MNZ Interview: CRY WOLF

Auckland’s CRY WOLF have burst into the NZ music scene with the force of a band that knows exactly who they are and what they want to say. Emerging with precision and purpose, they’ve rapidly become one of the most compelling new voices in Aotearoa’s Hard Rock and Alternative Metalcore scenes.

Formed by members of Fire At Will, Swerve City, Coridian, and The Sun Gods, the four‑piece united around a shared vision: to create music that is bold, fresh, and emotionally resonant. Their debut EP ALPHA delivers on that promise, offering a powerful introduction to the band’s identity through heavy riffs, melodic hooks, and a depth of feeling that sets them apart.

The band – Kevin Ashby (lead vocals, guitar), Josh Dillner (lead guitar, backing vocals), Nick Raven (bass), and James Porteous (drums) – have quickly built momentum, carving out a space in a scene often divided between radio‑friendly rock and extreme metal. With ALPHA, they’ve crafted a debut that not only showcases their musical chemistry but marks the beginning of a larger creative journey.

Muzic.NZ’s Lisa recently caught up with CRY WOLF to talk about the creation of ALPHA, their writing process, and what lies ahead for one of New Zealand’s most exciting new heavy acts.

Starting with introductions – who are the members of CRY WOLF, and how did you all get involved in music?

Kev – I’m Kev and I’m the vocalist & rhythm guitarist in CRY WOLF. My first guitar lesson was when I was 8yrs old. I’ve been hooked ever since. I discovered heavy music in my early teens, stuff like Underoath, Story Of The Year, P.O.D, Disturbed. I started my first band at about 15 (with Josh) and it’s been a continual evolution since then.

James – I’ve been obsessed with music since I first heard Michael Jackson when I was 8 and attended his concert a year later. It was when I first heard bands like Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Blindspott that I knew I wanted to be a drummer, the fusion of hip-hop beats with heavy music fascinated me. Begged for a drum kit for my 16th birthday and started jamming with people 6 months later through Rockshop classified ads.

Josh – I’m on lead guitar and backing vocals. My first introduction to music would have been my Mum dragging me around old folks homes to sing to them. I probably didn’t enjoy it at the time, but seems like a pretty worthy cause now! I started piano at 6, guitar at 9, and dabbled with a few other instruments growing up. I started songwriting at 14, and have been in various youth bands, church bands, and orchestras since then. Joined forces with Kev for our first “serious” band, and it’s been a wild ride since then!

Nicki mitwickie – I play bass and try my best at background vocals for the bois in CRY WOLF. I come from a musical family my dad Dickie Raven was a great force to have on our side growing up giving our family opportunities to learn multiple instruments and we took full advantage learning jazz flute and drums to start then dropping any skill and picking up the bass for nice pop punk life with the fellas.

How did the name CRY WOLF come about, and what does it represent for you?

We went through the usual process of throwing ideas around in a group chat, and while there were a few names we liked, we kept running into the same problem – someone else was already using them. Some had dozens of bands attached to the name already.

When the name CRY WOLF came up, it immediately resonated with all of us. It felt powerful, memorable, and it was available.

For us, the name represents both intensity and vulnerability. On the surface, it has a raw, visceral energy, but it also carries a deeper meaning. CRY WOLF reflects those moments when someone is struggling, feeling unheard, or reaching out when they need support most.

You’ve been called one of the most compelling new names in Aotearoa’s heavy rock and metalcore scenes. What do you think sets CRY WOLF apart from other artists?

Kev – I feel pretty confident that there isn’t another band in New Zealand that sounds quite like CRY WOLF. Each of us bring years of experience, different musical influences, and a strong background in songwriting, which has helped us develop a sound that feels uniquely our own.

We’re always challenging ourselves to step outside our comfort zones, whether that’s through heavier riffs, bigger melodies, unexpected arrangements, or exploring new themes in our songwriting. I think we’re always trying to find that balance between familiarity and something fresh.

Josh – I think it’s definitely the unique blend of musical backgrounds, experiences, and influences we each bring. I love trying to bring in different elements you wouldn’t normally hear in this style of music – whether it’s borrowing from another genre, or sneaking in an unusual instrument you wouldn’t normally expect to hear!

You all have extensive experience within the music industry. How has this shaped the way you create music as a band?

Kev – I have learned over time to apply Occam’s razor to my songwriting – i.e. don’t have something there just for the sake of it. I try to keep songs engaging and for each section to have a purpose.

Josh – I think there’s some great support out there now, but the bottom line is all you, so you’ve got to have the drive! There’s always a balance between keeping a critical eye on improving the music you’re putting out, and staying true to yourself. At the end of the day, you’ve got to enjoy what you release, and if you like it, it’s more than likely other people will too!

Can you walk us through your writing process – do your songs usually start from a riff, a lyric, or a full band session?

Kev – Since we all live hours from each other, when we do have full band sessions we are mainly focused on rehearsing. There’s generally not a lot of time to jam out ideas. Most songs usually come from a riff and I will work it into a mostly finished song and record a demo at home and send it to the guys. Then they’ll add their flavour to it and we’ll work on it and refine it when we do get together.

Your debut EP ALPHA blends heavy riffs with emotional depth and melodic hooks. How did you find the balance between aggression and vulnerability in your sound?

Kev – Heaviness is nothing without the contrast of melody and quiet spaces. There’s so many chill melodic songs that I love and at the other end of the spectrum I love super heavy stuff too. I try to let songs breathe when I’m writing, giving space and silence which allows the heavy sections to hit harder.

Josh – It’s all about strong melody weaving it all together… whether it’s the vocal, or another instrument.

Which track on ALPHA feels the most personal to you, and why?

Kev – For me definitely Oceans. That was a song I wrote for my wife when we were living on opposite sides of the world. I wasn’t really intending it to be a song for the band but the guys liked it, so we went with it. I’m also really proud of Shadows. It’s probably the most I’ve pushed myself in terms of songwriting so I’m stoked with how it turned out.

James – Oceans. It was the first demo Kev sent me when we talked about starting the band. The moment the distorted guitar kicks in I was hit with goosebumps and knew I wanted to be part of the project.

Josh – Waves. It’s one that I brought to the band to develop, and ended up writing the lyrics and singing on the EP. Particularly special as it was an outlet for something I was going through at the time, and is a reminder that even when we think we’re drowning, there’s always help, and a way to rise above.

Nick – I personally love Waves for its structure and its beauty, it takes a few listens but when you get it, you won’t have any socks left to blow off and Shadows makes the people move which is all we want. No cameras in the pit maybe!

Both Rainfall and Oceans have been well-received on Spotify and YouTube respectively. How has the early response shaped your confidence going into this release?

Kev – We have been really stoked with the response! Oceans is definitely a different vibe to our other stuff but again it’s good to have that contrast. I love releasing music. Usually by the time you release a song you’re kind of sick of it because you’ve listened to it a million times by then, but when you release it you get to see people’s response, hearing it for the first time and it gives it new life so that’s super cool.

James – Having a lot of streams, views and praise is greatly appreciated but personally I wouldn’t care too much if the songs had little to no streams before the EP release. The music we’ve created and are still creating is exciting me beyond words

You worked with Olly Harmer, Nate Sowter and Zorran Mendonsa on ALPHA. What did they bring to the project that elevated the EP?

Kev – Nate and Zorran are two of the go to engineers in the heavy scene so we are lucky to have worked with both of them. They took our rough mixes and made them sound amazing. I don’t know how they do what they do haha.

James – Olly creates such a relaxed environment when I go in to record drums at his studio. Zorran has really locked into how we want the songs to sound. I think the first two mixes he did we asked for a number of minor changes, the last two tracks required barely anything.

You have performed alongside many other NZ bands and musicians. What do you value the most about sharing the stage with other artists?

Kev – Recently we did a couple of shows with Wash who were pretty much my favourite band when I was about 15 so that was pretty cool. It’s just really nice when you play with people you’ve looked up to and they turn out to be really chill down to earth people. Most bands in NZ don’t come with the big egos so that’s always good!

James – There’s a real sense of comradery among NZ bands, a lot of friendships formed. We always have a good time playing with other bands.

Josh – Definitely Wash, it was awesome to be able to do a couple of shows with a band we’d looked up to, and went to see many times as teenagers! Can confirm they’re all awesome dudes!

Nick – I can’t say I’ve played with a band and not had a good time with them except Chris Jericho that guy sucked. Tell him I dare ya.

All of the bands no matter their level have been amazing and NZ has great culture if you just talk to the other bands – and if they look scary they are normally nicer, way nicer.

With the music industry experience you have now, what guidance can you offer new artists entering the scene?

Kev – Being in a band these days requires you to be an expert in marketing / brand management / social media / finance / design… the list goes on. So, choose band members who can do that stuff! I’m joking, but it would definitely help! For new bands I’d say just get out and play as often as possible. Build connections with likeminded people. Get involved in the scene. It’s all about who you know so get started knowing people.

James – Anyone in a rock band in NZ who really wants to try make it a full time gig, do what you can do in NZ, then get out.

Josh – Like I said earlier, there is support out there, so go for it, but also don’t rely on it and do as much as you can yourself. Write something new every day (or as often as you can), and hone your craft – writing often, practicing, and getting better at what you do makes a huge difference!

Nick – All the bands I’ve been in have worked hard and had a good result at whatever level you just have to put yourself out there and try and try again. It can be tuff, but it’s always worth it.

If ALPHA represents the beginning, what does the next chapter look like for CRY WOLF?

The next chapter will be a full album. We’ll continue to grow and evolve our sound, and keep building the CRY WOLF family. We’re just getting started!

ALPHA is available now on all major streaming platforms. Listen Here.

Main Photo Credit: Justin Barnett