In a playful and innovative celebration of indie music and digital creativity, Ōtautahi Christchurch-based musician Pickle Darling (Lukas Mayo) has teamed up with visual artist Christiane Shortal to release Pickle Darling: The Game, an immersive online experience launching this May.
Go to the Game Here https://pickle-darling.itch.
The charming, nostalgia-driven game invites players to join Pickle Darling on a whimsical quest: tracking down their mysteriously lost album. Blending Mayo’s quirky musical sensibilities with Shortal’s distinctive visual artistry, Pickle Darling: The Game offers fans a delightful glimpse into the trials, tribulations, and sheer magic behind an indie album release.
The game features exclusive 8-bit renditions of beloved Pickle Darling tracks, including fan favourites ‘Bicycle Weather,’ ‘King Of Joy,’ and ‘Invercargill Angel’. These uniquely reimagined versions were produced specifically for the game and will soon be available on TikTok and Instagram, encouraging fans to soundtrack their own online creations.
Explaining the project, Mayo shares, “This game is a little peek behind the curtain of what goes into (and what can hinder) a Pickle Darling album release.” It’s a playful homage to the creative journey, designed to resonate with both loyal fans and new listeners alike.
Pickle Darling: The Game is available now to play online via itch.io, perfectly timed as part of the broader celebrations marking NZ Music Month. Whether you’re a dedicated indie music enthusiast, gaming aficionado, or just a lover of charming pixel art, Pickle Darling’s new interactive offering is not to be missed.
Play the game here: itch.io
About Pickle Darling:
Pickle Darling (Lukas Mayo) is a well-known indie pop artist from Christchurch, known for blending heartfelt lyricism with whimsical melodies and dreamy lo-fi production. Celebrated for their introspective and deeply personal songwriting, Pickle Darling has become a beloved staple in Aotearoa’s indie music scene.
PRAISE FOR PICKLE DARLING
“A just reward for a musician who’s been on the cusp of a big breakthrough for several years now.” – ROLLING STONE AU/NZ
“Invercargill Angel” leaves plenty of space for the bedroom experimentation to expand in several directions at once before fading out to an ear-splitting hum.” – FLOOD MAGAZINE
“Pickle Darling looks to the sky, exploring outer space and elevating their songwriting prowess with a rounded-out sound and lyrics that combine specific moments with broader existential feelings.” – BANDCAMP DAILY
“Soothing and lyrically beautiful like Lomelda’s or Tomberlin’s ballads, with a nice lo-fi twinkle and alluring harmonies courtesy of Marcus Burton.” – STEREOGUM
“Teems with an infectious melancholy; curly synths and bittersweet melodies sing along with the tune and guitar, the result short but very, very sweet and leaving us eager to hear more.” – FLYING NUN
Check out Pickle Darling Online.
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