The ring-in for the Laneway Festival, Australian DJ and producer What So Not, is raring to go despite the late call-up.

Festival closer Chris Emerson - Emoh Instead - says replacing Young Thug has worked out perfectly because he was going to be here anyway to make his new album while enjoying our beautiful beaches.

"I couldn't really turn it down, Laneway's such an amazing festival," he told Newshub.

What So Not, who's celebrating a high entry on Australia's Triple J hottest 100, is flying crew in from the US - but he otherwise says it's no biggie.

"It's actually going to be fine, I just did a big New Year's festival run in Australia and I was actually kind of bummed I didn't come to New Zealand, and now I do.

"We're all rehearsed from those shows, we did bunch of new songs. Everybody's ready to go."

Emerson, who's playing at Coachella in a few months' time, would have gone to Laneway anyway just to watch Tame Impala. Now he can't because they're on at the same time.

He's a hard artist to pin down, having collaborated with anyone and everyone.

"I really enjoy just getting in a room with people and getting to know each other, getting excited, showing each other things you're really interested in, talking about life, talking about the world and then sort of getting on a wavelength and then just making whatever happens."

He's worked with New Zealanders Quixx and Kimbra and his electronica is eclectic with influences from Africa and the Middle East, even to New Zealand - he says he's of Nga Puhi descent.

"I think some way that has some influence on some of the music that I've been making," he says.

While he's here, Emerson will stay at Auckland's Piha beach, mixing work with a bit of play - but fans anticipating his next album will be hoping he doesn't spend too much time in the waves.

Newshub.