Josephine Costain releases Speedway for download on Amplifer and iTunes on Monday and it will be the first single from her so-far untitled upcoming album, out later this year.
Ms Costain said her music had shifted from folk to pop rock and she had looked to strong female artists, including Debbie Harry, Pat Benatar and Chrissie Hynde, for her latest sound.
She will bring her talent, her electric and acoustic guitars and percussion to Dux de Lux for an afternoon serenade on Sunday, March 14, as part of her national Serpentine tour.
"It's my unplugged show, but I'm bringing my loop pedal," she said.
"I can create layers of sound on my own and it's given me a lot of dynamism and variety.
"I can create a rhythm track, then a guitar line, then backing vocals.
"KT Tunstall got a lot of attention for it on Jools Holland and that broke her into the mainstream."
The former Ishta lead singer recently returned from a tour of the United States, where she studied songwriting in Colorado and at Berklee College of Music, in Boston, as well as performing in New York City and San Francisco.
"It was just an amazing experience.
"There's no other university in the world you can major in songwriting.
"But it doesn't matter how much you study, it comes down to what you want to say."
Josephine Costain, Dux de Lux, Sunday, March 14, at 4pm.
Free entry.
Hot tip: Tiki Taane at Subculture
Former Salmonella Dub frontman turned hit-making solo artist Tiki Taane returns to Queenstown for special performances over two nights this month.
The Always On My Mind singer-songwriter will perform an acoustic, MC and DJ set with Optimus Gryme at Subculture on Thursday, February 25, and Friday, February 26.
Support will be courtesy of Queenstown's own Turbohag and D-Jade.
Co-owner-operator Antonia Crowley said yesterday Taane's previous shows at Subculture had sold out.
"He's the best artist to ever play here because he just loves what he does so much.
"Every performance is outstanding."
Pre-sale tickets are available from the Church St venue and Quest stores for $20.
Limited door sales were available for $30.
Doors open at 9pm.
Picks of the week
Tonight
10pm: Turbohag, D-Jade and MC B-Rad supply hip-hop, glitch and drum 'n' bass at Subculture.
Free entry before midnight, $5 afterwards.
10pm: Queenstown rockers the Flaming Drivers, also known as Glen Balfour, Mo Ackermann and Joel Rowlands, take on Revolver. "L'incompetence", a new Queenstown solo acoustic artist, plays rock anthems and possibly originals in support. Free entry.
Tomorrow
10pm: Disfunction, featuring Civil Din and Badred, of Nelson, spin drum 'n' bass and dubstep at Subculture, with Queenstown support Djs. Free entry before midnight, $5 afterwards.
10pm: Reggae rock five-piece Dub Frequen C and hip-hop dance hall and rhythm 'n' blues DJ Complex, both of Invercargill, play Revolver. Free entry.
Sunday
7pm: Czech harpsichord player Edita Keglerova and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra associate principal cellist Tomas Hurnik make their baroque chamber music debut in Queenstown, in St Peter's Anglican Church. Tickets are available at the door from 6.30pm and cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students.
Wednesday
8pm: The touring Cologne New Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra performs Vivaldi, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Pachelbel at St Peter's Anglican Church. Tickets at the door cost $40 for adults, $30 for seniors, students, disabled and children. Entry for those under 12 is free.
Thursday
10pm: DJ Donavan HD, the drummer from Invercargill ska reggae trio Jah Fire, plays a diverse set of rhythm 'n' blues, hip-hop and drum 'n' bass at Revolver. Free entry.
