Theia delivers scathing haka on ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’

Award-winning singer and songwriter Theia delivers a scathing haka on her hard-hitting new bi-lingual waiata, ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ - the new single from her upcoming debut album.

Listen to ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ HERE / Watch the video HERE

On ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’, Theia sets traditional Māori composition and instrumentation against an alternative/indie soundscape. This is heard loud and clear in the impassioned haka and a resounding pūtaratara (conch) atop marching drums, masterfully conveying the song’s stark sentiment: “Despite two centuries of oppression, we the tangata whenua (people of the land), are still here!”

The powerful message in ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ is amplified by a haunting video, in which Theia is flanked by fellow wāhine Māori.

“So often the feminine narrative becomes overlooked when we discuss the plight of indigenous cultures in the face of colonisation. We fail to recognise the deeply harmful impact on women and children and ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ speaks directly of these traumas - obviously through the lens of the Māori experience,” Theia says. 

The video was filmed in the Waitakere Ranges by Aotearoa-born, UK-based director Ruby Harris and features Te Aniwaniwa Paterson, Kaea Heke, Bobbie Bailey and Eva Mairangi. “We are all in colonial-style dress, appearing as cult-like apparitions held within the forest, portraying uniformity, loss, rage and feminine strength,” says Theia. 

‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’, which Theia co-produced with Abraham Kunin (TE KAAHU, Dalai Lama, Home Brew, Jujulipps) follows on from the release of BALDH3AD! a protest anthem, which earned Theia a nod at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards for ‘Single of the Year’. 

Currently based in Los Angeles, Theia will open for pan-continental four-piece Los Bitchos at Zebulon on July 22, where she’ll reveal more new songs. Get tickets here. 

‘BALDH3AD!’ and ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ will feature on Theia’s upcoming debut album. Stay tuned for the date announcement!

AWARD-WINNING MUSICIAN MOHI SHARES RAW NEW SINGLE I NEED U, OUT TODAY

Following the success of his breakout EP The Flowers That Grow, award-winning genre-bending artist MOHI (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) returns with his most vulnerable work yet - I NEED U, a soulful and haunting reflection on addiction, grief, and healing. The track and music video are out today on all major streaming platforms.

Marking a shift in tone and subject matter, I NEED U explores MOHI’s personal relationship with alcohol and drugs during one of the most difficult times in his life. Drawn from the depths of pain, the song captures the emotional weight of unresolved trauma and the search for escape when the world becomes too hard to face.

Through his signature blend of R&B, soul, and lyrical honesty, MOHI creates a space where pain is met with compassion. I NEED U is a sonic confession - both a reckoning and a release - delivered with rawness, groove, and melodic grace.

The track continues MOHI’s year-long musical journey, The Flowers That Grow From Concrete Pavements, which began with the heartfelt Flowers in Hendo and nostalgic Just Kids. While those tracks celebrated whānau, community, and childhood, I NEED U delves inward, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the artist’s darker moments - and the growth that follows.

I NEED U is part of the forthcoming Side B of MOHI’s ongoing project, due later in 2025.

LISTEN HERE.

Beizou releases debut single ‘Too Comfortable’ a bittersweet track about choosing safety over love

Stream 'Too Comfortable’

Beizou introduces herself with her debut single ‘Too Comfortable’, a soft, reflective track about holding onto a relationship for the comfort it brings, not for love. It explores the quiet guilt of staying in something that feels safe.

“Too Comfortable is about  receiving unconditional love and stability and being too comfortable and afraid to go out and find what truly makes you happy.,” says Beizou.

Written by Beizou and produced by Gurvishal Sandhu (neoSage), the track opens with a cosy, vintage feel. It’s warm, almost dreamy. But as the story unfolds, that comfort starts to feel like a weight. It’s a slow burn, emotional, melodic, and full of quiet tension.

With influences ranging from Chinese folk to jazz, pop, and R&B, Beizou’s sound feels nostalgic and modern at once. Her songwriting leans into vulnerability, capturing the kind of emotions most people don’t know how to name.

Too Comfortable is available now on all major streaming platforms.

ROBERT THE PLANT: WE ALL NEED SOMETHING TO GROW UP TOWARDS

LISTEN | WATCH

Mr Roberelli’s latest music release for kids and families ‘Robert the Plant’ is a collaboration with fellow kiwi songwriter Kath Bee (Nelson) and produced by Levity Beet (Nelson), with a video animated by Dooverberry Dave (Auckland). This heartfelt and wholesome slice of sunshine for growing minds is made with support from NZ On Air Tamariki

Exploring a metaphor around how kids and plants both need light and love to grow, this song teaches some of the science about how photosynthesis helps plants develop, as well as a heart-filled message about kindness and care for the young people in our lives. 

Rob Wigley of ‘Mr Roberelli’ (Dunedin) is known for his smart humour and clever songwriting across a wide catalogue of albums and singles for kids and families. Rob is a teacher by day, and loves to use his music to encourage students to get out and connect with nature, use their imaginations, and find the fun in life through music.

With a brand-new album due out soon, featuring a treasure trove of collaborations and feature artists, Mr Roberelli is gathering a garden full of wholesome and quirky folk filled grooves for young kiwi audiences. 

PICKLE DARLING shares new single ‘Human Bean Instruction Manual’

LISTEN | WATCH

There are songs that sound like they were built in the light, and then there are songs like ‘Human Bean Instruction Manual’, the kind that feel like they’ve been carefully gathered from the corners of a dim bedroom, reconstructed out of old voicemails, broken keys, and a vague but pressing sense of dread.

Pickle Darling, the project of Christchurch’s Lukas Mayo, has always operated at a remove from convention. On ‘Human Bean Instruction Manual’ - which follows recent single ‘Massive Everything’ - they return with a song that’s more like a signal flare from a life stage no one prepared us for. “I just turned 30 and there’s no damn manual for this,” Mayo says. “Transitioning out of being a young adult in 2025 is like suddenly landing on a hostile planet our bodies haven’t adapted to.” The result is a track that’s equal parts anxious transmission and quiet communion—a fuzzy, deeply human dispatch from the edge of adulthood.

This is not a song about finding answers, but about relishing in the ambiguity. As Mayo puts it: “Everything we thought was important doesn’t mean shit. Everything is out to attack us, so all we can do is form our alliances and hang on tight.”

In a musical landscape dominated by gloss and churn, ‘Human Bean Instruction Manual’ reminds us of the power of staying weird and staying soft. It’s a song that doesn’t resolve so much as persists tenderly.

"This was one that I built from early fragments I had recorded years ago, which I then stripped for parts and assembled into a new song," Lukas says of the track. "I always write with a kind of dream logic and never towards any sort of end goal, but I was on the cusp of turning 30 when I wrote this song and I remember feeling completely lost and unprepared and wishing there were some kind of manual. Lots of stressed out dreams, fears of never being able to afford a house or never being able to retire, realising there’s no steady path to a comfortable future, you just need to form your alliances and see how far through this life you can get! I realise a near 7 minute song about being stressed about money isn’t really fun cool sexy playlist material, but that’s Pickle Darling."

BB & THE BULLETS THIRD SINGLE - “I WANT YOU/SHE’S SO HEAVY”

Things are building up for Whanganui band BB & The Bullets. After an excellent reception and some radio attention from their first two singles, “Something In The Water” and “High Tide”, plus a brief side trip to Chicago, the blues/rock three piece are releasing another track from their debut album. This one is a version of the Beatles classic from the Abbey Rd album - “I Want You/She’s So Heavy”. It’s a head turning show stopper from their live set and this one sees the band really showing off their groove. The song highlights some excellent guitar work from Brian Baker strains of Buddy Guy with a definite Jeff Beck influence. Brian says, “We’ve tried to be respectful of the original John Lennon song but also put the Bullets stamp on it - I have no idea why this song hasn’t been covered by more contemporary blues artists. It’s such a perfect storm.” Guitars, drums and bass are all featured - Stu Duncan on bass in particular shines on the BB & The Bullets version. “Who the hell are these guys?” You may find yourself asking when you hear this recording. Well the world is about to find out when their debut album “High Tide” drops in September.

The band is signed to iconic French Record label Dixie Frog Records and will be released in Europe, The UK, The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on vinyl, CD and digital.

The album was recorded in Whanganui at producer and band leader Brian Baker’s Nixon Street recording studio after the band had established itself by gigging around the local circuit. They’ve also been busy creating very nice videos to support their releases - check out their You Tube channel. The film clip for “I Want You/She’s So Heavy” was filmed at the Whanganui Opera House. Band members Brad McMillan (drums), Stu Duncan (bass) and Brian Baker (guitar and vocals) couldn’t be happier “Working with Dixie Frog, seeing our record released in Europe, UK, The States and New Zealand is a dream come true for our little Whanganui band” We hope everybody comes along for the ride!”

ADAM HATTAWAY & THE HAUNTERS RELEASE NEW SINGLE + STOP MOTION VIDEO TED DANSON

Ted Danson seems like a nice guy — but this track isn’t about him.

Adam Hattaway returns with The Haunters to release the first single from their upcoming album Hot Variety.

Ted Danson is three minutes of rock ’n’ roll lost at the disco. It all started when a big ol’ organ — one that took up half the car — was hauled into the hills of Ōtiake, just to use its built-in drum machine. That beat lays the foundation for a swampy Fender Rhodes bubbling beneath busted guitars, pounding congas, signature Haunters fuzz, and, inexplicably, a vacuum cleaner — all captured on glorious 2” 16-track tape.

The release is accompanied by a meticulously chaotic and slightly disturbing stop -motion video by Maya Templer and Jack O’Connell (Rough On Rats) starring a surreal lineup of Bob Dylan, Richard Nixon and yep… Ted Danson.

Hot Variety is out September 5th on all streaming platforms and a very limited release of 100 vinyl via Leather Jacket Records.

Adam Hattaway & The Haunters Live

04/07

Ōhinehou / Lyttelton

Lyttelton Arts Festival / Lyttelton Arts Factory

Tickets Here

10/07

Pōneke / Wellington

Rogue & Vagabond

Free entry

Lucky Break: The Chapel Studio In association with AllGoood Absolute Alternative Records Announce Exclusive Music Competition for Emerging NZ Artists

The Chapel Studio (Auckland), in partnership with AllGood Absolute Alternative Records (AAA Records) and Luma ATMOS Studios, is proud to present Lucky Break — an exciting opportunity for New Zealand’s rising music talent to take their careers to the next level.

Open to NZ residents aged 16 and over, Lucky Break winners will receive professional studio time, Mastering and Dolby Atmos Mixing, artist career development mentorship, and official release opportunities for unsigned artists and bands.

This is an opportunity of a lifetime for unsigned up and coming talent!

Prizes:

First Prize (valued at $10,000.00):

• Professionally Produced and recorded EP over 3 full days of Recording Time at The Chapel Studio, including artist accommodation.

• Fully mixed 

• Stereo Master plus Dolby Atmos Immersive mix

• Official release through AAA Records

• 2-hour artist development consultation with TeMatera Smith of AAA Records

Second Prize (valued at $4,000.00):

• Professionally recorded single completed in 1 day

• Fully mixed

• Stereo Master plus Dolby Atmos Immersive mix

• 1-hour artist development consultation with TeMatera Smith of AAA Records

Third Prize:

• 1-hour consultation with TeMatera Smith

• 25% discount voucher for a future booking at The Chapel Studio or Luma Atmos Studio

Key Conditions:

• Prizes must be completed within 6 months of winner notification and are subject to studio availability.

• Travel are the responsibility of winners. 

• Prizes are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.

Judging & Selection:

Winners will be selected by an expert panel including Chapel Studio staff and industry professionals.

• Creative potential

• Alignment with the studio’s artistic ethos

• Technical readiness to undertake recording and release

The panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Winners will be contacted by Friday, 8 August 2025 via email. If unresponsive within 5 working days, prizes may be reassigned.

By entering, artists consent to the use of their name, likeness, and provided content for promotional purposes related to the competition.

For full terms, conditions, and entry form:

chapelstudio.co.nz/luckybreak

This is your chance to record, release and grow with some of the best in the New Zealand music scene.

Don’t miss your Lucky Break — submit your entry before August 1st!

Entry Details:

• Entries open: 12:00am, Tuesday 1 July 2025

• Entries close: 11:59pm, Friday 1 August 2025 (NZT)

Enter on the “Lucky Break” page at www.chapelstudio.co.nz/luckybreak  by completing the official entry form, supplying a demo track and other tasks listed.