Tusekah today releases her new single ‘Lay It Down’
Tusekah today releases her new single ‘Lay It Down’, out April 10 via Xelon and supported by NZ On Air. Blending Pop/Alternative RnB, Lay It Down is an upbeat, groove-driven track centred around themes of authenticity and self-acceptance.
Tusekah today releases her new single ‘Lay It Down’, out April 10 via Xelon and supported by NZ On Air.
Blending Pop/Alternative RnB, Lay It Down is an upbeat, groove-driven track centred around themes of authenticity and self-acceptance.
“The song was written after I’d been to an event where I felt like I wasn’t being myself,” says Tusekah. “We then chose to write the song from another person’s perspective encouraging me to be myself. The song is about feeling free enough to be yourself around the people you come into contact with whether they are people you are newly meeting or friends and family. The song is a suggestion to let your hair down and be embraced by their acceptance of who you are.”
The song was written by Tusekah Njoko, Silver Scroll-winning producer and songwriter Josh Fountain (BENEE), and Djeisan Suskov (LEISURE), with production led by
Fountain. Engineering, mixing and mastering were completed alongside Chris Chetland.
Also released alongside the single is an official video, filmed in a minimalist white studio, Directed by Mikee Carpinter
“The simplicity of it is meant to show a sincerity that might otherwise be missed if the video was more complex.”
Tusekah began performing live in 2021 and released her debut single Childhood Friends later that year. Since then, she has released multiple singles and developed a reputation for soulful, groove-rich music and heartfelt performances throughout Aotearoa. Her music has received international radio support from BBC Radio 1 (UK) and Triple J (Australia), as well as support from CADA in Australia. (OurAuckland)
She has supported a range of notable artists including PJ Morton, Olivia Dean, Deva Mahal and JessB on tour, and was featured as part of the 2025 SXSW Sydney® Music Festival lineup — positioning her among emerging acts from across the Asia-Pacific region. (OurAuckland)
Lay It Down continues Tusekah’s exploration of soulful songwriting delivered with clarity, emotion and expressive vocal performance.
BIG SIMA & BOOMTOWN RELEASE NEW SINGLE “RENT FREE”
Big Sima & Boomtown are proud to announce the release of their latest single, “Rent Free,” available everywhere on streaming platforms from March 27th. “Rent Free” is the first single taken from the band’s forthcoming EP, the third and final instalment in their three-part series, The Peace Trilogy.
Big Sima & Boomtown are proud to announce the release of their latest single, “Rent Free,” available everywhere on streaming platforms from March 27th.
“Rent Free” is the first single taken from the band’s forthcoming EP, the third and final instalment in their three-part series, The Peace Trilogy. The previous releases, Early In The Peace (2024) and Peace Be The Journey (2025), laid the foundation for a body of work centred on growth, reflection, and social consciousness. The new EP is scheduled for release on 22nd May 2026, with the EP title and cover art to be revealed in mid-April.
Blending soul, funk, disco and hip hop over a driving four-to-the-floor groove, “Rent Free” is both dancefloor-ready and socially grounded. The track speaks directly to the cost of living crisis in Aotearoa, capturing the reality of everyday Kiwi whānau working hard while living on the edge of the poverty line. With infectious rhythm and hearty penmanship, Big Sima & Boomtown continue their tradition of pairing uplifting sonics with honest storytelling.
Currently, the boys are on the road performing a three-show run including Ori’26 at Otago University, Single Fin Mingle, and Cuba Dupa. A six-date national tour is also confirmed for spring 2026 in support of the release of their upcoming EP.
Big Sima & Boomtown have built a reputation for high-energy live performances and kaupapa-driven music that bridges community, culture and contemporary sound. As independent artists, their Peace Trilogy represents a cohesive creative arc, with “Rent Free” marking the beginning of its final chapter.
The forthcoming EP promises to close out The Peace Trilogy with the same authenticity, groove and social awareness that has defined the series so far.
TAMI NEILSON RELEASES ARETHA FRANKLIN COVER “ARE YOU SURE” FROM THE MOTION PICTURE HOLY DAYS
Tami Neilson brings us her rendition of “Are You Sure”, a song Aretha Franklin originally recorded in 1958. On the new single, Neilson shares, “When Nat Boltt asked me to sing this gospel groove ‘Are You Sure’ for a gorgeous scene in her upcoming film Holy Days, I saw the incredible cast of iconic women and immediately jumped at the chance to be involved, saying yes before even hearing it. It was only after the fact that I realized she wanted me to sing in the original key of a 16 year old Aretha Franklin that I rued the error of my ways.”
Tami Neilson brings us her rendition of “Are You Sure”, a song Aretha Franklin originally recorded in 1958. The film stars Judy Davis (Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG, AFI, and 3x Emmy winner), Jacki Weaver (Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee), and Miriam Margolyes (O.B.E., BAFTA Best Supporting Actress, BBC Lifetime Achievement Award), alongside newcomer Elijah Tamati, playing the lead role of the young boy, Brian. Holy Daysdirector Nat Boltt asked Neilson to lend her voice for this song recorded specifically for the film’s soundtrack, which also features two previously released Neilson songs, “Sister Mavis” and “Queenie Queenie”.
On the new single, Neilson shares, “When Nat Boltt asked me to sing this gospel groove ‘Are You Sure’ for a gorgeous scene in her upcoming film Holy Days, I saw the incredible cast of iconic women and immediately jumped at the chance to be involved, saying yes before even hearing it. It was only after the fact that I realized she wanted me to sing in the original key of a 16 year old Aretha Franklin that I rued the error of my ways. This middle-aged alto saddled up and went to the studio, armed with Throat Coat tea, a jar of honey and the best band in New Zealand. I gave myself a pep talk in the car on the way, white-knuckled, gripping the steering wheel, ‘You can DO this, Neilson.’ All I remember is collapsing in a heap after the final note, vowing never to attempt such folly again.”
Alongside attending the Film Premieres in New York and Toronto, Neilson performed in Nashville on March 30th at The Ryman Auditorium for upcoming PBS special “Tammy Wynette: The First Lady of Country Music” and on March 31st she made her third appearance on the legendary stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
“Are You Sure” is available on digital streaming platforms on March 27th, coinciding with the North American theatrical release of Holy Days.
Canadian-born, New Zealand-based and Willie Nelson approved!
Tami Neilson’s worldwide appeal is due in no small part to her reputation, according to Rolling Stone, as “a fire breathing belter.” Neilson’s ground-shaking voice has wowed audiences across the globe and racked up numerous awards along the way.
In New Zealand Tami is one of her adopted home country’s most beloved artists, her albums topping the charts and populating a combination of categories almost every year at the NZ Music Awards. Her sold-out Kingmaker tour culminated into a live album backed by the 80-piece Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Neilson has also built an audience of all ages in Europe, Australia and her native North America thanks to appearances on the star-studded PBS “Great Performances” concert series filmed live at the Ryman in Nashville as well as the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Tami is an award-winning composer who has written and performed music for feature films like Spongebob Squarepants ‘Saving Bikini Bottom’ and ‘Holy Days’ starring Miriam Margolyes, as well as making cameo appearances in the hit television series “The Brokenwood Mysteries”.
Counting American icon Willie Nelson as a fan and friend, Neilson duetted with Nelson for their award-winning song “Beyond the Stars”. In 2025, she also joined Willie and Bob Dylan on the Outlaw Tour across the USA.
Tami’s latest critically acclaimed album Neon Cowgirl features collaborations with Neil Finn and JD McPherson, her single, “Borrow My Boots” featuring Ashley McBryde hit the Top 10 on the US Americana Charts.
Clap Clap Riot Announce First NZ Tour in Seven Years
The ever-energetic indie-rock outfit Clap Clap Riot are thrilled to announce a three-date tour of Aotearoa, marking their most substantial run of live shows in several years. The trek begins in Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara on Friday, May 22 before taking in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday, May 23 and wrapping up in Christchurch/Ōtautahi on Saturday, June 6.
The ever-energetic indie-rock outfit Clap Clap Riot are thrilled to announce a three-date tour of Aotearoa, marking their most substantial run of live shows in several years.
The trek begins in Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara on Friday, May 22 before taking in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday, May 23 and wrapping up in Christchurch/Ōtautahi on Saturday, June 6.
The tour aligns with the release of the band’s latest single, “Like a Lover”, a raw yet catchy track that explores the emotional fallout of messed-up relationships and the powerful moment of realisation when someone sees they’ve been used.
Stephen Heard, frontman of Clap Clap Riot, says the band look forward to reconnecting with audiences and sharing both new songs and beloved classics from their ever-evolving catalogue.
“We feel more than ready to get back out on the road. We can't wait to finally share the material we started working on in 2019. These songs have been living in our heads for a long time and are some of the most dynamic we've ever produced. We're itching to play them live and loud and reconnect with everyone face-to-face.”
The band’s last full-scale tour of New Zealand was their 10 Year Anniversary Tour in 2019, which celebrated a decade of the band’s signature blend of infectious guitar hooks and sharp-edged rock.
Clap Clap Riot NZ tour dates:
Friday, May 22 - Meow, Wellington
Saturday, May 23 - Whammy Bar, Auckland
Saturday, June 6 - The Loons, Christchurch
Field Recordings, Hydrophones, Bass music and Collaboration: Matt Sephton Releases Debut Album VĀ
VĀ, releasing today, is the result of that time of sonic and cultural exploration. A place-based work merging field recordings, found sounds, hydrophone experiments, collaborations with the land and people, blended with bass heavy electronic production.
In the NZ winter of 2025, Coromandel based artist Matt Sephton and his wife - ceramic artist Caitlin Moloney - journeyed on their first explorative artist residency together, to the Tiapapata Art Centre in the hills above Apia, Samoa. Both arrived with their respective tools: microphones, field recorders, ceramic tools, and no idea of the outcome.
The purpose of this residency was simple: to step outside familiar surroundings, be immersed in a different culture, and see how being in a new environment might transform their work. Listening and creating: to the land, the water, the people, and to what exists in the space between.
VĀ, released 27 March 2026, is the result of that time of sonic and cultural exploration. A place-based work merging field recordings, found sounds, hydrophone experiments, collaborations with the land and people, blended with bass heavy electronic production.
The production aesthetic is open and exploratory: bass-heavy, playful, physical. Tracks shift between momentum and stillness, small sounds given room to breathe, low frequencies allowed to pulse and move. Underwater sounds captured with hydrophones, the textures of village life, forests and spoken word, sand and coral shifting, water drops, large wooden drum tones, woven together with bass-rich electronic production. Eleven tracks that work as both music and document: a sonic journal of place, time, and connection. Capturing the beauty, the warmth and the challenging rawness of the experience.
The album takes its name from the Samoan concept of relational space: the space between people, between land and ocean, between sound and silence, between movement and stillness. Sephton found this idea alive in the texture of daily life on the island: not as an idyllic retreat, but as something more demanding, a living space charged with energy and friction, and the real work of being present somewhere genuinely unfamiliar. VĀ reflects that. Music made in the spaces between, in the places where people and environment meet.
Sephton and Moloney worked side by side in Tiapapata’s studios and surrounding open spaces, Sephton with microphones, hydrophones and various sound machines; Moloney with clay. The place itself became a kind of shared collaborator. One track, Clay, came directly from that exchange: the sound of clay dissolving in water, captured beneath the surface at the moment of collapse. Form giving way. Structure becoming sound. This experience was such a surprise and thrill for Moloney. These sounds of the clay collapsing brings an insight into her medium she would not have otherwise experienced, now a visceral and treasured memory of their time together.
Perched in the lush hills above Apia, Tiapapata sits close to village life, away from the coastal resorts. It is a hub for artists, academics and cultural leaders from Samoa and abroad, with a strong focus on the restoration of traditional knowledge and skills. With a ceramic studio open to the tropical weather, a papermaking workshop making paper from native and pest plants, a dojo where locals and expats practise MMA, boxing and jiu-jitsu, a café and large communal gallery and performance space, it is a place which inevitably encouraged the sharing of ideas and inspiration. A perfect environment to explore new work.
Collaborations on the album include Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava who performs fagufagu (Samoan nose flute) on Horizon and contributes vocals on Turtle. Local rapper Badi, AKA Moonshine OSKK, lends vocals to Siva. Ben Percival adds percussion across multiple tracks, while Steven Percival plays foa (conch shell) on Horizon and Moana. Ghanaian papermaker Awal Muhammed, resident at Tiapapata’s papermaking workshop, contributes spoken word and the quiet, tactile sounds of handmade paper.
VĀ is released under Sephton’s own name, not his long-standing bass-music alias Matt Rapid. The first in what he intends as an ongoing practice of place-based music-making, work that goes somewhere, listens, and brings that place back in sound. An exciting shift for Sephton into something more personal and not bound by genre expectations.
This is an album designed to be heard as a whole.
VĀ is released 27 March 2026 on streaming platforms, or for download on Bandcamp.
Amelia Power Returns With New Single “Kingfisher” Delivering A Soulful Step Into A New Era
Amelia Power returns with her new single “Kingfisher”, an introspective and soulful track exploring heartbreak, healing, and personal reflection. Blending neo soul and indie influences, Kingfisher signals a fresh sonic direction for Amelia and the sound she is stepping into as an artist.
Amelia Power returns with her new single “Kingfisher”, an introspective and soulful track exploring heartbreak, healing, and personal reflection. Blending neo soul and indie influences, Kingfisher signals a fresh sonic direction for Amelia and the sound she is stepping into as an artist.
Written during a period of emotional upheaval following the end of a relationship, Kingfisher captures the process of moving through pain toward acceptance and growth. The song became both an outlet and a form of healing.
“This track feels like a sound I have been chasing for quite some time and the realm I want to be in moving forward as an artist,” says Amelia.
The title draws from personal symbolism. Amelia began noticing kingfishers repeatedly during and after the relationship, and the bird came to represent that chapter of her life.
“I wanted to tie it into the song metaphorically. It became a symbol of everything I was processing at the time.”
The single was co written and produced by Ethan Jupe, who also handled mixing, with mastering by Jamie Boyo. Reflecting on the creative process, Amelia describes the sessions as a turning point in her collaboration style.
“Working with Ethan was the first time I went into a project with nothing prepared. Starting from a blank slate felt freeing and pushed me creatively. Everything flowed naturally, and that’s when you know a project feels right and aligned.”
Kingfisher has received New Zealand On Air funding, marking an important milestone in Amelia Power’s growing career.
The accompanying visuals were shot and edited by Dylan Martin, drawing on a natural and earthy colour palette of white, green, and brown. Filmed in forested locations outside Auckland, the video functions as a visualiser rather than a narrative piece, focusing on emotion, movement, and connection with nature. Styling by Talia Rose.
“Kingfisher” will be available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
Pop queen PRINS releases her boldest body of work yet - HEAVEN OR HELL
New Zealand’s very own pop-dance queen PRINS has today dropped her biggest and boldest body of work yet - her five-track EP, HEAVEN OR HELL.
New Zealand’s very own pop-dance queen PRINS has today dropped her biggest and boldest body of work yet - her five-track EP, HEAVEN OR HELL.
HEAVEN OR HELL is a collection of dance floor bangers like ‘DESIGNER’, ‘COOL’ and the new electro-pop/EDM tune ‘TRUST FUND BABY’, alongside powerful slow-burning anthems, like ‘RUN’. Each song showcases PRINS’ signature blend of high-energy pop and introspective storytelling, delivering instant hooks and lasting impact.
“HEAVEN OR HELL captures exactly where I am as an artist right now – confident, ambitious, and ready to take everything to the next level,” says PRINS.
PRINS has made waves with previous hits such as ‘That’s the thing x’, ‘Something New’, ‘Savage’ and ‘Copy Cat Killer’; as well as stand-out collaborations with Kiwi dance duo Lee Mvtthews - ‘Don’t Say It’ and ‘Come Down’. Her 2025 single ‘RUN’ hit #1 on the NZ Official Singles Charts, cementing her as one of the country’s most exciting pop talents.
Fans will be able to see PRINS live at the Once in a Lifetime – Manuka Phuel sponsored Synthony at the opening of Christchurch Stadium on Saturday May 16 – a show set to deliver a unique, immersive pop experience.
Looking ahead, PRINS is already diving straight into a new project of fresh music, alongside an exciting announcement of both NZ and international touring.
“2026 is going to be an incredible year. HEAVEN OR HELL is just the start – there’s so much more music and live moments on the horizon,” says PRINS.
About PRINS:
PRINS seamlessly combines her multifaceted talents in acting, dancing, and modeling into craft a distinctive brand of electro-pop that has taken both the New Zealand and global music scenes by storm. In 2022, PRINS released her debut EP, LIFE IS BETTER NOW, a collaboration with big names like Marlon Gerbes (SIX60), Drax Project, and House Of Wolf (Carlie Hanson). This release garnered immense success, with tracks ranking on various NZ charts, extensive radio rotation across NZ, the UK, and Germany, and led to her affiliation with industry icons like New York-based AntiFragile Music, LA/Quebec-based House of Wolf, Grammy nominated Chris Gehringer, and Grammy winner Tom Norris.
But it was 2023 that truly marked her zenith. PRINS embarked on an expansive international tour, performing 20 shows in just 4 months across NZ, AUS, the Philippines, Spain, and the UK. Among these performances, her standout act at Primavera Sound in Barcelona left an indelible mark. Her collaborations with Caity Baser (UK) on the NZ leg of her tour and K-Pop icon, GIRIBOY, on an NZ/AUS support tour, added another feather to her cap. Making her presence even more prominent in the KPOP realm, PRINS secured a coveted slot at the inaugural KWAVE festival in Auckland, further cementing her versatility and appeal across music genres.
In 2024, PRINS continued to captivate audiences by packing out the James Hay Theatre in Christchurch and supporting Rudimental at the Town Hall. Her electrifying performance with Synthony in front of over 30,000 fans at the Auckland Domain showcased her dynamic stage presence. Her tour of Germany, highlighted by a standout performance at the Bremen Summer Fest, further solidified her international appeal.
With an endless supply of new music on the horizon and after a creative residency in LA for most of the year, 2026 looks incredibly bright for New Zealand's latest pop export.
One of Aotearoa’s most remarkable voices, Deva Mahal, takes fans on a journey to the future on her stunning new EP
Deva Mahal’s highly anticipated EP, FUTURE CLASSIC VOL II: FUTURE is out today! Today’s EP release comes on the back of the recent tour announcement, which will see the celebrated Pōneke-based artist, Deva Mahal, performing eight dates across Aotearoa.
Today’s EP release comes on the back of the recent tour announcement, which will see the celebrated Pōneke-based artist, Deva Mahal, performing eight dates across Aotearoa.
FUTURE CLASSIC VOL II: FUTURE is the latest body of work from one of Aotearoa’s most remarkable voices. It features the haunting new single ‘Slow Down’.
‘Slow Down’ is all about “centering yourself through community and locating yourself and who you are through connection. It's about slowing down and leaning into the connective tissues that hold us all together,” says Deva.
Deva adds: “For me, connection to the natural world and to the human spirit is what sustains me and in this artificial and capitalistic world full of pain and suffering, I want to remember what really matters and that is love and protecting our planet and all the life that exists upon it.”
Also on the EP is ‘Lifeline’ – a favourite song of the artist; one that tells the story of her personal experience with panic attacks. “My friends Rāwiri Waters and Callum Lee played a 3-part string arrangement for this one, with Bray Jeffrey co-producing with Rāwiri. Making this song with such good and kind friends was really special; really healing.”
The cast of LIFE OF THE PARTY also feature a star-studded lineup of Joel Jones (Borderline, Georgia Lines), Josh Naley (Wells*, Foley, Paige), Vivek Gabriel, Roberto Panovski, Frances Carter and Chris Gehringer (Dua Lipa, Harry Styles).