Caru and Brandn Shiraz Go ‘Two for Two’ To Close Out The Year

Caru and Brandn Shiraz return with Two for Two, closing out the year with their finest work yet. Recently praised by Rolling Stone as “one of the best EPs of the year”. This new sharp dual-sided release pairs Caru’s slick production alongside Brandn Shiraz’s unmistakable and raw MC energy. Designed as a vinyl-style Side A/B with a mid-track beat switch, it also features synthesizer and Rhodes from jazz pianist and arranger Joe Kaptein to tie it all together.

Taking inspiration from Broken Beat and UK Garage, Two for Two carves out a sharp spot in the Aotearoa music scene, built for both club DJs and the dancers who join them. Caru and Brandn Shiraz ditch the contemporary pop-leaning UKG formulas for a slick take that nods to the genre’s underground roots.

Producer Caru says, “We always planned to follow up our first project Back 2 Back, so it’s definitely come naturally. We’ve taken our time with it to really try to expand and develop on everything we did with the first project. It’s feeling like it’s a step up in every way.”

Brandn’s reputation has been built through key industry moments, including showcases at SXSW Sydney and Going Global, along with a strong run of summer performances at Cross Street Festival, Cuba Dupa, The Others Way and opening for Wax Mustang. He now heads into a milestone 2025/26 Aotearoa summer festival run, featuring sets with Caru at Northern Bass, Matakanarama, Twisted Frequency and Island Time, where they will showcase their MC/DJ dynamic, and play out their dual EPs.

The single pays homage to DJ culture itself – by going back-to-back, trading two-for-two, to keep the dance floor moving. The Two for Two single release is paired with a limited edition run of 7 inch vinyl records pressed by Zenith Records, only 50 available. Buy it on Bandcamp here and releasing on all digital streaming platforms from today, Friday 12 December.