Ones2Watch Home

First Reserve aka the solo recording project of Wellington based artist (Te-Whanganui-A-Tara) Ryan Connaghan (he/they), invites listeners to feel deeply and to wear their heart on their sleeve. Joined live by a four-piece band, their live performances are memorable, and they have become a heavyweight in their local music scene, and beyond.

Their sound comes from alt-rock, indie-folk, and pop influences, taking inspiration from whatever they are consuming at that time. On the road they’ve supported the likes of Hockey Dad, Hot Mulligan, The Jungle Giants, Keli Holiday, PARK RD, There’s A Tuesday, and Wet Denim, even taking to the stage at Rhythm and Vines to celebrate the new year in 2025.

Music has always been a constant in Ryan’s life, and their natural talent and keen ear radiate through their work. They share:

“I’ve been making music my whole life. I think I realised I wanted to take music seriously when people started commenting on like songs I’d written and like, had a reaction to it, and that feeling that someone has understood something, or maybe just taken anything out of it, was kind of like, life changing for me. That’s still kind of the feeling that I’m chasing with my music right now I think”.

Releasing their latest EP There’s A God in November 2025, First Reserve finds their feet in indie-folk. It’s an EP about love, nostalgia, heartbreak, and the slow, uncertain process of finding a new normal following it.

Last One, a fast-paced anthem thataexplores the pain of love, heartbreak and betrayal gives it’s listener a false sense of security. t’s quickly devastating in its lyrics, with vocals that cut through with a palpable agony, demonstrating First Reserve’s range in an exciting new way.

I Couldn’t See Me is a folk-laced gentle acoustic song that finds its narrator at the close of a chapter, watching the sun set on their youth and trying to imagine what comes next. It’s sentimental and nostalgic, almost hurried - as if they’re getting the words out before the present slips into memory. Warm and playful, it carries a sweetness reminiscent of The White Stripes’ We’re Going to Be Friends, in the most wonderful way.  

Ryan shares that their music is a ‘bit of a mess’ genre-wise, but that’s exactly the way they like it. Experimentation, instinct and emotional resonance guide their creative process more than genre alone ever could. They continue:

“My sound is a mess, but I kinda like that. I think it draws from like all of the music I’m listening to all the time. There is some rock in there, there’s a lot of pop influence as well and right now I’m really into indie-folk, and that kind of is the direction I want to take the sound. But I don’t think I’m ever going to stick to one thing, I think it’s always gonna be a bit of a mess. I’m a bit of a mess”.

First Reserve can be found at the intersection of vulnerability and experimentation, creating music that feels intimate, yet expansive. As their sound continues to evolve (and perhaps become a little messier), their work remains anchored by their honesty. If their current trajectory is any indication, what lies ahead is sure to be exciting.

Listen to First Reserve below: