Who Are The Party Singers?
Paul and Sam formed The Party Singers back in 2020. Like most people, they found their fast-paced schedules coming to a sudden halt during the Covid-19 lockdown. To pass the time, they dug into the back of their equipment storage lock-up, dusted off their band gear, and set up a makeshift rehearsal space in their studio.
They didn’t actually intend to launch a long-running project, but once word got out that they were rehearsing together, the bookings started coming in. They didn’t even have a name for their first gig! Having recently watched The Wedding Singer, they quickly adapted the title, and The Party Singers hit the stage.
They didn’t actually intend to launch a long-running project, but once word got out that they were rehearsing together, the bookings started coming in. They didn’t even have a name for their first gig! Having recently watched The Wedding Singer, they quickly adapted the title, and The Party Singers hit the stage.
Pro-Level Live Music Credentials:
With over half a decade performing together under this name—and a lifetime in the New Zealand music industry before that—Paul and Sam bring serious live experience to every booking.
Paul (Vocals, Guitar, Bass): A lifelong live music professional, Paul has done it all—from fronting rock bands and session guitar work to professional sound engineering. He has shared stages and worked alongside iconic NZ artists like The Chills, Jordan Luck, and Shihad. He’s also performed as part of the house backing band (The What Now Players) for TVNZ, and provided high-energy pre-match stadium entertainment for Super Rugby.
Sam (Vocals, Percussion): Sam’s journey started at 21 when she landed a spot in Paul’s previous band. Her cousin Kelly Gorman—a professional drummer who knew real talent when he heard it—casually told Paul, "My cuz can sing a bit." Sam quickly proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle, delivering powerhouse live performances that blew everyone away.
Together, they spent years working full-time in the popular band Rosie Lee, holding down residencies across Canterbury and doing legendary outdoor festival slots on the West Coast.
"The one at Fox Glacier for New Year's Eve was totally unexpected," Sam laughs. "We turned up thinking we would be playing in a cosy little hotel, only to find we were headlining a massive field on a truck stage for thousands of partygoers!"
Paul (Vocals, Guitar, Bass): A lifelong live music professional, Paul has done it all—from fronting rock bands and session guitar work to professional sound engineering. He has shared stages and worked alongside iconic NZ artists like The Chills, Jordan Luck, and Shihad. He’s also performed as part of the house backing band (The What Now Players) for TVNZ, and provided high-energy pre-match stadium entertainment for Super Rugby.
Sam (Vocals, Percussion): Sam’s journey started at 21 when she landed a spot in Paul’s previous band. Her cousin Kelly Gorman—a professional drummer who knew real talent when he heard it—casually told Paul, "My cuz can sing a bit." Sam quickly proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle, delivering powerhouse live performances that blew everyone away.
Together, they spent years working full-time in the popular band Rosie Lee, holding down residencies across Canterbury and doing legendary outdoor festival slots on the West Coast.
"The one at Fox Glacier for New Year's Eve was totally unexpected," Sam laughs. "We turned up thinking we would be playing in a cosy little hotel, only to find we were headlining a massive field on a truck stage for thousands of partygoers!"
Big Band Sound, Packed-Room Vibe:
The Christchurch live music scene has evolved since the days of massive 300+ capacity venues like the original Carlton, Lochinvars, The Palladium, and Xanadu. For Paul and Sam, that shift toward smaller local bars and private events has been the perfect transition.
"Gigs have an awesome, high-energy intimacy now," says Sam. "When you're playing a room of 40 to 80 people, it only takes a couple of hours before you feel like you're playing for a room full of mates. You get a genuine connection with your crowd."
Today, Paul and Sam have come full circle. They bring that exact same high-energy enthusiasm they had when they first started playing out, combined with a sharp, professional edge. Whether it's a local pub, a private function, a wedding, or a corporate gig, The Party Singers pack the sonic punch of a full band into a versatile, dynamic, and incredibly tight two-piece line-up.
"Gigs have an awesome, high-energy intimacy now," says Sam. "When you're playing a room of 40 to 80 people, it only takes a couple of hours before you feel like you're playing for a room full of mates. You get a genuine connection with your crowd."
Today, Paul and Sam have come full circle. They bring that exact same high-energy enthusiasm they had when they first started playing out, combined with a sharp, professional edge. Whether it's a local pub, a private function, a wedding, or a corporate gig, The Party Singers pack the sonic punch of a full band into a versatile, dynamic, and incredibly tight two-piece line-up.
💡 The Voice That Shouldn't ExistPerhaps the most remarkable part of The Party Singers' sound is Sam’s vocals. As a child, a complication during a thyroid operation left her with a severed vocal cord. Medically speaking, she should only have a quiet whisper of a voice. Doctors were absolutely stunned to discover she could sing at all.
Years of annoying her parents by loudly singing along to her headphones every night, effectively trained her remaining vocal cord to become twice as strong to compensate. The result? A beautifully raw, soulful—and medically miraculous—voice that gives this two-piece all the punch you'll ever need. 😉
Present day...