Local Produce | Riot Gull

Posted 6:57pm Sunday 29th May 2022 by Jamiema Lorimer

In the early nineties, the riot grrrl scene started in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. It united feminism and punk ideologies through music, fostering a gender-inclusive DIY subculture. Riot Gull are one of Ōtepoti’s newest bands, their name a play on that movement. Critic sat down with the Read more...

Local Produce | H2yo

Posted 1:56pm Sunday 22nd May 2022 by Molly Willis

With plans to hydrate the world one liquor store at a time, Dunedin locals Anthony Tep, Silas Kemp, Tom Gallagher and Riley Coughlin kicked off the launch of their RTD brand H2yo on Friday the 13th of May at Leith Liquor.   H2yo BLUE is a 5-ingredient alcoholic beverage that mimics the taste Read more...

Local Produce | Swarles

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 15th May 2022 by George DeMarco

Ollie Whiley, under the alias ‘Swarles’, is breaking on to the Dunedin scene with music that captures moments of heartbreak, lust, and ecstasy. Critic Te Arohi caught up with Ollie to chat about his freshly released self-titled EP, the spectrum of genres that influence his sound, and his Read more...

Local Produce | Midnight Caffeine

Posted 9:35am Monday 16th May 2022 by Nina Brown

Midnight Caffeine is made up of lead lyricist and vocalist Zi, guitarist and producer Raine, drummer Hayden and bassist Ollie. The band found their name in the delirious aftermath of a late-night caffeine-fueled study grind: the true mark of a (mostly) ex-student band. Critic Te Arohi spoke with the Read more...

Local Produce: Emily Alice

Posted 2:39pm Sunday 1st May 2022 by Jamiema Lorimer

Emily Alice, the band, is Emily Kerr-Bell (vocals), Josh Botting (keys), Toby Roseman (guitar), Josh Tuiavii (drums) and Sol Wyatt (bass). Critic Te Arohi chatted with the band about their upcoming music, their studies and being inspired by the sounds surrounding them growing up. The band formed Read more...

Local Produce: Ben & Karen of Hangover Helper

Posted 2:50pm Sunday 24th April 2022 by Jamiema Lorimer

Karen and Ben are the minds behind Hangover Helper, a capsule-based hangover cure and business. Fittingly, the duo met on the rinse, one fateful night way back in their first year. Following their graduation last year, they combined their powers, Karen’s Commerce studies and Ben’s Health Read more...

Local Produce: Mads Harrop

Posted 2:22pm Saturday 9th April 2022 by Jamiema Lorimer

When internationally touring (Aussie) bands make it to Ōtepoti, there’s always a grisly battle (respectful recognition) amongst our local talent vying for the spot of opener. Mads Harrop is one of these successful contenders, her biggest break yet opening for the notorious The Chats last Read more...

Local Produce: Oscar Thomas

Posted 6:39pm Friday 1st April 2022 by Ruby Werry

Oscar Thomas is a 21-year-old wildlife photographer and author, studying Zoology and Ecology here at Otago University. Oscar is a Blake Ambassador, and a recipient of Otago’s True Young Explorers Scholarship. His book, “A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of New Zealand'' was Read more...

Local Produce: By Grace Beads

Posted 6:06pm Sunday 27th March 2022 by Jamiema Lorimer

If you’re looking for some fun and fresh accessories, then By Grace Beads is your saving grace. Critic caught up with Madaleine, the creator behind this cute handmade jewellery business to find out how she came up with the idea, and what her creative process is. Madaleine is in her second Read more...

Local Produce: Asia Martusia King and The Ugly Club

Posted 3:01pm Sunday 20th March 2022 by Jamiema Lorimer

It’s every prospective students' dream: coming to the University of Otago, flatting on Castle Street, and dating a nice bird. Not a human girl, a bird. Like a literal bird. No? Not quite your speed? Well, if it is, you can do exactly that in ‘The Ugly Club’, a video game Read more...