P.H.F. (real name Joe Locke - hailing from Tāmaki Makaurau; the traditional Māori name for New Zealand) has been making, writing and producing music for over a decade — touring the US and NZ performing live as well as in the cyber space; which his electronic bedroom sound sometimes seems perfectly curated for. Frequently experimenting and collaborating with artists like Clairo and REW, P.H.F. brilliantly blends hyper-pop with modern drum and bass and guitar as well as occasionally offering fans a softer, more gentle acoustic side (you can catch a live stream performance if his tour doesn’t reach your city just yet.)

P.H.F. is an artist that defies genres and boxes, focusing more on the emotional landscape of his music and setting out with the intent to create a comforting sound. His last studio album PUREST HELL (2022) was lovingly dedicated to his bandmate and close friend Reuben who tragically died in 2020. Before that was NEW METAL in 2020 and fan favorite, I HATE MYSELF in 2018. P.H.F.’s entire discography pre-dates the current TikTok music industry-era while still capturing the essence of eternal youth and a dream-like nostalgia.

LOAD, P.H.F.’s newest project (releasing 2024) jolts the listener into a fun, guitar-led spiral, with his signature distorted empathetic vocals glazing over a high energy, upbeat electronic sound. Tracks like “All The Best” and “Torso” create the sonic version of a deep, meditative breath amid the chaos of 2024 — that this record could easily be the soundtrack to. “Eternal Mass” revives the cult classic P.H.F. sounds from MALL-O-CAUST (2012) or GRIND STATE (2015) while “Polestar” - an ethereal grindhouse ballad, transports you to a video game world feel, much of where humanity seems to be headed recently with the likes of algorithms and artificial intelligence. P.H.F. has been creating the sound of the future that we find ourselves trapped inside of today. The new album closes with a track abbreviated “IHYSM” and features a collaboration with frequent collaborator REW, bringing the fun rollercoaster ride to a wholesome resolution — their combined vocals both warm and gritty simultaneously.