Announcing the release of “Seventeen” by Don and The Divorcees
Don and the Divorcees is a collaboration among Te Whanganui a Tara singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Don Mackay, Hollie Wright and Beans Wright (no relation). Beans as a soloist was one of the main stage guests at the 2023 Wellington Folk Festival.
“Seventeen” , the debut single from Don and the Divorcees, will be available on all major online platforms from 21 March. Written by Hollie Wright, who also does lead vocal, ‘Seventeen’ conjures up whimsical images of teenage love in all its intensity
Don and the Divorcees is a collaboration among Te Whanganui a Tara singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Don Mackay, Hollie Wright and Beans Wright (no relation). Beans as a soloist was one of the main stage guests at the 2023 Wellington Folk Festival.
The three friends had from time to time performed together in various combinations. This gave rise to the decision to try working together as a trio. Each brings their own compositions to the table and we then work together to make the most of them.
As we each tend to write a slightly different style of song, the unifying element of our sound comes from the arrangements featuring tight vocal harmonies over multiple stringed instruments. While this gives breadth and variety to our live performances, it does make us, in marketing terms, seriously genre non-compliant.
We are a bit “old school”. Our songs are strongly centred on the lyrics, which tell stories or paint pictures, and are designed to be listened to. The instrumentation is built around a variety of acoustic stringed instruments (guitars, violin, mandolin, cello and bass). The whole approach is pretty “wooden” and low tech. We see ourselves as “spiritual folkies” performing contemporary songs.
Since we debuted the lineup during the winter of 2023 we have performed regularly around the broader Wellington area, at music venues, around the local folk scene, and at local festivals (most recently headlining on the Songwriters Stage at the Newtown Festival 2025).
If you want to check out what we sound like live you can follow the link https://www.youtube.com/@DonandTheDivorceesBand. You will find live recordings of five songs from a gig in April 2024. This includes “Seventeen” and 3 other songs that will be on the “Bit Players” album.
“Seventeen” was recorded in June 2024. Recording and mixing was by Warwick Donald, and the recordings were mastered by Mike Gibson.
What next?
“Seventeen” is the first single from the forthcoming album “Bit Players”. The full album (7 songs) will be released, initially as a CD only limited edition, in late April. Further online single releases will follow before the full album is released online later in the year.
To mark the release of “Seventeen” we are playing at Moon in Newtown on 23 March, with support by Goodnight My Darling and Rex Davies aka Notorious D.A.D.
We have a further show at Moon again on 13 April to mark the CD release of the “Bit Players” album
Erin G & Altercation Release New Single ‘Half Light’ Ahead of Upcoming EP Dream It Again
Singer-songwriter Erin G and drum and bass/jungle inspired DJ/producer Altercation unveil their latest single, Half Light, marking the third release from their upcoming EP Dream It Again, set for release on 02 May 2025.
“If I had to sum up the process of half light. It started as a heavier tune with more driving factors but when Erin presented her take on it it sounded great, a little stripped back and ambient. My favourite part of this is seeing a song I’d written a long time ago come to life!” - Altercation
Singer-songwriter Erin G and drum and bass/jungle inspired DJ/producer Altercation unveil their latest single, Half Light, marking the third release from their upcoming EP Dream It Again, set for release on 02 May 2025.
A captivating fusion of hypnotic vocals and dynamic production, Half Light explores the emotional struggle of holding on to something that feels increasingly out of reach. Erin’s ethereal, siren-esque melodies intertwine seamlessly with Altercation’s electrifying production, resulting in a track that exudes confidence, allure, and raw emotion.
Reflecting on the making of the track, Erin G shares:
"After recording Kind Eyes, Joel (Altercation) and I realised how naturally our styles blended. We started working on Half Light right away, and the energy was instant. We wanted something stronger and more confident compared to the softness of our first single Kind Eyes, and this track just clicked!
What makes it even more special is that Half Light was written and demoed in our very first studio session together. We originally planned to record Kind Eyes and finished early, so when Joel played me this beat, it was an immediate YES!
This track quickly became our favourite, and we couldn’t stop refining it. It was such a creative and emotional week, and the studio became a space to explore something new and exciting."
Madam Parker 'Boombox'
With velvet chocolate tones, a soulful voice, and an irresistible stage presence, Madam Parker is capturing hearts and turning heads worldwide. Follow her journey as she continues to craft music that moves, excites, and connects audiences everywhere.
Madam Parker is a powerhouse artist making waves with her soulful, R&B-infused sound, blending reggae, hip-hop, Afro dancehall, and beyond. Hailing from New Zealand, she brings a unique fusion of cultural roots and genre-defying creativity to every performance. Her music isn't just for listening—it's an experience, designed to connect and move you.
Her latest collaboration with Matroda on the epic track *Boombox* has been nothing short of incredible, showcasing her versatile talent and undeniable groove. The track is a true testament to her ability to effortlessly merge genres, bringing fresh, infectious energy to the global music scene.
But this is just the beginning for Madam Parker. She's already preparing to release more electrifying tracks across even more genres, pushing boundaries and defying expectations. Whether she's performing live at events like the Pasifika Festival or laying down tracks that leave you wanting more, Madam Parker is a force to be reckoned with.
With velvet chocolate tones, a soulful voice, and an irresistible stage presence, Madam Parker is capturing hearts and turning heads worldwide. Follow her journey as she continues to craft music that moves, excites, and connects audiences everywhere.
Wellington Heads 'A Night on the Town'
After 14 years of gigging and recording, and with their new album receiving wonderful reviews, Wellington Heads was ready to enter a new phase…
Wellington Heads released their 4th Album, A Night On The Town, in April 2009 at Sandwiches – a Majoribanks Street music and food venue that we’d been playing at on a regular basis for a couple of years.
Since completing our previous album – Midnight Down in the Jungle – the band had been pretty busy playing in and around Wellington and also further afield; we’d played four Tauranga Jazz Festivals, twice at the Mission Bay Jazz / Blues Street Festival and also at the Manawatu and Nelson Jazz Fests. Through all this the band line-up had stayed pretty much the same so with some well road-tested songs we headed into Trident Studios, in the old SIS building on Taranaki Street, to record our next album.
This was our first digitally recorded album. We worked closely with our engineer and co-producer, Andrew Downes, to record the eleven songs on ‘A Night on the Town’, enjoying the high-quality and funky recording environment and Andrew’s amazing skills and abilities in the studio. Recording together with Neil, Bill and Geoff, Justin Hooper (drums and percussion), Michael Taylor (trumpet) and Jabin Ward (tenor sax) were again laying down some excellent grooves and it was great to welcome back Nick van Dijk (trumpet, trombone, tuba) and Damian Forlong (trombone) and to welcome Alan Norman (piano accordion), Andre Paris (baritone / tenor sax) and Kate Smith, Shelly Weir and Katrina Granger (harmonies). The album was mastered by Mike Gibson and released through Ode Records. Jenny O’Connor and Jesse Keith were again involved in the brilliant CD artwork, design and layout.
After 14 years of gigging and recording, and with their new album receiving wonderful reviews, Wellington Heads was ready to enter a new phase…
Thanks once more to Maurice (the high-priest of sonic sound) Priestley and PriMau Productions for bringing A Night on the Town’ to the on-line universe.
Caught Inside Returns to Wellington’s San Fran on April 3rd
Caught Inside return to the stage at Pōneke’s San Fran in April to kick off what looks to be a big year for the post-punk group. With an extended project now in the works, this will be the band’s first showcase of this new run of this heavier, more refined material.
Caught Inside return to the stage at Pōneke’s San Fran in April to kick off what looks to be a big year for the post-punk group. With an extended project now in the works, this will be the band’s first showcase of this new run of this heavier, more refined material.
Reflecting on the release of their last indie EP 2023, Caught Inside have moved further away from 5 STAR SHAG’s glittery sheen and towards a darker sound, inspired by the likes Amyl & The Sniffers and Fontaines DC. This exclusive performance is currently Caught Inside’s first—and only—show performing these new songs before the project is scheduled to release later this year.
Supporting them for this date are local darlings Debt Club, one of the most exciting acts to emerge out of Wellington in the last few years.
Tickets are available now via Moshtix and Early Bird are already selling fast!
MĀ’s Blame It On The Weather Tour – Happening in April!
Get ready for an unforgettable ride with MĀ and The Fly Hunnies as they hit the road for the very first time on the Blame It On The Weather Tour, celebrating her brand-new album!
Get ready for an unforgettable ride with MĀ and The Fly Hunnies as they hit the road for the very first time on the Blame It On The Weather Tour, celebrating her brand-new album! The vibes are going to be next level as they travel to some of Aotearoa’s best spots. With incredible support acts joining them along the way, this tour promises to deliver non-stop good energy and killer tunes.
Here’s where you can catch the magic:
Auckland: Kicking off at Big Fan on Thursday, 3rd April with Spdrtwnbby setting the stage!
Raglan: MĀ and the crew take over The Yard on Friday, 4th April—vibes, good times, and Chase Woods warming things up.
Ōtautahi (Christchurch): Lyttelton, get ready for a night of epic tunes at Lyttelton Coffee Co. on Friday, 11th April with Kommi!
Dunedin: The Pearl Diver will be buzzing with MĀ and the Fly Hunnies on Saturday, 12th April, with Te Kahuorangi opening the show.
Don’t miss out—this is going to be one for the books!
The Warratahs Release "The Right Time"
New Zealand’s iconic country-roots band, The Warratahs, continue their legacy of timeless songwriting with the release of their latest single, The Right Time. A classic, old-school country track, The Right Time captures the warmth and familiarity of a sound that has resonated with fans for decades.
New Zealand’s iconic country-roots band, The Warratahs, continue their legacy of timeless songwriting with the release of their latest single, The Right Time. A classic, old-school country track, The Right Time captures the warmth and familiarity of a sound that has resonated with fans for decades.
Written by frontman Barry Saunders, the song reflects on the passage of time, connection, and finally getting around to the things that matter. “It’s about a couple of things—being together all this time, all those miles between us, and finding the right moment,” says Saunders. The track features Al Norman’s rich piano work, adding depth to the song’s traditional country feel.
Recorded live in the studio, The Right Time embodies the raw, authentic energy that has made The Warratahs a household name in New Zealand’s music scene. This new release is yet another testament to their ability to craft songs that feel both familiar and enduring.
DeSotos are hitting the road
Americana and country blues artists The DeSotos are hitting the road again for a 5 date tour that incorporates a Wellington appearance and four upper South Island shows.
Americana and country blues artists The DeSotos are hitting the road again for a 5 date tour that incorporates a Wellington appearance and four upper South Island shows.
This will be their sixth time touring these acoustic shows, including having to abandon the March 2020 tour halfway through because of the Covid lockdown.
As the name suggests, these shows feature the band in acoustic mode with Paul using exclusively acoustic guitars, Vic providing brushed drums, and Stuart pinning it all down on the bass.
In the words of Gary Steel “Both Gurney and McIntyre write brilliantly.
The DeSotos music oozes genuine emotion and makes all the right moves”.
Their live shows are defined by the quality of the vocals and instrumentation, and the intimate sound landscape created by these highly experienced musicians.
Their mix of country blues and folk-inflected songs includes many of the band’s original compositions, and selected covers from the likes of Neil Young and Tom Petty.
Some earlier American songbook pieces from Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Reed are also in the playlist.