Minuit
Encyclopedia
Minuit are an electronic
band from New Zealand
, formed in Nelson
.
The members of Minuit include lead singer, Ruth Carr, with Paul Dodge (also known as Gimme a C!) and Ryan Beehre (also known as Funk'n'SloCuts) playing machines.
, replacing the need for a drummer and putting Ruth out front as vocalist. An inspired outcome. The band released four self-released EPs, Sonic Experience
(1998), Silver (1999), Luck
(2000) and Except You (2002).
. Some of the songs had already been released on their earlier EPs.
The 88 achieved gold certification in New Zealand.
Minuit first came to prominence in 2002 when their first single "Species II" was used in the intro to the New Zealand TV show Queer Nation.
A video of the single "Except You" was made by their flatmate Alyx Duncan who thought it would be fun. The result was an award-winning eerie carnival-themed music video.
In 2004 the band released a limited edition 7 track EP, The Guns EP
, featuring the single "I Hate Guns" (which has an animated video mimicking the TV show Are You Being Served?
). The CD also included 3 music videos and a video interview from Sticky Pictures' "The Living Room". The Guns EP was only available for a limited run that sold out in the first week. This won the band 'Best Electronic Release' at the b-net music awards 2005, and a nomination for 'Breakthrough Artist' at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
. With this album the band turned to Alyx Duncan once again to make a video for their single "Fuji." The album also features singles "Suave as Sin" with a video directed by Mike Bridgman (Nektar Films, Wgtn) featuring a 4 year old Kiel Beehre and, "A Room Full of Cute".
In 2007, their music was included in the PS3 Downloadable version of Sidhe Interactive's GripShift. The songs "Fuji", "A Room Full of Cute", and "This Music is Good for the Species
" were all a part of the game's final track listing.
The Minuit live show toured NZ and Europe extensively throughout 2006-2008. While doing so they released a series of 12" Remix Vinyls. "Fuji", "Except You", and "A Room Full Of Cute". The most notable being a remix of 'A Room Full Of Cute' by Rico Tubbs.
A European compilation of The 88
, The Guns EP
, and The Guards Themselves
called I Went To This Party And There Were 88 Guards With Guns
was released in April 2008 to get their northern hemisphere fanbase 'up-to-speed' on their current discography. The release was through London-based label Doll House Records.
, which was released in New Zealand
on 20 July 2009. The album was released world-wide 30 October 2009. The cover art to the album included a world map created by the band themselves out of 100s and 1000s confectionery.
On release, Australian Rolling Stone magazine were quoted as saying: "Despite an album title as dark as midnight, Minuit's music is often as joyful as a fat kid with cake"
Second single, '25 Bucks', was released with video by Brendon Davies-Patrick.
Third single, 'Aotearoa', was accompanied by a video where fans were encouraged to send in a photo representing who they each were as New Zealanders. In what some tagged "the largest audience participation video in NZ" photos of over a thousand people were edited together alongside New Zealand historical archive footage. The aim of the video was to emphasise the lyric: "You and me, we are a New Zealand"; to acknowledge people who have shaped the country; and to encourage people now that it is up to them to make it the place they want it to be.
The song was picked up by TVNZ as the backdrop to their 2009 Waitangi Day coverage. And then anchored as the background theme to their channel 'Heartland'. It was then used on an episode of Bones
(S06 E12 'The Sin In The Sisterhood').
The album track "I'm Still Dancing" featured in an episode of Grey's Anatomy
(S06 E13 'State of Love and Trust') which aired in the US on February 4, 2010.
Paul and Ryan worked on a Minuit remix EP Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart
, released on 8 November 2010, while Ruth worked on her debut book, I felt like a fight, alright?, featuring "one-liners, poems, lyrics & tales," released on 21 March 2011.
Various remixes from the Minuit back catalogue were released as a part of a 'Summer remixes' season, all of which are to be compiled in a remix album, Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart, Again set for release on 24 June 2011.
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
band from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, formed in Nelson
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
.
The members of Minuit include lead singer, Ruth Carr, with Paul Dodge (also known as Gimme a C!) and Ryan Beehre (also known as Funk'n'SloCuts) playing machines.
Early work
Minuit began as a guitar band with lead vocalist, Ruth Carr, on drums. Ryan Beehre bought a sampler and turned the band electronicElectronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, replacing the need for a drummer and putting Ruth out front as vocalist. An inspired outcome. The band released four self-released EPs, Sonic Experience
Sonic Experience (EP)
Extremely rare debut EP by New Zealand band Minuit before they signed to the Tardus Music label....
(1998), Silver (1999), Luck
Luck (EP)
Luck is a rare EP by New Zealand band Minuit before they signed to the Tardus Music label."Aires", "The Boy With The Aubergine Hair" and "Sleepwalk " were all included on their debut album The 88....
(2000) and Except You (2002).
The 88
In 2003 Minuit signed to Tardus music and released their debut album, The 88The 88 (album)
The 88 is the debut album from New Zealand band Minuit.The album achieved gold certification in New Zealand.- Track listing :# "The Boy with the Aubergine Hair"# "Claire"# "Menace"# "Species II"# "Except You"# "Queen 88"# "Djordj"# "Milk"...
. Some of the songs had already been released on their earlier EPs.
The 88 achieved gold certification in New Zealand.
Minuit first came to prominence in 2002 when their first single "Species II" was used in the intro to the New Zealand TV show Queer Nation.
A video of the single "Except You" was made by their flatmate Alyx Duncan who thought it would be fun. The result was an award-winning eerie carnival-themed music video.
In 2004 the band released a limited edition 7 track EP, The Guns EP
The Guns EP
The Guns EP was an EP by Minuit, released after the successful The 88, featuring their highly successful song, "I Hate Guns." It had a video mocking "Are You Being Served?"...
, featuring the single "I Hate Guns" (which has an animated video mimicking the TV show Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served? is a British sitcom broadcast from 1972 to 1985. It was set in the ladies' and gentlemen's clothing departments of Grace Brothers, a large, fictional London department store. It was written mainly by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, with contributions by Michael Knowles and John...
). The CD also included 3 music videos and a video interview from Sticky Pictures' "The Living Room". The Guns EP was only available for a limited run that sold out in the first week. This won the band 'Best Electronic Release' at the b-net music awards 2005, and a nomination for 'Breakthrough Artist' at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
The Guards Themselves
Released in 2006 was the album The Guards ThemselvesThe Guards Themselves
The Guards Themselves is an album by New Zealand band, Minuit, that was supposed to be released during early 2005. However, during the production of "The Guards Themselves", lead singer Ruth Carr's left vocal cord was paralysed which delayed the production, and therefore, release of this album to...
. With this album the band turned to Alyx Duncan once again to make a video for their single "Fuji." The album also features singles "Suave as Sin" with a video directed by Mike Bridgman (Nektar Films, Wgtn) featuring a 4 year old Kiel Beehre and, "A Room Full of Cute".
In 2007, their music was included in the PS3 Downloadable version of Sidhe Interactive's GripShift. The songs "Fuji", "A Room Full of Cute", and "This Music is Good for the Species
The Guns EP
The Guns EP was an EP by Minuit, released after the successful The 88, featuring their highly successful song, "I Hate Guns." It had a video mocking "Are You Being Served?"...
" were all a part of the game's final track listing.
The Minuit live show toured NZ and Europe extensively throughout 2006-2008. While doing so they released a series of 12" Remix Vinyls. "Fuji", "Except You", and "A Room Full Of Cute". The most notable being a remix of 'A Room Full Of Cute' by Rico Tubbs.
A European compilation of The 88
The 88 (album)
The 88 is the debut album from New Zealand band Minuit.The album achieved gold certification in New Zealand.- Track listing :# "The Boy with the Aubergine Hair"# "Claire"# "Menace"# "Species II"# "Except You"# "Queen 88"# "Djordj"# "Milk"...
, The Guns EP
The Guns EP
The Guns EP was an EP by Minuit, released after the successful The 88, featuring their highly successful song, "I Hate Guns." It had a video mocking "Are You Being Served?"...
, and The Guards Themselves
The Guards Themselves
The Guards Themselves is an album by New Zealand band, Minuit, that was supposed to be released during early 2005. However, during the production of "The Guards Themselves", lead singer Ruth Carr's left vocal cord was paralysed which delayed the production, and therefore, release of this album to...
called I Went To This Party And There Were 88 Guards With Guns
I Went To This Party And There Were 88 Guards With Guns
I Went To This Party And There Were 88 Guards With Guns alternatively known as 88 Guards With Guns is a compilation album by New Zealand band, Minuit, that was released in 2008 to expand their fan base in the UK....
was released in April 2008 to get their northern hemisphere fanbase 'up-to-speed' on their current discography. The release was through London-based label Doll House Records.
Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death dot Com
In March 2009, Minuit released 'Wayho' (co-produced by Andy Chatterley), the lead single off their album Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death.comFind Me Before I Die A Lonely Death.com
Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death.com is the third album from New Zealand electronic band Minuit.The URL in the album title, , is a social networking site, created by the band, for inanimate objects and pets....
, which was released in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
on 20 July 2009. The album was released world-wide 30 October 2009. The cover art to the album included a world map created by the band themselves out of 100s and 1000s confectionery.
On release, Australian Rolling Stone magazine were quoted as saying: "Despite an album title as dark as midnight, Minuit's music is often as joyful as a fat kid with cake"
Second single, '25 Bucks', was released with video by Brendon Davies-Patrick.
Third single, 'Aotearoa', was accompanied by a video where fans were encouraged to send in a photo representing who they each were as New Zealanders. In what some tagged "the largest audience participation video in NZ" photos of over a thousand people were edited together alongside New Zealand historical archive footage. The aim of the video was to emphasise the lyric: "You and me, we are a New Zealand"; to acknowledge people who have shaped the country; and to encourage people now that it is up to them to make it the place they want it to be.
The song was picked up by TVNZ as the backdrop to their 2009 Waitangi Day coverage. And then anchored as the background theme to their channel 'Heartland'. It was then used on an episode of Bones
Bones (TV series)
Bones is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent...
(S06 E12 'The Sin In The Sisterhood').
The album track "I'm Still Dancing" featured in an episode of Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
(S06 E13 'State of Love and Trust') which aired in the US on February 4, 2010.
Paul and Ryan worked on a Minuit remix EP Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart
Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart
Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart is an EP from New Zealand band Minuit.Each track of this EP was produced by either 'Funknslocuts' or 'Gimme A C!' , in collaboration with lead singer Ruth Carr...
, released on 8 November 2010, while Ruth worked on her debut book, I felt like a fight, alright?, featuring "one-liners, poems, lyrics & tales," released on 21 March 2011.
Various remixes from the Minuit back catalogue were released as a part of a 'Summer remixes' season, all of which are to be compiled in a remix album, Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart, Again set for release on 24 June 2011.
Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albums | |||||
| 2003 | The 88 The 88 (album) The 88 is the debut album from New Zealand band Minuit.The album achieved gold certification in New Zealand.- Track listing :# "The Boy with the Aubergine Hair"# "Claire"# "Menace"# "Species II"# "Except You"# "Queen 88"# "Djordj"# "Milk"... |
Tardus Music | #21 | New Zealand | |
| 2006 | The Guards Themselves The Guards Themselves The Guards Themselves is an album by New Zealand band, Minuit, that was supposed to be released during early 2005. However, during the production of "The Guards Themselves", lead singer Ruth Carr's left vocal cord was paralysed which delayed the production, and therefore, release of this album to... |
Tardus Music | #12 | New Zealand | |
| 2008 | I Went To This Party And There Were 88 Guards With Guns I Went To This Party And There Were 88 Guards With Guns I Went To This Party And There Were 88 Guards With Guns alternatively known as 88 Guards With Guns is a compilation album by New Zealand band, Minuit, that was released in 2008 to expand their fan base in the UK.... |
Dollhouse Records (LON) | Europe | ||
| 2009 | Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death.com Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death.com Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death.com is the third album from New Zealand electronic band Minuit.The URL in the album title, , is a social networking site, created by the band, for inanimate objects and pets.... |
Tardus Music | #8 | New Zealand | |
| EPs | |||||
| 1998 | Sonic Experience Sonic Experience (EP) Extremely rare debut EP by New Zealand band Minuit before they signed to the Tardus Music label.... |
- | - | ||
| Silver | - | - | |||
| 2000 | Luck Luck (EP) Luck is a rare EP by New Zealand band Minuit before they signed to the Tardus Music label."Aires", "The Boy With The Aubergine Hair" and "Sleepwalk " were all included on their debut album The 88.... |
- | - | ||
| 2002 | Except You | - | - | ||
| 2004 | The Guns EP The Guns EP The Guns EP was an EP by Minuit, released after the successful The 88, featuring their highly successful song, "I Hate Guns." It had a video mocking "Are You Being Served?"... |
Tardus Music | - | - | |
| 2010 | Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart is an EP from New Zealand band Minuit.Each track of this EP was produced by either 'Funknslocuts' or 'Gimme A C!' , in collaboration with lead singer Ruth Carr... |
Tardus Music | - | - | |
| Vinyl | |||||
| 2006 | Fuji | Tardus Music | New Zealand | TARV001 | |
| 2007 | Except You | Dollhouse Records (LON) | New Zealand | DOLLV001 | |
| A Room Full Of Cute | New Zealand | DOLLV002 | |||
External links
- Official Site
- MySpace
- Buy Music
- Minuit bio
- Video for Fuji
- Video for Wayho
- Video for Aotearoa
- Video for 25 Bucks
- Video for Except You
- Video for A Room Full of Cute
- Video for I Hate Guns
- Video for Maserati
- Video for The Sum of Us
- Video for Fake!
- Video for Lock the Doors, Block the Roads