Blue Smoke Records

29/05/2024

What surprised us about the impact of The New Blue show at Hannah Playhouse was its significant effect across a broad spectrum of audience members. Jia Sharma's review for Victoria University of Wellington's weekly student magazine 'Salient' filled our cup up.

We totally agree with the comment regarding use of iPads for the vocalists. We had to make a call to provide this support as rehearsal time available was very short in the week prior to the first show with time for only three rehearsals held after day jobs. The emotional nature of the show also contributed to this decision, as there were tears at every rehearsal and during performances for our artists and crew, along with tightly held hugs and support for each other. Next show, we promise, there will be time to rehearse, there will be no iPads - though the emotion may remain.😘🥰

Words by Jia Sharma (she/her)I’d consider myself a dedicated music nerd. So a few weeks ago when I heard about Pixie Williams, Aotearoa’s first popstar, my first thought was “why do I know nothing about this?” For that reason, I am so grateful for this production. A Portrait of Pixie William...

28/05/2024

What a difference a break makes! It's been two months since our show at Hannah Playhouse and what show it was.

The performance struck a chord, with overwhelming love and emotion for Pixie's story and music. Three shows, three standing ovations - we truly didn't see that coming!! 🤩

We, at Blue Smoke Records, along with our incredible cast, crew and sponsors thank you all for sharing your aroha and appreciation for this taonga.

We are thrilled to share that, due to the show's impact and the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received, we are in the process of developing it for a future tour. This development is both exciting and humbling, as it highlights how profoundly the story has connected with audiences.

Watch this space!!

The New Blue is a unique festival performance showcasing the remarkable story and songbook of the first recording pop star in Aotearoa, Pixie Williams, and the music that influenced her.

05/03/2024

Our very own songbird Kirsten Te Rito spreads her wings to present her incredible show this Friday, 8 March. Blue Smoke hopes to see you there as we look forward to being transported to another realm and experience a captivating display that marries the ethereal artistry of music, projections, and the magic of Māori culture and creativity. See you there - a show not to be missed! 🥳😍🥳

Prepare to embark on an unparalleled journey at the stunning Public Trust Hall with Māreikura Lumina: A Celestial Symphony of Sound, Light, and Culture — a...

02/03/2024

It's the final show of The New Blue's run at New Zealand Fringe Festival at 7pm this evening,.

The two shows yesterday received standing ovations, so if you can make it along to the Hannah Playhouse tonight, it's well worthwhile.

https://fringe.co.nz/show/the-new-blue--a-portrait-of-pixie-williams

01/03/2024

The crew are busy getting ready for not one but TWO shows today: 4pm and 8pm.

If you can't make it along today, there's also a show at 7pm tomorrow.

To set the scene before the show, you might like to take a listen to this wonderful interview that Chris Bourke (who wrote the book Blue Smoke) did with Josh from Radio Active .

He shares some fascinating information about Pixie's life and musical career (things even Pixie's daughter Amelia didn't know about her Mum!)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11_ZBF5nMpPoFDezk1SVunvsAG7lIozKo/view

Tickets available from NZ Fringe:
https://fringe.co.nz/show/the-new-blue--a-portrait-of-pixie-williams

27/02/2024

3 more sleeps to go and couldn't be more proud of our incredible team pulling out all the stops for this show. You'll get a little taste of what to expect from an interview with Nick Mills at NewstalkZB when Lisa Tomlins, Kirsten Te Rito and Jacqui Nyman hit the airwaves to not only talk about the show, but also perform one of the songs. Don't miss it!! Enjoy🥳

Can't wait to see you this weekend.

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/the-new-blue-a-portrait-of-pixie-williams-at-fringe-festival/

The New Zealand Fringe Festival is underway in Wellington. The New Blue is a unique performance showcasing the remarkable story and songbook of New Zealand

24/02/2024

Ka pai RNZ!! A national treasure indeed 🥳 Love this interview with Lisa Tomlins about her relationship with Pixie and The New Blue. 😍😍😍. https://fringe.co.nz/show/the-new-blue--a-portrait-of-pixie-williams.

Music interviews, live performances, behind the scenes, industry issues, profiles, back catalogue, undiscovered, greatest hits, tall tales and true... all from an Aotearoa perspective.

19/02/2024

Can't wait to hear Sir Ian Taylor today at 2.30pm on RNZ being interviewed by Mark Leishman (standing in for Jesse Mulligan), about his role in our show, his early days as lead singer in Kal-Q-Lated Risk and more.

On the 2nd and 3rd of March the NZ Fringe Festival brings "The New Blue: A Portrait Of Pixie Williams" to Wellington's Hannah Playhouse. The show celebrates the life and work of our first homegrown popstar Pixie Williams. She is the voice behind the first record wholly produced in Aotearoa: The 1949...

17/02/2024

A must-see show that's not just about Pixie and her musical legacy. The New Blue also tells the little known, but remarkable story about life in post-war Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and why a few blokes decided to take on an international recording giant to build Aotearoa's first recording studio in Wakefield Street.

Scoop Wellington provides news and views from Wellington, New Zealand

05/02/2024

Only 4 weeks to go until we hit the NZ Fringe Festival stage at Hannah Playhouse with 'The New Blue – A Portrait of Pixie Williams'. The show tells the incredible story behind the music and life of Aotearoa’s first pop star, and the birth of New Zealand’s recording industry.

We hear Pixie’s legendary songbook reimagined by Lisa Tomlins, Kirsten Te Rito and Rachel Fraser, supported by The New Blue Band consisting of James Illingworth, Cory Champion, Jacqui Nyman, Mark Sommerville and Lucien Johnson. 'The New Blue' is a celebration of music, history, and storytelling.

Introduced by Sir Ian Taylor, join Simone Kennedy as she takes us on a journey back to 1940’s Wellington where it all began. This is a truly great New Zealand story of a poor wahine Māori from the country who gave voice to New Zealand's first number one hit that lives on 84 years after it was written - Blue Smoke.

Help set the scene and step back in time with us: dress in your best 40s style, or simply grab the brooch or set of pearls from your jewel box and stain your lips red; don a suit and tie or simply a jaunty hat.

Don’t leave it too late - book your tickets now!

The New Blue is a unique festival performance showcasing the remarkable story and songbook of the first recording pop star in Aotearoa, Pixie...

06/01/2024

Kia ora everyone, and happy new year for 2024.

Ours has certainly gone off with a blast as we dust off the count-down of 2023.

We are super excited to announce that it's only 8 weeks until we bring Pixie's story and music home to the incredible Hannah Playhouse - just around the corner from where it all started in 1948, as part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival 2024.

The New Blue has its roots in Wellington. Don't miss out on this extraordinary show.

https://fringe.co.nz/show/the-new-blue--a-portrait-of-pixie-Williams

The New Blue is a unique festival performance showcasing the remarkable story and songbook of the first recording pop star in Aotearoa, Pixie Williams, and...