Ben Ruegg is ready to share new music with the world.

‘This Chaotic Sea’ is the launch single from the upcoming album with the same name.

Ben Ruegg is well known in the Auckland music scene as a passionate musician. After leaving Papakura High School in 2001, Ben went on to form ‘Anything But Federal’ who gained radio attention in 2007 with their songs ‘Butterfly Effect’ and ‘Amongst Others.’ 

In 2009 he attended the University of Auckland to study Popular Music and released his well-received debut EP ‘The Road’ which chronicled songs he wrote while studying songwriting. 

By 2018, Ben started to write music under the name Channeled which went on to become a band which placed twice in a row in the Ding Dong Lounge battle of the bands. Channeled became well known for their live performances, honest song writing and raw emotional power. The song ‘Isolation’ reached Top 10 in the NZ Hot Hits in August of 2020 and their music was well received around the world. 

However, in November of 2020, Ben suffered an epileptic seizure that changed his life forever. Being completely unaware he had this condition, he awoke to find out that he had almost lost his life because of it. Upon finding out that he was unable to drive for six months, along with missing out of his band Channeled's album release which was meant to also happen that same week, Ben sunk into a state of disbelief and uncertainty. Not only that, but the seizure happened on his 13th Wedding Anniversary. It left him with so many questions. 

This experience lead Ben to create some of the most impactful music he has ever written. Having read many books that gave him a chance to reflect and explore the meaning of life, why we exist and what we are here for, Ben was forced into reflection of everything that had come before the experience of the seizure. Deep philosophical questions are asked and explored while being interwoven into some of his most eclectic musical arrangements. Songs like 'Walking In The Morning' and 'They Tried' are meditations on musical motifs that unfold and develop. A lot of ideas would come from his long morning walks, bike rides through Totara Park or long cycles around the city and up north around Pataua North. 

Songs like 'Encounter' and 'Again' provide an inside look into the emotion that Ben felt while dealing with both the aftermath of his seizure, as well as the recent loss of his father. Every song on the upcoming album will be played live with an incredible live band made up from friends and musicians he has worked with over his many years performing and writing songs. 

Check out his music on all good streaming platforms. 

This is a show not to be missed and his first time performing at the Hawkins Theatre. The set list will be wide and varied, but all original. 

He will be joined by special guests who will be announced closer to the date.

Tickets can be purchased through Eventfinda.

TOM LARK RELEASES 'FUSELAGE'

Tom Lark (Shannon Fowler) has released ‘Fuselage’, the third single from his sophomore album Moonlight Hotel. The groove-driven track follows 'Rock & Roll Baby' and 'Dumb Luck'.

"'Fuselage' is about feeling resistant to change," says Fowler. "When trying to do something different it can be much easier to avoid the uncomfortable and return to the familiar thing – kinda like apathy over action, which ultimately leads to frustration at a lack of progression."

The single is accompanied by a video directed by Sam Kristofski, that sees an undercover Tom Lark traverse the streets of Auckland City, getting to the bottom of something.

Moonlight Hotel sees Tom Lark explore the parallels between Fowler's family's historical displacement following the 1929 earthquake that destroyed Murchison – a pioneer town in the upper West Coast of the South Island – and his own following the 2011 earthquakes that levelled much of Ōtautahi.

Steeped in the Tom Lark persona's whimsical yet pragmatic sensibility, Moonlight Hotel is an evolution of what Brave Star introduced: sun-soaked odes to taking things as they come, and rolling with the punches.

The album has been announced alongside dates for the first live Tom Lark shows in Aotearoa since May 2024.

Moonlight Hotel album release tour dates

Thurs 10 April – Neck of the Woods, Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland
Fri 11 April – Meow, Pōneke | Wellington
Sat 12 April – Space Academy, Ōtautahi | Christchurch

Tickets available now via tomlark.co.nz

Earning him a finalist nod for the 2024 Taite Music Prize and Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa | Best Folk Artist at the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards, the Ōtautahi-born, Tāmaki Makaurau-based artist’s debut album Brave Star was a return for Fowler – who had previously released two eponymous EPs before taking time out to work on his pop craft as Shannon Matthew Vanya.

Brave Star also won Tom Lark an APRA Silver Scroll Award Top 20 nomination in 2023, care of its second single 'Live Wires', and reviews like these:

"Brave Star is an album adrift on a sea of memory bliss, cleverly produced and like a sonic mood-piece. It's an album which gives dream pop a very good name."
– Graham Reid, Elsewhere / The Listener

"Brave Star is the work of a well-rounded songwriter, as comfortable in the pop realm as he is crafting country-inflected folk-rock tunes, casual and confessional in equal measure."
– Tony Stamp, RNZ The Sampler

Moonlight Hotel is out 4 April 2025. Pre-order here

Donal Gunning announces his next single Your 1

Irish Musician’s next single will make heads rock around the world.

Donal Gunning’s next single Your 1 drops the 20th March on all streaming platforms.  The Irish born now NZ based musician has been making waves in the music scene in the southern hemisphere since his move to Wellington in 2022.  Since the release of his indie folk EP, Born To Perform in 2023, Donal (Dough-null) has been working on heavier rock material, grafting hard on the scene, gigging all over New Zealand.  He is true to his heritage, bringing an exceedingly unique Irish charm to his art.  

Your 1 is a song dedicated to the Irish lexicon.  The Irish way of referring to someone is via Your Man or …Your 1.  The NZ equivalent of ‘old mate’ if you will.  Many people outside of Ireland struggle to interpret Your 1. This song embellishes this struggle.  The song was recorded live in Wellington CBD, and produced by Peter Jamieson. 

The groovy,hip-hop verses narrates relationship struggles various bandmates have had with illusive partners.  The breakdown / build section is a real headbanger will have you head-banging and wanting more for sure! The chorus is strong, formative and powerful both lyrically and sonically. ‘There's a certain rock n roll showmanship that we don't see in modern music performance, we strive for this every gig we play, we bring energy and leave it all on the stage’.

Donal Gunning and his bandmates, The Bucks, will headline a show @ Moon Bar, Wellington on March 20th in celebration of this release. Supported by local legends, Bleach & Ultra Violet Scrap Heap.  Tickets are 10NZD and available on Under the Radar;

Donal has accumulated quite the following  His socials, keep his fans up to date on all his activity, see here;  https://www.instagram.com/donalgunningatb/ / https://www.facebook.com/donal.gunning

Your 1 is the first of 2 singles off Donal’s upcoming EP.  Donal and his bandmates will be touring NZ later this year in promoting the releases.  Your 1 will be available on all streaming platforms March 20th. 

--- Louis TM ~ Top of the South ---

The good reverend of R&B and soothsayer of soul LOUIS TM is heading south for some glorious summer vibes across the top of Te Waipounamu!

After years backing many artists on the keys, he has recently joined the latest cast of Aotearoa's supergroup FLY MY PRETTIES including Laughton Kora, Barnaby Weir and members of THE BLACK SEEDS, also having performed in RIA HALL's live band opening for L.A.B. and performing at WOMADelaide (AUS) and many years of performing with the country's top musicians, he has earned his stripes on the bandstand and is now out to make his own mark on the musical landscape.

Inspired by modern soul revival, classic soul cannon, R&B, funk and indie sounds, LOUIS TM brings his unique style of soul to the top of the South Island this March with shows in Nelson and the famed Mussel Inn. 

"Louis TM is a force to be reckoned with on Aotearoa's incredible soul scene" - Muzic.net.nz

GLOWWORM SHINES IN SPARKLING NEW CHILDREN’S SHOW

The story of a brave little glowworm who embarks on a musical forest adventure will be told through the Auckland Philharmonia’s Tunes 4 Tamariki children’s concert entitled, Hana the Glowworm. This glittering new production weaves together talent from across Aotearoa songwriting, composition, youth theatre, and the Auckland Phil, into a fun-filled show in the Aotea Centre and Bruce Mason Theatre this April.

Tunes 4 Tamariki: Hana the Glowworm is Aotearoa’s newest semi-staged children’s musical, an interactive live music experience for under eights that invites the audience to join Hana, a curious little glowworm, on her adventure to find the Auckland Phil. Performed by a fabulous company of 14 young theatre stars and Auckland’s professional orchestra, the concert features the original ‘Hana the Glowworm’ songs that were written by award-winning local songwriter, Chris Sanders and scored by New Zealand-based arrangers Adrian Hollay, Linda Dallimore, Joshua Clark, Anna Reyes and Camryn Nel. This will be accompanied by children’s singalong favourite ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and more.

Over the course of the family-friendly 45-minute performance, tamariki will learn about native Aotearoa fauna and the instruments of the orchestra, can dance and sing along with the music, and join a walk through the orchestra while the musicians are playing to see the instruments up close. Ahead of the concert, free activities include face painting, Aspiring Musician performances and colouring in competition.

The touching tale of Hana the Glowworm follows Hana, a glowworm who is drawn out into the world for the first time by beautiful music. In her search for the music’s source, she makes new friends, including a cave eel, and discovers musical instruments that have been lost by their owners. Hana the Glowworm explores themes of friendship and teamwork, going beyond our comfort zone to find our own light, and introduces children to the different instruments and sections of an orchestra.

Originally produced as five songs and an overture that were distributed as a free music education resource for primary schools, this is the first time that this music has been performed live and coincides with the release of the Hana the Glowworm picture book, illustrated by Natalie Conaty.

Thomas Hamill, Auckland Philharmonia’s Senior Director of Strategy & Engagement, says, “We’ve had wonderful feedback from schools across Aotearoa that have taken up our free Hana the Glowworm recordings and education resources, so we’re delighted to share this special story with a wider audience as a Tunes 4 Tamariki concert.

"As well as being great fun, these concerts provide valuable opportunities for children to experience the excitement and togetherness of a live performance with their whānau and wider community. It may also be the first time tamariki experience a performance in a large venue, see an orchestra’s instruments up close, or share a concert experience with their peers and community.”

For songwriter Chris Sanders, Hana the Glowworm started as a spark of an idea to inspire and uplift children to be curious and adventurous.

“After four years of planning, it is a dream come true to bring it to life on stage. Collaborating with the Auckland Philharmonia, an internationally renowned orchestra, is a privilege, and I am excited about how this show nurtures and celebrates the incredible talent of our young performers," he says.

The Tunes 4 Tamariki: Hana the Glowworm concerts kick off Auckland Philharmonia’s 2025 Tunes 4 Tamariki series of children’s music concerts that are delivered as part of the orchestra’s Learn & Participate programme. This is also the first opportunity to hear an Auckland Philharmonia Learn & Participate concert conducted by 2025 NZ Assistant Conductor-in-Residence, Reuben Brown.

Auckland Philharmonia’s Tunes 4 Tamariki series is delivered thanks to the support of Auckland Live, North & South Trust, The Douglas Goodfellow Charitable Trust, and the orchestra’s core funders, Auckland Council, Creative NZ and Foundation North.

Tickets are $15 each, with under 2’s free, or $50 for a family pass (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children). For more information or to book tickets, visit aucklandphil.nz/T4T-Hana

Event details:

Tunes 4 Tamariki: Hana the Glowworm

10.00am & 11.30am, Saturday 5 April, Aotea Centre

10.00am & 11.30am, Saturday 12 April, Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna

Tickets/more info: aucklandphil.nz/T4T-Hana

Vera Ellen 'sangria (demo)'

2024 was a big year for rising Aotearoa songstress, Vera Ellen. The year found her awarded the coveted Taite Music Prize for her 2023 album ‘Ideal Home Noise’, touring 14 dates across mainland China, and flying through 10 sold-out arena shows around Australia with Crowded House… all while hard at work in the studio with longtime producer and collaborator Ben Lemi, working on what’s to come.

Today Vera shares delicate forbidden-love-anthem ‘sangria (demo)’, A fan-favourite from recent sunny festival sets at Laneway Festival and Twisted Frequency. This track is performed, recorded and mixed by Vera herself, and in keeping with its DIY essence, it’s paired with a self-edited music video.

The video is composed of lo-fi footage captured in earlier days of summer; commemorating time spent on a national tour with fellow Flying Nun alumni Voom and Reb Fountain, as well as being on the road with Aotearoa icons Crowded House, playing to their masses of Australian fans at iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House.

About the song Vera shares “‘Sangria’ is an ode to all the romantic halfwits who know about wanting something they shouldn't have. The intoxicating mix of alcohol and the familiar scent of an old lover. Saying 'to hell with it!' and doing the thing you mustn't in the name of a particularly inviting moon.”

Yurt Party Shares new single, ‘The Gambler’

Ōtautahi/Christchurch’s own Yurt Party is back with a brand-new single, 'The Gambler'—and no, it’s not that 'Gambler.' While the band had a laugh about the famous namesake, this track is something entirely different: a hypnotic, groove-driven journey steeped in shadowy psychedelia and rich instrumental textures.

Recorded in the depths of winter 2023 at LOHO Studios—bassist Josh Logan’s former creative hub tucked away near Hagley Park—the song had an unexpected evolution. Initially, the band wasn’t quite sure about the recording, but after revisiting it a year later, they found themselves entranced by its moody magnetism. 'The Gambler' carries a weightier, darker vibe than the frenetic Yurt energy fans might be used to. Still, the band's signature harmonic interplay remains at its core, with complex cello harmonies, Eastern violin melodies, and a healthy dose of psychedelic sax.

'It’s got that umami darkness,' the band muses. 'It’s different, but it grooves in a way that feels fresh for us.'

This single marks the first of five upcoming releases leading into Yurt Party’s highly anticipated second album. With each new track, the band will reveal a wider palette of musical influences, showcasing the expansive sonic universe they’ve been crafting.

Known for their high-energy, genre-blending performances, Yurt Party has built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most exhilarating live acts. Their music draws from Balkan, Latin, and dub traditions, shaping a sound that’s equal parts raucous and refined. 'The Gambler' is a thrilling taste of what’s to come—a darkly dynamic piece that still keeps the dance floor in its sights.

Available on all major streaming platforms.

Upcoming Autumn Show dates across Aotearoa to be announced soon via UTR:

FEBRUARY 22    ŌTAUTAHI (CHRISTCHURCH)  @  ELECTRIC AVE  

MARCH 7    WAIHARAKEKE (BLENHEIM)  @  FRAMINGHAM HARVEST CONCERT 2025  

MARCH 8    WHAKATŪ (NELSON)  @  DEVILLE  

MARCH 14    ŌTEPOTI (DUNEDIN)  @  U-BAR  

MARCH 15    TĀHUNA (QUEENSTOWN)  @  YONDER  

MARCH 16    WĀNAKA  @  RHYME & REASON  

MARCH 27    WAIHEKE ISLAND  @  ARTWORKS THEATRE  

MARCH 28    TĀMAKI MAKAURAU (AUCKLAND)  @  NECK OF THE WOODS  

MARCH 29    TAURANGA  @  THE ISLAND  

APRIL 12    PŌNEKE (WELLINGTON)  @  MEOW  

APRIL 19    BARRYTOWN  @  BARRYTOWN HALL  

APRIL 20    TĀKAKA  @  KIWI SPIRIT FESTIVAL

FIN RAH ZEL SHARE ETHEREAL POP BALLAD WITH NEW SINGLE ‘NIGHT SKY’

Fans of Taranaki 5-piece band FIN RAH ZEL are familiar with the rising indie soul stars distinct blend of dreamy zen, infectious optimism and catchy summer vibes, as evoked in their radio smash hit ‘Unity’ and their growing back catalogue of impressive tunes.

STREAM ‘NIGHT SKY’ HERE

With their latest tune, gorgeous pop ballad ‘NIGHT SKY’, Brian and the boys reveal a transcendent and comforting jam that is all about care of self and feeling grateful for all that you have.

A stripped back warm song with a gentle pace and light, airy vibe, ‘Night Sky’ offers the listener comfort in its stillness as it wraps your ears in a sweet, harmonious hug. It’s a good vibe conscious tune, all about letting go of that which no longer serves you, being present to yourself, living in the moment, and stepping out into the unknown while totally trusting in the process.

It’s in moments such as these that lead singer Brian Norton urges people to take a moment to be still, breathe in deep, and consider the big picture – and the perfect back-drop to this scenario is to take comfort in the night sky.

Says Brian: “I’ve always liked stepping outside in the late hours of the night, taking a deep breath, and appreciating the vast night sky. It’s easy to just be stuck in the day to day grind and forget that there is always something to be grateful for. Looking up there also makes me reflect on people who have passed on and I often think that they are looking down just wanting me to do my best, and not sweat the small stuff.”

Written and recorded with the talented Sam Johnson at local music production hub Rhythm Ace Studio, Oakura, and mastered by Chris Chetland at KOG, ‘Night Sky’ is a sweetly balanced tune.

“We had such a blast writing and recording this track. Once we came up with that dreamy falsetto chorus, we knew we had a nostalgic banger in our hands. We used a 1973 Fender Rhodes, Telecaster, and mid-2000’s Gibson acoustic to help balance this modern track with soulful roots”, explains Brian.

No stranger to delivering numbers that tug at the heart-strings, Fin Rah Zel are a band that consistently reach deep within to compose songs that hit all the feels, full of gentle, heartfelt grooves and warm-hearted uplifting messages of connection, love and hope. Music that is medicine for the soul!