Casual Healing breathes life into ‘HAU,’ the second of four elemental EP’s to be released Friday 18th July

While the chilling winter breeze of Aotearoa sweeps away the autumn leaves, Casual Healing breathes life into ‘HAU’ - the second of the elemental series to be released in 2025.

Intimacy, connection and worship is etched into the foundations of Nikau Te Huki’s artistry (AKA Casual Healing). Redefining himself as an artist in 2025, Casual Healing will record and release a series of 4 EPs inspired by Te Taiao, the natural world. With HAU, we begin to hear a new sound taking shape, alongside a more focused direction in lyrical content. Casual Healing draws strength from his roots, deeply leaning into soul, reggae, psychedelic, RnB, and folk.

HAU marks a moment in time as Te Huki takes a step into the unknown, continuing to document his life through music. He states, “This EP is a mihi to that wise old gust of wind that hollowed me out and prepared me for the times ahead. Life is always changing, and right now I'm facing my karma from years of hurting others and myself. This EP is a karakia for everyone willing to face the wrong they've done and choose a different way”

In this age of AI, war and misinformation Casual Healing is part of a revolution using art to inform and empower listeners to remember and fulfill our true mission on Earth, which Te Huki believes is “to find our calling and fulfill our ministry”.

While the chilling winter breeze of Aotearoa sweeps away the autumn leaves, Casual Healing breathes life into ‘HAU’ - the second of the elemental series to be released in 2025.

I am honoured to work with Ari Leason, Matiu Te Huki, Komako Silver and Toby Leman on this EP. Its a great joy to collaborate with artists who create from the heart. I am honoured to harmonise with these artists, and their mauri is irreplaceable.” - Casual Healing (AKA Nikau Te Huki) HAU, like AHI, represents Nikau where he is today, learning, laughing, losing, crying, giving and always remaining honest and truthful to who he is. We hope HAU brings joy, wisdom and fulfillment into your life.

Rise The Wicked and the Unmissable Mid-Winter Gig

Explosive Night of Rock Awaits Auckland as Rise The Wicked Headlines Dead Witch on 26 July, with Special Guests Danny Rascal and Rancho Mirage. 

Auckland, New Zealand – Take the chill out of the city’s winter with the hot-as-hell sound of Rise The Wicked on the stage at the iconic Dead Witch, Ding Dong Lounge on 26 July. With support from the dynamic Danny Rascal and genre-blending Rancho Mirage, this promises to be a fiery night filled with scorching riffs, roaring vocals, and the raw, visceral power of live rock music. 

Headliners: Rise The Wicked 

Known for their adrenaline-charged performances and working-class sound, Rise The Wicked have steadily carved their name into New Zealand’s music rock and metal tapestry. Drawing a devoted following with their debut album ‘State of Oblivion’, they will entertain with fan favourites and unreleased gems alike. 

“We live for the stage, for the chance to connect, to make every show a celebration of what heavy rock is all about,” says the band’s drummer, Jonty Quinn. “It will be our first gig at Dead Witch.  We can’t wait to bring our music to life for our Auckland fans.” 

Special Guests: Danny Rascal and Rancho Mirage 

Joining the line up for the night will be the boundary-pushing sounds of Rancho Mirage, whose genre-defying style fuses crushing riffs, atmospheric soundscapes, and ethereal vocals into a sound that is both otherworldly and relentless.   Their stage presence is magnetic, and their original tracks have been turning heads across the local scene. 

Taking the torch forward, Danny Rascal will deliver a set bursting with raw energy, introspective lyrics, and irresistible grooves.  A proven star with chart topping history himself and support to grammy nominated artists.  Danny has a reputation for crowd engagement and dynamic live shows.   Danny Rascal is primed to get the audience moving and set the perfect tone for Rise The Wicked’s main event. 

Venue: Dead Witch 

Located in the heart of Auckland’s vibrant nightlife district, Dead Witch is renowned for its intimate vibe, killer acoustics, and commitment to showcasing the best in alternative, rock, and indie acts. The venue’s unique character and loyal crowd make it the perfect setting for a night of epic music and community spirit. 

Ticket Information 

Tickets are available now for purchase online via the Ding Dong Lounge website. Fans are encouraged to take advantage of the early bird pricing, valid until 18 July, to secure their spot at one of the hottest gigs of the winter. Early bird tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly, so don’t miss your chance to experience this stellar lineup at a reduced rate. 

• Event: Rise The Wicked with Danny Rascal & Rancho Mirage 

• Date: Friday, 26 July 

• Venue: Dead Witch, Auckland 

• Tickets: On sale online at the Ding Dong Lounge website 

• Early Bird Prices: Available until 18 July 

Announcing the online release of the album “Bit Players ” by Don and The Divorcees

“Bit Players” the debut album from Don and the Divorcees goes live online on 25 July.   This follows the release of 3 singles: “Seventeen” in March, “Afterglow” in May and “Summer” in June.  

Presave links for Spotify and iTunes.

About 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).   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.  

Our approach is a bit “old school”.  We see ourselves as “spiritual folkies”, writing and performing contemporary songs.   The 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. 

About the Album

“Bit Players” was recorded over 3 days during June 2024.  Recording and mixing was by Warwick Donald, and the recordings were mastered by Mike Gibson.  It contains seven songs, three each by Hollie Wright and Don Mackay and one by Beans Wright.

For those old, steampunk or otherwise cool enough to have a CD player the album can be obtained on CD by emailing donandthedivorcees@gmail.com.

Upcoming gigs?

Well actually no!  Life doesn’t always travel in straight lines and Hollie has had to return to England for a while for family reasons. So no big gigs are possible to support the release.  However “Beans and Don” are continuing to perform around Wellington as a duo, but it is not quite Don and The Divorcees.  Keep an eye on our socials for details. 

Don and The Divorcees online

Previous releases can be found on Spotify here.

Video of live performances from a gig in April 2024 on  Youtube here.  This includes songs that are on the “Bit Players” album, and a couple of others.

And on of course Facebook 

DARK POP ARTIST MYAH EVE UNVEILS “SURVIVE” – A DARK DISCO CONFESSION OF DESIRE AND DOUBT

Dark pop singer songwriter and producer Myah Eve today releases her captivating new single “Survive”, available now on all major streaming platforms.

Blending powerhouse vocals with moody synths, cinematic guitar, and a pulsing disco rhythm, Survive channels the emotional tension between desire and self-protection. Drawing sonic inspiration from MARINA, Dua Lipa, and Lorde, the track pairs shimmering, nightclub-ready production with introspective lyrics—marking a bold and confident step forward as the first single from Myah’s debut EP, due out this November.

Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Myah has been immersed in music since childhood, writing songs from the age of 11, performing in choirs, and later completing a diploma in Electronic Music Production at SAE. But it was her decision to relocate to Ōtautahi in 2024 to join SOLE Music Academy’s Artist Development Programme that truly catalysed her growth. The same programme has nurtured breakout artists including Sam Heselwood, Castaway, Karra Rhodes, Lucy Gray, and Rosetta.

It’s a journey that’s already catching attention. As part of the programme Fazerdaze also mentored Myah and praised her for her magnetic presence, saying, “You command the audience with your vocals, Myah! Wow.” Similarly, SOLE founder and mentor Sacha Vee called her voice “killer…just so easily delivered.”

Co-produced by Myah herself alongside another talented SOLE alumni Liam Crawford, and mastered by Benny Tones, Survive was inspired by moments of emotional hesitation—the kind of intimacy that’s thrilling yet fragile.

“It’s about craving someone, but being scared to show them who you really are,” explains Myah. “There’s this intensity and chemistry, but also this fear that it won’t last once they see the real you.”

Following her 2024 debut single Slow (produced by Edy on the Beat), Survive shows an artist confidently stepping into her power offering a cathartic anthem for anyone navigating the complexities of connection and self-worth.

“I write songs that turn struggles into stories—creating anthems we can all relate to,” says Myah.

ASHA Unveils New Single "Summer" A Soulful Reflection on Unrequited Love

Afro-Caribbean Neo-soul artist ASHA returns with “Summer”, a tender and evocative single that captures the bittersweet ache of unrequited love. The kind of love that blooms quietly within the bounds of close friendship.

This marks her second release, following her 2023 debut single “Too Bright.” Intimate and vulnerable, ‘Summer’ offers a heartfelt portrayal of queer longing, the fear of crossing boundaries, and the quiet intensity of feelings that can’t be spoken aloud.

Reflecting on the collaboration, ASHA says, "It’s about having this deep, magnetic love for someone—your friend—while holding back out of respect, fear, and care," ASHA explains. "As a queer person, those feelings can feel especially complicated and isolating. I wrote 'Summer' from that space: tender, quiet, but burning underneath."

With her signature warmth, introspection, and a voice that carries both strength and softness, ASHA invites listeners to sit with what’s often left unsaid. Produced by Sam Nakamura, whose textured guitar contribution cradles the song’s emotion, “Summer” is both a sonic embrace and a soft exhale.

More than just a song, “Summer” is a reflection of ASHA’s gift for turning the personal into the universal, and a gentle reminder that love, in all its forms, spoken or silent, carries its own melody.

Frau Knotz returns with action-packed single ‘Victory Dance on ZR3’, announces sophomore EP

Aotearoa New Zealand electronica artist Frau Knotz has released her first single of 2025, the bubbly and eclectic new track ‘Victory Dance on ZR3’.

Following the success of her debut EP ‘Nextraterrestrial’, today’s electronica release puts on full display Frau Knotz’s drive to consistently push boundaries.

The inspiration behind this track was the Jazz Jackrabbit 2 video game soundtrack from 1998, a beloved platform game on Frau Knotz’s childhood computer. A mélange of breakbeat and house rhythms bounce through this characterful piece, with a pitch bending lead synth that thrusts you right into the heart of the action. As Frau Knotz explains, “There’s a real freedom to making imaginary soundtracks; being able to reprise thematic ideas and explore them more fully without needing to follow traditional musical formats.”

‘Victory Dance on ZR3’ is the first taste of a diverse flavour palette that lies ahead for her sophomore EP Digital Plastic Surgery - part one of a double EP project exploring the corners of electronica, wellsprings of inspiration and a dogged approach to producing a body of work in a concentrated timespan.

Freshly mixed and mastered by Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studio, ‘Victory Dance on ZR3’ sparks the imagination whilst championing 90’s nostalgia. Available exclusively on Bandcamp from 11th July at https://frauknotz.bandcamp.com/album/digital-plastic-surgery 

Fresh from her appearance at WOMAD Aotearoa 2025, Frau Knotz has had a busy past year, releasing 3 successful singles and a debut EP, with a sold-out hometown crowd at her Nextraterrestrial Film Premiere, a headline show at The Stomach in Palmerston North and performing as a guest artist in the Len Lye Centre to a crowd of national arts patrons. With more new music to hit the airwaves throughout the year, Frau Knotz is ready to elevate spirits with her unique and infectious brand of electronic beats.

DEVILSKIN - NEW 13-TRACK STUDIO ALBUM RE-EVOLUTION OUT TODAY

2025 AMA People’s Choice Award Winners and masters of immersive music, DEVILSKIN today release their new album RE-EVOLUTION, a collection of thirteen colossal songs displaying just how far they have come in their extraordinary 15-year journey. 

Having just completed an adrenaline-fuelled 11-date nationwide tour, New Zealand's hottest hard-rock metal act, DEVILSKIN, today celebrates the release of their most evocative album to date, exactly eleven years after the release of their chart-topping double platinum-selling debut album WE RISE.

RE-EVOLUTION is bold. The band's sixth release is a profound collection of huge songs, both welcomingly familiar and sonically fresh. This is a dynamic perspective: the continued growth, the re-invention, and the re-evolution of Devilskin as songwriters and as artists.

RE-EVOLUTION reinforces Devilskin's fearsome reputation for honesty, depth and integrity, and for writing beautiful and captivating songs. 

The band dives deeply from introspective personal moments to visceral nightmares, weaved with brazen chaos, and dreamy, melodic mind trips. Subject matter once again highlights the fact that the band aren't afraid to discuss the tough topics: loss; depression; phobia; anguish; addiction; death; and of course, life.

Once again working with producer Dave Rhodes, the Hamilton four-piece have ascended with no limits to their creativity and ability to explore sonics and soundscapes.

Devilskin say: “We really approached this album from a fresh perspective. From the way we share demo's and ideas, to using a studio we had never been in before; the process was streamlined for precision. We knew exactly what we wanted to achieve. We set some lofty goals for ourselves and everyone pushed themselves that little bit harder. We all had the one focus, just to make this our finest work, our most expressive, expansive and evocative album.”

Kicking off with the ambitious grandeur and stark confrontation that is "Red", the band instantly hit stride and display a keen awareness of the listeners wants and needs and they deliver by the bucketful. "Swelter" is fierce and unrelenting; "Desiderium" dreamy and direct; all the time the production is teasing, charming and flaying your senses.

“While we all feel the natural pressure to out-perform each previous record, this one felt remarkably relaxed, and probably more about having fun recording and seeing our visions come to life in real time. Having the control, the resources, and the right people around is key”, said the band.

RE-EVOLUTION is also Devilskin's first time adding guest features on the album as well. With Twelve Foot Ninja's Nik Barker and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm both lending their talents to the music, explaining: “We had been talking to these guys for a while, and we've floated the idea of guest spots on albums in the past. This time around, all of our stars aligned and we were able to include some of our favourite people.”

RE-EVOLUTION is out globally today with CD & Vinyl available from Devilskin's website, JB Hi-Fi, and select local record stores across New Zealand. 

FIN RAH ZEL DROP SWEET AMBIENT VIBE WITH NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘OVERTHINKING’

Taranaki indie soul stars FIN RAH ZEL deliver another upbeat, feel-good tune with ‘OVERTHINKING’, a laid-back groove combining the unique blend of alt-soul and contemporary R&B their fans love them for.

A harmonious, light and airy song with a chilled ambience, ‘Overthinking’ is comprised of a smooth, steady groove, strong back-beat, and good-vibe conscious lyricism – in essence, archetypal Fin Rah Zel.

A collaborative effort, ‘Overthinking’ was written, composed, and produced by Brian with talented cohort Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studio, with additional production and mixing completed by renowned producer and musician Devin Abrams (Pacific Heights, Drax Project, Shapeshifter) and finally mastered by Chris Gehringer (Lorde, Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, Dua Lipa) at Sterling Sound.

A relaxed, relatable jam about suffering from a lack in confidence, further compounded by seeking validation in all the wrong places and ways, singer Brian Norton called on old memories of feeling ‘less than’, and how drink became the mask to hide the fear and negative thoughts that impacted him.

Says Brian: “I am a classic overthinker, probably tilted to the more chronic side. When we were writing this at Sam’s studio, I was thinking back to these times in the clubs, drinking to muster up the courage to say hi to the ladies and putting way too much pressure on myself. I remember feeling so anxious and terrified when it came to approaching a girl that I was interested in, I would always think of all the potential negative outcomes and let the fear of them saying no, stop me in my tracks. Alcohol was definitely my temporary confidence booster which turned into a weekly habit. In essence, the song is really just about not having the nuts to approach the girl that you like, and masking that lack of confidence with alcohol lol.”

Now an older, wiser Brian can see it for what it was, and his advice is to seek a more internalised journey, based on building yourself up from the inside - without the vizard of alcohol – in order to be authentically yourself and feel good about it!

“Looking back it was just a lack of confidence and self-belief and I think underneath all of that I was just looking for validation that I was worthy of them. If I could speak to my 18 year old self, I would tell him that he’s looking for validation in the wrong environments and should just look within.” explains Brian.

Fin Rah Zel are prolific creators of beautiful music matched with genuine lyrics to create a 

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.

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. Listen out for more new music to come from Fin Rah Zel, their music is medicine for the soul!