Equippers Revolution and Equippers Worship Announce Double Album Release
Equippers Revolution and Equippers Worship release two new albums today, marking a major double release that highlights the depth and diversity of contemporary worship music emerging from New Zealand.
Equippers Revolution and Equippers Worship release two new albums today, marking a major double release that highlights the depth and diversity of contemporary worship music emerging from New Zealand.
Leading the release is Equippers Revolution’s fourth studio album, Promised Land, a bold collection of songs capturing the band’s signature energy, passion, and evolving sound.
Recorded just outside Auckland, Promised Land blends high energy anthems with moments of reflection and intimacy, creating an album that moves between celebration, connection, and personal listening. With dynamic production and honest songwriting, the album explores themes of faith, purpose, resilience, and stepping confidently into what lies ahead.
“Promised Land is about believing for what’s ahead and choosing hope through every season,” says Singer Songwriter Kenan Stephenson. “We wanted to create music that connects with people wherever they are.”
Alongside the release, Equippers Worship will unveil their live album Awe, a project recorded live in 2025 that captures the atmosphere and heart of their global worship community.
Featuring live versions of existing Equippers Revolution songs alongside new Equippers Worship songs, Awe reflects the spontaneous and collective nature of live worship, bringing together moments of celebration, reflection, and devotion.
Equippers Worship have continued to build a growing catalogue since 2019, releasing projects including Equippers Worship (Live) (2019), All Glory (Live) (2021), Still Waters & Shadows (2022), and EPs Holy Fire (2020), Hā (2022), and Desert River (2023).
Together, Promised Land and Awe represent two expressions of the same creative heartbeat. One capturing the energy of a studio album built for the journey, and the other preserving the atmosphere of a live worship experience.
Both albums continue to showcase Aotearoa’s growing contribution to contemporary worship music, reaching audiences locally and internationally with songs created to inspire, encourage, and bring people together.
Promised Land and Awe out today on all major streaming platforms.
About Equippers Revolution
Equippers Revolution is a New Zealand-based worship band creating contemporary music that blends powerful live energy, modern production, and authentic songwriting.
About Equippers Worship
Equippers Worship is the global worship expression of Equippers Church, creating faith-filled, Scripture-rooted music for collective worship and personal devotion.
SONOROUS Return with Powerful New Single 'Too Young (to feel this way)'
Following the release of their acclaimed single State of a Nation, Bay of Plenty band SONOROUS return with Too Young (to feel this way)
A Song of Hope, Resilience and Connection
Following the release of their acclaimed single State of a Nation, Bay of Plenty band SONOROUS Lucian McDermott (Ngāi Te Rangi), Khani Te Mete ( Ngāi Te Rangi ) Cooper Paalvast return with Too Young (to feel this way)—a heartfelt and deeply personal song exploring the emotional struggles many people face while carrying a powerful message of hope, resilience and connection.
Inspired by the growing emotional pressures affecting individuals, whānau and communities, Too Young (to feel this way) acknowledges the reality that many people carry battles that aren't always visible. Rather than dwelling on despair, the song reminds us of the importance of reaching out, supporting one another and holding onto hope, even through life's darkest moments.
The song began as an instrumental jam during a rehearsal with mentor and producer Lance Murch, before evolving into a fully realised composition. As the music developed, so did the message—one that speaks to resilience, compassion and the importance of reaching out to one another.
Lead Vocals / Guitarist Lucian McDermott (Ngāi Te Rangi) says the band wanted to create a song that acknowledged life's struggles while reminding people they never have to face them alone.
"We know a lot of people carry battles that aren't always visible. We wanted to write something that acknowledges those moments but also reminds people that they're never alone. If this song helps even one person feel understood or encourages someone to check in on a friend, then it's done exactly what we hoped it would."
For songwriter Justin McDermott, (Ngāi Te Rangi) the intention was always to look beyond the darkness and write a song grounded in hope.
"The idea behind the lyrics wasn't to write a song about hopelessness—it was to write one about hope. Too many people struggle in silence, and sometimes all it takes is knowing that someone cares. We hope 'Too Young (to feel this way)' encourages people to keep talking, keep reaching out and believing that brighter days can come."
Blending thoughtful songwriting with SONOROUS' signature musicianship, Too Young (to feel this way) continues the band's commitment to creating music that reflects real life while encouraging meaningful conversations.
Following the release of State of a Nation, SONOROUS deliberately stepped back from live performances to focus on writing and recording new material. Too Young (to feel this way) is the latest single from their upcoming debut EP, Observations, due for release later this year.
Upcoming Performances
Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival – 7–9 August
HiViz Jamz, Wellington – 15 August (Headline Show)
Additional festival appearances and tour dates will be announced in the coming months as SONOROUS continue building towards the release of Observations.
HINA Announces debut album
HINA Announces debut album Descending Dreams, Due for release on 31 July
Shares new single and video ‘The Fountain’
Announces Descending Dreams release show, August 6 - Kāhui St David’s - Tāmaki Makaurau
With Descending Dreams arriving July 31, Tāmaki Makaurau-based HINA shares a third glimpse into the album's world with new single ‘The Fountain,’ out now. Arriving on a woozy gospel-country groove, the song feels loose-limbed and gloriously unhurried, recorded in a single take, the full band playing live together in a room. The fountain itself, as HINA frames it, is deliberately nameless — an image that shifts depending on who’s holding it.
“It's a vessel for whatever you need it to hold: validation, reassurance, emotional certainty, a relationship, a vice, an inner voice. This song is about searching for meaning, seeking answers that may never come," she says. "It's also about internalised blame becoming belief, self-doubt becoming doctrine, and destructively repeating this all like a mantra."
The track's video takes the same approach. Shot in natural light in an open paddock, the video mirrors the song's spirit. “I wanted the video to capture that same organic instinct and feel uninhibited and straightforward,” says HINA. “My previous videos have had layered metaphors and hidden meanings. I don’t think this is what this song needs. It’s fun, it’s easy, and much like the song, it’s me letting go and trusting that what will be will be.”
Recorded at Roundhead Studios with producer NavakatoaTekela-Pule (NoaRecords) and refined alongside JamesMilne (LawrenceArabia), the album drew in some of Aotearoa's most trusted musical voices: Dave Khan, Tiare Kelly, Stenn Frances-Deare, Hamish Milne, De Stevens, Finn Scholes, and a string quartet featuring Sandy Niu and Olivia Wilding each lending their hands, ears, and creative instincts to the record. Engineer PaddyHill expertly mixed the record, giving the final work its shape.
‘The Fountain’ is a microcosm of what Descending Dreams does best — finding grace in the unresolved. The debut album emerges from a period of personal turbulence, tracing complex relationships and the gradual reclamation of the self. With orchestral strings and dusty country cadences, HINA continues in the lineage of Aotearoa’s wahine singer-songwriters (Bic Runga, Nadia Reid, Brooke Fraser), shaping a debut album that transforms personal upheaval into a shared, living space of sound – aching and luminous in equal measure.
“The album now seems to trace how I tried to make sense of things that didn’t need to make sense in the way that I was looking for,” says HINA. “I searched for meaning in glances, in tone, in coincidence, in acts of God. I was trying to be devoted. I was trying to be brave. I was trying to endure. This album is now the record of that love.”
Descending Dreams is available to pre-order now and will be released digitally and on vinyl. Secure your copy here.
HINA celebrates the release of Descending Dreams with a live show in Tāmaki Makaurau at Kāhui St David’s on Thursday August, 6. Joined by her band Dave Khan (Marlon Williams, Reb Fountain, The Veils), Fen Ikner (LIPS, Anna Coddington), Hamish Morgan (Marlin’s Dreaming), and Francesca Parussini (Wāhine in Jazz), who will bring the record to life, tickets are available from Under The Radar.
dān dān announces debut EP ‘songs about food’
EP OUT FRIDAY 14 AUGUST
Tāmaki Makaurau-based soul-food singer-songwriter dān dān announces her debut EP songs about food, alongside a music video for leading single cigarette breakfast, shot on Kodak 200T 16mm film, and premiering at her EP release party at Te Oro (Glen Innes) on Saturday 22 August.
songs about food is a bilingual English and Mandarin EP about family, identity, and growing up between cultures, with food doing the heavy lifting as the medium of storytelling. Across seven tracks, dān dān (she/they) traces food as culture, family, whakapapa, and the quiet language of love: the story of ancestry that survived on very little, and a generation that gets to make art in abundance.
The EP gathers the singles that built dān dān's solo chapter: pressure cooker, end of august (hand-pulled noodles), songs about u, and (cookie) crumble, alongside three new songs: sunshine (bag of rice), cigarette breakfast, and baijiu 白酒.
songs about food as a body of work features production from Dan Martin, Sam Nakamura, Christian Tjandrawinata, and Devin Abrams (Pacific Heights), with mastering by Chris Chetland and Benny Tones (Organik Muzik Workz), recording with sound engineer Jess Haugh, and violin from sibling Tee Hao-Aickin.
The EP was made with the support of the Asian Artists Fund.
THE LEADING SINGLE: cigarette breakfast
Co-written with Jefferson Chen and Christian Tjandrawinata, cigarette breakfast is about supporting your loved ones even when you don't understand them.
"It's about taking a seat at the table without expectations, and holding space without presumptions. Or at least, attempting to." dān dān shares.
The accompanying music video, shot on Kodak 200T 16mm film, was directed/DOP by Flora Xie (pressure cooker) and produced by Natasha Skuljan, and camera operated by Dylan Poihipi. It features co-writer Jefferson Chen, and was made with the support of New Zealand On Air's New Music Pan-Asian fund.
cigarette breakfast (the Official Music Video) will premiere at the EP release party on Saturday 22 August.
THE EP RELEASE PARTY
dān dān has been cooking up a debut EP and you're invited for dinner.
Except there's no dinner. There's a seven-piece all-wāhine band on keys, guitar, cello, violin, bass, flute, and yangqin, a resident chicken, poetry, improv dance, interactive light/sound installations, a zine, crocheted food, a laundry machine installation playing dān dān's music videos, a film photo gallery... and you, hopefully (please and thank you) dressed inspired by food.
The chicken will ask.
Saturday 22 August 2026
Te Oro: 98 Line Rd, Glen Innes, Tāmaki Makaurau
Doors 6.30pm, performance 8.00pm
Tickets $35
LOUIS BAKER SHARES MESSAGE OF HOPE ON NEW SINGLE 'ALL WE NEED'
Soulful Wellington singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Louis Baker shares new single 'All We Need', a warm and uplifting slice of contemporary soul offering a message of hope, connection and collective resilience.
Soulful Wellington singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Louis Baker shares new single 'All We Need', a warm and uplifting slice of contemporary soul offering a message of hope, connection and collective resilience.
Following the success of his acclaimed EP ‘Medicine’, which debuted at #4 on the Official New Zealand Albums Chart, and recent house remixes of his track 'Keep On' released with Berlin-based label Best Works, Baker continues to expand his sonic palette while staying rooted in the soulful songwriting that has earned him more than 70 million streams independently.
Written, produced and performed by Baker, 'All We Need' was inspired by the challenge of making sense of an increasingly uncertain world. The opening line, "Tell me this is all a dream", captures a feeling of disbelief that many people experience when confronted by conflict, division and hardship. Rather than dwelling in those realities, however, the song centres on a simple belief: that we are stronger when we support one another.
"Sometimes it's hard to wrap your head around what's happening in the world," says Baker.
"There's a sense of disbelief and disillusionment and it can be difficult to understand why people do the things they do.”
"An old saying that a rising tide lifts all boats became a guiding idea while I was writing this song. We all rise and fall together. At its heart, 'All We Need' is about the belief that all we really need is each other. There's also a line about having hope in the seeds we sow. It's about the small things we do every day that help make things a little bit better. Change starts with us."
Built around a groove-first approach, Baker began with a drum pattern before gradually layering guitars, bass and keyboards to build the song's foundation. Influenced by the textures and colours of artists such as Jungle, and drawing on a lifelong love of soul music, the finished recording also reflects the influence of artists including Michael Kiwanuka, Aaron Frazer, Gil Scott-Heron and the classic Motown sound.
Recorded with some of Wellington's most respected musicians, 'All We Need' features contributions from longtime collaborators Cory Champion (drums, tambourine and congas), Johnny Lawrence (bass), James Illingworth (Wurlitzer), Leo Coghini (organ), Louisa Williamson (flute) and Iris Little (backing vocals).
'All We Need' has already attracted early support from international radio and tastemakers across Europe, the UK and the United States, while signalling the start of a new creative chapter for Baker, with further releases to follow in the months ahead.
ROBIN JUDKINS RELEASES ALBUM OF SONGS ‘I’M A SLUT FOR A BEAT’ PERFORMED BY LYTTELTON LINEUP
Writer, poet, playwright and Coast to Coast founder Robin Judkins is proud to announce the release of I'm A Slut For A Beat (out July 3rd), a bold and distinctive new album that transforms a collection of his poems into fully realised songs. To celebrate the release, Judkins will present a special one-night-only launch event at The Lyttelton Arts Festival at The Loons in Lyttelton.
Writer, poet, playwright and Coast to Coast founder Robin Judkins is proud to announce the release of I'm A Slut For A Beat (out July 3rd), a bold and distinctive new album that transforms a collection of his poems into fully realised songs.
Best known as the founder of New Zealand's iconic Coast to Coast endurance race, Judkins has long been a storyteller in many forms. More recently, he penned the acclaimed stage production Free Bus to God which debuted at Otautahi’s James Hay Theatre, further cementing his reputation as a creative voice unafraid to explore the absurd.
Produced by Adam Hattaway, I'm A Slut For A Beat brings together an exceptional lineup of Lyttelton musicians.Creating a varied musical landscape that amplifies Judkins' unique voice, humour and observations. The album sees poetry and music collide, with each track reimagining Judkins' written work through a diverse range of musical styles.
Featuring performances by Adam McGrath, Adam Hattaway, Janice Gray, Tess Liautaud, Lindon Puffin, Lucinda Whiteley, Tom Trevella, Al Park, Abi Chessum, John Sanchez-Lloyd and Dan Heatley, the album is supported by a stellar backing band comprising Michael Kime, Thomas Isbister, Reuben Derrick, Brendan Gregg, Ryan Fisherman and John Sanchez-Lloyd.
To celebrate the release, Judkins will present a special one-night-only launch event at The Lyttelton Arts Festival at The Loons in Lyttelton. Part album launch, part spoken-word fever dream, you'll hear the album from start to finish with the full band. “this is the pilot and testing ground for my new musical due this November”
I’m A Slut For A Beat
Album Release Show
July 3rd 2026 - 7:30pm
The Loons, Lyttelton
(last release tickets available now)
Play For Keeps dish up a slice of indie pop-rock gold on their debut EP, HEY LOVE
Play For Keeps have spent the last six months proving themselves to be one of the most exciting new acts on Aotearoa’s indie pop-rock scene - a reputation they’re firming up with today’s release of their debut EP, HEY LOVE.
Play For Keeps have spent the last six months proving themselves to be one of the most exciting new acts on Aotearoa’s indie pop-rock scene - a reputation they’re firming up with today’s release of their debut EP, HEY LOVE.
The title of the EP takes its name from the record’s most emotionally charged song, the indie-pop anthem, ‘Hey Love’, which blends intimate lead vocals with soaring backing vocals, to capture the exhilarating highs and painful lows of deep connection.
Balancing hope, vulnerability and heartbreak, the song explores the complexity of commitment when the honeymoon phase fades. “It dives into the raw, unfiltered reality of choosing love through difficult moments, where ecstasy and pain exist side by side,” says the band’s bass player, Tim Cederman.
The EP also features the songs ‘Handsome Boy’, ‘Presumptuous’ and ‘Out Of The Dark’. Individually, each of the tracks are grounded in clever songwriting with infectious indie pop-rock melodies and instrumentation. Collectively, HEY LOVE explores the ‘human condition’ in all its glory and its messiness. “Hopefully people will find themselves processing some of their emotions. We're a band that holds tension well - in our song writing, in how we perform live through to our recorded music. We can be fun and light-hearted, then pivot very quickly to the real, rawness of life and reflect that in our studio recordings and on-stage performances,” says the band’s lead singer, Simon Hart.
Produced by Tom Healy (Marlon Williams, Nadia Reid, Tiny Ruins), the EP marks a new chapter for Simon Hart, Tim Cederman, Nic Hart Rob Grover and Andy Gibbs) who first began turning heads as the act Ellie Oak, before earlier this year revealing a new look, sound and name - Play For Keeps.
Since then, the Ōtautahi five-piece have gone from strength to strength, performing festivals such as Nostalgia and drawing support from NZ’s student radio network as well as wracking up thousands of global streams on Apple and Spotify.
Accompanying the EP release is a music video for focus single ‘Hey Love’. The video is directed by Joel Wallan and is filmed at various locations throughout Christchurch. Watch HERE
“We wanted to capture the ups and downs of relationships and that ultimately, for a relationship to work out it takes bloody hard work, arguments and shit tonnes of forgiveness. We liked the idea of a tennis court because of the image of tennis players smashing a ball between each other to 'win' a game and if that's your mindset in a relationship then you're screwed. The aim isn't to win arguments but to listen and hear each other out.”
Play For Keeps share a love for The Beths, Arcade Fire, and The War On Drugs. Their sound blends catchy melodies with emotive, honest lyricism and a touch of self-deprecating humour, songs that sit comfortably between heartfelt reflection and light-hearted absurdity. Known for their energetic live shows and genuine on-stage chemistry, Play For Keeps pride themselves on connection, sincerity, and playing every set like it matters.
MOHI RELEASES L.A.B. INSPIRED MASTERPIECE WITH HIS LATEST “DECEMBER RAIN”
Following his groundbreaking, Māori Alt R&B masterpiece “Tia”, MOHI announces the release of his next single DECEMBER RAIN. This Matariki, MOHI will be performing at the Auckland Town Hall for Waiata Anthems in Concert alongside local legends Jordyn With a Why, Geneva AM and the incredible Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. To add to the Matariki celebrations, MOHI and Noema Te Hau III have also received the call up to be part of the All Blacks Matariki Special happening in Wellington.
Following his groundbreaking, Māori Alt R&B masterpiece “Tia”, MOHI announces the release of his next single DECEMBER RAIN. The single drops July 3rd on all major streaming platforms, marking the second release from his latest album “Māori Kid meets world” set for September.
Inspired by the vibes and highs of an L.A.B concert, the track is a sultry blend of bilingual storytelling and alternative R&B with a playful edge. It’s a genre-defying sound that refuses to be boxed in, and continues to push the pen for Māori music.
This Matariki, MOHI will be performing at the Auckland Town Hall for Waiata Anthems in Concert alongside local legends Jordyn With a Why, Geneva AM and the incredible Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. To add to the Matariki celebrations, MOHI and Noema Te Hau III have also received the call up to be part of the All Blacks Matariki Special happening in Wellington. Keep your eyes and ears out for more special content pieces to celebrate this momentous occasion.
DECEMBER RAIN is available now on all major streaming platforms.
From the vibrant streets and soundscape of West Auckland, New Zealand, award-winning Māori artist MOHI is a once-in-a-generation talent. His music masterfully weaves Te Reo Māori and introspective storytelling with alternative R&B and Hip Hop instrumentation, a genre-defying sound that pushes the culture forward.
Indigenous to Aotearoa (New Zealand), MOHI’s artistry is grounded in his rich cultural heritage, reflecting the strength and beauty of his whakapapa (ancestry). Since launching his solo career in 2020, he has quickly risen to become a household name - resonating throughout Aotearoa and increasingly on the global stage.
His latest project, “Vibez On The 75” is making massive waves across New Zealand, charting at #9 on the Official Aotearoa Music Charts.
MOHI has also been the recipient of Best Te Reo Māori Album and Best Male Artist at the Māori Music Awards, received nominations for Best Māori Artist and the Mana Reo Award at the Aotearoa Music Awards 2025, won the prestigious APRA Maioha Award, and is currently up for the Mana Reo Award alongside his sister PARE for this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards 2026.
Breaking into the International music scene with his spectacular performances at Big Sound, Australia, SXSW Sydney, IIMS Canada and FOCUS Wales, UK, Mohi holds an impressive CV of shows. In October, MOHI opened for the incomparable Loyle Carner at his Tāmaki show held at the Auckland Town Hall, not only as an opening act but also as a featured artist on Loyle’s hit song “Ottolenghi”, a special moment for te iwi Māori.
More recently, MOHI headlined his sold out show at The Tuning Fork, supported by an all-Māori line up in DJ Seymore, HOPE and Greatsouth, further cementing his place as one of Aotearoa music’s most compelling and important voices. Mohi now sets his sights on London this September for a scheduled international album release show alongside superstars Jordyn With a Why and HOPE, taking Waiata Māori to the globe.