Live Stage Bios

MAD PROFESSOR (Ariwa, UK)

Mad Professor launched Ariwa Records during the early Eighties, having already built his own mixing desk and recorded many top reggae artists. The distinct variation and surprising sound effects of the Professor's dub, and the cool sound and clarity of his mixing soon earned him a strong following. The Professor began playing his dub sound around the world, while also working on many recording projects with Ariwa. The Ariwa catalogue now has over 200 releases, including over 30 dub albums from Mad Professor, and numerous albums from renowned dub artists such as Lee Scratch Perry, U-Roy and Horace Andy. Mad Professor has collaborated with, produced and remixed artists such as The Orb, Massive Attack, Mikey Dread, KLF, Beasties Boys, Jamiroqui and Sly & Robbie. He is truly a legend of modern music. Luminate Festival is honoured to present Mad Professor and his dubbingly talented son on vocals, Joe Ariwa.
www.ariwa.com


ZEN MECHANICS (Iboga / Neurobiotic, NL)

Zen Mechanics was launched in 2002 by the multi-talented Dutchman Wouter Thomassen. Drawing from his 12 year DJ experience, he soon caused quite a stir with his eclectic style. By fusing elements of futuristic Trance, Progressive, Ambient & Breaks into a powerfull dancefloor-friendly and atmospheric sound, he quickly gained interest from a wide range of labels as varied as his output (such as Aleph Zero, Iboga, Neurobiotic, Nano, Alchemy and Flow) and a string of releases followed including his highly acclaimed debut album "Holy Cities", released by Neurobiotic in 2008. Since then he's been travelling the planet nonstop, and booked for virtually every major psychedelic festival in the world such as Boom, Glade, Universo Paralello, Sonica, Rainbow Serpent etc., landed a nomination for best Psytrance artist at Beatport's annual music awards and has become one of the most sought after artist and remixer in the global Psychedelic Trance scene. www.myspace.com/zenmechanics


WILD MARMALADE (Aus)

Wild Marmalade are a High-Energy Organic Trance, Drum & Didgeridoo Band originating from Byron Bay, Australia. Playing totally live with ferocious intensity, Wild Marmalade create inspired dance music without the use of any electronic machines. Combining the unique rhythmic didgeridoo playing of Si Mullumby with the explosive energy and groove of Matt Goodwin on drum kit, Wild Marmalade have created a genre-defying meeting of the ancient sound of Australia's didgeridoo with contemporary dance beats. They have played high-profile gigs around the globe, including main stage at the Boom Festival (Portugal) 2008, Infected Mushroom Australian Tour support act 2007, and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival (Denmark) 2002. The primal, rhythmic, inspired nature of the Wild Marmalade sound creates an irresistible desire to dance.
www.wildmarmalade.com


MAMAKU PROJECT (NZ)

The Mamaku Project has wowed audiences on the festival scene in Aotearoa/NZ and abroad since 2005. Weaving French Bohemian Roots and Pacifica Dub into a captivating musical concoction, led by co-founders Tui Mamaki & Monsieur Escargot, this act is one-of-a-kind: "Wild flavours of French Cabaret Flirt with the pulse of Electro-Oriental-Jazz. An intoxicating affair of multi-lingual noir poetry, conjuring Balkan dance floors, spliced with a sprinkling of circus..." Inspired by the wild west coast of Waitakere where they are based, The Mamaku Project has toured extensively in Europe, Australia and NZ.
www.mamakuproject.com


EDOARDO (Neurobiotic, IT)

Edoardo Marvaso started spinning vinyl in 1993 at the first big rave parties in Rome and he is now one of the most well-known frequent flying djs, having played all over, from small clubs and open air parties to the biggest gatherings such as Voov, Soulclipse, Universo Paralello, and Rainbow Serpent. In the year 2000, Edoardo founded Neurobiotic Records, and has since released artists such as Joti Sidhu, Tikal, Polaris, Bamboo Forest and Zen Mechanics as well as numerous compilations. Expect a stompin' psychedelic night time set at Luminate, as Edoardo unleashes the freshest beatz from this well renowned label.
www.myspace.com/djedoardo


HEDONIX (Electric Power Pole Recs, Aus)

Hedonix is a Sydney based Psytrance group consisiting of Rob Dilley and Steve Zanuttini, both qualified sound engineers and long time participants in the Australian psychedelic trance scene. They started the Hedonix project in 2001 with the intention of bringing a unique flavour to the world of psytrance. Their highly original sound and versatility has seen them released on various record labels specialising in a diverse range of music such as Electric Power Pole, Cosmic Conspiracy and Vertigo as well as landing them bookings for live performances all over Australia, Japan and Europe. Their style of music ranges from early night time psychedelic minimal to funky, quirky, melodic morning madness with a bit of a classic goa influence on occasions. Hedonix bring to Luminate a unique night set described as chunky, groovy, intelligent, twisted and full of surprises.
www.myspace.com/therealhedonix


ANTIX (Iboga)

Back in the late 90s fresh faced Auckland brothers Barton and Hayden Strom formed the (soon to become world famous outside New Zealand) trance act ANTIX. Iboga Records in Denmark got whiff of their new sound and promptly signed the two brothers who then produced their landmark debut album "Lull" in 03. This sultry electronic duo have been writing captivating beats, turning heads and storming dance floors across the globe for the past 8 years. With three albums under their belts with a fourth on the way, countless singles and a massive overseas fan base, Luminate is excited to showcase the groovy, funky, minimal lushness of Antix.
www.antixfiord.com


CHOCOLATE STRINGS (Aus)

Chocolate Strings have been described as one of Brisbane's finest purveyors of grooved out dub. A range of diverse backgrounds and influences create a smorgasbord of sounds - from rich deep Polynesian vocal harmonies of female vocalists Ofa Fanaika, Nia Falekakala and Nicole McWalters to the smokin' sax of Josh "Bachelor of Jazz" Appleby, these cats serve up a set where the only thing you can be sure of is leaving with a smile on your dial and sore legs from dancing. The Strings have been honoured to share the stage with artists such as The Black Seeds, Katchafire, King Tide, Olmecha Supreme, Rastawookie, to name a few.
www.myspace.com/chocolatestrings


AN EMERALD CITY (NZ)

This New Zealand six-piece has created a sound that combines eastern traditional instruments and psychedelic leanings with experimentation and musical liberation. They play instrumental, thoughtful songs created by guitars, drums, synths, keyboards, sitars, violins, a Persian long necked lute, tablas, daabuka, piano and percussion. This year has been a big one, with a spot at Auckland's Big Day Out, an album released to critical acclaim, and many memorable live shows and festival performances. In May An Emerald City relocated to Berlin and spent the latter half of the year touring Europe. They have begun to make their mark in the lively streets, smoky dens and grassy parks of Berlin and plan to return mid 2010 after a summer of touring New Zealand and creating new music.
www.myspace.com/anemeraldcity


KAREN HUNTER (NZ)

Karen Hunter first appeared on the Auckland music scene in the early 90's with an original style of blues-based acoustic funk and a voice described in the NZ Herald as 'one of the most sensuous in the country'. Hunter's work can be described as gritty jazz/folk. Songs are infused with dirty blues grooves using spoken word poetry and jazz scatting to create powerfully thoughtful and dynamic performance. Hunter's latest outing, 'Words & Groove,' blends jazz, blues and performance poetry. She comes to Luminate as part of a solo tour of New Zealand throughout summer 2010 to promote her new album.
www.karenhunter.com


PAN ELECTRIC (UK)

Quirky, dubby and laced with colour, drama and humour, the Pan Electric sound is vivid, smells of carnivals, bonfires and tastes like the best spontaneous night in you've had. A former member of UK 90s trance greats Green Nuns of the Revolution, Matt Coldrick's new ambient project fuses dj sensibilities with live guitar to create a unique journey of musicality, texture, ambience, sacred grooves, and limitless improvisation.
www.absoluteambient.com


OPIUO (Aus)

Imagine a precisely blended concoction of tight irresistible grooves, chunk-fueled bouncy beats, luscious brooding soundscapes, dollops of stomach morphing bass, and a bowl of scrumptious glitch. Welcome to the musical world of Opiuo. A self confessed music addict with a light-hearted approach to life and art, Opiuo is at his best whilst hiding from the world, creating fun-fueled music. Influences range from life changing experiences, to mere cups of tea; inspiring him to create sounds as varied as jazz, reggae, funk, rock, and psychedelia. Originally from New Zealand, Opiuo now resides in Melbourne Australia, where he has built an international reputation for his chunky musical creations. He has played live at festivals and clubs all over Australasia.
www.opiuo.com


ORGANIKISMNESS (NZ)

Organik_ism_ness a.k.a Harry Bretherton is one of New Zealand's most diverse and prolific Drum'n'Bass producers. Currently based in Christchurch, Harry started out in Nelson when he joined forces with Alion (Alison Harley) in 2003. Their early tunes grabbed the attention of UK producers Goldie, Aphrodite and Mickey Finn. Six years down the track and Organikismness, now a solo act, is an internationally respected force in the Drum'n'Bass and dubstep communities. Organikismness represents something a little different from the land of the long white cloud, an original fusion of elements and genres that creates a musical journey that is in a world of its own, heavy but deep, digital yet organic.
organikismness.com


GROUCH (Zenon/Cosmic Conspiracy Recs, NZ)

Luminate welcomes Grouch back for his first live gig in Aotearoa since touring overseas. With a long-standing background in percussion, the Grouch experience is a profound and cheeky amalgamation of tribal percussive elements, intricate phat stomping basslines and experimental psychedelic dub. With an incredibly distinctive style,Grouch has played extensively at music festivals and clubs throughout Australia and New Zealand, and more recently also in India. Since his debut album "The Moof is Rooving" on A-List Records in 2006, he has released several tracks on different labels, including Cosmic Conspiracy, Zenon and Native Harmonics. He currently has another album set for release on Up Recs, and plenty of other releases to look out for in the near future.


ISAAC CHAMBERS (NZ)

The last couple of years have brought a lot of changes for me. I have started concentrating on playing instruments again, which has been huge in renewing my inspiration towards music production. I am excited about the future and can't wait to see what comes outta my own head. The possibilities are endless. I am working on alot of different sounds, just throwing ideas around. My new tunes are ranging from slow dubs, blues, hip hop, hawaiian surf jams, through to deep tech house/trance and breaks all with a touch of organic glitch... It's all about mixing electronic goodness with instrumental lushness. Let's just go with the flow, and have some fun. No more boxes, just music! www.myspace.com/isaacchambersnz


BOOMSHANTI (A.K.A. DIWATA)

AJ (Diwata / Boomshanti) has travelled through many countries, especially remote Pacific Islands, playing music and collecting samples of local music, which he has woven into a multi-cultural journey in rhythm and dance. After his latest journey through northern Vanuatu, AJ has produced a movie and double album, which will be available at Luminate. The Diwata set will have live yidaki and percussion supporting an interactive abelton set, with the possibility of some special guest live performers joining....
www.myspace.com/diwatatribe


CAITLIN AND SIKA

Caitlin & Sika are internationally acclaimed musicians from New Zealand appearing on the world festival circuit for over 14 years. At present they are on tour with an exciting new live show including tracks from their latest CD 'Song of Destiny'. Their passionate music is a unique blend of songs using voice, 12 string guitar, didgeridoos, mbira, keyboards, drums and flutes. Both recognized as world class artists, Caitlin's sensual voice and positive lyrics together with Sika's dynamic didgeridoo and dance rhythms create a stunning & highly energetic performance.
www.earthspiritmusic.co.nz


VALLEY PROJECT

After a year in hiatus, Valley Project have re-formed for a one-off reunion show at their favourite summer festival, Luminate. Valley Project toured extensively last summer and are renowned for their high energy dancefloor experience. The band have decided to shake off the cobwebs and reconfigure some of the old material, as well as mixing it up with a few new tracks. VP's original members, and a couple of guest performers, promise to bring a sound heavy in funk with sprinklings of rhythym and blues and lashings of reggae. Their unique sound is energised by the diversity that the three vocalists offer, each taking turns to bring life to summertime anthems. Be sure to catch them as it may be your last chance.
www.myspace.com/thevalleyprojectnz


MIDNIGHT KITCHEN

Midnight Kitchen is an organic, ear friendly, free range, do it yourself band from Invercargill. Following in the footsteps of dreamers like Burt Munro this four piece has aspirations of living their own dream, writing, recording and performing their original music to lucky crowds around New Zealand. Since their formation in 2008 Midnight Kitchen has performed at Southland venues such as: Tillerman's, Saints and Sinners, The Musician's Club, live on Radio Southland as well as the Backstage in Dunedin. In the same year they won their region for the 'KFC Sounds of your home town competition', as well as making it into the finals of Invercargill's Bandwars. Midnight Kitchen are finishing up their debut EP which they will be promoting this summer as they tour New Zealand together for the first time.
www.myspace.com/inthemidnightkitchen.com


CHIMUKA

We are an eight-piece band consisting of seven marimbas (bass, baritone, tenors, alto and sopranos) and a pair of hosho (shakers). Chimuka, based near Motueka, is one of only two groups playing this music in New Zealand. The group is directed and taught by Russell Matthews. We are mainly a dance band; the music is very infectious and we always have people up dancing while they enjoy the intricacy of the music. The music itself has been adapted for marimba from the mbira (thumb piano) of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, who have developed this instrument and its music to a high degree of sophistication. With intricate polyrhythmic cyclic melodies the music has a powerful uplifting quality capable of connecting people to a childlike sense of joy and delight, which is one of the main reasons we enjoy performing this music.


MATIU TE HUKI

Matiu Te Huki is a singer/songwriter who has collaborated with artists such as Tiki Tane, Anika Moa, Rhombus, and has performed with the likes of Fat Freddy's Drop, Pitch Black and Olmecha Supreme. He was founding member of Homefire Burning and is currently in My Golden Soul. Matiu is known for his amazing vocal skills and power. As a solo artist with a wide range of international quality backing tracks, Matiu brings a unique presence to the stage and builds an elevated energy. The music is soulful roots, dub, funk and hip hop with an uplifting, inspiring and motivating message.


MR SQUATCH (Delicious, NZ)

Mr Squatch is an electronic music project created by Shea Dawson, a.k.a. Psysquatch. While Psysquatch was best known for his pumping, full-on psy DJ sets, Shea has chilled out, climbed out of his box and put his head down in the studio. The result - Mr Squatch. 100% original home-baked beats that can only be described as... dub-psy-steppin-prog-tec-minimal-trance-beat. Mr Squatch has a new album on the way... this will be released for free download from deliciousmusic.co.nz... stay tuned!
www.deliciousmusic.co.nz


INVADER TRON (Delicious, NZ)

Representing the downbeat side of electronic music, Andrew Snook (Invader Tron), writes in a variety of musical styles, and often inter-breeds multiple genres, from spacious soundscapes to broken glitch-tech, synth driven psy-dub and gaping ambience. Invader Tron has performed at many major outdoor dance festivals such as Canaan Downs, Voyage, and Massive's Solstices and Equinoxes. He has also had the privilege of performing in Australia at the last two Rainbow Serpent Festivals.
www.deliciousmusic.co.nz


WIZDUMB (Cosmic Conspiracy Recs, NZ)

DJing Progressive and Minimal Psy around the world Since 1998, WizdumB is the founder and driving force behind Cosmic Conspiracy Records. Wizdumb focuses on an original and unique blend of minimal psychedelic; blending funk, techno and modern contemporary electronica together with the classic powerful elements of deep progressive trance. With a highly anticipated new compilation "Geek Mythology" ready for release in january 2010, WizdumB's main stage set at this years Luminate will showcase selections from his new compilation, along with some of his own productions and an array of real-time external FX Units and sampler use. It will also be his last NZ performance before heading off overseas!
www.myspace.com/wizdumbdj


SCHILLE.M

Matthias Schiller (Schille.M), has been DJing/producing his own blend of electronic music since 2002. He has been involved in various band projects in the past, while pushing his own production constantly. In The last two years he has been playing major festivals all around the South Island (incl. Voyage, Canaan Downs, Luminate '09). His sound can be described as melodic/minimalist/tech with a strong influence of dub. After spending 5 months in Argentina and Brazil he is back for the summer and is looking forward to playing Luminate Festival again. Lots of fresh tunes are in his travel bag and they can't wait to get out and be played, so watch out!!!
www.myspace.com/schillem


MAIA (Organic Records/Native Harmonics, NZ)

Maia's sets are spontaneous and interactive, totally dependent on being in the present moment, tuned in to the unfolding scene, the energies, the crowd vibes and responses. The aim is to take the crowd to a deep state of energised trance, to stimulate our evolving consciousness, interconnectedness, sense of playfulness and freedom. She loves to take the music and the dance floor on an adventure, and to dissolve boundaries of genre, covering all sorts of psychedelic territory from minimal, progressive, full on, twisted, phat breaks, dubby basslines, and deep tribal grooves. Since 2002 Maia has been dj-ing regularly throughout Aotearoa and overseas, and somehow finds time to grow organic veggies and co-organise Luminate Festival. www.organicrecords.net , www.nativeharmonics.co.nz


PSYMON BARNET (Delicious, NZ)

Psymon Barnet. DJ. Hustler. Suited and booted. Psymon Barnet brings the party to the party. Expect fat, funky, chunky, get-ya-booty-shakin' minimal tek & progressive. With the occasional quirk... Get it goin!! www.deliciousmusic.co.nz/psymonbarnet


MUDFAERY SOUP

MudFaery Soup is a spontaneous combustion of yummy sounds stirred up in an eclectic mix and served up fresh! Featuring Amira Mudfaery on vocals, harp, and hand percussion; David Dwyer on hand and body percussion and vocals; Manfred Raunigg on flute and didj; Joe Barlow on guitar and vocals; Roger Sanders Linton on cello and vocals, and occasional random guest musicians. Guaranteed fun, silliness, and quality yumminess!


LAZULI

Golden Bay musicians Dale Westerink, Purple, Sam Hopley and Tina Bridgman came together to form Lazuli. They combine the experience of playing in 32 different bands in a dozen countries, appearances on 23 albums, performances at Glastonbury Festival, and tracks which have been played on Shortland Street! The result is a fusion of soulful, funky, deep global roots with a twist of celtic.


S.O.S. PROJECT

The SOS Project presents a set of original songs from AJ (Diwata / Boomshanti). It's a flexible line-up of musicians which is all about simplicity, balance and authenticity. The SOS Project set will be a three piece band - drums, bass, and guitar / vocals.
www.myspace.com/sosproject


BABA YAGA

Baba Yaga was formed at Logan Park High School, Dunedin, in 2008 and has since expanded to include seven members, including a series of three bass players all named Sam. We formed out of a love for traditional Eastern European Gypsy and Klezmer folk tunes, and have since played in the annual Thieves' Alley market, the Fringe Festival and RSA choir concerts. This summer (as well as our performance at Luminate) we will play as the Youth Guest band at the Whare Flat Folk Festival.
Baba Yaga's Facebook page


REBECCA POETREE

Spouting a bubbling volcano of verse, on forest floors and on stages from her native California to her current home in Golden Bay, Aotearoa New Zealand, Rebecca is a spoken word poet who rhymes from the heart. Drawing on the intense, performance-oriented focus of the poetry slam movement, she weaves her own organic style and off beat rhyme schemes. Poems range through the political, spiritual, ecological, and personal, traveling magical and challenging dimensions of this moment on Earth. Rebecca collaborates in performance with musicians, including multi-talented percussionist David Dwyer, and in 2009 released the poetical-musical live CD "A Process of Love & Rhyme," a benefit for the Amazonian community of Shiwa Yacu in their land rights struggle. Spontaneous freestyles are also to be expected, reaching heightened levels when the crowd energy is flowing...
www.myspace.com/rebeccapoetry


GRIO

Grio is an 7 to 10 piece ensemble playing dance rhythms inspired by west africa, the caribbean and the middle east. This colorful dance band play djembe`s, djun djuns, cow bells, shakers, marimba, guitar and melodica, with an exciting texture of polyrhythms. Based in Golden Bay, Grio are just as at home in the street or on a large festival stage. Grio interacts with the audience to create a fun, energetic atmosphere guaranteed to bring out the bounce in people.
www.tribulldrums@xtra.co.nz/grio


VJ PHEYE

VJ since 2002, coordinated Vjs and VJ-ed @Visions festival Golden Bay 02,03,04, Rippon 04, Full Circle 2005, Uprising 07, Luminate 08, as well as many small parties and gigs. You can be sure of a dazzling array of lush organic visuals to inspire the mind. He also finds time to do multi-media design and editing in his own business, Pheye.
www.pheye.co.nz


VJ KLAX (Netherlands)

Luminate is honoured to welcome international VJ Klax. Klax has a unique and organic style, and brings a wealth of VJ-ing experience, having performed in numerous countries overseas. Make sure to check out the original blend of visuals from this talented digital artist.
Klax on youtube


LotusFae FireDance

The LotusFae FireDance Tribe is a collective of dancers and fire performers who come together to add spark and allure to any event. Featuring Belly Dancing, Fire Palm dance, Poi, Staff, Styx, Clubs, and other implements, the LotusFae Tribe is a spectacular addition to a festival or other event. With an earthy and magical presence, be prepared to be enchanted and mesmerized!


DR FIREWOOD (NZ)

Bio coming soon....

TINA BRIDGMAN

Bio coming soon....

SAM HOPLEY

Bio coming soon....

PANHARMONIC

Bio coming soon....

BELLEVILLE

Bio coming soon....

PATRICK & FOLK

Bio coming soon....

GALANJAH

Bio coming soon....

LITTLE DREAD

Bio coming soon....

EXOTICA

Bio coming soon....

BEATRICE

Bio coming soon....