MNZ Interview: Cross Section S03 / E08 – Cry Wolf

Aiming to dissect the cross section between the creative process and the industry side, Cross Section is an exciting interview series hosted by Shannon Coulomb.

CRY WOLF is the newest name in New Zealand’s hard rock and alternative metal scene, featuring members from Coridian, The Sun Gods, Swerve City and Fire At Will. Formed with a vision to create something bold, fresh and emotionally resonant, they fuse heavy riffs, cinematic melodies and raw emotion, drawing influence from Linkin Park, Story of the Year and Breaking Benjamin. Their debut single Rainfall, released this past Friday to an excellent response, showcases a sound that is both hard-hitting and atmospheric. Next up is their live debut at Coridian’s 10th anniversary show, with second single Burn already in the works.

Your debut single Rainfall hits with real emotional weight. How did the writing and recording process come together for that track, and did it set the tone for your sound going forward?

Rainfall came about kind of unexpectedly. We had three tracks lined up and ready to record but figured we should have a fourth in our back pocket in case we had extra time in the studio. We were aiming for something upbeat and full of energy, and that’s exactly what Rainfall turned into. Lyrically, it’s about the grind most of us go through every day. Life can be tough, and it’s easy to get caught up in the stress. But the song’s also a reminder to take a step back and appreciate the things that really matter – family, friends, having a roof over your head. It’s about finding gratitude in these things, even when life feels heavy.

Your members span Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty. How has that cross-regional dynamic shaped your collaboration, both creatively and logistically?

It is definitely tricky. We have to practice on the weekends in either Cambridge or Auckland so it’s a decent drive for some of us, but we make it work. We also have everyone’s parts recorded so if someone can’t make a practice then we can still have their parts on backing tracks.

CRY WOLF has a very deliberate aesthetic and sound. Do you approach things like branding, visuals, and marketing with the same intentionality as the songwriting?

Absolutely. It’s all part of the same package. The music and visuals should work together and feel connected. With our logo, we wanted something clean and instantly recognisable without being too complicated. We’re aiming for a polished look overall, but we also want to build a connection with our community by sharing behind-the-scenes and real-life content as well, so it’s about finding a good balance.

You describe your music as a response to being unheard. How does that idea inform the way you connect with fans, both online and in person?

Kev – I think a lot of people – especially men – tend to keep their feelings bottled up and try to push through tough times without asking for help. For me, writing music is a way to bring those emotions to the surface and put them out there. Hopefully, by being open in our songs, we can create a space where others feel safe to share what they’re going through too. It’s about starting conversations and building a community where people feel seen and supported.

Many of you come from established backgrounds in music. What qualities do you each bring from past projects that now feed into the CRY WOLF identity?

Kev – I’ve been writing music and playing guitar in bands for years, so that part comes pretty naturally to me. But CRY WOLF is the first time I’ve taken on lead vocals and started writing lyrics and vocal melodies. It’s been a fresh challenge, but also a really exciting one. So I’ve brought that songwriting experience into a new creative space and I’m stoked to help shape the voice of the band in a new way.

James – I feel like we all bring a lot of do’s and don’ts experience, particularly with time management. Being four individuals with busy lives outside music, making the most of our productive time together is crucial. Understanding each other’s individual needs outside the music is just as important. Being in a band is really not much different from a relationship – respecting and understanding each other’s needs is a quality that comes with experience.

Josh – We’ve all honed our craft for quite a number of years in different bands at this point, so there is a high quality of musicianship coming into CRY WOLF, and I think we are all well aligned on the sound that we are after, each with our own nuances. But the main thing is starting and staying aligned – we all know what happens when we’re not on the same page. I think we’ve all learned how to do that, and to work in with each other, especially living across regions.

Nick – All the boys are making it easy to play what you’re wanting and feeling, and we all blend well even with our different backgrounds. I’ll continue to provide space and fill parts when needed to fill the sound.

Rainfall touches on themes of calm within chaos. How do you personally find balance as musicians?

Kev – It definitely gets chaotic trying to juggle everything, but I think it really comes down to what you value. Most of us are parents now, so family and the kids always come first. At the same time, having a creative outlet and personal goals is super important too. For me, I’ve learned to set aside specific times for band stuff, otherwise I can easily get caught up in the chaos and not get anything done.

Josh – I think the main thing is remembering that music brings calm within the chaos. It’s definitely trickier with busy family life (which I wouldn’t trade for anything) and running a business, but it really helps making time to practice and create and bring some of that calm back in.

You’re set to open for Coridian’s 10-year anniversary show. How do you prepare for a milestone gig like that, especially as your live debut?

Kev – Coridian are legends and 10 years is a huge achievement for any band. We are super stoked to be opening that show. We’re practicing as much as possible and planning out all the details for our set. We just want to bring energy and kick the night off with good vibes.

James – Hard work. It’s a privilege to be a part of Coridian’s final show. Coridian are such a hard working band who have consistently worked and released music over their 10 years. We know not only that we have to bring our A-game to our debut show, but that we’re also opening for a very beloved band and need to do justice to it.

As you gear up to release your debut single, what strategies have you found most effective so far in building interest and connecting with potential listeners in Aotearoa?

As you mentioned, we’ve all been in the scene for a while now, so over the years we’ve built up a solid network of connections. We’ve been reaching out to a bunch of people – yourself included – to help get our name out there. Special shout out to Lisa from Muzic.NZ – she’s been an absolute legend when it comes to supporting up-and-coming rock and metal acts in New Zealand. The time and energy she puts into giving bands like ours a platform is honestly unmatched.

As a brand new band, have you found any support systems or communities particularly helpful in getting things off the ground, or has it mostly come down to your own experience and drive?

The rock and metal scene in NZ is awesome. Everyone’s been super supportive and genuinely excited about this new project, which has been really cool to see. Even simple stuff like people liking, commenting, or sharing posts makes a big difference – it helps trigger the algorithms and get our name out there. People have already been doing that before we’d even released anything, so that’s been really cool.

What advice would you give to up-and-coming heavy bands in New Zealand trying to navigate both the creative and business sides of the industry?

Just be authentic. Write the kind of music you love and that feels natural to you. People will connect with your music if it comes from a place of authenticity. On the business side, get all the help and advice you can. Not all of us are marketing experts or business-minded, so if someone offers support in those areas, take it. It can make a huge difference.

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Shannon Coulomb is the Head of Music at Birkenhead College (Auckland) and Curriculum Specialist for music education at AUT University. He is also a member of Experimental rock band Impostor Syndrome.

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