Making Tracks with The MOST FM: Artist Interviews

A culmination of dreamy vocals and experiential sound, Goodnight My Darling is the vision and project of up and coming Wellington based singer-songwriter Maxine Macaulay. With elements of shoegaze, folk and dreamy melody, Macaulay says her ever evolving vibe is a poetic expression of her life and the places around her. Her songs take you on a cinematic journey, while her ethereal vocals lull you into a quiet sense of peace and appreciation. Goodnight My Darling started as an electronic project when Macaulay released her EP of self produced songs “Levitate”. She then joined forces with a band to create and release her latest nine-track self-titled album, with a mix of soul-stirring tunes including ode to love, loss and rebirth ‘The Carriage’, ‘Until I Return’ and the story of a relationship’s end in ‘The Trees Have Eyes’.

NZ born, international breakthrough artist Robinson has returned with her first single of 2024, the soaring new track ‘The War On Art’, out today. An impatient, driving guitar with dark undertones are matched with Robinson’s emotive, powerfully raw vocal performance. When the chorus hits, ‘The War On Art’ is stadium ready; stacked with vocals and a massive rhythm section, as Robinson lyrically opens fire on the darker realities of creative industries “where they turn our dreams into a business.” “‘The War On Art’ is the very message I have come to stand for as an artist,” explains Robinson. “All too often, I’ve heard and experienced the horror stories that people in the creative industries go through. They’re taken advantage of, financially struggle (even with their success), are victims of power plays, are told how to act and dress in order to ‘sell’, and are treated as nothing more than a brand that must be fine-tuned.”

Auckland-based Daily J continue to take the globe by storm with their signature blend of indie-rock and indie-pop; today dropping a new tune - the nostalgic and sentimental ‘Happy Slides’. It’s been an action packed few years for the local lads (three brothers Jayden, Jonny and Jesse Paul and good mate Rick Everard), who have earned a reputation as one of New Zealand music’s most successful exports with tens of millions of streams across platforms and sold out tours across countries. The release of ‘Happy Slides’ - along with the video - marks the first new music from Daily J since last year’s double EP release SLUSH HONEY Side A and Side B. And it finds the band in reflective mode, dipping between past and present; creating a melodic postcard that anyone would hope to receive.

Aotearoa’s rising indie artist Rita Mae has returned with her first single of 2024, the unapologetically anthemic new single and video ‘Kiss The Sky’, co-written with The Naked and Famous’ award-winning artist Alisa Xayalith. Oscillating between chill, acoustic verses and full noise, grungy, stadium-ready choruses, ‘Kiss The Sky’ sonically mirrors its lyrical meaning, being a “greedy, indulgent song about wanting everything and being unapologetic about it.”

Sam Cullen’s sound is far from what you might expect of a 23 year-old born and raised on theedge of the world in Invercargill - the bottom of New Zealand. With genuine lyrics drawn from lived experience and a rock and roll meets pop driving energy, the now Auckland-based artist is a force to be reckoned with. Since 2022’s ‘Run’ - EP, Sam has honed his stadium rock influences and completes his next era of releases on April 19 with his ‘Love Again’ - EP. Sam wears his heart on his sleeve with this body of work with songs about growing up and homesickness while figuring himself out a little more. Over the past 3 years, he has steadily climbed the ladder of success; releasing three EP’s, playing on some of New Zealand’s biggest stages (including the main stage at R&V), selling out a number of headline shows and playing support slots around the country. Following a massive 10-date solo tour of NZ in 2023, this next era introduces a 5-piece live band that brings an incomparable onstage energy.

Following the success of her 2023 singles ‘Runway of Reality’ and ‘Cellular’, today’s release puts on full display Frau Knotz’s drive to consistently push boundaries. An ethereal and mysterious piece, ‘Odyssey I’ showcases what Frau Knotz does best; emotive storytelling through vocal performance amongst unchartered sonic realms.

Skinnyandsoft is the moniker of Lou Smith, a 24-year-old singer/songwriter from and based in Taranaki. He previously released a single with Tyson Ritter, the frontman of the All American Rejects, and released a single with fellow NZ artist Rita Mae. dmg_cntrl is one of two singles that release on 03/29, leading off the rollout of skinnyandsoft's debut album "showhilla".

The vibrant and dynamic Taranaki based 9-piece band, Banana Mundo, is thrilled to announce the release of their latest single, "Driving Around". Known for their electrifying live performances and a unique blend of musical styles, Banana Mundo takes listeners on a journey with a song that encapsulates the freedom and exhilaration of hitting the road. "Driving Around" is a lively, upbeat track that combines the infectious grooves of funk with the warm rhythms of Latin music, creating a sound that is both fresh and nostalgic. The song aims to evoke the joy and adventure of embarking on a road trip, capturing the sense of escape and discovery that comes with driving through unknown landscapes.

NZ-South African band The Transits have released their self-titled debut album + new single/video 'Heartbreak Queen' - both receiving local and international praise! Since they started releasing music just one year ago, they have been on the South Africa Top 40 multiple times and NZ RadioScope Alt Chart – and since Friday's release they’ve placed on 3 x Apple Music playlists, shot to 25k+ streams on their new music video and had a significant boost to their fan base. ‘Heartbreak Queen' has a catchy keyboard riff that propels the verses, which are complemented by high-energy drums and guitars driving the chorus. It’s an infectious musical experience!

Tāmaki Makaurau based indie-pop delight Geoff Ong has today released his latest single ‘When it Gets Easy’. ‘When it Gets Easy’ delves into intimate reflections on the journey of growing up and unpacking big feelings. Geoff’s knack for catchy pop hooks, paired with a driving beat and bright guitar licks, have built what he hopes will become an “upbeat and hopeful anthem for people who are also wondering when it gets easier.”

Ōtautahi indie-folk artist Fraser Ross has today released the title track single and music video from his much-anticipated upcoming album ‘Thunderhead’. A mesh of folk, indie and soft-rock - with the perfect balance of melancholia and hope, ‘Thunderhead’ is set to become another successful track in Fraser’s discography. ‘Thunderhead’ is a deeply personal reflection written as a documentary of Frasers travels throughout America, and the experience of leaving a family. Named after Thunderhead Artist’s Refuge in Montana, a camp that brings artists together in the spirit of natural building and campfire jamming - and the place Fraser wrote the track mid-travels.

Auckland indie-rockers PARK RD return with the new single, ‘Every Night’, their first new release for 2024. An upbeat-slice of indie-pop, ‘Every Night’ sees the band wearing its influences proudly on its sleeves, embracing a sound similar to The 1975 and Spacey Jane. Jangly guitars from Angus Hampton-Carr and Leo Crawshaw-Bond combine, alongside a soaring call-and-response chorus ready-made for the live stage.

“Get out and see the world” is the message in this global collaboration between New Zealand based Swiss-kiwi indie pop artist Sonic Delusion and Swiss producer Timtime. “Have you ever been to Paris, Istanbul, Peru?” Make the most of your time on this planet and enjoy the beautiful wonders this world has to offer. The joint venture from opposite ends doesn’t stop there, Timtime remixed this upbeat positive Sonic Delusion song into an unusually “happy” deep house banger, merching the two complete opposite ends of the musical spectrum.

Nelson originating indie-rock band, Steezy’s Touch is thrilled to announce the release of the first single of their upcoming EP for 2024 ‘Lemoncake’. Front man Tom Mitchener stated “Lemoncake is without a doubt our biggest song yet, it’s been in the works for a while now and we’re unbelievably stoked to be able to release it” Lemoncake is the band’s first release for 2024 and they are in high hopes for the year to come in terms of releases and shows as they spent the majority of 2023 in between shows, recording and finalising the release of their 2nd EP set to release in April and their 3rd EP in November. Steezy’s Touch is a 6 piece indie-rock band originating out of Nelson, New Zealand and have as of the past couple years moved to Auckland and Wellington, with members currently residing in all three locations.

Fool of Stars are a synth-rock/shoegaze outfit based in Ōtepoti, New Zealand. Consisting of Olive Ward on vocals and guitar, Jacob Smith on organ/bass, and Max White on drums, the group fuses the textural paintings of shoegaze with the instantly appealing melodic hooks of dream pop. “Sol 127” is perhaps the catchiest release from Fool of Stars thus far. The intro features every instrument entering one by one and after the drums kick in the song gets going and never stops. The roaring guitar and angelic organ line reach a nice balance while the motoric drums propel the song to rocketing heights. Such a soaring instrumental paired with endearing lyrics about longing to see someone again make for an immediately memorable track that leaves listeners with a spellbound but bittersweet catharsis.

Thomas Powers, co-founder of the award-winning synth-pop band The Naked And Famous, has today unveiled ‘Sleep and/or Rest’. The fourth single to be shared from his upcoming debut LP A TYRANT CRYING IN PRIVATE, set for release this year.

TWIN TIGER is a four piece Indietronica band who's synth-heavy, 80's inspired pop confidently rests on a dance-ready groove. Laced with plenty of catchy licks and memorable melodies, Twin Tiger are destined to be your new favourite band. Based in New Plymouth, New Zealand Twin Tiger's endearing collection of songs have been written under the influence of Taranaki's sunny skies and endless black sand beaches. Codes Hoskin (Keys), Marc Gernhoefer (Drums), Nate Betteridge (Bass), Craig Jones (Vocals, Guitar).

The track is one of 4 songs that I wrote and recorded this year after making a conscious decision to get back into doing some song writing, something I hadn't done much of for a long time. The song talks about a fictional couple who behave and expect to be treated like they are royalty. It's really taking a dig at today's influencer culture and how people seem to be focused on appearances more than character. It's the product of a project as a solo artist, recorded and mixed by myself, mostly at home. I had Jared and Riley provide the rhythm section on the recording and a bunch of friends (including Jared & Olivia) provide the backing vocal 'choir'. The plan is to keep writing more tunes with the aim of releasing an EP next year and hopefully start doing some live performances.

Celine is a guitar-based noise rock trio from Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau. Originally active in the mid 90’s and led by Rob Lundon (Wrong White Crowd, Dam Native) and Andrew Moon (Goblin Mix, RST, Cindytalk), the band re-grouped in 2019 to record and play new music. Returning to the live scene in 2023 with new bassist Kirsten Smith and drummer Marty Doo, Celine headlined January's Powerwest Fest, and joined Vorsen (John Halvorsen of Bailterspace/Skeptics/Gordons) for the Auckland date of their World On Fire tour earlier this year. Celine are releasing 'The Cure For Everything' EP on Saturday November 4 via Powertool Records. Mixed by New York-based engineer Andrew Schneider (Unsane, Cave In), and mastered by Bob Weston (Shellac), the recordings reflect the band’s shared love of outsider melancholic pop, 90’s noise rock and golden era Flying Nun.

Ra Charmian Toia-Booth is a performer and vocalist who performed around the world for almost 10 years before returning to Aotearoa. Since being back she’s been a featured artist on RNZ, Air NZ and radio stations around the country, as well as performing on TV and radio - including being the voice for the 2023 NZ Radio Award-winning jingle ‘You’ve Sure Got A Friend In The Breeze’. Hayden Booth is also an experienced musician who has toured and performed internationally for many years - playing in bands opening for the likes of John Mayer, Jools Holland and Paul Weller. Hayden has won 2 international awards for his media production work.