Blue Smoke Records

08/12/2025

Couldn't feel any better than listening to Ben talking to Jess Mulligan on RNZ Afternoons about Blue Smoke's return on vinyl. Hear the full backstory, and discover the incredible mahi Ben and Joel are doing at Holiday Records, the only vinyl pressing plant in Aotearoa, especially through their magnificent support of homegrown music and their DROPS initiative.

These guys are absolute legends - starting Holiday Records with zero experience and nothing but a passion for vinyl and a belief they could make it happen. The interview is a fantastic listen: inspiring and it's hard not to think of the Radio Corp crew who took the same leap all those years ago, founding the TANZA label and building Aotearoa's first recording studio and pressing plant to bring us Ruru Karaitiana's Blue Smoke.

Ben and Joel - driven by their passion for music on vinyl - bring you Pixie as you've never heard her before.

From the Blue Smoke whanau - we thank you. 😍🥰😍

Blue Smoke was first released in 1949, when it arguably made Pixie Williams New Zealand's first pop star. Now seventy seven years later, Holiday Records is bringing Pixie back to vinyl. Here to tell us more about the new album is Holiday Records Ben Wallace.

08/12/2025

Massive thanks and aroha🥰 to Ben and Joel at Holiday Records whose DROPS initiative - preserving the stories and sounds of our homegrown artists - have brought the timeless voice of Pixie Williams back to vinyl in a unique double LP.

Side A/B features Pixie's remastered originals restored from the original fragile 78 rpm discs, while side C/D offers contemporary reinterpretations by leading Aotearoa artists.

You can own a piece of Aotearoa's musical history the way we love to hear it - on vinyl:

* Pre-order online from Holiday Records to get a Collector's First Edition Double LP at: https://holidayrecords.com/collections/drops/products/pixie-williams-for-the-record-the-pixie-williams-collection-the-new-blue-pixie-williams-reimagined-2lp-pre-order
* Go to JB Hi-Fi to own a Special Issue Double LP from 12 December
* Go to all good record stores nationwide to own a General Release Double LP.

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...