CASTAWAY RETURN WITH THEIR MOST EMOTIONAL ANTHEM YET: “REASONS TO STAY”
Aotearoa’s rising pop-rock force Castaway continue their momentum with the release of their new single, “Reasons To Stay” - the latest glimpse into their upcoming body of work.
Castaway are five mates bound by music. Formed in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the band comprises Austen (bass), Jack (saxophone, keys), Jackson (vocals, keys, guitar), Joe (vocals, drums), and Rhys (guitar). The band blends pop-rock with alternative influences, and a boy-band flair. Their sound features driving guitars, punchy rhythms, sax-driven hooks and dual vocals - brought to life through high-energy performances built on anthemic choruses and emotional connection, leaving the crowds singing, dancing, and feeling it all.
Following their recent success opening for SIX60 and Synthony at the One New Zealand Stadium, and the growing traction of recent singles “Heart Attack” and “CUCKOO”, Castaway return with “Reasons To Stay”. This latest single continues a run of releases signalling the band’s rise.
“Reasons To Stay” is a powerful indie rock ballad from Christchurch five-piece Castaway, built around anthemic melodies, emotional intensity, and a chorus made for thousands of voices to sing together. Exploring the fragile space between struggle and hope, the track captures the weight of facing inner battles while searching for the moments, memories, and connections that keep us moving forward.
At its heart, “Reasons To Stay” is a deeply personal reflection on mental health and the ongoing fight between wanting to hold on and wanting to let go. Through moments of isolation, reflection, and redemption, the song follows a journey from darkness toward connection, where a single hand reaching out, a room full of laughter, or a moment of wonder can become a reason to stay. Both vulnerable and uplifting, the track transforms a personal struggle into a universal anthem of hope.
Castaway have evolved from university jam sessions to sharing stages with Mitch James and Drax Project, lighting up Selwyn Sounds, and earning spins across ZM, The Hits, More FM, Radio Hauraki, and RNZ. With “Reasons To Stay”, they continue that trajectory - capturing a band not just on the rise, but stepping confidently into what comes next.
And the five-piece’s rise is already being seen! On May 16, Castaway took the stage at the ‘Once In A Lifetime’ opening of One NZ Stadium in Ōtautahi, supporting Six60 and Synthony alongside Kaylee Bell and Cassie Henderson - a landmark moment that signals their arrival on a bigger platform.