Tavita & Bay Road Find Clarity in the Chaos with Diamond & Balloon

Pōneke’s Tavita & Bay Road release their new single Diamond & Balloon this Friday, October 3rd — the first single from their forthcoming EP, due out November 21st. Shaped by groove, melody and meaning, the track is stripped back yet resonant.

Written by Tavita De Seymour, the song sets the diamond against the balloon: one hard and enduring, the other fragile and fleeting. It’s a metaphor for how we move between what lasts and what falls away — and how easily what glitters can draw us off course. Threaded through is a sense of uncertainty: distraction, hidden powers, and AI blurring the line between real and imagined.

Musically, Diamond & Balloon is lean and unhurried. A simple chord progression underpins deep bass and crisp percussion, with piano adding warmth and texture. Each element is given space to breathe. The track was developed with the Bay Road crew, recorded at Tiny Triumph Recordings with producer Toby Lloyd, and mastered by Mike Gibson.

“This started with a few chords on guitar,” says Tavita. “The lyrics just came out that way — there was no plan. It feels less like an answer and more like sitting inside the tension of it all.”

Accompanying the release is a music video, out now on YouTube. It traces a ruby-red balloon with a diamond at its centre as it drifts through forests, cities, oceans and deserts before landing in the hands of a lone girl. The ending is left open — hopeful yet uncertain.

For Tavita & Bay Road, Diamond & Balloon marks a moment of clarity: music that is spacious, groove-driven, and carried by rhythm, story and feel.

Listen / Follow:
DRM: https://music.drm.co.nz/diamond-balloon
YouTube (Music Video): https://youtu.be/hDx4pLK6dPQ
Instagram: https://instagram.com/tavita.bayroad
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/tavita.bayroad

From Aotearoa to Palestine: Sabreen releases heartfelt Desi-folk single ‘The End’

Bengali-NZ singer-songwriter Sabreen returns with her latest offering ‘The End’, a cinematic Desi-folk ballad penned as a love letter to Palestine.

PRE-SAVE ‘THE END’ HERE

Through skilful storytelling and soaring instrumentation inspired by her South Asian roots, ‘The End’ details holding on tight to your loved ones even as the world feels as though it is ending. Inspired by the love shown by Palestinians in Gaza, the intimate ballad seeks to connect our common humanity from Aotearoa to Palestine. Produced with long-time collaborator Nate Selway, the track features lush cellos, rich harmonies and a dazzling sitar played by Sargam Madhur, as a tribute from Sabreen’s Desi heritage.

Blending history, personal storytelling and song-writing, ‘The End’ continues down the path of Sabreen’s previous single ‘Countryman’, which uncovered the forgotten story of Chinese-New Zealander Joe Kum Yung. A live performance, filmed with a full band at Parachute Studios, is set to be released in October.

Auckland-raised, Bengali singer-songwriter Sabreen is an artist, author and songwriter who crafts cinematic, heart-wrenching stories. She released her debut P ‘room service’ in 2023 (RNZ, SRN stations, 95bFM Fancy New Band Showcase, NZ Music Commission Celebrating Wāhine, NZOA Fresh Cuts), following extensive performances across Aotearoa including a full-house show at Auckland’s BIG FAN and opening for global indie sensation
Prateek Kuhad’s Silhouettes Tour. Her latest single ‘Countryman’ received funding from NZ On Air to create an accompanying music video with Angle3 Pictures. Sabreen is also a published poet, and was selected as a semi-finalist for the International Songwriting Competition for her song ‘Glow’. In 2025, Sabreen was selected as a YWCA Y25 laureate for creating positive change in Aotearoa for ‘Countryman’, which is also set to receive a Blues Award from the University of Auckland. Proudly Bangladeshi and Muslim, Sabreen is a fierce advocate for her community, which often finds its way into her music.

‘The End’ will be released on all streaming platforms on Friday 3 October.

Nearer - the New Album and Release Gig from Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s Hail, Meteor!

Hail, Meteor! weave post-rock, dream pop and indie into powerful, bilingual tracts of song that explore grief, belonging, and aroha. Their new album, Nearer, is an album of delicate vastness; both nostalgic and immediate, it has a tone affecting  the many generations that make up both the band’s audience and members.

Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, the members of HM! have roots in multiple past projects and have shared the stage with the local as well as international acts. HM! played support for Scotland’s Mogwai at the Wellington Opera House in February 2024 and headlined the Gathering Shadows festival the month previous. This October 10th they play at Moon in Newtown to launch their forthcoming album.

Nearer further deepens their signature sound, broadening the scope suggested by their 2023 debut, 4th Horse. With ten songs dripping with sonic, lyrical and exploratory intent, it is their honour to let it loose on both vinyl and streaming. Its shoe-gazing lead single, ‘Sweet’, was a hit on student radio back in the autumn, topping the SRN charts for weeks on end. Nearer’s next single, ‘Most at Ease’, drives home their pop intent with forceful synths, dark guitars and sweet harmonies.

An all-in-house production team, the album was recorded and mixed by David Coventry at Meteor HQ, Aotearoa, with artwork by Isobel Te Aho-White and design by Simon Waterfield.

Album release:

10 October @ Moon, Wellington

with support acts Welder Inc. (Melbourne) & Deaf Edge (WGTN)

OCTOBER MEMBERS ONLY ONLINE SESSION: Social Media with Mazbou Q

Social media is one of the most powerful tools artists have to grow their careers. In this session, artist, educator, and content creator Mazbou Q will share practical strategies to help you navigate platforms, grow your audience, and market your music effectively.

In this session you’ll learn how to:

• Promote yourself on platforms like TikTok and Instagram

• Build and nurture an engaged fanbase

• Create compelling and sustainable content

• Authentically connect with your audience

Mazbou Q is a UK-born, Aotearoa-based Nigerian hip hop artist, producer, educator, and content creator. Known online as The Rap Scientist, he’s built a strong following by breaking down rap flows, lyricism, and music theory on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Alongside his acclaimed releases blending hip hop, afrobeat, and soul, Mazbou Q has guest-lectured at Harvard, Berklee, and Louisiana State University.

MMF AOTEAROA OCTOBER MEMBERS ONLY SESSION

SOCIAL MEDIA WITH MAZBOU Q

Date: Tuesday 14 October

Time: 6pm – 7pm

RSVP: For MMF members only. RSVP to Rachel admin@mmf.co.nz. 
Spaces are limited so RSVP is essential.

Due to the limited places please note if you RSVP and then fail to attend the session without notifying us, unfortunately you will not be eligible for future sessions

BuzzTales presents debut children’s sing-along book ‘Carly the Chameleon’

Mother and daughter Fiona Walmsley and Jenna Grbin are on a mission to help children grow in confidence and celebrate their differences with the release of BuzzTales’ debut sing-along book and single, Carly the Chameleon.

Carly is a shy little chameleon who learns to embrace her true colours. Her story is told through a playful, heartfelt song co-written by Fiona and Jenna—Fiona shaping the lyrics and storyline, Jenna composing the melody, producing the track, and performing the song.

“Carly is about more than just music—it’s about giving children confidence to be themselves,” says Fiona Walmsley, co-founder of BuzzTales. “Our goal is to combine the joy of music with storytelling and educational tools that families and teachers can use together.”

KAWAKAWA Album by HUIA, 12 waiata of electro-Māori music with spirit, mana and deep subs.

Award-winning electro-Māori artist HUIA is set to empower with the release of her new 12-track album, KAWAKAWA, on October 10th, 2025. This thoughtful project, a fusion of rich imagery in te reo Māori (Māori language) with a global soundscape, promises a new flavour of te reo Māori music.

KAWAKAWA delves deep into themes encapsulated by the Kawakawa plant, an important Māori rongoā (medicine) with healing and restorative properties like the music we make, which is woven into the album's core kaupapa (theme). Every waiata/song on the album has a visual world wrapped around with translations, which can be experienced on the KAWAKAWA portal - HERE.

Waka Huia, Vessel: Every being is a vessel of knowledge, matauranga.

Tīaho Aho, Shine: Haere ki mua, stepping into your moment.

Kawakawa, Medicine: Music is healing like the power of our natural heritage, Aotūroa.

Wairangi, The Waters: Knowing the right time to find your feet again, mihi ki te rā.

Kākano, Seed: The seed is as important as the bloom. Keep planting, kia puāwai tonu.

Ao Pō, Daynight: Keep your body and mind strong like your Maunga, ia rā ia rā.

Rangimārie, Peace: Meditative Zen song, to be in a state of peace, Rangimārie.

HūHā, World: Standing up for what’s right, not what’s easy, he kupu noa iho!

Tuhi, Temple: Being a temple without a key, the integrity in keeping kōrero (words) sacred.

Maia, Nan Māmā: A tribute to wahine lines, for Nan Māia for Māmā Helen, Māma Barbara.

Waiata Ua, Rainsong: Singing with the forest rain, a deep memory, he whare ngāhere.

Wero Wero, Challenge: A reminder of what we fight for in Aotearoa, in our own unique ways.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Chetland and Huia at Auckland's renowned Kog Studio, KAWAKAWA is the fruition of personal and extensive creative work by Huia, who is inspired by her travels to indigenous music communities in Canada, Scotland, Cymru (Wales), Australia and Japan. Experiencing the new music fusions has encouraged her to write an album that she loves over the past 2 years, with some songs written 10 years ago, like Tuhi,Temple.

Huia produced 6 of the 12 waiata, with symphony layers by Stewart Allen, with Baitercell, Rei, Devin Abrams and Sean Richards producing the rest of the tracks. All the stories were gently guided and translated by singer/language expert Lois McIver. Beyond this album, Huia is also recording for the release of a multilingual E.P. featuring collaborations with Meta_ (Portugal), Akawui (Mapuche), and remixes by Max Maxwell alongside other multilingual collaborations, set for summer 2026. 

A Kōanga release party on October 10th at WHAMMY Bar is hosted by Kog and Hūhā Music, celebrating the album's debut, new single Hoea Rā by Baitercell x Just2Māori and features Mokotron, Uncles, Swizl Jager, Rei and Andrew Manning. 

Huia has graced international stages in 2025 at Festival of Lights (Taranaki, Aotearoa), Knockengorroch Festival (Scotland, UK), Indigenous Music Summit, Imaginative Film Festival, Drom Taberna (Canada) and Osaka World Expo (Japan). KAWAKAWA is supported by Te Māngai Pāho and Precise as HIKO music.

FRANK ON TAP RELEASE GRITTY AND HEARTFELT DEBUT ALBUM ‘AT SIXES AND SEVENS’

At Sixes and Sevens is the long-awaited full-length debut album by alternative rock band Frank On Tap. The band have been meticulously crafting this piece of work across the span of 12 months at the renowned Roundhead Studios, with producer De Stevens.

Blending gritty rock energy with tender, introspective moments, the album strikes a balance between grit and vulnerability, offering listeners a journey through conflict, release, and reflection. With its driving instrumentals, soaring choruses, and thoughtful lyricism, At Sixes and Sevens cements Frank On Tap as a band unafraid to embrace life’s turbulence, and turn it into something both powerful and resonant.

“Although it might suggest a ballad ripe with grief and error, this record feels like a genuine chance at moving forward. There is a hopeful optimism and sincerity that underlies the record. Making sense of the world around you as you attempt to become a better person. An honest, raw expression of the beauty in struggle.” - Frank on Tap

In celebration of the release Frank On Tap will be playing a free show on Thursday 02nd October at 605 before they head across the ditch with No Cigar on their Australian Tour

PRESAVE AT SIXES AND SEVENS | LINKS TO FRANK ON TAP

Troy Kingi - New Single “Isn’t How I Remember” Ft SWIDT

All Good Absolutley Alternative Records are proud to announce Album Nine, Troy Kingi Presents: Night Lords (2025). Album out November 28th .

Turning to Hip Hop and RnB, featuring SWIDT, Diggy Dupē, Tom Scott, Melodownz, MokoMokai, and Mā. The record continues Kingi’s practice of deep collaboration and documentation of genre, flexing his producer skills while highlighting the strength and breadth of Aotearoa’s contemporary music scene.  

“In my day to day life, living with two teens and 2 younger avid music listeners I’d say we listen to a lot of hiphop, actually mostly hiphop. 

My kids try school me on the now and I try fumble my way through schooling them on my limited knowledge of 90s hiphop.

From the beginning of my 10/10/10 series I was trying to find a way to insert this genre without it seeming forced or pastiche and I found my in through the albums Blakroc and then later ‘Glorious Game’ by El Michels Affair and Black Thought. I could still be authentic and true to the music and not feel like a phoney through collaboration- bringing people on board that I admire and that live and breathe the genre.

In a somewhat songhubsy format I brought these amazing artists into the studio with me and my band and just let things happen - by the end of each day we had these amazing songs. 

My biggest accomplishment on the album I feel is how cohesive it all is, you have 14 artists all amazing and different in their right yet it all feels cut from the same cloth. I’m super proud of the album and can’t wait to share it.” Troy Kingi 

Troy is a musician, actor, and storyteller, a man with many hats.  He has undertaken the 10/10/10 series — ten albums, in ten genres, over ten years — an ambitious project that has become one of the most distinctive catalogues in Aotearoa music.  

Each release has explored a new style in depth:  Guitar Party at Uncles Bach (2016) – Indie Garage  Shake That Skinny Ass All the Way to Zygertron (2017) – Psychedelic Space Soul  Holy Colony Burning Acres (2019) – Indigenous Political Roots  The Ghost of Freddie Cesar (2020) – Funk  Black Sea Golden Ladder (2021) – Folk  Year of the Ratbags and their Musty Theme Songs (2022) – 80s Synthpop  Timewasters:  Soundtrack to Current Day Meanderings (2023) - Instrumental Soundscape Soul  Leatherman and the Mojave Green (2024) – Desert rock  

The series has earned him multiple awards and nominations: the Taite Music Prize, APRA Silver Scroll, Maioha Award, Aotearoa Music Awards, Māori Music Awards alongside vast collaborations across film, theatre, and television.  

With one album left to complete the cycle, Kingi has created a discography ambitious in scale and significant in its contribution to New Zealand’s musical history.

"It seems surreal to me that we have reached album 9 already, despite the obvious evidence. 

Its been such a whirlwind, of experiences, creative expression, fun, stress, love, loss and expansion. The 10|10|10 series is more than just 10 Genres in 10 years, its  a group of people falling in love creating deep bonds, whanau living and experiencing life, captured by Troys deeply beautiful and personal writing. 

This project is a cyclone with Troy at its core, drawing in incredible artists, film makers, graphic designers, photographers, production teams, all ingredients in the wonderful Melstrom of Troy's creative vision. It has touched so many lives, and I can't wait to see what the coming two years bring... I am confident in one thing... It'll be wild, wonderful and create memories that last a life time". TeMatera Smith