After a year of steady growth, Ōtautahi pop-rock band Castaway has released the final single from their EP Nondual. The new track, Pretty Little Liar, is out today and brings a fresh, catchy energy to their sound.
This release marks Castaway’s sixth in just 12 months, capping off a breakout year. The band has opened for well-known act Drax Project, appeared on the NZ Hot 20 chart, and gained radio play on major stations like ZM, More FM, and The Hits. They also sold out a nationwide tour, including a headline performance at Selwyn Sounds.
With funding support from NZ On Air for several recent tracks, including Pretty Little Liar, and an upcoming appearance at the NZ On Air May Showcase, Castaway is quickly establishing themselves as one of Aotearoa’s fastest-rising bands.
Much of the band’s rapid progress stems from their work with Sacha Vee at SOLE Music Academy. Through SOLE’s Artist Development Programmes, Castaway refined their sound, improved their performance skills, shaped their image, and gained valuable industry knowledge and connections.
“These boys came to me while still in university with big dreams,” says Sacha Vee, founder of SOLE and respected artist. “They’ve consistently shown purpose, passion, talent, and great attitudes. Watching them carve out their place in the industry has been very rewarding.”
Produced by Greg Haver, known for his work with Manic Street Preachers and Melanie C, Pretty Little Liar mixes the charm of One Direction, the edge of 5SOS, and the vibe of The 1975. The song is Castaway’s most confident track so far, full of energy, self-awareness, and memorable hooks. It explores the familiar feeling of falling for someone who might cause trouble.
“It’s about being pulled in, spun around, and laughing at yourself afterward,” the band explains. “We’ve all had ‘what was I thinking?’ moments, and this song makes those moments fun and cathartic.”
The single is a cheeky, younger cousin to their earlier track It’s Not Your Fault. It balances polished pop sounds with the band’s trademark live energy—a signature of Haver’s production style.
Alongside the release, Castaway dropped a high-energy music video filmed at Wunderbar in Lyttelton. The video depicts the chaotic and colorful mind of a heartbroken bartender, using a fever-dream style to show youthful regret.
With a growing fanbase, strong on-stage chemistry, and what they call “next-door boy band” energy, Castaway is set to become one of the most talked-about bands in New Zealand.
Related Topics
