New Zealand Alt-Rock Duo Midwave Breaks have made a serious impact at Rock Radio since launching in 2021, with 5 independent singles in the Top 10 NZ Rock Airplay Chart, and a further 4 breaching the Top 20. Their debut single Lemonade Hand Grenade resonated across the country, spending over 12 weeks in the Top 5. Their 2023 release Souvenirs peaked at number 2, becoming the most played NZ Track on Rock Radio through May – June 2023, and the band continue to deliver in 2024 with their recent 3 track EP Standing Inside Out.
“Hitting the nail on the head once again, Midwave Breaks never have to try hard to capture listeners and audiences in a way that is organic and true, and always seems to accomplish what they set out to achieve. Amazing.” – Muzic.net.nz EP Review, April 24
With a growing fanbase, captivating live performances, and an outstanding story of independent success on the airwaves, Midwave Breaks have garnered the attention of industry, earning themselves a place as a finalist in the ‘Best Rock Artist’ category at the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards.
NZ Radio Singles
Lemonade Hand Grenade (April 21) - Top 5 Radioscope Rock Chart
In Colour (May 21) - Top 10 Radioscope Rock Chart
We Are The Ones (Oct 21) - Top 20 Radioscope Rock Chart
The Other’s Side (Feb 22) - Top 20 Radioscope Rock Chart
Hurricances and Novacane (April 22) - Top 20 Radioscope Rock Chart
In The Face Of All We Know (Oct 22) - Top 10 Radioscope Rock Chart
Souvenirs (April 23) – Top 5 Radioscope Rock Chart
Stonewall (Oct 23) – Top 20 Radioscope Rock Chart
All She Was (March 24) – Top 10 Radioscope Rock Chart
While the tracks may have been recorded in a farmhouse in rural New Zealand, some were mixed in the U.S by Grammy Award winning engineer Mark Needham, most notable for his work with The Killers (Mr Brightside),and Imagine Dragons.
This audience and radio rapport is not surprising considering the band’s history; Drummer Paul Russell is a former member of the iconic multi-platinum-selling kiwi band Supergroove, as well as a performer with the International hit musical Stomp, and was inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame in 2014. Singer-songwriter Bruce Conlon brings his own accolades as a multi-instrumentalist, respected solo artist, and winner of two International Song-Writing Awards. The pair share a long history, first crossing musical paths at Lynfield College circa 1989, and through the late 90’s co-founded Auckland Rockers Eight, whose album release Moving achieved significant rock-radio airplay, and certified Gold sales via Sony/BMG.
Midwave Breaks have also made their presence felt on the stage, as a two-piece delivering a huge sound, infectious live energy and dynamic performance. They began post-covid lockdowns with a sold-out show in their home town of Tauranga, followed by a string of support shows around the country through 2022. In March 2023 they were chosen by The Rock as one of four bands on the line up for Rock The Park Christchurch, delivering a storming set on the festival stage at Hagley Park. For NZ Music Month 2023, they embarked on their first headline tour of Aotearoa, presented by The Rock, and with support from Rockshop NZ, working with 14 different local Acts around the country, to rave reviews and audience feedback.
In 2024, Midwave Breaks were selected by International Acts Incubus and Live to open for their NZ Arena Tour, further widening their fanbase, and cementing the bands reputation as a formidable Live Act on the rise.
“Opening Tauranga two-piece were for me, a revelation. I hadn’t heard of them before tonight and upon doing so was furiously Googling them to find out more. An unbelievable sonic wall coming from a guitarist/drummer duo” RNZ Review – Incubus & Live, April 24
Midwave Breaks are a modern take on the soundtrack of their youth - epitomized by 80’s-90’s alternative rock/pop - evoking hints of Springsteen and Petty, Cornell and Vedder, and a melting pot of musical influences from past to present. Driven by the energy of the creative process, and with an innate ability to craft songs that capture a moment,
Midwave Breaks are purposefully retrospective mixed with the new.