Massive Crush Transforms with International Collaboration
A song can drift for months in an Auckland practice room before it finds its true compass. For Tāmaki Makaurau indie pop-rock collective Massive Crush, that moment arrived via a surprise cross-border collaboration.
Their latest track All the Angels – a gentle nod of gratitude to the people who watch over us when we’re in need – completely transformed when gifted young Japanese saxophonist Kodo Harada stepped into the room.
“The song had been drifting for a long time,” says founding member Matt Cawte. “But when Kodo turned up, the whole essence of it transformed. The soloists became a band, the lyrics gelled, and the bridge came to life. It was a little bit of magic. And angels.”
Anchored by three founding members, Massive Crush has built its reputation on a volatile, dynamic blend of acoustic warmth, intentional noise, and driving rock guitars.
But it’s their open-door community policy – bringing local and international talent into their orbit – that is supercharging their most prolific year to date.
