Esther Stephens & the Means | Auckland NZ

With an inimitable sound best described as groove-based music, featuring tasteful soul-infused melodies from a host of guest vocalists, The Means are about to tattoo a teardrop onto the face of New Zealand music. Three outstanding musicians have joined forces to create a project far-reaching in its scope and ambition, with Esther leading the charge from the front.

The Means is at once a band, a production unit, a burgeoning empire, and a philosophy.

Too often it’s said that reputations speak for themselves. As translating insider kudos to the printed word can be difficult, this should connect a few dots. Those The Means have played for individually, as a rhythm section, or in studio sessions include AnikaBoh&Hollie, Home Brew, Nathan Haines, Julia Deans, Vanessa Freeman(UK), Jon Toogood, Myele Manzanza, Sam Allen, Iva Lamkum, Hollie Smith, Lewis McCallum, LIPS, Funkommunity, Esther Stephens, Noah Slee (AUS), Coach, Fredericks Brown(NYC), Sons of Zion, and Tama Waipara to name but a few.

Abraham Kunin and Tom Broome are long time comrades over a cross-section of different bands and genres. They had the good fortune to meet their fairer-sexed member, Marika Hodgson amidst the web of local industry mentioned above - most pertinently, in the band of ex-pat, and regular collaborator, Esther Stephens.

The trio’s chemistry was immediate and palpable. Even rarer though was a newfound collective vision for the music, and lofty ambitions for its future. A prevailing inspiration was the writing and recording of D’Angelo’s masterpiece Voodoo. Utilising similar techniques for their own creative process, an already tight band gradually became almost telekinetic. The concept of a functioning group without a singer also emerged. The Means decided to enlist a revolving roster of gifted vocalists for both studio and touring work; a blueprint used to great effect by the likes of SBTRKT, The Robert Glasper Experiment, and artists with the Brainfeeder label.

An ethos of uncompromising dedication to quality both in their live and recorded work became the fundamental lynchpin of the group. No corner cutting, no cheap options. Every aspect of the project executed to the outer limits of their abilities and resources, with a world stage in mind. Unlike the aforementioned name-dropping, the results speak for themselves. The Means have already created some of the slickest, most forward-thinking pop music to grace New Zealand ears.