Whanganui singer-songwriter Heti & Hope releases new EP

Heti & Hope's new release is the result of songs coming "thick and fast". Photo / Supplied

Whanganui singer-songwriter Heti Hope, aka Heti & Hope, has just released her debut, self-titled EP.

Self-described as folk-pop "whatever that means", the collection was recorded with local musician Dave Griffiths (MeanOwls, The Replicants) and Hope's husband, multi-instrumentalist Adie Higginson.

"I've had a lot of help in making this," she said.

"It started with me having to learn how to use Logic Pro (recording program), and deciding to record myself.

"Me and Dave worked together for quite a while, then off it went to be mastered at The Armoury in Wellington.

"That had to be done via Zoom because of lockdown."

Her son-in law, Milo Cawthorne, was staying with Hope and her family during lockdown and shot a music video for Rock Bottom and Up, one of five songs on the EP.

It is the first release under the Hati & Hope moniker, but Hope said she had been playing in bands and making music for many years.

She and her family moved to New Zealand from the UK in 2004, and then to Whanganui three years ago.

"There's been a lot of musical ventures over the years. I was in a band in Britain called Parkers Barton, who did a few gigs and released an album.

"I was also in a Samba band and in a duet with a woman singing songs from Eastern Europe.

"When we came to New Zealand Adie and I made an album as The Dovetails, where we were both playing guitar and singing."

Heti Hope arrived in Whanganui in 2018. Photo / Supplied

As for Heti & Hope, she said the project was now her entire musical focus.

She will be joined for live shows by Higginson and in-demand Whanganui drummer, Michael Petersen, playing songs that are coming "thick and fast".

"After my mum died there was sort of like a new release, and I haven't stopped writing since.

"I've always written songs but recently they've come more easily to me. I play every day, because I love it. It feels like the best job I've ever had.

"This is me now, I'm really going for it."

Hope said the songs on the EP were informed by her arriving at a place where she could really speak for herself and be honest about what she wanted to say.

"Perhaps when I was younger there were other things coming across, but I feel that the songs now come from quite a deep place.

"I hope people can connect with them on that level."

There were many more songs written that hadn't made it onto the EP, Hope said.

"I did an art degree when I was younger and you learn this idea of producing work and not worrying too much about the result because the next thing is going to be better.

"You're always pushing forward, making work, and moving on."

Hati & Hope's EP will be released on all major streaming platforms on November 24.

To listen to it now, head to www.hetihope.bandcamp.com/album/heti-hope.