My name is Ayla Wesley. I am a Tauranga based indie folk/rock artist and am passionate about sharing my sound and stories with you through my writing. I have melodies that are wavey and strong. I also enjoy implementing tempo changes, dynamic rhythms, and swelling vocals into my music. There’s a Tuesday, The Beths, Middle kids, and Stella Donnelly are some artists that have influenced my sound and writing.

I started music lessons at primary school age but have been discovering my sound and the potential to share what I believe in since 2016. My primary instrument is my voice, and I usually accompany myself with electric guitar or piano. I went to Otumoetai College; the teachers in the music department were super encouraging and always leapt at opportunities for me to develop my music – taking part in Smokefree Rockquest and Play it Strange Song Writing Competition.

Since leaving high school in 2017, I studied engineering in Auckland and had the opportunity to make friends with many musicians in my broader community. They inspired me to start writing and playing more, as well as recording my works. Over the last year, I have played numerous solo gigs in Tauranga and Auckland. I played my first full-band headlining show on 17th July 2021, at The Jam factory Tauranga which sold out.

Over the last year, I have been working off and on my debut single ‘Salamanders’. Writing this song was the catalyst to discovering my genre. It’s about when a close friend gets into a relationship, and you don’t see them as much, but you still want to be there for them. ‘Salamanders’ will be out on all streaming platforms on the 10th December 2021, produced by Jacob Gerritsen (Marmalade Skies) and accompanied by a music video directed by upcoming filmmaker Finn Lloyd (directed DOONS – Shallows).

I have a Soundcloud account with several demos and will be working on getting more of my music onto streaming platforms.

I’m open to collaboration, opening, and playing at events.

Please get in touch on my social media or through email, aylawesleymusic@gmail.com.