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
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
It's another huge week for new music from Aotearoa artists, with standout releases spanning indie rock, folk, electronic, reggae, hip hop and pop. This week's roundup includes new albums from The Veils, Office Dog, Star Time, Bunchy's Big Score and Killian Ordono, alongside fresh
Interviews
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.
Interviews
24 year old Tāmaki Makaurau artist arielwose (Ariel Kelly) is steadily carving out a place for herself within Aotearoa's alternative music scene. A graduate of the University of Auckland's music programme, she grew up surrounded by music before finding her own voice through songwriting that blends
News
It has been another massive week for new music, both here in Aotearoa and overseas. Internationally, listeners have been treated to major new releases from Olivia Rodrigo, Ruel and Spacey Jane, while closer to home there has been no shortage of fresh music from emerging and established Kiwi artists alike.
Interviews
Thomas Waddington has a lot on his plate balancing life as a full-time creative in Pōneke. Just 19 years old, the third-year Massey University student studies commercial music (majoring in music technology) while also fronting shoegaze-inspired band The world is against you (Twiay) and co-running local
News
We’re officially into the first week of June and somehow already nearing the halfway point of 2026. After a massive NZ Music Month packed with live shows, new releases and the Aotearoa Music Awards, things haven’t slowed down at all heading into winter, so wherever you’re reading
News
Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2026 is now in its final week! This year’s theme, Our Sounds, Our Spaces, has continued to spotlight the artists, communities, venues, and environments that shape Aotearoa’s music culture, marking 26 years of NZ Music Month with a nationwide programme that has stretched
News
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Logan Edwards — Isla South Island indie artist Logan Edwards is one of the region’s most active young musicians, having previously built his musical identity as a guitarist and drummer
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Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Jayme Morpeth — Fast Car Pōneke singer-songwriter Jayme Morpeth has been writing music since the age of 12, building a catalogue rooted in emotional honesty and lived experience. Across recent
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Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Greer Castle — INTROSPECTION (EP) Greer Castle is a Sydney and Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based soul and pop vocalist emerging as a compelling new voice in the capital’s music
News
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Today is the first day of Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2026, marking the 26th NZ Music Month and celebrating the theme Our Sounds, Our Spaces, a nod to the
News
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Suzy Cato — You and Me Suzy Cato returns with a release that taps directly into one of Aotearoa’s most enduring cultural touchstones, bringing the iconic You and Me theme
News
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature! Hanne Jøstensen — The Lighthouse (EP) Wellington-based, Norwegian-born artist Hanne Jøstensen returns with her sophomore EP The Lighthouse, a project patiently shaped over five years and grounded in both