{{Short description|New Zealand pop group}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Goldenhorse | image = Goldenhorse 2005.jpg | caption = Goldenhorse performing in 2005 | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = New Zealand | instrument = | genre = Pop, folk-pop, pop-rock | occupation = | years_active = 1999–2007 (hiatus), 2011, 2016 | label = Siren Records | website = | current_members = Kirsten Morrell<br>Geoff Maddock<br>Joel Wilton<br>Ben King<br>Vince Hine | past_members = }} '''Goldenhorse''' is a pop and folk-pop band from New Zealand. The group was formed in 1999 by lead vocalist Kirsten Morrell and guitarist Geoff Maddock, who brought in Joel Wilton and Ben King from other projects to found the initial lineup.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Steel |first=Gary |date=3 August 2019 |orig-date=17 September 2013 |title=Goldenhorse |url=https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/goldenhorse |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=AudioCulture |language=en}}</ref>
Goldenhorse found success in 2002 with their debut album ''Riverhead'', a slow-burner on the charts which peaked at number 1 in 2004, and went triple platinum.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=charts.org.nz - Goldenhorse - Riverhead |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Goldenhorse&titel=Riverhead&cat=a |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=charts.nz}}</ref> Goldenhorse built on the late success of ''Riverhead'' with the 2005 release of ''Out of the Moon'' which also went platinum.<ref name=":0" /> The albums spawned charting singles including "Maybe Tomorrow" which became the most played local song on radio in 2003,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Goldenhorse |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/goldenhorse/artist |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=NZ On Screen |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> "Wake Up Brother", and "Out of the Moon".
Goldenhorse is considered a significant New Zealand band from the 2000s, with ''Riverhead'' featured in subsequent books and articles as a notable album in New Zealand music.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-08-31 |title=Essential NZ Albums: Goldenhorse - Riverhead |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/essentialnzalbums/audio/2529872/goldenhorse-riverhead-essential-nz-albums |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=20 May 2023 |title=The greatest New Zealand album of all time? These are our picks |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/20-05-2023/the-greatest-new-zealand-album-of-all-time-these-are-our-picks |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-17 |title=Great New Zealand Album: Riverhead, by Goldenhorse |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/201801035/great-new-zealand-album-riverhead-by-goldenhorse |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref> It was also a finalist in the 2003 Australasian Performing Rights Association's Silver Scroll Awards, among other award nominations.
In 2007 following a European tour, the band released ''Reporter'', their final album to date, which briefly entered the top 40 charts at 38. After mediocre commercial performance, the band entered a long hiatus.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |date=28 October 2007 |title=Goldenhorse Return |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0710/S00205/goldenhorse-return.htm |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Scoop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Reporter - Goldenhorse - Top 40 Albums |url=https://www.muzic.net.nz/charts/s44485/goldenhorse-reporter |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=www.muzic.net.nz}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Goldenhorse has reunited twice, once in 2011 and again in 2016,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=McKee |first=Hannah |date=8 December 2016 |title=Goldenhorse reunite to honour Kiwi poet |url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-post-1022/20161208/281981787214303 |access-date=2024-08-28 |work=Dominion Post |pages=15}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=December 2011 |title=Rugby World Cup 2011: Evaluation Report |url=https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2011/12/GB_20111222_ATT.PDF |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828051441/https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2011/12/GB_20111222_ATT.PDF |archive-date=28 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Auckland Council}}</ref> for one-off performances in support of local events, but the group has not officially reformed or worked on another project since, with its members moving onto different projects.
==History==
=== Formation and ''Riverhead'' (1999–2004) === [[File:Goldenh river relel.jpg|thumb|Cover for the 2004 re-release of ''Riverhead'' featuring the band]] In 1999, Morrell formed Goldenhorse with guitarist Geoff Maddock.<ref name=":82">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Goldenhorse |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/goldenhorse/artist |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=NZ On Screen |language=en}}</ref> The pair were seeking to form a band to play at a wedding; Ben King was brought in as a founding member, and Maddock brought over drummer Joel Wilton from his existing band Bressa Creeting Cake.<ref name=":0" />
Goldenhorse began recording their first album ''Riverhead'' on a low budget and without a label. Morrell had secured limited funding from her mother, and the group had used its local connections to acquire equipment loaned from Tim Finn and Neil Finn.<ref name=":82" /><ref name=":0" /> The project was recorded on and off over a year, with most of the recording taking place in the Waitakere Ranges from a small home studio.<ref name=":0" />
''Riverhead'' was a slow-burner upon release, remaining on the charts for two years before climbing to number 1 in 2004.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The success of the album subsequently lead to a record deal with Siren Records.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Steel |first=Gary |date=17 September 2013 |title=Goldenhorse |url=https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/goldenhorse |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=AudioCulture |language=en}}</ref> The album spawned singles including "Maybe Tomorrow" which was nominated for several awards, including as a finalist in the 2003 Australasian Performing Rights Association's Silver Scroll Awards and in the 2004 New Zealand Music Awards.<ref>[http://www.muzic.net.nz/index.php?area=feature&id=20&page=winners 2004 Winners of the New Zealand Music Awards]</ref> It was also the most played local song on New Zealand radio for 2002/2003.<ref>[http://www.emicatalogue.co.nz/Biography.aspx?artist=6284 EMI Catalogue Goldenhorse Bio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310174609/http://www.emicatalogue.co.nz/Biography.aspx?artist=6284|date=2007-03-10}}</ref>
=== ''Out of the Moon'' and Europe tour (2005–2006) === Following the latent chart-topping of ''Riverhead'', Goldenhorse returned to the studio for their follow-up album, ''Out of the Moon''. Now with a bigger budget and more resources, the group worked with veteran producer Murray Grindlay on the project, describing the process as a stark contrast to the difficulty of recording ''Riverhead''.<ref name=":0" /> Their studio dynamic had also been influenced by the addition of guitarist Andrew Clark,<ref name=":0" /> and saw the introduction of Ben Collier and Vincent Hine into the mix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kara |first=Scott |date=26 March 2005 |title=Goldenhorse shoot for the moon |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/goldenhorse-shoot-for-the-moon/WXEEA7CO7I65R6X3T7AIFN3W3Q/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
''Out of the Moon'' reached number 2 on the charts and went platinum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Out Of The Moon (album) by Goldenhorse - Music Charts |url=https://acharts.co/album/15237 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=acharts.co}}</ref> The singles "Out of the Moon", "Fish", and "Run Run Run" saw radio play and music videos to support their release.<ref name=":0" /> The band began a touring schedule overseas, particularly Europe, including England and Germany.<ref name=":3" />
=== ''Reporter'' and hiatus (2007) === In 2007, Goldenhorse had returned from their overseas tour and were preparing to release ''Reporter'' as a return to the New Zealand music scene.<ref name=":3" /> The album was recorded in Roundhead Studios with sound engineer Clint Murphy and producer Phil Vinall, the latter known for working with Radiohead and Placebo among other big acts.<ref name=":0" /> In addition, Nick Gaffaney joined the band to provide drums.<ref name=":0" />
''Reporter'' was released to lackluster commercial performance, spending a week in the top 40 charts peaking at 38.<ref>{{Cite web |title=charts.org.nz - Goldenhorse - Reporter |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Goldenhorse&titel=Reporter&cat=a |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=charts.nz}}</ref> Goldenhorse entered hiatus shortly after, and to date, has not reformed to work on a new project. In 2013, Morrell claimed that she still saw Goldenhorse as an "entity" but that the band members didn't all get along with each other.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=8 September 2013 |title=Goldenhorse girl, interrupted |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/9120664/Goldenhorse-girl-interrupted |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=Stuff }}</ref>
Goldenhorse's members have since moved on to other projects. Morrell embarked on a solo career with her 2010 debut album ''Ultraviolet''. King has worked as a producer and began a new musical project named Grand Rapids which debuted with ''Faintheartedness'' in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://musichype.com/grand-rapids/ |title=MusicHype | Grand Rapids Loves Whisky & Chocolate |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527025602/http://musichype.com/grand-rapids/ |archive-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Wilton, who had formerly been a science and chemistry teacher, returned to study and subsequently became the principal of Havelock North High School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Golden Horse drummer becomes Havelock North High School principal |url=https://cdn.hbapp.co.nz/news/news/former-golden-horse-drummer-becomes-havelock-north-high-school-principal |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=cdn.hbapp.co.nz |language=en}}</ref> Maddock moved to Los Angeles where he has worked with Natasha Bedingfield and Daniel Bedingfield, and has written soundtracks as a composer.<ref name=":0" />
=== Other appearances === In 2011, Goldenhorse reunited for a single performance as part of the Rugby World Cup 2011 celebrations.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> In 2016, Morrell flew in from London to reunite with Goldenhorse for a one-off performance at an event in honour of Hone Tuwhare at Opera House in Wellington.<ref name=":4" />
==Discography== {{Infobox artist discography | Artist = Goldenhorse | Image = | Caption = | Alt = | Studio = 3 | Live = | Compilation = | Video = | Music videos = | Tribute = | EP = | Singles = 8 | B-sides = | Soundtrack = }}
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Details ! Peak chart<br>positions ! rowspan="2" | RIANZ Certification |- ! <small>NZ</small><ref name="chart">{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Goldenhorse |title=Goldenhorse in New Zealand charts |work=Hung Medien |publisher=charts.nz |accessdate=23 May 2010 }}</ref> |- |2002 |''Riverhead'' | * Released: 14 October 2002 * Label: Siren Records * Formats: CD, digital download |align="center"| 1 | * 3× Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundsaotearoa.com/KirstenMorrell.html |title=Kirsten Morrell |work=sounds aotearoa |accessdate=23 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523175850/http://soundsaotearoa.com/KirstenMorrell.html |archivedate=23 May 2010 }}</ref> |- |2005 |''Out of the Moon'' | * Released: 31 March 2005 * Label: Siren Records * Formats: CD, digital download |align="center"|2 | * Platinum |- |2007 |''Reporter'' | * Released: 29 October 2007 * Label: Siren Records * Formats: CD, digital download |align="center"|38 | |}
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" width="1em" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title ! width="3em" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" | Album |- ! <small>NZ</small><ref name="chart"/> |- |2002 |"Golden Dawn" |align="center"| — |rowspan="4"| ''Riverhead'' |- |rowspan="2"|2003 |"Maybe Tomorrow" |align="center"| 10 |- |"Wake Up Brother" |align="center"| 17 |- |rowspan="2"|2004 |"Northern Lights" |align="center"| 43 |- |"Run Run Run" |align="center"| — | rowspan="3"|''Out of the Moon'' |- |2005 |"Out of the Moon" |align="center"| 21 |- |2006 |"Don't Wake Me Up" |align="center"| — |- |2007 |"Jump into the Sun" |align="center"| — | ''Reporter'' |- |colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" align="center" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
== Awards and nominations == In 2003, the single "Maybe Tomorrow" was awarded an APRA Silver Scroll Award for Most Performed New Zealand Work.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sundae |first=Hugh |date=10 August 2010 |title=APRA Silver Scrolls - past winners in full |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/apra-silver-scrolls-past-winners-in-full/GHSPETXMRSV33WXBXPKD356URY/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
In 2005 and 2008, Maddock was nominated for an APRA Silver Scroll Award for his songwriting on the singles "Out of the Moon" from the album of the same name, and "Say My Name" from ''Reporter''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2008 – Announcing the top 20 New Zealand songs of the last twelve months. |url=https://www.muzic.net.nz/news/1302/apra-silver-scroll-awards-2008-announcing-the-top-20-new-zealand-songs-of-the-last-twelve-months.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=www.muzic.net.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2005 |title=Looking for a silver scroll lining |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/looking-for-a-silver-scroll-lining/MAMF2AZ74OB26N6JPI2PCTF3UA/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
==References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060306025405/http://www.goldenhorse.co.nz/ Official Site] (broken link) *[http://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/goldenhorse AudioCulture profile]
{{Goldenhorse}} {{Authority control}}
Category:New Zealand pop rock groups