Living Perfection Signs to Sunreturn, Shares ‘Late To The Disco’
Living Perfection is the musical project of Maté Vella (he/him), a songwriter and producer based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Vella is a prolific guitarist who found his footing in Tāmaki’s teeming All Ages scene of the 2010’s. Alongside Lliam Powell and Alexander Grant, he formed the post-punk outfit Cool Cult, releasing two records via Muzai, touring Aotearoa, and performing at Camp A Low Hum. The trio later expanded their lineup, becoming Trust Punks. The band released two acclaimed albums on international indie labels Wharf Cat and Spunk, earning coverage from NME and Pitchfork.
More recently, Vella has turned to electronic production as one half of nxrthwxstkvrdvshivn, while performing in Sunreturn affiliated acts including Long Distance Runner, Chances Are, K M T P, and Family Band. In 2025, he launched Living Perfection as a vehicle to further his electronic practice and explore his Croatian heritage. Early singles Steel and Soul and Ti Si Moj Dom found favour with the local alternative ears, receiving coverage on Undertheradar.co.nz and charting on the 95bFM Top 10.
Now signed with Sunreturn Living Perfection releases the a four to the floor anthem Late To The Disco, taken from his upcoming debut EP Ovo Je Za Tebe (out July 17). Fans can celebrate Late To The Disco on May 1st when Living Perfection performs with support from Studfinder and Finn Johannson at Cupid Bar – tickets are available now from undertheradar.co.nz
STREAM LIVING PERFECTION – LATE TO THE DISCO
Late To The Disco juts and jives with icy synth melodies, bouncing bass arpeggiation and a distant vocal delivery akin to having a conversation in the club. Expertly mixed and mastered by Martin Phillips (Repairs, God Bows To Math), Late To The Disco hooks the listener in with its Italo disco sheen and late-night momentum, practically insisting on sunglasses while hitting the dancefloor.
“I wanted to pay homage to all the years I ignored my dancing, party self while playing in serious bands,” reflects Vella. “Of course there is room for both, but writing this music I’ve unlocked something so fun and playful.”
“The lyrics are really about how I felt that I was lost in my ‘musical journey’ so to speak, and was looking for a new thing to make. I’ve been playing guitar in bands my whole life and was just bored. Then I delved into production and fell in love. It brings me so much joy watching people dance, smile or even laugh at me when I’m performing. It’s a far cry from the classic shoegaze, arms folded semi circle I am used to.”
Reflecting on the track Vella grins “This is my favourite song off of the EP, it feels like something my family would’ve heard back in the 80’s in Eastern Europe dancing the night away.”
Photo Credit: Tom Dyton
