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. 

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! 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"

Stream the track Here

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.

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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.

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.

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