24 January 2025 - 0 Comments

Prolific Tāmaki Makaurau musicians Caru & Brandn Shiraz join forces to celebrate their upcoming EP Back 2 Back inspired by the sounds of UK Garage. Their project combines both artists' respective styles to create a unique and fresh take on the classic 2000’s dance genre. Brandn Shiraz’s boundary pushing MC skills effortlessly complement Caru’s refined production, resulting in a sound that’s both laid back and danceable.

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The project perfectly fits a pocket in the Aotearoa music community by appealing to club DJs who curate music for the dancefloor, as well as the music-lovers who attend their shows. The project sees the duo steering away from the stereotypical pop music sensibilities of UK Garage, instead opting for a slick and mature interpretation of the genre that pays respect to the electronic music underground.

Focus single Pull Up features the smooth vocals of R&B powerhouse Jarna, who Shiraz connected with at the APRA AMCOS Moana Songhubs. Jarna’s sultry vocal harmonies juxtapose Shiraz’s focused flows and enticing lyricism. Both vocalists seamlessly enhance each other's performance, over a backdrop of dreamy chord sequences and intricate drum rhythms – not to mention the heavy 808 bass lines throughout.

Title track Back 2 Back begins with an introduction by British-Tamil Producer & DJ GoldTooth, who moved from the UK to Auckland last year and brought with him a wealth of expertise and experience. This allowed him to quickly integrate into the Aotearoa DJ community, eventually crossing paths with Caru & Brandn Shiraz. GoldTooth’s excitement over the early demos of the EP resulted in an off-the-cuff recording in which he states that the duo have “cracked it” and that “garage isn’t a sound, but a feeling”. The track encapsulates the duo’s respective sounds, resulting in an opener where Shiraz takes advantage of the skippy drum production and bass-heavy beats as a launching point for his concise flows.

Head nodding and contemplative No Time features visual artist and vocalist Eo, previously known for his work in hip-hip group Badcrop. The track also features Rhodes and synthesiser recordings from Kenny Sterling (Matt Hunter) who adds jazzy embellishments that accompany the moody vibe of the production.

To close out the project, Poster Boyz shows a darker side to their producer-MC dynamic. The song's high tempo breakbeats flawlessly pair with Shiraz’s grime-inspired delivery, ending in a glitchy jungle inspired rhythm that chops up Shiraz’s vocals.

You can catch Caru & Brandn Shiraz at the upcoming Cross Street Music Festival on Saturday 8th March, where the duo will be closing out the festival in the heart of Auckland City with a dynamic set.

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