Keren Mara's single release show and album teaser - with special guest acts PASSENGER DUO, and GUIDELESS.

Come along for an originals indie wonderland of flavour.

Keren Mara is a Christchurch-based singer-songwriter whose emotive acoustic folk-rock/pop-rock, sound is deeply rooted in personal resilience and healing. Raised as a “Third Culture Kid” in a sheltered Christian environment across Southeast Asia, Keren spent much of her childhood in Thailand, moving around frequently. This upbringing led her to seek solace in music, drawing inspiration from artists like LeAnn Rimes, Mariah Carey, and Faith Hill, alongside Christian folk/pop influences.

After experiencing profound personal loss, including losing her partner in 2016, and two brothers in the last few years, Keren returned to her first love—music. She pursued formal training at Ara Institute of Canterbury, earning a Bachelor of Music in 2021. Since then, she has been actively performing in Christchurch, collaborating with her duo partner and co-producer, Harry Finlayson-Hood. In 2023, she joined the Gypsy Fair for four months as a musician and stage manager, further expanding her musical journey.

Keren's songwriting is a form of self-therapy, reflecting her experiences and emotions. Her recent single, “Under the Wind,” released in May 2024, showcases her raw and emotive storytelling. The song, recorded at her home studio with Harry Finlayson-Hood and supported by NZ On Air, combines gentle vocals with folk-driven instrumentation. It serves as a mantra of inner strength and finding peace in darkness, resonating with listeners who have faced trauma and heartbreak. Keren has since released a few singles, and is set to release her debut album in early October.

Indie gig - Keren Mara single release

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Help Keren Mara get her album finished - recieve free downloads of all the songs once completed as well as special extra info