If you’re going to see art-pop great Cate Le Bon in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland tonight, do not go late. I repeat: do not go late.
It’s always important to support the support acts at gigs, and especially when they’re of the calibre of Mainard Larkin.
Better known to most Kiwis as the hip-hop-leaning Randa, thrice nominated at the Aotearoa Music Awards, with two wins (Critics’ Choice in 2014 and Best Music Video in 2019), Larkin recently released Rattlesnake Boy, his debut album under his own name.
After a casual conversation with Shannon Fowler, aka Tom Lark, about wanting to to make a country record, Larkin got to work on Rattlesnake Boy, which doubles as a loose concept album about a pro wrestler on the skids.
“The thing I liked about writing with the wrestler character in mind was that I didn’t feel as vulnerable,” Larkin explains. “I could pretend the pain wasn’t my pain… But at its heart, it’s about accepting myself and grieving the cost of having to change some things to improve.”
It’s a sonic departure for Larkin, who grew up listening to the likes of Weezer, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, and whatever was spinning on the legendary Tony Hawks’ Pro Skater 3 soundtrack, but he pulls off the turn towards country with verve. These earnest and existential tracks buzz with life — listen below.
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
Before Larkin supports Le Bon at Strange Universe tonight, and before he celebrates Rattlesnake Boy at a special release show at Auckland’s Whammy Bar on June 26th, get to know Larkin better in our Up-And-Coming Aotearoa Artists interview below.
Mainard Larkin’s Rattlesnake Boy is out now via Lil’ Chief Records.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: How much did music influence you in your early life?
Mainard Larkin: As a kid, I mostly listened to what CDs my older siblings had or whatever they had downloaded from LimeWire. As a teen, I was pretty into rap music and all the nu-metal bands whose songs played on pro-wrestling shows. I really liked listening to music while skating. Going skateboarding and listening to my sister’s iPod Mini felt like this really healthy escape while growing up and struggling with gender identity stuff and mental health challenges.
What artists influenced you growing up?
From memory, it was a mix of Weezer, System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Incubus, Soundgarden, Silverchair, Craig David, and then pop-punk stuff like Sum 41, Blink-182. These were the artists I heard coming from my older siblings’ bedrooms. I grew up in the post-2000s era so the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 soundtrack was also getting thrashed.
What are some career highlights so far?
Definitely some of the live shows from my earlier days making music as Randa stand out. Opening for artists like Grimes at Auckland’s Powerstation was pretty insane as a 19 year old. The Mainard Larkin era is fresh — I’m looking forward to opening for Cate Le Bon at the same venue in a few weeks time, and this time with the company of a full band!
Tell us about your latest release.
I wrote and recorded the entire project [Rattlesnake Boy] with my good friend Shannon Fowler, aka Tom Lark. There’s a pretty big emphasis on storytelling; I managed to channel whatever thoughts and feelings I was going through at the time through a character who is caught between an adrenalizing life on the road and a desire to settle down and live a more wholesome lifestyle.
The songs touch on themes like grief, faith, doubt, and cultivating hope. I would like it to feel like a soundtrack of sorts, to a movie conjured in the minds of its listeners.
What kind of personality traits and values do you believe it takes to succeed in the music industry?
I think it probably helps to be grounded, aware of your core values, and ultimately very focused on or a bit obsessed with developing ideas. I think maintaining inspiration from other artists while still committing to one’s own unique style is probably quite important also. The old “be yourself” is said time and time again because that’s what’s ultimately interesting at the end of the day I guess… an expression which feels genuine or authentic.
How would you describe your music to a potential fan?
I feel like my new material is rather earnest… it’s dramatic, as life is, and touches on existential topics but manages to leave you feeling warm and hopefully hope-filled!
View this post on Instagram
Are you looking forward to your Auckland launch show?
I can’t wait to play live with my new band! The album release show (June 26) is going to be such a sweet night full of delightful surprises.
What are your goals for 2026 and beyond?
I’m looking forward to unleashing Rattlesnake Boy into the world of live music, playing live again, and pushing myself as a vocalist and performer. I hope audiences will feel happy and stoked while taking in the sets. I would also like to get out of my comfort zone as much as possible, and I guess just keep on with enjoying the process and collaborating with a myriad of artists from different mediums.
