Nine songwriters gathered at Big Pop Studios for the first ever APRA Moana Songwriting Sessions this week. Across three days and three studios, 10 songs were created and special new connections were made within the Pasifika music community.
In the final week of NZ Music Month, May 29th -31st, APRA held its first Pasifika focused songwriting camp, a new initiative aimed at bringing Pasifika songwriters together.
Three accomplished producers were asked to curate the event, choosing six songwriters from over 30 applicants to attend the 3-day camp at Big Pop Studios in Auckland.
Frank Eliesa (Frank Keys), Brandon Haru (Bharu), and Saia Tu'itahi (SFT) brought together a wonderful group of upcoming and established artists representing various cultures: Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu.
2023 APRA Moana Songwriting Sessions participants
Across three days, all songwriters and producers worked together to create a song a day, delivering a total of 10 demo songs by day three, all with a deep sense of identity.
Top row, left to right: Lepani, Lehali, big al.
Bottom row, left to right: Spdrtwnbby, Mark Vanilau, Samara Alofa