“Summer Won’t Be the Same” is Mirage’s first radio release, and it’s a track that encapsulates the classic summer vibe. The band hopes it will not only appeal to their loyal online following but also reach a broader audience across Aotearoa. Mirage is poised for an exciting new chapter. Frontman Ben Horlock (Ngāti Porou, Ngati Ranginui, Te Arawa), remains at the helm, joined by Jaevyn Douglas (Ngāi Te Rangi) on bass, Jacob Roos (Ngāpuhi) on drums, Josh Glennie on rhythm guitar, and the newly added Angelo Cruzat on lead guitar.
This dynamic ensemble has brought fresh energy to the band, reflected in their latest studio work. The track was crafted during an APRA SongHubs writing camp in Whāingaroa (Raglan), where Ben Horlock collaborated with Fran Kora of the legendary NZ band Kora, acclaimed producer Christian Tjandrawinata (Corrella), and emerging pop singer Yah Yah. This experience not only led to further recording sessions but also secured a grant from NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho through the Waiata Takitahi funding program — a support for which the band is truly grateful. Anaru Palmer translated the song into Te Reo Māori, and Mirage is proud to also release both a full Reo version and a bilingual version of the track.
“It’s probably one of the least psychedelic tracks on the album, but it’s got the best beat—it’s just got that classic summer cruising vibe,” says the band. “We wanted to give Aotearoa something good and groovy for the summer. Creating this track in Māori and English feels like a meaningful contribution to our musical landscape. No matter your background, we’ve got you covered with our music…”
Since making their debut last year, Mt Maunganui band Mirage has quickly established themselves as a must-see act at some of New Zealand’s most iconic summer festivals, including ‘Soundsplash’ and ‘One Love.’ They’ve shared stages with the likes of Masaya, Lost Tribes of Aotearoa, Corrella, Sons of Zion, and Summer Thieves, capturing the hearts of audiences with their unique sound and vibrant performances.
After an intense summer filled with live shows, Mirage retreated to the studio in early 2024. Over the past six months, they’ve been hard at work crafting a ten-track album that perfectly captures the essence of summer. Blending smooth, dreamy vibes with infectious melodies, the album is a treat for fans of Sticky Fingers, L.A.B, Mako Road, Ocean Alley, Coterie, and Six60. With tracks available in both Reo Māori andEnglish, the album offers something for everyone.
“Our goal was to blend our musical and cultural influences with our own experiences to create something real and authentic,” the band shares. “In a world that often feels saturated with superficiality, we wanted to produce music that’s genuine—something that people can truly feel and groove to.”
The creative process was nothing short of a marathon, with countless late-night studio sessions dedicated to writing, refining, and perfecting each track. The result is a meticulously crafted album that’s mostly self-produced, featuring a psychedelic and genre-bending sound that is sure to resonate with a wide range of listeners.
“We love reggae, pop, rock—pretty much anything with a cool vibe—so we wanted to create music that anyone can enjoy,” the band explains. “Whether you’re into reo music, reggae, indie, pop, or rock, there’s something here for you. Our musical backgrounds bring a heap of influences to the table, so we didn’t want to be stuck with just one genre.”
Mirage’s commitment to their craft extends beyond the music itself. The band has collaborated closely with visual artists to ensure that their album’s artwork reflects the same passion and integrity that drives their music. “Brian from the Yard in Raglan created our first gig poster, and we loved it so much that we used it for the ‘Summer Won’t Be the Same’ single. Our artist, Debs, then designed the artwork for the rest of the tracks, and we were just blown away by how everything came together,” says the band.
To accompany their singles, Mirage has also produced a series of music videos, including three animated videos that perfectly capture the spirit of their music. The video for their lead track, ‘Summer,’ was filmed on location at Waihi Beach and Raglan, further grounding the band’s work in the stunning landscapes of Aotearoa. Starting in July 2024, Mirage has been releasing one track each month, building momentum towards the much-anticipated radio release of their bilingual track “Summer Won’t Be the Same” (Raumati Rerekē) on September 20th, 2024. Funded by NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho, this track marks a significant milestone for the band