The Beths

The Beths return with “A Real Thing,” their first new song since the release of 2020’s Jump Rope Gazers. “A Real Thing” comes as The Beths begin their long-awaited North American headline tour, which has been rescheduled twice due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Last year, the band released Auckland, New Zealand, 2020, a live concert recording that showcased the infectious energy The Beths bring to every performance, and what audiences have been so dearly missing.

“‘A Real Thing’ is a kind of anxiety dream. It’s a bit muddled, a bit frantic, a bit sinister,” says lead singer Liz Stokes. “It’s what came out of my guitar in late 2020, post NZ election (and U.S. election). I was limply reaching for optimism about the future, but was really just marinating in dread.” Ultimately playing more apocalyptic scenarios of climate change in her head, Stokes’ lyrics include specific references to how New Zealand has dealt with sea level rise in the past: “In NZ people sometimes use tyres and cement to build retaining walls by the water, to try to stop the land being eroded away as the sea encroaches. It doesn’t really work.” It’s a poignant image for a band that has had to navigate the constant changes in our present moment.

The deep bond between Stokes, lead guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair, and drummer Tristan Deck, has allowed them to overcome challenging circumstances and that’s present in the upbeat urgency of “A Real Thing.” It’s palpable from the very start and paired with the band’s signature bright, raucous guitar hooks and cooing harmonies; the song races and soars, much like an increasing heart rate. The Beths’ infectious and insightful songwriting on “A Real Thing” is an exciting marker of more excellent work to come, and the perfect way to mark the beginning of tour.

Phoebe Rings grew up in the Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland music ecosystem, performing gigs in their unique signature blend of jazz-inspired dream-pop and building a devoted fanbase. They formed in 2019, having met through mutual creative friends and projects, with their first major gig opening for The Beths.

After signing to Carpark Records in 2024, they released their self-titled debut EP last October, and their forthcoming debut LP Aseurai will be out 6th June 2025. Affectionately dubbed the ‘Sunday Sessions,’ by lead singer/synthesist Crystal Choi, the band religiously wrote, practised, recorded and produced for the album every Sunday across 2023-2024 while balancing work and other musical projects.   

The talented ‘Indie Supergroup,’ as coined by RNZ, are all prolific musicians with distinct solo projects. This includes involvement with other notable NZ acts such as Princess Chelsea, Fazerdaze, Tiny Ruins, AC Freazy, and Lucky Boy.

While Phoebe Rings was formed by Auckland jazz school-trained pianist Crystal Choi, Aseurai shines with an intentional, collaborative shift with songwriting from drummer Alex Freer, guitar/synthesist Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent, and bassist Benjamin Locke. 

Though four different people contributing songwriting credits posed new challenges, says Kavanagh-Vincent, “we all still came together in a cohesive manner.” After all, they share common ground in Phoebe Ring’s celestial dream-pop roots with a love of Stereolab, Broadcast, Studio Ghibli and video game soundtracks. 

This shift signals an exciting direction for Phoebe Rings, and Choi says their focus for the next year includes “expanding, adding more rings to our planet, playing in more places including Asia, meeting new people and being inspired by seeing other great bands play.” 

Phoebe Rings are looking forward to their first international tour across Taiwan, Australia and NZ in March & April. They’ve recently played at Sydney SXSW, Festival of Lights 2024, finished touring their debut EP launch around New Zealand, and have performed at Future Future Music Festival, Fringe Festival (Outsider Festival), and Nestfest. The band has made ‘Best Music of the Week,’ round-ups on the Rolling Stone, with music featured on Kid Sister (TVNZ+) and White Fever (ABC, AU). 

The future is fizzing with momentum and Phoebe Rings are currently working on their second album.