Introducing Tyran

Today, we welcome Tyran Talamaivao to Mānuka Recordings

Selected Works is a weekly (usually) newsletter by the Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand) based freelance music journalist, broadcaster, copywriter and sometimes DJ Martyn Pepperell, aka Yours Truly. Most weeks, Selected Works consists of a recap of what I’ve been doing lately and some of what I’ve been listening to and reading, paired with film photographs I’ve taken + some bonuses. All of that said, sometimes, it takes completely different forms.

Introducing Tyran’s solo debut; I Want To See You Again b/w Heaven, two slices of the Aotearoa based singer’s soulful baritone over 60s & 70s informed Soul & Lovers Rock, produced by Kenny Sterling.

Over the last six months, Tyran Talamaivao, a teacher’s aide by day and a singer-songwriter by night, has become one of the most anticipated new voices in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. Today, he steps out of the shadows with the release of his double single, ‘Heaven’ (featuring The Hongi Slicker & AJ Honeysuckle). b/w I Want To See You Again’ (featuring Summer Vee).

Written and demoed during what Tyran calls quick, easy and natural “hour of power” sessions with Mānuka Recordings co-founder and in-house producer Kenny Sterling, the songs feature a cast of collaborators including the composer Navakatoa Tekela-Pule (Noa Records) and a who’s who of local session musicians. Across both songs, Tyran’s warm baritone is the star, bathed in the golden light of late summer and early autumn in the city of a thousand lovers.

Though their chemistry suggests longtime friends, Tyran and Kenny only started working together in October 2025 after they were introduced by Elijah Manu, aka Church (of Church and AP). After Manu’s prompt, Tyran downloaded Kenny’s instrumental jazz-funk song ‘Love’s Mirage’, chopped it up, and tracked a demo over it. A week later, they were in the studio.

Across ‘I Want To See You Again’, the proud West Auckland-born Samoan singer-songwriter and guitarist, croons sweetly about waiting to see someone special again over a bubbling reggae soul groove. With Ezra Donnelly on drums and Navakatoa on bass, the rhythm section is rock solid. As Tyran and Summer Vee’s voices intertwine, JY Lee, Navakatoa and Kenny add flutes, electric guitar, Moog synthesiser and other instrumentation to the heartfelt singalong vibes.

On the flipside, ‘Heaven’ finds Cory Champion (drums), Julien Dyne (percussion), Navakatoa, and Kenny setting up a sweet 1980s-style UK Lovers Rock riddim for Tyran to play guitar and pour his heart out over. As he sings about the sacred and the profane, desire and transcendence, The Hongi Slicker and AJ Honeysuckle hop in for some beautifully complementary backing vocals.

Recorded between Aesum Music House, Sterling Studios, and The Hong Slicker’s home studios, the songs were mixed by Kenny and mastered by Josh Llewellyn at Downbeat Mastering.

‘I Want To See You Again’ / ‘Heaven’ is available now on limited-edition vinyl, digital download, and streaming platforms.

Now, if that has piqued your interest, here’s a bit more background information.

Few emerging singers in Aotearoa possess a baritone as rich and disarming as Tyran Talamaivao, nor the same instinct for expressing joy and heartbreak through timeless metaphors. Raised in West Auckland on 1970s soft rock, disco, and soul, from Barry White to Motown, he came to music gradually, picking up guitar in his early teens before discovering his voice with encouragement from a high school music teacher.

The son of hardworking parents, the handsome young Samoan singer-songwriter and guitarist balances discipline with creativity. In 2025, he dedicated himself more fully to music, writing and recording at Stebbing Studios alongside longtime friend Church (of Church & AP, and later collaborating with producer Kenny Sterling of Mānuka Recordings. His recent work spans lovers’ rock, soul, R&B, and house, including his forthcoming debut EP Six Strings & A Heartbeat.

In the same tradition as Bill Withers, Tracy Chapman, and Mahinārangi Tocker, he makes intimate, inward-looking songs with expansive universal appeal. He knows his way around three chords and the truth, and he’s got a quiet charisma that makes his performances undeniable. All he needs is an acoustic guitar and his unmistakable voice.

ODDS + ENDS

At 10 am on Saturday the 11th of April, Mouthfull Radio is playing the latest installment in my Eternity’s Gate mixshow series. Here’s a brief blurb about it.

Eternity’s Gate 4 is sunny summer car rides along the coast of Te Waipounamu, Greatsouth sending you a DM asking why you haven’t shown him Dead People Famous yet, and Yo Ta Lengo concerts in Te Whanganui-a-tara. It’s also listening to Tricky with corded headphones and a Discman while skateboarding in the ‘90s, downloading Hyperdub Records’ promos to write about on blogs, and seeing Leao play at Whammy Bar in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s a lot of things. 19 indie rock, dream pop, shoegaze, trip-hop and ambient guitar jams, all packed into one hour for your listening pleasure.

You’ll be able to stream it live here. Expect an archive upload soon enough as well.

FIN.