College Try
Pōneke Wellington is home to a constantly evolving music scene, and among the fresh faces making an impact is College Try. The indie pop-rock band has been steadily building momentum since forming at Massey University in 2023. I caught up with vocalist Kloey Shaw to talk about the band’s journey, her solo project, and their recent set at CubaDupa 2025.
From Nelson to the Stage
Originally from Nelson, Kloey attended Nayland College before moving to Wellington to study a Bachelor of Commercial Music Practice at Massey University. Music has always been a big part of her life, with a background in keys, rhythm guitar, and vocals.
While College Try is her main focus, Kloey also has a solo project under the name kloey. She released her first single black cat last year and has another track dropping on May 23rd. “I’m still figuring out my solo sound,” she admits. “My first release had cinematic and acoustic elements, but this next one leans more towards pop.”
How College Try Came Together
College Try started when Kloey met Renée Burnett at Massey. The two began jamming together, and after playing an acoustic set at Hamodava Café, they realised they wanted to form a band. Jake Stokes soon joined them on bass, and when they needed a drummer, he introduced them to Kairau Armstrong, who studies music at Victoria University. The four of them clicked straight away, and College Try was born.
The name, Kloey explains, came from Renée. Renée as looking through old sayings and came up with College Try. “I had no idea what it meant at first,” Kloey says with a laugh. “But it basically means ‘give it your best shot,’ which really suited us.”
Sound and Influences
Kloey describes College Try as a mix of indie and pop-rock, with an energetic, vibrant feel. Their sound is shaped by a range of influences, including Spacey Jane, Paramore, and Wunderhorse. “Our drummer [Kairau] is a massive Paramore fan,” she says. “We’ve even done a couple of covers, and his playing really fits that big, energetic sound.”
Songwriting for College Try is a collaborative effort, with each member bringing something unique to the table. Renée often starts with a riff, which sets the foundation for a song. “She’ll write something, and I’ll add a verse or lyrics, or sometimes the other way around,” Kloey explains. “It’s super collaborative. Then the boys come up with really cool bits and pieces to help structure the songs,” Kloey says.
CubaDupa and Beyond
Since their debut, College Try has been carving out their place in the local scene, playing gigs alongside artists like Dani Josie, Daisy Grae, and Shehatesjacob. Their first headline show in September sold out, with help from local musician and DJ Ben Bonetti on the marketing side.
The band recently played at CubaDupa, a festival Kloey is particularly fond of—she’s actually volunteered at the event for the past two years. “I loved it! It was colourful and packed—I never see the streets that busy!” she says. “Our set went well, and a bunch of new mates came along to watch, which was cool. The whole festival had this really artsy, wholesome vibe during the day, and at night it turned into more of a proper gig atmosphere.”
On the Saturday of the festival, Wellington was unusually calm. “No wind and clear skies—super ideal,” Kloey says. “We were running late to the venue at one point because we were stuck in foot traffic. That’s how busy it was.”
Though she spent most of the festival volunteering, she did get to help out with a theatre fashion group called ‘Subversion’, which she says was one of the coolest things she saw over the weekend.
Returning to Hamodava
Playing at Hamodava Café again was a full-circle moment for the band, given that it was the first venue they ever played at. “It was a different experience this time,” Kloey explains. “They’re renovating the big building, so we played in a much smaller café nearby. It wasn’t what we were used to, but we made it work! So many people came to support—even though not everyone could fit in, we heard people kept trying to come in, which was really encouraging.”
What’s Next?
College Try has a gig coming up at Massey’s Great Hall on May 16th—though it hasn’t been officially announced yet. Kloey is also gearing up for the release of her next solo single on May 23rd.
Keep an eye out on their socials for all the latest updates from College Try, from gigs to new releases!
You can find Kloey on Instagram @kloey_s_ and at @collegetryband
