Mother and Daughter Unite for Tribute to Christchurch

To mark the 15th anniversary of the earthquake that forever changed Canterbury, composer and songwriter Ruth Benfield announces the release of her new single, The Day The Earth Shook. The track is a global collaboration that serves as a “sonic bridge” between Benfield’s current home in Los Angeles and her roots in Christchurch.

The track weaves together memories from the initial September 2010 shake through to February 22nd and the aftershocks that followed, and features a vocal collaboration with her mother, Helen Pallis-Mulholland, a voice that has been a staple of the Christchurch music scene for decades. Known to New Zealanders as the frontwoman for the legendary 80s band Louie and the Hot Sticks, Pallis-Mulholland now resides in Australia where she continues her career as a singer/songwriter, and an iHeartRadio presenter. Her presence on the track bridges two generations of Cantabrian musical history.

The Artist Behind the Work As a composer and producer based in Los Angeles, Benfield’s work is characterized by a strong sense of melody and emotional depth, often tailored to enhance the narrative of the films she scores. For The Day The Earth Shook, she stepped into the roles of songwriter, composer and producer to translate her personal history into a cinematic experience.

“I lived through every one of those quakes,” says Benfield. “Those moments are etched into our memories and even our children’s DNA. This song is a reminder that while we all felt the earth move, we never had to stand alone,” says Benfield. “It is a tribute to that unbreakable Cantabrian spirit. I wanted to create a space where we could reflect on that shared experience together, remembering how in that moment, while we were truly shaken in all ways collectively, we also rose up and were there for each other in the chaos, in the dust and the quiet, which really is such a beautiful part of who we are.”

A Cinematic Collaboration The project, co-produced by Benfield and Los Angeles artist Scott Oatley, leans into cinematic stillness and atmospheric depth. Oatley, whose credits include major soundtracks such as La La Land, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Jurassic World, worked alongside Benfield to ensure the track felt like a moment forever frozen in time.

“We focused on creating poignant moments of reflection and stillness,” Oatley explains. “It was about building a respectful, sonic space for remembrance that honors those lost while upholding the weight of Christchurch’s 15-year journey since.”

Historical Significance Adding to the track’s significance, the official single artwork incorporates localized seismic waveform data from the February 22, 2011 event, provided by GNS Science / GeoNet. The single is being released on Benfield’s label, Glass Of Milk Records, which aims to provide a platform for cinematic storytelling and international artist collaboration.

The Day The Earth Shook will be available on all streaming platforms February 22, 2026.