Resource
Whetū | Reti Hedley
Embedded video
About
Contemporary te reo Māori music with taonga puoro.
Work
Series title
Whetū
Duration
4m 15s
Copyright
2021
Publisher note
Band Name: IA.
Song Title: Whetū.
Release Date: 3 Sep 2021
Genre: Indigenous Soul
Culture: Māori
Country: Aotearoa New Zealand
Langauge: Te Reo Māori
Author note
Content note
Whetū meaning star, pays homage to taonga puoro experts who were part of the revitalisation of these instruments but have since passed on. In Māori beliefs, when people pass on, they become the stars. Featuring the traditional Kōauau (bone flute) and Putorino (wooden flute) the song leans towards a contemporary R&B sound, combining the worlds of ancient instruments and modern soulful melodies.
Dedication note
From Aotearoa New Zealand, IA create indigenous soul music. Their compositions blend old with new and feature the voices found with traditional Māori instruments/taonga puoro. The puoro voices are blended with modern instruments, ancient poetic writing style and modern soulful melodies. IA has been discovering new frontiers with traditional Maori instruments by using taonga puoro as the driving force in their creative process. Featuring Moetu Smith, Reti Hedley and Turoa Pohatu, the Waikato based band is dedicated to showcasing taonga puoro and Te Reo Maori in their music.