Ōtepoti’s longstanding indie folk favourites The Broken Heartbreakers have emerged from the mists to announce their brand new album, as well as a full nationwide tour this September. Imagine If We Could Just Keep Driving marks the band’s fifth album and debut on Nadia Reid’s boutique Slow Time Records label, set to be unveiled on July 17th.

With the ballad of The Broken Heartbreakers harking back all the way to 2002, it’s clear that the band understand that the finer things in life take time. Their critically adored album How We Got To Now arrived over a decade ago in 2015, with a smattering of non-album singles and live appearances over the years keeping the band in the hearts and minds of their ever-loyal fanbase.

Now, after four years of writing and self-producing in their North East Valley, Dunedin home studio, founding members John Howell and Rachel Bailey return with The Broken Heartbreakers’ most fully realised record yet. Featuring exquisite cover art from Dudley Benson, and mixed by Aotearoa’s master of noise Nick Roughan (Skeptics, Dimmer) Imagine If We Could Just Keep Driving expands the band’s world brilliantly.

“Rachel and John are such gifted writers, observers, singers, and players,” says Slow Time Records founder Nadia Reid. “These songs are the stuff of life – life on life’s terms. They sound like Dunedin, and Ireland, like K’Road. I’m so grateful that this record is joining Slow Time’s stable of records.”

Music critic Graham Reid once described the band as having “a sound which draws equally on the Left Banke, the Everly Brothers, Brian Wilson, Beatles, alt-country harmonies and the Anglofolk tradition”. The Broken Heartbreakers’ music mixes the bleak with the beautiful, drawing on deep roots of folk and classic pop melody, but with a defiant, subversive twist and more than a touch of modern electricity.

Howell and Bailey’s new songs find them more defiant than ever, proudly redefining what a band known for having a wistful folky element can or should represent. Whilst The Broken Heartbreakers certainly enjoy plumbing “the broken hearted depths of personal despair and loss”, they also gleefully admit that their songs exist to take “well aimed barbs at the socioeconomic wasteland of the neoliberal era”.

With that said, it only seemed fitting for the band to come out swinging against the state of things with the album’s softly raging first single. Fuck You, Dangerous Age, bravely risking their press releases being caught by spam filters. Follow-up single What Is For You was a more dreamy and encouraging affair, inspired by a traditional Gaelic saying. Brand new single and opening track on the album How Long Is Too Long is a wintry song that will linger in your lungs for weeks.

To hear The Broken Heartbreakers on record is a special thing indeed, but to witness them live with a full band is a rare pleasure. This September, fans can hear these very special songs live in all their glory, with six shows spanning the motu. As well as the band’s core pair, the full touring band will feature drummer Paul McLennan-Kissel (who also performed powerfully and beautifully on the record), Ayumu Kobayashi on bass, and a mystery figure on keys and synths.

Don’t miss catching The Broken Heartbreakers on the Imagine If We Could Just Keep Driving album release tour; these magnificent stars may not align again for some time.

“beautiful, world-class music” - Victor Billot, Audioculture

Plan Your Visit

Accessibility: Artworks Theatre is a fully accessible venue. If you have any accessibility requirements, please email info@artworkstheatre.org.nz in advance or speak with our friendly Front of House team on arrival — we’re happy to help make your visit comfortable and enjoyable.

Tickets & Booking Support: Having trouble booking tickets? Contact iTicket on +64 (9) 361 1000 or 0508 iTICKET (0508 484 253). You can also visit our Box Office at Artworks Theatre on Tuesdays from 1pm–3pm or Thursdays from 10am–12pm.

Getting Here & Parking: Limited parking is available in the car park adjacent to Waiheke Musical Museum, located at the top of the stairs leading to the Artworks Complex. Additional parking can be found throughout Oneroa Village or near Waiheke Resources Trust. We recommend allowing extra time during busy events.

Arrival Information: Please arrive early so performances can begin on time. Venue doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. Latecomer admission is not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of Front of House staff to minimise disruption to performers and audience members.

Need Help? Our team is here to help! If you have any questions before your visit, please get in touch.