We are deeply saddened to share that Colette passed away peacefully on Sunday 23 November 2025.
She had been bravely fighting cancer for over 2 years and never lost her drive to make music.

She will live on in the hearts of the people she touched through her songs. 

May she rest in peace and be remembered for her talent and kindness.

Our 3rd gig is tomorrow!
This is the last gig where we will be playing the full album from start to finish!

My band has been working hard since March to learn these songs- and bring my album to live audiences. 
I really hope you can come and support & enjoy!

Opening at 6:30 is Phil Masters
Then at 7:15 is Saali Marks
Colette Rivers+Her Band will be on just before 8. 

Event details:

Well, we've had such a beautiful time on the BACKYARD WONDER mini tour so far… I'm so grateful for the band who have helped me bring my album to life.

We have had such warm audiences- actively engaged and joining in on a few songs too. 

There's something magical- intangible- in live music performance. Some call it the wairua, or spirit, some, the ihi, wehi and wana. I think when you are doing something creative that you love, you are literally buzzing at a higher frequency. I'm reminded that I'm doing exactly what I'm meant to be doing and it's such a joyous experience. 

Our next gig is in Greytown this Saturday (4th of Oct) and I think it's going to be a really great one- to play locally- it's quite a different experience!
This will be the last full- length gig that we do as a band, playing THE BACKYARD WONDER from start to finish. I really hope you can join us. 

The one after that will be at the end of October at Wellington Folk Festival on Labour Weekend.

 If you haven't listened 🎧 to the album yet, here are some links: 

https://coletterivers.bandcamp.com/album/the-backyard-wonder

https://open.spotify.com/album/133mqTANFDNu0OyhAG3EWh?si=xp-0HcRKSUePzy-yWjEF2A

I am so excited to share this fantastic review by Daniel Jones at Muzic.nz
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Colette Rivers’ latest album, The Backyard Wonder, is an intimate and heartfelt journey into the themes of healing and recovery. Written and recorded in her hometown of Masterton, the album comes after a challenging period in Rivers’ life – she was diagnosed with cancer in July 2023, which delayed the release of her sophomore record. However, after much anticipation, The Backyard Wonder finally dropped on September 12th, 2025, showcasing Rivers’ resilience and artistic growth.

From the very first listen, Rivers’ soulful voice and evocative songwriting draw listeners in, with clear echoes of iconic folk legends like Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. Tracks like Down, Away and Through Oceans carry a timeless, reflective quality, blending folk and acoustic sensibilities that are both deeply personal and universally relatable. Rivers’ guitar work is impressive, effortlessly weaving intricate melodies that complement her voice, enhancing the emotional depth of each song.

The standout track of the album is undoubtedly Mercy Me, which marks a shift in tone and sets the stage for the rest of the record. With its rich, atmospheric layers, the song transports the listener to a crisp winter morning, evoking both the starkness of the season and the warmth of human connection. It’s a moment of musical catharsis, kicking the album into full gear.

The Backyard Wonder is also a beautiful homage to the folk music of the ’70s, drawing inspiration from artists like Vashti Bunyan and Carole King. Rivers’ ability to capture the essence of that era while infusing her own modern sensibilities makes this album stand out in the contemporary folk scene. Her distinct acoustic sound remains rooted in tradition, yet it’s clear she’s carving her own path with each song.

Now based in the Wairarapa, Rivers balances her musical career with her role as a secondary school drama teacher. Whether performing solo or with a full band, she continues to explore the boundaries of her sound while staying true to her acoustic roots. The Backyard Wonder is a powerful testament to her growth as an artist and her unwavering commitment to creating music that speaks to the heart.

Here is a link to the review on Muzic.nz:

https://www.muzic.nz/reviews/album-review-the-backyard-wonder/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM4YRpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiy1Fb-Ur9oK_3RZGSGj7uJC61ItmgDE0gsMYlnu04jWS4YBxRhBFmmI7ze7_aem_kSW9kaz64d09lY7CSvddsw

With a joyful heart, I am thrilled to announce that my new album, ‘THE BACKYARD WONDER’ is out!

If you would like to buy/download the album, it's available on bandcamp here: https://coletterivers.bandcamp.com/album/the-backyard-wonder
or if you're more inclined to streaming etc, here are some more links:
spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/133mqTANFDNu0OyhAG3EWh?si=vL3se60ORW2uNX3N5WvMfQ

I love this album so much and feel really proud of not only how much work I put into it, but the intention behind it. 
Along this cancer 'journey', I am reminded that the people who fare the best have strong reasons for living. You might say “surely everyone has that!?” and you might be right, but this has been a really important point of focus for me. 

I finished my final mixes whilst undergoing my third lot of chemotherapy.
Some days I couldn't face going into the studio, but when I did, I found myself feeling joyous, maybe what people refer to as vibrating at a higher frequency-- I don't know. But this is me. 
This album is an extension of me. I haven't created it to make hits or gain fame (HAHA)- I have created this because I wanted the express all the beautiful, overwhelming, gratitude-filled ‘wonder’ that I now experience when I live each day. Creating music has always been something that flows through me- not a task that I over-think and try to make into anything in particular. It's intangeable, and I know that I'm not the only song-writer to share this sentiment. 

And now that it's out there, just knowing that someone listened to it, connected with it and maybe felt a little bit lighter, is all that I want. 

If you've taken the time to read my little blurb- thank you! If you've listened to the album- thank you! If you want to let me know what you think- please do!

Lots of love to you all!
Colette Rivers

xxx

I'm so excited to say that for the launch of my new album, ‘The Backyard Wonder’ we are doing a small handful of gigs to celebrate and share this milestone. 
Words fail to describe how proud I am of this album and how good the live set is sounding! 

Don't delay in getting your tickets as the venues are quite ‘intimate’ and have limited space. 

Get your tickets here:
https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/index.php?task=searchall&q=colette+rivers

Woah!!!! Wait- what?
Yes, after a rather long time since I released my debut album, ‘Memory Lake’, I am going to be releasing an album, ‘The Backyard Wonder.' 
This is a celebration album. 

Many of you who follow me on facebook or instagram will know that on the 19th of July 2023, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer (TNBC for short). This obviously changed my entire world. Music was put on hold while I went into a rather tough treatment. I did 5 months of neo-adjuvant chemo, which made me lose my hair after the first dose. The dexamethasone (steroids) that I was taking gave me a round face and made me gain weight, so I also didn't look like myself. Not that I cared about how I looked. All that I wanted was to get that bloody tumour out!

During all of this, I was tested for any genetic mutations and bingo! I have the BRCA1 mutation. This means that I had an 85% chance of breast cancer and a 45% chance of ovarian cancer.

So then, on the 13th of December, I had a double mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction (look it up). It took the entire summer to heal from that. 

Because there were trace amounts of cancer in the tissue they removed, I had to do another 5 months of chemo. 

Once that was done, I had another surgery (we're now in June 2024) to remove my ovaries and uterus. 

At this stage, I started noticing my energy levels going up again and a new lease on life. What matters to me? What doesn't matter?

So much had changed and yet, some things stayed the same. 
I was ready to do some more music, so into the studio I went and onto the stage again with Momo on keys and harmonies.

I had an amazing ride for 4 months, feeling normal, but not taking anything, or any day for granted. 

But then, in October, I noticed that the scar tissue in my right armpit felt different. I had a battle with the New Zealand health system to get taken seriously and be seen and tested- this takes us up to mid January!!  And then came the news.

The cancer is back.
It was in my armpit- a growth on the scar tissue from the previous mastectomy surgery, and suspected lymph nodes too as there were 3 that were enlarged and the biopsy results were positive. 
So in for another surgery to remove all of the lymph nodes in my armpit and the scar tumour. What I didn't realise would happen was that they would have to remove nerves and leave me semi-paralysed in my right arm.
While all of this was going on, I noticed that I had quite bad pain in my right shoulder. I went to a few doctors about this as well as my surgeons and I was given a cortico-steroid shot and diagnosed with frozen shoulder. I was given morphine for the pain and exercises/ physio. 
The morphine wasn't cutting through the pain and I ended up having to sleep sitting upright in the lounge, crying and beside myself in pain. When Alex (husband) thought it was time to go to the ED, we rang a local friend who is a GP and asked what we should do. He said, “double your morphine dose and come and see me tomorrow.” He ordered an X-ray and by the end of the week, he called us in to tell me the news that the cancer is in my bone. 

That means stage 4. Metastasised. Incurable.
 

My armpit radiation was cancelled and I had 1 dose of strong radiation to the shoulder to try to alleviate the pain and started on chemo again.

When looking forward, I don't know what I have got as far as time is concerned. What do I need to do? What are the things that make me ‘me’?  Well - music. teaching. my family and friends.

I got in touch with a few friends and asked if they would like to take on a project of learning my new songs and playing my guitar parts -because yes, I am paralysed and can't play- while I sing. They all said “yes”- love them so much for this. 
So we're rehearsing  and we are going to do a mini album release tour From September - October. 

I'll tell you more about the album and the title etc soon.

Thanks for reading. Hope you can come and see one of the gigs.

Colette x

Hi Folks! 

Fist gig back and what a big one it will be.

The Colette Rivers trio will be playing today fro 3-6 (phew!) at the Martinborough Brewery. 

It's a stunning day and we are excited!!!

I'll be joined onstage by the beautiful and talented Momo Sato, who plays keys and harmonies, and Rory Hullena on electric guitar- and man does he make it look easy!

I can't wait to share the joy with you all and hope to see you down there!

Well golly. 
I'm back!

If you follow my facebook page, you will know that in July 2023 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. So as you can probably imagine, my focus has been on getting though treatments and trying to work etc.

I had to cancel all gigs and the plan for my EP release last year which sucked, but cancer has a way of taking pole position. 

What was weird is that I honestly haven't been in the mood or mindset to physically do any music…
But here I am now- 1st of Feb 2024, having done 5 months of chemo, had a big surgery (double mastectomy with immediate diep reconstruction) and am now on oral chemo pills till May (but very few side effects so far). 
I'm feeling great! And low and behold- the first thing I want to do is play music and get cracking!

I have an album and a half worth of music that I've written and produced that is just waiting on me to mix and send off for mastering. I've been holding off on this as under chemo, my hearing was altered a bit….

So- In the next few months I'll be releasing an EP and then hopefully by the middle to end of the year- my album #2. Very excited with the direction that the new songs are heading. 

What about the band?!

My poor bandmates Jordan and Momo thankfully had other projects that they were involved in, so didn't feel too abandoned by me. Jordan's band, "The Dead Zephyrs' actually won the NZ battle of the bands, so have some exciting things happening this year with that (recording etc). He's also in another band that does ‘Tool’. So he's not going to be in the line up of the ‘Colette Rivers Band', but knowing Jordan, I'm sure he'll come back for a few guest appearances!

Momo is chewing at the bit to get rehearsing again and spread that joy we always seem to find when playing together. 

Adding to that is Phil on bass and vocals. By a stroke of luck, Phil has landed right in my lap (metaphorically of course!) as he has just started working with me (teachers). He has quite an awesome musical history, having worked for several years as a session bassist for Abbey Road Studios and has played Glastonbury Festival - not that I'm jealous- much!!!

And Rory on 2nd guitar. Rory lives round the corner with Momo and I didn't realise what a good guitarist he was, right under our noses! 

So 2024 is set to be an awesome year- and man, do we appreciate how much joy we get out of coming together and playing music. 
 

After the dry spell- we are going to pour!

Colette 

xxx

Hi Folks, 

Well, I haven't talked about a few of the gigs we've done recently, because time has gotten the better of me!  
I DO want to talk about a gig coming up in Featherston for Matiriki on the 16th July at Waimarie Eatery & Bar
It is called ‘Matariki Jams’ and will be a collection of artists and DJS. 
Here's a LINK to the Details! 
 

Another GIG coming up will be at Valhalla in Wellington on the 30th of August, opening for Aussie artist, Lanę.
Doors at 8pm and tickets available on Under The Radar (will update when available).