LIPS

LIPS is the primary musical vehicle for New Zealand-born, formerly New York-based artist Steph Brown, often collaborating with Fen Ikner. Emerging in the early 2010s, the project quickly established a signature sound characterized by 'wonky' synth-pop that blends indie sensibilities with electronic precision.

Their sound identity is defined by the use of vintage hardware, particularly Casio keyboards, which lends a nostalgic yet fresh analog warmth to their production. Brown's background in jazz and theater informs the sophisticated melodic structures and the expressive, often character-driven nature of her vocal performances. Culturally, LIPS occupies a vital space in the New Zealand indie scene, bridging the gap between underground electronic experimentation and accessible pop. They gained significant attention with the Silver Scroll-winning 'Everything to Me', which showcased their knack for combining danceable grooves with existential lyrical themes. Critical consensus highlights their ability to maintain a 'DIY' bedroom-pop aesthetic while achieving a high level of compositional complexity. Their influence web connects to the quirky art-pop of artists like St. Vincent or Lykke Li, but with a distinctively Kiwi sense of understated charm and wit.