Double A Side 2 (Akaroa / Erica And The Stars)’ by Reetoxa is a highly personal undertaking in which Jason Mckee converts his remarkable life experiences into a thoughtfully crafted artistic expression. The EP was released on 10 September 2026 and shows Mckee’s capacity to turn moments of grief, confusion, adversity and hope into something meaningful. Unlike merely being a standard collection of songs, the project has a clear narrative quality, the result of Mckee’s own experiences shaping both the character and the course of the music.
A major reason for the EP’s appeal is the honesty about how it was created. The song “Akaroa” began as a clear dream that Mckee had during one of the most difficult phases of his life and later returned to him when, unexpectedly, he found himself in the New Zealand place that had appeared in the dream. This special link between memory and place gives the project a rare feeling of personal history. The song “Erica And The Stars” came about as a result of another difficult period, concentration on songwriting becoming a means of creative escape.
The production provides exactly the ambitious backdrop that Mckee envisioned. Simon Moro is in charge of production, mixing and mastering, and Luke Crouch acts as engineer. The recording features Terry HarT, James Ryan, Kit Riley, Peter Martin and Jessica Mcpherson-Riley, alongside the Budapest Orchestra playing on the track ‘Erica And The Stars’. The sessions were held at The Avenue Recording Studio in Cheltenham, Victoria, and orchestral recordings were also made in Budapest.
“Double A Side 2” is successful since the ambition behind it is accompanied by real personal depth. Rather than conceal the circumstances out of which it arose, the work incorporates those experiences into its creative identity. Reetoxa has produced a body of work characterised by resilience, imagination, and a readiness to turn difficult memories into something constructive. This is a thoughtful and ambitious stage in Jason Mckee’s ongoing artistic journey.
SONGS ON EP
1. Akaroa
2. Erica And the Stars
3. Akaroa (Karaoke)
4. Erica And the Stars (Karaoke)
