Embedded Files
New Plymouth trio People of the Sun aren’t here to play it safe. Their self-titled debut is a bold, emotionally resonant collection that fuses rock, soul, jazz, and indigenous soundscapes into something both ancient and immediate—a spiritual soundtrack for uncertain times.
Formed by seasoned musicians Joseph Anderson, Djordje Nikolic, and Tom Scrase, the band has quickly made a name for themselves with charged live performances and a deep commitment to sonic storytelling. Mixed by Lee Prebble (The Surgery, Pōneke), the record lands with intention: every groove, breath and silence is meaningful, leaving space for the listener to bring their own interpretation.
Their debut single ‘Lisurgen’ sets the tone—textured, hypnotic, and unafraid to challenge. Rather than offering direct messages, the band leans into metaphor, allowing meaning to emerge through symbolism, groove, and energy. As they put it, “we favour the allusory over the prescriptive.”
What stands out most is the album’s emotional clarity. At its heart is a desire to create connection, movement, and maybe even healing. It doesn’t just ask you to listen—it invites you to feel.
A debut this assured doesn’t come along often. People of the Sun is both a love letter to Aotearoa’s land and people, and a sonic offering for anyone willing to listen deeply.
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