New release from Li'l Chuck

To celebrate 10 years since the release of Li'l Chuck's first album and Drummie Dan's significant birthday, today sees a surprise new release from Lil’ Chuck the one man Skiffle machine.

 After a clash with his other band members, Li'l Chuck has stepped away from his traditional one man band format to join forces with legendary Shane MacGowan and Exploited drummer Dan Heatley aka “Drummie Dan”. 
 This six track E. P. features the nostalgic and heavier side of Lil’ Chuck drawing on his and Dan’s teenage rock n roll influences from the 70’s & 80’s. Driven by Dan's pounding drums and saturated with Li'l chucks signature harmonica and slide guitar, the result is a much bigger sound than we have come to expect from Li'l Chuck in his previous recordings...

 This E. P. was recorded in one room over a few afternoons with Li'l Chuck and Dan jamming and feeding off each other. It's augmented with overdubs and is arranged and produced by Lil’ Chuck and Drummie Dan... 

As Li'l Chuck says, “This project has made the most of our friendship and has given Dan and I the opportunity to drink a lot of tea, have some long laughs and yarns but most importantly, to have a loud blasting sessions in my studio!”

Li'l Chuck meets Drummie Dan at the mansion on the hill (Vol1. Bribing the dog) will be available on all platforms from 28th Jan 2025. 

Foley reveal final teaser ahead of new album, with the sun-soaked single ‘Fever’

*** Album THAT’S LIFE, BABY! out February 28 ***

Pop duo Foley have entered the final countdown to their sophomore album THAT’S LIFE, BABY!, releasing the hot new single ‘Fever’; the final puzzle piece before the full record drops on February 28.

Listen to ‘Fever’ HERE / Pre-save THAT’S LIFE, BABY! HERE

Packed with ear candy and pops of sonic colour, ‘Fever’ leans into Foley’s signature sound of highly addictive bass lines paired with jolty and eclectic percussion tracks. Sassy lyrics complete the picture as the duo tell an all-too familiar tale of unrequited love; something Foley hints at being a theme of in the forthcoming album.

“‘Fever’ is the extension of THAT’S LIFE, BABY! in terms of unrequited love,” they expand. “In a way it's the continuation of that story where a past love is lingering on and they can’t quite find closure. It was inspired by an experience where a friend's ex kept showing up at every party, every cafe, and felt like they were almost around every corner!”

Made with the magic of Waiheke Island - the location that cooked up much of the album - ‘Fever’ came to life with Foley’s Ash and Gabe being joined by Harry Charles and Josh Naley (Wells*) on songwriting and production. The track was then mixed by Hamish Patrick and mastered by Sam Moses.

“The production style and vocal layering is definitely very Foley,” say the duo. “The song is all born of the bass line and the groove which are always the staple of a Foley track.” 

“This one was fueled by the sunshine, diet coke, a few beers and good chats with friends. It was honestly more wholesome than anything else!”

Today's release is the sixth and final single to come from Foley ahead of the upcoming album, recently releasing ‘Heartstrings’, a track which saw them feature on Sniffers, Rolling Stone AU/NZ, The Hits and ZM. Other notable singles from the album include ‘Time Of My Life’, which proved to be a NZ chart success reaching #3 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart and peaking at #6 on RadioScope’s Most Added Chart, and ‘Low and High’ which garnered a huge 100k streams in just three days, as well as landing on Spotify playlists including Pop Sauce, Pop n’ Fresh, chill AF, Happy Pop Hits, New Music Friday’s AU/NZ, Denmark, Netherlands, and UK, New Pop Revolution and many more.

 Having released their debut album CROWD PLEASER in 2023, which hit #2 on the Official Top 20 NZ Albums Chart, Foley also established a dynamic reputation as a live unit across Aotearoa prior to the release, touring consistently as headliners and support for artists including Remi Wolf, Tove Lo, Flight Facilities and BENEE.

 2024 saw the duo become Aotearoa Music Award nominees (Best Pop Artist) and enjoy a sold-out five-date tour through Los Angeles and New York in April/May. They also found themselves on one of pop culture’s biggest radars when ‘Killing Me Babe’ was featured on the recent season finale of The Kardashians.

Foley’s forthcoming full-length record THAT’S LIFE, BABY! marks the next step towards a new era. Get ready; it begins on February 28.

Listen to ‘Fever’ HERE / Pre-save THAT’S LIFE, BABY! HERE

PRAISE FOR FOLEY:

“Sharp, analytical, and deeply confessional, Crowd Pleaser reminds you of the kind of trouble you welcome with open arms.”

ROLLING STONE AU/NZ

“Crowd Pleaser, Foley’s debut album, is a bold entry as a debut project...“What Got Into You”, setting the tone and the expectations high immediately—and they don’t disappoint from there.”

TONEDEAF

“Though the pair's widescreen, electric pop music is entertaining on record, it takes on a whole other life when vocalist Ash Wallace and guitarist Gabe Everett present it in the live arena.”

THE MUSIC

“This bouncy, breezy new offering from Foley is an absolute blast.”

CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND

Follow Foley:

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Triple J Unearthed

Indie artist Lepani’s next release ‘Y’ was chosen by the people

Manchester-based NZ artist Lepani is releasing a new song ‘Y’ on Feb 7

A fresh voice to the UK music industry, Lepani will be starting 2025 off explosively with his emphatic, energetic track “Y” on Feb 7. Shedding light on the struggles experienced of working under a major label, “Y” an alternative pop track, is more fiery than Lepani’s usual soulful pop tracks and gives a taste of his string of releases to come in 2025. 

Written, recorded and produced by Lepani himself, “Y” has gathered interest on social media whilst he was publicising his songwriting on his Instagram page. Lepani put it in the hands of his followers to decide which track they wanted released, and votes were unanimous. Lepani’s evocative words pull you straight into the frustration he feels.

“Broken promises, they told him he could make it if he gave ‘em everything he had. Spoken honestly, he could’ve been the greatest but the lane that they provided was a one way ticket to his DOWNFALL.”

Amassing over eight million Spotify streams over his career, of Lepani’s most well known are “Next to Me” and “Wait To Wake Me Up”. “Y” is only the beginning of his shift to a more creative journey, with a myriad of eclectic and expressive releases coming this year.

CONNECT WITH LEPANI ON:  Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple | Youtube | Amazon

Blake’s Most Poignant Release Yet: "The Gift You Gave Me" Earns Triple J Support and Rolling Stone AU/NZ Pick up

Rising New Zealand singer-songwriter Blake has kicked off 2025 with major momentum following the success of her most poignant release yet, "The Gift You Gave Me." Released on December 20th, the track has now surpassed 100,000 streams, marking a significant milestone for the independent artist. Originally inspired by Mike Hudner’s viral story of losing his son to mental health struggles, the song delves deeply into themes of grief, resilience, and personal growth. In the weeks leading up to its release, the track took on even greater significance as Blake faced the loss of her aunty after a courageous battle with cancer. This personal and recent grief brought the song closer to home, transforming it into a heartfelt tribute to loved ones lost in all forms.

The emotional impact of "The Gift You Gave Me" has earned Blake widespread recognition, with the song being featured in Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s prestigious ‘Songs You Need to Know’ series and recently picked up by Triple J in Australia. Fresh off summer festival appearances at the TSB Festival of Lights, Grey Lynn Park Festival and up-coming Cross Street Music Festival, Blake is cementing herself as one of New Zealand’s top rising songwriting talents, making 2025 her most exciting year yet.

MIM JENSEN 'PAST LIFE'

Mim Jensen releases "Past Life”, the 2nd single from her forthcoming EP “Shadow Of The Gift” today.

Mim Jensen's musical odyssey has seen her share stages with indie-rock stalwarts such as The Beths (NZ), Teenage Dads (AU), The Rubens (AU), Great Gable (AU), The Butlers (NZ), and Bob Mould (USA). 

Her sharp-tongued and honest approach to indie rock has not only captivated audiences but also led to sold-out single releases and coveted support slots across the country.

Catch Mim live @

Feb 7th Nelson @ Trafalgar Centre w/Shihad 

Feb 20th Canterbury O-week @ Ngaio Marsh Theatre w/ Summer Thieves

March 1st Christchurch @ Sector 7 w/ Shihad

March 14th Auckland @ Spark Arena w/ Shihad

March 15th Papamoa @ The Island

Avish Breaks Barriers with NZ On Air-Funded Hindi Song "Dhoop,"

"Dhoop," the latest single by Auckland-based singer-songwriter Avish, is released today, with its music video premiering on Sunday, 2nd February on his YouTube channel. Remarkably, it may be the first Hindi-language song to receive funding from NZ On Air under their "New Music Single" funding round, making this a groundbreaking moment for diversity in New Zealand's music scene. 

Avish was both delighted and surprised to learn his song had been selected. Having submitted his demo with no real expectations, he had almost forgotten about it until a fellow musician spotted NZ On Air's announcement on social media and informed him of the news. Beyond the typical self-doubt many creatives face, Avish was unsure if a song with Hindi lyrics could ever be recognized as "New Zealand music." Growing up in New Zealand, he rarely saw musicians with ethnic backgrounds other than European, Māori, or Pasifika featured on mainstream platforms.

While inspired by artists like Aradhna, who shares Indian roots but primarily creates music in English, Avish always questioned whether songs in Hindi could find a place within New Zealand's music industry. “I never thought NZ On Air would consider a song in a foreign language as eligible for their funding,” Avish shared. “This funding has shattered those doubts for me. It feels empowering and inclusive—like a sign that there’s space for everyone, regardless of their cultural or creative background.”

"Dhoop," which translates to "sunlight" in Hindi, is a poetic exploration of personal transformation and self-discovery. Its uplifting blend of folk and electronic elements creates an emotional soundscape, with lyrics that reflect the journey toward resilience and renewal. A key moment in the song reveals the realization:

"I saw that this world exists beyond the clouds

tearing through the sky, I flew ahead

leaving behind the moon I realised

those stars were never the destination,

they were the decoration along the way."

The accompanying music video, shot across breathtaking New Zealand landscapes, visually echoes the song’s themes of transformation. Directed by a talented local crew, the video moves from darker moments of introspection to expansive vistas, symbolising the shift from confinement to freedom that happens with self-realisation. 

For Avish, "Dhoop" is a deeply personal milestone. “This song is about embracing every part of who you are and trusting in your journey,” he explained. “It’s a celebration of individuality and resilience, but also a reminder that music transcends language. Stories like mine belong in the New Zealand music landscape too is something that never really occurred to me before.”

The funding for "Dhoop" also marks a progressive step for NZ On Air, signaling an effort to embrace and support diverse voices in Aotearoa's creative scene. "This initiative makes me feel hopeful about the future of music in this country," Avish said. “It’s encouraging to see that our industry is opening up to new possibilities and allowing artists to share authentic stories in their own voices.”

"Dhoop" is available on all major streaming platforms today, with the music video premiering on Avish’s YouTube channel @avishsharmamusic this Sunday, 2nd February. Join Avish on this inspiring journey of light, hope, and self-discovery.

Caru & Brandn Shiraz go ‘Back 2 Back’ in new EP

Prolific Tāmaki Makaurau musicians Caru & Brandn Shiraz join forces on their new EP ‘Back 2 Back’. The project combines both artists' respective styles to create a unique and fresh take on the classic 2000’s dance genre UK Garage. Brandn Shiraz’s boundary pushing MC skills effortlessly complement Caru’s refined production, resulting in a sound that’s both laid back and danceable.

The project perfectly fits a pocket in the Aotearoa music community by appealing to club DJs who curate music for the dancefloor, as well as the music-lovers who attend their shows. The project sees the duo steering away from the stereotypical pop music sensibilities of UK Garage, instead opting for a slick and mature interpretation of the genre that pays respect to the electronic music underground.

Focus single 'Pull Up' features the smooth vocals of R&B powerhouse JARNA, who Shiraz connected with at the APRA AMCOS NZ Moana Songhubs. JARNA’s sultry vocal harmonies juxtapose Shiraz’s focused flows and enticing lyricism. Both vocalists seamlessly enhance each other's performance, over a backdrop of dreamy chord sequences and intricate drum rhythms – not to mention the heavy 808 bass lines throughout.

Title track ‘Back 2 Back’ begins with an introduction by British-Tamil Producer & DJ GoldTooth, who moved from the UK to Auckland last year and brought with him a wealth of expertise and experience. This allowed him to quickly integrate into the Aotearoa DJ community, eventually crossing paths with Caru & Brandn Shiraz. GoldTooth’s excitement over the early demos of the EP resulted in an off-the-cuff recording in which he states that the duo have “cracked it” and that “garage isn’t a sound, but a feeling”. The track encapsulates the duo’s respective sounds, resulting in an opener where Shiraz takes advantage of the skippy drum production and bass-heavy beats as a launching point for his bars.

Head nodding and contemplative ‘No Time’ features visual artist and vocalist Eo, previously known for his work in hip-hip group Badcrop. The track also features Rhodes and synthesiser from Mānuka Recordings co-founder Kenny Sterling (Matt Hunter) who adds jazzy embellishments that accompany the moody vibe of the production.

To close out the project, ‘Poster Boyz’ shows a darker side to their producer-MC dynamic. The song's high tempo breakbeats flawlessly pair with Shiraz’s grime-inspired delivery, ending in a glitchy jungle inspired rhythm that chops up Shiraz’s vocals.

You can catch Caru & Brandn Shiraz live at the upcoming Cross Street Music Festival on Saturday 8th March in Auckland, and in Wellington at CubaDupa on Saturday 30th March.

About Caru

Carl Ruwhiu, known as Caru, has been a fixture in Aotearoa's electronic music scene since 2017 as part of synth-pop duo Imugi 이무기. In 2022, he shifted his focus to dance music, drawing influences from UK Garage, Breakbeat, Jungle, and Electro. His tracks, which range from remixes of '90s and Y2K classics to underground club anthems, have gained international traction, featured in DJ sets worldwide.

Caru has released music on UK labels like Belters, EC2A, and Profound Sound, as well as local imprints The Big Fresh Collective and Redline Records. He’s also remixed tracks for artists including MOKOTRON, Aroha, MELODOWNZ, and Lady Shaka.

With a summer residency on George FM and a sold-out Boiler Room show under his belt, Caru continues to build momentum, with more releases and collaborations on the way.

About Brandn Shiraz
Cook Island native and Tāmaki Makaurau based artist Brandn Shiraz is a prominent figure in the local community. Recently hailed by Sniffers as a leading force in Aotearoa’s hip-hop scene, Shiraz's commitment to pushing creative boundaries is evident in his captivating sound, with many inspirations stemming from his roots in the Cook Islands. He has a number of notable collaborations under his belt, including his most recent feature on the latest Home Brew album. In previous years, he featured on rap projects Shiraz & LSJ and Risera, and also garnered recognition in Redbull’s' 64 Bars series. Brandn Shiraz is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the New Zealand scene, with only more heat to come.

Find Brandn Shiraz online

Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube | Apple Music

Find Caru online
Instagram | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Spotify | Apple Music

REB FOUNTAIN RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘NOTHING LIKE’ AHEAD OF FORTHCOMING ALBUM HOW LOVE BENDS OUT MARCH 7

Some songs feel less written and more unearthed, whispered into the world by the ether. Reb Fountain’s latest single, "Nothing Like," is precisely that: a love song brimming with a luminous pop sensibility, tinged with the depth of introspection. 

"Nothing Like" is the newest offering from Reb’s highly anticipated album, How Love Bends, set for release on March 7th. Capturing the expansive moment of falling in love and the kaleidoscopic shifts it brings to both life and art, the single feels like a beam of light cutting through the fog.

“I was in the depths of recording How Love Bends and in the heart of a new relationship,” Reb reflects. “In “Nothing Like”, I was perceiving the world in a new light; amidst an intensely productive creative time and an enriched personal life, there was a profound shift in my lived experience. Our vision of the world is often a reflection of our shadows; hungry ghosts searching for our likeness, clouded by the umbra that binds us. As I walked with my dog up Maungarei in Tāmaki Makaurau, I felt, for a short time, that the fog was lifted and beneath was a hopefulness innate to our humanity that is often lost in the hunt for what feels lacking in our lives.”

The track, recorded at Auckland's Roundhead Studios, captures that moment of clarity with remarkable immediacy. Co-produced by Dave Khan and Simon Gooding, "Nothing Like" was birthed in a single day.

Reb recalls: “Simon Gooding was staying with me, and the next morning, as we drove into Roundhead Studios together, we listened to my voice memo of ‘Nothing Like.’ We played it through as a band first thing, edited and honed the arrangement and lyrics. Karin (Czanerk) created the bassline that underpins the instrumental, Earl (Robertson) composed the string line which Dave played, and with Dave and Simon at the helm, we wove a landscape for the song and finished ‘Nothing Like’ that day.”

The result is a track that carries a lightness and vitality yet feels foundational to the emotional architecture of How Love Bends. ‘Nothing Like’ brings a musical presence and grace that underpins How Love Bends … “although it arrived at the last minute, it was always there; a force of human nature guiding me to make sense of it all.”

In keeping with their love of film, Reb & Lola headed west of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland to the majesty of Muriwai Beach and shot the video for Nothing Like on four rolls of Super 8. The video shares the connection between Reb & Dark; her confident companion. They share in one another's journeys for a short time; carrying and guiding one another, following in each other's footsteps while they can.

Reb Fountain continues to weave music that feels like a dialogue with the soul, simultaneously timeless and urgent. With "Nothing Like," she reminds us that even amidst the shadows, there is always the choice to let in the light.

To mark the release How Love Bends, Reb Fountain and her full band will embark on an expansive nationwide tour throughout April and May 2025. Renowned for her captivating live performances and masterful storytelling, Reb invites audiences to experience the magic and intensity of her music in a live setting. Fans who have witnessed her command the stage know these shows are a rare and unforgettable experience—essential for anyone who appreciates the power of live music. Tickets for all dates are on sale now at rebfountain.co.nz

REB FOUNTAIN - How Love Bends Album Release Tour

With special guest Pete Moriarity
April-May 2025
Tickets on sale now rebfountain.co.nz

THU 10 APR
Totara Street | Tauranga
flicket.co.nz

FRI 11 APR
Dome Cinema | Gisborne
moshtix.co.nz

SAT 12 APR
MTG Century Theatre | Napier
moshtix.co.nz

THU 17 APR
Last Place | Hamilton
moshtix.co.nz

SAT 19 APR
Leigh Sawmill | Leigh
moshtix.co.nz

FRI 25 APR
Grainstore Gallery | Oamaru
moshtix.co.nz

SAT 26 APR
Errick’s | Dunedin
moshtix.co.nz

SUN 27 APR
Sherwood | Queenstown
moshtix.co.nz

THU 1 MAY
The Church | Christchurch
flicket.co.nz

FRI 2 MAY
Opera House | Wellington
ticketmaster.co.nz

SAT 3 MAY
Town Hall | Auckland
ticketmaster.co.nz