CASTAWAY RETURN WITH THEIR MOST EMOTIONAL ANTHEM YET: “REASONS TO STAY”
Aotearoa’s rising pop-rock force Castaway continue their momentum with the release of their new single, “Reasons To Stay” - the latest glimpse into their upcoming body of work. Following their recent success opening for SIX60 and Synthony at the One New Zealand Stadium, and the growing traction of recent singles “Heart Attack” and “CUCKOO”, Castaway return with “Reasons To Stay”. This latest single continues a run of releases signalling the band’s rise.
Aotearoa’s rising pop-rock force Castaway continue their momentum with the release of their new single, “Reasons To Stay” - the latest glimpse into their upcoming body of work.
Castaway are five mates bound by music. Formed in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the band comprises Austen (bass), Jack (saxophone, keys), Jackson (vocals, keys, guitar), Joe (vocals, drums), and Rhys (guitar). The band blends pop-rock with alternative influences, and a boy-band flair. Their sound features driving guitars, punchy rhythms, sax-driven hooks and dual vocals - brought to life through high-energy performances built on anthemic choruses and emotional connection, leaving the crowds singing, dancing, and feeling it all.
Following their recent success opening for SIX60 and Synthony at the One New Zealand Stadium, and the growing traction of recent singles “Heart Attack” and “CUCKOO”, Castaway return with “Reasons To Stay”. This latest single continues a run of releases signalling the band’s rise.
“Reasons To Stay” is a powerful indie rock ballad from Christchurch five-piece Castaway, built around anthemic melodies, emotional intensity, and a chorus made for thousands of voices to sing together. Exploring the fragile space between struggle and hope, the track captures the weight of facing inner battles while searching for the moments, memories, and connections that keep us moving forward.
At its heart, “Reasons To Stay” is a deeply personal reflection on mental health and the ongoing fight between wanting to hold on and wanting to let go. Through moments of isolation, reflection, and redemption, the song follows a journey from darkness toward connection, where a single hand reaching out, a room full of laughter, or a moment of wonder can become a reason to stay. Both vulnerable and uplifting, the track transforms a personal struggle into a universal anthem of hope.
Castaway have evolved from university jam sessions to sharing stages with Mitch James and Drax Project, lighting up Selwyn Sounds, and earning spins across ZM, The Hits, More FM, Radio Hauraki, and RNZ. With “Reasons To Stay”, they continue that trajectory - capturing a band not just on the rise, but stepping confidently into what comes next.
And the five-piece’s rise is already being seen! On May 16, Castaway took the stage at the ‘Once In A Lifetime’ opening of One NZ Stadium in Ōtautahi, supporting Six60 and Synthony alongside Kaylee Bell and Cassie Henderson - a landmark moment that signals their arrival on a bigger platform.
The Response are back with single ‘Clear As Crystal’
Still riding high on their single “Where Do You Run To?” - which spent nine consecutive weeks as the #1 rock song on New Zealand radio charts and their follow up “Hollow Hour” which remains in the charts to this day - The Response announce their latest track “Clear As Crystal”.
Christchurch Indie Rock duo The Response release new single ‘Clear As Crystal’
Still riding high on their single “Where Do You Run To?” - which spent nine consecutive weeks as the #1 rock song on New Zealand radio charts and their follow up “Hollow Hour” which remains in the charts to this day - The Response announce their latest track “Clear As Crystal”. The release arrives on the heels of a successful Australian tour in February, playing packed out venues while supporting Transvision Vamp, expanding their reach across the Tasman.
On “Clear As Crystal”, sharp-edged guitars collide with restless momentum in a song that feels equally at home alongside the punchy urgency of The Datsuns, and the melodic drive of early Franz Ferdinand. Built around an energetic groove and a chorus that refuses to leave your head, “Clear As Crystal” captures the strange intersection of ambition, self-doubt, and reinvention. The song follows a narrator caught between chasing what's next and questioning the cost of the pursuit, culminating in the lyric: "Change 'til you don't recognise your face." Equal parts indie-rock immediacy and riff-driven catharsis, “Clear As Crystal” is a song for anyone still trying to figure out whether the finish line was ever really the point.
Clear As Crystal is available on all major streaming platforms on August 5th. Fans can follow The Response on social media for updates on upcoming releases.
Silk & Soul Tour - the Voices of Three Extraordinary Wāhine Māori
Three of Aotearoa's most exciting young wāhine Māori artists NAIA ((Ngāti Tūwharetoa) Jaedyn Randell (Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Makirangi.) and Makayla (Ngāti Kahungunu) are joining forces this August for Silk & Soul — an intimate six-city theatre tour celebrating storytelling, soul music and the power of wāhine voices.
"Aotearoa continues to produce world-class talent, and these stories and voices deserve to be heard."
Three of Aotearoa's most exciting young wāhine Māori artists NAIA ((Ngāti Tūwharetoa) Jaedyn Randell (Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Makirangi.) and Makayla (Ngāti Kahungunu) are joining forces this August for Silk & Soul — an intimate six-city theatre tour celebrating storytelling, soul music and the power of wāhine voices. More than a concert, Silk & Soul celebrates the strength, diversity and future of Māori music. It is also about creating another platform for wāhine Māori artists to share their voices while inspiring the next generation of young women to pursue careers in music.
Bringing together NAIA, Jaedyn Randell and Makayla, offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience three remarkable artists whose journeys have captivated audiences across Aotearoa and beyond.
Produced by Titan Entertainment Limited, Silk & Soul was created to provide a different kind of live music experience—one centred on connection, authenticity and the beauty of live performance. While many tours focus on large-scale production, Silk & Soul strips everything back, allowing audiences to simply sit, listen and connect with the music and stories of three extraordinary wāhine Māori artists.
Silk & Soul is more than a series of concerts. It is a celebration of Māori excellence, storytelling and the next generation of wāhine artists who are proudly representing Aotearoa on both national and international stages.
Together, NAIA, Jaedyn Randell and Makayla bring three unique musical journeys together in one unforgettable evening of soul, waiata and heartfelt storytelling.
NAIA- Nelson-born vocalist NAIA Awatea first captured the nation's attention through her unforgettable performances with Te Kuru Marutea at Te Matatini 2025. Her stunning vocals quickly became a viral sensation, reaching millions of viewers worldwide and introducing audiences to one of Aotearoa's most exciting emerging voices. Blending waiata Māori with contemporary soul-pop, NAIA continues to build a reputation as a gifted storyteller whose music is deeply connected to culture, identity and community.
Jaedyn Randell - Fresh from finishing as Runner-Up on The Voice Australia 2024, Jaedyn Randell has become one of the most recognised Māori voices internationally. Known as the singing voice of Moana in Disney's te reo Māori versions of Moana and Moana 2, and PrincessAnna in Frozen, Jaedyn seamlessly blends contemporary soul, R&B and pop with powerful storytelling in both te reo Māori and English. Her music explores identity, belonging and culture, earning her recognition on both sides of the Tasman.
Makayla Award-winning Hawke's Bay singer-songwriter Makayla has quickly become one of Aotearoa's brightest new stars. Signed to Massive Records, Six60's record label, she toured nationally with Six60 during their Grassroots Tour, performing 25 shows around New Zealand before winning Best Māori Female Solo Artist at the 2025 Waiata Māori Music Awards.Her soulful songwriting and authentic performances continue to connect with audiences across the country.
Go Live Festival 2026
Now firmly established as a cornerstone event on the Christchurch cultural calendar, Go Live Festival brings generations of fans together under one roof for a unique celebration of live music. Get your tickets now!
Opshop – Push Push – Pluto – There’s A Tuesday – Volts – The Boondocks - Into the Void – Caitlin – The Eastern - Velveteen – Lunar Intruder – Saint Peter’s Thursday – Kenring
Now firmly established as a cornerstone event on the Christchurch cultural calendar, Go Live Festival brings generations of fans together under one roof for a unique celebration of live music.
This year’s lineup blends chart-topping acts that helped define the sound of the 90s and 2000s with cult favourites from the alt-rock underground, alongside exciting new voices shaping the future of the local scene.
Opshop will headline the festival armed with a catalogue that defined a generation of Kiwi pop-rock, with multiple platinum albums and massive national hits like Maybe and One Day.
They’re joined by Push Push, one of the defining breakout bands of the early 90s, whose era-shaping chart-topping smash Trippin’ helped cement their place in New Zealand music history.
Also on the bill is Pluto, the alt-rock legends behind enduring Kiwi classics like Long White Cross and Dance Stamina.
Joining them will be noise art outfit Into the Void, There’s A Tuesday, The Boondocks, Caitlin and more.
Expect nostalgia, sing along anthems, some heavy guitars, and fresh discoveries across four stages, showcasing both local and national artists.
Tickets are almost sold out!
Ōtautahi’s Bryony Matthews releases powerful new concept album, BRAIN STORM, ahead of NZ tour
Ōtautahi-based singer-songwriter Bryony Matthews has today released her new album, BRAIN STORM – a deeply personal and powerful concept album that lays bare the challenges she faced after a life-changing accident. The record includes the lead single ‘Storm’. To mark the release of BRAIN STORM Bryony is embarking on a five-date New Zealand tour, giving audiences the chance to immerse themselves in her world.
Ōtautahi-based singer-songwriter Bryony Matthews has today released her new album, BRAIN STORM – a deeply personal and powerful concept album that lays bare the challenges she faced after a life-changing accident. The record includes the lead single ‘Storm’.
Raw and honest, with dark undertones, ‘Storm’ comes from a place of vulnerability and quiet fear. “It follows the story of my head injury and the recovery afterwards. I cannot remember the accident, but this song came from strange, warped visions, fears and ideas that I had when I was released from hospital two weeks later,” says Bryony.
“It was a very intense, hard time and this song holds a lot of the trauma that I felt in the very early days of recovery.”
‘Storm’ serves as the first chapter in a story made up of six chapters/songs - each which reflect where Bryony was at the time in her recovery journey. It sits on BRAIN STORM alongside the already-released single ‘Recovery’ (released on July 3), as well as new tracks ‘Tinnitus Train’, ‘Drunk Symptom’, ‘Trauma Waves’ and ‘A Letter To My Brain’.
“I am very much a lyrically focused songwriter. Words are very important to me and I often write things as poetry first and then turn them into music, as I did with most of these tracks on this album. I was unable to make music for six months after the accident, but I could write things,” explains Bryony.
BRAIN STORM also marks a significant evolution in Bryony’s songwriting. “This song, along with the album, was an interesting time in terms of writing. I couldn’t sing as well for a long time after my accident and I decided to use those flaws in my singing style, instead of trying to perfect them.
“It was liberating and fun to use my voice in different ways. I feel this song and album reflects me feeling comfortable in trying new ideas that I enjoy, without inhibitions,” she says.
The strong emotion that ‘Storm’ evokes is depicted in a beautifully shot video directed by Maria Webb, with cinematography and editing by Harry Knight. The video conveys the dark shadowy ideas that go along with the song’s lyrics.
“Capturing the contrasts between light and shadow, sharp edges and blurry figures, this video is made to bring the watcher and listener into the gloomy depths of images that my mind created after my accident and how I pictured it all. It is made to feel sinister and unearthly, uncomfortable but artistically beautiful.”
To mark the release of BRAIN STORM - co-produced with Steven Marr (Doprah, The Veils, Yumi Zouma) - Bryony is embarking on a five-date New Zealand tour, giving audiences the chance to immerse themselves in her world. The multi-sensory theatre show will combine live music along with storytelling, soundscape and visual art.
Christchurch - August 13 & 14 - Little Andromeda Theatre
Wellington - September 2 - BATS Theatre
Whanganui - September 3 - Repertory Theatre
Auckland - October 14 - Tītirangi Theatre Lopdell Precinct
Hamilton - October 15 - The Meteor
“The purpose of this whole project is to help people understand others that may have gone through head injury experiences and the symptoms people can live with afterwards, and to hopefully help those people feel a bit more understood and less alone, hearing me talk about my own experience. I hope to make more people aware of Laura Ferguson Brain Injury Trust and what they do for people like me and the amazing support they have available.”
Anderson Rocio Releases Our Kind on World Ranger Day in Support of Global Rhino Protection
Singer-songwriter and environmental storyteller Anderson Rocio releases “Our Kind” on World Ranger Day, a powerful new single created in partnership with conservation organization Saving The Wild and The Power In Us Project.
Following the success of Power In Us, Anderson Rocio partners with Saving The Wild for Our Kind, donating 100% of streaming revenue to support rhino protection efforts and frontline conservation.
Singer-songwriter and environmental storyteller Anderson Rocio releases “Our Kind” on World Ranger Day, a powerful new single created in partnership with conservation organization Saving The Wild and The Power In Us Project.
The release follows Rocio’s acclaimed 2023 single “Power In Us,” which reached more than one million views within its first month, became a finalist for the Environmental Music Award, and donates 100% of its streaming revenue to ocean conservation efforts. With Our Kind, Rocio continues her mission of using music as a platform for environmental storytelling and global impact.
Inspired by her recent expedition to South Africa’s Greater Kruger region with Saving The Wild founder Jamie Joseph, Rocio spent time alongside wildlife rangers, anti-poaching teams, veterinarians and conservation leaders working on the front lines of the rhino protection crisis.
Our Kind launches alongside Saving The Wild’s campaign to build global support for meaningful legislative change and stronger protections for rhinos.
“Changing legislation and establishing specialised wildlife courts ultimately comes down to the power of people,” says Jamie Joseph, founder of Saving The Wild. “The greatest superpower on Earth is public opinion.”
Released through The Power In Us Project, Rocio’s global nonprofit initiative connecting artists with environmental causes, Our Kind combines music and storytelling to bring audiences closer to one of the planet’s most urgent conservation challenges.
“This song is a tribute to the people who stand between these animals and extinction,” says Rocio. “Spending time with the rangers on the ground changed the way I saw conservation. I wanted to create something that connected people everywhere to what is happening in Greater Kruger—the understanding that, together, we all have a role in the future of these animals.”
Through Our Kind, Rocio and Saving The Wild unite music and conservation to amplify the voices of frontline conservationists and bring the fight to protect rhinos to a global audience.
About Anderson Rocio
Anderson Rocio is an internationally recognized singer-songwriter whose cinematic pop blends emotive storytelling with global perspective. Her music has been featured across film, television, and global campaigns, including her breakout single “Paradise,” which gained international attention following its placement in Netflix’s Lucifer. Her 2023 single “Power In Us” reached over one million views in its first month, donating 100% of its streaming revenue to ocean conservation. Rocio is also the founder of The Power In Us Project, a global non profit connecting popular music with environmental action.
About Jamie Joseph
Jamie Joseph is at the helm of the groundbreaking charity Saving the Wild. Since 2016, the non profit has led the crusade against corruption enabling rhino poaching in South Africa, pursuing high level targets and fighting organised crime. But with so few poachers and traffickers going to prison, Saving the Wild is now on a mission to ignite generational decision making, and is laser focused on advocating for specialised courts and meaningful legislation.
Morgan La Fae releases debut single Cigarettes and Coffeefrom upcoming dream-pop EP Full Immersion
Ōtautahi/New Zealand artist Morgan La Fae introduces her ethereal debut single Cigarettes and Coffee along with its accompanying visualiser, marking the first release from the upcoming dream-pop EP Full Immersion. The track sets the tone for a concept EP of 5 songs with each one relating to each of the 5 senses. The project is rooted in emotional immersion, nostalgia, and the blurred line between reality and fantasy.
Ōtautahi/New Zealand artist Morgan La Fae introduces her ethereal debut single Cigarettes and Coffee along with its accompanying visualiser, marking the first release from the upcoming dream-pop EP Full Immersion.
The track sets the tone for a concept EP of 5 songs with each one relating to each of the 5 senses. The project is rooted in emotional immersion, nostalgia, and the blurred line between reality and fantasy.
Cigarettes and Coffee is a soft yet gritty offering that captures a specific kind of romanticism. It holds a sense of nostalgia for something that may have only existed behind rose tinted glasses.
It’s a love song for those who don’t believe in love.
This dream-pop anthem was written and performed by Morgan La Fae and recorded by Ryan Fisherman who also holds down the bass. Multi-instrumentalist Sam White adds the drums as well as the grit on guitar, while Frankie Daly brings her talent to the keyboard. Alice and Jonathan Tanner recorded the strings that bring the track to that dream-like state.
The accompanying music video was recorded by Morgan La Fae in her grandparents garden on a perfect summer's day, which encapsulates the beauty of the song, while the low quality of the Photobooth captured footage creates that hazy, daydreaming atmosphere that the song places you in. The overlay of flowers meshed with the slow motion and distorted footage leaves you mesmerized and hypnotised.
Although this is Morgan La Fae’s first official release, she has already had years of experience in the music industry. Growing up surrounded by creatives led her straight to receiving her Bachelor of Music from Ara Music Arts. She has performed over her years of experience with local talent such as Marlon Williams, Dictaphone Blues, and Adam Hattaway and The Haunters, and has shared the bill with Ben Woods, Mousey, Mim Jensen, 1 Drop Nation, Loveta, This Dog, and Josette
She has been the opening acts for local and touring artists such as Jason Parker and Ravines, as well as playing headline shows at Space Academy, Darkroom, and Wunderbar. She has also toured as a vocalist in a 12 piece band
As well as her performance experience, she also works hard behind the scenes of the music industry, helping artists and venues with marketing, promotion, event planning, music videos, and content creation. All of this learning sits in her back pocket as she makes her mark with this first-ever release.
Don’t miss the opportunity to catch this upcoming artist for her first-ever release, and keep an eye out for her upcoming EP and bright career ahead.
Imperial April are back with single ‘Wake Me From My Sleep’
The best indie-pop songs can make devastation sound deceptively carefree. On their first new original music release in over a year, Imperial April pull off that balancing act with "Wake Me From My Sleep," a bright guitar-pop song that carries the weight of chronic illness beneath its sun-bleached hooks.
The best indie-pop songs can make devastation sound deceptively carefree. On their first new original music release in over a year, Imperial April pull off that balancing act with "Wake Me From My Sleep," a bright guitar-pop song that carries the weight of chronic illness beneath its sun-bleached hooks.
Built around strummed bass chords and shimmering, atmospheric guitars, "Wake Me From My Sleep" occupies a sweet spot between the emotional directness of Soccer Mommy, the melodic rush of Alvvays, and the fuzzy catharsis of Bully. Beneath its buoyant exterior, though, the song grapples with the realities of living with the common but little understood condition, endometriosis. The cycles of pain, uncertainty, and the constant search for relief.
"Needles wake me from my sleep / Peace is fleeting like a dream," the band sings, distilling that experience into one of the song's most striking moments. Rather than surrender to despair, however, "Wake Me From My Sleep" pushes forward with quiet determination.
It's a welcome return from Imperial April, a band that understands how some of the most affecting guitar-pop songs are the ones that carry heavy truths beneath their brightest melodies.
Catch Imperial April playing with No Pilot at Space Academy on the 31st of July.
Wake Me From My Sleep is available on all major streaming platforms on July 29th. Fans can follow Imperial April on social media for updates on upcoming releases.