Exciting Auckland Producer Haan808 Is Entering a New Creative Chapter

Earlier this month, a new study revealed that being a DJ is the number one dream career in Aotearoa New Zealand. But this country has been in love with dance and electronic music long before the zoomers arrived.

For over a decade, one of the most well-travelled Kiwi electronic producers in the game has been Haan808, who has taken his “atmospheric bass” (more on that below) all over the world, including to Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US.

He’s toured and shared stages with big-name artists such as Diplo, Mr. Carmack, Alison Wonderland, and Boombox Cartel, to name just a few.

After taking a break during COVID to reassess things, Haan808 has slowly been getting back into his groove as a producer. Now operating out of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, he’s stepping into an exciting new creative chapter.

His latest single, “Talk About It”, dropped this week, a song he says is “truly a showcase of what I’m capable of.”

“It’s atmospheric, bass-heavy, 140 joint, vocal chops, and groovy drums,” he tolls Rolling Stone AU/NZ. “Everything you want in an electronic track, to be honest!

After making his name with a varied sound that took in in hip-hop, trap, EDM, and bass-heavy tones, Haan808 has lately found himself enamoured by — as have his hometown contemporaries Caru and Brandn Shiraz — UKG.

“Which I know is popular at the moment,” he concedes, “but it’s something I’ve been making on the low for years and years. He’s spent the past couple of years changing his sound, evolving as a producer. “I just hope people will like it as much I do when I’m making it,” he adds.

“Talk About It” is a taste of Haan808’s forthcoming EP, set for release via MONTA Records very soon. It’s his second drop of the year, following previous single “Right Time”, which receive support from George FM and triple j. Haan808’s new chapter, in other words, is progressing very well indeed.

Gget to know the eclectic producer better as part of our Up-And-Coming Aotearoa Artists series below.

Haan808’s “Talk About It” is out now. 

Rolling Stone AU/NZ: How much did music influence you in your early life?

Haan808: Extremely. I have an Iranian father and a Pakistani mother. I had music from both cultures playing in the house, in the car, out in the ABC yard while my dad worked in the shed/garage all the time. On top of that I had western music, from the radio, from school, from friends. So music growing up was the centre point for most environments, I would say.

What artists influenced you growing up?

It’s hard to pinpoint a few because my influence changed as I grew older, the different style or genre I was listening to, not to mention which culture of music I was listening to as well.

But to name a few, which is a mixture of electronic producers, singers, etc.: Mr. Carmack, Sango, BoomBox Cartel, Mark Hill, Mark Ryder, obviously Todd Edwards, a lot of Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machine, Linkin Park. Honestly, I could go on and on!

What was the best thing about growing up around New Zealand?

The different cultures that are blended into New Zealand that are all proud to call ourselves Kiwis. I moved around the country a lot because of my father’s job. Every time we moved to the city, he’d set up shop. I was born in Auckland and around 6/7 years old we moved to Hamilton. When I was 12 or 13, we moved to Christchurch, where I did most of my high schooling years, then straight after I pretty much moved back to Auckland on my own.

The best thing by far was the freedom, the freedom to do whatever I wanted — fail at it and try again. We are lucky to be in such a beautiful country, and I’m glad my parents chose this place for me and my older brother Pax to grow up.

What are some career highlights so far?

Honestly, there are quite a few. I’d say touring the States at 21 years old was amazing. Doing shows with Diplo, Mr. Carmack, having tracks released with Versache, Sango, Montell2099, the list could go on. I remember when I was 17 years old, going to school in the morning, and at the time there was an automated Twitter account that announced every track [that] would be played on BBC Radio 1Xtra, and my song played on there — that was very cool. Which then led to a BBC Radio 1 Xtra premiere and interview live with Jamz Supernova.

But I still get dope moments. I’m lucky enough to consistently perform at festivals, travel the world, and tour and meet amazing people.

What personality traits and values does it take to succeed in the music industry?

To be fair, in this day and age, getting your music across the right ears and right people is key. So being true to yourself and being real is absolutely key!! Because no one can do you better than you (as corny as it can come across).

Everyone has accessibility to music equipment, a state of the art studio, or producer these days, but what pushes through is you and your sound. Once you are solid in yourself and ready to share what you got, then that is something that you can plan around and market and truly treat as a brand.

At the end of the day, if you are happy with who you are as a musician, then it’s easy to promote yourself, because you can truly be proud of what you bring to the table.

How would you describe your music to a potential fan?

Just some good electronic goodness — something that melts your ears and honestly, something that you probably haven’t heard before. I always get people saying how my electronic music really has my own stamp on it because I add a lot of R&B melody and elements from the music I grew up with in a multicultural household.

The best way to describe it would be to call “atmospheric bass” lol.

What are your goals for 2026 and beyond?

To release this EP on MONTA Records, which is Boombox Cartel’s label. I got a couple of gigs coming up overseas which is going to be fun, and [I want to] just carry on doing what I love. Making music and enjoying my time with it. The more I try to pinpoint something and really force myself to do it, the more I want to have freedom.