Southland duo Kayson Road are back with their second single bringing raw emotion to country radio.
Kayson Road is proving that sometimes the most powerful songs come from the hardest moments — and this one is sure to connect with anyone who has loved, lost and needed time to heal.
Proudly produced in Southland, New Zealand, at Music South in Invercargill by producer Aaron Ives, the new release is a powerful and deeply heartfelt song about grief, love and giving yourself permission to take as long as you need to heal.
Kayla and Simon’s voices blend beautifully, creating a vocal performance full of strength, vulnerability and emotional depth.
The song was born from a very personal songwriting session between Kayla and Andrea Pearson-Cruickshank of Queenstown and formerly a full-time Nashville songwriter. Sitting down together, and through many tears, they wrote a song that captures the rawness of grief while offering a message of hope.
This release comes hot on the heels of a sensational 2026 following Simon Thompson’s overall win at the NZ Gold Guitar Awards in May.
Known for his distinctive voice filled with grit and warmth, Simon was also crowned Southland Entertainer of the Year in 2015. In 2027, he will take his music across the Tasman to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, representing New Zealand country music on one of the biggest stages in the country music calendar.
Kayla brings an impressive history of her own, having won the NZ Gold Guitar in 2008 and the NZCMA Horizon Award in 2015. She continues to release and celebrate her music and is currently a finalist for Southland Entertainer of the Year and Vocalist of the Year 2026.
Together, Kayla and Simon are Kayson Road — a duo with a natural chemistry that shines through every performance. Their voices complement each other effortlessly, creating a sound that is both authentic and captivating.
