Ariel Publicity: Te Vaka

Comparison: Peter Gabriel, Johnny Clegg and Savuka, Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits, Baaba Maal
Influence: Peter Gabriel, Joan Armatrading, Jimi Hendrix, Polynesia and Tokelau, Ali Farke Toure

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Audio Clips: Ata fou
Download; Mau Piailug
Download; Tauasa
Download; Kaluve pepe
Download; Te Mavaega
Download; Tui Moana
Download; Na ko koe
Download; Tolu afe
Download; Katakata Mai
Download; Well...you lied
Download; Tautaimi
Download; Haoloto
Download; Toe fetaui
Download; Talanoa te pate
Download; Mana Malohi
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Images: Te Vaka; Album Cover; Te Vaka; Te Vaka; Te Vaka In Concert; Te Vaka Dancers

Te Vaka is a group of musicians and dancers from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands and New Zealand brought together under the inspired leadership of Opetaia Foa'i. Te Vaka has been enchanting the world with their own brand of South Pacific Fusion since 1997. Using the rhythms of the log drum ("pate"), combined with traditional and contemporary instruments, Opetaia Foa'i and the band deliver a kaleidoscopic array of Pacific flavors in a genre all of it’s own.

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Te Vaka has performed in the USA and toured the UK, Europe & other parts of the world extensively over the last 13 years, performing in such prestigious venues as London’s Royal Festival Hall and Ronnie Scott’s nightclub. The group has headlined music festivals throughout Europe and been favourites at WOMAD festivals around the world including the WOMAD Festival in Seattle, USA. They are in demand for many important world events and have represented New Zealand and the South Pacific with performances for the America’s cup events in Auckland, the Commonwealth games in Melbourne, the Rugby World Cup in Paris and the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Opetaia Foa’i is the songwriter/ lead vocalist of the group. The inspiration for his music comes from his multi-cultural upbringing - half Tokelauan, half Tuvaluan, born in Samoa and bought up in a Tokelauan community in New Zealand. Opetaia’s musical background spans both the traditional and the diverse influences of contemporary metropolitan culture. Described as “one of New Zealand’s finest songwriters” and “ a true son of the Pacific”, he won the Senior Pacific Artist award in 2005 for his contribution to the Pacific Arts.

Te Vaka has performed in more than 35 countries around the world and released six internationally acclaimed albums to date. The first released in 1997 through ARC Music, a UK based record company, gained immediate worldwide acclaim and recognition for the group and was distributed to over 80 countries. The second album, released in 1999 through Warm Earth Records created an even bigger impact going to number one on world music charts and on mainstream radio in the South Pacific. The third album, released in May 2002, was described as “Phenomenal” and gained the group a nomination in “Best Roots” category in the New Zealand music awards and nominations for BBC 3 World music awards in the UK. The 4th album Tutuki, entered the European World Music Charts at no. 4 & the USA Global Rhythm top 10 chart at No. 3. It won a Tui for “Best Pacific Music Album” in the New Zealand music awards as well as Songwriting Awards in both the USA and Australia. The fifth Te Vaka album Olatia, released in July 2007 entered the European World Music Chart at No. 4 and won a “Tui” for “Best Pacific Album” in the 2008 Pacific Music Awards. Te Vaka has a very exciting future ahead of them with new album “Haoloto” already receiving rave reviews and tours to the USA, Canada and more booked for the next 2 years.

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Quotes

Te Vaka

South Pacific, New Zealand

World, South Pacific Fusion, Traditionally Influenced

The Lowdown

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