After years of writing songs, performing and telling herself she would get around to releasing her own music, Whakatāne musician Kristy Robinson has decided it’s time.

Robinson, who performs under the name Silverhair, released her debut single, It’s Time, on September 5.

The atmospheric electronic track combines intimate vocals with a downtempo sound influenced by artists including Air, Bonobo, Massive Attack and Björk.

“It’s a massive milestone,” she said. “I’ve been making music and performing for years, and it’s always felt like it would be a massive milestone to actually release a song properly, and it’s quite surreal actually.”

The song emerged during a late-night synth jam with a friend.

Robinson used to run jam sessions where musicians with keyboards and electronic equipment would get together and experiment with sound.

“We were just having a jam and playing around, and we came up with a really cool sound,” she said.

“The words just came through.”

Robinson recorded the session, knowing there might be something worth returning to, and later developed it into a structured song.

She produced the track herself from her home studio, using Logic Pro and an MPC Key 37 keyboard.

She had previously used Ableton but recently completed a six-week online production course with Auckland producer Peter Hobbs, who encouraged her to move to Logic Pro and helped her develop more advanced production skills.

It’s Time has already been performed live before its release, including at a musician showcase at Mata Brewery.

She also performed a two-hour set of original material at the Light Fest, with the exception of a cover of Massive Attack’s Teardrop.

Robinson wrote her first song when she was about 11, with her grandmother recording it on a cassette tape.

She later learned guitar and continued writing songs, with music remaining a constant throughout her life.

Now she has around 20 original songs waiting to be recorded, but finding the time to turn those songs into finished recordings has been a challenge.

Robinson works a 40-hour week as a mortgage adviser, making the message behind It’s Time particularly personal.

“Actually making the time, because I’m too busy – but that’s part of that whole meaning behind the song as well,” she said.

“You can wait until the right time or you can make it the right time. Now is the time.”

Robinson moved back to Whakatāne a couple of years ago and said being part of the local music community helped give her the push to start releasing her work.

She became involved with the Sound Project and its open mic events, giving her opportunities to perform her original songs and see how people responded to them.

People began asking if they could listen to her music online.

“I started to think, ‘how am I going to do that? I’m sure I could do it if I tried’.”

The name Silverhair reflects Robinson’s approach to ageing. She decided to stop dyeing her hair and embrace going grey, with the name becoming a nod to ageing and the idea that creativity does not have an expiry date.

Since releasing It’s Time, Robinson has received some unexpected feedback.

A Brisbane-based DJ, Lindsay Eadon, contacted her after hearing the song and told her he was going to play it on his New Zealand-focused radio show on 4ZZZ 102.1 FM.

“He was an absolute stranger,” Robinson said.

“He rang and said, ‘I just wanted to say I got your song, love your song, and definitely going to play it.’ And we ended up chatting for like an hour.”

She also sent the song to Music NZ, where it caught the attention of Lisa Jones, who shared it on the organisation’s website and Facebook page.

Seeing her music alongside established New Zealand artists was a surreal experience.

“It was in with The Beths and Stan Walker, and I’m like, ‘I’m next to some of the greats’,” Robinson said.

Her next performance is at The Whakatāne Sound Project Open Mic at Thornton Bar & Eatery on Friday, October 2. Doors open at 5pm, with music starting at 6pm.

Her advice to other people who have been putting off a creative project is reflected in the song’s title.

“It’s time,” she said.

“You’ve just got to keep doing and don’t wait until somebody else affirms you before you take action on getting it out there.”

“Not everything is for everybody, but even if one person enjoys it, then it’s worth it.”

It’s Time is available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, under Silverhair.