I refuse to partake in any Vanessa Quai discourse this week, so while we wait for the final to start please welcome the greatest Oceanic artist to ever live to perform her hit single Fireman - PAULINI!
Olivia Foa'i is a New Zealand-born Musician, Director and Dancer (Tokelauan, Tuvaluan and British heritage). She is best known as the lead female singer/dancer for multi award-winning Polynesian band, Te Vaka and for her vocals on Disney's "Moana" soundtrack (Tulou Tagaloa, Logo Te Pate, Know Who You Are...). In 2019 she released her debut solo album "Candid" to glowing reviews and collected accolades such as "Best Pacific Album" in the New Zealand Music Awards and "Best Female Artist" in the Pacific Music Awards 2020.
Amelia Murray, better known under her stage name Fazerdaze, is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Murray was born in 1993 in New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, to a Christian-European father and Muslim-Indonesian mother. She attended to Onslow College, later moving to the city of Auckland. With the help of multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Pearce, who mastered the release, she created a dream-pop sound, using electric guitars and effect pedals.
New Zealand duo Foley craft seemingly flawless indie pop tracks. Their music is completely endearing and incredibly infectious. Made up of Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett, Foley dropped their first single Settle late last year and have now just released their most recent cut Talk About It. Both of Foley’s recent singles have been copping a lot of spin online, so don’t sleep on this band – they’re bound to crack big, so hop on this bandwagon before it’s too late. Impress your mates, be ahead of the curve.
Troye Sivan Mellet (born 1995) is an Australian singer-songwriter, actor and YouTuber. After gaining popularity as a singer on YouTube and in Australian talent competitions, Sivan signed with EMI Australia in 2013 and released his third extended play, TRXYE (2014), which peaked at number five on the U.S. Billboard 200. TIME magazine proclaimed Troye Sivan “the perfect pop star for 2018” and his work continues to affirm his reputation as an important artistic voice for our time. His 2015 debut album, Blue Neighbourhood, topped the iTunes charts in 66 countries, and is certified Gold in four countries. Troye’s Blue Neighbourhood trilogy of videos captured coming-of-age from a modern perspective, resonating especially with LGBTQ teens.
Jordan Gavet is the girl with the golden voice. Her soul-inflected R&B is comfort food in the process of heartbreak, change and reinvention. The rising singer-songwriter and performer, named ‘Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist’ (Pacific Music Awards) opened for the likes of 112, Stan Walker and Bobby Valentino during her rise to notoriety. Her parents both originate from Samoa, but she also has a bit of Portuguese and Tokelauan heritage. However, when asked, she normally identifies as Samoan.
Born in Perth, Australia, Clinton Kane is of both Norwegian and Filipino descent. Kane has stayed in an impressive 84 Airbnbs in multiple countries the past few years, now officially a resident of Las Vegas signing his first lease ever. Having endured and overcome his own struggles with anxiety and stress, the rising star taught himself how to sing, play guitar, piano, and drums, finding his solace in music. Dropping out of pre-med school in 2018 and even homeless for a bit, he gives hope to the masses all around the world that they too can obtain success and happiness through hard work, dedication, and passion.
New Zealand's Baynk is an electronic producer whose infectious tropical house and future bass tracks mix live instrumentation with atmospheric synths. Born Jock Nowell-Usticke in New Zealand in 1996, Baynk initially started taking piano lessons at age five. Around age 12, he switched to saxophone and also played guitar throughout high school. Later, while studying chemical engineering at college, he played in a cover band and developed an interest in recording his own material. He collaborates with acclaimed American-Danish-Irish-Norwegian-Zimbabwean singer, Tinashe.
Rosette Sharma, also known by her stage names Rosette, Rosette Luve, Rozette and Rosetta, is a Canadian singer, songwriter and actress of Fijian descent. In 2004, she placed seventh in the Canadian edition of Popstars.
New Zealand sibling duo BROODS debuted in the post-Lorde 2010s with a dark electronic pop sound that helped boost their first album, the chart-topping Evergreen, to international attention upon the strength of the platinum-certified single "Mother & Father." Comprising vocalist Georgia Nott & her elder multi-instrumentalist brother, Caleb Nott, the pair grew up surrounded by music, having played together since they were children. They were in the Peasants, a band that won a competition in 2011. After the Peasants broke up, the siblings formed BROODS & connected with producer Joel Little, who had served as a judge during the contest. In October 2013, BROODS uploaded "Bridges" to SoundCloud & subsequently signed major-label contracts. The following January, "Bridges" was released & reached the Top Ten in NZ.
From the sleepy town of Brisbane, Australia, Mallrat finds beauty in the mundane. With refreshingly honest observations of day-to-day life layered over subtly beguiling melodies, there's a slow-burning restlessness in her sound that is impossible to ignore. The 20-year old Australian artist has a penchant for writing sticky melodies that you just can't shake. Her songs nestle comfortably between pop and indie hip hop and have garnered attention from the likes of NY Times, Nylon and more, including NPR - who said that the only downside to listening to her track "Better" is that "your heart may actually explode with happiness." PAPER Magazine recently named her in their "100 Women Revolutionizing Pop". After making it onto the “Best of” lists by The FADER, Billboard, NOISEY, NME and Triple J, Teen Vogue deemed her one of "16 Young Musicians You Need to Be Listening to."
Born & raised in Sydney, Australia, singer, songwriter & artist TIAAN has captivated audiences around the world. As previously reported in VOUGE, her debut self titled EP, released whilst living in Stockholm, Sweden was co written and produced by world renowned producer/writer Arnthor Birgisson who has graced us with smash hits for Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Jlo, & Celine. Generating her well over 11 million streams and counting. February 8th marks the start back to her own music release ‘RUIN IT’ with accompanying music video. The single is raw, sexy and a little left of centre just like TIAAN. Heavily influenced by her IDOLS Sade and Janet Jackson, she has stayed true to a sound that instantly resonates with her audience. The artist, song and music is special because TIAAN is.
Hailing from the deep Polynesian stronghold of South Auckland, SHEPHERDS REIGN have stamped their powerful mark on the New Zealand and international music scene in a very short amount of time, creating a huge buzz from their live shows. Combining the traditional and ancient music of their forefathers with modern rock and metal influences including bands like Gojira, Avenged Sevenfold and Dream Theater, Shepherds Reign have found their own unique sound in a cluttered musical environment. Unlike any heavy artist, Shepherds Reign bring a captivating and enthralling sound with the use of the Samoan language, instruments and culture, making it an integral part of their live show. The band's previous single Le Manu has garnered huge praise and has had over 2 million YouTube views. The new single Aiga promises even more. The stunning video shot by Dave Thompson from Imaginary Friends captures the gravitas of the song beautifully, it’s sheer power and class. A brutally powerful song live, Aiga (‘family’ in Samoan) and is a nod to the support and love the band have for and from their family, friends and community. The song is heavy and arresting with its combination of deep metal grooves and ancient ancestry. It has power, an intimidating presence and indisputable hooks. Shepherds Reign have the chemistry, the heart, power and especially the songs to hit the international stages alongside any of their heroes. Welcome to their Aiga.
