Mainard Larkin 'Rattlesnake Boy' Album Release Show Announced

The first new addition to the formidably talented Lil' Chief Records stable in over ten years — home to Princess Chelsea, Jonathan Bree, The Tokey Tones and more — Mainard Larkin is on a winning streak in 2026. Special guest opener for Welsh avant-pop star Cate Le Bon late last week at Tāmaki's The Powerstation (as part of the ongoing Strange Universe: Winter 2026 festival), Larkin will soon be gracing another iconic local stage with full band, playing a release party for his already widely acclaimed debut album Rattlesnake Boy at Whammy Bar on 26th June, with support from interstellar jazz voyager VIDA.

Recorded and co-written with 2026 APRA Best Country Music Song finalist Shannon Fowler aka Tom Lark, and launched during the hustle and bustle of NZ Music Month, when Rattlesnake Boy emerged we said, "the Tāmaki Makaurau artist sheds the skin of earlier hip-hop persona Randa, striding confidently into the rustic realm of dust-kickin', alt-country tunesmithery with his love for wrestling intact." Indeed, Larkin's debut solo opus is conceived as "a loose concept album about a wrestler on the skids", regularly breaking kayfabe to reflect on the artist's own personal struggles, while parading a veritable royal rumble of toe-tapping rustic ear worms. Rattlesnake Boy is out now in good record stores and it's time to have some fun, snag a ticket and mosey along to Whammy...

"The thing I liked about writing with the wrestler character in mind was that I didn't feel as vulnerable. I could pretend the pain wasn’t my pain... But at its heart, it’s about accepting myself and grieving the cost of having to change some things to improve."

Mainard Larkin with Full Band - Album Release Show
with special guest VIDA
Friday 26th June - Whammy Bar, Auckland
Tickets on sale HERE via UTR (VIP vinyl & ticket combo option available)

Watch Alexei Foster's video for 'Lost My Smile' featuring Tom Lark...

'Rattlesnake Boy' is out now via Lil' Chief Records.