Kiwi reggae is typically the province of large multi-instrumental groups who win audiences with expressive live performances. Blending modern roots reggae with soul, R&B and contemporary production, Auckland artist Groove Incorporated is an increasingly styled contrast to that archetype. NZ On Air Music included Half Charged Heart, his bouyant third single of 2026, on the July NewTracks compilation.
Michael Fredrickson and I release music under the name Groove Incorporated. I grew up on the East Coast and am now based in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.
Drums are my strongest instrument and the foundation of most of my songwriting. I also play keyboards and use them extensively for writing, arranging and producing.
Not really. My musical education has been largely self-directed. I’ve spent thousands of hours studying songwriting, production, harmony and mixing, alongside private lessons in drums and more recently piano. Modern online learning has probably been my biggest teacher.
Groove Incorporated is my main creative focus. Before releasing original music I spent time as a club DJ, but this project represents the first time I’ve brought everything together into a cohesive artist identity.
After a long professional career outside music I reached a point where I finally had the time to pursue songwriting and production at the level I’d always wanted. Groove Incorporated became the vehicle for creating music simply because I love the process – writing songs, collaborating with vocalists and constantly learning.
I wanted something that reflected the rhythm-first nature of my music. Almost everything starts with groove, whether it’s reggae, soul, R&B or pop. Groove Incorporated also hints that it’s a collaborative project rather than just one person.
The early releases leaned more towards roots reggae. More recently I’ve been blending reggae with soul, pop and contemporary R&B influences. The songwriting has become stronger, the productions more detailed, and I’m becoming much more confident in letting the songs lead rather than the genre.
Simply seeing listeners around the world connecting with the music. Every release teaches me something new, and watching the audience gradually grow has been incredibly rewarding. At the moment Groove Incorporated is primarily a recording project. My focus has been on building a catalogue of music and refining the production rather than performing live.
Yes! I’ve reached the point where years of learning are finally translating into a steady workflow. I’ve also built a reliable team of collaborators, so I can spend more time writing and producing instead of reinventing the process with every song.
It sits right in the space I enjoy most—a blend of soulful melody, reggae-inspired groove and modern pop production. It feels emotionally honest while still being uplifting and memorable.
It’s about emotional imbalance in a relationship—when one person is completely invested while the other is only partly present. Most people have experienced a relationship where the connection never quite matched, and that’s what the song explores.
The chorus. It brings together the emotional message with the groove in a way that feels effortless. That’s always the moment I’m chasing when writing a song.
The song was written and produced in my Auckland studio. I collaborated with a talented session vocalist who has become a regular creative partner. One of the enjoyable parts of the project is that we often exchange ideas across multiple revisions until the vocal feels completely natural rather than overworked.
I hope they simply connect with it emotionally. If someone hears their own experience in the lyrics and enjoys the groove enough to play it again, then it’s done its job.
Groove Incorporated is an independent project. I write and produce the music, work with professional session vocalists and musicians when required, and handle most of the production, creative direction and project management myself.
Absolutely. I’m aiming for a consistent release schedule and have several songs already in development that continue exploring the intersection of reggae, soul and pop.
L.A.B – Controller
Leisure – Slipping Away
Muroki – Wavy
No, this is my first song to make it onto a NewTracks compilation.
I’ve applied in the past but haven’t received funding. As an independent artist, one of the biggest challenges is demonstrating momentum while you’re still building an audience. It’s competitive, but it’s encouraged me to keep improving every aspect of the project.
Focus on building great songs and a genuine audience first. Funding should amplify momentum that’s already there rather than create it. Keep releasing music, learn from every application and don’t let rejection stop you making the next record.
I spend a lot of time on production and songwriting channels. Rick Beato, Produce Like A Pro, Make Pop Music and Mix With The Masters have all been valuable resources.
Groove Incorporated is active on Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Searching ‘Groove Incorporated’ will find all of the official accounts.
Thanks to everyone who’s taken the time to listen. I’m still learning, still growing as a songwriter and producer, and I’m excited to keep releasing music that brings together reggae grooves, soulful melodies and honest storytelling.
