Artist Profile: d.e.l.u.n.e

Artist Profile: d.e.l.u.n.e.

By Rob Harbers. Photography by Olivia Robertson.

Rising star in the Hawkes Bay music scene, artist d.e.l.u.n.e is one to watch out for. Taking inspiration from sources such as Sigur Rós, Björk, and The Cure, she crafts lush soundscapes – often based around manipulated guitar that explore deep themes.

Fresh off the release of her debut EP “The Self I Am Becoming”, she, at the last minute, was given the opportunity to play the support to Amanda Palmer’s recent Hastings show, beamed live to the world through the generosity of AFP’s patrons. She did, when we recently chatted, describe this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to tread the boards of the venerable ToiToi, but given the talent she exhibits I’d say she’s underselling herself with that statement – I can see her being back there again, if there’s any sense to the world!

Her sound interweaves experimental percussion, bowed guitar, ethereal vocals, and a deeply considered and literate approach to composition. This, for me, is best exemplified by the track “Willow”, which, while a wordless composition, she wrote a poem which is to be considered alongside the piece. Together, they form a meditation on the distinctive properties of the willow tree, an expression of its wairua.

As can be the fate of an experimental artist, her path tends to be rather a solo one, but at the same time her multi-faceted approach allows her to work in with other artists on an occasional basis, such as the ensemble I most recently saw her playing as a part of Kahizhin Cosmics, formed from members of EIT’s Diploma of Music 2020 cohort, and named after a dancing star in the night’s sky – delivering a contemporary, genreless sound which fuses ambient blues, free flow hip hop and tribal beats (according to their bio). Whichever way one puts it, it was pretty fucking amazing!

But it’ll be as a solo artist that this slice of moon will shine the brightest, and now is the time to start following her light. After all, isn’t it always the most fun to say that you were into someone before everyone else was? Go to Bandcamp, buy the EP, and help this talent find her rightful place!

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