ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Kidz In Space

Inter-galactical pop visionaries Kidz in Space have just released their long awaited and highly anticipated debut album Ghost. To celebrate the release we thought we'd have a look back at the history of the group and how they have come to be one of New Zealand's most exciting new acts.

The trio made up of producer Josh Fountain and vocalists Ashley 'Ethical' Hughes and Mat (Neesh) Neshat 'landed on earth' in early 2009 after a chance encounter somewhere 'beyond the edge of this galaxy'. Their debut EP Episode 001: Chasing Hayley in 2009 saw the band introduce themselves with the polished yet emotive 'Ocean of Drugs', the insanely hook laden 'Downtime', 80's pop synth number 'Lose My Cool' and an epic colab with The Naked and Famous' Alisa Xayalith on 'Psychadelic Girl'. Listen to the tracks below.

Kidz In Space - Ocean Of Drugs


Kidz In Space -  Downtime

Kidz In Space - Lose My Cool

Kidz In Space - Psychadelic Girl

Episode 001: Chasing Hayley was a bold and brave beginning for Kidz In Space. It made a lot of people stop and take notice and was a welcome and refreshing new side to New Zealand's Hip Hop landscape. Plus it really was exciting to see a band in New Zealand take on a bit of theatrics in their art. Wearing costumes isn't exactly a new idea in music but it showed that Kidz In Space were willing to be bold and had a vision for not only the concept of their music but the way in which they wanted people to see it. Although they have now ditched the space suits I think more NZ artists could embrace the 'concept' side of being in a band and have a bit of fun with it.

2010 saw the group move on from the success of the first EP and as their biography states "returned to ground, plotting a triumphant, dazzling re-emergence". The middle of 2010 saw that with the release of first single 'Ghost' (featuring UK pop artist Dan Black) off their debut album of the same name. 'Ghost' is a ridiculously catchy tune and has help the band generate acclaim from as far away as the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, while in New Zealand they've garnered praise and fans for their high energy live show throughout the summer of 2010 - 2011. Their second single off from the album, 'On The Road', is a pop gem that once again defies categorisation by any earthly measure. Watch both videos below.

Kidz In Space - Ghost

Kidz In Space - On The Radio

Which now leads onto the present time and this weeks release of their debut record Ghost. Despite being a long time in the making and constant delays pushing back the albums release date the time has finnaly come for Kidz In Space to finnaly deliver the next chapter from their intergalctic journey.

Understandably all of the succes so far has helped exponentially raise expectations and anticipation for their debut record. But from where we are sitting it's fair to say that Kidz In Space have more than over achieved on their debut album. They may be from this world but on their debut record Kidz In Space have an album on their hands that is worth of out of this world praise.

Bravo Kidz In Space bravo.

We've got 5 copies of Kidz In Space' new record Ghost to give away. To go in the draw simply tell us below what your favourite Kidz In Space song is in the comment field below. Entries close on Thursday 16th of June.

COMPETITION CLOSED!

What is your favourite Kidz In Space song?