The fiercely blazing post-punk quartet Ringlets emerged from the musical mists of Aotearoa (New Zealand) in 2021 and quickly carved out a niche for themselves with a distinctive blend of subtle humor, raw energy, and striking musical craftsmanship. With an indestructible rhythm section and two of Auckland's leading lyricists and melody writers, the band rapidly built a strong reputation.
After former Pitchfork editor Chris Ott discovered the band, their self-titled debut album was released in the fall of 2023 via his label Mutual Skies. The ten-track record, produced by De Stevens (Office Dog, Erny Belle) and the band themselves, offers a whimsical and energetic introduction to the unique sound of Ringlets.
In 2025, the long-awaited second album, The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies) , was released , one of the most anticipated post-punk releases from Aotearoa that year. For the recordings, the band returned to The Lab with Olly Harmer and also collaborated with producer Michael Logie (The Mint Chicks). The final mix was handled by Isaac Keating at Abbey Road Studios. The result is an album that sounds tighter and more controlled, yet continues to evolve and seems to reinvent itself. With this, Ringlets confirm their place within the Flying Nun Records tradition.
After an initial Australian tour that ended with eight sold-out shows, a performance at BIGSOUND Festival in Brisbane, and a series of summer festivals such as Rhythm & Vines, Twisted Frequency, and Laneway Festival, Ringlets continue to steadily climb the Aotearoa alternative music scene, driven by their love for punk and uninhibited expression.
“This is the kind of music we should be making and celebrating. Go on Bandcamp and buy it. Tell radio stations to play it. Ask Ringlets to go on tour and go see them.” - Muzic.net.nz
