Music Industry News

Wellington-based indie dream-folk songstress Sofia Machray has released her first stand-alone single of the year entitled; ‘Pulling On A String’ expertly co-produced with engineer Will McGillivray (Goodwill, NOMAD) and mastered by Greg Obis (Slow Pulp, Babehoven, Mia Joy).

Due for release on September 6th, ‘Pulling On A String’ creates a scene of intimate warmth, enriched with ambient textures and intricate fingerpicking that weaves through a tapestry of expansiveness. Machray invites listeners to settle in and reflect.

“The song is about recognising dissatisfaction in life and appreciating what we have before seeking more. Sometimes, if we keep chasing because we think we don’t have enough, we’ll never stop. I loved thinking about the concept of two people pulling on a string as a metaphor for this idea and used dissonant chords and textures towards the end of the song to musically represent this mental tug of war”

Described as “New Zealand’s brightest new singer-songwriter”, Machray was quick to win the hearts of music lovers close to home and abroad after the release of her debut record Language Of Flowers. The record received tremendous support from international and local media, leading her to tour nationally on multiple occasions and sharing stages with world-renowned indie icons such as Chet Faker, Palace, Lime Cordiale, and COTERIE.

“With grace, glistening sonics, and an unfiltered honesty that leaves an instant, lasting
mark…Sofia Machray is without a doubt an artist-to-watch moving forward.” – Atwood Magazine

Check out all things Sofia Machray here:

Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
Spotify
Apple Music

Described by international pop-culture magazine Atwood as ‘New Zealand’s brightest new singer-songwriter Sofia Machray is an indie dream-rock fantasizer from the heart of the mountains in Arrowtown, NZ. Stretching out over moody rockers and soft-burning hooks
Sofia delved into the realm of indie music from a young age as a self-taught guitarist. Drawing on timeless concepts and the vast landscapes that raised her, she began to cultivate and express herself through the medium of songwriting and made a move to
Wellington to study music at Massey University in 2018 to pursue her music career.

Becoming a strong forerunner in New Zealand’s independent scene, Machray was quick to win the hearts of music lovers close to home and abroad after releasing her debut EP‘Language Of Flowers’ in 2023. The record received tremendous support from both international and local media, earning its spot on the New Zealand’s Student Radio Network chats with multiple tracks climbing the SRN Top Ten. Machray went on to receive three nominations at the 2023 SRN Awards for Favourite EP/Mixtape, Favourite Solo Artist, and a People Choice Award. Since then, Sofia’s music has led her to touring nationally on multiple occasions and to sharing stages with world-renowned indie icons such as Chet Faker, Palace, Lime Cordiale, and COTERIE.

As an independent artist Sofia works hard to create positive change within Aotearoas widermusic community and has quickly become a respectable figure in the field, co-founding event booking agent Peach Promotions in 2020. With an aim to create safe environments with equal opportunity for all creatives involved in the music industry, Peach Promotions went on to empower many up and coming artists to take charge by providing them with resources and platforms to do so. Sofia Machray is solidifying herself as a tactful, femme-led outfit at the forefront of NZs alternative indie scene and is certainly one to watch.

Photo Credit: Java Katzur