Sianne Announces Another Sizzling Single ‘Set Alight’

Fresh off the success of her captivating hit H2O, which left listeners spellbound on February 14th, Sianne is back with a track that will set your soul on fire! Set Alight, dropping this Friday, February 21st, is a sultry, intoxicating anthem designed to turn heads and ignite passion.

Get ready—this one’s about to take over your playlist!

Set Alight delivers an irresistible experience that lingers long after the last note. Sianne’s hypnotic vocals weave effortlessly through a rhythmic soundscape, drawing you into a whirlwind of desire, heat and undeniable chemistry. The addictive chorus—“Ohhh you on fire baby / Set my heart on fire baby / No other one can drive me crazy / Set me alight”—is guaranteed to be stuck in your head for days.

Picking up where H2O left off, Set Alight showcases Sianne’s ability to craft music that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable. It’s more than just a song—it’s an electrifying statement of confidence, passion and self-assured energy. With this back-to-back release strategy, she’s proving she’s not just here to participate—she’s here to dominate.

Set Alight lands on all major streaming platforms this Friday, February 21st—don’t miss it!

Connect with Sianne
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Mahina Lawrence Unveils Debut EP "Chapters of Us"

Emerging artist Mahina Lawrence proudly announces the release of her debut EP, "Chapters of Us." This collection of five tracks offers a heartfelt journey through themes of whānau (family), resilience, and personal growth.

From the outset of her songwriting career, Lawrence envisioned each composition as a chapter in a musical book, capturing pivotal moments and navigating life's complexities. This approach has fostered a profound love for storytelling through music, providing clarity amidst struggles and growth, all while emphasising the enduring influence of whānau.

At its core, "Chapters of Us" delves into personal challenges—moments marked by hardship, self-doubt, and resilience. Throughout these experiences, one constant remains: the support and connection of whānau. Even when separated by distance, shared and individual struggles have only fortified these bonds. This project stands as a testament to that journey, ultimately leading back to the people who matter most.

"I've always been whānau-oriented, and while that can sometimes be my downfall, it's also my greatest strength. Every time I put pen to paper, I have them in mind. They are my why," Lawrence reflects.

"On My Mind" concludes my EP, Chapters of Us, serving as a reflective letter to my younger self and a testament to our journey. Despite every storm and moment of uncertainty, we persevered. This song reassures that little lost girl within me that we made it through, and now, with love and certainty, I can say—we're going to be okay. It's not just about looking back; it's about moving forward, embracing the light while honoring the resilience and lessons of the past. Without her, I wouldn't be who I am today, and for that, I'm forever grateful.

In recognition of her dedication to her craft and heritage, Lawrence was honored at the 2024 Waiata Māori Music Awards, receiving accolades for Best Māori Songwriter and Best Single by a Māori Artist. NZ Musician

"Chapters of Us" is now available for streaming and download on Bandcamp. LISTEN HERE Mahina Lawrence

About Mahina Lawrence

Mahina Lawrence is an emerging artist known for her soulful voice and authentic storytelling. Her music seamlessly blends contemporary R&B with deep-rooted cultural influences, creating a unique sound that resonates with a diverse audience.

SoulOne & BigDylz Set the Scene Ablaze with ‘Burning Sage’

Rising artist SoulOne teams up with lyrical powerhouse BigDylz to deliver ‘Burning Sage’ a deeply introspective and powerful track. ‘Burning Sage’ is more than just a song—it's an experience.

The track delves into themes of self-discovery, resilience and spiritual cleansing, offering listeners a raw and unfiltered look into the artists' journeys. With poetic lyricism and hard-hitting beats, the collaboration seamlessly blends conscious hip-hop with soulful melodies, creating a track that resonates with both the mind and spirit.

The song’s introspective verses are woven with vivid storytelling, exploring themes of personal growth, navigating struggles and finding peace through music. The hook, "I’m burning sage to ease the pain, still the same untarnished, plant the seed, let it grow, flow water feed the garden" embodies the essence of the track—shedding negativity and embracing inner strength.

SoulOne on ‘Burning Sage’
“This song is about healing and staying true to yourself. We all go through struggles, but it’s about how we rise from them, learn and evolve. Music is my way of cleansing the soul, just like burning sage.”

With its thought-provoking message and captivating production ‘Burning Sage’ is set to make an impact, solidifying SoulOne as a voice to be reckoned with in the music scene.

CAITLIN - Live at Space Academy, Christchurch

Caitlin Bradley (CAITLIN) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter making a mark on the alternative music scene. Caitlin is known for her skilful lyricism, infectious energy, and her ability to win over audiences with captivating performances.

Her first headline show since 2022 follows the successful release of her alternative pop EP, ‘Legacy’, on the 8th of November, 2024. Her successful folk-pop single ‘Light Leak’ charted on the New Zealand Alt Music Charts and ‘What You Love’ reached #1 on the NZ Student Radio Network Charts.

Caitlin has opened for New Zealand music industry legends such as Jon Toogood (Shihad, The Adults), Jordan Luck (The Dance Exponents), Hollie Smith, and Jamie McDell. 

She has built a strong community of fans in NZ attributing to the success of local headlining shows. Recent performing highlights have included playing the iconic Nostalgia Festival, Single Fin Mingle Festival, Tea Party Festival, opening for There’s A Tuesday and Mim Jensen.

Caitlin is a key one-to-watch in the New Zealand music scene, having received NZ on Air Development Funding and support, career mentorship with APRA AMCOS, and was selected as an artist and songwriter at a songwriting camp at Big Fan (Joel Little’s studio) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Secure your tickets to her show HERE:

LIBERTY 'ARE WE DEAD'

Liberty, breakout singer-songwriter, is making a strong mark in the music industry. Her debut single, "I Wanna," has already racked up over 65,000 streams in just two months, setting the stage for what’s sure to be a remarkable career. Following this success, Liberty’s highly anticipated second single, "Are We Dead," is set to drop on February 21st, through UK-based B-Unique Records (James Bay, Kodaline, Snow Patrol).

Co-written and produced in a collaborative session with the talented Aubrie Mitchell, "Are We Dead" is a powerful follow-up to Liberty’s debut. Reflecting on the experience, Liberty shares, "I was so excited coming into this session—it was the first time I got to work with another female producer, and the energy was incredible." In August last year, Liberty gave fans a sneak peek of the track by leaking it during a TikTok live session, and the response was overwhelming. Since then, "Are We Dead" has become a fan favorite and a regular request on her livestreams.

With a rapidly growing fanbase, Liberty has over 350K followers and 7 million likes across Instagram and TikTok. Her captivating online presence has helped her connect with fans from all corners of the globe.

The new year kicked off with a bang for Liberty as she opened for American band Sublime at their sold-out Hawkes Bay show on January 1st. The momentum from the release of "I Wanna" continues to propel her career, landing her on the front page of local news paper Hawkes Bay Today, and securing appearances on The Hits and The Breeze. She was also featured in NZ Herald and was included in NZ on Air’s “New Tracks” compilation. Liberty reflects, “I’m beyond excited to see where this next song will take me, especially after the incredible success of ‘I Wanna.’”

Liberty’s rise on social media and her unique, creative lyrics quickly caught the attention of B-Unique Records, who invited her to their Los Angeles studios to collaborate with their US-based writers. Reflecting on the experience, Liberty shared, "It really sparked my love for writing with others and how that can bring out ideas I wouldn’t have come up with on my own."

Less than a year later, Liberty was back in New Zealand when she flew to Auckland for a few writing sessions, one of which led to the creation of "Are We Dead." Liberty recalls, "I came into the session and played Aubrie the first verse to see what she thought. She loved it, and within the next hour, we had pretty much finished writing it."

About an hour into the session, Liberty and Aubrie encountered some technical issues with the equipment, forcing them to drive across town to finish the track at Big Fan studios. Liberty reflects, "In hindsight, I think this actually shaped the song’s production. We bonded over a shared love for Gracie Abrams at the start of the session, and during the drive over to Big Fan, we listened to her album The Secret of Us. I think you can definitely hear that influence in the finished track."

The inspiration for "Are We Dead" struck Liberty as she drove through her hometown and noticed that both of the places where she had gone on dates with a guy had closed down. Still thinking about him, she came up with the opening lines: "The places that we dated have both since closed, Like the door to your room, like your eyes in your tomb, And I know that I should even notice, But I can’t seem to lose focus."

Liberty describes the song as a reflection of her own experience with delusion in relationships: "It's about holding onto that tiny bit of hope—that maybe the relationship isn't really over. It's not ‘dead.’"

COUNTRY ARTIST KARRA RHODES RAISES THR BAR WITH POWERFUL NEW RELEASE “See What She’s Worth”

Ōtautahi Christchurch singer-songwriter KARRA RHODES delivers an inspiring and empowering release with new track ‘See What She’s Worth’.

Emerging country-pop artist Karra Rhodes is carving her place in the music scene with her latest release, See What She’s Worth. This raw, unapologetic track explores the reality of domestic violence and celebrates the courage of women who break free. It’s a stirring blend of country soul, pop energy, and rock grit that showcases Rhodes’s ability to tackle life’s toughest topics head-on.

With influences like Carrie Underwood and Shania Twain, Rhodes’s music is rooted in storytelling, with lyrics that hit home. See What She’s Worth is no exception—a song for anyone reclaiming their life and rewriting their story. Combining emotional depth with powerful vocals, the song echoes deeply with those who’ve fought their way through hardship and decided to fight for more.

Behind the scenes, award-winning music producer Greg Haver lends his considerable production expertise to the mix, ensuring that See What She’s Worth hits all the right notes with its contemporary and gritty sound, before sending it off to Sterling Sound in Nashville for mastering.

With a gift for storytelling, Karra is showcasing just what listeners can expect to hear from her upcoming debut album, Hometown Therapy, expected to drop mid-2025.

FLAXXIES ANNOUNCE NEW ZEALAND + AUSTRALIAN TOUR *** NEW SINGLE ‘SURE THING DUDE!’ OUT NOW

Tāmaki Makaurau-based musical adventurers Flaxxies are preparing to cross the Tasman for an eight-date tour supporting fellow Kiwi band Daily J before returning home for seven shows across the North Island. To celebrate their upcoming Australasian tour, today they drop their latest single ‘Sure Thing Dude!’, the first single off their forthcoming EP Growing Pains due out later this year.

After a very successful run of sold-out summer shows and electric festivals across the motu, Flaxxies are ready to hit the Australian road for the first time, with fellow Kiwi indie-psych rockers Daily J. Taking their energetic fusion of surf-blues, psych-rock and reggae goodness to a brand new Aussie audience.

The old high school mates Eric Goodger (lead guitar), Nick Tait (rhythm guitar), Chris Manning (bass/trumpet), Benji Humphries (lead singer) and Neo Lee (drums), recorded ‘Sure Thing Dude!’ at The Lab Studios with help from their friends and regular collaborators Ryan Cruickshank and Oliver Harmer.

With ‘Sure Thing Dude!’ Flaxxies bring the fire with a vibey punk-pop track full of the infectious energy this young band is renowned for. A song that delves into the daunting prospect of having to go along with the flow of getting older, even though you’re not ready for it, or enjoying it.

While ‘Sure Thing Dude!’s surfy-punk-rock sound is a slight departure from Flaxxies skanking reggae counterparts, it’s a sound that is all Flaxxies and the band describe as “infused with an energy ideal for hyping yourself up to hit those double overhead sets on your foam top shorty. This track is a guaranteed charger!”

‘Sure Thing Dude!’ follows the Tiki Taane produced ‘Daywrecker’, and ‘Heart Of Fire’, both radio-friendly instant HOT 20 NZ SINGLE CHART entries for the fun-loving Kiwi chart magnets.

A track bursting with fresh and vibrant energy, ‘Sure Thing Dude!’ is centered around the struggles of breaking into adulthood and getting to the age where life starts to feel really serious, as Benji sings: “…is this a phase, oh; Cause I can’t stop the change…Sure thing dude (will you ever grow up); Sure thing dude (God you’re such a screwup)…”

Flaxxies explain: “It’s like constantly finding yourself lost in nostalgia where the times seemed to be simpler, and longing to hold onto that youthful naivety rather than face the inevitable but somewhat daunting task of becoming a functional member of society.”

FLAXXIES are a must-see act, enjoying a well-deserved reputation for always bringing their infectious fun-filled energy to every show, making them one of Aotearoa’s most in-demand young live bands as they continue to accumulate a solid live following wherever they perform.

Keep your eyes peeled for the video for ‘Sure Thing Dude!’ due out at the end of the month, and head to their website to book your tickets now to make sure you catch these musical larrikins live before summer ends! Go to flaxxies.nz for tickets and all show details.

SEE FLAXXIES LIVE THIS SUMMER!

Australian Tour February – March ’25 - (Supporting Daily J)

Feb 26th - Wollongong @ La La La's

Feb 27th - Newcastle @ King Street

Feb 28th - Sydney @ Factory Theatre

March 5th - Gold Coast @ Miami Marketta (Headline sideshow)

March 6th - Sunshine Coast @ Solbar

March 7th - Brisbane @ The Brightside

March 8th - Melbourne @ The Corner Hotel

March 9th - Torquay @ Torquay Hotel

Sure Thing Dude! New Zealand Tour March – April ‘25

March 14th - Matakana @ The Stables

March 15th - Waiheke @ The Heke

March 22nd - Mount Maunganui @ Totara St

March 29th - Raglan @ The Yard

April 5th - Auckland @ Double Whammy

April 25th - Gisborne @ Smash Palace

April 26th - Hawkes Bay @ Peak House

For more information and tickets, go to:  https://flaxxies.nz/

Folk trio Bidibids announce debut EP

Wellington-based folk trio the Bidibids are excited to announce their self-titled debut EP, available right now on streaming platforms. The record collects a handful of lush, intricate ballads and bluegrass-inspired toe-tappers which have become staples of the band’s set lists over the last few years. Sarah’s honest, intimate songwriting and Brendan’s blazing musicianship combine to create songs which are eccentric and irreverent but also heartfelt and moving. 

Album link

Since 2021, the Bidibids have become regulars in the Wellington folk scene. With Sarah August on banjo and guitar, Simon Carryer on cello-banjo, and Brendan Schenk on mandolin and guitar, they are steeped in bluegrass and Americana, but inspired by the idea of creating an authentic home-grown folk sound. Their debut EP was recorded in a small home studio in New Zealand’s rural heartland, with stripped-back and spare production to give the feeling of sitting in the room with the musicians.

These are songs about love and fear, and joy and sadness. I think everyone who hears them will be able to connect to those feelings.” - Sarah August

The band will be touring in support of their EP in March 2025, with shows in Wellington, Picton, Nelson and Christchurch.

March 1st - Vogelmorn Upstairs, Wellington (with Butter Wouldn’t Melt)

March 7th - Le Cafe, Picton

March 8th - Mussel Inn, Onekaka

March 9th - Rīwaka Hotel, Nelson