Indie-Folk Artist Colette Rivers and her band will be performing her intimate new album, The Backyard Wonder.

Independent artist Colette Rivers is releasing her second full-length album, The Backyard Wonder, an intimate exploration of healing, change, and the quiet beauty of ordinary moments.

This album holds special meaning for Rivers: after being diagnosed with cancer in July 2023, her planned sophomore release had to take a back seat to recovery. But when the cancer returned in early 2025, she felt compelled to finish and release the album, not just as a legacy project, also as a celebration after hard times, with a focus on how “you can find the wonder in life, even in your backyard.”

A lifelong creative, Rivers records, mixes, and produces in her home studio in Masterton, and plays every instrument heard on The Backyard Wonder. Her debut album, Memory Lake (2020), was shaped by early years spent in the US, and her move to Taupō at age 11; this was followed by a nationwide tour. Now based in the Wairarapa and working as a secondary school drama teacher, Rivers continues to move between solo performance and full band sets, while staying rooted in the acoustic traditions that define her sound.

With her right arm partially paralysed following recent treatment, Rivers has gathered a group of close friends to help bring the songs of The Backyard Wonder to life (especially its intricate fingerpicking parts) for a run of live shows. She’ll be touring the Wellington and Wairarapa regions from August through October, finishing with a set at the Wellington Folk Festival. The album will be available digitally via Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms, with vinyl copies stocked through her website, Slow Boat Records, and Rough Peel. For updates, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, visit www.coletteriversmusic.com or follow @colettemusic on Instagram and Facebook.

Opening for Rivers are artists:

Phil Masters Phil Lively-Masters is an experienced, well travelled singer songwriter who specialises in writing the sort of Sun Kissed West Coast Laurel Canyon Americana that made Neil Young, Stephen Stills and the Byrds famous. With a powerful, honey soaked voice that has won praise and support slots from legendary American country rock pioneers like The Jayhawks and original cosmic cowboy Steve Young, Phil has 20 years worth of road worn original songs to pull on, including tracks from the critically acclaimed CANYON RYDE album 'Free To Be' and some choice country rock covers to weave a spell on any listener.

Saali Marks A singer, songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Saali Marks hails originally from the South Island, but has made Wairarapa his home for the last 20 years, where he lives on a farm with his family and teaches music at Kuranui College. Saali has played in numerous bands over the years, in a wide range of styles from proto-punk to psychedelic dub, covers, originals and fully improvised music with no discernible genre, on stages throughout Aotearoa since 1991. Currently he fronts the Wellington ska band Battleska Galactica. Throughout and alongside it all Saali has indulged his love for songwriting and solo performing, developing a unique style, rooted in folk and blues, and inspired by greats from across the decades. A skilled guitarist, Saali rarely plays straight ahead chords, and an education in jazz has informed his ear for harmony, the beauty of dissonance, tension and resolution, with unconventional song structures, alternate tunings and intriguing melodies. Although not adverse to penning the odd love song, most of Saali’s lyrics tend to focus on other aspects of the human condition, from religion and politics to our relationships with the environment and our own minds.

LINKS linktr.ee/coletterivers coletteriversmusic.com Spotify:https://spoti.fi... Facebook:https://www.fac... Itunes/applemusic:https:... Instagram:https://www.in... YouTube:https://www.yout...

Indie-Folk Artist Colette Rivers and her band will be performing her intimate new album, The Backyard Wonder.

Independent artist Colette Rivers is releasing her second full-length album, The Backyard Wonder, an intimate exploration of healing, change, and the quiet beauty of ordinary moments.

This album holds special meaning for Rivers: after being diagnosed with cancer in July 2023, her planned sophomore release had to take a back seat to recovery. But when the cancer returned in early 2025, she felt compelled to finish and release the album, not just as a legacy project, also as a celebration after hard times, with a focus on how “you can find the wonder in life, even in your backyard.”

A lifelong creative, Rivers records, mixes, and produces in her home studio in Masterton, and plays every instrument heard on The Backyard Wonder. Her debut album, Memory Lake (2020), was shaped by early years spent in the US, and her move to Taupō at age 11; this was followed by a nationwide tour. Now based in the Wairarapa and working as a secondary school drama teacher, Rivers continues to move between solo performance and full band sets, while staying rooted in the acoustic traditions that define her sound.

With her right arm partially paralysed following recent treatment, Rivers has gathered a group of close friends to help bring the songs of The Backyard Wonder to life (especially its intricate fingerpicking parts) for a run of live shows. She’ll be touring the Wellington and Wairarapa regions from August through October, finishing with a set at the Wellington Folk Festival. The album will be available digitally via Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms, with vinyl copies stocked through her website, Slow Boat Records, and Rough Peel. For updates, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, visit www.coletteriversmusic.com or follow @colettemusic on Instagram and Facebook.

Opening for Rivers is Beans:

Beans is a recent fixture in the Pōneke folk scene, importing a wild array of original songs and generally embodying the classic singer songwriter formula – introvert plus guitar. They are one third of folk trio 'Don & the Divorcees', but are known for solo shows which are rich with humour, honesty and interesting word choices. Expect to feel things.

Indie-Folk Artist Colette Rivers and her band will be performing her intimate new album, The Backyard Wonder.

Independent artist Colette Rivers is releasing her second full-length album, The Backyard Wonder, an intimate exploration of healing, change, and the quiet beauty of ordinary moments.

This album holds special meaning for Rivers: after being diagnosed with cancer in July 2023, her planned sophomore release had to take a back seat to recovery. But when the cancer returned in early 2025, she felt compelled to finish and release the album, not just as a legacy project, also as a celebration after hard times, with a focus on how “you can find the wonder in life, even in your backyard.”

A lifelong creative, Rivers records, mixes, and produces in her home studio in Masterton, and plays every instrument heard on The Backyard Wonder. Her debut album, Memory Lake (2020), was shaped by early years spent in the US, and her move to Taupō at age 11; this was followed by a nationwide tour. Now based in the Wairarapa and working as a secondary school drama teacher, Rivers continues to move between solo performance and full band sets, while staying rooted in the acoustic traditions that define her sound.

With her right arm partially paralysed following recent treatment, Rivers has gathered a group of close friends to help bring the songs of The Backyard Wonder to life (especially its intricate fingerpicking parts) for a run of live shows. She’ll be touring the Wellington and Wairarapa regions from August through October, finishing with a set at the Wellington Folk Festival.

For updates, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, visit www.coletteriversmusic.com or follow @colettemusic on Instagram and Facebook.

Opening for Rivers are artists:

Phil Masters Phil Lively-Masters is an experienced, well travelled singer songwriter who specialises in writing the sort of Sun Kissed West Coast Laurel Canyon Americana that made Neil Young, Stephen Stills and the Byrds famous. With a powerful, honey soaked voice that has won praise and support slots from legendary American country rock pioneers like The Jayhawks and original cosmic cowboy Steve Young, Phil has 20 years worth of road worn original songs to pull on, including tracks from the critically acclaimed CANYON RYDE album 'Free To Be' and some choice country rock covers to weave a spell on any listener.

Saali Marks A singer, songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Saali Marks hails originally from the South Island, but has made Wairarapa his home for the last 20 years, where he lives on a farm with his family and teaches music at Kuranui College. Saali has played in numerous bands over the years, in a wide range of styles from proto-punk to psychedelic dub, covers, originals and fully improvised music with no discernible genre, on stages throughout Aotearoa since 1991. Currently he fronts the Wellington ska band Battleska Galactica. Throughout and alongside it all Saali has indulged his love for songwriting and solo performing, developing a unique style, rooted in folk and blues, and inspired by greats from across the decades. A skilled guitarist, Saali rarely plays straight ahead chords, and an education in jazz has informed his ear for harmony, the beauty of dissonance, tension and resolution, with unconventional song structures, alternate tunings and intriguing melodies. Although not adverse to penning the odd love song, most of Saali’s lyrics tend to focus on other aspects of the human condition, from religion and politics to our relationships with the environment and our own minds.

LINKS linktr.ee/coletterivers coletteriversmusic.com Spotify:https://spoti.fi... Facebook:https://www.fac... Itunes/applemusic:https:... Instagram:https://www.in... YouTube:https://www.yout...

Colette Rivers will be opening for Aussie artist, Lanę on August the 30th at Valhalla, Wellington. Doors open at 8pm. Presale tickets will be available at UTR (Under The Radar) https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/

Featherston Vinyl Club Presents 'Matariki Jams'. Come and close out the 2023 Paetūmōkai Matariki festivities at Waimarie Eatery and Bar on Sunday 16 July with live music from Tyson Smith, Colette Rivers, Lace Reihana and support from the FVC DJ's. Free Entry. All welcome. 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The Colette Rivers Trio plays the Songwriters' Showcase. She will be performing with Momo on Keys and vox and Jordan on Drums. Further details coming soon. PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY!

Songwriters' Showcase #48. (Colette filling in last minute for covid-stricken act!). Door from 6:00pm. Colette Rivers - from 7:00pm; Sam Fowles - from 8:00pm; and Sofia Machray - from 9:00pm

Tickets $10 at the door or from Eventfinda. There is a limit of 100 tickets for this show. You can book a table for a group separately from the venue - info@newtownmoon.co.nz, 04 389 9933.

Colette Rivers and her fantastic keyboardist/vocalist, Momo will be performing at the annual SOB Matariki Gig. Rivers will be performing a mix of original songs from her 'Memory Lake' album as well as a handful of new, never-been-heard songs, including her upcoming single release, 'Heaven and Earth' (Out July 8th).

Opening the night is 'man and his guitar', Dave Boone performing gritty acoustic covers. Rivers will follow at about 8pm Boomers at 9pm- alt-rock covers.

Come on down to Moon Bar in Newtown, Wellington for an awesome night of Indie-music pleasure! Colette Rivers and her band (4 piece) will be playing songs from her recently released debut album, 'Memory Lake'. There is a lot of awesome talent and cool music to be had- and for only $10!!! The line-up is as follows: 7pm Ingrid Saker - Ingrid is a Pōneke-based musician with a mix of folk and blues influences. While her band, Ingrid and the Ministers, is all-out rock-n-roll, her solo performances are a softer, more intimate and lyrical journey through the landscapes of love, loss and redemption. 8pm Colette Rivers - American-born, New Zealand raised, Colette Rivers is an indie-folk song-writer and producer who has just completed her debut album, 'Memory Lake' launch and tour. She is joined onstage with Jordan Tredray on drums and newcomers, Kerrie McEwen on electric guitar and Hayden Maskell on bass. 9pm Scott Pilgrim verses Uzume - Scott can these days be found dancing on the electric side with Wellington band Soda but in his quest to ever do something a little new and different Scott has called for a title fight with the god of joy and happiness, Uzume. Live and exclusive to songs 6021. Door from 6:00pm. Ingrid Saker- from 7:00pm; Colette Rivers - from 8:00pm; and Scott Pilgrim - from 9:00pm Tickets $10 at the door or from Eventfinda. https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/.../songwriters.../wellington There is a limit of 100 tickets for this show.

Hi friends, I'm very excited to get to open for Pencarrow tomorrow night as they bring 'the Growth In The Absence Of Light Tour' to 'our' home town in the historic Rangitumau Hall. Polish up ya red bands and join us for an evening of music in this beautiful 117 year old hall.

I'll be opening with a short solo set from my album 'Memory Lake', then folks, hunker down for some fantastic sounds from @ovustheband who are coming over from Wellington to celebrate the occasion followed by Pencarrow who will hit the stage with graceful guitar melodies and sombre piano passages through to heavy rhythmic climaxes and searing solo sections. They will throw you glimmers of magic from their second album.(see below for more deets!)

.. The Rangitumau Hall is about 10mins drive north of Masterton. All event details can be found here: .. https://www.facebook.com/events/957263145017753 .. See you tomorrow night!!

DOORS OPEN 7:00PM. Music from 7:30pm - 11:00pm. The gig is FREE but if you happen to fancy supporting the bands then feel free to get ya hands on some merch or you can make a small donation to cover venue hire.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Pencarrow - ‘In Medias Res’ Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t_vKMoaFOU “a masterpiece which blends musical moods and genres to enthral both newcomers and established fans. New Zealand audiences are in for a treat.” - Howard King, At The Barrier “The sequencing and flow of Growth in the Absence of Light has obviously been well-thought out, and makes the whole so much greater than the sum of its parts.” - Nick Hudson, The Progressive Aspect “Every Prog fan should have heard of their second work ‘Growth In The Absence Of Light’ - Flohfish, Betreutesproggen.de

Colette Rivers presents her long awaited album launch tour of 'Memory Lake' at Wellington's Meow.

She will perform the album in full, joined onstage by talented friends, Sarah Urwin on banjo, guitar and harmonies and Brook Davies on bass and harmonies.

Expect to hear indie-folk music and songwriting at its best: songs about life, love, nature and New Zealand, lyrics to transport you, with harmonies that weave through finger-picked guitars, banjo, mandolin and bass.

[Colette Rivers has] taken folk music and given it a good shake. - Lynn Freeman Radio NZ

“Colette's ability to grow a song and build the song keeps you gripped throughout and is one for a nice summer evening in the late evening sun. ” -Dave, The Unsigned Reviewer

Rivers' music has a sense of strong melodic hook-writing, as featured in the haunting and sometimes gritty melodies in all of her songs. The honesty and depth of Rivers' lyrics reflect her fearlessness in revisiting the past, considering life and death; beauty and pain.

After living in both the USA and United Kingdom, Rivers says coming home is a grounding experience. “Sitting, looking at the lake (Taupō), breathing in the damp kiwi bush and eucalyptus trees, there is something intangible, filled with memories.”

Opening for Colette is Wellington-by-way-of-Dunedin indie-folk band, 'Grawlixes', whose music often deals in the melancholy with self-deprecating honesty and beautiful boy-girl harmonies, sung by co-founders Robin Cederman and Penelope Esplin.

Colette Rivers presents her long awaited album launch tour of 'Memory Lake' at Napier's Paisley Stage.

She will perform the album in full, joined onstage by talented friends, Sarah Urwin on banjo, guitar and harmonies and Brook Davies on bass and harmonies.

Expect to hear indie-folk music and songwriting at its best: songs about life, love, nature and New Zealand, lyrics to transport you, with harmonies that weave through finger-picked guitars, banjo, mandolin and bass.

"[Colette Rivers has] taken folk music and given it a good shake." - Lynn Freeman Radio NZ

“Colette's ability to grow a song and build the song keeps you gripped throughout and is one for a nice summer evening in the late evening sun. ” -Dave, The Unsigned Reviewer

Rivers' music has a sense of strong melodic hook-writing, as featured in the haunting and sometimes gritty melodies in all of her songs. The honesty and depth of Rivers' lyrics reflect her fearlessness in revisiting the past, considering life and death; beauty and pain.

After living in both the USA and United Kingdom, Rivers says coming home is a grounding experience. “Sitting, looking at the lake (Taupō), breathing in the damp kiwi bush and eucalyptus trees, there is something intangible, filled with memories.”

Opening for Rivers is local americana/ country-folk group, Spooky Skeletons.

Colette Rivers presents her long awaited album launch tour of 'Memory Lake' at Thames' Kauaeranga Hall.

She will do a solo performance of her album in full.

Expect to hear indie-folk music and songwriting at its best: songs about life, love, nature and New Zealand, with lyrics to transport you, weaving through finger-picked guitar and mandolin.

"[Colette Rivers has] taken folk music and given it a good shake." - Lynn Freeman Radio NZ

“Colette's ability to grow a song and build the song keeps you gripped throughout and is one for a nice summer evening in the late evening sun. ” -Dave, The Unsigned Reviewer

Rivers' music has a sense of strong melodic hook-writing, as featured in the haunting and sometimes gritty melodies in all of her songs. The honesty and depth of Rivers' lyrics reflect her fearlessness in revisiting the past, considering life and death; beauty and pain.

After living in both the USA and United Kingdom, Rivers says coming home is a grounding experience. “Sitting, looking at the lake (Taupō), breathing in the damp kiwi bush and eucalyptus trees, there is something intangible, filled with memories.”

Opening for Rivers are local talents, 'The Chunes'. A duo of brothers with an acoustic soul background.

Colette Rivers presents her long awaited album launch tour of 'Memory Lake' at Hamilton's Nivara Lounge.

She will perform the album in full, joined onstage by talented friends, Sarah Urwin on banjo, guitar and harmonies and Brook Davies on bass and harmonies.

Expect to hear indie-folk music and songwriting at its best: songs about life, love, nature and New Zealand, lyrics to transport you, with harmonies that weave through finger-picked guitars, banjo, mandolin and bass.

[Colette Rivers has] taken folk music and given it a good shake. - Lynn Freeman Radio NZ

“Colette's ability to grow a song and build the song keeps you gripped throughout and is one for a nice summer evening in the late evening sun. ” -Dave, The Unsigned Reviewer

Rivers' music has a sense of strong melodic hook-writing, as featured in the haunting and sometimes gritty melodies in all of her songs. The honesty and depth of Rivers' lyrics reflect her fearlessness in revisiting the past, considering life and death; beauty and pain.

After living in both the USA and United Kingdom, Rivers says coming home is a grounding experience. “Sitting, looking at the lake (Taupō), breathing in the damp kiwi bush and eucalyptus trees, there is something intangible, filled with memories.”

Opening for Rivers are the dizzyingly talented bluegrass/folk duo, '2 of 3,' with a sound similar to ‘The Milk Carton kids’, and ‘Gillian Welch’. Brothers Laurence (guitar and vocals) and Sam (guitar, vocals, mandolin, and bass) know how to put on a good show.

Colette Rivers presents her long awaited album launch tour of 'Memory Lake' at Auckland's Wine Cellar.

She will perform the album in full, joined onstage by talented friends, Sarah Urwin on banjo, guitar and harmonies and Brook Davies on bass and harmonies.

Expect to hear indie-folk music and songwriting at its best: songs about life, love, nature and New Zealand, lyrics to transport you, with harmonies that weave through finger-picked guitars, banjo, mandolin and bass.

"[Colette Rivers has] taken folk music and given it a good shake". - Lynn Freeman Radio NZ

“Colette's ability to grow a song and build the song keeps you gripped throughout and is one for a nice summer evening in the late evening sun. ” -Dave, The Unsigned Reviewer

Rivers' music has a sense of strong melodic hook-writing, as featured in the haunting and sometimes gritty melodies in all of her songs. The honesty and depth of Rivers' lyrics reflect her fearlessness in revisiting the past, considering life and death; beauty and pain.

After living in both the USA and United Kingdom, Rivers says coming home is a grounding experience. “Sitting, looking at the lake (Taupō), breathing in the damp kiwi bush and eucalyptus trees, there is something intangible, filled with memories.”

Opening for Rivers is local Indie-Folk/Pop/Rock artist, 'Isla'.

Colette Rivers begins the journey of her long awaited album launch, 'Memory Lake' in her spiritual hometown of Taupō, from which the album takes its name.

Expect to hear indie-music and songwriting at its best: songs about life, love, nature and New Zealand, lyrics to transport you, with harmonies that weave through finger-picked guitars, banjo, mandolin and bass.

"[Colette Rivers has] taken folk music and given it a good shake." - Lynn Freeman Radio NZ

“Colette's ability to grow a song and build the song keeps you gripped throughout and is one for a nice summer evening in the late evening sun. ” -Dave, The Unsigned Reviewer

Rivers' music has a sense of strong melodic hook-writing, as featured in the haunting and sometimes gritty melodies in all of her songs. The honesty and depth of Rivers' lyrics reflect her fearlessness in revisiting the past, considering life and death; beauty and pain.

After living in both the USA and United Kingdom, Rivers says coming home is a grounding experience. “Sitting, looking at the lake (Taupō), breathing in the damp kiwi bush and eucalyptus trees, there is something intangible, filled with memories.”

Rivers will present her album in full, joined onstage by talented friends Sarah Urwin on banjo, guitar and harmonies and Brook Davies on bass and harmonies.

Opening for Rivers is the dreamy Indie-Pop duo, 'False Heights.'

Expect an intimate evening of music and story-telling.
Indie-Folk songwriter and producer, Colette Rivers will be giving a solo performance featuring original songs from her upcoming album, 'Memory Lake,' and a selection of covers by artists, young, old and long gone. Rivers’ voice shivers with the raw expressiveness of greats like Bruce Springsteen or Gillian Welch and a sharp edge that evokes the likeness of Liz Phair or Aimee Mann. There is an undeniable sense of strong melodic hook-writing, while the honesty, poeticism and depth of Rivers' lyrics reflect a fearlessness in revisiting the past, feeling the moments of the right now, considering life, death and the beauty, pain and reality of it.

Bring a good one, grab a cold one, pipe down and enjoy the talents of Colette Rivers. She'll croon, you'll be sure to swoon and no doubt it'll be a good time all around. Beer+Wine+Bar Menu: sliders/fries/shared plates etc.

Indie-Folk songwriter and producer, Colette Rivers will be giving a solo performance featuring original songs from her upcoming album, 'Memory Lake,' and a selection of covers by artists, young, old and long gone.

Come and see Colette Rivers and the Creeks play at Moon in Newtown for the last songwriter's gig of 2020. Doors open at 6pm. $10 at the door. Robyn-Lyn Webber from 6:30pm Colette Rivers at 7:30 Bill Lake from 8:30