4/4 Pacific Music + Arts Volume 2:1 Oct 2016 | Page 11

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What is your process for writing ?
No I don ’ t really have a set process . I think the only thing would be to record something on my phone and the funny thing but I always make the music �irst before I write the lyrics , then everything �lows off the dome . Music always comes �irst for me and then melody .
How do you capture your ideas for songs ?
Usually I ’ ll just be humming to myself in the car driving , record it onto my phone and then I ’ ll just write to it . I like to write about the things that people don ’ t write about coz everyone can write a song about love and it challenges me to think outside the box .
What was the process to write your debut single ? long time but I was so relieved when it was done . The process for the EP was to write songs , record them , then re-record them until I was happy with them .
Do you identify yourself as a Paci�ic artist ?
Yes I do , a lot of my music has in�luences of Polynesian culture in it .
What is your de�inition of Paci�ic music ?
Paci�ic Music to me is music that is always changing . There ’ s always a new element of Paci�ic culture and in�luence , from singing three part harmonies to the way the guitar is strummed . We are in�luenced by our ancestors and our elders still with us today .
My �irst single was ‘ Somebody To Love ’. I had made the music for it which is kind of second nature , but when it came to writing for it , I kept hitting a wall so a friend if mine ( Sammy Johnson ) wrote the chorus and the rest kind of it just unfolded . I vibed off of what he wrote for the chorus and recorded everything at home , I was so grateful and so happy that he had helped me with it and it was an awesome song too .
Where do you see Paci�ic music within the local music industry and the international scene ?
I see Paci�ic music becoming a vital part of music industry both in NZ , Australia and around the whole world . Right now I see massive things for Paci�ic Music with the release of this new Disney Movie ‘ Moana ’ it will put Paci�ic music on the map and make it more commercial as well !! vol 2 : 1
How did you feel at the time of your debut single release ?
Nervous to be honest , this would be the �irst time anyone had ever heard some original music from myself . It was received very well , it still buzzes me out when people ask about that song .
What was the process to write / record / release your �irst EP ?
The process almost took 3 years just to put together the ‘ Rock Steady Ep ’. It was a process trying to �inish old projects then getting everything re-recorded took me a
What is a future goal or aspiration that you have , as an artist ?
I want to tour through America and Europe and hopefully win an award for doing something I love . And hopefully work with some big names in both the polynesian scene and the Popular music scene .
What are you working on now ?
At the moment writing for the next project but pushing the Ep out and trying to get a tour happening soon in NZ and Aussie 44

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