“Gloriously atmospheric production…full of vigour, spirit, and social commentary” – Happy Mag

“An intoxicatingly sublime blend of Alt Rock, 80’s Pop and Post Punk” – A&R Factory

“Bravo uses his expertise of various instruments from keyboards to the violin to produce a truly breathtaking single full of anthemic atmospherics, ambient dream pop and a smattering of shoegaze” – Indie Central

A love letter to the dazzlingly inventive 1980’s musical scene, LearningToDive’s debut album, Norwegian Pop, is packed with the very best of the sounds of the 1980s genres of post-punk, synth-pop, New Wave and the New Romantic movement. One of a series of projects from musician, producer, vocalist and composer, Bravo Bonez, it explores personal, political and societal ideas, addressing themes of hope, betrayal, danger and age, whilst retaining a musical edge which crosses the decades to sound as vibrant and vital as ever.

LearningToDive is the new artistic identity of New Zealand-based Bravo Bonez,. Stylistically different from his previous musical output, LTD focuses on the more serious aspects of Bravo’s life and his perceptions of the world. The last few years has seen Bravo Bonez seriously question some of the assumptions he has made about his place in the world and his responsibilities as a husband, father and denizen of this fragile blue planet. Each of his new tracks explores a different theme using 1980’s musical templates, emphasising texture, depth and harmony. Bravo has many contemporary influences, but for this album specifically he cites 80’s artists such as Roxy Music, the Psychedelic Furs, Echo & The Bunnymen and Iva Davies (Icehouse). There are some more recent artists that have influenced the album… examples being Boards of Canada, Radiohead and The Impending Adorations.

Born in the UK, Bonez has spent the last 15 years between the cities of London and Wellington (New Zealand). Now permanently settled in the capital of NZ due to Covid-19, Bravo spends his time reconnecting with his musical passion through a variety of musical projects, as well as helping to develop and encourage local musicians through owning and running his own music studio called PureSound Studios NZ.

The release of High & Dry on the 20th of November was LearningToDive’s first release under this musical identity. His debut album will be ready for release on the 2nd of April 2021. LTD has now released 4 singles under this identity (High & Dry, Falling Leaves, Rainbow Fall and Tainted), with his monthly listeners consistently sitting around 3200 per month.

Credits: Written and composed by Bravo Bonez. Co-produced by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers) and Bravo Bonez, engineered &mixed by Clint Murphy (Enter Shikari; 50 Cent). Features drums by Greg Haver and additional guitars by Andy Taylor. Additional vocals by Alba Rose. Released on the PureSound label. Recorded at Ocean Sound Recordings in Norway and PureSound Studios in New Zealand, mixed at Modern World Studios in the UK. Mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, Nashville.