Sonorous Release Powerful New Single
Taupō-based blues-rock trio Sonorous – featuring Lucian McDermott (Ngāi Te Rangi) (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Khani Te Mete (Bass), and Cooper Paalvast (Drums) – return with their powerful new single State of a Nation, – a deeply reflective track that speaks to the pressures many communities and whānau are facing right now, while offering a message of resilience and hope.
What began as reflections on everyday struggles slowly evolved into a song designed to capture the emotional weight many people are carrying – the pressure of rising living costs, uncertainty, and the challenge of simply trying to get by. Rather than focusing solely on hardship, Sonorous wanted the track to acknowledge the reality of difficult times while still reminding people they are not alone.
Written and produced by Lucian McDermott and Justin McDermott, and recorded at 11B Studios in Mt Maunganui, State of a Nation grew from honest conversations and reflections on the realities many people are facing right now.
“This song comes from looking around and seeing people trying to keep their heads above water,” says Lucian McDermott. “We wanted it to feel honest, but also leave people with a sense of connection and hope.”
For co-writer and producer Justin McDermott, (Ngāi Te Rangi) the song reflects the emotional pressure many people are quietly navigating every day.
“State of a Nation is really about the pressure a lot of people are carrying day to day,” says Justin McDermott. “We wanted to write something people could connect with and hopefully remind them they’re not alone in feeling that weight.”
Blending thoughtful lyricism with the band’s signature soul-infused psychedelic blues rock sound, State of a Nation delivers emotional depth alongside immersive musicianship – offering listeners a song that reflects the times while creating space for reflection and understanding.
Releasing, State of a Nation marks another important step for Sonorous as they continue building momentum toward their debut full-length album, pushing their blues-rock foundations into bold new territory through a growing catalogue of original releases.
