Ladyhawke: New Zealand's Synth-Pop Powerhouse

Ladyhawke is the acclaimed stage name of Pip Brown, a New Zealand-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who crafts infectious, guitar-driven synth-pop. Her self-titled debut album, released in 2008, was a commercial and critical success, achieving platinum certification in her home country and spawning several charting singles that defined the late-2000s indie-pop landscape.

Early career

Born in 1979 in Masterton, New Zealand, Pip Brown began her musical journey in Wellington's punk and rock scene during the early 2000s. She first gained attention as the guitarist for the indie rock band Two Lane Blacktop before forming the short-lived group Teenager with members of Nick Cave's Grinderman, which marked her initial foray into more electronic-influenced sounds.

Breakthrough

Ladyhawke's breakthrough arrived in 2008 with the global release of her debut album, Ladyhawke, on Modular Recordings. The record peaked at number 16 on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia and was certified platinum in New Zealand, propelled by its string of anthemic singles that received heavy rotation on alternative radio and music television channels worldwide.

Key tracks

My Delirium — This explosive single became her biggest international hit, reaching the top 10 in Australia and New Zealand and receiving widespread airplay.

Paris Is Burning — The lead single from her debut, it immediately established her signature blend of crunchy guitars and synth-pop hooks.

Back of the Van — A fan favorite that encapsulates the nostalgic, 80s-inspired rock vibe central to her early sound.

Magic — A standout track from her 2016 album Wild Things, showcasing a matured, polished pop sensibility.

Following her debut's success, Brown released her second album, Anxiety, in 2012, which reflected a more personal and guitar-heavy direction. After a four-year hiatus, she returned with the vibrant and confident Wild Things in 2016, which debuted at number 5 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. Her most recent studio album, 2021's Time Flies, was co-written and produced with longtime collaborator Tommy English, marking a return to her synth-pop roots.

Her music has been featured in major video games and television shows, and she has collaborated with artists like PNAU and DJ Falcon. Throughout her career, Ladyhawke has maintained a consistent output of energetic, melody-focused pop anthems, earning her a dedicated global fanbase.

Fans of Ladyhawke's brand of catchy, guitar-laced synth-pop should also explore similar artists from the Australasia region. The Naked And Famous share her New Zealand roots and a knack for anthemic indie-electronic crossovers. Client Liaison embody a similarly vibrant, retro-futuristic Australian pop aesthetic. Cut Copy operate in the same Melbourne-born sphere of danceable indie rock and synth-pop. Kimbra, another acclaimed New Zealand artist, explores adventurous pop territories with a comparable boldness.

Ladyhawke's dynamic catalog remains a staple on alternative and indie-pop radio stations, particularly those specializing in 2000s revival hits and contemporary guitar pop. Her songs are frequently featured on online radio streams and independent music radio stations that champion hook-driven songwriting from across the globe.

Listeners can discover the electrifying synth-pop of Ladyhawke on a variety of radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to stations available on onairium.com to hear her classic anthems and latest tracks in regular rotation.