Reo Māori Songhubs is heading to Pōneke this month and today we announce the songwriters and producers selected to participate. These artists were handpicked by Hāni Dread who will curate the writing rooms each day throughout the week.
Groups will be shuffled each day giving every participant a chance to be the lead writer, creating new waiata reo rua with emerging and established songwriters alongside our finest producers and mātanga reo (Māori language experts).
Songwriters: Amba Holly, ALLANA, Byllie-Jean, Chase Woods, Moetu Smith, REED, Tātana Tuari
Producers: Noema Te Hau, Aja Ropata, Tame Tuari, Chris Wethey
Mātanga reo: Te Haumihiata Mason, Tawaroa Kawana, Paiheretia Aperahama, Hona Black
Curator: Hāni Dread
He uri tēnei nō Waikato.
Since releasing her debut single ‘Mau Tonu’ she has been fortunate enough to pick up a few awards at the Waiata Māori Music Awards in 2016 for ‘Best Female Solo Artist’ and in 2017 for ‘Radio AirPlay of Year by a Māori artist in Te Reo Māori’. Amba also picked up ‘Best Female Solo Artist' in 2019 and ‘Best Māori Songwriter’ 2019 after releasing ‘Whāia’ in 2017 and ‘Tōku Reo’ in 2018. Amba hopes to inspire the hearts of those passionate about music and Te Reo Māori me ōna tīkanga to live with purpose and to heal themselves and others.
ALLANA (Ngati Porou / Ngai Tai) is a singer songwriter with a musical background in Jazz singing. While many place Allana in the jazz genre, more of her music is based around Te Reo Māori waiata with infusions of blended crossover music. A closer look at her co-written and collaborated album E Rere Rā (2022), under the artist name Goldsmith Baynes, shows genre including RnB, bluesy-funk, and 70s groove waiata.
Allana completed her Master's in Music (first class honours) in 2022. Her creative research title: Exploring taku reo waiata in a jazz context from a Kaupapa Māori perspective.
Byllie-jean is a wahine Māori artist who tells hip-hop fairy tales and stories of indie soul that haunt, taunt and invoke.
Chase Woods is a young emerging Māori artist from Te Papaioea/Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Chase masters the duality between singing and rapping, creating a fresh and innovative sound. His lyrics are drawn from his childhood experiences, telling a personal story of love and pain.
Moetu Smith is a founding member of IA, the Waikato-based collective that infuses taonga puoro with electronic music. They have been nominated for the Māori Music Awards, had placements on the Official NZ Music Charts, been involved in the Waiata Anthems series for the past 2 years, and were invited by Rob and Cilla Ruha to perform at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards in 2022.
The Tuari Brothers are forging ahead in 2023 with increased live gigs and the creation of more songs for followers and listeners. Their distinctive "kaupapa Māori pop" style is appealing to all age groups and genders.
The release of their recent EP titled Rongo in December 2022 has welcomed the inclusion of tracks with words of reflection, of encouragement, of admiration and affirmation. "We love sharing music about everyday experiences through lyrics that uplift others".
The trio recently completed the final act of a musical theatre production in te reo Māori called "Whakapaupakihi." The stand-up will be scheduled for release in October 2023.
Ngāti Raukawa, Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Porou.
Grounded and powerful musician Aja is spirited by the everlasting, the elemental and the kindred balance. Her voice and musical arrangements have the ability to speak intimately to a wide audience. With sure and guided vocal tones she lures the listeners along a vast musical soundscape. 2022 APRA Maioha Silver Scroll winner alongside good friends Byllie-Jean and Chris Wethey for their song 'Te Iho'. AJA has recently released her new track 'Feel it' on March 23, 2023.
Born and raised in Tairāwhiti and now managing the Big Fan recording studios in Tāmaki Makarau – Noema Te Hau III (Rongomaiwahine/Ngāti Porou) can be found producing, writing for and performing with the best in the Aotearoa music industry.
Chris Wethey is a producer, songwriter and musician based in Ōtautahi. His diverse musical taste and talents have led him to collaborate with many of Aotearoa’s finest musicians including Deva Mahal, Tami Neilson, Holly Arrowsmith and Valle to name a few.
In 2022, Chris won the APRA Maioha Award for contemporary Māori songwriting with AJA and Byllie-Jean for their waiata ‘Te Iho’.
He has released two solo EPs under the moniker Chris William.
Since the age of 12, REED. (Ngāti Maniapoto) has been performing his songs in front of crowds, big and small. The Tokoroa raised singer/songwriter now finds himself chasing his dream of making the stage his home.
After years of playing covers at bars and clubs across Tāmaki Makaurau, the Pop/R&B artist has since been knuckling down on his craft; releasing 7 singles over the past 5 years. He's currently working on his debut EP which he has written, produced, and performed all himself.
He’s now a member of the BIG FAN team, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in Aotearoa music and is slowly but surely getting closer to his dream.