CARU & BRANDN SHIRAZ Music Video Out Now Two for Two: Live at the Auckland Domain
JOINED BY JAZZ PIANIST JOE KAPTEIN, PLAYING SONGS FROM THEIR NEW EP + UNRELEASED SONG DREAMING
It’s this fiercely grassroots mindset and uncompromising authenticity that’s launched them as one of the country’s most exciting and forward-looking acts in years.” - Laura McInnes, Mixmag ANZ
“Caru and Brandn Shiraz released one of the best projects in New Zealand music this year” - Rolling Stone AU/NZ
“Caru is the King of the Underground down here, Brandn is the illest MC, this was a match made in heaven that no one saw coming.” - Mokotron, Mixmag AU/NZ
“Brandn, An incredibly talented MC… Caru, all of our DJs are playing his remixes.” – Kara Rickard, RNZ Music 101
“One of the years most exciting musical crossovers” – Sniffers
“Inserting joy into a serious music space… with an Aotearoa spin on these UK Garage songs.” – Rachel Ashby, RNZ Song Crush
With Two for Two charting at No. 5 on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles Chart and No. 18 on the Official Top 20 Aotearoa Albums Chart, Caru and Brandn Shiraz continue to cement themselves as one of Aotearoa's most exciting collaborations. Following their 2026 Aotearoa Music Award win for Best Electronic Artist, the duo now present their first official music video together, extending the world of Two for Two beyond the dancefloor, as a live session for listeners at home.
Directed by New York-based Blaze Bailey, the video captures the live energetic synergy between their producer-DJ and MC dynamic. Set against the lush landscape of the Auckland Domain and framed by the mighty tōtara trees on a significant whenua in their hometown, the video starts off with their title-track Two for Two, joined by the renowned multi-instrumentalist and jazz musician Joe Kaptein.
The video quickly shifts gears with the EP's opening track, Speaking My Mind, an expansive introduction rooted in the classic sounds of early-2000s 2-step garage. The track provides the perfect platform for Brandn Shiraz to effortlessly showcase his lyrical dexterity and commanding delivery, creating a striking contrast against the calm, open greenery of the Auckland Domain. The live session also offers an exclusive preview of the unreleased track Dreaming, with Caru reimagining the original instrumental from Scribe and P-Money into a stuttering grime anthem, laying the foundation for a razor-sharp freestyle from Shiraz.
Two for Two is a five-track EP rooted in the rich lineage of UK dance music, drawing on the sounds of UK garage, broken beat, UK funky, dubstep and more. Across the project, the duo weave these influences into a contemporary club-focused sound, whilst maintaining an immersive headphone listening experience, anchored by Caru’s detailed production and Shiraz's distinctive vocal delivery. Inspired by his North London family connections and the energy of Ragga MCs and Grime artists, Shiraz brings a uniquely personal perspective to the EP, bridging UK sound system culture with a fresh Aotearoa voice. Together, Caru and Brandn Shiraz reimagine these foundations through a modern lens, creating a project that connects dancefloors across continents and generations.
The Two for Two EP is supported by a nationwide tour, playing their songs live and direct on dancefloors across Aotearoa. Working alongside the soundsystems, promoters and DJs who have supported Caru & Shiraz every step of the way, the tour will be presented by Garage Sale, GoldTooth, Norty Club Collective and 103 Soundsystem – a selection of respected and leading dance music figureheads in Aotearoa
Caru & Brandn Shiraz ‘Two for Two’ New Zealand Tour Dates
Friday 19 June - Wellington - Moon Bar - Presented by Garage Sale*
Friday 17 July - Auckland - Goblin - Presented by GoldTooth*
Friday 24 July - Christchurch - Sydenham Underpass - Presented by 103 Soundsystem**
Friday 25 July - Dunedin - No.8 Distillery - Presented by Norty Club Collective*