New Music Central - Speak Softly & The Response

Join the School of Music at Tūranga for this special presentation of New Music Central featuring local indie bands Speak Softly & The Response.

Speak Softly is an art-pop electronic duo based in Christchurch comprised of vocalist Naomi Ferguson and composer, arranger and instrumentalist Alex van den Broek. Delicately crafted lyrics featuring Ferguson's dramatic, soaring vocals combine with lush textural layers to create a dreamy yet intense musical landscape.

Their tracks have been played on radio in New Zealand and the Netherlands, have been placed in NZ Indie Top 10 Lists and included on independent compilations and playlists. Their EPs Speak Softly and Tiny Empires are available on Bandcamp.

Alternative Pop duo The Response blend electronic minimalism, pop sensibilities and the eclectic influences of vocalist/guitarist Andy Knopp and multi-instrumentalist Victoria Knopp to create what NZ Musician Magazine describes as "indie pop at its carefully crafted best."

Their dynamic live show has allowed them to share the stage with such international acts as Baio (of Vampire Weekend fame), Deep Sea Diver (Seattle), Big Scary (Australia) and Kate Boy (Sweden).

After two years based in Vancouver, Canada where apartment living and public transit inspired a more minimalistic and increasingly electronic shift in their sound and live set up, The Response made their way back to New Zealand where they have since released singles and two EPs; ‘What Are You Waiting For?’ and ‘Little Worlds’.

Come early and grab a coffee, snack or wine before the show in the TSB Space on Level 1 of Tūranga.