Erin G & Altercation Release New Single ‘Half Light’ Ahead of Upcoming EP Dream It Again

LISTEN TO  'HALF LIGHT' HERE

“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'

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'

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.

A Night On The Town - Wellington Heads

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.