ArtistDirect News
Office Dog Releases Sophomore Album Prime Corner on Flying Nun, Announces September Tour
Office Dog, the Dunedin‑based indie trio, dropped their second studio effort, Prime Corner, on 19 June 2026 through Flying Nun Records and announced a concise New Zealand tour for September. The move follows the band’s 2024 debut, Spiel, and signals a deepening of their presence in the country’s indie circuit.
The 10‑track album was recorded, engineered and mixed by Matt De Stevens in the Brick Room of Roundhead Studios in Auckland. The studio’s renowned Neve console and history of working with local acts provided a polished yet authentic backdrop. Mastering was handled by Greg Obis in Chicago, giving the release a crisp finish that carries well across vinyl, CD, digital platforms and the band’s Bandcamp page.
Vocalist‑guitarist Kane Strang, bassist Rassani Tolovaa and drummer Mitchell Innes reunited after their earlier work on Spiel. Strang, a long‑time fixture of the Dunedin scene, has previously issued solo albums such as Blue Cheese (2016) and Two Hearts and No Brain (2017). Prime Corner expands the trio’s blend of indie‑alternative, post‑punk and lo‑fi pop, moving from hard‑hitting riffs to quiet, introspective passages with equal conviction.
The album’s tracklist reads: 1. Front Row Seat, 2. Futures, 3. Reins, 4. Permanent Day, 5. Slowing to a Walk, 6. Lesson, 7. Homemade Canyon, 8. Dirt, 9. Gold Things, 10. Everywhere Song. Strang explained that the title Prime Corner was inspired by a real‑estate sign he saw in the United States, symbolising a place of clarity and acceptance. He added that the record’s themes explore the pull of the past, the difficulty of making decisions, and the sense of rootlessness that pervades modern life.
Three tracks were released as singles ahead of the full album. Front Row Seat debuted with a music video directed by Sophie Black and Pepe De Hoyos, featuring stunt performers and actors. Reins and Gold Things followed in the weeks leading up to the launch. The instrumental Everywhere Song, originally written for a short‑film soundtrack, showcases the trio’s ability to convey emotion without words.
Following the release, Office Dog will tour New Zealand in September. The itinerary includes: 4 September – Double Whammy, Auckland; 5 September – Great Sounds Great festival, Wellington; 11 September – The Crown Hotel, Dunedin; 12 September – Lyttelton Coffee Company, Christchurch. Tickets are on sale through the UnderTheRadar (UTR) platform, and festival passes are available via eyegum.co.nz.
Local media have already taken notice. A review on Muzic.NZ described Prime Corner as a “mixed bag” that balances the band’s heaviest and softest moments. 95bFM highlighted the record’s polished pop sheen and lo‑fi sparkle, while the Dzen site noted its “slightly sad and relaxed indie‑rock” feel.
Prime Corner is available on all major streaming services, and physical copies can be purchased at Flying Nun’s Wellington store or through the band’s Bandcamp page. The group encourages listeners to support the UnderTheRadar project, which helps fund music journalism and community events.
With a strong release, a focused tour and growing visibility in New Zealand’s indie scene, Office Dog’s Prime Corner positions the trio for continued prominence in the coming year.
The 10‑track album was recorded, engineered and mixed by Matt De Stevens in the Brick Room of Roundhead Studios in Auckland. The studio’s renowned Neve console and history of working with local acts provided a polished yet authentic backdrop. Mastering was handled by Greg Obis in Chicago, giving the release a crisp finish that carries well across vinyl, CD, digital platforms and the band’s Bandcamp page.
Vocalist‑guitarist Kane Strang, bassist Rassani Tolovaa and drummer Mitchell Innes reunited after their earlier work on Spiel. Strang, a long‑time fixture of the Dunedin scene, has previously issued solo albums such as Blue Cheese (2016) and Two Hearts and No Brain (2017). Prime Corner expands the trio’s blend of indie‑alternative, post‑punk and lo‑fi pop, moving from hard‑hitting riffs to quiet, introspective passages with equal conviction.
The album’s tracklist reads: 1. Front Row Seat, 2. Futures, 3. Reins, 4. Permanent Day, 5. Slowing to a Walk, 6. Lesson, 7. Homemade Canyon, 8. Dirt, 9. Gold Things, 10. Everywhere Song. Strang explained that the title Prime Corner was inspired by a real‑estate sign he saw in the United States, symbolising a place of clarity and acceptance. He added that the record’s themes explore the pull of the past, the difficulty of making decisions, and the sense of rootlessness that pervades modern life.
Three tracks were released as singles ahead of the full album. Front Row Seat debuted with a music video directed by Sophie Black and Pepe De Hoyos, featuring stunt performers and actors. Reins and Gold Things followed in the weeks leading up to the launch. The instrumental Everywhere Song, originally written for a short‑film soundtrack, showcases the trio’s ability to convey emotion without words.
Following the release, Office Dog will tour New Zealand in September. The itinerary includes: 4 September – Double Whammy, Auckland; 5 September – Great Sounds Great festival, Wellington; 11 September – The Crown Hotel, Dunedin; 12 September – Lyttelton Coffee Company, Christchurch. Tickets are on sale through the UnderTheRadar (UTR) platform, and festival passes are available via eyegum.co.nz.
Local media have already taken notice. A review on Muzic.NZ described Prime Corner as a “mixed bag” that balances the band’s heaviest and softest moments. 95bFM highlighted the record’s polished pop sheen and lo‑fi sparkle, while the Dzen site noted its “slightly sad and relaxed indie‑rock” feel.
Prime Corner is available on all major streaming services, and physical copies can be purchased at Flying Nun’s Wellington store or through the band’s Bandcamp page. The group encourages listeners to support the UnderTheRadar project, which helps fund music journalism and community events.
With a strong release, a focused tour and growing visibility in New Zealand’s indie scene, Office Dog’s Prime Corner positions the trio for continued prominence in the coming year.