And yet another sure-fire hit and live show favourite from the burgeoning indie rock scene in Aotearoa. Sandtrap, who came top 3 in the 2020 Smokefree Rockquest, hail from the City of Sails and consist of Kainoa Ogilvie on vocals, Luke Bennett on guitar, Luca Keltie on bass, and drummer Jimi Terei. They are just releasing their debut E.P. Colder Moments, and I can tell you that if you’re a fan of major production, compelling indie anthems delivered with clarity and cojones, this is the band to get into.

A vocalist with a timbre akin to Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys but with the clarity of Tim Booth from James, and the single Dividing For The Hungry, recorded by that wizard with the twiddling in the sound booth Scott Seabright – ably partnered by equally widely known Matt Stone – and Sandtrap are armed and dangerous.

A song absolutely dripping with minor-key atmospheric intent, a vocalist who has to become a star, and some exquisite layering of guitars – Johnny Marr, well done again champ – tempered by a kick-ass bottom end, itself anchored by some really crunchy rhythm guitar in the aforementioned guitar layers. This one got my foot tapping, head nodding, and one of those “smile” things that grumpy old silverbacks like me aren’t supposed to display popped up on my dial. There’s nothing I can truly compare it with, which is wonderful.

The intensity of Talk Talk? The intricacy of The Adventures? It doesn’t matter. Sandtrap gave me a surprisingly heavy yet melodic hit of pure, unadulterated, classy Indie Rock. The E.P. is definitely worth the time, and I implore Hauraki, The Rock and all the other stations to get behind these guys because this scene is growing and from one absolute supporter, please help it along the way.

This song gave me an adrenaline rush. It really did. Definitely one for the live shows, but this will also work on a road trip, in the summer at the barbie or at the beach. Night time downtown, it needs to be on some bar’s speakers because it’ll entice you in.

Get your indie here! You’ll be happy you did.