Wiri Donna celebrated her new EP with a Rolling Stone AU/NZ ‘In My Room’ session direct from “Wellington’s second living room.”
Wiri Donna is the thrilling indie rock project of Wellington-based musician Bianca Bailey, who was named as one of our Eight Kiwi Artists Tipped to Take Over in early 2023.
“After stellar supporting slots for the likes of national favourites The Beths and Soaked Oats, Wiri Donna released her long-awaited debut EP, Being Alone, in 2022, and it was quietly one of the fiercest feminist releases of last year,” we praised of the rising star.
“A headstrong lyricist with the eternal thoughtfulness of Julia Jacklin or Lucy Dacus, her coming-of-age record was a reclamation of personal power, with Bailey realising that finding the confidence to do things on your own is cathartic… With the impressive songwriting backed by muscular guitar riffs, it’s exciting to think what Wiri Donna could achieve on a full-length release.”
Wiri Donna didn’t end up following up Being Alone with a full-length album, perhaps due to her stellar efforts elsewhere in Aotearoa’s music industry, but that doesn’t make In My Chambers, her new EP, any less impactful.
Her second EP effortlessly expands into grittier and heartier rock territory than her debut, the six tracks influenced by feminine rage and James Goldsmith’s deft touch on production.
Wiri Donna will be hoping for a similar critical reaction to the one Being Alone received, which was nominated for Best Independent Debut at the Taite Music Prize; so far, singles from her follow-up EP have brought her solid chart placings and a nomination for Favourite Single at the Mighty Aotearoa Alternative Awards 2024 (“The Gold”).
For her ‘In My Room’ session, Bianca and her Wiri Donna band took to Meow, “Wellington’s second living room,” to perform tracks including “Stop Charades”, a standout on her new EP. “Unfortunately we couldn’t fit the drum kit in my bedroom,” Bianca quipped.
Watch Wiri Donna’s full ‘In My Room’ session above.
If you like what you see, you can catch Bianca and her band on their album release tour, which kicked off in earnest last week. The tour heads to Napier on Thursday, November 21st, Hamilton on Friday, November 22nd, Auckland on Saturday, November 23rd, before a final hometown show at Wellington’s San Fran on Friday, December 6th. Tickets are available via Under the Radar, or via Moshtix for the Wellington show.
Wiri Donna’s In My Chambers EP is out now.
