News
Spring has officially sprung, and there’s no shortage of new Kiwi music to soundtrack the start of the season. This week’s roundup moves through everything from heavier alt-rock and dreamy indie to pop, reggae, hip-hop, soul and blues, with new releases from the likes of Dillon
Review
27/08/2026, Theatre Royal Nelson It’s 7:33 p.m. at Nelson’s Theatre Royal, and as a 23-year-old sitting upstairs waiting for Mel Parsons to take the stage, I’m starting to feel like I might be the youngest person in the room. The theatre
Interviews
Pōneke pop-rock four-piece Juna have moved quickly since forming less than a year ago. The band is made up of Queenstown-born guitarist and vocalist Max Horn, 17, Wellington vocalist Hannah Patterson, 18, Christchurch-born drummer Hayden Lam, 20, and bassist Evie Patterson. Together, they have already shared
Ōtepoti five-piece Ammonita have been carving out their own space in Dunedin’s alternative rock scene, blending grunge, metal, rap and softer alternative sounds into something that’s difficult to put in a single box. Made up of Zoe Eckhoff, Paige Sumner, Ivan Fernandez, Mason O’Connell and Karl
Pōneke pop-rock four-piece Juna have moved quickly since forming less than a year ago. The band is made up of Queenstown-born guitarist and vocalist Max Horn, 17, Wellington vocalist Hannah Patterson, 18, Christchurch-born drummer Hayden Lam, 20, and bassist Evie Patterson. Together, they have already shared
Pōneke alternative hip-hop outfit Zafado (pronounced “zah-fah-doh”) have spent the past year building a reputation as one of the capital's most exciting underground acts. The band brought together Auckland-born vocalist Adam McPhail, Nelson musicians Tyler Curtis (drums) and Duncan Petre (guitar), Far North bassist
While FLAIRGUM may be a new name on the Te Whanganui-a-Tara music scene, the creative partnership behind the electronic-pop duo stretches back to their days at Nelson Intermediate School. Florence McNabb (Floss) and Kahu Sanson-Burnett first began making music together as teenagers before going on to
Born in Durban, South Africa, before growing up on a small olive farm in Ohoka, just outside Ōtautahi Christchurch, Michèle Ducray has always lived between different worlds. Now based in Sydney after relocating earlier this year, the cinematic dark-pop artist is entering a new chapter both personally and creatively.
Talking to Kiwi musicians across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Ms. Mia — Still Here Manila-born, Auckland-based singer-songwriter Ms. Mia creates cinematic contemporary pop that blends expressive vocals, live instrumentation and emotionally honest storytelling, with her previous releases
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Merlia — Magic Woman Auckland folk artist Merlia, originally born in the Netherlands and raised in the coastal town of Ngunguru, blends her classical roots with moody modern pop, drawing on
It’s been another big week for new music across Aotearoa, with a pretty diverse mix of releases spanning indie rock, hip-hop, electronic, folk and everything in between. Zafado officially release their debut EP Extended Paranoia, a particularly meaningful release following the passing of frontman Adam McPhail earlier this
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! 44kyn — Live It Up (Feat. RENÉE) Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 44kyn is an alternative R&B and hip hop artist and producer whose music blends ambient and
July wraps up with another stacked week of new music from around Aotearoa. With the first hints of longer, warmer days on the horizon, there's no shortage of fresh releases to soundtrack the change in seasons, from intimate singer-songwriter moments and soaring indie rock to ambitious debut
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Middle Island — Cheap Perfume / Angeline Middle Island are a five-piece folk rock band made up of Thomas Clark, David Hurnen, Jackson Mackwood, Jack Bromwich and Braithan Bailey. Originally beginning
There's plenty to dive into in this week's roundup, with new releases spanning indie folk, shoegaze, alt-rock, reggae, hip-hop, electronic pop and everything in between. Emerging artists continue to make their mark alongside returning favourites like Gin Wigmore, Corrella and The Datsuns, making it
Happy Matariki long weekend and welcome to another New Music Friday. Whether you're travelling, spending time with whānau or simply taking the chance to slow down, there's plenty of fresh music to soundtrack the break. This week's roundup features everything from heartfelt indie folk
Welcome to this week's New Music Friday roundup. It's been a busy week for Roots, with Roots Volume 05 now printed and ready to go. I've shared a few photos of the magazine over on Instagram, so keep an eye out there to find
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Borderline — Borderline (ALBUM) After a breakout 12 months Borderline have released their self-titled debut album, Borderline, alongside the infectious new single Skyline. The young band have quickly become one
Pōneke alternative hip-hop outfit Zafado (pronounced “zah-fah-doh”) have spent the past year building a reputation as one of the capital's most exciting underground acts. The band brought together Auckland-born vocalist Adam McPhail, Nelson musicians Tyler Curtis (drums) and Duncan Petre (guitar), Far North bassist