thebigcity

f artists

Family Cactus

Wellington seven-piece indie pop and psych-folk band who released two albums on Arch Hill Recordings: Come Howling (2009) and Spirit Lights (2011). Known for their orchestral arrangements, the band wove guitars, organs, piano, synth, and autoharp into lush, expansive soundscapes.

c artists

Princess Chelsea

Auckland electropop singer-songwriter Chelsea Nikkel, recording as Princess Chelsea on Lil' Chief Records. Her four albums — from Lil' Golden Book (2011) to Everything Is Going To Be Alright (2022) — blend satirical wit with maximalist chamber pop. Winner of the 2023 Taite Music Prize.

a artists

All Seeing Hand

Wellington experimental trio combining Synthi AKS synthesis, throat singing and turntables in dense improvisational soundscapes.

b artists

Erny Belle

Ngāpuhi singer-songwriter whose alt-folk, country, and Pacific pop-tinged music is rooted in the Kaipara and her whakapapa. Her two Flying Nun albums — Venus Is Home (2022) and Not Your Cupid (2023) — established her as one of Aotearoa's most distinctive voices.

b artists

Beastwars

Wellington sludge metal band whose 2019 album IV debuted at number one on the NZ Albums Chart.

b artists

Beach Pigs

Auckland indie and pop-punk four-piece who released their debut EP on Arch Hill Recordings in 2012, followed by the album Grom Warfare in 2014. Known for their high-energy live shows and sun-soaked guitar pop.

a artists

Alaska!

Auckland indie folk project who released the album FLAWS in 2012 before evolving into Farah Loux. Active in the Auckland independent music scene of the early 2010s.

g artists

Glass Vaults

Wellington electronic pop duo Richard Larsen and Rowan Pierce, whose albums have been released on Flying Out and UK label Melodic.

p artists

Purple Pilgrims

New Zealand sister duo Clementine and Valentine Nixon — great-granddaughters of Scottish folk musician Davie Stewart — whose devotional dream pop spans Not Not Fun Records and Flying Nun. Albums: Eternal Delight (2016) and Perfumed Earth (2019). Now also recording as Clementine Valentine.

s artists

Seth Frightening

Wellington neo-folk musician Sean Kelly, who has performed alongside Grizzly Bear and Jónsi.

l artists

Loves Ugly Children

Christchurch alt-rock trio active 1989–1998. Fronted by Simon Maclaren (vocals/guitar) with Angela "Floss" Leslie (bass) and Jason Young (drums). Released two Flying Nun albums — Cakehole (1995) and Showered in Gold (1997) — plus numerous EPs. Reunited in 2024; released Lost Demos 12" on Acrid Plume Records in 2025.

m artists

Minisnap

Christchurch indie-pop trio formed in the early 2000s by three-quarters of The Bats, with guitarist Kaye Woodward stepping up as principal songwriter and vocalist. Rooted in the jangle-pop of the Dunedin Sound. Debut album Bounce Around (2008, Pocket Music); a follow-up album is mastered and awaiting release.