French for Rabbits, Emily Edrosa play Hamilton on Dark Arts tour

Originally formed by Brooke Singer and guitarist John Fitzgerald, French for Rabbits expanded to include Ben Lemi and Penelope Esplin alongside drummer Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa. Photo / Supplied

Wellington ethereal dream-pop luminaries French for Rabbits are making a rare visit to Hamilton's Nivara Lounge, on Friday, November 13 on The Dark Arts tour.

On the auspicious date, they will be joined by special guest Emily Edrosa. Recently returned from LA where she has lived since 2016.

The former frontwoman of Taite Award-winning power pop band Street Chant is releasing her debut solo record Another Wave is Coming on November 20.

Emily Edrosa is releasing her debut solo record Another Wave is Coming on November 20. Photo / Supplied

French for Rabbits will be bringing their naturalistic musical alchemy to intimate venues around New Zealand in November and December for eight dates across the country.

The band have been locked away in the studio for much of 2020 working on their third full-length album with producer Jol Mulholland (Tami Neilson, Delaney Davidson).

Although not due out until next year, they will be debuting many of these songs in a live setting alongside fan favourites.

Originally formed in the small coastal township of Waikuku Beach by vocalist and songwriter Brooke Singer and guitarist John Fitzgerald, French for Rabbits expanded to include multi-instrumentalists Ben Lemi (Trinity Roots, Dawn Diver) and Penelope Esplin (Grawlixes) alongside drummer Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa.

They have released three records including the NZ Music Award-nominated debut EP Claimed by the Sea in 2012, achieved international success with more than 20 million streams of singles The Other Side and Goat, and toured internationally in the US and Europe.

On their last (fondly remembered) trip to Hamilton, the band's car broke down on the Desert Rd - only making it to the venue in the nick of time! They are "pretty sure" it will be a less eventful trip this time, opting to drive from Auckland instead.