iHeartCountry NZ Essential Interviews

Chase Matthew & James Johnston chat with us about their new collaboration Small Town Smoke, life on the road together, and why country music is connecting fans all around the world.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Why the tour isn't coming to New Zealand (yet)
00:21 - Chase's first Aussie shoey experience
01:13 - James explains proper shoey etiquette
02:35 - How Small Town Smoke came together
03:54 - Discovering how similar they really are
04:50 - The quad bike rivalry that proved it
06:05 - Debuting the song live in Australia
06:45 - Hearing fans sing the song back after just days
07:32 - Nashville becoming a second home
08:00 - Why country music connects people worldwide
09:01 - How music brings people together
09:34 - Country music's booming popularity
10:21 - Why authenticity matters in country music
11:26 - Plans to finally get both artists to New Zealand

Hear Chase Matthew, James Johnston and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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A very sweaty Tucker Wetmore sat down with us after his first-ever New Zealand performance.

He reflects on a whirlwind 24 hours, bucket-list moments, and the incredible reaction from Kiwi fans to a song released only a week ago.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Fresh off stage and feeling sweaty
00:47 - The story behind his travelling teddy bear, Tick
01:22 - First impressions of New Zealand
01:55 - Fishing trips and exploring Waiheke Island
02:23 - What it was like playing his first NZ show
03:00 - Why social media isn't his favourite part of the job
03:16 - Sea lions, hunting and his social media algorithm
03:50 - Looking back on how quickly life has changed
04:24 - The songs Kiwi fans surprised him by knowing
04:52 - Songs he still wants to write in the future
05:22 - The biggest misconception about Tucker
05:47 - Why all of his songs come from real experiences 
05:56 - The importance of being unapologetically authentic
06:08 - Why authenticity always wins with fans

Hear Tucker Wetmore and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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We caught up with Jordan Davis backstage ahead of his first NZ headline show.

Fresh off a day of fishing and golf in Auckland, Jordan Davis shared about making the most of his time in New Zealand and growing his fanbase on the other side of the world.

Timestamps:

00:00 - A successful New Zealand fishing trip
00:54 - Turning fresh snapper into dinner
01:28 - Shoutout to Captain Pete 
01:52 - The golf ball that smashed a windscreen
02:58 - Fans discovering him through Luke Combs
03:53 - His biggest career achievement so far
04:37 - The dream of playing Madison Square Garden
05:03 - The hit song that almost never got recorded
05:58 - Why he's not always the best song picker
06:05 - The importance of having a great team around you

Hear Jordan Davis and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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Country superstar Jason Aldean joins iHeartCountry NZ ahead of his first-ever New Zealand shows to talk about returning to Australia, finally making the trip across the Tasman, and which songs fans can expect to hear live.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Life in Nashville during a winter storm
00:39 - Preparing for his first trip to New Zealand
01:47 - Why now was the right time to finally visit NZ
03:00 - Why You Make It Easy never leaves the setlist
03:36 - The songs he's excited to play live
05:23 - Why he's not looking forward to the flight
06:24 - Red stag hunting and exploring New Zealand
07:26 - Fishing, beaches and days off on tour
08:06 - What fans can expect from his live show
08:40 - The strategy behind releasing his new album
10:22 - The songs he's most excited for fans to hear
11:50 - The story behind Songs About Us
13:09 - How he first met Luke Bryan
14:18 - A friendship that grew beyond music
15:08 - Jason's love for Georgia football
15:48 - Looking ahead to New Zealand

Hear Jason Aldean and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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Old Dominion are finally making their New Zealand debut this March!

We caught up with lead singer Matthew Ramsey to talk about their long‑awaited arrival in NZ and their return Down Under.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Getting ready for New Zealand and Australia
00:22 - How international crowds compare to home
00:58 - Their willingness to do a shoey
01:19 - Returning to CMC Rocks as headliners
02:21 - What makes CMC Rocks so special
02:54 - Why overseas fans bring a different energy
03:33 - What they've heard about New Zealand
04:10 - Touring Christchurch for the first time 
04:42 - Choosing artists to open their shows
05:20 - Why positivity matters on tour
06:02 - The social media prank that backfired
06:50 - Their proudest recent achievement as a band
07:17 - Performing fan-requested shows at the Ryman
07:43 - Raising money for charity through music
08:07 - Songs fans keep asking them to revisit
09:25 - Why fan requests keep the music fresh
09:38 - Staying challenged as performers
09:46 - How they stay humble after seven CMA Awards
10:28 - The importance of friendship within the band
10:55 - Why their kids are the best song critics

Hear Old Dominion and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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Before kicking off her Dreamsicle tour, Maren Morris sat down with us to talk about her upcoming return to New Zealand, and the deeply personal album that inspired the tour.

Maren reflects on navigating some of the most challenging years of her life, turning difficult experiences into music, and the songs that have resonated most with fans. She also shares the story behind Lemonade, why Too Good surprised her, and how motherhood continues to shape the way she sees the world.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Returning to New Zealand as a headliner
00:47 - Why now felt like the right time to come back
01:28 - Creating her most personal album yet
02:28 - The healing process behind D R E A M S I C L E
03:01 - The song that has surprised her most
03:56 - Why honesty and humour resonate with fans
04:13 - The iconic yellow dress from the album visuals
05:30 - The story behind Lemonade
06:28 - Turning a difficult day into a song
07:15 - Why Lemonade opens the album
08:21 - Finding strength in speaking your mind
08:43 - The meaning behind Cry In The Car
09:58 - Why sad songs can still make people dance
10:18 - Processing emotions and protecting your peace
11:03 - What motherhood has taught her about feelings
11:51 - How her son inspires her every day

Hear Maren Morris and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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Jordan Davis is returning to New Zealand to headline his own show!

We chat with him ahead of his return to New Zealand about headlining his own shows, bringing songs from Learn The Hard Way to Kiwi fans, and why Auckland delivered some of the most memorable performances of his career.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Why he couldn't wait to come back to New Zealand
00:45 - Exploring Auckland with his family
01:53 - The restaurants and places he still remembers
03:15 - Memories of performing at Eden Park
04:18 - Hearing thousands sing Buy Dirt in New Zealand
05:04 - Why country music connects people everywhere 
07:01 - The importance of connecting with a crowd
08:07 - Bringing songs from Learn The Hard Way on tour
09:16 - Kicking off his headline tour
10:09 - Switching off and refining the show
11:25 - Remembering the Australian shoey experience
13:00 - Country music's growth in New Zealand
 14:07 - Why he's grateful to be back

Hear Jordan Davis and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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Jackson Dean is finally coming to New Zealand!

Jackson Dean joined iHeartCountry NZ ahead of his very first trip to New Zealand to talk about bringing his live show across the world, connecting with fans in unexpected places, and why performing is unlike anything else.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Preparing for his first-ever trip to New Zealand
00:30 - The thrill of finding fans around the world
01:51 - What performing live feels like from the stage
03:07 - The concerts that inspired him growing up
04:56 - Behind the release of Make A Liar
05:28 - Creating content in forests, national parks and on the road
06:45 - Finding the perfect filming locations
08:05 - The stunning Gorge Amphitheatre experience
09:15 - What fans can expect from a Jackson Dean show
10:29 - Why seeing fans connect with the music means everything
11:38 - His plans for exploring New Zealand
13:32 - Jackson's huge Lord of the Rings obsession
14:58 - Why Hobbiton is now on his NZ bucket list
16:02 - Looking ahead to his first New Zealand show

Hear Jackson Dean and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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Brad Cox on new music, marriage, touring New Zealand & country music's evolution.

Australian country star Brad Cox is returning to New Zealand and he dropped by to talk about his upcoming album, touring regional New Zealand, and the friendships that have helped shape his career.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Why Brad is in New Zealand ahead of schedule
00:31 - Returning after his first NZ shows
01:02 - The significance of his first international gig
02:07 - The story behind his cheeky merchandise
02:46 - Inside the Drinking Pioneers fan club
03:28 - Building a live show centred around fun
05:11 - Why his band feels more like family
06:40 - Taking the new tour beyond Auckland 
07:55 - Why touring regional New Zealand matters
09:00 - Country music's rise in New Zealand
10:08 - Married life and wedding memories
11:20 - The inspiration behind the new album
12:23 - Writing about things that genuinely matter
13:14 - Songs about the cost of living and real-world issues
14:09 - Why he wants fans to dance at every show
15:30 - Staying off social media and avoiding trends
16:43 - The story behind Democracy Manifest
18:38 - What fans can expect from the new album
19:35 - Looking ahead to the NZ tour

Hear Brad Cox and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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Country music powerhouse Lainey Wilson is officially heading to New Zealand for the first time, and she’s just as excited as we are.

“I have been wanting to come to New Zealand for so long,” Lainey told iHeartCountry NZ. “I can’t believe that we are finally making our way over there. But we are, and it is our first stop on the other side of the world.”

Timestamps:

00:00 - Finally bringing the Whirlwind Tour to New Zealand
01:01 - The moment she realised NZ loves country music too
02:13 - What fans can expect from a Lainey Wilson show
02:57 - Why Heart Like A Truck means so much live
03:26 - Why she released a deluxe version of Whirlwind
05:26 - The songs she's most excited to share
05:39 - Why Peace, Love and Cowboys is one of her favourites
06:29 - What really makes someone a cowboy
07:04 - Bell bottoms, fashion and feeling confident
08:33 - Growing up in Wrangler jeans
09:07 - Country culture and living through the music
09:33 - The storytelling that shaped her career
10:18 - Why country music feels like home
10:32 - Looking ahead to New Zealand

Hear Lainey and more of your fave country stars on iHeartCountry NZ!

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