New York-based Kiwi Miriam Clancy says her new album Astronomy was inspired by her time writing its music on Great Barrier Island.
She says the record's title and "overarching ambience" reference the island's unparallelled view of the stars as a dark sky sanctuary.
"It's amazing how something so far from the Earth can affect us and give a sense of perspective ... it's the great equaliser."
Astronomy - Clancy's third album and her first in 10 years - has met critical acclaim in the United States.