The artist known as PRINS, singer, dancer, actor and model, was formed in Christchurch. Developing as a big stage electro-pop performer after gaining a Performing Arts degree, her 2022 debut EP ‘Life Is Better Now’ was evidently prescient, because life for PRINS seems to have been getting better with each year since. These days kept busy travelling the world, her new 2025 single COOL was included on NZ On Air Music’s  October NewTracks compilation.

What’s your given name, where were you born and live currently? And what instruments do you play, if any?

Alannah Prins. I was born in Auckland and I currently don’t live anywhere! I have been travelling full-time on the road since April 2023 and I absolutely love it! I can play a little bit of keys, but please don’t ever ask me to play in front of anyone 😂

Any previous artist projects that we might we know you from?

I put out two drum and bass collabs with Lee Mvtthews. (Don’t Say It & Come Down)

What were the first steps to PRINS becoming a recording artist?

I met someone in Christchurch who was in the very early stages of producing their own music in 2017, and I begged them to help me write my first song, Tell Me, which came out in late 2018.

Was it an easy choice to make PRINS your artist name?

Yes, super easy! It’s my surname, and I thought if I ever get married, it would be a good way to keep my name alive. PRINS feels unique and I’ve always loved my last name.

How has your music evolved from your earliest songwriting to now?

I’ve removed my earliest music off Spotify… so what does that tell you! 😂 My forte has definitely been in the live world, however in February 2024 I went to LA for my first lot of writing sessions and realised how much I needed to work on my songwriting. Since then I have spent most of my time in the last two years working on songwriting, collaborating and learning from other producers and writers. It’s been a real game changer and I feel like my writing is stronger than it’s ever been!

Aside from this release, what’s been the big highlight to date?

It’s incredibly difficult to choose! I’ve had so many highlights including my debut world tour in 2023, when I played Castaway Festival in the Philippines and Primavera Sound in Barcelona, but there’s nothing quite like a headline show. The two shows I’ve played at the Christchurch Town Hall have been the most rewarding moments in my life so far.

What made Cool stand out for you as a single choice?

I wrote Cool in May 2024 with my friend Lost Boy, who I had been in contact with online through the pandemic. He’s a U.S. producer/artist that I really looked up to, and getting in the room with him for the first time was so fun and easy. I knew then and there that I wanted to release Cool, it was just a matter of when.

What is the story behind Cool?

At the time I had been writing a lot of deep personal songs and I went into the studio that day needing to write something fun and uplifting that wasn’t too serious. Cool was the perfect cathartic release I needed at the time to get me out of my feels and remember that life isn’t that serious.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the single?

I love the first two lines of the chorus, “you’re so cool, I kinda like the way you’re desperate for attention”. It’s so simple, so fun and sassy to sing!

Who did you record/produce the single with and where?

I wrote the song with Lost Boy [aka Dillon Deskin] in LA and had it produced by House of Wolf, a producer duo based in Canada who I’ve been working with for the last three years. I managed to get to Canada for the first time a few months ago and finished the vocals and the song in person, which was such an amazing experience! Up until that point had been working remotely for our entire relationship.

What would you like listeners to take away from the song?

This song is light and fun. It’s supposed to give you a confidence boost and to make you feel empowered and I hope that it makes people feel that way!

Have you had any especially helpful vocal tutors along the way?

The only vocal training I had was when I attended NASDA performing art school at Ara Institute in Christchurch, after I left high school. However, I spent a year and a half un-training my voice because I sounded like a musical theatre kid and I hated it 😂

Dancing is another key aspect of your personal creativity and shows. What’s your dance training background?

I started dancing tap and jazz when I was five years old, and later added Irish dancing, hip-hop, lyrical and contemporary. When I moved onto Christchurch to study a Bachelor of Performing Arts I added ballet to the mix, which in all honesty I didn’t love. When I left uni I danced for the Crusader Maidens for three years, before finding ways to add dance into my live shows with PRINS.

Judging from the James Hay Theatre live videos Christchurch audiences show you a lot of love.

Christchurch has been so supportive and a really great place for me to test out new shows and ideas. Having come from the covers scene there, I feel like I’ve had a lot of support and it’s still my biggest audience to date.

You’ve had a globetrotting few years. What have been some of the highlights?

Yes, I’ve been globetrotting the entire time since 2023 – and it’s hard to choose a highlight! This year I’ve spent a lot of time in LA, Paris and London and been fortunate enough to travel around on tour with my partner who has been working for Chris Brown for the last four months in the UK/EU and America. 

Who else is in your team?

I have an incredible manager Luke, who was also the owner of the label I’m signed to (Big Dawg Recordings). We contract out a few jobs to various people around the world, but we do keep a small team and I definitely feel like we punch above our weight for what we can do between the two of us. All of the writers I’ve been working with are based in LA, except for my incredible producers House of Wolf in Toronto.

You released your ‘Life Is Better’ EP in 2022. What were some of the key aspects of from that process?

The ‘Life Is better Now’ EP, was such a fun one for me and I learnt a lot about pushing my boundaries in terms of my songwriting. It was the first time that I had worked with House of Wolf, Drax Project and Marlon Gerbes (Six60), and was really the first time that I had worked with writers outside of my Christchurch team at the time. I’m still so proud of that EP and what it has meant for my career.

Which of your songs have done best for you internationally?

Something New (2023), That’s the thing x (2022), and Savage (2023) have been making waves internationally particularly in the UK, America, Australia and Germany. I also released a remix of my song Midnight Calling in 2021 which hit #5 in the dance charts in the UK.

When is your next EP expected?

I can’t give you an exact date but early 2026! However, the next single is out this November.

Can you please name three other Kiwi tunes that would fit well on a playlist alongside your song.

SACHI: Sparking My Fire
Lorde: Greenlight
Benee: Supalonely

Have any of your previous single releases been included on NewTracks?

Yes! Every song I’ve released since 3AM in 2019!

Have you previously received NZOA  funding? Was there any NZOA criterion you struggled with in the application? 

I’ve been fortunate enough to receive NZOA Single funding three times, and Project funding twice – and they have made such a huge impact on my career. I think since I’ve been putting on my own shows since 2019 I haven’t struggled too much with the criteria, thankfully.

Have you got any advice around seeking funding for others starting out? 

Put on your own shows! Get used to selling tickets and building your core fan base and not relying on the music industry because it is fickle and constantly changing. Your core fan base is what will carry you through no matter what! Shout out to the PRINS Army.

How can we find you on social media?

All my socials and links are here: https://prinsmusic.lnk.to/prins

Does Cool come with a music video?

There’s no music video for Cool, but I do have a couple of great music videos I’ve created for Something New, On the Low and That’s the thing x, which I created with Shae Sterling. Also, the Savage music video which was created with my great friend, guitarist and videographer Caleb Waiari.

Any last words?

Thank you for giving me a chance to talk about my musical journey! Keep an eye out for new music, there is a lot on the way! We’re just getting started 😉