Happyzine 2015 = exciting times ahead

Aotearoa grassroots music is usually passed on to listeners through word of mouth, through friends of friends, and in today’s time much more quickly through social media showing sampled clips. This band has been passed to me through the kūmara vine for me to share. And I am more than please to introduce Kīnaki to you all.

Music reviews have expressed Kīnaki as “Aotearoa’s foremost exponents of pa funk, Kīnaki creates music with meaning; delivering kaupapa-driven messages with a beat that brings people together.”

Having contacted Kīnaki, I am able to share their name, sound, and where you may hear their music. The name ‘Kīnaki’ means ‘relish’ or ‘embellishment’ put simply the ‘little bit extra on top’. The term combines our love for social interaction, our culture, and the sharing through manaakitanga – that is through humour, music, and most importantly kai (food).

According to the band, the methaphorical link with kai as sustenance is also important, as they love kai, and express that their music as a feast for your ears.

Band members Eamon and Dan are cousins who had been began jamming together in 2011, joined by Ari, Leo, Ora and Bethany, for a full jamming session, their chemistry was found in the course of the weekend, and the band started performing in June 2012.

“Our sound is still evolving, and we coined the label ‘Pā Funk’ to describe some of our music, with a nod to who we are, and importantly where we are coming from, both physically, and philosophically. ‘Pāo Hop’ is another term we have used which invokes the idea of oratory, and improvisation – both things look to embody in our music” (Kīnaki, 2013).

I asked what gigs and places have been highlights to them.

“We have played a few gigs and all have been special for their own reasons, but a highlight was the first ‘Mākaurau Sessions’ – an event established in 2012 to celebrate Maori creativity in Tāmaki Mākaurau. There will be more events under this kaupapa in 2013. Also Pasifika 2013 was a a lot of fun. We also host semi regular jam nights at Verona Cafe cafe in Karangahape Rd, where we host other guest musicians and artist for ‘openish’ mic nights.

We are currently working on material for our live shows and first releases, which should begin to appear over the course of 2013.”

To check the bands music out, head to facebook as well as soundcloud link as follows: https://soundcloud.com/kinakimusic

Enjoy,

Nā Ani

Tags: Maori