Fly My Pretties – Face The Sun: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day

New Zealand’s eclectic musical collective Fly My Pretties, releases a track led by its founder and frontman, Barnaby Weir, Face The Sun. 

Here is the blurb with more:

Taken off the upcoming deluxe version of their new album ELEMENTAL, the track sees Barnaby’s folk-based stylings combining with beautiful harmonies from RIIKI REID, Taylah, AJA and TAWAZ. 

One of the more laid-back tracks from the album, Face The Sun incorporates feelings of modern-day folk and Americana, a side which is familiar and loved by Fly My Pretties fans. The track is grounded in the soulful sounds of the album, but thrown through a folk-inspired lens.

Face The Sun is the latest taste of the extended version of their latest album, ELEMENTAL. Released earlier in 2025, the new album was described as “theatrical, skillfully arranged, spirited… with the FMP mark of quality”. The album reached Number 3 on the NZ Album Charts, and was followed by a series of capacity shows in Auckland and Christchurch. The album is a collection of songs dripping in soul and blues, performed by an all-star band and a collection of incredible vocalists. The extended version will feature a number of tracks not included on the initial release.

Known for their singer-songwriter sound, ELEMENTAL sees Fly My Pretties taking their sound into an exciting new direction. While famous for their big band set-up, this album is relatively stripped back, featuring only 11 musicians who appear on every track, which gives the album a soulful groove. Featuring vocalists RIIKI REID, AJA, Tawaz, Taylah, Louis TM, Barnaby Weir (The Black Seeds) and Laughton Kora, the band is anchored by a rhythm section of Iraia Whakamoe (The Nudge) and Aaron Stewart (Mel Parsons, T-Bone), and complemented by guitarist Ryan Prebble (The Nudge) and Nigel Patterson (The Black Seeds) on keys.

ABOUT FLY MY PRETTIES:

Fly My Pretties are New Zealand’s favourite collaborative group, starring a selection of the country’s finest contemporary musicians. Since its inception, Fly My Pretties has grown into a local music legend that continues to resonate with people worldwide.

Fly My Pretties first appeared in 2004, led by The Black Seeds frontman Barnaby Weir and a talented group of Wellington-based musicians for a special project. The resulting LIVE AT BATS was a multi-platinum award-winning album, one which created the ethos behind Fly My Pretties – to meet, exchange ideas, and then perform and record the results.

The collective have since released eight projects, exposed an incredible range of musicians, and created countless true classics. ELEMENTAL is their first new work in over five years, one which again features frontman Barnaby Weir and frequent collaborator Laughton Kora, alongside a cast of both familiar and undiscovered musicians.

ABOUT THE CAST:

AJA

AJA is a grounded and dynamic musician whose work is inspired by timeless, elemental, and harmonious themes. In 2022, she was honoured with the prestigious APRA Maioha Award for her waiata ‘Te Iho’. With her distinctive and compelling vocal tones, AJA draws listeners into a rich and immersive musical landscape. Late-2024 saw the release of her debut album KĀWAI, which was met with acclaim.

RIIKI REID

A 24-year-old dream pop sensation from Wellington, Riiki Reid is igniting the alternative pop scene with her multifaceted talents in vocals, production, dance, and songwriting. Known for her electrifying live performances and unique blend of vocal and dance elements, she commands the stage with an old Fender Mustang and a captivating presence. Reid has toured with artists such as Lorde, Six60, L.A.B and Sir Dave Dobbyn, with her current single ‘Over Romantic’ is one of the most-played songs on New Zealand radio.

Taylah

Taylah is a rising New Zealand artist whose uniquely commanding and compelling voice embodies calm self-assurance and fiery empowerment, enriched by her poetic lyricism and Māori heritage. Having supported major acts like Dragon, Hollie Smith, and Troy Kingi, her musical resumé has grown substantially since the age of 14 when she first picked up an acoustic guitar. Her blend of soul, R&B, and neo-soul tones is captured in her new EP, TILT, released in March 2025.

Louis TM

With soulful vocals and a fresh take on soul and R&B, Louis TM brings sounds from another era, blending them with modern, groove-infused songwriting that keeps audiences dancing. After 15 years as a piano/keyboardist backing countless artists, Louis is at home on stage. Merging modern soul, R&B, and indie influences, he has performed with Ria Hall, jammed with the California Honeydrops, and played alongside many of Aotearoa’s top musicians. September 2024 saw the release of his debut solo album, SHELTER FOR A BROKEN SOUL.

TAWAZ

TAWAZ is a Palmerston North-born Māori artist and singer-songwriter who champions te reo Māori through music and has collaborated with the likes of Stan Walker, Troy Kingi, Maisey Rika and many more. Winning two awards at the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards and a finalist for the 2024 APRA Maioha Award, TAWAZ brings a deep cultural perspective and linguistic expertise, enriching the storytelling and authenticity of ELEMENTAL.

Barnaby Weir

Leader and co-founder of Fly My Pretties’ is one of many hats donned by the long-time musician and songwriter, Barnaby Weir. Anything but idle, Barnaby has also established himself as a successful solo musician, all the while juggling his duties as front man for The Black Seeds. Barnaby’s professional musical career has seen him perform in almost 20 countries and contribute songwriting and producing on over 24 albums.

Laughton Kora

Laughton Kora has been playing music since the age of six, and has been a key member of Fly My Pretties since STRING THEORY. One of the busiest musicians in Aotearoa, his new galactic-funk band Black Comet have been making waves across the country. He brings his distinctive style and flavour to ELEMENTAL, creating the initial concept for the show alongside Barnaby.

Iraia Whakamoe

The dart master Iraia Whakamoe is best known as part of blues-rock trio The Nudge, for his savage drumming style, innate ability to keep a beat and intuitive knack at creating space and feeling within his rhythms. 2024 saw Iraia create and tour the incredible Bill Withers Social Club across Aotearoa, and he returns to the Fly My Pretties engine-room where he has sat since FLY MY PRETTIES IV.

Nigel Patterson

Nigel Patterson is a Wellington-based pianist, organist, composer and keyboardist for The Black Seeds. Nigel is a purveyor of vintage instruments who keeps busy performing in his all-original jazz quartet The Nigel Patterson Quartet. Also a key part of the Fly My Pretties engine-room, Nigel has appeared in every incarnation since A STORY.

Ryan Prebble

Ryan Prebble has beguiled audiences the world over with his stonking guitar rhythms and powerful, gravelly voice, which is at times a gentle moan, at times a growl. A seasoned musician, Ryan has been a part of Fly My Pretties since A STORY, performed as a solo artist, plus is currently the singer and guitarist for Wellington blues-rock trio, The Nudge, recent finalists for the APRA Silver Scroll.

Aaron Stewart

Aaron Stewart is an in-demand bass player who has built a reputation for solid musicality and creativity. He has performed live with Kiwi favourites like Tui Award-winning alt-country artist Mel Parsons and the bluegrass/Americana band T-Bone, winners of the 2023 Aotearoa Music Award for Best Folk Artist. A member of Fly My Pretties for the past few years, ELEMENTAL is his first album appearance.

Follow Fly My Pretties:

Website / Facebook / Instagram
Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music