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JUNK FEST 2025 (and other things alternative NZ music, with Lara Marie)
“I really want to platform new alternative music because I feel like the legacy has changed. I guess that’s what I’m trying to do. It’s fueled by this ‘build it and they’ll come’ mentality. I want to prove that there’s value in this, so people start to listen.”
JUNK FEST 2.0 is coming up this Saturday, June 7, across Double Whammy, Whammy, and Public Bar. The 2025 festival is stacked with artists from across the country, including Cabinet, Dropper, George Barney Roberts, Girls Factory, HŌHĀ, Office Dog, Pearly*, Ringlets, Salt Water Criminals, Scrambline, and Vera Ellen, with Twine and The Empty Threats making their way from across the ditch. It’s an undeniably good lineup and we’re so excited to boogie the night away. In the lead up to the festival Rosa chatted with organiser Lara to learn more about JUNK and all things NZ alternative music!
LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS : A Bird in the Hand
Letters from The Editors, is a sporadic column written by either Flynn Robson or Sam Elliott, discussing a way that New Zealand music has touched them in their personal life

Camp A Low Hum 2024: The final weekend(s)
After a 10 year hiatus, Camp A Low Hum returned for two special weekends for the very last time. Two attendees, Jade Lindsay and Lekhena Porter share their words and photographs from the exceptional weekend(s) filled with music, community and aroha.

ŌTEPOTI MUSIC COMPILATION
There is a quote from Martin Phillipps for the Auckland Star in 1982; “The Dunedin Sound is the sound of honesty.” The Ōtepoti Music Compilation is a representation of that. Organised by Alex Huber of Hystera and Syrup Bois, The ŌMC is a compilation made of independent wāhine and gender queer artists from Dunedin. The compilation aims to shine a light on artists in the scene who do not yet have a voice or need their voices amplified to drown out the noise of the still male-dominated scene of Dunedin.

A look The Others Way
Last Friday Banished Music, Flying Nun and a whole host of other supporters put on the annual The Others Way Festival along Tāmaki Makaurau’s Karangahape Road. For those unacquainted, this festival utilises the many venues along Karangahape Road and its side streets, creating a musical bar-hop to catch as many (or few) artists from the 42-act strong lineup. Rosa Nevison went along to see what all the fuss was about… and you best believe she found out.

PREMIERE: Sofia Machray’s ‘Crumbs’ Music Video
Released on her debut full length debut ‘Language of Flowers’, Crumbs unloads a dense emotional outpour at the intersection of indie-pop, heartland rock, and shoegaze. Filmed and edited by Elise Lanigan and assisted by Kerry Pulham, Machray’s latest music video and visualiser is a prime example of the Pōneke-based dream rocker’s ability to build intersectional and creatively cohesive work that bridges sonic and visual artscapes.

EMILIE: The Trailblazer Wahine in Aotearoa UK Garage
Hailing from Ōtautahi, Aotearoa, the 21 year old Emily Whitnall has already made her mark on New Zealand’s DJing and producing scene. EMILIE describes her own music style as being “very joyful and happy. It’s nothing too serious, just a whole lot of fun.” After hearing the tune Generations earlier this year, Ella Gibson knew she needed to track down the local legend, and hear more about how EMILIE is bringing UKG beats to the shores of Aotearoa.

LEISURE drops sonic manifesto: Leisurevision
Since their formation in 2016, the collective have formed an efficacious musical comradery that has accumulated in the release of their musical manifesto, Leisurevision. The album, released on September 28, is the refinement of a sound they have been methodically polishing since the release of their self-titled debut in 2017. Leisure are the sonic equivalent of mānuka honey; sweet, scrumptious, and with a special quality of high international demand.

Summer Thieves: Cigarettes in Space
Reflected in their name, their tunes are made to be enjoyed in the heat of the sun, with a couple of cold ones. “Cigarettes in Space” is a self-produced effort which is sure to cast a long shadow, well into the final days of the upcoming summer. Ben Paanakker recently caught up with Adam from the band to discuss the latest release, and the band’s upcoming plans.
ARIELWOSE: 7 day clinic
She’s cool, creative, and cultivating some fantastically charming tunes - arielwose is certainly one to watch. For the release of her latest single “7 day clinic” Coco Lance E-Met with Ariel to discuss among many things, the value of friendship, Ariel’s future plans, and how music speaks to the soul.

Heavy Chest: Celebrating Pre Heat
Beautiful crooning melodies, smooth riffs and funky, electric basslines have been reverberating through venues across the motu over the last couple weeks, as Heavy Chest, formerly of Pōneke, now Melbourne/Naarm based, take on a tour of their home turf to celebrate the vinyl release of their first album, Pre Heat.

Shaun Malloch - Been Long and the Lo-fi Agenda
There’s something wildly attractive about a do-it-yourself attitude. The avoidance of an institutional standard and diving into the plunge-pool of simple knowledge and practicality. It’s an approach that is evident in the work of Shaun Malloch. Sam Bambery visited Shaun ahead of a home concert celebrating a new single ‘Been Long’, releasing after 2 years of hiatus from his debut EP ‘Take What You Can’.

“Swimming Around” - Late Night Lounge

Introducing: Marmalade
Some good things take time. In fact, it took indie-pop sweethearts Marmalade two years to settle on and release “Bright”, their sparkly debut single which was released at the start of this month. The ambitious Tāmaki Makaurau based band have their eyes locked firmly on the future. Jemilah and Koen sat with Sam to talk through how they got here and what’s ahead.

Coast Arcade - NEXT TO ME
Growing up is full of challenges. Thinking back to our late teenage years, we all have memories of love, discovering yourself, and youthful mischief. NEXT TO ME, the debut EP from Tāmaki Makaurau based Coast Arcade captures this feeling of youthful exuberance and the stomping grounds that are your first foray into adulthood and independence perfectly. The EP is coated in anthemic lyrics and loud, dynamic guitars.

Sofia Machray - Petals In The Rain
Sofia Machray is a hard worker. She has embedded herself into the Pōneke scene, not only through her own music but also as an event organiser and promoter under Peach Promotions. However busy, she nevertheless finds time to be one of the most exciting up and comers in the Aotearoa indie scene. Machray has just released her latest single, ‘Petals In The Rain’. Newzician was lucky enough to chat to Sofia in the wake of the release to hear more about the inspiration behind that track and what to expect on her upcoming EP.

Sure Boy: What You Do When You're Alright
Sure Boy are notoriously cool. Wellington’s self-proclaimed ‘Baddest girl band’ have established themselves as prolific performers, bringing an energy and electric sound to the country’s capital. In anticipation of the release of “What You Do When You’re Alright” on May 12, Flynn jumped online to join Beth, Simone, Freyja and Lily for a chat about their latest single.
VERA ELLEN: Ideal Home Noise
Vera Ellen released their sophomore album ‘Ideal Home Noise’ on 31 March with Flying Nun Records. Jamiema Lorimer talks with Vera for Newzician about their new record and Los Angeles.

SOFT PLASTICS: SATURN RETURN
Soft Plastics released their debut full-length album “Saturn Return” last month and are embarking on a nationwide tour in May. Sam Elliott talked with them about the album and what it means to them to make music.

HAVEN PRESENTS: MOKOTRON
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Sam
Elliott
- Sep 13, 2024 LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS : A Bird in the Hand Sep 13, 2024
- Jul 6, 2023 “Swimming Around” - Late Night Lounge Jul 6, 2023
- Jun 19, 2023 Introducing: Marmalade Jun 19, 2023
- Apr 19, 2023 SOFT PLASTICS: SATURN RETURN Apr 19, 2023
- Mar 8, 2023 The Raddlers - Diamond in the Blue Mar 8, 2023
- Nov 15, 2022 Avantdale Bowling Club - TREES Nov 15, 2022
- Aug 1, 2022 Opening up to the Strange Universe Aug 1, 2022
- May 24, 2022 The Knews May 24, 2022
- May 2, 2022 Lunar Intruder: Moonlight May 2, 2022
- Apr 12, 2022 Sam Bambery: Songs About Sailors Apr 12, 2022
- Mar 11, 2022 Aro - Tohorā: Music Video Release Mar 11, 2022
- Mar 1, 2022 Interview: Tahini Bikini - Life’s a Beach Mar 1, 2022
- Jan 31, 2022 RDU Presents: Joe Sampson Jan 31, 2022
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Flynn
Robson
- Nov 29, 2023 PREMIERE: Sofia Machray’s ‘Crumbs’ Music Video Nov 29, 2023
- Oct 5, 2023 LEISURE drops sonic manifesto: Leisurevision Oct 5, 2023
- May 18, 2023 Sofia Machray - Petals In The Rain May 18, 2023
- May 11, 2023 Sure Boy: What You Do When You're Alright May 11, 2023
- Apr 13, 2023 HALF/TIME: WELCOMED TO WREXHAM Apr 13, 2023
- Mar 31, 2023 LEAPING TIGER: GODSPEED! Mar 31, 2023
- Mar 2, 2023 Sugar and Spice, and Everything Nice Mar 2, 2023
- Feb 10, 2023 TWOMINDS FESTIVAL Feb 10, 2023
- Jun 30, 2022 Sofar Sounds/Halaو Dunedin Jun 30, 2022
- Jun 23, 2022 Spotlight on: HINA Jun 23, 2022
- Apr 1, 2022 Judah Kelley: Apathy Apr 1, 2022
- Feb 22, 2022 Interview: Josette - Daytona Fair EP Feb 22, 2022
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Rosa
Nevison
- Jun 2, 2025 JUNK FEST 2025 (and other things alternative NZ music, with Lara Marie) Jun 2, 2025
- Dec 8, 2023 A look The Others Way Dec 8, 2023
- Aug 18, 2023 Heavy Chest: Celebrating Pre Heat Aug 18, 2023
- Jul 6, 2022 Rita Mae: Candy’s House Jul 6, 2022
- Jun 2, 2022 Rezzy Crooks: The Curse of The Crooks Jun 2, 2022
- May 4, 2022 School Fair: Upcoming gig and a little q&a with De May 4, 2022
- Apr 15, 2022 Tall Folk - Dani: Music Video PREMIERE Apr 15, 2022
- Mar 29, 2022 Adelaide Cara Mar 29, 2022
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Susie
Kwon
- Apr 10, 2023 121 Festival - A Dance Odyssey Dream Apr 10, 2023
- Sep 5, 2022 Crete on Waiata Anthems 2022 Sep 5, 2022
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Sam
Bambery
- Jul 12, 2023 Shaun Malloch - Been Long and the Lo-fi Agenda Jul 12, 2023
- Oct 3, 2022 The Portside Cowboy Goes Walking Through London Street Oct 3, 2022
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Tasha Tziakis
- Apr 14, 2023 HAVEN PRESENTS: MOKOTRON Apr 14, 2023
- Apr 12, 2023 BROODS: SPACE ISLAND Apr 12, 2023
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Sebastian
Bell
- Apr 21, 2022 Isolation Gospel Apr 21, 2022
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Henessey
Griffiths
- Dec 23, 2022 DARTZ - The Hardest Working Band In New Zealand Dec 23, 2022
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Jamiema
Lorimer
- May 5, 2023 VERA ELLEN: Ideal Home Noise May 5, 2023
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Dave
Borrie
- May 30, 2023 Coast Arcade - NEXT TO ME May 30, 2023
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Coco
Lance
- Sep 11, 2023 ARIELWOSE: 7 day clinic Sep 11, 2023
-
Ben
Paanakker
- Sep 26, 2023 Summer Thieves: Cigarettes in Space Sep 26, 2023
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Ella
Gibson
- Oct 17, 2023 EMILIE: The Trailblazer Wahine in Aotearoa UK Garage Oct 17, 2023
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Jordan
Irvine
- Dec 11, 2023 ŌTEPOTI MUSIC COMPILATION Dec 11, 2023
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Jade
Lindsay
- Mar 6, 2024 Camp A Low Hum 2024: The final weekend(s) Mar 6, 2024