Featured Artist of
November 24, 2023
With the
song:
Drift
Artist's Biography
Aotearoa
alt-rock artist INVESTIGATOR has today released his latest single
‘Drift’ - an upbeat, defiant, hopeful and determined indie-rock
anthem.
‘Drift’ is a song about entitlement and expectation, aimed at the
‘haves’ from the perspective of a ‘have not’. It follows on from
INVESTIGATOR (aka singer, songwriter and producer Adrian Drew) hit
single ‘Downtown’, which placed #16 on the Official NZ Hot Singles
Chart.
“It’s a call to arms for people on the periphery,” explains Adrian,
who writes music with big catchy choruses and memorable melodies -
which ‘Drift’ has in spades! “It’s crazy how quick this song came
together. I was mucking around on the guitar, looking for something
interesting to latch onto, when I stumbled over a random ‘F chord’
shape. It was kind of melancholic, but also rather beautiful, almost
hopeful. I could hear it all instantly and the first time the whole
band got together to run through the song, we unanimously knew it
was the next single.”
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Soundscape Studios, Whangaparaoa
with Kane Bennett, ‘Drift’ is an exciting new offering from
INVESTIGATOR - who already has an impressive track record.
The project’s had great local support from stations like The Rock
and Hauraki, as well as placed on Hot
NZ Singles Charts, RadioScope Rock Airplay Chart, iTunes and Google
Play Music rock charts. ‘Shade’
from their last album placed #15 on the RadioScope Rock Airplay
chart and stayed on the chart for six
weeks.
As a lyricist, Adrian always draws on experience and research when
writing. More often than not, these stories carry an ‘weighty’
message. “With our last album, ‘Shade’ tackled abuse to women,
suicide, homelessness and our flawed species within society,” says
Adrian.”‘Drift’ is about ownership and materialisation. Aimed at the
haves from the eyes of a have not, the narrative is couched as a
relationship between two people. It’s an allegory for power and
posturing, domestic and commercial slavery.”
While INVESTIGATOR is the project of Adrian Drew (guitars, vocals),
musicians David Crowhen (bass, Undercut), Craig van Kan (drums,
Gaunt Pudding/The Couch) and Adam Morton-Mason (guitar, These Fine
Galleons) have also been involved in bringing the music to life -
recorded and live. Wrapped in a pop rock sound, and paying homage to
The Cars, Tom Petty and Chris Cornell, INVESTIGATOR’s 2018 5-track
self-titled debut EP (Google Play Rock Album Chart) features singles
‘Livin' in a Magazine’, ‘Goodbye Car’ (iTunes, Google Play Music
Rock Chart) and ‘7 Ways’. While working on a full-length album, a
fresh, more alternative single, ‘Lake of Eyes’ was released - which
made it onto the Hot NZ Singles chart. Writing continued throughout
the pandemic and in 2022 album SHADE was released with its popular
title-track single. Single ‘Downtown’ (#16 Official NZ Hot Singles
Chart) followed and now ‘Drift’.
INVESTIGATOR is not slowing down - with a music video on its way and
heading into the studio with renowned NZ producer, Scott Seabright -
the future is definitely looking bright!
Featured Artist of
September 20, 2019
with the Album:
Shade
Artist's Biography
INVESTIGATOR
is the brainchild of singer/songwriter and producer, Adrian Drew. Walking
away from a career in commercial radio to pursue his first love, music -
Adrian's transformation into INVESTIGATOR had begun.
Now with a full band made up of experienced rockers, INVESTIGATOR’s first
gig was playing the Auckland City Council’s ‘Music in Parks’, Adrian added
to the line up a couple more musical friends. David Crowhen comes in on
bass, formerly of the band, Undercut and currently with experimental group
Dashboard Ashtray, who would sometimes invite Adrian to perform solo as an
opening act for their shows.
All the way from Portsmouth, England is Adam Morton-Mason on lead guitar.
Before moving to NZ, Adam cites one of his musical highlights as getting
some commercial airplay on the Beeb with his previous band, These Fine
Galleons. He’s the quiet kid with all the toys, and damn can he play! The
band achieved success when making the Official NZ Music Charts with their
singles; Lake of Eyes and more recently, Shade.
The latter also sat on the Radioscope Rock Airplay charts for 6 weeks,
peaking at #15, mostly due to the great support of The Rock, Hauraki,
Bayrock, Kaos, The Generator and The Most FM. While the past two years have
been difficult with recording and gigs, this full-length debut album is long
overdue! It's all about the melodies and soaring choruses, with catchy riffs
& driving guitar. The love, loss and societal stabs feature heavy... but
within the dark brooding space there is always a hint of optimism.
Band Line-Up:
Adrian Drew - Guitars, Vocals
David Crowhen - Bass
Craig van Kan - Drums
Adam Morton-Mason - Lead Guitar
Mixed & Mastered by Kane Bennett @ Soundscape Studio
About the Album
INVESTIGATOR release the long awaited full length-debut rock album, Shade.
Long awaited is perhaps an understatement, considering it’s been over two
years since the release of the first single Bad Luck’s Shoebox. But, as they
say, good things take time… and money… and covid delays.
This is INVESTIGATOR tackling tougher issues, with that weight comes a
heavier brand of music. There is a definite shift in tone for the album,
with more frenetic guitars compared to the self-titled EP. Retaining the
melodic sound INVESTIGATOR are known for, Shade brings an added darkness,
creating more depth to this record. Adrian says, ‘if the EP favoured an 80’s
vibe, well Shade is definitely set in the 90’s.”
Lyrically across the entire album Adrian addresses; violence, abuse to
women, paternal failure, bullying, individuality, politics, climate change,
mental health, addiction and his own degenerative bone disease. There’s also
a supernatural element to Shade, not just with the brush strokes, but with
characters and themes throughout. Opening track The Raiser is your classic
Boogeyman nightmare, while album closer Downtown is that dark and dangerous
part of your city that sucks you down, never to see the light of day again.
As always with INVESTIGATOR, within the dark brooding space - there’s always
a hint of optimism. With that optimism and two singles already reaching the
NZ Music Charts, Adrian and the band feel like things are just getting
started!
Shade is out across all digital platforms 11/11/22 along with the new single
Sores.
Full Album show of
September 20, 2019
Album: INVESTIGATOR
INVESTIGATOR
is the nom de plume of Adrian Drew, a singer/songwriter who has his roots
dug deep in retro rock.
Walking away from a career in commercial radio to pursue his first love,
music, Adrian's transformation into INVESTIGATOR had begun.
The past couple of years have been spent playing private functions, bars and
wineries to hone his craft and test original ideas. With a unique voice and
often arresting lyrics he has recently been in the studio to complete a 5
track EP, with new songs coming soon!
It's all about the melodies and soaring choruses, with catchy riffs seared
in driving guitar. These are bright shiny songs with dark undertones, a
juxtaposition reecting life. The love, loss and societal stabs feature
heavy... but within the dark brooding space there is always a hint of
optimism.
About the Album:
Released in December 2018, it's a mix of Rock, Pop Rock with a little
Americana thrown in for good measure.
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