NZ Music Month: Eastside artists air new releases

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Jack Robertson’s new single release Easy is described as being “wrapped in a high-energy, full-band production with an unforgettable hook – tailor-made for the live stage”. Photo supplied Samantha Davies

May – New Zealand Music Month – is three days in and for it, east Auckland music creators have new tracks out in the big wide world of content streaming. Here’s a selection of new tracks by eastside musicians, singer-songwriters and producers, who are also promoters, publicists and performers – Jack Robertson, and two women called Amy Wang, but thankfully to differentiate, both have stage names – Amylia, and Raging Flowers. – PJ

杰克-罗伯逊 is a Howickian, university music student, and hardworking musician, who has been composing, writing and developing his songs in recent years.

Jack’s new single Easy is his most pop and upbeat to date, accompanied by a slick production and top-class playing by musicians such as Howick groove guy Taylor Griffin on drums.

It follows his track 相思 of last year, which was heading towards the pop style after earlier recordings had a rock, blues and folk feel.

Easy is also the first single off his upcoming debut EP scheduled for release in October.

Robertson is the first artist signing for Anderson Rocio’s new label Riverine Records that’s based in Los Angeles but there’s talk she’s returning to her east Auckland roots later this year.

Anderson is also a well-established performer and says of Jack: “Robertson has released an album’s worth of original music and performed frequently across Auckland, making waves as he strengthens his fanbase from the roots up.

“Whether accompanied by a rock three-piece, string quartet or in solitude with a guitar, his honesty and vulnerability within his performance and songwriting is now turning heads overseas.”

Rocio says Robertson’s most recent two singles of 2024 topped the NZ Apple iTunes charts.

“He blends infectious melodies with vivid storytelling, delivering another anthem of desire and uncertainty.

“This time, Easy comes wrapped in a high-energy, full-band production with an unforgettable hook – tailor-made for the live stage.”

Jack says Easy is “a whole lotta fun”.

“It walks the line between a playful crush and blinded infatuation. I’ve always loved that classic movie cliché – the popular girl everyone wants, and you think, ‘maybe I have a chance’. Well… the joke’s on me.”

Easy is available on all streaming platforms, and more information about him is at www.jackrobertsonmusic.com.

Amylia says of I Will Find a Way: “This song holds a very special place in my heart. It’s for everyone who has fought for a better life for the ones they love.” Photo supplied Quinn Pocock

Amylia is a Howick singer-songwriter who has just put out her first recorded single, I Will Find a Way.

“Growing up in Howick, I’ve been part of the local music scene for years, performing at Uxbridge Arts and Culture, Howick Christmas Fair (formerly Midnight Madness), Botany Town Centre, Ormiston Town Centre, and previously singing with the St Andrews Big Band.

“This alternative rock anthem is inspired by my parents’ journey of love and resilience as they built a new life in New Zealand,” says Amylia.

“With soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics, it’s a song about perseverance, determination, and hope.

“This song holds a very special place in my heart,” says Amylia. “It’s for everyone who has fought for a better life for the ones they love.”

Recorded at Halfway Down Studios and Parachute Studios, the track I Will Find a Way was co-written, produced and mixed by Clarissa Chai, and mastered by Chris Chetland.

“Adding depth to its sound, Korean multi-instrumentalist B.Bum delivers dynamic bass and drums, driving the song’s dramatic crescendo, and the single’s cover art was shot by photographer Quinn Pocock.”

Amylia’s I Will Find a Way is available on all major streaming platforms, and she’s on social media at @amyliamusic.

怒放的鲜花 is a very productive singer-songwriter and producer of Pakuranga and her latest single is 纸巾, a witty take on being a sheet of the disposable convenience item.

"纸巾 is a humorous song about depression. It can be loosely categorised as folk-punk,” she says.

“It was awarded the first prize in the international arts competition, Out From The Mist – a Brisbane-based arts competition for mental health awareness and hope.

“The award included a cash prize and mentorship sessions with one of their judges.”

The song was written during an APRA mentorship programme last year when Raging Flowers was mentored by Steph Brown from LIPS.

“She and her partner loved this song, and they offered to help me produce it. I was stoked.

“We recorded this in one take at their home studio, where they tricked me into thinking it was a practice run.

“It was a fun experience, and they kindly mixed and mastered it for me.”