Making Tracks with The MOST FM: Artist Interviews

In the summer of 2023/24, a collaboration began between Jude Savage, frontman of Bleeding Star, and River Hann-Ellen from Debt Club. What started as a mutual admiration for each other’s songwriting evolved into a joint songwriting effort that would go on to form the basis for a new project, Dropper. Jude's emotionally charged songwriting, often compared to Bob Mould's work with Hüsker Dü o...

Aro are a multi-award winning Te Tiriti-based duo whose artistry blends te reo Māori and English, weaving together jazz, folk, soul, and RnB influences. Their work is anchored in the values of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga - caring for ourselves, each other, and the natural world. Over Easter 2025, Aro, stepped into a new chapter of their lives, packing up their Pukekohe home and moving into thei...

A five-piece indie-pop rock outfit hailing from the northern shores of Tāmaki Makarau. In a Memory blends indie pop rock, garage pop, psychedelic rock and alt-pop. With dreamy guitar riffs, funk basslines, and emotive lyrics about time and impermanence, it’s perfect for fans of The Backseat Lovers, Japanese Breakfast, Real Estate, and Teenage Dads.

With his signature mix of infectious grooves and uplifting songwriting, Sonic Delusion returns with “Smoooth” — a playful yet powerful anthem for uncertain times. Written as a positive protest song, “Smoooth” challenges corporate greed, environmental destruction, and prejudice, but flips the narrative toward hope, unity, and the dream of living with ease and compassion. Anchored by driving rhythms...

Turkey The Bird and Liana Hart Team Up for New Single “Already Home” Taranaki’s folk favourites Turkey The Bird have joined forces with local singer-songwriter Liana Hart to create their brand-new single “Already Home,” due for release on Friday, 31st October 2025. Known for their infectious folk singalongs and rich vocal harmonies, Turkey The Bird have built a strong following across Aotearoa and...

Auckland’s alt-rock-punk-shoegazey outfit, The Early 20’s, return with their third release from their upcoming EP. “Girl Down South” follows on from the charting singles “Not This Time” and “On & On” , continuing the band’s blend of DIY grit and professional polish. Recorded in bedrooms just as much as studios, the track carries the same homemade heart that defines The Early 20’s. The track is...

BLARE is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and frontman of Radio Wah Wah, known for his emotionally raw lyrics and genre-blending sound. His solo work often explores the intersections of personal and political, with a poetic lens and a compassionate heart. “This song came from a place of helplessness,” says BLARE. “Watching the invasion unfold, I wanted to write something that didn’t just point fing...

“Sharks” is Trauma Party’s latest dark wave/post-punk anthem — a sharp, driving track that disguises heavy themes of depression beneath pulsing basslines and urgent, dance-floor energy. Like sharks circling in the depths, the song uses visceral imagery to capture the relentless pull of dark thoughts, while its infectious rhythm and soaring guitars fight back with defiance. It’s a track that feels...

Singer-songwriter Paul Martin has released his latest single, “Carousel”, a song that shines a light on the cycle of chasing achievement as a measure of self-worth. With soaring melodies and raw lyricism, “Carousel” captures the restless motion of always striving, yet never fully arriving. The song poses a poignant question: what if true significance isn’t found in achievement, but in who we are b...

The RVMES (pronounced The Rooms) are an explosive four-piece hailing from Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, known for their bold pink branding, electrifying live energy, and a defining sound that fuses alternative rock, funk, groove, and reggae into one delicious package. 

Wellington indie/alt-rock band Lipstick are back with their latest single “You & Me” — a dreamy yet danceable track that blends driving guitars, shimmering pop hooks, and an irresistible groove. With echoes of The 1975, Wolf Alice, and Dayglow, the song captures the energy of a late-night singalong while keeping Lipstick’s fresh, modern edge front and center. Bursting onto the Wellington indie...

I am a 16 year old artist from Christchurch, New Zealand. I have had a passion for music since I was 6 years old and have been writing and releasing my own songs from my bedroom since 2023! My goal is to write music that resonates with people, I want to inspire and help others through music. I wish to build a positive community with creative individuals. I don't really have a set music style,...

ICE is an alternative rock band from Auckland, fronted by brothers Adam and Matthew Roycroft, a sibling force in the tradition of Oasis and Kings of Leon. With raw dual vocals, driving guitars, and a punchy live presence, they deliver emotionally charged rock that cuts deep and hits hard. After making noise as It Comes Easy, including a second-place finish at the 2024 NZ Battle of the Bands, the b...

Tealskie returns with their fourth single, “Extraterrestrial,” a bold leap into the unknown from their debut EP Misery and Serenity. Taking cues from the raw funk- rock of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the emotional punch of Paramore, the track explores lush sonic soundscapes that captivate the attentive listener. Complex guitar layers swirl around upbeat rhythmic dynamics, all anchored by Tealski...

South Road is a band from Spotswood College, Ngāmotu/New Plymouth with a unique sound and style. A wide variety of musical backgrounds have led to a funky/reggae/rock feel that stands out and gets people moving. They recently released their first three singles on Spotify, so be sure to go check them out, and stay tuned for upcoming gigs!

2024 was a formative year for First Reserve, the pseudonym of Te-Whanganui-A-Tara’s Ryan Connaghan (he/they). They’ve supported visiting internationals Hot Mulligan (US) and Movements (US), and have toured with Kiwi favourites PARK RD, Wiri Donna, and Wet Denim. The artist has amassed a cult of devoted supporters, thanks to their identifiable sound that draws inspiration from a variety of genres,...

The 3rd studio album from award winning, indie-folk music visionary, Jazmine Mary - I Want to Rock and Roll, due for release on June 13th 2025! Jazmine is also heading out on the road with their full band to celebrate the album release - see below for tour dates. I Want To Rock And Roll is a trove of bright, folk gems from indie-folk visionary, Jazmine Mary. An album hopeful by circumstance, and b...

EMPYR, formerly known as the Bull's Rush, released another single from their forthcoming album.  "Lying To Us" is more in the protest ballad vein with a heavy ending. I tried to express some personal realisation about the times we live in, alongside some anger and release. The EMPYR is a band fighting out of West Auckland, but hailing from different places.  The band is essentially a...

Sam’s journey into music started somewhere far removed from the club scene, singing in his local church during lockdown. Born in Zimbabwe and now based in Wellington, he turned that early passion into an obsession, learning multiple instruments and eventually studying Music Technology at Massey. Now, as both a producer and artist, he’s crafting music that blends technicality and rhythm with raw em...

Eyes To The Stars is an extra special song that I collaborated on with a musician from London called Jono Young. We met online in 2022 - while I was singing - live streaming on TikTok. He watched and chatted with me via text in the virtual "audience". We discussed health issues preventing him from completing his work and soon we found ourselves collaborating on this song. I fell in love...

Ngamotu 9 May 25 Taranaki-based alt-blues-rock band The Mons Whaler are back with their latest offering, the evocative new single "Hold On", accompanied by the raw and rhythmic bonus track "Soft & Sweet". Following the success of their debut album Hold My Gun, the band continues to push their signature fusion of soulful blues, rock, and alternative influences into compellin...

Set to release their highly anticipated sophomore album on May 2nd, Dr. Reknaw’s ’MIRACLES’ represents the most authentic and expansive expression of their musical journey to date, uncovering the next layer of the sonic and spiritual evolution of the two songstress sisters. The collection of 8 songs, all written over the last 12 months, radiate a wholesome joy and weave effortlessly through a vast...

Paradiso PDE are a Wellington-based, alt-rock, dance-infused, 3-piece. An inversion of the traditional band archetype, the act is led by vocalist & bassist Remy Davidson, reinforced by Britta Offergeld on percussion, and Ms Essem Chan on six-string. The songs represent the coming together of a back catalog of words, ideas and hooks. We drip-feed release one track at a time (rather than releasi...

Recorded and produced in Wellington throughout 2023 and produced by James Goldsmith (DARTZ, Wiri Donna, Recitals) Certain Death is a cinematic autobiography of the period immediately following the full development of Dawson’s pre-frontal cortex. ‘Certain Death’ is a maximalist and dramatic treatise on growing up! The album truly shines a light on his captivating vocals and clever songwriting, It’s...

New Zealand’s Phoebe Rings announce their debut album, Aseurai, today with a pair of new singles “Aseurai” and “Drifting.” On Aseurai, due June 6th on Carpark Records, the quartet, led by NZ jazz-school-trained pianist and songwriter Crystal Choi, adds disco and city-pop influences while staying true to the dream-pop sound of their self-titled EP. “Aseurai means around you in the atmosphere, hard...