New Zealand\u2019s eclectic musical collective\u00a0Fly My Pretties,<\/strong>\u00a0releases a track led by its founder and frontman, Barnaby Weir, <\/strong>Face The Sun.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Here is the blurb with more:<\/p>\n Taken off the upcoming deluxe version of their new album\u00a0ELEMENTAL<\/em>,<\/strong>\u00a0the track sees\u00a0Barnaby\u2019s folk-based stylings combining with beautiful harmonies from\u00a0RIIKI REID, Taylah, AJA\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0TAWAZ.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the more laid-back tracks from the album, Face The Sun<\/em>\u00a0incorporates feelings of modern-day folk and Americana, a side which is familiar and loved by\u00a0Fly My Pretties<\/strong>\u00a0fans. The track is grounded in the soulful sounds of the album, but thrown through a folk-inspired lens.<\/p>\n Face The Sun<\/em>\u00a0is the latest taste of the extended version of their latest album,\u00a0ELEMENTAL<\/strong><\/em>. Released earlier in 2025, the new album was described as \u201ctheatrical, skillfully arranged, spirited\u2026 with the FMP mark of quality\u201d. The album reached Number 3 on the NZ Album Charts, and was followed by a series of capacity shows in Auckland and Christchurch. The album is a collection of songs dripping in soul and blues, performed by an all-star band and a collection of incredible vocalists. The extended version will feature a number of tracks not included on the initial release.<\/p>\n Known for their singer-songwriter sound,\u00a0ELEMENTAL<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>sees\u00a0Fly My Pretties\u00a0<\/strong>taking their sound into an exciting new direction. While famous for their big band set-up, this album is relatively stripped back, featuring only 11 musicians who appear on every track, which gives the album a soulful groove. Featuring vocalists\u00a0RIIKI REID, AJA, Tawaz, Taylah, Louis TM, Barnaby Weir (The Black Seeds)\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Laughton Kora,\u00a0<\/strong>the band is anchored by a rhythm section of\u00a0Iraia Whakamoe (The Nudge)\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Aaron Stewart (Mel Parsons, T-Bone),\u00a0<\/strong>and complemented by guitarist\u00a0Ryan Prebble (The Nudge)\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Nigel Patterson (The Black Seeds) <\/strong>on keys.<\/p>\n ABOUT FLY MY PRETTIES:<\/strong><\/p>\n Fly My Pretties\u00a0are New Zealand\u2019s favourite collaborative group, starring a selection of the country\u2019s finest contemporary musicians. Since its inception,\u00a0Fly My Pretties<\/strong>\u00a0has grown into a local music legend that continues to resonate with people worldwide.<\/p>\n Fly My Pretties<\/strong>\u00a0first appeared in 2004, led by\u00a0The Black Seeds<\/strong>\u00a0frontman\u00a0Barnaby Weir<\/strong>\u00a0and a talented group of Wellington-based musicians for a special project. The resulting\u00a0LIVE AT BATS\u00a0<\/strong>was a multi-platinum award-winning album, one which created the ethos behind\u00a0Fly My Pretties\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 to meet, exchange ideas, and then perform and record the results.<\/p>\n The collective have since released eight projects, exposed an incredible range of musicians, and created countless true classics.\u00a0ELEMENTAL\u00a0<\/strong>is their first new work in over five years, one which again features frontman\u00a0Barnaby Weir\u00a0<\/strong>and frequent collaborator\u00a0Laughton Kora,<\/strong>\u00a0alongside a cast of both familiar and undiscovered musicians.<\/p>\n ABOUT THE CAST:<\/strong><\/p>\n AJA<\/p>\n AJA<\/strong>\u00a0is a grounded and dynamic musician whose work is inspired by timeless, elemental, and harmonious themes. In 2022, she was honoured with the prestigious APRA Maioha Award for her waiata \u2018Te Iho\u2019. With her distinctive and compelling vocal tones,\u00a0AJA\u00a0<\/strong>draws listeners into a rich and immersive musical landscape. Late-2024 saw the release of her debut album\u00a0K\u0100WAI,<\/strong>\u00a0which was met with acclaim.<\/p>\n RIIKI REID<\/strong><\/p>\n A 24-year-old dream pop sensation from Wellington,\u00a0Riiki Reid<\/strong>\u00a0is igniting the alternative pop scene with her multifaceted talents in vocals, production, dance, and songwriting. Known for her electrifying live performances and unique blend of vocal and dance elements, she commands the stage with an old Fender Mustang and a captivating presence.\u00a0Reid<\/strong>\u00a0has toured with artists such as Lorde, Six60, L.A.B and Sir Dave Dobbyn, with her current single\u00a0\u2018Over Romantic\u2019\u00a0<\/strong>is one of the most-played songs on New Zealand radio.<\/p>\n Taylah<\/strong><\/p>\n Taylah<\/strong>\u00a0is a rising New Zealand artist whose uniquely commanding and compelling voice embodies calm self-assurance and fiery empowerment, enriched by her poetic lyricism and M\u0101ori heritage. Having supported major acts like Dragon, Hollie Smith, and Troy Kingi, her musical resum\u00e9 has grown substantially since the age of 14 when she first picked up an acoustic guitar. Her blend of soul, R&B, and neo-soul tones is captured in her new EP,\u00a0TILT<\/strong>, released in March 2025.<\/p>\n Louis TM<\/strong><\/p>\n With soulful vocals and a fresh take on soul and R&B,\u00a0Louis TM\u00a0<\/strong>brings sounds from another era, blending them with modern, groove-infused songwriting that keeps audiences dancing. After 15 years as a piano\/keyboardist backing countless artists, Louis is at home on stage. Merging modern soul, R&B, and indie influences, he has performed with Ria Hall, jammed with the California Honeydrops, and played alongside many of Aotearoa\u2019s top musicians. September 2024 saw the release of his debut solo album,\u00a0SHELTER FOR A BROKEN SOUL.<\/strong><\/p>\n TAWAZ<\/p>\n TAWAZ<\/strong>\u00a0is a Palmerston North-born M\u0101ori artist and singer-songwriter who champions te reo M\u0101ori through music and has collaborated with the likes of Stan Walker, Troy Kingi, Maisey Rika and many more. Winning two awards at the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards and a finalist for the 2024 APRA Maioha Award,\u00a0TAWAZ\u00a0<\/strong>brings a deep cultural perspective and linguistic expertise, enriching the storytelling and authenticity of\u00a0ELEMENTAL.<\/strong><\/p>\n Barnaby Weir<\/p>\n Leader and co-founder of\u00a0Fly My Pretties<\/strong>\u2019 is one of many hats donned by the long-time musician and songwriter,\u00a0Barnaby Weir<\/strong>. Anything but idle,\u00a0Barnaby<\/strong>\u00a0has also established himself as a successful solo musician, all the while juggling his duties as front man for\u00a0The Black Seeds<\/strong>.\u00a0Barnaby<\/strong>\u2019s professional musical career has seen him perform in almost 20 countries and contribute songwriting and producing on over 24 albums.<\/p>\n Laughton Kora<\/strong><\/p>\n Laughton Kora<\/strong>\u00a0has been playing music since the age of six, and has been a key member of\u00a0Fly My Pretties<\/strong>\u00a0since\u00a0STRING THEORY<\/strong>.<\/em>\u00a0One of the busiest musicians in Aotearoa, his new galactic-funk band\u00a0Black Comet<\/strong>\u00a0have been making waves across the country. He brings his distinctive style and flavour to\u00a0ELEMENTAL<\/strong>, creating the initial concept for the show alongside\u00a0Barnaby<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Iraia Whakamoe<\/strong><\/p>\n The dart master\u00a0Iraia Whakamoe<\/strong>\u00a0is best known as part of blues-rock trio\u00a0The Nudge<\/strong>, for his savage drumming style, innate ability to keep a beat and intuitive knack at creating space and feeling within his rhythms. 2024 saw\u00a0Iraia\u00a0<\/strong>create and tour the incredible Bill Withers Social Club across Aotearoa, and he returns to the\u00a0Fly My Prettie<\/strong>s engine-room where he has sat since\u00a0FLY MY PRETTIES IV.<\/strong><\/p>\n Nigel Patterson<\/p>\n Nigel Patterso<\/strong>n is a Wellington-based pianist, organist, composer and keyboardist for\u00a0The Black Seeds<\/strong>. Nigel is a purveyor of vintage instruments who keeps busy performing in his all-original jazz quartet\u00a0The Nigel Patterson Quartet.<\/strong>\u00a0Also a key part of the\u00a0Fly My Pretties\u00a0<\/strong>engine-room,\u00a0Nigel\u00a0<\/strong>has appeared in every incarnation since\u00a0A STORY<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Ryan Prebble<\/strong><\/p>\n Ryan Prebble<\/strong>\u00a0has beguiled audiences the world over with his stonking guitar rhythms and powerful, gravelly voice, which is at times a gentle moan, at times a growl. A seasoned musician, Ryan has been a part of\u00a0Fly My Pretties<\/strong>\u00a0since\u00a0A STORY<\/strong>, performed as a solo artist, plus is currently the singer and guitarist for Wellington blues-rock trio,\u00a0The Nudge<\/strong>, recent finalists for the APRA Silver Scroll.<\/p>\n Aaron Stewart<\/strong><\/p>\n Aaron Stewart\u00a0<\/strong>is an in-demand bass player who has built a reputation for solid musicality and creativity. He has performed live with Kiwi favourites like Tui Award-winning alt-country artist\u00a0Mel Parsons<\/strong>\u00a0and the bluegrass\/Americana band\u00a0T-Bone<\/strong>, winners of the 2023 Aotearoa Music Award for Best Folk Artist. A member of\u00a0Fly My Pretties<\/strong>\u00a0for the past few years,\u00a0ELEMENTAL<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>is his first album appearance.<\/p>\n Follow Fly My Pretties:<\/strong><\/p>\n Website<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0<\/strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0<\/strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/13thfloor.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fly-My-Pretties-Face-The-Sun-300x300.jpg\")
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Bandcamp<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0<\/strong>Spotify<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0<\/strong>Apple Music<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
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