Spdrtwnbby announces new single ‘Back to Self’ ft Jarna

After a period of reflection, Avondale’s Spdrtwnbby (pronounced spider town baby) returns with ‘Back to Self’ featuring Jarna.

Produced by big al. and mixed and mastered by Jarna, ‘Back to Self’ is a hypnagogic mirage of neo soul, R&B and art-pop, elegantly dressed in oneiric symbolism and poetic metaphors straight out of the South Pacific. For anyone who’s ever spent too long in a dream that didn’t quite sit right, before finding a way forward, there’s a sentiment to hold close here.

“This song highlights turning 25 and experiencing the lightbulb moment of realisation that choosing myself and taking care of myself are the keys to functioning at my best. ‘Back to Self’ is about giving yourself the grace to return to who you are and the things you love.” - Spdrtwnbby

Set against smooth Rhodes, sunrise guitar figures, and a head-nod drum machine groove, Spdrtwnbby and fellow singer-songwriter and producer Jarna accept the things they cannot change before basking in the reflected light as they choose themselves. “So much I could do or say / But that won’t change the way it plays out.”

‘Back to Self’ is accompanied by a gorgeously shot and framed music video directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, the powerhouse force behind the acclaimed STILL HERE documentary series. Tuiburelevu was supported on the shoot by producer duo ‘Afa (Selu-Kian Lealiifano-Faletoese and Claire Patolo), Taute Vaai (still photography) and Ralph Brown (director of photography), who helped realise the video’s fitting sensibilities. 

Recommended If You Like: Solange, Aaradhna, Tiana Khasi

About Spdrtwnbby

Spdrtwnbby is a Samoan singer-songwriter and producer from Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. Raised in the multicultural suburb of Avondale, her music draws from the rich traditions of jazz, soul and R&B, weaving them into a braided narrative equally informed by diasporic Pasifika culture and history, pop sensibilities, and her love of contemporary visual arts. In her work, she explores what belonging can look, sound and feel like, while considering what it means to be part of Moana Oceania as a whole. 

After completing a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland and taking part in Tongan producer SFT’s Sample Sessions at Four Shells Kava, Spdrtwnbby spent 2023 and 2024 releasing a series of solo and collaborative singles alongside Jarna, big.al, SoulChef, StephPockets, Romiin, and Lepani. In 2025, she was named an artist-in-residence at Wheke Fortress’s Coconut Clouds Studio, an indigenous-run music studio in Onehunga, for Pasifika and Māori artists.

WEST AUCKLAND’S DOUBLE PARKED RETURN WITH INTROSPECTIVE NEW SINGLE, ‘NECKLACE’

Returning with their first new music since February’s ‘Dopamine’, West Auckland post-surf 5-piece Double Parked have released a new single, ‘Necklace’.  

An introspective anthem navigating the non-linear process of battling mental health stability, imposter syndrome, and inner demons, ‘Necklace’ finds the post-surf rockers tapping into new depth with some of their most personal songwriting to date. Contrasting soft and coarse textures with the tracks shimmering basslines building into a climax of stomping drums and sombre guitar chords, frontman Tom Purdie’s cathartic lyricism recounts a confronting portrayal of reaching mental rock bottom. Equally melancholic and therapeutic, Tom sings, “I’m finding it hard just waiting for my efforts to be reflected, hollow little heart, squeezing out the essence while heading for rejection”. 

“The instrumental for the chorus and verse of ‘Necklace’ came about in a jam as it usually does. Shortly after that, when Tommy P wrote the hook for the chorus, we knew we were onto a bit of a heater and everyone was stoked,” drummer and songwriter Chad details of the track's creative process.

“We parked it there and it remained an unfinished demo for quite some time until our drummer Chad worked his magic with lyrics and melodies, developing the story further. He has mentioned that it’s been very therapeutic for him to write and release his lyrics from this new EP out into the world, drawing upon past experiences and purging them out through his storytelling.

Having previously experienced the depths of unstable mental health and the dark places that it can take you, writing lyrics and stories from my heart and then sharing them out into the world has been comforting and almost therapeutic for me,” he adds of the single’s depth. 

“Life is beautiful, but we can’t always be on top. Sometimes we can get so numb to everything. If our music can make somebody feel something on a profound level, then I’ll be over the moon.”

In the past two years since the success of their 2023 debut EP Lost in the Groove, Double Parked have cemented themselves as one of New Zealand’s most exciting acts on the rise. The group have quickly developed a cult following with their rowdy live shows, festival sets, and tours with celebrated local and international acts including The Butlers, Lazy Ghost, and most recently supporting Australian indie-rock band The Terrys across their New Zealand tour this past September. 

Pushing forward the traditional surf-rock sound with their own genre-defying fusion labelled “post-surf”, Double Parked are redefining the subgenre for a new generation. While making music that’s quintessentially rooted in New Zealand, the group pull from a melting pot of global influences including psychedelic, punk, reggae, dub, and indie-pop, laced together from their distinctly West Coast lens.  

Keep up with Double Parked on Spotify, Instagram, Tik Tok, Youtube, and Facebook.

Verity unveils moody new single “Insomnia” a raw anthem for sleepless nights

Rising pop-soul artist Verity returns with her haunting new single “Insomnia” — a track that dives deep into the restless aftermath of toxic love and the long nights spent trying to forget.

“Insomnia is about the aftermath of a toxic relationship and the struggle to truly move on,” says Verity. “It’s that feeling when you know someone was bad for you, but you still catch yourself missing them or dreaming about the good times. Every time I try to rest, my mind brings them back, so I end up wishing I could stay awake just to escape my own dreams.”

Moody, intimate, and emotionally charged, Insomnia captures the collision between heartbreak and defiance — the kind of song that hits hardest on a late-night drive.

Written in a collaborative session with Leah, Randy, and Skye, the song was born out of a moment of shared vulnerability. What started as a casual conversation about sleepless nights quickly transformed into something much deeper.

“In the studio, I just poured out the lyrics, and with Leah, Skye, and Randy’s help, we created something special. ‘Insomnia’ was one of the first lyrics we laid down, and it just clicked.”

The team also shot a DIY music video during the same session — filmed on zero budget but overflowing with creativity, honesty, and heart. The visual is set to premiere soon, amplifying the song’s raw, cinematic energy.

At her core, Verity is an artist who believes in truth, connection, and the power of imperfection. Every lyric she writes stems from real emotion and lived experience — giving listeners permission to feel deeply, speak honestly, and find strength in their own stories.

“My music has always been about honesty — even when it’s uncomfortable. I write for the people who overthink, who love too deeply, and who are still learning to let go. ‘Insomnia’ is my way of saying: you’re not alone in that.”

With her signature blend of soulful vocals and cinematic production, Insomnia cements Verity’s place as one of Aotearoa’s most compelling new voices — an artist unafraid to reveal her heart and invite others to do the same.

Betty - Anna van riel feat. ryan fisherman

Anna van Riel has been on a defiantly creative journey in recent months.

Working with longtime musical collaborator Danny Fairley in his studio Mirrors Audio, the three-time Tui-nominated artist has been crafting her seventh studio album, and her first “adult” album in a decade, following a successful stint in the world of children’s music.

The album, Wooden Leg, is due to drop in February 2026. Two singles in, the tea leaves are telling me the album is going to be a revelation.

The first single, 14 Years, released in September, offered a psychedelic taste of the swampy, spiritual ambience she has conjured with the help of Fairley and a cast of quality southern folkies.

The second single, Betty, arrives in time for Halloween, on October 31st. The timing of this is appropriate. Having had the chance to preview the song, I’m fascinated by its haunting resonance and dark beauty. There must be some strange voodoo swirling in the misty valleys of Hawea.

It’s a duet with notable Christchurch vocalist Ryan Fisherman, whose weary baritone helps to give the song an ominous and eerie Nick Cave vibe.

As for the titular Betty, van Riel says she’s inspired by the 1870s folk song In the Pines, covered by Leadbelly in 1944 and re-covered as Where Did You Sleep Last Night by Nirvana during their legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged show.

In van Riel’s reading, Betty is an unsmiling, booze-ravaged ruin found in a burning fever on the edge of madness and death. So it’s not a chipper or uplifting ditty but the thought-provoking imagery of the lyrics is potently unsettling.

Sonically it’s a wonderful piece of alt-folk music with skilful instrumentation and rich production. Plus, you’ve got to have a healthy respect for any song that couples “truthless” with “ruthless”.

Look out for Betty in all the usual places this Halloween.

https://music.drm.co.nz/betty

Reviewed by Chris Chilton

REB FOUNTAIN RELEASES NEW SINGLE 'ONE WAY TRIP'

Reb Fountain shares her new single, One Way Trip; a heartfelt americana standard with a stripped back analog modesty that belies the intricacy of its lyrics. 

One Way Trip reads like a working class tale written within the poetic fiction of a well-honed folk song.   It's lyrics speak to a single parent wrestling with the every day at the coal face and resolving to do what's right for themselves and their kids even when its tough.

Put your head on my shoulder we've got a one way trip tonight
You'll look back when you're older and laugh about this crazy ride 
I have been with the worst of them, I have seen the other side
And nothing's gonna make me turn around this time

Reb writes of resilience and real life choices amidst the white noise of day to day hardships.  There is an unadorned confessional quality here; Reb sings from amongst this tangled place with a painter's vision; she lives in this world, she is matter of fact, resigned, perhaps even 'faking it till she makes it' when she says, "Nothing's gonna make me turn around this time".
 

When your heart slows, it's love with nowhere to go
It drowns you in the turning tide
So take my hand love and let's stop killing time

In One Way Trip, time is beautifully rendered to now and here Reb accurately portrays the universal experience of love and yearning.  This tale is understated yet devastatingly brazen and it's Reb's commitment to her art and whanau - as portrayed in song and in her life -  that is revelatory, compelling, and truly authentic.  
 

Sometimes you lose and get lucky in the blink of an eye
Lucky keeps you going when the losin's got you high and dry
Gotta keep your eyes on the winning prize
Keep your broken heart growing on the inside
Just because a choice is do or die don't mean you can't decide 

Reb says, "I wrote ‘One Way Trip’ when my kids were young, as a single parent in the thick of it, trying to be the best mum I could whilst playing gigs that paid less than the babysitter cost. Releasing this song now, has been a long time coming - I have tried over the years to record it but it never really felt right. This version feels really special and in keeping with the tone of the song; raw, unabashed, and real."

Recorded in one take to analog tape at Roundhead Studios, One Way Trip was produced by long time collaborator Dave Khan. Round the mic, in one room, the band feel present, tight knit, held by the age and texture of the tape, and it's this fly on the wall delivery that underpins the narrative of the song as a whole. 

The music video for One Way Trip is made up of a collage of camcorder home videos edited by Reb's daughter, Lola Fountain-Best.  There's a real full circle moment here; we see Reb navigating motherhood and music in a candid and committed way.  Here we catch of glimpse of her life and the intentional entanglement with her art; where the footage is drawn from home movies, old concerts and even an earlier music video that featured her children. It is this union of art and connection that renders Reb Fountain's voice as a songwriter elemental in reflecting who we are for real.  There is no performativity here, just a glimpse of lived experience that quietly complements a song telling a story of people who are often overlooked, or whom may overlook themselves.  

Lola says, "This video is a tribute to my mother, Reb Fountain; my attempt to encapsulate a woman who managed to raise children while still following her dreams, no matter how difficult it was. The footage used in this video is collected from home movies, album recordings and friends' projects. My childhood memories were full of my mother playing music, and it felt important to me to look back and revisit those memories with her and my family." 

Proteins of Magic unveils haunting new single “The Future”, OUT NOW via Particle Recordings

Proteins of Magic returns with “The Future”, a new single that fuses alt-indie, post-punk, and experimental rock into something dark, unruly, and arrestingly alive.

Accompanying the release is a hand-crafted visualiser, created by the artist herself. It drifts through a warped procession of devilish caricatures, conjuring a not-too-distant world, both beautiful and grotesque. Echoing the song’s core tension, the piece lingers in a space where innocence curdles and oddity blooms. 

Like the track, the visualiser offers no explanation. It flickers, unsettles, and stares right back.

“The Future” is out now on Particle Recordings. 

About Proteins of Magic 

Proteins of Magic (the moniker of Kelly Steven) is a New Zealand-born, Nashville-based music and visual artist whose work in both mediums walks the line of visceral and otherworldly.

Her sound has been described as “mysterious, spiritually drawn from Gothic mythos and viewed through wavy vintage glass” (American Pancake) and as “a declaration of war” (Grimy Goods). With a deep vocal presence often likened to PJ Harvey and Patti Smith (Grimy Goods) and an approach that “operates in the same dark and subversive corners where Fever Ray, Jenny Hval or Björk may find solace” (She Makes Music), Proteins of Magic occupies a distinctive lane in today’s alt-art landscape.

Her live sets are equally formidable: dramatic, confronting and immersive. Previous shows include Splore, Cuba Dupa, Cross St, BIGSOUND (Brisbane), Primavera Pro (Barcelona), The Great Escape (UK), and Big Ears Festival (USA).

“There’s an over-riding sense of beautiful, crafted tension here which is very much in line with the blurred edge between innovative alt-pop and contemporary art music” - Elsewhere.

YOU, ME, EVERYBODY - The Rest of Us

Best NZ Folk Artist finalists, You, Me, Everybody deliver their new single,The Rest of Us - a heartfelt acoustic anthem that blends the clarity of bluegrass with the hooks and heart of a pop ballad. It's about what happens when someone you’ve trusted to lead — whether in life, love, or something bigger — starts to lose faith in what they once stood for. The band doesn't shy away from the discomfort: the song voices the frustration, confusion, and heartbreak of watching that leader give up, while the rest are still holding the line. With lush harmonies, acoustic drive, and an almost pleading chorus, The Rest of Us is less a finger-point and more a call back to purpose — asking not just one person, but all of us, “Why are we still here if no one believes anymore?” It’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt abandoned mid-journey, yet stayed anyway.

The Rest of Us, features shared vocals across the band, with songwriter Kim Bonnington trading lines in a duet with Sam Frangos-Rhodes. Bonnington also brought the visual concept to life, producing and editing the accompanying video. Filmed on an iphone by Ethan Bryant, the video transforms the song’s nautical imagery into a striking tableau; paper boats and ropes evoke a vessel at sea, while the band call out to the ‘captain.’ Their shifting roles are underscored by sharp cuts that mirror the rhythm of the music, capturing the tension of being carried from place to place on an unpredictable tide.

The Rest of Us was produced by Nashville based musician and producer, Rachel Baiman and engineered by Troy Kelly at Armoury Studios in Wellington. It was mixed by Grammy winning bluegrass specialist, Sean Sullivan (Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, Sturgill Simpson, John Hiatt), and mastered by Bobbi Giel at Welcome to 1979. The single artwork is by Andy Knopp and photography by Ebony Lamb.

Yurt Party Shares new single, Pocket Weasel

Ōtautahi/Christchurch’s Yurt Party are back with their latest single Pocket Weasel, set for release TODAY, October 10, 2025.

The tune was written by violinist Lorenz Weston-Salzer, after a chance encounter with acclaimed artist Marlon Williams, who offered this advice on writing: “Pick a couple of notes and pretend like you’re trying to remember a song you used to know but forgot.” Out of that simple spark came Pocket Weasel – a tune that scurries, scrambles, and stomps like a caffeinated critter loose in a café.

“It’s basically about a weasel that’s had way too much espresso and hitched a ride in someone’s pocket,” laughs Lorenz. Tom Harris adds: “It’s frantic, it’s playful – somewhere between Eastern European stomp and a touch of Irish jig.”

While not written with a particular tradition in mind, the track carries the bar-stomper energy that Yurt Party are known for: a fast instrumental with plenty of room for the band’s trademark mayhem.

Recorded and produced by bassist Josh Logan, and mastered by Kog’s Chris Chetland, Pocket Weasel will also feature on the band’s much-anticipated second album, out 24 October 2025.

About the band
Yurt Party make street party music: Balkan‑sparked lines, Latin lift, dub weight, and plenty of room for mischief. Expect Romani‑tinged violin, tropically tilted grooves, and rhythm‑section drive. It’s dance music played live, sweaty, human, fun.