Kiwi music household names team up to launch new Auckland-based collective Smoke Studios
Music creatives including Dave Baxter, Nic Manders, Miriam Clancy, Samuel James and John Boyd have teamed up to launch Auckland-based creative collective, Smoke Studios.
Smoke Studios boasts a strong suit of musicians, producers and storytellers with some who have gold records under their belts.
Baxter wrote a gold album in a town hall just outside of Auckland under the moniker ‘Avalanche City’ and his song ‘Love, Love, Love’ was the runaway hit of the summer, taking residence across national radio, television and blockbuster hit movies. Before that, he supported Hatebreed in a metal band and was a resident composer at Kog studios, where he made film, commercial and TV soundtracks.
Manders is one of New Zealand’s most renowned producers, he’s worked with most of the industry’s national treasures. Manders worked on Brooke Fraser’s 7x Platinum debut ‘What to Do With Daylight’ and has also composed spots for NZ Herald, Sky TV and many more.
Clancy is a smoky songstress who’s supported the likes of Ron Sexsmith and Wilco in New Zealand. Clancy is also a dab hand at soundtracks and commercial tunes that fit like a glove.
As multi-disciplined as a Swiss Army knife, James learned his trade as musical director and producer of award-winning gospel outfit Parachute Band.
Boyd recently spent eight years in Nashville touring as a musician, studio engineer and manager who corralled his remaining 4 minutes of free time each week to created commercial soundtrack work for a range of U.S based clients.