This year, Ōtautahi-based L.A. Mitchell (Lauren Barus) has made a triumphant return to solo releases, with the success of previous singles ‘Glove’ and ‘Slow Dancing’ – she’s just released a new track ‘Mother’ and visited Pōneke to run a couple of vocal workshops. Lauren dropped in for a chat with Sunaina on Friday Breakfast!

Lauren is also well known for her work touring, writing and performing with the likes of Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Tim Finn, Anna Coddington,Sola Rosa, and Dukes. Just recently, she was a member of the Bill Withers Social Club alongside Troy Kingi & Dallas Tamaira on their sold-out tour, and was a finalist for the 2024 Best Folk Artist award at the AMAs for her work with husband Matt Barus in Terrible Sons.