SOUTH AUCKLAND SINGER-SONGWRITER LUANA GORDON SHARES HER MOST VULNERABLE SINGLE YET ‘WAITING FOR YOU’

South Auckland singer-songwriter Luana Gordon releases her heartfelt new single, ‘Waiting For You’, accompanied by an official music video. 

Created alongside her brothers Peter and Oliver Leupolu and supported by NZ On Air New Music Pasifika funding, ‘Waiting For You’ explores loss, longing, and the people who continue shaping us long after they're gone. 

The track marks Luana's most emotionally candid songwriting to date. "I wanted to lean into melancholy with this track," says Luana. "It's about missing somebody, knowing that your paths will never cross again, and accepting that you may miss them forever. I wanted to capture pensiveness and regret, but also an edge of frustration." 

"I started thinking about how much of who we are is shaped by people who may no longer be in our lives," says Luana. "Even when relationships end, parts of those people stay with us. 'Waiting For You' grew from that idea and the feeling of carrying someone with you long after they've gone." 

The stunning music video directed by Christian Tjandrawinata was filmed entirely at Auckland Muriwai Beach. 

Raised in a close-knit Pacific-European family in South Auckland, Luana writes and creates music alongside her brothers and fellow musicians Peter and Oliver Leupolu. Her songs centre on themes of love, relationships, home, and work, delivered through an evocative yet grounded sound that moves between indie pop, alternative rock, and folk.

Drawing on her background in classical music and creative writing, Luana combines thoughtful lyricism with understated vocals to create music that finds meaning in both life's everyday moments and its emotional turning points. 

'Waiting For You' follows the release of 'Got Me Good' (2025), 'Working The Weekend' (2024), and her debut single 'Drunk In The Living Room' (2023), continuing to showcase her growth as one of Aotearoa's emerging songwriting voices. 

'Waiting For You' was made possible with support from NZ On Air New Music Pasifika funding. 

Luana Gordon's new single and music video, ‘Waiting For You’, are available now on all major streaming platforms. 

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ABOUT LUANA GORDON 

Luana Gordon is a singer-songwriter and creative artist from Auckland, New Zealand. Combining her lifelong passions for music and writing, she crafts songs that explore connection, identity, relationships, and the places we call home. 

With a background in classical music and creative writing, Luana's work blends thoughtful lyricism with melodic storytelling. Her music moves between indie pop, alternative rock, and folk, creating a sound that is both intimate and reflective. 

Working primarily from home studios with her brothers Peter and Oliver Leupolu, Luana creates music that is deeply human, inviting listeners to find themselves in the stories she tells. 

Waiting For You Credits: Luana Gordon (Vocals, Songwriter). Peter Leupolu (producer/piano), Dixon Nacey (guitar), Marika Hodgson (bass), Stephen Thomas (drums), and Tom Broome (engineering).

INTRODUCING ‘TWO DOLLAR TRIO’AND THEIR DEBUT SINGLE ‘ISN’T IT UNFAIR’

Born from a shared love of country music, soul, and three-part harmony, The Two Dollar Trio brings together three New Zealand songwriters now based in Melbourne and Christchurch.  Adam Hattaway (Adam Hattaway & The Haunters), Nick Armstrong (Sin City/The Cavemen), and Dillon Feeney (Smokestack Slim)

The band's debut single ‘Isn’t It Unfair’ is out today. A tongue-in-cheek meditation on the burden of carrying other people's problems. "Isn't it unfair I'm stuck here singing everybody's tunes?" 

With Exile on Main Street inspired guitars, swooping fiddle lines and rich turnabout vocals. A classic country-soul track serving us a solid taster of what’s to come. 

The origins of The Two Dollar Trio trace back to a chance connection in Melbourne in 2024. Having previously been introduced through producer Delaney Davidson, Hattaway and Armstrong eventually crossed paths with Feeney. What began as evenings spent singing old country songs together soon evolved into a songwriting collaboration and, ultimately, a band. Something of a fantasy project for all three musicians. 

To celebrate the release of their debut single, The Two Dollar Trio will perform a special one-night-only show at Melbourne's Merri Creek Tavern on June 19.

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Two Dollar Trio

One lonely evening in Melbourne in 2024, Dillon Adam and Nick found each other and the Two Dollar Trio was born. All from different parts of NZ, Adam Hattaway (Adam Hattaway and the Haunters) and Nick Armstrong from Sin City had been previously introduced by Delaney Davidson who produced both of their records a few years back. Nick then had the stroke of genius to introduce Adam and Dillon Feeney (Smokestack Slim) They immediately started singing three part harmony versions of old country songs, and eventually started writing together. Something of a fantasy band for each of them, with a shared love of country music and soul, the Two Dollar Trio delves deep into both genres while their respective bands outside of the trio walk other musical paths.

TESS LIAUTAUD UNVEILS NEW SINGLE 'JOLIE LOUISE'+ ANNOUNCES RELEASE SHOW

“Ma jolie, how do you do?”  Franco-American, now Aotearoa's folk-country sweetheart Tess Liautaud has released a new song, for the first time she showcases her two mother tongues in a bilingual ballad. For this feat Tess Liautaud chose to sing ‘Jolie Louise’ written by French-Canadian singer and producer Daniel Lanois. Lanois' version was released in the year of Liautaud’s birth, it crept into her subconscious and has followed her around ever since. Tess Liautaud’s own interpretation of  ‘Jolie Louise’ marks a significant personal and artistic milestone.

“I was born in Paris. I’ve sung in English on every record I’ve ever made, until this one. Jolie Louise felt like the right song to finally cross that line.”

Tess Liautaud

Written and originally recorded by Daniel Lanois in 1989, Jolie Louise draws on the Acadian and Québécois roots of its characters. It has since been recorded by Francis Cabrel, Maxime Le Forestier, Alain Souchon, and Isabelle Boulay, becoming a touchstone of francophone popular music.

Liautaud’s version is saturated in unbridled rawness and honesty, she leans into the song’s lyrical heartbreak while her band roll out a country romp featuring; Acadian-influenced fiddle, pedal steel, banjo, double bass and shimmering acoustic guitars. It is a song that moves along and carries your heart with it.

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To celebrate the release of ‘Jolie Louise’, Liautaud has announced a special hometown show at Lyttelton Coffee Company, on June 27th. Tess will be accompanied by her band, an ever evolving alt-country ensemble featuring pedal steel, banjo, double bass, shadowy guitars and soaring harmonies. Don’t miss this last ditch show before Liautaud sails away to tour her songs throughout Europe (a follow up to her successful 2025 ‘Sleepless in Europe Tour’.)

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RISING COUNTRY TALENT, KEITH PEREIRA, RELEASES “DRINKIN’ BUDDIES” AND ANNOUNCES SHOW AT JOLENE BAR WITH ROSIE TEESE AND THE WESTERN GUIDE

Keith Pereira’s star continues to burn bright, with the Country Music rising star showing once again that he certainly is one to watch.

His new single, “Drinkin’ Buddies”, is a high-energy, honky-tonk anthem with influences rooted deep in 90’s country.

“I grew up listening to the best of 90s country music”, says Pereira. “I loved the high energy, the incredible guitarists, the fun associated with listening to these honky tonk songs and of course the incredible voices of my country music heroes”.

For the release, Pereira boarded a flight to Queensland to work with one of Australia’s hottest country producers, Jared Adlam. The track also features steel legend, Travis Toy best known for his work with US heavyweights Alan Jacksonand Luke Combs.

“I waited a while to find the right producer to bring this song to life, and boy did Jared Adlam do just that! Honestly, I had the best time cutting this record and having Travis Toy, one of my favourite musicians growing up, play on the track - was truly the cherry on top! 

Keith Pereira is a country singer, songwriter and guitarist making a mark on the NZ country music scene. His rich country voice, high energy performances and guitar style, blend a uniquely 90's country sound with a modern twist. His love for country music started very young as he listened to a country music radio show hosted by his uncle in the Middle East.

After performing at the 2023 Top Paddock Festival and being nominated for 2 songs at the MLT Songwriting Awards, Keith travelled to Canada to open for country music star, Caroline Jones, and headlined the Viva Goa Festival in Toronto. After the successful release of his debut single "Yeehaw" in 2024, 2026 has seen the release of “Goosebumps” which reached #6 on ABC Country's Most Played and has seen 10 Weeks on the Country Radio Chart peaking at No.7 and featured on the Hot 40 and Hot NZ 20 (#6) on the Official NZ Music Charts. 

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See Keith Play

June 25th 

Jolene Bar  - 164 Ponsonby Rd 

With Rosie Teese and The Western Guide 

Tickets: www.undertheradar.co.nz 

Tāmaki Makaurau’s poetic songsmith, Greta O’Leary, releases rollicking new single - ‘Year of the Dog’

2026 sees wordsmith & talented singer Greta O'Leary take a new turn - absurd, lively, galloping, perfect to ring in the Year of the Horse! With this new energy comes the rollicking and captivating new single ‘Year of the Dog’, due for release on June 12th.

O’Leary, known for her eclectic writing and arrangements, presents her latest release,  following in the well paved footsteps of her breakthrough debut album ‘River Dark’. Released to great acclaim in 2025, a Top 10 Aotearoa Album Chart & numerous #1 SRN & alt radio airplay charts, the album clearly established O’Leary as a rising figure in Aotearoa’s varied musical landscape. 

Greta’s voice is ‘imbued with earthy, smokey tones’, ‘reminiscent of a hāngī pit’ - Under The Radar (NZ). 

‘Year of the Dog’ takes a dramatically different path, filled instantly with enticing and hypnotic guitar riffs, an unfaltering rhythm section and real momentum, this track lets loose, beautifully tied together by O’Leary’s unmistakable vocals. 

‘Serene with a sting in the tail’ - Tony Stamp

Undeniably infectious and impeccably pieced together, ‘Year of the Dog’ is a journey into an absurdist childhood dream. Created with long time collaborator, Jol Mulholland at the famed Lab Studios, who co-produced the track with O’Leary, alongside acclaimed Emily Wheatcroft-Snape on mastering duties. 

While River Dark took the listener on a tender and reflective path, ‘Year of the Dog’ does the opposite, galloping out the gate, not looking back.

‘Year of the Dog’ is animal spirit, it’s racing forwards and upwards, fast and free. It's renewal’

The single is released alongside a hazy and vigorous music video made with frequent collaborator Adam Rohe, set in gold rush country in Victoria, Australia. Produced and Shot by Adam Rohe & Co-directed by Rohe & O’Leary and brought to life thanks to New Zealand on Air.

After the success of her debut 2025 album, Greta toured River Dark through winter 2025, With 10 dates across Aotearoa and Melbourne. Joined on the tour by members of her stellar live band Jol Mulholland (Anika Moa, Neil Finn), Nava Tekela-Pule (Erny Belle, LEAO), Amy Borovich (HINA, Anna Coddington) and Alistair Deverick (Come Together Band, Carnivorous Plant Society). 

O’Leary also received in 2025 an APRA Artist Mentoring Programme Award, leading to collaborations with producer Tom Healy (Marlon Williams, Folk Bitch Trio). She has recently 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 Elle. Late in 2025 she was also  invited to open for Australian folk and blues legend C.W. Stoneking on his 2025 NZ tour.

This June O’Leary has joined with fellow indie artist Neive Strang for a run of southern shows showcasing both their work in true intimate style. O’Leary will be joined on stage by instrumentalist Will McGillivray (Goodwill, Mousey).

Greta O’Leary’s latest single release & video, ‘Year of the Dog’, is due for release via all digital outlets on June 12th 2026, thanks to NZ on Air Music. 

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Greta O’Leary - Winter Tour Dates:

• Wellington - 13 June 2026 - Vogelmorn Bowling Club with Michaela Tempers

• Christchurch - 19 June 2026 - Lyttelton Coffee Co. with Neive Strang

• Dunedin -  20 June -  Pearl Diver with Neive Strang

• Auckland - Date/Venue- to be announced

More info & tickets - HERE 

New Samoan Language Music Videos Launched During Samoa Language Week 2026

Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata (MMAA) proudly launched four new bilingual Samoan  children's music videos during Samoa Language Week 2026, continuing its commitment to  preserving, promoting, and celebrating gagana Samoa for future generations. 

The music videos formed Part Two of a collaborative project between Malamalama Moni  Aoga Amata and award-winning children's music duo The KaRs, led by Kane Parsons and  Regan Taylor. The project was proudly supported through the Creative Communities  Scheme, administered by Palmerston North City Council, over both 2025 and 2026. 

Building on the success of the 2025 project, the partnership previously released 10 original  bilingual Samoan songs and two music videos. One of those videos, I'a Mase'ese'e  (Slippery Fish), attracted more than 100k views on YouTube, highlighting the demand for  engaging and accessible Samoan language resources for children, families, educators,  and communities across Aotearoa and beyond. 

The launch took place on Thursday 4 June 2026 and brought together children, families,  educators, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate the richness of Samoan  language and culture. 

This year's Samoa Language Week theme, "‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu‘u" –  "From the high mountains are the blessings of the village," acknowledged the collective  contributions of families, communities, leaders, and educators who nurture and strengthen  future generations. The theme reflected the spirit of this project, which was made possible  through collaboration, partnership, and a shared commitment to language revitalisation. 

Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata Centre Manager, Tiana Fauolo, said the project continued  to respond to the growing need for quality Samoan language resources. 

"We were delighted to share these new resources with our families and community during  Samoa Language Week. We hope these resources encourage families, educators, and  communities to use gagana Samoa every day." 

The videos featured the voices and talents of Malamalama Moni tamaiti alongside The  KaRs, whose work is widely recognised for creating educational music and resources that  inspire children to learn through song and play. 

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Kane Parsons of The KaRs said the collaboration demonstrated the power of community  partnerships in supporting language learning.

‘Music has an incredible way of bringing  language, culture, and community together. Seeing tamaiti singing confidently in gagana  Samoa through these songs and videos has been incredibly rewarding for all of us  involved. This project has always been about creating resources that families can use  together at home, in centres, and out in the community. We’re also incredibly proud of the  visual storytelling in these videos, captured beautifully by videographer Trent Skeet, a  recent UCOL graduate, whose creativity and passion helped bring the songs to life for  tamariki and audiences everywhere.’

At the heart of the partnership between Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata and The KaRs is a  shared belief in the power of music to inspire learning. Both organisations are passionate  about supporting young children during their formative years, when language, culture,  identity, and confidence are developing rapidly. Through songs, movement, and  storytelling, they have worked together to create resources created for use both in the  classroom and at home, the resources support learners of all ages to hear, speak, and  enjoy gagana Samoa in meaningful and engaging ways. 

The project reflected a simple but powerful belief: language thrives when it is spoken,  sung, shared, and celebrated together. 

Acknowledgement 

Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata, The KaRs and Hokozoo Productions gratefully  acknowledges the support of the Creative Communities Scheme, administered by  Palmerston North City Council. Funding received over the past two years made it possible  to develop and produce bilingual Samoan language songs and music videos that promote  gagana Samoa and celebrate Pacific culture through music, learning, and community  connection. 

D.Matthews Unveils “Tomato” — A Bold Afropiano Statement Positioned for Global Impact

Australian-based Nigerian recording artist D.Matthews is set to further cement his rising international presence with the release of his highly anticipated new single, “Tomato,” arriving worldwide on June 12, 2026. 

A polished fusion of Afropiano’s rhythmic bounce, Afro-fusion’s melodic sophistication, and mainstream commercial appeal, “Tomato” is a strategically crafted record designed to resonate across streaming platforms, radio, nightlife, editorial playlists, and global digital audiences. 

Driven by infectious percussion, emotionally engaging songwriting, vibrant melodic performance, and dance-centric production, “Tomato” captures the essence of modern African music’s evolving global influence while reinforcing D.Matthews’ distinct creative identity. 

The single reflects themes of attraction, movement, celebration, and confidence — delivering both immediate listener appeal and long-term commercial versatility. 

“Tomato is about energy, rhythm, and connection. It’s a record built to make people feel good, move, and experience my sound on a global level.” 

As African music genres continue dominating international charts and cultural conversations, D.Matthews strategically positions himself at the forefront of this movement through disciplined artistry, brand consistency, and globally relevant releases. 

“Tomato” serves as a significant next chapter in his growing catalog, demonstrating both artistic evolution and commercial readiness. 

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About D.Matthews

D.Matthews is a Nigerian-born, Australian-based recording artist whose sound blends Afropiano, Afrobeats, and contemporary Afro-fusion into commercially strategic, culturally resonant music. Through consistent artistic growth, strategic branding, and international market positioning, D.Matthews continues building momentum as a formidable emerging voice in global African music.

JUNE MEMBERS ONLY ONLINE SESSION: INTEGRATING AI INTO CREATIVE BUSINESSES

Join MMF Aotearoa for our June members only online seminar, focused on Integrating AI into our creative businesses.

If you think integrating AI into your creative business means handing over your work to a machine, Emily Makere Broadmore wants to challenge that assumption.

In this session, Emily will unpack what it actually means to integrate AI into a creative business, addressing the most common misunderstanding head-on: that AI adoption is a technology problem. It isn't. It's a thinking problem. She'll explore how to reframe AI as a creative thought partner, why resistance in creative industries is so common (and so understandable), and how your human skills of judgement, voice and influence remain the irreplaceable foundation of everything you do.

Make it stand out

Emily Makere Broadmore is a novelist, publisher and creative intelligence practitioner based in Wellington. She builds creative businesses and ventures - and helps other creative people use AI without losing what makes their work theirs.
She is the founder behind Folly, the fastest-selling new literary journal in Australasia, and Folly Press; she also built the Wellington Writers' Studio, New Zealand's first co-working space for writers. Prior to this she was a political advisor to government ministers, an experience that led her to founding a nationwide strategic communications consultancy which she led for six years.
Emily now helps organisations move their people from AI-hesitant to AI-fluent, redesigning how the work gets done along the way. She sits on the Creative Industries Working Group advising the NZ AI Forum and wrote AI for Communicators. Her angle is practical and creative-first: she runs a publishing house that bans AI-generated writing, while advising leaders on how to use AI well. As she puts it - machines are fluent, fast and powerful, but not yet wise, and that gap is where she works.

MMF AOTEAROA  MEMBERS ONLY ONLINE SESSION
INTEGRATING AI INTO CREATIVE BUSINESSES

Date: Tuesday 23 June 2026

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