Dudley Benson

Self-described avant-pop artist Dudley Benson makes music "about nature and nationalism". Alongside many EPs and remixes, the Dunedin-based musician has produced three critically acclaimed albums. His 2008 debut The Awakening featured everything from harpsichords to a recorder quartet. Follow-up album Forest (2010)— Benson's a capella interpretation of bird songs composed by Māori musician Hirini Melbourne — was nominated for the 2011 Taite Music Prize. The long in gestation Zealandia (2018) features 160+ contributors, including koto players, the NZ Youth Choir and the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra.