A music discovery show celebrating the best independent music coming out of Aotearoa. In each episode, host Gary Farrow plunges into the currents beneath the mainstream, featuring emerging artists, new releases, local scenes, and the stories behind the songs.
From indie rock and alternative to surf, garage, dream-pop, and everything in between, Down Under Currents is your guide to finding your next favourite New Zealand band.
We’re going under with Ha the Unclear and Cumberland Street (Astigmatic), the opening track from their new EP Astigmatic!, before exploring music from Dateline, Jaedyn Randell, The Dorado Experiment, Greta van den Brink, Tablefox, Eo, Robinson and The Romantics, Parksdale, Void Waves, Joe Kaptein and Sleeping Village.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
14 Oct 2026
Ep 17 - 🇳🇿 Heavy Greasy
Another eclectic mix of Aotearoa’s independent music, featuring Dale Kerrigan, Stillwater Lines, Tealskie, Alyssa Callander, Psychowolf, Mousey, Fairly Obvious, Dartz, Model, Luna and the Aether, Grifthorse, Emily Alice and Three Rays. From indie pop and alternative rock to punk and heavier sounds, there’s plenty to discover in this week’s playlist.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
7 Oct 2026
Ep 16 - Dougfest 4
This week on Down Under Currents, we're celebrating Dougfest 4 — the two-night showcase of Aotearoa's independent music scene happening at Double Whammy in Auckland over Labour Weekend. Featuring music from Coast Arcade, Haast Hunter, Exit Sign, The Rainfall, Slow Rage, Not Exact, Late To Chelsea, Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie, Lucy Dibble, Thief 'N Zard, Silcrow and Community Treatment Order.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
30 Sept 2026
Ep 15 - Bright Sharp Things
We kick things off with The Bright Ideas and their new track Bayonet from the Bright Sharp Things EP, before diving into another eclectic collection of independent music from around Aotearoa - including Blisster, Crook, Oscar Dowling, Moon Unit, Model, TAKATAPUNANI, Louis Baker, Eo, Summer Vee, Reb Fountain, The Datsuns and Conrad Wedde (from The Phoenix Foundation).
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
23 Sept 2026
Ep 14 - Sailing
On this week's Currents - Nicholas Joseph, Luna and the Aether, DARTZ, Bryony Matthews, Gareth Thomas, Isabella Jane, Wet Denim, Warner Emery, Juniper May, Princess Chelsea, The New Existentialists and SOMNIUM.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
16 Sept 2026
Ep 13 - Welcome to Taranaki
Down Under Currents is now being broadcast on Access Radio Taranaki as well as Free FM! Kia ora, Taranaki!
In celebration, we're focussing on Taranaki music in this episode. From the sounds of Pātea Māori Club and Midge Marsden to contemporary indie, soul, punk, electronic, blues and heavy music, we’re exploring the artists who have helped shape Taranaki’s musical identity — and the artists carrying that story forward today.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
9 Sept 2026
Ep 12 - Tauranga Tunes
We head over the Kaimāīs to Tauranga for a musical road trip through the city's independent music scene. Featuring Midwave Breaks, Ayla Gold, The Knids, No Reply, We Will Ride Fast, NVRSE, HOICK, Stunt Clown, Dead Simple, Threat.Meet.Protocol, This is How We Die, Brain Squash, Not Exact and Matt Bizzle.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
2 Sept 2026
Ep 11 - 🇳🇿 Canterbury Special
This week, Down Under Currents heads south to Ōtautahi Christchurch for a special episode celebrating the music coming out of Canterbury. Inspired by Gary’s recent visit to Plains Media in Ōtautahi, this episode takes a trip through the region’s wonderfully diverse independent music scene — from jangly indie and dreamy pop to garage rock, folk, punk and everything in between. Featuring music from The Response, CAITLIN, Pickle Darling, Monotones, Mel Parsons, Wurld Series, Yumi Zouma and plenty more, it’s a snapshot of a city with a huge musical history and an equally exciting future. Ōtautahi, Canterbury — this one’s for you.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
27 Aug 2026
Ep 10 - 🇳🇿 The Southland Special
This week, Down Under Currents heads south for a special episode celebrating the music of Southland and the wider Deep South. Inspired by Gary’s recent visit to Invercargill and Free FM partner station Radio Southland, we explore indie rock, folk, country, blues and experimental sounds from artists connected to Invercargill, Gore, Dunedin and beyond. Featuring Anna Van Riel, Daniel Fletcher, Filth Wizard, Hoodaki, Jenny Mitchell, Lachie Hayes and more. A musical trip to the bottom of Aotearoa — no thermals required.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
19 Aug 2026
Ep 9 - 🇳🇿 Pluto
This week, Down Under Currents takes another trip through Aotearoa’s independent music scene, with sounds ranging from hip-hop and indie rock to experimental and atmospheric territory. Featuring Big Sima x Boomtown, Kirikiriroa’s Nicholas Joseph, Debt Club, Jennie La Bombe, Vanessa Tottle and more — twelve tracks and plenty to discover from around the motu.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
12 Aug 2026
Ep 8 - 🇳🇿 I Love My Leather Jacket
From scrappy punk and indie rock to electronic experimentation, episode 8 of Down Under Currents features Miriam Clancy & Dion Lunadon, Greta O’Leary, Dick Move, Mel Parsons, MOKOMOKAI & Troy Kingi, Hazsari, Liquid Lucy, Hannah Everingham and plenty more discoveries from around the motu.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
5 Aug 2026
Ep 7 - 🇳🇿 Fear of the Dark
Cambridge alt-folk artist Sahara has released her debut single 'Turcot' after winning the 2025 Smokefreerockquest. Sharing Episode 7's playlist are Salt Water Criminals, PAPERWAVES, Sivle Talk, V gina Dry Band, Sogg, Snuffer, Thee Golden Geese, Anthonie Tonnon, Nicholas Joseph, and HINA.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
29 Jul 2026
Ep 6 - 🇳🇿 Pick Me Up
Molly Payton's brand new single 'Pick Me Up' kicks off this week's eclectic show - which also features Beth Torrance-Hetherington, Meddles - band, Half/Time, Empress, Grecco Romank, Manu Francois, and more!
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
22 Jul 2026
Ep 5 - 🇳🇿 Swimming in the Shipping Lanes
We're drifting out this week to find another current of NZ indie - with Spinning Lights at the helm, and also featuring Minerva, Vera Ellen, Kipper Reid, Young Moon, Emily Edrosa, Trauma Party, CRY WOLF, Ammonita, The Broken Heartbreakers, Reb Fountain and Butter Wouldn't Melt.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
15 Jul 2026
Ep 4 - 🇳🇿 Half/Angel
Featured on Episode 4: Half/Angel, Loving Chains, Kay Duncan Music, The False Waltons, The Other Hands, Fables, Ben Woods, Spirit Boy, Caru & Brandn Shiraz, and The Pete Flynn Project!
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
8 Jul 2026
Ep 3 - 🇳🇿 Hold Your Breath and JUMP
Somniium - they're kiwi shoegazers. Yes please. This week also features tracks by The Ideas, Hollie Smith, The Dorado Experiment, Cowboy Dan, Di-lemma, Ryan Berkeley, Bannerman and more.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
30 Jun 2026
Ep 2 - 🇳🇿 Welcome to the Ride
Powder Chutes spearhead episode 2 of Down Under Currents, which also features new releases and deep cuts from Sabreen, Glass Vaults, Mainard Larkin, Whisper Dish, Rhombus, Tess Liautaud, Menzies, deepState, The Narcs, Junny, Y-No Juno, Wellington Sea Shanty Society, and StupidSaysWHAT!?.
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
23 Jun 2026
Ep 1 - 🇳🇿 BAITED
Discovering the best independent music from Aotearoa — new releases, emerging artists, local scenes, and future favourites from New Zealand's indie underground.
In the first episode we hear from artists currently tearing up the gig circuit - including Coast Arcade, Major Flaws, Dale Kerrigan, Noah Nite, Julia Deans, The Bleeders, The Veils, and more.
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