Ariana Tikao - Featured Artist Aug 2007

Indigenous Electro Roots
www.arianatikao.com
www.myspace.com/arianatikao
Contact: Ariana Tikao

This month the ((Chart)) Featured Artist is Lytellton-based singer-songwriter Ariana Tikao who draws upon folk, pop, jazz and reggae styles, with a strong emphasis on Maori chant. She performs her own material in an electronic or acoustic settings and with inspiration from her ancestors, Ariana's waiata are soulful and life-affirming. Fresh from her own recent showcase at the 2007 Christchurch Arts Festival, Ariana chats to Jeff Fulton...

Tell us about your background, how did you get into music?
My early musical experiences were mainly through Sunday school, kapa haka and school shows. I had to endure my brothers calling me "goodie two shoes" for going to church, but a big part of it for me was undoubtedly all the singing. As a Uni student I did heaps of kapa haka, and started writing songs inspired by learning te reo Maori & NZ history.

I then began singing in a group called Pounamu in 1993, which was my first taste of performing my originals - and being paid for it - which seemed like a bonus. The songwriting is definitely my focus, I come up with lyrics and melodies, and then work with various musicians to perform and record them.

How would you describe your music and what are your musical influences?
I
love heaps of different types of music. Lately have been getting into Johnny Cash. I listen to people slightly left of centre including Jolie Holland, Mari Boine, Baba Maal, Ani di Franco. Also NZ stuff like Dimmer, David Kilgour, SJD, Bic Runga, Whirimako Black, Trinity Roots, Bachelorette.

I’m inspired by my ancestors, in particular my Kai Tahu ancestors who fought for their land rights and worked tirelessly to hold on to their culture in forever changing times. Generally my songs are kaupapa driven, often inspired by people/events in my own life. I draw upon chant, pop, folk, jazz, trad, and
electronica as genres but it’s mixed up to create what is referred to on the myspace as "indigenous soul talk from Te Waipounamu".

You sing mainly in te reo maori, how has this been received?
I've always done a mix of Maori and English live, but my first solo album (Whaea, in 2002) was completely in te reo Maori - mainly because it was funded by Te Mangai Paho. I love singing in Maori and on a political level, I want to encourage people to learn and to speak te reo Maori. Down in the South Island, I guess it’s seen as a bit of a novelty. Most people can’t understand what I’m singing about, but they seem to respond more easily on an emotional level because of that. I've chosen to do my next album in both languages. I wanted to acknowledge my Pakeha ancestry too, and it just felt right. I've been writing quite a few songs in English and bilingual ones lately.

Where is your favourite place to play and why?
This is a toughie... I feel like there are so many places I haven't playedyet... I sung in the Christchurch Cathedral for the first time a coupleof years ago, and that was amazing. It was a lunchtime concert I wasdoing with Oakley Grenell that got rained out, but was transferred inside. There weren't all that many people there, just a few people who had come to see us, a few tourists, and some worshippers. I felt like I was singing for the building itself, which was taking my voice up into its vastness and washing it back over us all. Then there's The Great Hall, that's a stunning venue too. I must be a reverb junkie!

What are your plans for 2007?
Getting the album finished and released. Doing some performances in a few locations around the country. I’m writing and recording a song for a conference at the moment, which is in Wellington in September. Getting some bookings for 2008. I’m currently in the process of signing a publishing deal. More Emeralds and Greenstone gigs. More funding applications no doubt, more collaborations, and compilations. Leyton the “other half” of my Tuia album who produced, arranged and played most of the parts on it, once joked that my perpetual opening line was “I’ve got this idea for a project...”

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In June 2007, Ariana Tikao released her single Matariki in celebration of Maori New Year, which featured on National Radio's Hidden Treasures. Her song Rainbow opens Kog's recently released compilation 'Nuclear Free Nation'. Ariana recently performed her show Tuia: Lullabies and Laments at the Christchurch Arts Festival as part of the Mauriora Series in the TelstraClear Club, and is a live version from her Tuia album (due for a September release).

For more info on Ariana Tikao go to www.arianatikao.com or www.myspace.com/arianatikao

Discography:
Nuclear
Free Nation compilation celebrating 20 Years of a Nuclear Free Aotearoa (Kog 2007) www.myspace.com/nuclearfreenz20, The Green Room 002: Wahine (2003, Loop), a compilation which showcases the spirit and strength of the women in New Zealand; Whaea (2002, independent), Ariana's debut solo album - a celebration of motherhood; Australasia Travelogue (Union Square, 2002), a UK compilation of indigenous Australian and New Zealand music; Mihi (1996), with band Pounamu.

"Ariana Tikao's Whaea is a lovely record that functions on many levels - on one level it's a soft singer-songwriter disc full of good tunes but it's much more than that - it's a celebration of language and culture." (Nick Bollinger, National Radio).

LINKS
Ariana Tikao nominated for Best Maori Pop Artist (29Nov08)