Loves Ugly Children - Suck

Another kiwi band from the early 90s (originally from Christchurch), the 'Uglies' do the Pixies loud-quiet-loud thing particularly well here on Suck. Bonus band points for their ABBA cover of Honey Honey which I also include below.

Timo Maas - Pictures

More of an indie-dance crossover track this one - with Placebo's Brian Molko featuring on vocals and Timo Maas looking after production. Certainly a bit dark and ominous on the lyrical side of things, 'Pictures' was released in 2005. 

Toy Love - Squeeze

Seminal kiwi punk band Toy Love - fronted by Chris Knox - pioneers of the Dunedin Sound. 'Squeeze' was their first single with all 400 copies sold out on the first day of release. Not much of a surprise that.

Able Tasmans - Sour Queen

A melodic and harmonic pop style was the hallmark of the Able Tasmans, a now defunct Auckland band from the 1980s and 90s. Sour Queen featured from their first album which was released in 1987. They were pretty accessible with a softer guitar/synth led sound. 

The Puddle - Thursday

It's more from the Flying Nun stable - this time the tuneful 'Thursday' from Dunedinites The Puddle. Paying homage to dole day, the track was solely released as a 7 inch in 1993 and never received much in the way of profile or attention - much like the band itself, although they have released several follow up albums in more recent times. 

Cameras - Defeatist

Atmospheric, intricately layered indie pop from Sydney band 'Cameras'. Lush in sound with a wistful appeal, it's probably best played loud with a dose of anti-depressants close to hand.
  

Geoffrey O'Connor - Whatever leads me to you

It's minimal indie pop with shades of 80's synth lounge in this 2011 release by Geoffrey O'Connor. A marvelous song evoking a jaded nostalgia with just a little bit of edge.