one million dollars

One Million Dollars have decided to call it quits after 7 years of writing, performing and recording together.



Since forming in 2001, the band have released 3 albums and played a huge swag of shows to a variety of audiences throughout the pacific. Live highlights have included performing at Fest Na’puan in Vanuatu, playing at Te Papa for The Lord Of The Rings:Two Towers premiere and supporting The Black Eyed Peas at the St James, back in 2002.



The band cut their teeth playing at Auckland bars, Rakinos, Galatos and Khuja Lounge, where then owner and Sugarlicks label head, Gareth Farry, invited them them to record their debut album. Energy State took over a year to complete and was released in October 2003, selling over 3000 copies in New Zealand, off the back of the band’s singles, Who You Are, The Original and the Manuel Bundy remix of Get Off. Tracks from the album have been playlisted on radio networks around the world and licensed to 17 different compilations in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Poland and the USA. Energy State reached 2 on the NZ Indie Chart and was in the top 5 jazz albums at several European iTunes stores.



Follow up, Soup Kitchen, was released through Mark Kneebone’s Tardus Music, engineered by Tom Miskin. It was another long process, eventually being released in September 2006 after tracking had begun in April the previous year. Musically Soup Kitchen offered up the bands trademark grooves and tight production, although songs like Calling In The Light and Slow Falling Rain realised a deeper sonic palette and a moodier quality.



In August 2007, a slightly different One Million Dollars assembled at Auckland’s York St Studios to record their 3rd album, Stand Up To The Shakedown, with Justin Maudsley. At this time, the decision to end the band had already been made, and the hope was to create an album that celebrated the group as a live unit, albeit, in a studio context. Recorded in front of family and friends, the band played the album in one take, only overdubbing certain keyboard and horn parts the following day. Stand Up To The Shakedown was released independently in October 2007.



The decision to retire the band was initiated by founding member, Richard Setford, who is departing to concentrate on Bannerman, a solo project begun in 2003, but never realised due to the commitment and workload of leading the 10 piece soul-funk collective.



All current members are actively involved in a variety of working bands, including, Dam Native, The Shades, Opensouls, Ziko, Batucada Sound Machine, The Lickety Splits, The Mamaku Project and Tyra And The Tornadoes, and will continue to work on their own projects and collaborations.



But it’s not quite over yet people.



One Million Dollars would like to announce 2 final, never again, not even if you paid us heaps of money, no we mean it, last ever shows!



On Saturday the 12th of April, the band will play in Wellington at the San Francisco Bathhouse, with support from The Shades and Dunc Tha Funk



The following Saturday will see their final performance at 4.20 in Auckland, with support from The Shades and The Hot Grits and special guests.



Expect confetti and good times, celebratory pats on backs, much wailing and wringing of hands and some sensationally thunderous music to boot!



Stand Up to the Shakedown



One Million Dollars is proud to bring you Stand Up To The Shakedown their third studio album and their most expressive record to date.



Recorded over one weekend at Auckland’s York St Studio with friends and family in attendance, the band laid down eight new tracks in one long live set on the Saturday night and then overdubbed keys and bv’s on the Sunday.



It was mixed and mastered the following week - a revelation to the band and everyone involved.



CD $25.95 NZD + P and P

Download $16.95 NZD



Soup Kitchen



Soup Kitchen kicks off with the our resident South American, Robson, recounting his life growing up near the notorious favellas of Brazil in the funky Sem Parar (from the streets of Sao Paulo). We then veer into a more soulful tip with the Richie (also the album’s producer) and Bex Peterson stepping up to the mic.



Tom Atkinson shows his immense talent on the storming New Worlds while NZ music legend Don McGlashan joins in on the dark and brooding Slow Falling Rain, the song that has for several years opened the our live set.



Along the way we dip our toes in the rock pond (Calling in the Light) and deliver some George Benson inspired smoothness (Both Hands).



CD $28.95 NZD + P and P

Download $19.95 NZD



Energy State



The 11 songs of our debut album, Energy State, take you through the feelings of a New Zealand summer. On tracks such as Show Me Places (with Bex Peterson) and On This Day the band explore their melodic jazz pedigree whilst tracks such as Who You Are and High Places are full on funk celebrations. The Original and Happy Free sees the band use their studio freedom to take the songs in a direction that would not be possible live.



CD $22.95 NZD + P and P

Download $19.95 NZD



Both Hands



Directed by James Brown (yes, that really is his name) with the able assistance of John Knox and Sinclair – our new video explores the process of rotoscoping - animating over live action sequences.



The Original



The video for The Original draws on the song’s autobiographical content to place Richie in three separate scenes. It charts his journey through rural and urban landscapes to finally link with the rest of the band. This shows what you can do with a simple concept executed well and a talented production team.