Stars and the Underground is the musical project of Auckland, New Zealand based singer songwriter John Mason.

Formed in 2019, the band has released an EP "Evolution Circle" and two singles to date, "Nosferatu Upon Tyne" (2020) and "Lonely Black Hearts" (2025) both to critical acclaim.

Now a new single "Echolocation" featuring Hannah Berry (Talmar) on vocals (2026) has been released. The band is also currently working on their debut album "Guardians of the Night" to be released in 2027.

The band has performed live in New Zealand and Australia with a variety of line ups and guest musicians.

The current line up is John Mason (Vocals/Guitar - ex Winterland circa 1999) and John McDermott (Drums & Production - ex Headless Chickens) with Guest Vocals and Keyboards by Hannah Berry (Talmar).

Stars and the Underground's music is a blend of Post-Punk, Shoegaze and Dark Synthwave with our own ethereal and gritty textures with a "Kiwi" flavour.

Release: Echolocation - May 22, 2026

Release: Lonely Black Hearts - April 1, 2025

SATU Circa 2020 L-R: Cat Veen (Keyboards/Vocals - ex Antoinettes Head), Ario Kimber Manufui (Bass/Vocals - ex Datura), Mark Wallbank (Video/Photography/Paranormal Investigator), John Mason (Vocals/Guitar).

Release: Nosferatu Upon Tyne - August 12, 2020

SATU Circa 2019 L-R: John Mason (Vocals/Guitar), Sean O'Kane Connolly (Keyboards/Vocals - Undiscovered Moons of Saturn)

Release: Evolution Circle EP - June 1, 2019