The Celebration

Welcome to Junica, the mystical pop world of Wellington's Nik Brinkman. Taking inspiration from life, relationships and mysteries of the Universe, Nik melds melancholy with optimism as only great pop music can. Junica is about stepping out from the shadows to shine.

The former frontman of indie darlings Over the Atlantic, Nik toured internationally with Beach House and Ladyhawke, and then released an album on the American label Carpark Records. Later, he traveled the world to write songs with such luminaries as Peter Moren (Peter, Bjorn, and John), Emanuel Lundgren (I'm From Barcelona), and Tim Anderson (Ima Robot, Dead Man's Bones).

Junica's first single, "Living In My House", climbed to number one on the NZ Top 40 radio chart. Produced by Greg Haver, it features longtime friend Pip Brown (Ladyhawke) and was recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studio in Bath, UK.

'The Celebration' was recorded early in 2012 at a number of studios in NZ and the UK, mixed in the UK by Clint Murphy, and mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound in New York. Nik worked again with UK producer and good friend Greg Haver to create a hi-fi sound for the record, reminiscent of the albums Nik grew up with, and the musical era Greg helped create.

'The Celebration' album blends the best of chart pop with Nik's alternative roots, evolved from a childhood listening to The Church, Peter Gabriel, The Cocteau Twins, The Cure, Neil Finn, and Kate Bush. What emerges is a brightly-lit constellation of pop songs, with a strong cinematic feel.