Fans have been waiting patiently for acclaimed Australian electronic trio PNAU and New Zealand’s Ladyhawke to collaborate and make magic once again and their new single comes not a moment too soon. ‘River’ is here to wash away the stress of 2020 and move into the new year with a feeling of rejuvenation and rebirth. ‘River’ follows on from PNAU’s two recent ARIA Award nominations, including a nod for Best Australian Live Act, and is out now.
An homage to PNAU’s roots in the rave and progressive scenes of the late ‘90s and 2000s, ‘River’ delivers a nostalgic edge with the contemporary finish PNAU have masterfully crafted over the years. The track explores themes of renewal and rebirth, with a bassline getting us ready to dance our way into the new year. PNAU have a long history with Ladyhawke as she featured on their seminal track ‘Embrace’, to this day a fan favourite and eternal festival anthem, and also collaborated with Nick Littlemore on their Teenager project.
“‘River’ came about when Ladyhawke came back into the PNAU fold,” explains PNAU’s Nick Littlemore. “It seems every time we’ve collaborated with her it’s been incendiary. We met a long while ago; within moments of meeting it was clear we had a deep connection. Ladyhawke has a remarkable voice and her creativity is second to none. It’s her humour and humility, her ability to cut through to the listener, that makes you feel like you are experiencing something for the very first time. This tune is a combination of Ladyhawke’s brilliance and the inspiring work of Sam and Peter. I really believe this song is the living proof of magic; all the elements coming together just right. I hope with all sincerity that you experience the joy we did in making it.”
Ladyhawke adds, “Years after doing ‘Embrace’ with the PNAU guys, they approached me again to maybe try something new. I’ve always had a unique connection with Nick Littlemore so knew whatever we made would be special. I remember standing in Nick’s LA home studio screaming into a microphone being egged on by him yelling “Louder!!!!” so I could get the “Riveerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” just right! I love this track and am very excited to be involved.”
PNAU is the multi-platinum-selling, ARIA award-winning electronic act of Nick Littlemore (Empire of the Sun, Vlossom, Teenager), Peter Mayes and Sam Littlemore, famed for their extensive career born out of the underground clubs and festival dancefloors of Australia. PNAU also hold the acclaimed title of giving Elton John his first UK No.1 album in 22 years when they collaborated with the legendary Rocketman on the 2012 album ‘Good Morning To The Night’. Rumour has it PNAU are currently working with Elton John once again…
With a catalogue of their own hits and multiple albums behind them, PNAU have enjoyed a powerful renaissance over the past few years, with multi-platinum hits ‘Go Bang’ and ‘Chameleon’ becoming inescapable on the airwaves in their home country of Australia and climbing the Billboard Dance charts in the US. 2019 singles ‘Solid Gold’ and ‘All Of Us’, embedded PNAU as the most cutting edge electronic act to watch on a global scale, finding a loyal fan base amongst the most influential decision makers at BBC Radio 1, triple j and streaming services across the globe. In 2020 Nick Littlemore and Peter Mayes launched their own label, Lab78, delivering a brand new project in the form of breakthrough indie act Vlossom (who also collaborated with PNAU on their single ‘Lucky’). The next Lab78 release, the debut single from Houston’s Ivy Rose, is set to drop in January 2021.
Pip Brown, better known as Ladyhawke is a one-woman synth-pop act hailing from Masterton, New Zealand. She is a multi-award winning and truly global singer, writer, producer and front woman of one of New Zealand’s most well-known musical exports. Her self-titled debut in 2008 peaked at No. 16 on the U.K. album charts and No. 1 in Australia and New Zealand’s album charts. She won Australia’s ARIA music awards for Best Breakthrough album and Best Breakthrough Single. Brown also took home six New Zealand music awards and was nominated for The Brits’ much coveted Best International Artist award. Her first album’s joyous, ’80s-electrified breakout singles, ‘Paris Is Burning’ and ‘My Delirium’ made an impact Stateside as well. In 2016 Pip Brown released ‘Wild Things’ truly independently to critical acclaim from the likes of NME and The Independent On Sunday and synch success all over the world.
