A.R.T sets new Pacific music pace with ‘First Thursday’ releases

From bedroom covers to an international tour with Hawai’i-born Tongan musician Josh Tatofi, A.R.T (Anastasia, Rosetta, and Tiresa) are a soulful trio from Porirua, blending R&B, Gospel, and Island reggae.

After a decade of live shows and viral YouTube covers, A.R.T joined forces with IKON Music and award-winning producer, EDYONTHEBEAT.

Their collaboration with Myshaan on the Sāmoan-language version of Carry My Heart/Lo’u Loto E Pulea has racked up 11 million YouTube music plays.

Looking ahead to 2026, the trio has launched an ambitious mission: releasing a new track every first Thursday of the month.

A.R.T have claimed two Pacific Music Awards (PMAs): FLAVA Best Pacific Group and the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award for When He Was Mine (Pele Fo’i Mai).

They were also finalists in the Best Producer category at the PMAs and earned an Aotearoa Music Award nomination for 2025 Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Speaking in an interview on NZ On Air, the trio say their love of music started in church. But the journey hasn’t always been smooth.

“We almost broke up,” Tiresa, who goes by T-R3X, admits, shooting a sideways glance at her bandmates.

“Yeah, heaps of times aye,” Rosetta adds. “It’s not easy in the industry. I think one of the biggest challenges for us was a little bit of [an] identity crisis as Polynesian women who have been brought up in Aotearoa.”

Having always been known for their harmonious blend, their early music was heavily influenced by their gospel upbringing. Over time, life experiences broadened their tastes, and they’re now finding comfort in expanding their sound.

“We’ve slowly found our way, we’re still currently finding our way,” Rosetta says. Anastasia added, “But we’re having fun along the way too.”

During their 2024 tour with Tatofi, the trio realised their original repertoire consisted of only two songs. That led to the creation of their EP, Nana’s Garage.

Now, with their sights set on monthly music drops, a challenge they’re calling “First Thursday”, the group hopes to leave a lasting mark on Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Music scene.

Heartache to hit

The trio’s latest campaign highlights their playful dynamic as friends and sisters. In a recent social media post, they teased a “disagreement” over their next release.

Rosetta pushed for the heartbreak anthem, Over Now, while Anastasia lobbied for a love song. “Why? Because I wanna be in love,” Anastasia joked.

Fans quickly weighed in on a snippet of the new music, with follower Salani Aisake suggesting a double release: “How about both? On Valentine's Day - the love one in the morning, then Over Now at night.”

Ultimately, the group leaned into raw emotion from a recent experience. “This one is for all of our heartbroken people,” T-R3X shared in a social media post. Anastasia added a cryptic teaser.

“One of us just got our heart broken. We’re not gonna say who - so we wrote a song about it.”

Over Now is available on most music streaming platforms.