INVESTIGATOR

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 re􀂧ecting 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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