Mirage Returns with Soulful New Bi-Lingual Single “Before the Night”

Following the success of their chart-topping hit “Summer Won’t Be The Same”, Mirage unveils a powerful new side of their artistry with their latest release, “Before the Night”—a bilingual acoustic-pop ballad that showcases the band’s emotional depth and evolving sound.

Renowned for their high-energy festival anthems, Mirage slows things down with this reflective, heartfelt track. “Before the Night” blends warm acoustic guitar tones, silky harmonies, and nostalgic lyrics to create a timeless mood—perfect for summer sunsets, late-night drives, and those moments you wish would last forever.

“This one’s about the kind of night you never want to end,” says lead vocalist Ben Horlock (Ngāti Porou, Ngati Ranginui, Te Arawa). “It’s that feeling of being caught in something so beautiful—whether it’s a person, a place, or a moment—that you just want to freeze time. Before the Night is about savouring the now before it’s gone.”

A Song Born from Memory

The roots of “Before the Night” trace back to Ben’s teenage years in a small town near Dunedin. The initial spark came when he was just 16, with melodies and lyrics that stayed with him for years. Revisiting it during a late-night session, the band found the perfect balance between simplicity and emotion—allowing the track’s sincerity to shine through.

“This one just flowed,” the band recalls. “It felt like we were tapping into something real. Songs like that come together naturally—they don’t need much dressing up.”

Mirage partnered once again with trusted collaborator Christian Tjandrawinata in Tāmaki Makaurau to capture the song’s stripped-back feel. The recording process was intentionally raw and intimate, designed to let the emotion lead the production. The result is a track that’s both deeply personal and instantly relatable.

With support from Te Māngai Pāho, the band also incorporated te reo Māori elements, staying true to their commitment to bilingual storytelling and celebrating Aotearoa’s unique cultural identity.

A New Chapter for Mirage

While best known for their energetic hooks and festival-ready sound, “Before the Night” signals a new chapter for Mirage—one grounded in vulnerability, storytelling, and soul.

“We love the big tracks, but this is just as much a part of who we are,” says Ben. “There’s something magic about stripping it all back and focusing purely on the music—the melody, the meaning, the moment.”

The accompanying music video, filmed on location at the Whangamatā estuary near their hometown of Mount Maunganui, visually mirrors the song’s emotional pull. The stunning coastal backdrop adds an idyllic glow to a track that feels both universal and deeply rooted in place.

Release Information

“Before the Night” will be available on all major streaming platforms from June 27

Mirage Band Members: 

This is more than just a new single—it’s a reminder to pause, breathe, and hold onto what matters most.

The award-winning Georgia Lines releases new song ‘Julia’ and announces upcoming EP + announces Australia tour dates

Listen to new single ‘Julia’ HERE / Watch the video HERE

Four-time nominee at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards, Georgia Lines, has released a hook-laden new song, ‘Julia’ - the second single from her upcoming EP, THE GUEST HOUSE, which is out on Friday August 29.

Listen to ‘Julia’ HERE / Watch the video for ‘Julia’ HERE

A playful song, ‘Julia’ is like a three-minute daydream with a touch of the legendary Carole King. “The song doesn’t take itself too seriously,” says Georgia. “It feels like you’ve accidentally wandered into the middle of a soap opera.”

Georgia adds that ‘Julia’ taps into a very specific feeling: “We’ve all had that moment with an ex. Maybe we don’t say it out loud, but deep down we’re thinking, ‘You can date anyone… just not her.’ ‘Julia’ taps into that exact feeling, but with a sense of humour about it. It was actually inspired by a dream I had, twice in the same night, where I found out an ex was seeing the one girl I secretly hoped he wouldn’t end up with. Classic dream logic, but even in my dream my response was ridiculous.”

The video for ‘Julia’ was filmed at a farmhouse in Manawatū. “It’s simple, fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously, just like the song. There’s no big narrative or elaborate storyline, it just really leans into performance, letting the personality of the song be the main character,” says Georgia.

Watch the video HERE

‘Julia’ follows on from the recent release of ‘Wonderful Life’. Both songs were co-written with and produced by British singer, songwriter and producer Matt Hales (who also makes music under the moniker Aqualung), and are on Georgia’s upcoming EP, THE GUEST HOUSE (out on August 29).

“I’m so deeply proud of this project Matt and I made together,” says Georgia.
“It’s honest, it’s human, it’s fun, and it feels like the most perfect next step after the album. These songs hold so much of where I am right now, both personally and creatively, and I can’t wait to share them with the world.

Fresh off the back of her stunning Under The Stars With Friends show at the Civic Theatre in Auckland on June 15, alongside special guests Hollie Smith, Louis Baker, Nikau Grace, and members of the Auckland Philharmonia; Georgia Lines has announced two Australian dates for this July.

Performing at Wesley Anne in Melbourne on Thursday July 24 and LOW 302 in Sydney on Friday July 25, tickets are on sale now from www.destroyalllines.com

TAMI NEILSON PAYS HOMAGE TO ROY ORBISON WITH HER LUSH NEW SINGLE "FOOLISH HEART" — OUT JUNE 18th

New album NEON COWGIRL out July 11th  - featuring guests Ashley Mcbryde, Shelly Fairchild, Grace Bowers and Neil Finn, catch Tami on the US Outlaw Tour with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, Before she returns to NZ for the Neon Cowgirl Tour .

Tami Neilson has been called a "fire-breathing R&B belter" (Rolling Stone) and a "full-tilt badass" (Saving Country Music), electrifying peers and fans worldwide with her powerful, emotive voice and riveting stage presence. Tami grew up on the road, traveling North America in a motor home with her family band, The Neilsons. Today, she reaches into her own history

with her latest single "Foolish Heart," a song inspired by Roy Orbison. She met the late legend as a baby when her father's band supported him on tour. The song's lush string arrangements and soaring vocals call to mind the epic, countrypolitan sound of some of Orbison's '60s hits and was performed and recorded live in one take in one room. Tami is also releasing an accompanying video for "Foolish Heart," also recorded in one take.

"I grew up with a photograph of Roy Orbison cradling me in his arms, tucked into the pages of my baby book”, she recalls. "I was just an infant when my Dad played a venue with him. When he met him backstage afterward, he asked if Roy would mind holding his new daughter while he snapped a photo of us. Roy’s face lit up with delight and he happily complied. I like to think of this moment as my true christening. A tiny dusting of his magic falling onto my bald little baby head, a seminal moment of musical destiny. Driving past his old house in Nashville, I felt a deep sadness, reflecting on the tragedy and heartbreak that plagued him in his short life and this song poured out of me. I named the demo 'Orbiting Orbison' — that’s as close as we can get to reaching his greatness."

The video is meant to evoke the loneliness of the performing life — the life the audience never sees”.

I wanted to capture a true-to-life moment that performers experience after they walk off stage from the applause and connection of thousands of people to being completely alone in silence as we remove the layers of artifice," Tami explains. "It’s how we all feel when we can remove our brave faces and allow ourselves to fall apart and release the pain we carry. This is one take, made completely by humans, with their foolish hearts beating in their chests.”

STREAM/ PURCHASE "FOOLISH HEART" HERE 

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR "FOOLISH HEART" HERE

NEON COWGIRL will be released on July 11 and features guests JD McPherson, Ashley McBryde, Grace Bowers, Shelly Fairchild and Neil Finn. Tami and her band joining Willie Nelson, and then Willie and Bob Dylan, on this year's Outlaw Festival tour. She will also be playing Willie's Fourth of July Picnic, and a few dates at The Grand Ole Opry. This month, Tami will be in Europe for shows in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. She then returns to New Zealand to tour her new album Neon Cowgirl in October.

Her huge, glorious voice and powerful live performances have won the admiration and support of some of country music's biggest names and fans worldwide. Check this space for tour dates: https://www.tamineilson.com/tour

Tami Neilson NZ “Neon Cowgirl” Tour Dates

FRI 3 OCT: Opera House WELLINGTON

SAT 4 OCT: Aotea Centre AUCKLAND

SAT 11 OCT: Isaac Theatre Royal CHRISTCHURCH

SUN 12 OCT: Theatre Royal NELSON

FRI 24 OCT: Arts Festival TAURANGA *tickets

Info + Ticketing: PLUS1.CO.NZ   /  TAMINEILSON.COM

French for Rabbits share 'Gold and Blue' on cusp of Winter Tour

Dream-pop luminaries French for Rabbits return to the stage in full band formation for the first time in a year to celebrate psychedelic new single ‘Gold and Blue’ on a five date tour around Aotearoa.

‘Gold and Blue’ was written not long before the arrival of vocalist and songwriter Brooke Singer’s now 10-month old son in a prolific period for the songwriter (her other collaborations from that time include Aotearoa Music Award nominated Kaylee Bell single ‘Cowboy Up’). 

The song is fittingly being released just ahead of Matariki, as it meditates on future transformation with gold and blue symbolising creative intuition, the mystery, intuition and grasping of the thread. As the song unfurls into a psychedelic dreamscape, it rings with the promise of giving without the need of any return.

French for Rabbits are known for their profoundly beautiful, ethereal dream-pop music and have toured internationally in Europe and the US. 

This stand alone single will be supported by a string of shows and a music video by longtime collaborators, director Martin Sagadin (Aldous Harding, Marlon Willaims, Nadia Reid) and cinematographer Bill Bycroft. The song was co-written by Brooke Singer, Georgia Lines and Jol Mulholland (who also produced and engineered) during an APRA songhubs curated by NZ pop legend Brooke Fraser in 2024, and mastered in Chicago by Carl Saff. 

“For the video, we wanted to throw the listener through time and space, feel a gasp for breath as they tumble them through the present and past to moments of change, connection, and fluctuation” 

‘I’m Gorgeous’ and ‘Gold and Blue’ Winter Tour 2025

French for Rabbits + Michael Llewellyn

21 June - Space Academy - Ōtautahi | Christchurch

28 June - RSC Grey Lynn - Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland

3 July - Meow - Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington

4 July - Small Hall Sessions - Te Matau-a-Māui | Hawke’s Bay

5 July - The Dome Cinema - Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa | Gisborne

Tickets: www.frenchforrabbits.com / www.undertheradar.co.nz

dān dān announces Everything, Everywhere, All At Once-inspired music video for single 'pressure cooker'

Chinese-Pākehā artist dān dān (Ersha Island 二沙岛) is set to unveil her long-awaited music video for folk-pop single ‘pressure cooker’.

Danielle Hao-Aickin's solo work debuted last November to widespread media praise and radio interest (see below).

The upcoming music video was directed by Flora Xie, produced by Natasha Skuljan and made with the support of NZ On Air. Inspired by the transformative film Everything Everywhere All At Once, the video spans multiple locations in its exploration of mother-daughter tensions. It even features MasterChef 2022 Winner Sam Low as a waiter.

The music video begins in a Malaysian restaurant, pulling dān dān through other strange universes such as a laundromat, bar and one where she's an Uber Eats driver, as she chases after her mother— but never quite catching up. "No version of her stops, no version of me feels enough," Hao-Aickin reflects.

She continues, "In many ways, it reflects the unspoken pressure between my mum and I - the weight of expectations, the love that’s there but often buried under generations of misunderstanding, the cultural gaps no matter how hard I try. The more I run, the further away she feels."

The final scenes show dān dān in the rain, "alone and unable to catch up" before the "story loops back". "I return to the restaurant, and this time, she’s there. We embrace. No dramatic reveal. And maybe, for now, that’s enough," she shares.

The single was produced by Dan Martin (Jordyn With A Why) and co-written with ASHY and Huiming Wu (花溪 Flowerstream) at BIG FAN’s Fan Camp: Pan-Asian last April, with sister Tee joining on violin. 

'pressure cooker' was featured as The 13th Floor's Song of the Day and included in UnderTheRadar's coveted Release Roundup as a "soaring ballad". dān dān was even featured in The Big Idea's Lowdown, profiled by AsianTones, included in an Asian In Aotearoa Substack, interviewd on Radio One's Breakfast with Zac Hoffman, and performed for 95bFM's Fancy New Band.

dān dān was further considered internationally, with Nicole Mendes of UK site The Other Side described her debut as "sincere, sentimental and filled with raw human emotion". The US site Ticket Fairy' wrote that 'pressure cooker' "courses through strummy acoustic guitar and polished fret movement gently ladled over temperate piano notes". It praised dān dān's "smooth vocal textures" that "carry [sic] evocative lyrics".

MOSO feat. DKPOET Release Powerful New Single “VITI” – A Deeply Rooted Pacific Soul-Funk-Rap Anthem

Aotearoa’s Pacific music scene welcomes a new anthem with the release of “VITI”, a powerful new single from MOSO (Fonotī Pati Peni Umaga) featuring celebrated Fijian multidisciplinary artist and poet DKPOET (Daren Kamali). This vibrant and culturally layered track drops on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

VITI is more than just a song — it is a powerful act of cultural reclamation. Sung entirely in the Fijian Bauan dialect, the track weaves ancestral lyricism with Pacific soul-funk and spoken word, creating a soundscape that bridges the traditional and the contemporary. It pays homage to Indigenous musical heritage while reflecting the modern realities of identity, resilience, and cultural connection. Both a tribute to ancestral wisdom and a bold statement of presence, VITI channels themes of reconnection and pride through evocative lyrics, rhythmic chant, and genre-defying instrumentation — making it a resonant anthem for today’s Pacific peoples.

"This track reconnects me with my language, my people, and our stories — a celebration of Indigenous Pacific truth through sound," says DKPOET (Daren Kamali), whose poetic vocals ground the song in lived experience and reverence and anchor's the track in deep authenticity.

The single was produced by Pati Umaga, a respected figure in the NZ/Samoan music community known for his contributions to the music industry and disability advocacy. 

DKPOET (Daren Kamali) brings his trademark lyrical depth and cultural voice to the song, carrying the narrative with power and grace.

Backing vocals are provided by Pauline Tanielu-Sauvao and Martha Samasoni, with musical contributions from guest artists Levani Vosasi, Jonathen Tuiketei, and Sola. The single was mixed and mastered by Thomas Tetaite and recorded at Massey University’s studios in Wellington. It is released under the Banana Leaf 4 and DKreations labels.

About the Artists

DKPOET  (Daren Kamali) is a published poet, musician, and cultural storyteller of Fijian Wallis  and Futuna heritage. His multidisciplinary work spans poetry, performance, sound art, and song. Kamali is a founding member of the Street Poets & Artists Collective Enterprise (SPACE) and has performed across the Pacific and internationally. His work bridges ancestral knowledge and contemporary expression, using his voice as a vessel for decolonial narratives, lived experience, and preserving Pacific languages.

 Recent milestones include his 2024 residency at the Michael King Writers Centre, presenting at the Festival of Pacific Arts in Hawai’i, and leading The Ulumate Project exhibitions in Fiji and Aotearoa.

Fonotī Pati Peni Umaga (MOSO) is a renowned NZ/Samoan composer, musician, and producer. Known for his work as a bass guitarist and for championing the rights and stories of Pacific and Disabled communities, Umaga continues to push boundaries in the music world through cultural expression, innovation, and inclusivity.'

Thank you to NZ On Air for supporting the music recording, music video, and promotion/marketing/distribution of this project. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Moana Boosted (crowdfunding platform), Creative New Zealand, the Arts Foundation NZ, and all the generous public donors whose contributions made it possible for two of our team  to travel to Fiji for the music video shoot. Your support has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life — vinaka vakalevu 

A Path Forward

The release of VITI is a pivotal moment for both artists as they build toward an Album. 

The single will be available on all streaming platforms from June 17, 2025. 

DEVILSKIN RELEASE BLISTERING NEW SINGLE ‘SWELTER’

Winners of the 2025 AMA’s coveted PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD, DEVILSKIN are set to further thrill their ardent fan base with ‘SWELTER’, the second single off their hotly anticipated and 13-track studio album

RE-EVOLUTION, due out Friday 11 July.

Undoubtedly New Zealand's hottest rock ticket at the moment, Devilskin present their second single and first video from the forthcoming album RE-EVOLUTION.

Fresh from taking out the coveted People's Choice Award in the recent Aotearoa Music Awards, climbing all over rock radio with the bold, upbeat single 'Half-Life of Dreams', AND currently immersed in a 12-date NZ tour, Devilskin release the incendiary track 'Swelter', which see's vocalist Jennie Skulander towering over one of the sickest riffs you'll ever hear.

As Skulander monster-hulks her way between flashes of calm and vicious sonic intrusions, this song, with its razor riffage and Jennie's devastating delivery, is immediately compelling and contagious. This is bold and right in your face as Jennie belts out the first lyric “Everything, anything you want to be, you can be, you just need the right philosophy!”

Addressing the subject of personal responsibility and achieving your potential, lyricist Paul Martin comments “I had this odd neighbour for a while. His life was junk food, gaming, living with mum, and generally being inert; so I developed this story for him. When Nic came up with the music, with its aggression, quirks, and schizophonics, it just fell together perfectly.”

And then there's the video, directed by multi-award winning director Shae Sterling. A visual feast, the clip is an action packed 'hard ride' through some iconic Kiwi glory. Not for the first time, Devilskin show they aren't too-cool-for-school by injecting some hearty homegrown humour into the visuals and obviously having fun in the process.

Drummer Nic Martin shares his enthusiasm: "We're absolutely thrilled to share this wild, wacky video with the world. It was a total pleasure to have our friend and long-time collaborator Shae direct the chaos with his signature style. Reminiscent of westie-glam and 80's kiwi bogan, but with a taste of modern metalcore twisted in, the replay-value on this video is sky-high."

Aotearoa's Ringlets Share New Single + Video 'I Was on That Roof Once'

Ringlets share the bewilderingly beautiful third single, ‘I Was on That Roof Once’, from their soon-approaching album The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies), set for release on June 27th via Flying Nun Records and Leather Jacket Records.

Following up the world-weary ‘Heavenly Wheel’ and blistering ‘Street Massage’, ‘I Was on That Roof Once’ showcases the varied sound of the band's upcoming sophomore album. Glistening guitar meets the ticking drums of Arlo Grey and gorgeous harmonies - courtesy of vocalists Arabella Poulsen, László Reynolds & Leith Towers - with a not-so-subtle introduction of the LP’s title in the track’s mystifying opening line.

About the song and its music video, Leith shares “‘I Was on That Roof Once’ circles the drain of sincerity, belief, and our better natures gone a bit mouldy. The video features door dancing, a lost Irish tradition we’ve likely misremembered, pitched somewhere between ceremony and bluff. It’s a nod to ritual, balance, and the ways we try not to spill ourselves.”

To be released on June 27th via Flying Nun Records and Leather Jacket Records, The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies) is the band's shimmering follow-up to their distinct eponymous debut in 2023 and a vibrant expression of their singular song craft.

Produced by Ringlets - Arabella Poulsen (bass & vocals), Arlo Grey (drums), László Reynolds (guitar & vocals) and Leith Towers (lead-vocalist) -  in Auckland at The Lab alongside Michael Logie (The Mint Chicks) and mixed by Isaac Keating at Abbey Road Studios, The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies) conjures mystic visions; takes raucous, unkempt yet solely committed turns, twists, and tiptoes delicately between the absurd and the divine.

The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies) is available for pre-order now on Translucent Green Vinyl with Obi Strip and on Exclusive Flying Nun Black. Pre-order or Pre-save here.

About Ringlets: Ragingly bright post-punk quartet Ringlets emerged from Aotearoa’s musical ether in 2021; carving out space with their distinct blend of delicate wit, grit and evident sonic technicality. With a highly durable, machine-tested rhythm section (Arabella Poulsen, Arlo Grey) and two of Auckland’s leading lyrical & melodic consultants (László Reynolds, Leith Towers), Ringlets have been fast-building a solid reputation.

Catching the eye of former Pitchfork editor Chris Ott, Autumn 2023 saw the band release their eponymous debut under Ott’s label Mutual Skies. Produced by De Stevens (Office Dog, Erny Belle) and the band themselves, the 10-track album is a riotous and tightly sporadic introduction to this exciting musical offering from Tāmaki Makaurau. Since then, the four-piece has been sharpening their toolkit with numerous performances across Aotearoa, supporting heavy-hitting internationals such as UK indie-rockers Sorry, and seminal punk force The Damned as well as stand-out festival performances at The Others Way, Junk Fest & Newtown Festival.