Flamingo Pier have spent the past decade weaving sunlight into sound. Born in New Zealand and shaped in London’s warehouses, studios, and dance floors, the trio have grown from a DIY party into a fully-fledged live act, festival founders, and creators of a warm, melodic strain of dance music that feels both expansive and deeply personal. 

Their new album ‘Woven Together’ distils that journey, pulling threads from community, nature, nostalgia and the people who have shaped them along the way. They stop by for a chat about their evolution, bringing their live show to Europe, translating nature into music, and more!

WWD: You have always described Flamingo Pier as New Zealand born London shaped. How do those two worlds still show up in your music today?

I think everyone is a product of their surroundings. We have been directly inspired by the people and music around us daily. For me this never changes. It is a constantly evolving beast.

WWD: Hackney Wick warehouse life seems central to your early identity. What do you think you learned there that still guides you now?

That community and the people you surround yourself with is integral.

WWD: You have gone from a trio in a warehouse to full on live outfit at one point. How did those expansions and contractions shape your sound?

I think the music always comes first. And then the live show finds its own shape based on where the tunes lead us and what is required to replicate that live. Often the live version will need to be an augmented version. But that is really fun, trying to reimagine songs for the stage. This is something we are going through right now as we prepare to perform the new album Woven Together live.

WWD: You have often been called one of the southern hemisphere’s best kept dancefloor secrets. Did that quiet rise help you creatively or did it ever feel limiting?

It is certainly not a limitation. We are just happy making music and loving what we do.

WWD: Your music blends electronic weight with tropical lightness. What is the internal conversation like when you are shaping that mix?

It is not really a deliberate or conscious decision. I think a mood just strikes and you follow that vibe. Yes, our vibe may often seem tropical in nature due to our name, but I really do not think it is something we talk about or specifically strive to be considered as.

WWD: You cite influences from Masters At Work to Khruangbin to Prince. Which influence surprised you most in how strongly it shaped ‘Woven Together?’

Sexy Eyes by Dr Hook.

WWD: Luke brings engineering chops, Dom and Brad bring live band energy. How do those roles collide or complement each other in the studio?

It is a perfect complement. We all contribute to the melodies and hooks but then Luke brings the beats and the production in a way that helps us quickly move from just an idea all the way to a real song.

WWD: Your sound has always been rooted in nature, ocean, bush, open air. How do you translate something so physical into electronic music?

Very easily. As mentioned earlier, it is your surroundings that inspire and shape the music. The fact our music is classed as electronic is irrelevant. Electronic music can still include organic sounds. Much of what we record is created organically in the studio with hardware and then enhanced through software after.

WWD: You have said this album distills a decade of evolution. What part of your identity finally clicked into place during the making of Woven Together?

It was the realisation that the people and places around us are what ultimately shape us and create the music.

WWD: The album was written, produced and released entirely on your own terms. What did that freedom unlock?

Despite previously releasing with labels, we have never been dictated to creatively. The self release model more so gave us freedom without time constraints and the ability to maintain full ownership of our art.

WWD: The singles each reveal a different facet, Italo shimmer on ‘Cool Nights’, piano driven uplift on ‘No Excuses,’ golden hour warmth on ‘Glowdown,’ Outkast and Timbaland DNA on ‘Be The Same.’ How did you decide which corners of your palette to explore?

It was certainly fun to explore new facets. But again, it was not really a conscious decision. Some days you just get in the mood to make a cheeky Italo or hip hop throwback. We do not really put rules on it. We just have fun with it.

WWD: There is a strong theme of connection, people, places, influences, moments. Was that intentional from the start or something that emerged naturally?

It emerged during the writing process and quickly felt natural. There is definitely an element of nostalgia coming through now that we have been together for a decade. It is wonderful to reflect and appreciate the ride so far.

WWD: You have described the album as dance music with sunlight in its bones. What does sunlight mean to you musically?

Bringing joy to ourselves and others through music and shared experience.

WWD: Flamingo Pier began as a party then a festival then a touring act. How does that community first origin still shape how you perform?

It makes every performance feel special. It makes you feel part of something larger. A community of friends and like minded people. A family on the dance floor.

WWD: Your Waiheke Island festival has become a cultural anchor. What does that space allow you to express that a club or venue cannot?

It leaves room to collaborate with other creatives such as lighting, design, production, food and so on, whilst at the same time highlighting the stunning natural surroundings of Waiheke Island.

WWD: You have played everything from strip club turned nightclubs to open air stages. What environment brings out the best version of Flamingo Pier?

The fun thing is that those differing environments allow us to playfully explore multiple sides of our personality.

WWD: You have said you are aiming to release consistently incredible music. What does incredible mean to you now versus ten years ago?

I think it just means we want to make stuff we are proud of now and always.

WWD: With Europe now firmly in your sights, what do you hope audiences here understand about Flamingo Pier that they might not yet know?

Europe has not really had much exposure to our live set. So we are very much excited to bring that side of Flamingo Pier to as many people as we can and continue to share the joy.

WWD: After ‘Woven Together,’ what part of your sound are you most excited to push further?

Who knows what sounds the future holds. Right now the focus is sharing this new album with as many people as we can.

WWD: Describe the next era of Flamingo Pier, what is coming next?

I just want to keep making tunes and spreading joy through dance and collective experience.

The ‘Woven Together’ album is available here