Rennie Pearson Releases New Single ‘The Old Hag of Thunder’
New Zealand wooden flute player, composer and storyteller Rennie Pearson will release his new single, The Old Hag of Thunder, on 4 August 2026.
Inspired by the Cailleach, the ancient goddess of winter in Irish and Scottish folklore, The Old Hag of Thunder takes its title from one of her many epithets – a name Pearson first encountered through a story told by the late Irish storyteller and radio presenter Manchán Magan.
“I loved how the Cailleach personifies the cold, harsh imagery of winter and was immediately inspired to write something,” says Pearson.
Led by the wooden flute and recorded with a five-piece band, the piece moves through thunder, lightning, howling winds and darkness, alongside moments of clear skies and sunlight. Spoken-word poetry is woven into the arrangement, adding another layer to the imagery and storytelling.
The Old Hag of Thunder marks Pearson’s first original single under his own name, as well as his first release as a solo artist recorded with a full band. Grounded in Irish and Scottish traditional music, the track brings together a wider range of influences that have shaped his musical life, with elements of jazz, Indian classical music and rock woven through its contemporary folk sound.
“For me, this release introduces a new dimension to my recorded work. It brings together a lot of the different musical influences I’ve loved throughout my life while still being firmly rooted in traditional music.”
Pearson is a wooden flute player, multi-instrumentalist, composer and storyteller from New Zealand whose music is deeply rooted in the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland and Maritime Canada. He has built a reputation as a sought-after performer in Australia and New Zealand and is currently establishing himself across Ireland and the UK.
The Old Hag of Thunder will be available from 4 August 2026 on Spotify, Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms.
