, and eventually the first single, Silver and Gold was released as a vinyl and free online download. The single received significant radio airplay following its release. [49] [50] The album, Blackbird was released on 21 June in Ireland and in most regions, and on 24 June in others. [51] The album debuted in the number-one position on the New Zealand album chart and remained in that position for four weeks. The band went on a national tour of Australia in late August/early September where they appeared at the Splendour in the Grass festival, and will head to Europe for a string of dates immediately after. [50]

Bays: 2015

New material was teased in early in October 2014 on NZ radio and Fat Freddy's Drop released Slings and Arrows 17 October 2014. [52] Starting with an 8-bit intro the song blossomed in to what they said was their most reggae track thus far. The subsequent album Bays was released the following year on 23 October 2015, reaching the number 1 in New Zealand and 12 In Australia. The album title is derived from their home base in Wellington where the majority of the album was written. [53] Widening the sphere of influence which colours their music the new album features more electronic flavour in Wheels and Cortina Motors, which seems like a true evolution, and more soulful moments in Makkan where Dallas already resides.

Special Edition Part 1

On 20 July 2018, the single Trickle Down was released and their fifth studio album, Special Edition Part 1 , was confirmed. [54] Following this, a tour of Europe commenced, which included tease performances of three new songs: Special Edition, 114, and Kamo, Kamo. [55] On 10 October 2019, the single Kamo Kamo was released, along with an official name and release date for the upcoming album. Special Edition Part 1 was released digitally on 15 November with physical formats to follow. [56]

Musical style and influences

Aerial view of Southern Wellington. The band, and The Drop label, are headquartered in Lyall Bay (centre-left). Miramar Peninsula aerial.jpg
Aerial view of Southern Wellington. The band, and The Drop label, are headquartered in Lyall Bay (centre-left).

Improvisation, live and in the studio, has been the basis for Fat Freddy's Drop's music since the beginning of their career. "Live performance is the most natural state for music," according to trumpeter Toby Laing. [9] Most songs begin as a rhythm on Faiumu's MPC, and more sections are progressively added during jam sessions. Songs featured on the band's albums and singles are versions that have been refined over years of playing them in the studio, live in Wellington, and on tour abroad. Faiumu said that, on their first studio album, it was challenging to fit the long songs the band is used to playing into shorter album-length tracks. [14]

Describing the band, National Public Radio host Guy Raz said, "Take the swagger of Jamaican dub, throw in a little Memphis soul and send it halfway down the globe, and what comes back? The band Fat Freddy's Drop." [58] The band has been categorised under many genres, and members say many of those genres helped shape their musical style: delta blues, jazz, dub, soul, techno, and contemporary rhythm and blues. [9] [59] Musical styles heard while on tour have also shaped their sound; Dr Boondigga and the Big BW was influenced by contemporary German, Portuguese, and Bhangra music while touring in the years before its release. [36]

Faiumu and other band members say their biggest influences are their peers in Wellington's music scene. They feel their music "belong[s] here in New Zealand, you can tell it came from this country." [59] Fat Freddy's Drop's music has been categorised as Aotearoa roots music—meaning contemporary music inspired by Māori and Pacific Islander culture, even though they are a mixed-race group. Faiumu is a first-generation Samoan-New Zealander, Tamaira, Gordon and Kerr are native Māori, and the remaining members are descended from European immigrants.

Band members

Former members


Discography

Studio albums

Awards

RIANZ New Zealand Music Awards
YearAward [61] DetailsResult
2005 Album of the Year Based on a True Story Won
Best GroupWon
Best Aotearoa Roots Album Based on a True Story Won
People's Choice AwardWon
2006 Highest Selling NZ Album Based on a True Story Won
People's Choice AwardWon
2009 Album of the Year Dr Boondigga and the Big BW Nominated
Best GroupNominated
Peoples' Choice AwardNominated
Best Aotearoa Roots Album Dr Boondigga and the Big BW Won
Best Album CoverOtis Frizzell: Dr Boondigga and the Big BW Nominated
Best EngineerChris Faiumu: Dr Boondigga and the Big BW Nominated
Best ProducerFat Freddy's Drop: Dr Boondigga and the Big BW Nominated
Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards
YearAward [62] DetailsResult
2013Album of the YearBlackbirdNominated
Best GroupNominated
Best ProducerFFD - BlackbirdNominated
Best Aotearoa Roots AlbumBlackbirdWon
Best Album CoverGina Kiel & Harry A'Court - BlackbirdWon
2014Highest-selling NZ Album (top 5)Blackbird-Deluxe EditionNominated
2016Album of the YearBAYSNominated
Best GroupNominated
Highest-selling NZ Album (top 5)BAYSNominated
Best Aotearoa Roots AlbumBAYSNominated
International Achievement AwardWon

Related Research Articles

Shapeshifter are a live drum and bass act from New Zealand. They are known for their live shows and blend of heavy soul with drum and bass. They have made appearances at Glastonbury, The Big Chill, Big Day Out, Parklife plus sold-out performances across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TrinityRoots</span>

TrinityRoots are a band based in Wellington, New Zealand. Although they are commonly associated with New Zealand reggae they also embody a stripped back, jazz and soul-influenced rhythmic sound, which often builds up to highly emotional drum- and guitar-led crescendos.

<i>Live at the Matterhorn</i> 2001 live album by Fat Freddys Drop

Live at the Matterhorn is the first live album by reggae band Fat Freddy's Drop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollie Smith</span> Musical artist

Hollie Smith is a New Zealand soul singer-songwriter based in Auckland, New Zealand. Her four solo albums Long Player, Humour and the Misfortune of Others, Water or Gold, and Coming In From The Dark have all reached number one on the RIANZ albums chart, making her one of the most successful female New Zealand artists of the 21st century.

New Zealand reggae is the New Zealand variation of the musical genre reggae. It is a large and well established part of New Zealand music, and includes some of the country's most successful and highly acclaimed bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly My Pretties</span> Musical artist

Fly My Pretties is a collaboration of musicians originally from Wellington, New Zealand who are known for coming together to record live albums, in various locations in New Zealand. The different musical backgrounds of the members make for an eclectic mix of songs on their releases. Fly My Pretties was the brainchild of Barnaby Weir, front man of the Black Seeds and Mikee Tucker of Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa. The objective: To meet, exchange ideas, and then perform and record the results in front of a live audience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Tamaira</span> Musical artist

Dallas Tamaira, occasionally known by the alias Joe Dukie, is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician, best known for being the vocalist for the urban pasifika and dub group Fat Freddy's Drop. A multi-instrumentalist, he mainly plays guitar and keyboard, and is noted for his "handsome, pure tenor" voice. Tamaira is credited with helping bring New Zealand reggae to worldwide prominence.

Adi Dick is a singer, songwriter and producer who has been involved in many projects within the New Zealand music scene.

Rhombus are a dub/drum and bass/reggae/roots band from Wellington, New Zealand.

<i>Dr Boondigga and the Big BW</i> 2009 studio album by Fat Freddys Drop

Dr Boondigga and the Big BW is the second studio album by the New Zealand group Fat Freddy's Drop, released on 2 June 2009 on The Drop. The album became a number-one album in New Zealand in its first week of release and was certified Platinum in four days. It has since been certified 2× Platinum.

The Black Seeds, a New Zealand eight-piece reggae band, has released seven studio albums as well as two remix albums, and a live album. The band formed in 1997 in Wellington, New Zealand but did not release their first studio album, Keep On Pushing L.P, until 2001. Even though this album was on a small budget, it still reached platinum status in New Zealand, as well as having success in Australia. A remix album was also released in 2002 called Pushed, which included songs from the first album remixed by local DJs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fat Freddy's Drop discography</span>

Fat Freddy's Drop have released seven studio albums, two live albums, and several singles. Their songs have appeared on compilation albums both in New Zealand and internationally. In 2007, they released a DVD, Fantastic Voyages Vol. 1, with live footage from their 2006 World Cup Tour, music videos, and behind the scenes footage.

<i>Based on a True Story</i> (Fat Freddys Drop album) 2005 studio album by Fat Freddys Drop

Based on a True Story is the first studio album by New Zealand group Fat Freddy's Drop. It was recorded in Wellington and released on the band's own label, The Drop. Based on a True Story utilized the band's trademark dub, reggae, soul and funk influenced sound, and has been successful both in terms of sales and of critical reception. The album followed years of regular touring within New Zealand, a live album, several singles, and appearances on numerous compilation albums in New Zealand and internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladi6</span> Musical artist

Karoline Fuarose Park-Tamati, known professionally as Ladi6, is a New Zealand recording artist of Samoan descent. She spent six months living in Berlin and touring Europe in both 2010 and 2011. Her debut album Time Is Not Much debuted at number 4 on the New Zealand Top 40 Album chart. and her second album The Liberation Of... debuted at number 6 and was certified gold. Her single "Like Water" was certified platinum in June 2011. She has won many awards, including Best Female Solo Artist and Best Urban Hip Hop Album at the 2011 New Zealand Music Awards and Best Urban/Hip Hop Album at the 2009 New Zealand Music Awards. The current line-up of the wider Ladi6 group is Ladi6, her partner Parks and Julien Dyne. Ladi6 has been called "New Zealand's answer to Erykah Badu".

The bNet NZ Music Awards was an annual New Zealand music award presentation organised by New Zealand student radio network bNet from 1998 to 2007.

Matthew "Recloose" Chicoine is an American electronic music producer, DJ and musician hailing from Detroit, Michigan, US. He is known for numerous releases on independent dance labels like Planet E, Rush Hour, Peacefrog, Studio !K7, Sonar Kollektiv and Delusions of Grandeur. Chicoine is also a touring DJ who has played in and around Europe, the UK, the United States, Japan, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.

<i>Blackbird</i> (Fat Freddys Drop album) 2013 studio album by Fat Freddys Drop

Blackbird is the third studio album by the New Zealand group Fat Freddy's Drop, released on 21 June 2013 on their own record label, The Drop. The album was a critical and commercial success, spending 4 weeks at the top of the New Zealand albums chart, and has been certified platinum.

Nigel Collins is a New Zealand musician, actor and playwright. A long time collaborator of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords, he appears in their live shows as a string section of one, 'The New Zealand Sympathy Orchestra' playing cello, and also bass, keyboards, percussion, drums and singing backing vocals. He's featured in tours of North America, the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand from 2001 to 2018. Collins graduated from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 1999 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting).

<i>Bays</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Fat Freddys Drop

Bays is the fourth studio album by the New Zealand group Fat Freddy's Drop, released on 23 October 2015 through their own record label, the Drop. The album is named after the band's own studio, Bays, in Kilbirnie in southern Wellington. Bays charted internationally and topped the New Zealand albums chart, where it was also certified gold.

<i>Special Edition Part 1</i> 2019 album by Fat Freddys Drop

Special Edition Part 1 is the sixth studio album by New Zealand band Fat Freddy's Drop. The band's first release in four years since Bays (2015), Special Edition Part 1 was written intended to be the first part of a double-album. The album featured the singles "Trickle Down" (2018) and "Kamo Kamo" (2019), and reached number four on the New Zealand albums chart.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Chris Faiumu. - Mu - Buddy & Soul. Red Bull Music Academy.
  2. "Bongmaster". muzic.net.nz. The Kiwimusic Network. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  3. Andrews, Chris (1 September 2003). "Fat Freddy". Stylus Magazine . Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  4. McIver, Sharon (2007). WaveShapeConversion: The Land as Reverent in the Dance Culture and Music of Aotearoa (PhD). University of Canterbury.
  5. 1 2 "The Drop Discography" (PDF). The Drop. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Chris Faiumu, Dallas Tamaira (1 August 2005). Interview with Fat Freddy's Drop from Holland. toazted.com. Event occurs at 00:00:00. Archived from the original (Mp3) on 15 July 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Lusk, John (27 June 2007). "Wellington roots". guardian.co.uk . Guardian News and Media . Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Blake, Jason (17 October 2005). "Fat Freddy's Drop". smh.com.au. Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Liselle (27 April 2008). "Fat Freddy's Drop". NZ Girl. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  10. "Review-Plush Bomb". Muzic Net NZ. 6 July 2001. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  11. "Fat Freddy's Drop". Rave Magazine (Australia). Brisbane Street Press. 23 June 2009. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  12. "QUANGO BIO FAT FREDDY'S DROP" (PDF). Kartel. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  13. 1 2 3 Crombie, Nathan (23 November 2006). "Saxophone ace escapes to Featherston". Wairarapa Times-Age . APN News & Media. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  14. 1 2 3 McGrath, Liz. "Fat Freddy's Drop – DROP THE BEAT". Electronic Beats . T-Mobile. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  15. Neilson, Daniel (2 November 2008). "Fat Freddy's Drop – Live at the Matterhorn". flyglobalmusic.com. FLY. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  16. Koranteng, Juliana (29 March 2003). "ILMC Discusses Hot To Improve Live-Music Industry". Billboard . Vol. 115, no. 13. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 14. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  17. Shuker, Roy (30 May 2008). "New Zealand popular music, government policy, and cultural identity". Popular Music. Cambridge University Press. 27 (2): 271–287. doi:10.1017/S0261143008004066. S2CID   132898136.
  18. Tizard, Judith (19 May 2003). "NZ music at Parliament and worldwide". beehive.govt.nz. Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  19. "About New Zealand Music Month". nzhistory.net.nz. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  20. Tizard, Judith (10 March 2004). "Inspiring greatness – NZ music and the world". beehive.govt.nz. Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  21. 1 2 Pinckney, Jim (28 May 2005). "Themes From Dallas". New Zealand Listener . Vol. 198, no. 3394. Wellington, New Zealand: S. R. Evison. ISSN   0028-839X.
  22. Iain Gordon, Joe Lindsay, Jim Mora (1 November 2006). Fat Freddy's Drop – NZ Live (Mp3). Radio New Zealand. Event occurs at 00:00:00. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  23. "Jazzanova Biography". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation. 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  24. 1 2 Fat Freddy's Drop (1 January 2006). Fat Freddy's Drop – NZ Live (Adobe Flash). NZ On Screen . New Zealand On Air. Event occurs at 00:00:00. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  25. Hunter, Sarah (19 April 2004). "Fat Freddy's Drop 'Hope' Tour UK/Europe 2004". obscure.co.nz. Psecret Foundation. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Drever, Andrew (16 June 2009). "Interview – Fat Freddy's Drop". The Vine . Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 20 June 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  27. "Based On A True Story". SmokeCDs.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  28. Dubber, Andrew (2007). "Tutira Mai Nga Iwi (Line up together, people): Constructing New Zealand identity through commercial radio". The Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast and Audio Media. Intellect. 5 (1): 19–34. doi:10.1386/rajo.5.1.19_1. ISSN   2040-1388.
  29. "Annual Top 50 Albums Chart 2006". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. 2006. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  30. "Annual Top 50 Albums Chart 2006". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  31. "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". RadioScope. Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  32. "Wandering Eye – Fat Freddy's Drop – Top 40 Singles". muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  33. 1 2 Fat Freddy's Drop prepare to release latest album. TV3 (New Zealand) . MediaWorks NZ. 3 April 2009. Archived from the original (Adobe Flash) on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  34. "2005 Winners". New Zealand Music Awards. 2005. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  35. Hunkin, Joanna (19 October 2006). "Fat Freddy's, Bic Runga star at Music Awards". New Zealand Herald . APN Holdings NZ. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  36. 1 2 3 "Fat Freddy's Drop". fasterLouder.com.au. FasterLouder Pty. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  37. "Fat Freddy's Drop Syd Melb Oct 2006 Tour". Niche Productions. 1 October 2006. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  38. Hardaker, Tim (31 October 2007). "Fat Freddy's Drop tour sold out". inthemix.com.au. FasterLouder Pty. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  39. 1 2 3 Ali Ikram, Mark Williams, Scott Towers (21 December 2009). Fat Freddy's Drop – full interview. TV3 . MediaWorks New Zealand. Archived from the original (Adobe Flash) on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  40. "Dr Boondigga And The Big Bw – Fat Freddy's Drop – Top 40 Albums". muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  41. "Fat Freddy's Drop – Dr Boondigga And The Big Bw". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien.
  42. "Fat Freddy's Drop – Dr Boondigga And The Big Bw". lescharts.com. Hung Medien.
  43. Lusk, John (24 August 2009). "Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW Review". BBC. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  44. "Awards". New Zealand Music Awards. 2009. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  45. "Fat Freddy's Drop album shakedown tour". inthemix.com.au. FasterLouder Pty. 25 July 2009. Archived from the original on 18 January 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  46. Comox Valley Echo (12 March 2010). "Roberta Flack sings at MusicFest". canada.com. Canwest News Service . Retrieved 28 March 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  47. White, Jim (17 November 2009). "Fat Freddy's Drop: Beyond Bob". JamBase . Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  48. Prince, David J. (8 December 2009). "Fat Freddy's Drop Visit U.S. With 'Dr. Boondigga'". Billboard . Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  49. "Fat Freddy's Drop » Silver and Gold". fatfreddysdrop.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012.
  50. 1 2 "Fat Freddy's Drop Announce Australia Tour 2013 -- PLUS New Album 'Blackbird' Released June 2013". ariacharts.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014.
  51. "Blackbird by Fat Freddy's Drop on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  52. "SLINGS AND ARROWS SINGLE | Fat Freddys Drop". www.fatfreddysdrop.com. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  53. "New Album 'BAYS' | Fat Freddys Drop". www.fatfreddysdrop.com. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  54. Fat Freddy's Drop (19 July 2018), Fat Freddy's Drop 'Trickle Down' Single, archived from the original on 13 December 2021, retrieved 3 March 2019
  55. "Autumn Drop to Summertime | Fat Freddys Drop". www.fatfreddysdrop.com. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  56. "Fat Freddy's Drop - Shop". Fat Freddy's Drop. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  57. Chait, Shaun. "Fat Freddy's Drop – Dropping In On Fat Freddy's Drop". NZ Musician. NZ Musician. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  58. Guy Raz, Chris Faiumu, Toby Laing (26 December 2009). Fat Freddy's Drop Blends Reggae, Soul And DJ Culture (Adobe Flash). National Public Radio . Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  59. 1 2 Bisley, Alexander (25 November 2005). "DJ Mu on Fat Freddy's Drop". The Lumière Reader. Lumière Industries. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  60. 1 2 "Watch: Fat Freddys Drop Talk Wairunga with The 13th Floor".
  61. "NZMAs". nzmusicawards.co.nz. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  62. "Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | Award History" . Retrieved 8 August 2019.