?tepoti sensation Neive Strang has been making a name for herself these past few years, dodging pandemic curveballs to hone her craft and still build a solid live fanbase, playing on all the big stages in her hometown, release two EPs, and a mini album, as well as win the local band battle a couple of years back. Then the band was selected for Going Global 2022. Neive was also handpicked by Shayne Carter to join the Dimmer band for the hugely successful I Believe You Are A Star Tour.

Now back with her own excellent band - showcasing the talents of guitarist Jack Wing, drummer Benny Holloway, bassist Oliver Robson and keyboardist/percussionist Jesse Semple - the 5-piece recently recorded with the incomparable SJD (Sean Donnelly) producing and the stunning, dreamy result is Living in Two. A song that Neive says stems from “feeling really divided in myself. I was both really happy and comfortable in my life but also knew something was missing. This song aims to reflect how confused and torn I was between both feelings at the time, questioning basically everything”.

One thing no one can question is Neive’s songwriting talent, a reason renowned producer/songwriter SJD jumped at the chance to work with her and the band, he says “Neive is a thoughtful and original songwriter who is also blessed with a great singing voice. She is also an astute lyricist, who has a knack for knowing when space and silence will say more than an excess of words. Backed up by a band of talented and sensitive musicians who know how to support the songcraft on display, adding hooks and motifs of their own and listening to each other in the process. It was great working with them in a studio setting. They were open to new ideas and quick to respond with their own”.

The single, with funding from NZ on Air, has a beautiful accompanying video, created by talented wahine Bailey Gardner and Matilda Macandrew. Rather than attempt to describe its brilliance, really we encourage you to watch and enjoy it here:

And such a significant single release deserves a tour to go alongside it, so today Neive and her band announce eight live dates around the country, tickets available now from Undertheradar:

Neive Strang - Living in Two Tour Aotearoa 2023

MARCH

Fri 10th Cafe Santosha (formerly The Galley), Port Chalmers all ages

Fri 17th Space Academy, Chch

Sat 25th Southland Musicians Club, Invercargill

Fri 31st Yours, Dunedin all ages

APRIL

Sat 1st Sherwood, Queenstown

Fri 14th Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru

Fri 28th Meow, Wellington

Sat 29th Whammy Backroom, Auckland