De Stevens

recording Awning ST summer 2025 📸 - @isaac.sms

Recording School Fair’s ‘bird the kid’, february 2023 📸 - @mayhish

Last month Stereogum named Office Dog’s propulsive anthem “Front Row Seat” one of the 5 Best Songs Of The Week. Now the Auckland indie rockers have announced their sophomore album ‘Prime Corner,’ out June 19 via Flying Nun. Working with producer De Stevens, the trio —guitarist/vocalist Kane Strang, bassist Rassani Tolovaa, and drummer Mitchell Innes — recorded their “heaviest and softest tracks to date.” Its infectious new single “Gold Things” is about “getting what you’ve wanted, or reaching a place you’ve seen off in the distance for a long time, Strang says. Office Dog will perform much of ‘Prime Corner’ at Auckland’s Whammy Bar in a couple of weeks to raise money for their first UK/EU tour. 
[📷: Hamish Morgan] #OfficeDog

𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 —— out today An improvisational music project by Ryan Fisherman, De Stevens, Hannah Everingham, Callum Lee, Tiare Kelly, Will McGillivray, Cello Forrester and Thomas Isbister Go to movingrooms.net or find on all good streaming platforms Recorded & mixed at Roundhead Studios in Aotearoa by De Stevens Mastered by Greg Obis at Chicago Mastering Service Cover art and other visuals by Isaac Sims

Moving Rooms - 25/03/26 📸 - @isaac.sms

@_big_sigh is the musical collaboration between Rachel Hope Peary and Nicholas Joseph Walsh who reside in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton). The pair forged a friendship and musical partnership in early 2024, anchored in their intertwined harmonies, finger-picked acoustic guitar and the steady drone of harmonium. Astute listeners would have already heard them and seen them perform with their contemporaries @__womb , @jazmine__mary and @jimnothing . Now signed to Sunreturn, Big Sigh will release their debut EP Tether on May 2nd. The forthcoming EP captures that first rush of creative momentum, a collection of the earliest songs born from a partnership that felt, from the outset, instinctive and inevitable. Today, they share the EP’s title track, which Hope Peary describes as a reminder to stay grounded: “Sometimes I forget that I’m planted on the earth, and I feel like I’m going to fly away in the wind.” 
Throughout Tether, Walsh & Hope Peary’s hushed vocal delivery is moored by the hum & drone of harmonium and the sweeping notes of the swarmandal. The song was recorded in one take at @roundheadstudios by producer @_de_stevens (Erny Belle, Office Dog) and features sitar by Tiare Kelly (Erny Belle, Neil Finn, Benee). “I wrote this song as a mantra for myself to drop into when I got overwhelmed,” notes Hope Peary. “It is short and repeats so that I can sing it repeatedly as an anchor of sorts.” “It evolved from a dream I had of myself as a tree that sat beside a river, its roots in the earth, steady and grounded while also stretching up, its leaves dancing in the wind. It’s a reminder that I am always connected to all things, and to feel that in connection to earth, water, wind, sound.” Now that the song has been shared Hope Peary reflects “I feel tender and grateful. The song is something that feels alive to me, so the recording needed to reflect that. It’s a mantra that I use regularly in my practice, so it’s precious and vulnerable to share.”

‘swan’ out today 🦢🐎 @fazedonapony Had the greatest time recording this album with the greatest pals. A seamless recording/mixing process, felt like we were gently carrying the songs through early life to leaving the nest. Like we didn’t have to do too much. Peters song writing abilities are second to none and the tunes are so earnestly him. Thanks Pete for allowing the privilege ❤️ Mastered by @mixedbysouschef Artwork/design by @scratching_both_walls_at_once Snaps by @sara.hewson

Episode #88 De Stevens De Stevens @_de_stevens is a musician, producer, engineer, and beloved individual around the music scene. Based in Tāmaki, but with a heart and soul emerging from Te Waipounamu, De is currently working out of the legendary Roundhead Studios (where this episode was recorded!). Come hear about some of his journey, and a few peaks behind the musical curtain. This week, as always, we highly recommend that you TUCK IN! xxx

Congratulations to Dick Move @dick_move_dick_pics for the release of their third LP - stoked to have engineered this record alongside @peterruddell_ producing. Love these songs so much! Get your ears around it and buy a record. Artwork by @yolanda_fagan

‘You can call me CC’ - engineered for @ccrystal.chen Engineered the live band recordings in @roundheadstudios studio A with the coolest peeps - see all in second slide Produced by @ccrystal.chen @kenny_sterling_ and @joekaptein Mixed by @andrewisdale @kenny_sterling_ and @christopheltruento Mastered by @downbeatmastering

Last year @semisimaiai__ asked me to make a soundtrack for his ‘Crossed Landscape’ exhibition - a collection of paintings of or at least inspired by the east-Otago countryside. His guitar playing is something I heavily associate with that setting, so I requested he record a bunch of improvisations all in the key of D. The following few weeks, while on tour with Marlin’s Dreaming, in the back of vans or in airports I assembled, edited, mixed, chopped, screwed, twisted and reversed the various guitar improvisations along side other synth bits, drone bits, some green-room piano improv and various field recordings from the many places we went on the tour. What was once one long 33 minute piece is now split into 6 tracks, which are now all on streaming services under the moniker Dusk Wing.

Ed’s Sun Debut LP from @aidanfine is out today. I feel so lucky to have been asked to mix this record and engineer some of the fun bits and pieces of recording. We went deep on this one and had so much fun. Props to @smurgy for the incredible production. Congrats also the sound making crew @heyitsmodre @cee.j.lee @benjaminmackk @jacobbrown.music @joekaptein Beautiful visuals from @tomgrut Mastered by @almachrome