Posted on 30 January 2009

In 2008, New Zealand, and global drum and bass tragically lost one of its brightest stars, Jonathan Beck, whose production as one half of CERN had inspired and moved people the world over. This is our tribute to Jonathan Ricky James Beck...

Posted on 27 February 2008

After a bit of an extended siesta, Empathy is back with a mix from Welly lads Faction. As most of you probably already know Faction is the production duo consisting of Jarred Baigent and James Knuckey. Both of whom have been producing for a few years now and at the end of 2005 started collaborating.

True to Factions style this mix explores the roots-dub influenced side of Drum & Bass. Containing some fresh NZ tunes and selections from Faction's own collection. We encourage y'all to check it out!

For more in depth info and to have a listen to Factions own productions, check http://www.myspace.com/factionnz

and we always welcome visitors at http://empathy.co.nz

Posted on 3 December 2007

The first release from brand new NZ based Drum and Bass label, Samurai Music, is now in stores. The 10" release of 'True Stories' backed with 'Lonely Planet', comes with full artwork and colour vinyl. This label is sure to be a huge boost to NZ's already thriving Drum and Bass production output. Click on more to see more info.

Posted on 14 September 2007

The nominations for the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, also known as the Tuis, are out for 2007. In the award for Best Electronic Album, three DnB acts take up all the nominations- with Bulletproofs 'Shake the Foundations', State of Minds 'Take Control' and Shapeshifters 'Soulstice' showing the country what what we already knew - that NZ DnB is kicking ass! Shapeshifter are also up for the peoples choice award.

Posted on 16 August 2007

Seemingly not content with his incredible talent as a Drum and Bass producer, Bulletproof has stepped it up a notch (or is that down a notch) and  created some dubstep under his new alias 'Razorgang' - head along to http://www.myspace.com/razorgangnz for a peek at his tunes.

Posted on 15 August 2007

Empathy Recordings have compiled a bunch of wicked tunes from our fair land, and one of the boys from Double Negative decided to mix them together. Click on more to see the tracklist and link.

Posted on 14 June 2007

The Live DnB act that took out most of the honours at last years BFM Music awards, Shapeshifter, have announced their 2007 tour dates on their myspace page.

Posted on 31 May 2007

Just in time for the end of NZ Music Month we reach Auckland. Local production crew CERN has been making waves for a while now and we thought it was about time to pick their brains and put the results online. Covering topics like power ballads and vintage mirrors, Matt Searle's interview with Jonny and Ollie (2/3 of CERN) contains your whole day's requirement of thought-provoking topics.

Posted on 6 May 2007

With NZ Music Month upon us and with the imminent release of their debut EP, 'Enter the Blue', it was good time to catch up with some of the world's most Southern beat makers. Matt Searle caught up with Webb, one half of up-and-coming duo Vanadis for a chat about Dunedin, working as a duo and wobble house.