New Zealand post-punks Stars & The Underground unveil shoegazing single "Echolocation"

On a sweltering day in Auckland, New Zealand, John Mason, formerly of the Winterland NZ goth rock band from the 2000s, and John McDermott, ex-member of the Headless Chickens, came together as Stars and the Underground—a New Zealand-based project blending post-punk, shoegaze, and dark synth wave. They met with Hannah Berry, an emerging talent from the NZ dark electronic project Talmar. The chemistry among the three was instantaneous, leading to the creation of their second single, “Echolocation.” This new track follows their critically acclaimed 2025 single, “Lonely Black Hearts,” both of which are part of the upcoming album titled “Guardians of the Night.”

Mason says, “While we have faced various challenges, I believe this has ultimately contributed to a stronger final product. ‘Echolocation’ is a testament to this, as we initially introduced the concept in the limited release of the Evolution Circle EP. We chose to revisit the song, highlighting John McDermott's exceptional drumming and production skills, along with Hannah’s enchanting contributions that elevate the track to new ethereal heights.”

Stars and the Underground members:

• John Mason (Vocals/Guitars/Bass)
• John McDermott (Drums, Recording, and Production)
• Special Guest Vocals on “Echolocation”: Hannah Berry - Talmar (dark electronic project in NZ)

Press :

"Stars and the Underground conjure a dark synth wave and shoegaze sound that drifts like cathedral smoke and sways like twilight on the tide. Guitars chime and shimmer with celestial clarity, while basslines brood beneath, steady as sleepwalks. Vocals echo like lost prayers, half-whispered, half-resolved. Drawing from the same windswept well as The Church and The Mission, they summon atmosphere over aggression, beauty over bombast, mood over momentum..." — Alice Teeple, Post-Punk.com

"After a two-year silence, Stars and the Underground are back—louder, darker, and more cinematic than ever. Their new single 'Lonely Black Hearts' marks the first taste of their upcoming album Guardians of the Night, a brooding blend of post- punk, synth wave, and shoegaze that's already turning heads internationally..." — Nick, EmptySpaces.co.nz

"Dark Soulful Post Punk from New Zealand..." — Mick Mercer (UK)

"Moody, atmospheric textured landscapes of sound which wash out like smooth rolling waves..." — Rev Orange Peel, 13thfloor.co.nz