Disco meets the divine for Lou’ana
Saturday, 14 March 2026
Disco and witchcraft might seem like an unlikely pairing; but for Auckland singer-songwriter Lou’ana, they make perfect sense.
The artist, whose full name is Lou’ana Whitney Pereira but who performs under her first name only, has, in the last year, released her sophomore album Disco Witch, and, as of this week, is touring the country for a series of live shows celebrating it being out in the world.
Blending glittering 70s dance floor grooves with mysticism, ritual, and a dose of cosmic curiosity, the album is designed for both dancing and introspection ‒ the vocalist describes it as an invitation to explore the wisdom of the body.
Divided into two parts titled As Above and So Below, the artist tells The Post she wants to spark people’s curiosities.
“[The album] is an invitation to dive into this world and dive into the wisdom that I’ve learned, and be curious about the concept of ‘As above, so below’. That’s really about inner work; diving into your own shadows; learning what your wildness is.”
A central principle to Western esotericism, psychology, magic and astrology, the “As above, so below” phrase in essence means that the individual mirrors the universe; that both the physical and spiritual realms are interconnected; and that our inner states determine our outer realities.
While the A side of the record traverses more outward, celebratory energy with a more open heart feeling to it that can be felt in the body, side B features more hypnotic grooves and is introspective in nature.
Lou’ana says, “The music itself has to have symbology. It has to have meaning. It has to have depth. Otherwise I can’t get past that. It needs to have layers to it, and it has to all connect.”
Born in Auckland and growing up there till the age of 9, Lou’ana then moved to Hamilton, where she spent the second half of her childhood.
Having a songwriter mother, a blues guitarist uncle, and a musician grandfather, the Samoan heritage artist was around music from the get-go. As a young person she signed herself up for choirs and barbershop groups, “even though I was still really nervous. I’d get to the side of a stage and be like, ‘Uh, why did I do this again?’ Then I’m like, ‘That’s right, I love doing this’,” she laughs.
Post high school Lou’ana trained in jazz at the NZ School of Music Te Kōkī, saying it was a miracle getting in and meant to be. She then joined the funk-soul band Hipstamatics as its lead vocalist and starting gigging full-time, which then led to her writing and recording her own music.
Her debut album, Moonlight Madness, a soul-funk-jazz record, was released in 2020. It wasn’t until the Covid lockdown, when she was spending much of her time rollerskating and pulling oracle cards, that she thought of distilling aspects of her spiritual journey in with challenging, poetic lyrics, plus sounds fit for a dance floor.
The 10-track conceptual album that resulted ultimately blends soul, funk, nu-disco and late 60s and 70s influences (think Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, or Chic) with more mystical aspects: earthy drums, soulful and ethereal textures.
“Ever since I was little, my mum always said, ‘You’ve got to make it your own’,” she says. “… There’s been so many moments I’m like, ‘Why am I doing this?’ It’s so challenging.
“But things just seem to [work out]. The smallest little sign comes up where it’s like, ‘OK, just keep going’. And I just keep following that.”
Four years in the making, the album and its name give a not-so-subtle nod to the modern reclamation of the witch term. Historically a derogatory slur used against women who defied patriarchal structures, the movement reframes witchcraft in contexts of female empowerment, resistance, independence, and healing.
“It’s a presence, it’s an energy, it’s how you walk through the world, it’s how you look at things, it’s how you’re able to take a moment to see where the cosmos is and just be present. That’s what ritual is so great for. It’s just bringing you back to the present moment so that you can be really aware of what’s going on instead of dissociating,” the artist says.
Raised in a taboo Catholic environment but always conflictingly drawn to crystals, astrology, and media that featured mysticism (Charmed; Harry Potter; Sabrina the Teenage Witch); it wasn’t until Lou’ana came across a podcast, The Witch Wave, while writing her first song Eye to Eye, that the pieces started to fall together regarding her own spiritual journey.
“It’s inner work, it’s being a good person. It’s connecting to those around you, and doing your own work so that you can really connect. There’s this good quote, … ‘Magic is the art of getting results’.”
The artist ‒ who has previously toured Australia, opened for acts including Gladys Knight and Teddy Swims, and played festivals like Splore, Nest Fest, Newtown Festival and Nostalgia ‒ is now trying to focus on being in more of a joyous or love state.
She’s excited for her tour that will bring the Disco Witch album to life; she hopes people dress up, dance and have a good time; she hopes she encourages positivity and self-inquiry among her audience.
“I just hope they feel lighter, empowered, and excited to do something creative for themselves.”
Lou’ana says her rituals, tools and self-care routines have grown alongside her artistry. In turn, they’ve helped her regulate some of the more challenging aspects of music- making as a generally private person, namely sharing such personal work with the world, and having the confidence to bring others into her creative vision.
From her first album to her second, she can now cope with much more; she flows better; she wears more hats with ease. Much of that, she says, has come down to sticking to her routines ‒ even when she’s not in the mood.
“When I’m doing my skincare every morning, I have this prayer/spell/affirmation that I say, and I make sure to say that, even though it’s boring.
“… It’s just getting back to who you are at the core, and trying to get all those stories out of the way, and all this stuff that keeps popping up, so that you can just let yourself be in the flow.
“I just keep doing it ‒ there’s no other way. I think that’s why I keep pressing on; because I know that the only way is through.”
Lou’ana plays Auckland’s Hollywood Avondale, March 20; Christchurch’s Space Academy, March 21; Wellington’s CubaDupa (free show), March 28. Tickets for Auckland and Christchurch at banishedmusic.com