Beth Torrance, the enigmatic and emotive Tāmaki Makaurau based artist, announces the release of her second EP, ‘Tiny Flowers’, set to drop Friday, 18th October.

This deeply personal collection of songs explores the dynamic interplay of heartache and connection to the environment one inhibits, bringing forth a rich tapestry of sound and imagery.

‘Tiny Flowers’ is a reflective exploration of Torrance’s teenage years in Thames, a coastal town that serves as the emotional heart of the EP. “The first song I wrote was ‘Danby Field’ in 2021. Its emotional range encapsulates the EP’s essence, from bright catharsis to potent quietude, reflecting the fluctuating nature of heartache.”

The EP is imbued with themes of nostalgia, loneliness, and a profound connection to the whenua and the sea. Torrance describes the process of songwriting as a means to articulate and understand her feelings: “Often, it’s only once I’ve written a song that I’m able to fully express what I’m feeling. The EP explores enduring heartache and the struggle to reconcile reality with desire, particularly when you’re physically present in the place where it all happened.”

The recording process for ‘Tiny Flowers’ was a blend of intimate home recordings and studio sessions at Bigpop Studios, with Jacob Rush engineering the project. Noteworthy collaborations include Los Angeles-based musician Rigby, who contributed dreamy vocals to “Ankle Socks,” and violinist Pearl Hindley, whose contributions added a folky richness to tracks like “Angeline.” Torrance’s innovative approach is also evident in “Oh, Isn’t It So Beautiful, This Life?” – a spoken word piece recorded live to capture its raw, cathartic energy.

The EP offers the focus track, “Ankle Socks”, a standout song that explores themes of nostalgia and the passage of time. The song captures the poignant feelings of revisiting a familiar place or encountering a triggering scent, the story enhanced by its surreal, dreamy music video. Described as sprawling with its evolving structure, “Ankle Socks” features raw demo vocals preserved by engineer Jacob Rush, re-recorded guitar parts, and plucked strings by Pearl Hindley. The music video, filmed at the artist’s home and Muriwai Beach, visually amplifies the song’s expansive and surreal nature, drawing inspiration from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks. The artist hopes the song resonates with listeners, evoking a deep sense of place and memory.

The visual aspect of ‘Tiny Flowers’ is as evocative as the music itself. Renowned political cartoonist Chris Riddell created illustrations for each track, transporting the songs into a whimsical, fairytale realm that reflects the EP’s duality of whimsy and darkness.

Torrance is set to embark on her first headline tour and will showcase her new work across Te Ika-a-Māui. The tour kicks off in Auckland at NiceGoblins HQ on the day of release, with subsequent stops in Raglan, Thames, and Wellington. “Tiny Flowers is my first headline tour, so I’m very excited to be hitting the road,” Torrance says. “I’m really looking forward to bringing my performance to different locations and connecting with other musicians and people across the motu who hopefully connect to the music. Most of all, I’m just looking forward to playing good shows.”

Exclusive ‘Tiny Flowers’ merchandise will be available on tour, including beautifully designed CDs and prints featuring Riddell’s artwork. Torrance’s live performances promise to capture the essence of her music, transforming it into an experience that is both potent and intimate.

As the release date approaches, Torrance reflects on her hopes for ‘Tiny Flowers’ “I hope the EP resonates with people and that they find a connection to the songs and the rich visual world that accompanies them. I’m looking forward to sharing these pieces of my heart with the world and seeing how they’re received.”