Kiwi funkmasters, Ahoribuzz, are set to release double EP, INTO THE SUNSHINE, on July 17.

Ahoribuzz is led by charismatic frontman, Aaron Tokona, who is one of the country’s most-respected musicians. Rising through the music scene with essential Kiwi group Weta; Tokona’s next project, two-piece Cairo Knife Fight, saw him share the stage with Foo Fighters and Them Crooked Vultures, amongst others. He has also fluttered in and out of the Fly My Pretties collective.

INTO THE SUNSHINE marks Tokona’s first full-length release of a collection of songs since Weta’s album GEOGRAPHICA was released 15 years ago.

‘‘I'm proud of this Ahoribuzz body of work,’’ Tokona says of INTO THE SUNSHINE. “It hasn’t been an easy road, he admits, describing GEOGRAPHICA as ‘‘a gift and a curse”.

INTO THE SUNSHINE is a double EP. The first half contains the original songs, which you’ve probably grooved to at major festivals around the country. The second half sees notable New Zealand DJs and singer/songwriters offer their remixes of Ahoribuzz tunes such as ‘Turnaround’, ‘Glitter in the Gutter’ and ‘Sugar’.

To celebrate the release of INTO THE SUNSHINE, Tokona and his merry band will embark on a massive nationwide tour encompassing more than 50 dates, kicking off in Wanaka on July 16.

Whether it becomes the biggest run of tour dates New Zealand has ever seen or not, Tokona, promises phenomenal good times on the dance floor.

Joining Tokona for an endurance hoon around New Zealand on the upcoming tour is “the best line-up of musicians this hori band of mine has ever had to date”.

Together they’ll be trying to find whatever sunshine they can on the road during a bitter Kiwi winter.

The ‘Nation of the State’ tour starts in Wanaka on July 16, go to www.ahoribuzz.nz for details.