Only a month into jamming, Dick Tracy entered a battle of the bands judged by internationally acclaimed musician and producer; Tiki Taane. Winning the final, Tiki whisked them off to the studio to produce their first single Old Long Johnson which Dick Tracy then went on to produce a music video for the single themselves with zero budget.
Shortly after, Dick Tracy won fan favourite prize at local music festival Tankapalooza which granted them yet another free recording to which their second single Party Pete was recorded.
After playing many shows and gaining a steady following, Dick Tracy moved into Wellington's Munki Studios (Beastwars, Fat Freddy’s Drop and TrinityRoots) to record their debut EP The Red Hand and released the single Black Heart as another DIY video.