Radio One is teaming up with the New Zealand Young Writers Festival to present Blast Off!, a free show headlined by Emily Edrosa.
The punk/folk solo venture of Emily Littler, the leader of noted Auckland indie pop trio Street Chant, the project has its roots in an arduous US tour where the only time Littler had to herself was when she was on the toilet!
''When I was writing and recording it I definitely felt claustrophobic,'' Edrosa says from Auckland.
''Being around other people all the time can really turn you inward.
''I remember trying to write and just feeling strange and having no idea what to write about. I thought it trite to write about touring when I felt extremely lucky to have done it.
''Making the EP about the internet made it easier as I had a subject for all the songs before even beginning them, and the claustrophobia I felt about my life translated well to that subject.''
Swapping the swift biting electric guitar of the pop-punk Street Chant for an acoustic guitar has also opened up some new space in Edrosa's songwriting.
Always capable of a great riff (listen to Street Chant's Melbourne or Scream Walk), the slower, detailed style brings a more introspective, dark and brooding vibe to the fore.
Drawing from the anti-folk of Kurt Vile, and the hypnotic and inventive finger-picking of UMO's Ruban Nielson and St Vincent, it's implosive; a manic brain turned inward.
''I didn't really play acoustic at all,'' Edrosa said.
''I thought it was pretty lame when I was younger. I started when I moved home to my mum's house and obviously it was a lot quieter than electric. I don't really see the difference other than perhaps the sustain you can get with an electric, there is certainly a lot less to hide behind.
"I like tuning acoustic strings down so they hit the neck harder. Being that acoustic strings are heavier it can literally make an even heavier sound than an electric.''
Joining Edrosa for the South Island shows is a full backing band, comprising Dorian Noval and Matthew McAuley, who was the leader of the incredible late 2000 Dunedin punk band brains.
''The band is a lot heavier than people would expect, I think. Plus a lot more fun. It's pretty different when doing the EP songs, since when I recorded them I didn't exactly know I would be performing them as a traditional three-piece, but it's more about the songs I think and serving them, and having a good time.''
Edrosa's new direction doesn't signal the end for Street Chant, with their sophomore album in the works.
''Street Chant has taken a bit of a hiatus over the past few years, but we are about to start up again soon ... our new drummer, Chris, is one of our best friends and the dynamic is a lot more fun now.
"The Street Chant album will finally be out in the next few months, and even though it seems like it took forever I am so excited and proud of it. It's probably one of the best things I will ever do, and, hopefully, will be worth the wait.''
Meanwhile, a UK label will release the Edrosa EP on vinyl, before the full band enters the studio to record before the end of the year.
''I also have an electronic EP I plan on releasing when I have time,'' Edrosa says.
''Gotta stay busy eh?''
The show
• The 91Club presents Blast Off! with Emily Edrosa, Embedded Figures and Birdation, Thursday, June 4, at the Robbie Burns Pub, from 9pm. Free entry as part of the first annual New Zealand Young Writers Festival.
