Shapeshifting through time _{by Madelaine Empson}

“MY BABY’s sound has always been built on echoes, reverbs, and looping patterns, emulating EDM and forging a trance-like experience”, Daniel ‘Da Freez’ Johnston, one-third of the Dutch New Zealand trio, tells me of their most recent album Echo.

“But Echo is also the title of a track inspired by the ancient myth of Echo, the bush nymph scorned by Narcissus. We wanted to retell and reimagine that story from a feminine perspective and conjure a sound that feels ancient and futuristic at the same time.”

MY BABY’s signature use of echo effects – be that on vocals, guitars, or pulsating rhythms – will mirror the themes of the album, Johnston continues. “How stories reverberate across time, shifting shape with each retelling.”

Formed by New Zealander Johnston alongside Dutch siblings Cato and Joost van Dijck, MY BABY has earned a reputation for being a must-see live act all around the world and has built quite the cult following here in Aotearoa. They were last here for a 12-date tour in 2025 that finished with a last-minute set at WOMAD – “a whirlwind affair”, Johnston recalls – and since then have taken on Europe’s summer festivals, notably performing at Glastonbury and supporting Alanis Morissette on her world tour stop in Amsterdam.

And yet, “Wellington shows have always been some of the best on the tour over the years”, Johnston delights, adding that San Fran, where they’ll play again on the 18^th of March, “has always been packed and buzzing”.

Gig-goers can expect to catch much of the bluesy, roots-driven, delta-trance Echo album as well as improv jams, older songs, and a sneaky peek at a few new unreleased tracks.

“Once again, Kiwi audiences get to hear our new stuff first”, Johnston smiles.