WOMAD

Wai

From New Zealand

100% te reo Maori lyrics and poi create the rhythmic skeleton which is then cloaked in electronica – ‘Maori Electronica Roots’ strong, soulful, evocative, passionate and totally different. WAI’s sound incorporates patere, ngeri, haka, waiata poi, waiata ringa, pao and waiata tangi style, vocal patterns and harmonies with organic natural beats and rhythms (human breath, insect and bird sounds), indigenous percussion (poi), and action sounds (body slaps, foot stamping and hand clapping) synthesisers, bass, drums and various other FX.The Maori language is a living language of today that we use in our music. Music is a universal language that communicates to all peoples on all levels. The Maori language has a life force. So when you hear the music although you may not understand the words you can feel the songs.WAI’s unique original performance features three strong women fronting the band, vocals WAI stylie of all five members, contemporary & traditional WAI movement incorporating traditional weapons based on the traditional Maori dance style performed by our ancestors.Their sound and performance reflects the diversity and dynamic strength of the South Pacific. They strive to link the sounds of today with the rich musical heritage and traditions of the South Pacific. WAI has shown that despite the language of the lyrics, Maori music is universal and can be enjoyed and appreciated by people the world over. WAI Live is a stimulating presentation of Maori language, Maori music, Maori people & Maori culture.WAI has been raising the awareness of Maori artistic expression in the world. They believe they have taken their particular brand of Maori artistic expression to incredible heights. The fact that they have performed at many high profile events and have had extremely good press coverage worldwide is testament to the dedication and belief that they have in Maori artistic expression. Wai is Mina Ripia, Gaynor Rikihana, Blanche Rawiri, Desmond Mallon and Maaka McGregor, a five piece electronica roots band based in Porirua, Aotearoa.Mina Ripia aka WAI (Nga Puhi, Ngati Kahungunu)Mina has been performing in Te Reo Maori nationally & internationally since 1985. She co-composed music & lyrics for the 1st bilingual award winning song, Akona Te Reo, by Moana & the Moa hunters. She also co-composed music, lyrics & co-produced Kia Mau which was released with Southside of Bombay, winning the Mana Reo & Mana Maori song of the year at the 1996 NZ Music & Entertainment Awards.Gaynor Rikihana (Ngati Raukawa)Gaynor is a trained professional performer, studying at the Whitireia School of Performing Arts for two years. Gaynor performs many styles ranging from Cook Island hula and Samoan Siva, to Maori kapa haka and Contemporary NZ dance. Gaynor has performed with many bands including Tauira, Aotearoa, Injustice and more recently Maori hip hop band IWI. Gaynor has had experience in stage-plays and some TV work.Blanche RawiriBlanche has just joined the WAI crew and her debut was at WAI’s Auckland performance at the 2006 Apra Silver Scroll Awards.Desmond Mallon (Samoan/Irish)Desmond is involved in many music projects with young music artists, helping them to develop and cultivate their music. Desmond has performed with bands including David Grace and Injustice, Native Sons and IWI just to name a couple. Desmond also recently joined and toured with WAI in Belgium and the UK January 2006.Maaka McGregor (Ngati Raukawa, Scottish, Norwegian)Maaka was 14 when he joined the band Aotearoa in 1984. Since then he has played for many bands and artists including Tuahine, Moana & the Moa Hunters, Mana, Dam Native, Hinewehi Mohi, Ngaire, Dalvanius, Robbie Ratana, Maree Sheehan, Upper Hutt Posse, Southside of Bombay, Dallas, Ruia, Toni Huata, Brannigan Kaa, Ngahiwi Apanui and many more.‘WAI is exactly the kind of group one expects at the Trans… One goes from experimental - to the world - while passing by tribal and hip-hop, all with a marked traditional touch … (Live @ Les Trans Musicales 2002 Renne) 99DB.COM MAGAZINE - EU 2002…‘Emboldened by a storming guest spot at WOMAD Rivermead (Reading), WAI evoked an ambient but feisty Pacific vibe….Sung entirely in the percussive Maori language… and when the women started chanting defiantly about home and twirling their poi balls, they moved things into another zone entirely. Formidable and fabulous. (Live @ the Spitz – London) EVENING STANDARD - UK 2003… By the end it doesn't matter that I understand only one word of Maori…when the whole group does a traditional four-part harmony/percussion number without electronics for their encore, something special is happening. I don't know if it will translate, but the crowd here tonight is going absolutely nuts.’ (Live @ Pianos - NYC) NEW YORK PRESS - USA 2003…Finally, there’s WAI. The most unique of all the artists from a global perspective….as evidenced by their astounding debut album, 100%….Singer Mina Ripia’s voice is nothing short of astonishing. The music she makes with partner Maaka McGregor and others is like nothing you’ve heard before. But once you do hear it, it’s a sound you simply won’t be able to get enough of. (Live @ Summer stage - Central park - NYC) CULTURAL ACTIVITIES - USA 2003 …from the land of the long white cloud (Aotearoa, or New Zealand) comes this four-member troupe with roots in Maori culture - blended with hip-hop, reggae, funk and other contemporary influences. The results make the music current and accessible, without cheapening the strength and nobility of the original sources, which come through loud and clear…. THE SEATTLE TIMES - USA 2004Discover world music that reclaims the past as it embraces the future. WAI boldly combines musical styles with ancient Maori song forms to create an electrifying sound that flawlessly reflects the warmth and strength of their rich South Pacific heritage.ST ALBERT, ALBERTA INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS FESTIVAL - CANADA 2005Bringing a bit of Maori culture into Belgian schools has been a learning experience for both the group WAI and their students. In the three weeks prior to arriving in the UK for their latest tour, Aotearoa’s premier cultural globetrotters have had an intensive schedule of shows and workshops in schools and music academies. We sing and perform in the Maori Language. This is one of the ways to ensure the survival of our language (Te reo Maori) and its cultural traditions (me ona Tikanga). We are descended from the ancestors and our geneology (whakapapa) is central to knowing who we are and where we have been.JEUNESSES MUSICALES - BELGIUM 2006WAI have employed different aspects of traditional Maori music form in the construction of their original electronic roots music. The basis for all rhythm construction on the album has been the Maori language and the poi. The organic natural rhythms and sounds are unfamiliar and the song structures differ from the standard western pop formula of a verse/chorus/ bridge approach. The most memorable thing about the show is the way Mina and the singers bounce their Poi back and forth, slapping and catching to create tight but softly thudding beats from nothing more than a bunch of tightly rolled tesco bags. That, and Mina’s endless source of amusing anecdotes about the ongoing WAI odyssey. We should have come to London first, cos we were all half our size, she chuckles. Unfortunately you’ve got the after-Belgian -chocolate look…FROOTS - UK 2006