Season 2
SweetAs Music News - 10 September 2026
Jordan Hunter Hyland
Kirsten Morrell
Triggar Happy, teases a new single
Stewart Pedley (From Clay EP)
Lewis Parke
Max Allais
Niki Kennedy (Rising Stars)
Louis Baker
Tiger Lottis
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Each week on the Sweet As Kiwi Show - we feature the latest Kiwi music news.
By day, Jordan Hunter Hyland works as a doctor in Auckland. Outside the hospital, he's spent a lifetime writing songs. Now, after years of balancing medicine with music, the 28-year-old is introducing himself as one of New Zealand's most compelling new indie singer-songwriters with the announcement of his debut EP Waste. We'll chat with Jordan and hear the title track from the EP.
Kirsten Morrell is probably best known for her sparkling career as lead vocalist and co-songwriter for Goldenhorse, a band who became a household name in Aotearoa. After Goldenhorse called it a day in 2007, Morrell remained active in the music world, and has recently released her new album Morrellium. The crafting of Morrellium began in London, “after my friend Alan Gregg (The Mutton Birds) and I went for a walk one day. I was at a crossroads, and he said, ‘permission to start writing again Kirsten’. It really rolled on from there.” We'll chat with Kirsten and hear the latest single ChickenBook (rehabilitating battery farmed chickens!) https://kirstenmorrell.bandcamp.com/album/morrellium
It's a super quick check in with rock/country artist, Triggar Happy, who wants to play a sneak tease of his new single - out September 18 - with a launch at Jolene’s in Auckland. Clip includes a snippet of the new single - unreleased in full until September 18. Used with artist permission. follow @itstriggarhappy on Instagram.
From the opposite end of the country, we speak with Stewart Pedley from the Coromandel, about his newest solo EP - From Clay. This prolific songwriter and performer, explores his creativity through solo work, a duet project and a punk rock trio. During this chat, Stewart talks about the organic nature of this EP - both the songwriting and the recording process, in the historic Hauraki House hall of Coromandel Town with producer Matt Sephton. Stewart Pedley's FROM CLAY is available on all platforms - September 3. (a lyric video for Lucky is available on YouTube) Check the EP out now on BANDCAMP
This week, we chat with one of New Zealand's most exciting emerging independent artists - Lewis Parke. At just 22 years old, the Christchurch singer-songwriter has quickly built a strong following through his honest songwriting, captivating live performances and rapidly growing reputation. Following the success of his previous single “Shiver”, Lewis recently sold out his first headline show and continues to gain momentum as one of New Zealand's brightest independent talents. We chat about the new single - “Clockwork” an uplifting alternative indie-pop anthem, exploring perseverance, ambition and finding the strength to keep moving forward when life doesn't always go to plan.
New Zealand-French singer-songwriter, Max Allais, opens the next chapter of his artistic journey with the extremely catchy new single, Cry Baby - we catch up with Max from Paris to talk about the song that explores vulnerability, self-doubt and the complexities of relationships.
Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Niki Kennedy is an award-winning Pasifika singer-songwriter based in Toronto. We catch up with rising star Niki Kennedy to chat about her new album The Space In Between, and hear all about the new single Gardenias.
LOUIS BAKER finds release in new single, 'Trouble' + Official Music Video From one of Aotearoa’s treasured voices comes proof of the cathartic, healing power of music. Louis Baker’s powerful new single Trouble, sees the acclaimed artist transform personal turmoil into a deeply personal and resonant new work. Trouble cements Baker’s standing as an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, song-writer, producer, and captivating vocalist.
LIL SISTER’S RISING STARS PRESENTS: Enigmatic Auckland artist Tiger Lotiss’ releases new single ‘Tiger in the Garden’ With a sound and aesthetic that’s unparalleled in Aotearoa, Tiger Lotiss returns with a thought provoking and soulful new song that delivers a powerful message for young New Zealanders.