Making Tracks with The MOST FM: Artist Interviews

The Advocators are carving a unique place in New Zealand’s musical landscape with a dark and gritty sound unlike any other. Previous releases have garnered tens of thousands of streams, praise from publications such as Rolling Stone Australia, 13th Floor, NZ Musician, Happy Mag, Under the Radar, and radio play across New Zealand and Australian student & community stations.

Sam’s journey into music began somewhere unexpected, sitting down at a grand piano owned by an old family friend and discovering he could play parts of songs he knew. 4 hours later, he was hooked. During the months of lockdown, this spark grew into something deeper, pushing him to start singing in his local church and producing on GarageBand. Being part of a worship band regularly gave him a solid grounding in the flow of playing live music and capturing emotion within the structure of a song, not to mention improving his voice.

As a bass player, Hamish has spent years supporting other people’s musical projects. But when a disease outbreak brought the world to its knees, it opened up time and space for a different kind of musical expression. Finding a voice in a time of chaos helped steady the internal mayhem and allowed self-expression to reign. The Strange Love album is the result of that deep dive, and a newly found faith in a previously unrealised process.The production, co-writing, coffee, and friendship of Rhythm Ace Studio wizard Sam Johnson are a high-value affair, going all the way toward fully extracting everything a song desires—along with the mountainous contributions of local musicians.

Ammonita's alternative grunge sound captures a variety of feelings through the songs they write. From punching rap-metal tracks, to the longing sensations of their debut single 'Walnut', Ammonita encapsulates a pure love for music from the entire band. Rooted in playing gigs across venues in Ōtepoti, Ammonita is grounded in a passion for live performance. This five-piece is without question one of Dunedin's boldest new acts and we can't wait to see what's next.

Emerging in 2025 from NEW PLYMOUTH, New Zealand, Black Velvet Butchers blends rock, alternative rock, pop, blues, fusion, hard rock, experimental and reggae into a genre-defying sound.A Taranaki trio, our music is a culmination of homegrown heart and soul, musical stories born, bred and raised on a rich history of a collective sound/genre purely known as "Kiwi Music" , whether we proudly display our influences from rock, reggae, funk, metal or blues there is a unified blend of our musical roots in our songs that will be greatly embraced by audiences worldwide, songs that show strength in groove, melody and power.

Trip Change are a dynamic band from Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand, crafting a rich, groove-driven sound that draws from across the globe. Blending elements of soul, roots, funk, jazz, reggae, psychedelic textures and ska, their music is a vibrant fusion of rhythm, culture and connection. Deeply inspired by the landscapes of Aotearoa from the powerful presence of Mount Taranaki to the surrounding coastline, their sound carries an earthy, flowing energy that feels both grounded and expansive. Each track explores new layers of rhythm and melody, creating a sonic journey that is as immersive as it is uplifting.

I'm Nivaryn Dane, a 25-year-old artist and teacher based in Taihape. I have a new single called Know Yourself out April 17 and wanted to send it your way.It’s a mix of Neil Young and 90s grunge. My previous stuff has had some play across the uni stations, and since I'm just down the road in Taihape.

Building on their reputation for honeyed melodies and high-energy grooves, Taranaki’s own Fin Rah Zel today releases their latest single, ‘TIME TRAVEL’. A vibrant fusion of contemporary R&B and pop-funk, ‘TIME TRAVEL’ captures a nostalgic yet fresh sound, drawing comparisons to the infectious vibes of Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, and Anderson .Paak. A musical journey with a sentimental view on personal growth, ‘TIME TRAVEL’ was written and recorded alongside renowned award-winning Producer Devin Abrams. Lyrically, it’s a track born from shared stories of growing up in the '90s and early 2000s, offering a playful perspective on life's missed opportunities, as the narrative follows a young man’s transformation from the insecurities and self-doubt of youth, to finding a newfound confidence and self-belief.   

Moemoeā (Sherrie Flanagan and Chloe Danz) met through their local amateur theatre group in Taranaki. Their first song quickly came together, with an easy partnership with Sherries strength in writing lyrics and Chloe’s in composition/melody. They’ve been writing and performing ever since.Moemoeā released their debut EP Flicker in February 2025 and have since released further singles Shh and Devil on your shoulder, all recorded and produced at Rhythm Ace Studio by Sam Johnson. Their latest single 'Hey' is set for release April 16th 2026 with 4 more to follow throughout the year.

Joe Kearns is a Christchurch born and bred singer-songwriter who's been plying his trade in Chch and trying to get his unique poppy songs heard. Formerly a student of the University of Canterbury's School of Music where he has an honours degree majoring in composition, he's just released his 14th single full of his usual pop/psychedelic sensibilities with intelligent and interesting lyrics.'Forever Sun' is a personal song written about his mother as she was dying in late 2025 (very recent!). While there is sadness in the song, there's also celebration. Joe didn't want to write a dirge full of remorse, rather to help put some perspective on her passing and tell the world how he felt.

Multi-faceted instrumentalist and one of the South Island's busiest indie musicians, Logan Edwards, launches a brand new project in the wake of a furious writing session in late 2025.This is the first time Logan is going out on his own as an artist. While he is still involved with The Beatniks, Ani Saafa, & Chump Change, Logan is branching out with his solo project, in a ‘rewarding, but ultimately scary move’...‘I wanted to create something of my own, where I could call every shot, for better or for worse. Not to say that I don’t love the collaborative work within a band dynamic (I do), but I really wanted to dive into that process of creating something I could fully identify with my whole being’

“SHIVER” is a slow-burning indie-pop track built around close emotive vocals, guitar textures and gorgeous production that opens and explodes in the chorus. Written and recorded in Christchurch, New Zealand and is about the universal lust for love and the intensity of connection; sitting somewhere between indie and modern pop. This release builds on growing local momentum. I’d love for you to consider it for NZ airplay and local content rotation.

We’re a gothic, noisy post-punk/post-hardcore band from Wellington. Fans of an extensive array of music, from The Cure to At-The-Drive-In will easily connect with our music.We have a rapidly growing following on all social media and streaming platforms and released our debut album, ‘Find Me In The Inferno’ last year, with new music on the wayWe have extensively toured New Zealand, and have headlined shows at packed venues in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. We have experience playing in large-scale productions such as at the Great Hall in Wellington, and can guarantee an authentic, energy-driven, and powerful performance every time we’re on stage.

Following on from an accomplished debut EP release that garnered praise from the likes of 13th Floor, The Listener and muzic.nz, Fiona & The Glow returns with an Indie-Pop heater ahead of their mainstage debut at Rhythm & Alps Festival.I ADORE’s driving piano melodies act as a fitting counterpoint to Fiona’s empowered vocals, while glistening lines of shimmering guitar float over the propulsive rhythm section’s lock-step grooves. Thematically, the single celebrates keeping pace with the mundane while wrestling to get the best out of the ordinary.

They’ve won a few competitions from here and Australia, opened for a few sweet international rock acts and have even moved to a different storage unit near a different sewage plant.But after releasing their prize winning debut EP ‘Clean Living’, 2026 brings`` this dogs’ first tour of main centre Aotearoa alongside a new single ‘Likewise’, releasing February 19th.With their last 2023 single 'Bug Eyed' charting at #20 on the official 'Hot 20 NZ Singles' charts; ‘Likewise’ is sure to hopefully get to a crisp #19.With lyrics about romanticizing only getting a job half done, this dog will no doubt be doing the opposite. It only takes one trip to see them live to see that they’ll leave blood, spit, sweat and some more spit on the stage in their wake.

Tāmaki Makaurau five-piece Psycho Gab are stepping into 2026 in style! The fine purveyors of neo-soul have today released their warm and summery new single ‘Compass’ - LISTEN HERE / Watch the video HERE.Emerging in 2023, Psycho Gab have spent the last few years cultivating a unique sound formed at the crossroads between soul, RnB, jazz and pop; and ‘Compass’ delivers on all fronts. Laden with smooth grooves and lush melodies, ‘Compass’ - much like earlier releases from Psycho Gab - ruminates on a plethora of deeply personal themes but with a new-found assuredness and depth. It offers an honest and vulnerable take on navigating identity and relationships, which is bound to resonate with many.

Alayna doesn’t mind sitting in the in-between. She doesn’t rush over silence in conversation, preferring to wait for the right words to make themselves clear before speaking. Watching her mind work in that quiet pause, it almost feels as though she’s hovering just above the rest of the world, taking it all in, processing, endlessly transforming. Alayna’s new album, Set Her Free (out February 13 via Nettwerk), could not have been written by anyone else for this reason: her singular observational skill. alayna was feeling burned out after the self-excavation that was making and releasing her first album, Self Portrait of a Woman Unravelling, back in 2023

Tauranga band Midwave Breaks are bringing the noise for 2026 with their explosive new single ‘Waste Of Time’. Self-produced on a farm in the hills overlooking the Bay of Plenty, the track marks the first radio release from the band’s forthcoming full-length album, signalling an exciting new chapter for the Tauranga-based Rockers.Waste of Time is an Ironic commentary on the relentless pursuit of the creative process, regardless of commercial value or perceived success. The need to produce, perform, and to keep pursuing a new expression, is the deeper burden and at times addiction, of every creative artist, musician or otherwise.Sonically, the new single delivers a high-energy rock-radio rush, fusing catchy baritone guitar riffs, driving drum grooves, and hook-laden melodies into a punchy, up-tempo track that defies its name and is anything but, a waste of time.

Caleb Northwood is a Singer Songwriter from Taranaki. His music explores the world through an introspective and quiet lens, blending a mix of subtle, flowing soundscapes and folk charm. With influences from artists such as Ben Howard and Julian Baker, Caleb's music will take you on a journey of reflection and contemplation. We'll Form, his newest single, provides an introduction to a wider project that reflects on the experience of loss and hopefulness. 

We are longstanding Christchurch alt-rock band Little Fang. 'White Muslin Summer Dress' is our new summer single about supporting those you love through chaos and mental health struggles. WMSD showcases biting guitars and snarling vocals that weave through pounding bass and drums, with a powerful change to a heavier feel and crushing bass at 1m:56s.WMSD is a new summer single about supporting those you love through chaos and mental health struggles. WMSD showcases biting guitars and snarling vocals that weave through pounding bass and drums, with a powerful change to a heavier feel and crushing bass guitar at 1m:56s. Little Fang are a long-standing Christchurch alt-rock group who deal in guitar music which evokes an emotional response through inventive chord changes and overwhelming volume. Little Fang have had multiple songs on the SRNZ charts and radioscope alt airplay charts. A band who wants to bring you the best in big, complex guitar music which changes gear on a dime.

NZ DJ Glidermode is a New Zealand-based musician and producer, whose real name is Justin Simpson. He is primarily known for producing and mixing drum & bass music, often in the liquid drum & bass style. 

“Alkaline” marks the band’s first single on the road to the release of the group’s debut album. Setting the tone for what’s to come, the band doubles down on the harsh riffs and beats that have become an integral part of their sound, whilst adding elements of experimentation through production choices and pulling from influences that live outside the “indie rock” circle.The track was written, produced, mixed, and mastered entirely by the band. Their hands-on approach to everything means everything you hear has been decided by them, and them alone. It also makes for a more unique, less polished, sound as the band work around the limitations of their equipment and lack thereof.

Founding members Mike Anker and Jarod Brown also known as Vegas Brown have taken up the reins and after such a long hiatus have been in the studio and this week they release first single in 12 years, with more new music to be released in the near future.

Off the back of last month's cathartic single release ‘Necklace’, West Auckland post-surf rockers Double Parked have shared another new single, ‘Buttercup’.Drenched in distorting reverb, gritty guitar riffs, and heavy drums, ‘Buttercup’ jolts with anxious and urgent energy, meshing half-spoken, half-sung verses with a raucous, high-charged hook. “Light me up a cigarette, I can’t feel my face, suck it up, buttercup, am I even breathing?” Vocalist Tom cries. Co-written between the whole band, the track's melancholic songwriting embodies the feeling of being on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

In the summer of 2023/24, a collaboration began between Jude Savage, frontman of Bleeding Star, and River Hann-Ellen from Debt Club. What started as a mutual admiration for each other’s songwriting evolved into a joint songwriting effort that would go on to form the basis for a new project, Dropper.Jude's emotionally charged songwriting, often compared to Bob Mould's work with Hüsker Dü or Greg Dulli in Afghan Whigs, was complemented by River's knack for intricate arrangements. The duo's songwriting partnership resulted in a collection of songs that shaped what would become the band's core sound.

Aro are a multi-award winning Te Tiriti-based duo whose artistry blends te reo Māori and English, weaving together jazz, folk, soul, and RnB influences. Their work is anchored in the values of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga - caring for ourselves, each other, and the natural world.Over Easter 2025, Aro, stepped into a new chapter of their lives, packing up their Pukekohe home and moving into their custom-fitted Rugged Kiwi caravan and hitting the road with their two tamariki (aged 1 & 4) to live a life centred around whānau, community, bicultural connection, adventure, and legacy.

A five-piece indie-pop rock outfit hailing from the northern shores of Tāmaki Makarau.In a Memory blends indie pop rock, garage pop, psychedelic rock and alt-pop. With dreamy guitar riffs, funk basslines, and emotive lyrics about time and impermanence, it’s perfect for fans of The Backseat Lovers, Japanese Breakfast, Real Estate, and Teenage Dads.

With his signature mix of infectious grooves and uplifting songwriting, Sonic Delusion returns with “Smoooth” — a playful yet powerful anthem for uncertain times. Written as a positive protest song, “Smoooth” challenges corporate greed, environmental destruction, and prejudice, but flips the narrative toward hope, unity, and the dream of living with ease and compassion. Anchored by driving rhythms and rich melodies, the track is both a rallying cry and an invitation to take a breath, dance, and choose a smoother way forward. Releasing Friday 7th November 2025, “Smoooth” is a reminder that even in a chaotic world, music can carry us toward light, joy, and togetherness.

Turkey The Bird and Liana Hart Team Up for New Single “Already Home” Taranaki’s folk favourites Turkey The Bird have joined forces with local singer-songwriter Liana Hart to create their brand-new single “Already Home,” due for release on Friday, 31st October 2025. Known for their infectious folk singalongs and rich vocal harmonies, Turkey The Bird have built a strong following across Aotearoa and beyond with their uplifting live shows and four studio albums. Their music blends storytelling with a playful energy that gets audiences smiling and singing along. Joining them on this release is Liana Hart, a rising star in the Taranaki music scene whose soulful voice and heartfelt songwriting have been captivating audiences across the region. Liana’s ability to blend warmth and strength in her performance has made her one of the most exciting new voices to watch.

Auckland’s alt-rock-punk-shoegazey outfit, The Early 20’s, return with their third releasefrom their upcoming EP.“Girl Down South” follows on from the charting singles “Not This Time” and “On & On” , continuing the band’s blend of DIY grit and professional polish.Recorded in bedrooms just as much as studios, the track carries the same homemadeheart that defines The Early 20’s. The track is co-produced by frontman Adam Rivers, withthe finishing touches added by Noema Te Hau III (APRA Silver Scroll, 2024). Mastered byChris Chetland (KOG Studios), the new release has been refined to the core.

BLARE is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and frontman of Radio Wah Wah, known for his emotionally raw lyrics and genre-blending sound. His solo work often explores the intersections of personal and political, with a poetic lens and a compassionate heart. “This song came from a place of helplessness,” says BLARE. “Watching the invasion unfold, I wanted to write something that didn’t just point fingers, but asked deeper questions about power, complicity, and the fragility of hope. The Nightingale sings, even when the Bear roars—and that’s something worth holding.

“Sharks” is Trauma Party’s latest dark wave/post-punk anthem — a sharp, driving track that disguises heavy themes of depression beneath pulsing basslines and urgent, dance-floor energy.Like sharks circling in the depths, the song uses visceral imagery to capture the relentless pull of dark thoughts, while its infectious rhythm and soaring guitars fight back with defiance. It’s a track that feels both dangerous and exhilarating — an invitation to confront the shadows without losing sight of the light.

Singer-songwriter Paul Martin has released his latest single, “Carousel”, a song that shines a light on the cycle of chasing achievement as a measure of self-worth. With soaring melodies and raw lyricism, “Carousel” captures the restless motion of always striving, yet never fully arriving. The song poses a poignant question: what if true significance isn’t found in achievement, but in who we are beyond the cycle?

The RVMES (pronounced The Rooms) are an explosive four-piece hailing from Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, known for their bold pink branding, electrifying live energy, and a defining sound that fuses alternative rock, funk, groove, and reggae into one delicious package. 

Wellington indie/alt-rock band Lipstick are back with their latest single “You & Me” — a dreamy yet danceable track that blends driving guitars, shimmering pop hooks, and an irresistible groove. With echoes of The 1975, Wolf Alice, and Dayglow, the song captures the energy of a late-night singalong while keeping Lipstick’s fresh, modern edge front and center. Bursting onto the Wellington indie scene in 2024, Lipstick quickly made a name for themselves with high-energy alternative rock, punchy hooks, and electric live shows. Having shared the stage with Racing, Where’s Jai, Half/Angel, New Candys, and many more in 2025, the band has earned acclaim from fans and peers alike.

I am a 16 year old artist from Christchurch, New Zealand. I have had a passion for music since I was 6 years old and have been writing and releasing my own songs from my bedroom since 2023!My goal is to write music that resonates with people, I want to inspire and help others through music. I wish to build a positive community with creative individuals.I don't really have a set music style, I just write about how I feel and get my words out through my songs.

ICE is an alternative rock band from Auckland, fronted by brothers Adam and Matthew Roycroft, a sibling force in the tradition of Oasis and Kings of Leon. With raw dual vocals, driving guitars, and a punchy live presence, they deliver emotionally charged rock that cuts deep and hits hard. After making noise as It Comes Easy, including a second-place finish at the 2024 NZ Battle of the Bands, the band rebranded as ICE: colder, sharper, and more focused than ever. Bassist Liam Beasley joined after his own band won Smokefree Rockquest, and a shared connection at Rockshop led him to become a core part of the group. Guitarist Gabriel Belcher came on board after a year of weekly jams with the Roycroft brothers. Both Liam and Gabe have been playing guitar since a young age and bring strong musicianship and natural chemistry to ICE’s evolving sound.  

Tealskie returns with their fourth single, “Extraterrestrial,” a bold leap into the unknown from their debut EP Misery and Serenity. Taking cues from the raw funk- rock of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the emotional punch of Paramore, the track explores lush sonic soundscapes that captivate the attentive listener. Complex guitar layers swirl around upbeat rhythmic dynamics, all anchored by Tealskie’s signature catchy hooks - delivering a sound that feels both otherworldly and deeply human."

South Road is a band from Spotswood College, Ngāmotu/New Plymouth with a unique sound and style. A wide variety of musical backgrounds have led to a funky/reggae/rock feel that stands out and gets people moving. They recently released their first three singles on Spotify, so be sure to go check them out, and stay tuned for upcoming gigs!

2024 was a formative year for First Reserve, the pseudonym of Te-Whanganui-A-Tara’s Ryan Connaghan (he/they). They’ve supported visiting internationals Hot Mulligan (US) and Movements (US), and have toured with Kiwi favourites PARK RD, Wiri Donna, and Wet Denim.The artist has amassed a cult of devoted supporters, thanks to their identifiable sound that draws inspiration from a variety of genres, including folk, rock, and pop. Connaghan affectionately refers to their music as “kinda emo, kinda queer – very catchy.” Following the release of dynamic singles “Alice” and “Telling The Same Joke Twice,” This year First Reserve will be continuing their momentum with the single “Twenty” out February 2025, as well as a second collection of songs recorded with Tarn PK.

The 3rd studio album from award winning, indie-folk music visionary, Jazmine Mary - I Want to Rock and Roll, due for release on June 13th 2025! Jazmine is also heading out on the road with their full band to celebrate the album release - see below for tour dates. I Want To Rock And Roll is a trove of bright, folk gems from indie-folk visionary, Jazmine Mary. An album hopeful by circumstance, and brilliant from a few heavy seasons of artistic growth, Jazmine Mary’s glowing new collection is emotionally and texturally abundant, and is all yours to listen to this Aotearoa winter, with the new album released on June 13th 2025.

EMPYR, formerly known as the Bull's Rush, released another single from their forthcoming album. "Lying To Us" is more in the protest ballad vein with a heavy ending. I tried to express some personal realisation about the times we live in, alongside some anger and release.The EMPYR is a band fighting out of West Auckland, but hailing from different places. The band is essentially a group of friends and collaborators drawn together by its main songwriter and instigator Tere Crane who grew up in Taranaki. Our influences are many but we all share a love of rock music and activism.

Sam’s journey into music started somewhere far removed from the club scene, singing in his local church during lockdown. Born in Zimbabwe and now based in Wellington, he turned that early passion into an obsession, learning multiple instruments and eventually studying Music Technology at Massey. Now, as both a producer and artist, he’s crafting music that blends technicality and rhythm with raw emotion. For Sam, The Good Life isn’t just a party anthem, it’s a moment of reflection. And if you find yourself questioning your choices while dancing in your kitchen, well... maybe that’s the point.  Some songs make you move, others make you think. The Good Life does both. This is the debut Single from Sam Podmore, marking the start of a hopefully interesting career. This dance-pop track dives into the contradictions of university nightlight, its highs, its lows, and the blurry space in between. At its core, The Good Life is about wanting to belong without losing yourself. The song follows Sam, and outsider looking in on a world of parties, alcohol, and late-night chaos. One part of him wants to embrace the fun; the other feels the weight of the scene’s toxicity. This tension drives the music, pulling between hypnotic club energy and something more introspective. 

Eyes To The Stars is an extra special song that I collaborated on with a musician from London called Jono Young. We met online in 2022 - while I was singing - live streaming on TikTok. He watched and chatted with me via text in the virtual "audience". We discussed health issues preventing him from completing his work and soon we found ourselves collaborating on this song. I fell in love with the lyrics and sentiment and created a long winded ballad that I sang often, to myself really, reminding myself to keep going. I took it in to the wonderful Rhythm Ace studio and Sam helped me refine the song and this version of Eyes To The Stars was born.

Ngamotu9 May 25Taranaki-based alt-blues-rock band The Mons Whaler are back with their latest offering, the evocative new single "Hold On", accompanied by the raw and rhythmic bonus track "Soft & Sweet". Following the success of their debut album Hold My Gun, the band continues to push their signature fusion of soulful blues, rock, and alternative influences into compelling new territory."Hold On" is an anthemic track that blends emotive lyricism with a haunting instrumental arrangement. Featuring a stirring Hammond organ intro and melancholic chord progressions, the song weaves a rich sonic tapestry that builds into an intense and heartfelt climax. Lead singer Hemi Coates (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Hine) delivers a raw and passionate vocal performance, echoing themes of resilience, longing, and hope. The lyrics capture a deeply personal narrative, exploring the weight of persistence and the search for meaning amidst uncertainty.In contrast, "Soft & Sweet" takes a grittier, more groove-driven approach, showcasing the band's versatility. The track pulses with rhythmic intensity, carried by a dynamic interplay between bass, drums, and electric guitar. Laced with poetic lyricism and haunting harmonies, "Soft & Sweet" balances vulnerability with a defiant edge, drawing listeners into its hypnotic sway. Recorded and produced at Rhythm Ace Studio in Oakura, Taranaki, the tracks highlight the band's continued evolution, capturing their live energy and instinctive chemistry. Their ability to seamlessly blend blues, rock, and alternative elements into a unique and resonant sound has garnered them a growing national and international following. The Mons Whaler have built a reputation for delivering spellbinding live performances, earning them festival slots and sold-out shows. With these latest releases, the band cements their place as one of New Zealand’s most exciting musical acts to watch

Set to release their highly anticipated sophomore album on May 2nd, Dr. Reknaw’s ’MIRACLES’ represents the most authentic and expansive expression of their musical journey to date, uncovering the next layer of the sonic and spiritual evolution of the two songstress sisters. The collection of 8 songs, all written over the last 12 months, radiate a wholesome joy and weave effortlessly through a vast array of moods and genres. Returning to their most beloved space of live band studio recording, the two front women (Julia & Sophie Cooper) met with their maestro band mates Jules Blewman ( Guitar ) and Luther Hunt ( Drums ) at the Surgery studio in Wellington to record what would become ‘MIRACLES’. While capturing the magical raw energy of live band recording the group opened a portal, through which flowed vibrations of reggae, soul, folk, worship, soul, dance music and even that which Bassist/Singer Sophie describes as ‘Nun Rock’. “This album holds a lot of variety in terms of grooves & vibe, it's quite different to anything we’ve done before. What makes it cohesive and organic to me is the themes and concepts running through these songs. From this perspective it's very much a concept album, the concept being an open journal of the lessons life has brought our way in the last year, things we are learning and experimenting with.”

Paradiso PDE are a Wellington-based, alt-rock, dance-infused, 3-piece.An inversion of the traditional band archetype, the act is led by vocalist & bassist Remy Davidson, reinforced by Britta Offergeld on percussion, and Ms Essem Chan on six-string.The songs represent the coming together of a back catalog of words, ideas and hooks. We drip-feed release one track at a time (rather than releasing whole albums).Paradiso PDE are dance-rock at heart: a gym alternate, a jumper, a bouncer-of-bod, an involuntary thrust, an arbiter of mosh.

Recorded and produced in Wellington throughout 2023 and produced by James Goldsmith (DARTZ, Wiri Donna, Recitals) Certain Death is a cinematic autobiography of the period immediately following the full development of Dawson’s pre-frontal cortex. ‘Certain Death’ is a maximalist and dramatic treatise on growing up!The album truly shines a light on his captivating vocals and clever songwriting, It’s about as honest as he’s ever going to be. “This record took a lot out of me. I did a lot of staring at the ceiling and scratching my head, like do I really want to go there? Some things are better left in the ground, and this one felt like exhuming my own remains”.

New Zealand’s Phoebe Rings announce their debut album, Aseurai, today with a pair of new singles “Aseurai” and “Drifting.” On Aseurai, due June 6th on Carpark Records, the quartet, led by NZ jazz-school-trained pianist and songwriter Crystal Choi, adds disco and city-pop influences while staying true to the dream-pop sound of their self-titled EP. “Aseurai means around you in the atmosphere, hard to reach, fading away,” Choi says. “It’s a poetic expression. You wouldn’t say it in normal conversation, but I like that.” While Phoebe Rings was originally a solo project of Choi’s, Aseurai marks a shift with contributing songwriting credits from the whole band, which includes Guitar/synthesist Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent, bassist Benjamin Locke and drummer/producer Alex Freer. The four musicians cut their teeth working on other notable NZ projects such as Princess Chelsea, Fazerdaze, Tiny Ruins, AC Freazy, Sea Views and Lucky Boy^. With a more ambitious collection of instruments, Choi says this album heralds the start of true collaboration: “I feel more precious about this LP because it includes everyone’s gems.” The broth is richer with more cooks in the kitchen, and the brewing of textures creates a distinct ‘Phoebe Rings’ sound.

For his second full-length LP and most realised release as Serebii yet, the artist had one thing he had to overcome first: he was “terrified” of himself. Serebii (aka Callum Mower) shares the story behind his latest live video for 'Goji': "After three years apart, myself and dear friend Skud Gumbosi decided to do what we both missed dearly and write music together. We spent a good portion of the day working on this Bossa groove with some chords Skud pulled from his back pocket. By the end of the session we both knew we had something special but felt the ideas were far too sluggish for our liking. As you can imagine the only downside to this is that you’d need to start the song from scratch in this new BPM and key, but that meant we would get to spend another day in each other’s company, and so we did just that.