The Middle - NOPILOT
NOPILOT is a four piece alternative rock band hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand. They boast a charismatic, high energy and genuine performance, selling out their debut show at darkroom in February of 2026. NOPILOT’s debut release “The Middle” is a polished, hard hitting rock song out now.
NOPILOT is a four piece alternative rock band hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand. They boast a charismatic, high energy and genuine performance, selling out their debut show at darkroom in February of 2026. NOPILOT’s debut release “The Middle” is a polished, hard hitting rock song out now.
“The Middle” showcases the rockier side of NOPILOT, drawing inspiration from garage rock & pop punk of the 2000’s. The band creates a vast soundscape with explosive drums, rich guitar tones, chunky bass and silky vocals.
At 165BPM, the piece bristles with energy, starting with a hard hitting, rhythmic offbeat guitar riff. The band soon enters seemingly out of nowhere, demanding a sense of urgency to the listener, building to a cacophony of consonant tones, driving backbeat and a harmonically rich soundscape.
The Verse sparks a shift in energy, the band pulling back to relieve space for the lead vocal. The drums shift to a more sparse backbeat and the guitars make use of shorter, articulate sounds. The prechorus shifts the energy again, with bombastic yelling over repetitive bass drum hits and the familiar guitar riff from the intro. This section showcases a building sense of tension and urgency which crescendo’s into a satisfying and heavy climax in the chorus.
The chorus sports a satisfying half-time feel building the foundations for a wide-spread and consonant guitar soundscape. Long vocal notes are held over this section, contrasting with a satisfying vocal stim “caught in the middle” at the end of the phrase.
The bridge supports a unique “nosie-driven” idea, playing around with guitar amp feedback and textural layering.
The Final Chorus pushes the energy further, with full up-tempo drumming driving this section. The intense vocal of the Pre-Chorus is layered on top of the Chorus vocal, and again with the repetitive Chorus hook. The Outro features four hard hitting, pitch-descending hits which the band plays in unison, disrupting the listener and abruptly closing the chaotic final chorus of the piece.
NOPILOT’s full album is scheduled to be released in November of 2026, featuring the 4 singles and 4 additional unreleased tracks.
Inspired by the success of their debut sold-out headlining show at “darkroom” in February of 2026, NOPILOT are looking to join the festival circuit around New Zealand. A charismatic, entertaining live performance is a key driver for NOPILOT, with each band member having a decade or more of live experience. To NOPILOT, the stage is like a second home.
INDIE SOUL-FOLK SONGSTRESS LEE MARTIN REVEALS POIGNANT NEW SONG ‘I’D CHANGE IT ALL’
Ōtautahi-based artist LEE MARTIN unveils ‘I’D CHANGE IT ALL’, the third single from her upcoming fourth studio album, MARLENE set to drop on Friday 26 June. The soulful singer-songwriter and guitarist delivers a moving new tune with her latest single ‘I’d Change It All’, a heartfelt contemplation on the emotionally unpredictable rollercoaster ride that stems from a turbulent relationship.
Ōtautahi-based artist LEE MARTIN unveils ‘I’D CHANGE IT ALL’, the third single from her upcoming fourth studio album, MARLENE set to drop on Friday 26 June.
The soulful singer-songwriter and guitarist delivers a moving new tune with her latest single ‘I’d Change It All’, a heartfelt contemplation on the emotionally unpredictable rollercoaster ride that stems from a turbulent relationship.
‘I’d Change It All’ captures the emotional exhaustion of a volatile relationship – the constant fighting, the disconnection, and the painful realisation that sometimes you no longer recognise the person standing in front of you. The song reflects on the internal battle between love and logic; the desire to go back and rewrite the damage, while still holding onto something that refuses to let go.
“At its core, the song is about loving someone even when it no longer makes sense”, says Martin. “Sometimes your heart chooses differently to your head, and no matter how much hurt there’s been, you still can’t imagine changing the story.”
In a striking emotional twist, the song closes with the line: “If I could go back to September, I’d change nothing at all.” What begins as a song filled with regret, transforms into an acceptance that love is rarely rational – and that even painful chapters can still hold meaning, growth, and deep connection. Accompanied by a rollercoaster-relationship music video which visually depicts the push and pull nature of a passionate but tumultuous romance, is directed by Tricia Tawiri from Intuitive Flare.
‘I’d Change It All’ follows on from previous track ‘5 Year Plan’, a raw song of resilience despite life’s disappointments, and gorgeous first single ‘Feel’, an ode offering an empathic and judgement free lens through which to view intense vulnerability and self-destructive behaviours.
South-African born Martin is a masterful story-teller and singer, celebrated for her expert narrative style and her signature smooth vocals. By blending soulful intensity with her folk-inspired lyricism, Martin has established herself as one of New Zealand’s more captivating musical talents. ‘I’d Change It All’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.
PRINS Announces MESSY, YOUNG & ABLE International Tour
Following a breakout run of releases, international touring, and millions of streams across Spotify and social media, PRINS returns for her biggest headline shows to date. With multiple chart placements, national radio support, and over 8 million Spotify streams to date, this marks the beginning of PRINS’ boldest chapter yet.
Following a breakout run of releases, international touring, and millions of streams across Spotify and social media, PRINS returns for her biggest headline shows to date.
Now based between Los Angeles and New Zealand, the Auckland-born pop artist has spent the past two years building momentum across New Zealand, Australia, Europe, UK and the United States, developing a reputation for emotionally charged dance pop, razor-sharp visuals, and a live show that punches far above its weight. With influences spanning RAYE, Tate McRae, Doja Cat, and Don Toliver, PRINS blends vulnerability, confidence, chaos, and high-energy performance into a sound that feels both intimate and larger than life.
Fresh off performances across Germany, Australia, and the US, PRINS now brings her new era MESSY, YOUNG & ABLE to the stage for the very first time. Built around themes of ambition, imperfection, self-expression, and growing up in the social media era, the show combines full choreography, live performance, and the raw energy that has made PRINS one of New Zealand’s most exciting emerging pop artists.
With multiple chart placements, national radio support, and over 8 million Spotify streams to date, this marks the beginning of PRINS’ boldest chapter yet.
MESSY, YOUNG & ABLE WORLD TOUR Dates:
● Sept 3 - Santa Ana, US
● Sept 4 - Los Angeles, US
● Oct 15 - Frankfurt, DE
● Oct 18 - Hamburg, DE
● Oct 20 - Vienna, AT
● Oct 21 - London, UK
● Nov 7 - Christchurch, NZ
● Nov 20 - Melbourne, AUS
● Nov 26 - Wellington, NZ
● Nov 28 - Auckland, NZ
WORLD TOUR
PRINS Army Pre-sale: Thursday 28 May, 10am local time.
GA on sale: Friday 29 May, 10am local time.
CHRISTCHURCH ONLY
PRINS Army Pre-sale: Monday 1 June, 10am local time.
GA on sale: Wednesday 3 June, 10am local time.
From Breakdown to Breakout. Queer Energy. Femme Power: Enter the Chaos Era
“Down to Chaos” is a high-energy electronic collaboration between established producer MissB and rising Māori queer artist Ardon England—a track born from contrast, connection, and transformation. Created during a time of loss, change, and creative reawakening, the instrumental marked a powerful return to form for MissB.
“Down to Chaos” is a high-energy electronic collaboration between established producer MissB and rising Māori queer artist Ardon England—a track born from contrast, connection, and transformation.
Created during a time of loss, change, and creative reawakening, the instrumental marked a powerful return to form for MissB. Drawn to its energy, she brought in Ardon to write and deliver vocals—elevating the track into something bold, dynamic, and fully realised.
Taking inspiration from its origin, Ardon flipped the narrative—writing from the perspective of what comes after the darkness. “Down to Chaos” captures that liberating moment when you emerge from something heavy and step into freedom—where rules dissolve, inhibitions drop, and life becomes spontaneous, messy, and electric.
It’s about embracing the chaos: booking last-minute flights, losing yourself on the dancefloor, and stepping fully into your most unapologetic self.
To elevate the track further, the duo introduced a female vocal sample—adding balance, texture, and an extra layer of attitude that amplifies the song’s dynamic energy.
Blending MissB’s decades-deep underground production expertise with Ardon’s bold, theatrical queer pop presence, “Down to Chaos” is a celebration of release, resilience, and reckless joy—designed for late-night dancefloors and moments of pure, chaotic freedom.
CULTURAL CONTEXT
“Down to Chaos” celebrates the growing presence and power of female producers and queer artists within Aotearoa’s electronic music scene. The track represents a shift toward greater diversity, visibility, and inclusion in a space that has historically been male-dominated.
By combining their voices, the collaboration not only creates a high-energy club record, but also highlights the importance of uplifting underrepresented communities—championing creative freedom, identity, and the right to take up space on dancefloors and beyond.
MISSB X ARDON ENGLAND
A meeting of generations in Aotearoa’s electronic scene, Ardon England and MissB come together for a powerful new collaboration blending high-energy club pop with deep underground dance roots.
Ardon England is a rising Māori queer electronic artist known for theatrical live performances and bold club anthems. His EP I’M THAT BITCH debuted at #4 on the Official Aotearoa Charts alongside Lorde and Six60, reached #2 on the Independent Artist Charts, and his Real Talk (Tali Remix) hit #3 on the Hot Aotearoa Singles Chart.
He also received NZ On Air’s Waiata Takitahi grant to translate his track EGO into Te Reo Māori.
Joining him is MissB, a respected figure in the electronic scene with over 20 years behind the decks, performing everywhere from Burning Man and Splore to Synthony and Rhythm & Alps, and supporting icons like Carl Cox and Basement Jaxx.
Her releases span local and international labels including paperecordings and Sqeaky Wheels, including collaborations alongside MC Tali, Max Maxwell and Patsy Skeet.
Together they fuse festival-ready energy with underground club credibility, creating music built for late-night dancefloors.
Up-and-coming Samoan powerhouse MOZIE shimmers and shines on new single ‘Here We Go Again’
After emerging in 2022, Wairarapa-raised, Pōneke-based Samoan artist MOZIE has returned this New Zealand Music Month to stake her claim in Aotearoa’s R&B scene with a vibey new tune, ‘Here We Go Again’. Smooth and slow-burning R&B-pop, ‘Here We Go Again’ showcases the strength and beauty of MOZIE’s voice and her relatable and honest lyricism that hits the listener straight in the heart.
After emerging in 2022, Wairarapa-raised, Pōneke-based Samoan artist MOZIE has returned this New Zealand Music Month to stake her claim in Aotearoa’s R&B scene with a vibey new tune, ‘Here We Go Again’.
Smooth and slow-burning R&B-pop, ‘Here We Go Again’ showcases the strength and beauty of MOZIE’s voice and her relatable and honest lyricism that hits the listener straight in the heart.
“I wrote ‘Here We Go Again’ inspired by someone close to me, who was in a situation with someone they were far too good for. It was hard for them to walk away because of how intoxicating the love and infatuation was at the time. I wanted this song to say, ‘I see you, I hear you and I’m here for you while you figure it out’,” says MOZIE, who co-wrote the song with Wellington musician and performer Leonardo Coghini.
MOZIE has been making a name for herself on the live scene for several years now, providing backing vocals for some of Aotearoa’s most beloved acts such as Louis Baker and Bret Mckenzie. But she’s also been quietly working away at her own music and the NZ on Air funded ‘Here We Go Again’ follows her 2024 single ‘Sonshine’ and her 2022 debut ‘Not Done Loving’.
All three songs demonstrate a young artist with exceptional talent and lay down the foundations for an exciting journey ahead.
About MOZIE:
Moana Leota is a Wairarapa-raised artist of Samoan descent, known for her soulful approach to music and deep commitment to storytelling. Raised in a family of singers, she has been surrounded by music and performance from an early age, shaping a natural and enduring connection to the arts. After graduating with a Bachelor of Creativity in 2020, MOZIE established herself across the performing arts, providing backing vocals for leading artists in Aotearoa and performing at commercial and live events. She has toured Aotearoa and internationally with Bret McKenzie and remains a member of his band, touring Aotearoa, the United States, the UK, and Australia through 2025–2026. Under her solo project MOZIE, she has released Not Done Loving and Sonshine with support from NZ On Air, and continues to write with a deep sense of reflection, drawing from love, loss, and the people and experiences that have shaped her.
The Warratahs Release Quicksilver Days Following Country Music Honours Spotlight
Fresh from their induction into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa at the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards, iconic New Zealand alt-country band The Warratahs are set to release their evocative new single, “Quicksilver Days,” on 23 May. The release follows the band’s appearance as special guest performers at this year’s Country Music Honours on 22 May in Gore, where songwriter and frontman Barry Saunders is also a finalist for the prestigious MLT Songwriting Awards with Quicksilver Days.
Fresh from their induction into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa at the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards, iconic New Zealand alt-country band The Warratahs are set to release their evocative new single, “Quicksilver Days,” on 23 May.
The release follows the band’s appearance as special guest performers at this year’s Country Music Honours on 22 May in Gore, where songwriter and frontman Barry Saunders is also a finalist for the prestigious MLT Songwriting Awards with Quicksilver Days.
The recognition adds another milestone to an already remarkable year for The Warratahs, whose recent Hall of Fame induction celebrated a career that has helped shape the sound of country and roots music in Aotearoa.
“Quicksilver Days” captures the unmistakable spirit that has made The Warratahs one of New Zealand’s most enduring and beloved musical acts. Led by Saunders’ unmistakable voice and poetic songwriting, the band continues to blend country, folk, and rock influences with the authenticity and heart that have defined their legacy for decades.
The Country Music Honours is a highlight of the Tussock Country Music Festival, bringing together New Zealand’s emerging songwriting talent and finest country music recording artists for an unforgettable evening of celebration and performance.
Audiences will experience a feast of live performances from award finalists and special guests, culminating in the presentation of the MLT Songwriting Award, the APRA Best Country Song Award, and the Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music in Aotearoa.
This year’s event will also celebrate The Topp Twins, who will receive the 2026 Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music, recognising their extraordinary contribution to the past, present, and future of country music in New Zealand.
Adding to an already busy festival schedule, Barry Saunders will also perform an intimate house concert during the Tussock Country Music Festival, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience his songwriting up close.
With a Hall of Fame induction, award recognition, and powerful new music on the horizon, The Warratahs continue to prove why they remain one of the defining voices of New Zealand country music.
Claudia Robin Gunn’s new kindie track ‘Shake It Out (No Worries)’
Claudia Robin Gunn is celebrating NZ Music Month with a new song for tamariki, and the whole whanau – her latest single ‘Shake It Out (No Worries)’ This track is a joyful jam for kids and their grown-ups to sing, talk, and dance out anxiety. Less Worrier, more Joy Seeker is the intention. A musical antidote for anxiety, and a soundtrack to help bring joy, fulfilment, understanding, friendship, kindness, and positivity into our lives.
Claudia Robin Gunn is celebrating NZ Music Month with a new song for tamariki, and the whole whanau – her latest single ‘Shake It Out (No Worries)’
This track is a joyful jam for kids and their grown-ups to sing, talk, and dance out anxiety. Less Worrier, more Joy Seeker is the intention. A musical antidote for anxiety, and a soundtrack to help bring joy, fulfilment, understanding, friendship, kindness, and positivity into our lives.
By Claudia Robin Gunn with additional composition by Tom Fox, the song is the lead single from Claudia’s forthcoming kids and family music project Joyful Jams.
“as a parent, I’ve found sometimes our kids are more likely to open up and talk when we don’t try to have a deep and meaningful. Just sitting side by side on the school run, or doing the dishes together, or taking a nature walk can open up those little chats where we get to the heart of things. Sometimes a song can help too. ‘Shake It Out (No Worries)’ is about helping nudge the door open for those real talks, with no pressure. And if talking isn’t what’s needed, maybe movement will be the medicine”
About Claudia Robin Gunn
Claudia Robin Gunn is an independent children’s musician, prolific songwriter and video producer, and founder of Little Wild Music. Winner of the Aotearoa Music Award for Children’s Music in 2024 (Tūī Award) her music beams with joyful energy. Claudia has been creating songs that connect kids and families to each other, and with the natural world since 2006. A mum of two, and former creative producer in broadcast media, her catalogue includes over 185 unique songs (and growing) for Tamariki, both individual projects and joyful collaborations and co-writes with fellow artists in Aotearoa, Australia, UK, Canada and USA. Forthcoming in 2026 on her Little Wild Music label, more collaborations on the way, the Joyful Jams project and a yet to be announced album and video project for her ‘Sing Through’ series thanks to support from NZ On Air Tamariki.
Greta O'Leary and Neive Strang announce South Island tour
Join Greta O’Leary (Tāmaki Makaurau/AKL) and Neive Strang (Ōtepoti/DUN) for an evening of indie folk music as they perform their most recent releases, River Dark and Find Me in the Rabbit Hole. Greta will be accompanied by guitarist/vocalist Will McGillivray, and Neive, by guitarist/vocalist Kiera Wallace.
Join Greta O’Leary (Tāmaki Makaurau/AKL) and Neive Strang (Ōtepoti/DUN) for an evening of indie folk music as they perform their most recent releases, River Dark and Find Me in the Rabbit Hole. Greta will be accompanied by guitarist/vocalist Will McGillivray, and Neive, by guitarist/vocalist Kiera Wallace.
Christchurch 19th June @ Lyttelton Coffee Company
Dunedin 20th June @ Pearl Diver
Tickets and tour information from Under The Radar.
Neive Strang
Neive Strang is an indie folk musician based in Ōtepoti/Dunedin. She creates warm, thoughtful, and emotional music informed by themes of change, mental health, love, and whānau/family. Neive’s music is akin to artists like Julia Jacklin, lucinda Williams and Waxahatche. Like these artists, her songwriting is written through personal experience and observation.
Her music often feels introspective and intimate, with songs that spend time in complicated feelings. With a sensitivity to narrative and imagery, Neive’s lyrics outline a feeling of relatability. Blended with soaring vocals and an ethereal production, her lyrics continue to bind and warm the listener.
Her most recent release, Find Me in the Rabbit Hole, continues this world of vulnerable storytelling and textured indie folk. Though Neive hasn’t performed live recently, her work remains rooted in connection and the quiet power of being understood.
Greta O'Leary
Tāmaki Makaurau songsmith Greta O’Leary writes with a surrealist clarity of vision, the line between art and artist, self and image - is razor thin. Raised on rolling hills in northern New Zealand, and coming of age anywhere but here, O’Leary is a writer with her own lens and language. Her breakthrough debut album ‘River Dark’ was released in 2025, landing at #9 on the Aotearoa Album Charts and toured throughout NZ and Australia.
‘Serene with a sting in the tail’ - Tony Stamp. Greta’s arresting debut record was created alongside producer Jol Mulholland at LAB Studios, with Greta's hypnotic songwriting and unmistakable vocals accentuated through the skillful musicianship of instrumentalists Cass Basil (Tiny Ruins, The Veils), Alastair Deverick (Come Together Band), Callum Passells (Hans Pucket, Aldous Harding) and Anita Clark (Don McGlashan, Nadia Reid).
Greta’s voice is ‘imbued with earthy, smokey tones’, ‘reminiscent of a hāngī pit’ - Under The Radar (NZ). After establishing herself as a rising figure in Aotearoa’s folk and alternative communities, Greta received an APRA Artist Mentoring Programme Award, leading to collaborations with producer Tom Healy (Marlon Williams, Folk Bitch Trio). She has performed on several successful tours across Aotearoa, Te Waipounamu and Australia, while making appearances at Newtown Festival, Earthbeat, Performance Arcade, Wellington Gardens Magic Festival, and Te Papa’s Rongo Rehutai Summer Music Sessions alongside Vera Ellen.
Greta’s dreamlike album featured the singles, ‘Baby I’m a Singer’ and ‘Baptised at the Desktop Computer’ - both of which spent weeks in the SRN Top 10 (both peaking at #1), with the latter reaching #1 on RadioScope’s Alt Chart. The album received heavy support from RNZ, Rolling Stone AU/NZ, PBS Melbourne and the student radio network stations, and featured coverage in Coup De Main and airplay on RadioX UK (2.5mil weekly listeners). Greta toured River Dark through winter 2025 this winter, with 10 dates acrossin Aotearoa and Melbourne, joined by members of her stellar live band Jol Mulholland (Anika Moa, Neil Finn), Nava Tekela-Pule (Erny Belle, LEAO), Amy Borovich (Anna Coddington) and Alistair Deverick, and was invited to open for Australian folk and blues legend C.W. Stoneking on his NZ tour late in 2025.