| The 7th Te Vaka album - "Havili" is finished at last. ORDER NOW! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What an incredible journey it has been - the writing,
recording, mixing and
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st to 11th of August - Mixing at Roundhead Studios in Auckland
Roundhead is Neil Finn's(Crowed House), state of the Art Recording studio in Newton Rd, Auckland. The Neve mixing desk above, used to mix "Havili", is an exceptionally good desk originally custom made for "The Who" and later recording Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and many more musical legends. We spent 10, 12 - 14 hour days at Roundhead but the outcome is everything we could have hoped for.
10th of July - Te Vaka recording at Studios 301 in Sydney Studios 301 has the reputation of being the foremost
recording studio in Australia and boasts many famous acts
including lady Gaga, Kanye West, Chris Brown, Black eyed
peas and more. The studio is spacious and suits the recording
of the log drums which will again be a feature on Te Vaka's
7th album. The band has been doing 12 hour days in the studio with
Neil Baldock as engineer and will fly to New Zealand when
the album has been recorded to mix in Neil Finn's (Crowed
house), Roundhead Studios with Neil Baldock. Mixing complete
it will be back to Sydney and Studios 301 for the mastering.
With the new album set for release at the end of August
and the USA tour starting in September it is very exciting
times.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TUTUKI CDS back in stock
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Christchurch Earthquake Benefit
Concert This is a message to all of those who have lost family, friends and loved ones in Christchurch to let you know that there are people all around the world who havent forgotten what is going on there and what you are all going through. There are some wonderful people here in Australia who have put a benefit concert together to raise funds for Christchurch. Everyone is pitching in - venues, sound companies, performers. There will be a full nights entertainment including Kristina Olsen from the USA, the Wollongong local Maori cultural group Nga Hau E Wha, Te Vaka and many more. There is a great spirit and everyone wants to help. If you are able to come we would love to see you there. If you have friends or family in and around Sydney please let them know it is on so they can support if they wish to. DATE: 17th March 2011 VENUE: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke St, Fairy Meadow, Wollongong TIME: 7.00PM start (Te Vaka on at 8.00pm) ENTRY DONATION: $50.00 at the door DOORS OPEN ; 6.15pm
ONE CONCERT ONLY IN SYDNEY - DONT MISS IT! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Buy your tickets here! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEW TE VAKA ALBUM FOR 2011! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opetaia is currently writing Te Vaka album number 7. He is well into it and at this stage on schedule for a May release.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TE VAKA TO PERFORM IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
TOURING NEWS This is what Terry Wickham , Producer of Edmonton Folk
Music Festival said about Te Vaka after their main stage
performance in Edmonton ...... “What caught me by
surprise was how excited the other musicians were by Te
Vaka. I have found this to be an even better gauge of a
band’s success and credentials.”……..
2010 S³ Pacific Music
Awards Finalists Announced! Wednesday 21st April 2010 The finalists for the 2010 S³ Pacific Music Awards have been announced with Pacific legends Te Vaka named in four categories. Te Vaka is a finalist for its sixth album "Haoloto" in the Radio 531 PI Best Pacific Group and the S³ Best Pacific Music Album categories. "Haoloto" has also earned Te Vaka a finalist position in the Recognition and Promotion of Pacific Language category, new this year. Te Vaka’s fourth finalist spot is
in the APRA Best Pacific Song category for the single "Te
Mavaega". Te Vaka’s combination
of musicians and dancers from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook
Islands and New Zealand presents a rich, luscious mix of
Polynesia’s ancient culture to the modern world. Read
more......Pacific
music awards TE VAKA BAND MEMBER TAKES TO THE RING AND WINS!!!! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manase (Nase), Te Vaka drummer takes on Indy from Estonia in a full Muay Thai rules, heavy weight 5 x 2 min rounds at the Domination 4 event at Curtin Stadium Perth on the 13th of March |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nase won by TKO in the second round!!! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olivia sung the Australian National Anthem at the event before the main fight of the night - John Wayne Parr 5 x World Champion VS Dmitry Valent 6 x World Champion and current title holder from Belarus. John Wayne Parr from Australia won! Olivia delighted the crowd. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEW TE VAKA ALBUM - HAOLOTO
HAOLOTO IS OUT NOW!!! YOU GET YOURS FOR CHRISTMAS !!! - ORDER NOW!!!!
WORLD MUSIC FIRST PLACE
Opetaia Foa'i (Te Vaka) and Malcolm Smith Te Vaka will perform in Tilburg, the Netherlands at venue 013 on the 28th of June. "TAMAHANA" from the Tutuki Album is a finalist in the ISC (International Songwritingcompetitiion) and is up for the " PEOPLE'S VOICE" award click here to cast your vote!  All finalists' songs have been sent to the panel of judges, and we will announce the winners in April as soon as the judges have made their decision. All finalists' songs and music videos (except for Lyrics Only songs which do not require recorded music as part of the entry) are included in the People's Voice - an online voting contest that allows the public to listen to all the finalists' songs and vote for their favorite one. People's Voice is separate from, and in addition to, the winners selected by ISC's panel of judges. The winner of People's Voice will receive $1,500 in prizes and bragging rights! Be sure to tell all your friends, family, and fans, so that they can vote! Voting will take place from now until March 31, 2009. You can start voting now at http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/PVWelcome2008.htm Feel free to post the link to People's Voice on your website, MySpace, or Facebook page, etc. TE VAKA WILL PERFORM 2 SHOWS AT THE BYRON BAY BLUESFEST 2009 The Bluesfest is the largest festival of Blues & Roots music in the Southern Hemisphere. Staged over 5 days with non-stop music on six stages daily the 20th Bluesfest will take place over Easter at Belongil Fields, Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay - Te Vaka will perform on the 10th and 11th of April. www.bluesfest.com.au
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Future tours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Watch this space for updates on tours, albums, events etc... |
TOURING NEWS
Te Vaka has just completed a very successful 6 week tour of North America. The band had a ball and so did the audiences in Canada and across the USA. The 2010 tour took the group to Mission, Vancouver Island, Canmore, Edmonton, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, Arizona, Denver, Orange County, San Diego and Long Beach and included such prestigious venues as "The Great American Music Hall" in San Francisco and the Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada.
This is what Terry Wickham, Producer of Edmonton Folk Music Festival said about Te Vaka after their main stage performance in Edmonton ...... "What caught me by surprise was how excited the other musicians were by Te Vaka. I have found this to be an even better gauge of a band’s success and credentials."……..
Here is a review of the Te Vaka show at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz……
OMG! U hav GOT 2 C Te Vaka!
August 13, 2010 by Renee Rothman
If you love great dance music, if you thrill to the sound of live drums, and if the Polynesian rhythms drive you to your feet, then you have got to find the next concert by Te Vaka. The 10 or so Polynesian singers and dancers (I lost count) simply blew me away last night at the Catalyst in downtown Santa Cruz. I’ll try to write a descriptive review but all I can really say is that they were awesome. Jaw-dropping, how-did-I-get-so-lucky awesome.
Te Vaka is a Polynesian performing group of musicians and dancers from New Zealand, with ancestry from several Pacific Islands including Samoa and two very small islands called Tuvalu and Tokelau. They are lead by singer-songwriter Opetaia Foa’i, who writes songs in his indigenous language, Tokelauan. He writes upbeat songs about important things: home, family, the islands and the oceans. And while the style is contemporary rock, its heart comes from the rhythms of islands life.
Their pure, open-throated vocals made me wish I could sing—it must feel divine to sing like that. In addition to full-band (guitars, drums, singing) they performed a number of percussion-only compositions that were as complex and exciting as any I have heard (right up there with taiko—indeed, I am certain one of them practiced taiko). The sound/spirit of those drums reached out and grabbed me by the solar plexus. And through it all, they danced. Three dancers, two women and one man. This style of Polynesian dance is irresistible. The women’s dances are very feminine, the men’s dances very masculine. Both are infused with power, grace, and shear, unadulterated joy. The women were gorgeous, with hand and finger movements as supple as sea grass and hips that circle at breakneck speeds. And they perform these charming little gestures, like a small flick of the head that seems to say "ain’t I cute and I’m so glad you are here watching." The primary male dancer danced with a wide stance, big leg kicks, powerful arm and hand gestures, like that flicking, twisting fist that I can’t get enough of. (Yes, I’m in love again, this time with Pacific Island dance!) In addition, local Polynesian dance troupe Te Hau Nui ,performed two choreographies with the band including Pate Pate (pate is a log drum), Te Vaka’s signature piece.
Despite the driving spirit of Te Vaka’s music, they had a hard time convincing anyone to get up and dance. "Its been a long time since I played for a sitting audience," Opetaia said hoping to embarrass us out of our seats. After the intermission, people did loosen up and dance. That’s when the native islanders came out to play. I was passed by three men who emerged from behind a bar, each of them the size of a Volkswagon, Samoan style. They danced a modest men’s dance, but it was the sharp, whooping vocalizations that sent a thrill through me.
Oh well, no words are ever going to express what I experienced. No CD or DVD is ever going to capture what Te Vaka has to offer. They play again tonight in San Francisco and then a half a dozen other west coast spots. I may become a groupie. Or move to New Zealand. I wonder if there are any jobs there…?
Te Vaka wins 2 awards for their latest album "Haoloto"
Te Vaka won “Best Pacific Group 2010” and “Best Pacific language song” for their critically acclaimed 6th album “Haoloto”, at the 2010 Pacific Awards held at the TelstraPacific events centre on 29th May.
"HAOLOTO" a finalist in 4 categories including "Best Pacific Album"
"HAOLOTO" a finalist in 4 categories including "Best Pacific Album"
Voting has started for the "People's choice Best Pacific Artist" award.
Please click to vote "BEST PACIFIC ARTIST"
Te Vaka nabs 4 final spots
Te Vaka nabs four final spots http://pacificmusicawards.org.nz
The finalists for the 2010 S³ Pacific Music Awards have been announced with Pacific legends Te Vaka named in four categories.
Te Vaka is a finalist for its sixth album "Haoloto" in the Radio 531 PI Best Pacific Group and the S³ Best Pacific Music Album categories. "Haoloto" has also earned Te Vaka a finalist position in the Recognition and Promotion of Pacific Language category, new this year.
Te Vaka’s fourth finalist spot is in the APRA Best Pacific Song category for the single "Te Mavaega". Te Vaka’s combination of musicians and dancers from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands and New Zealand presents a rich, luscious mix of Polynesia’s ancient culture to the modern world.
The band will fly to New Zealand for a performance at the Awards night on the 29th of May before embarking on a 6 week tour of North America.
Here’s what the critics are saying about “Haoloto”
…”Haoloto (Free) follows the established pattern of Te Vaka’s other five releases, but the sound here is fuller, the log drumming is more urgent, the female voices are more assured and Foa’i’s songwriting is in top form….. Without a doubt Te Vaka’s warmest, most satisfying album to date”… Songlines Magazine UK
...”With the release of their message-laden sixth album, Te Vaka, have proved why they continue to be at the top of the Pacific Island music scene. Haunting rhythms are fused with evocative vocals piercing through your veins and sending you into a trance. Contemporary arrangements paired with traditional percussion and in some tracks, tranquil ocean sounds, create the backdrop for lyrically powerful songs celebrating life, Haoloto is emotionally-charged. From the first track it takes you on a journey, which at times can be melancholic, Recurring themes of climate change and culture feature strongly and the album ends with a raw, heartfelt tribute to those lost in the 2009 Samoa Tsunami. Haoloto has Te Vaka’s unmistakeable musical elements, and the 15-track album is their greatest offering yet”... Spasifik Magazine
...”Recorded and mixed in Sydney where Te Vaka are currently based, their sixth album once again showcases the songwriting talents of Opetaia Foa’i. The infectious rhythms and flowing melodies are strong lures to both the diehard and casual fan, the power of the Pacific rhythms telling stories of it’s own”...NZ Musician Magazine
…”OPETAIA FOA'I continues to guide with ease what can only be described as one of the greatest South Pacific bands of all time - Te Vaka. Since the establishment of the group in New Zealand 15 years ago, Te Vaka's music has encapsulated the heart and soul of the Pacific, Polynesia specifically. And, in the process, it has crushed underfoot once and for all the widely-held perception that Pacific music is only about ukeleles and hip-swaying hula girls. With his trademark open-key acoustic guitar, Foa'i steers Te Vaka - "The Canoe" - up several notches with the release of their latest South Pacific fusion CD Haoloto - their sixth since their self-titled debut album in 1997. But in doing so, the band doesn't stray an inch from the world-renowned Te Vaka tradition of adrenaline-pumped tribal percussions and soft-rockish ballads that pack the potential to pop goosebumps, or even reduce one to tears”… Fiji Times – Newspaper
.... “the key flavours of Te Vaka’s sound continue to coalesce with time; the chants becoming more hummable and the songs impossibly more rhythmic. Haoloto means Free and sets the tone of joyous release that ironically has captivated their fans who will fall in love all over again with fresh tracks like Tauasa, Te Mavaega and Tui Moana. New ears could hope for no better a time to experience Te Vaka’s South Pacific fusion”…. Cal Koat World beat Canada
HAOLOTO out now!!
It has been a while but finally the new Te Vaka CD, Haoloto is here.
Haoloto – the sixth Te Vaka album – delivers the same South Pacific Fusion that has made the band such an international success, but with some exciting, new sounds. As Opetaia Foai, lead singer and songwriter for the group, says in the liner notes - “This album has been the most challenging and most satisfying of all the Te Vaka albums. Once the canoe got rolling with all on board there was a feeling that we were heading for somewhere special.” Haoloto contains 15 new tracks and a 16 page booklet with words and translations.
Buy this album!
One concert only Te Vaka live at the 013 Popcentre in Tilburg, the Netherlands
DATE 28th June 2009
VENUE: 013 Popcentre
ADDRESS: Veemarktstraat 44
5038 CV Tilburg
PH:013 4609500
TICKETS : http://www.ticketmaster.nl/html/artist.htmI?l=NL&artist=MALAM+POP+FESTIVAL
TAMAHANA WINS AGAIN!!!!
“Tamahana” wins again. “Tamahana” from the Tutuki album has won first place in the World Music Category of the ISC. The USA international Songwriting Competition!
This wasn’t the “Peoples voice “award this was one of the main categories voted by a very impressive lineup of music industry judges including : Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); Chaka Khan; Tom Waits; KT Tunstall; Robert Smith (The Cure); Ricky Martin; Loretta Lynn; Neil Finn (Crowded House); Buckcherry; T-Pain; James Cotton; Jerry Lee Lewis; Craig Morgan; Ray Davies (The Kinks); McCoy Tyner; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Michael W. Smith; Chris Hillman (The Byrds); John Scofield; Mario; Black Francis (The Pixies); Youssou N'Dour; John Mayall; DJ Tiësto; Paul Van Dyk; Jon Secada; Natalie Grant; Jeremy Camp; Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Pittbull; Angelique Kidjo; "Weird Al" Yankovic; Sandra Bernhard; David Brenner. Plus a truckload of music industry executives from such companies as - Virgin, Sony BMG, Univeral etc etc. The Te Vaka team are all very excited and happy to have won first place in such a prestigious competition.
"TAMAHANA" from the Tutuki Album is a finalist in the ISC (International Songwritingcompetitiion) and is up for the " PEOPLE'S VOICE" award
click here to cast your vote!
All finalists' songs have been sent to the panel of judges, and we will announce the winners in April as soon as the judges have made their decision.
All finalists' songs and music videos (except for Lyrics Only songs which do not require recorded music as part of the entry) are included in the People's Voice - an online voting contest that allows the public to listen to all the finalists' songs and vote for their favorite one. People's Voice is separate from, and in addition to, the winners selected by ISC's panel of judges. The winner of People's Voice will receive $1,500 in prizes and bragging rights! Be sure to tell all your friends, family, and fans, so that they can vote! Voting will take place from now until March 31, 2009. You can start voting now at http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/PVWelcome2008.htm
Feel free to post the link to People's Voice on your website, MySpace, or Facebook page, etc.
TE VAKA LIVE IN CONCERT AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE!
Te Vaka will perform at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Hemisphere series 09
with Saharan Desert Blues Band - Tinariwen.
"This phenomenal double-bill takes you from the desert to the ocean. Two Bands. Two continents. One sensational night of music."
Duration: 2 hours with one 20 minute interval
13th April 2009
Click here and get your tickets now!!!
Link http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/tinariwenandtevaka.aspx
JUST ANNOUNCED !!!! TE VAKA WILL PERFORM 2 SHOWS AT THE BYRON BAY BLUESFEST 2009
The Bluesfest is the largest festival of Blues & Roots music in the Southern Hemisphere. Staged over 5 days with non-stop music on six stages daily the 20th Bluesfest will take place over Easter at Belongil Fields, Ewingsdale Road,
Byron Bay - Te Vaka will perform on the 10th and 11th of April.
Te Vaka wins again!!
Malcolm, Opetaia and Olivia with the legendary Doc Neeson from the Angels
2008 has been an incredible year so far for Te Vaka with two top awards already under their belt and now, "Tamahana", written by Opetaia Foai and Malcolm Smith has won the " International" category in the 28th Australian Songwriters Association Awards. The Australian Songwriting Contest is highly respected and extremely prestigious and is the longest running songwriting competition in Australia. The National Awards Night held in Sydney on the 28th of August was a memorable event. The winners of the 12 songwriting categories performed their winning songs to a sold out venue of top music industry personnel and Australian celebrities. Te Vaka's performance of "Tamahana" on the night also won the group the PPCA "Best live Performance of the night" Award presented by Mondo Rock Bass player Paul Christie.
TE VAKA WINS TOP AWARDS - BEST PACIFIC ALBUM AND BEST PACIFIC GROUP
Te Vaka won two of the top awards at the 2008 Pacific Music Awards on
Saturday night - "Best Pacific Album" for their 5th Album "Olatia, this is
the most coveted award as it is the only "Tui" in the Pacific Music Awards,
the group will be honoured again in October when the New Zealand Music
Awards are held. They also won "Best Pacific Group". Although Te Vaka has
previously won a "Tui" for their fourth Album "Tutuki" to win two awards
this year is a well deserved acknowledgement for the musical path that they
have taken.
TE VAKA WILL TOUR HAWAII IN OCTOBER
Hawaii tour - more dates and details soon
Wed-Thu Oct 22-23 MACC ed service (MAUI)
Fri Oct 24 Maui Arts and Cultural Centre concert
Sat Oct 25 HONOLULU concert
Tue Oct 28 BYUH concert (O'AHU--Laie)
Thu-Fri Oct 30-31 KTF ed (Kahilu Theater, HAWAI'I ISLAND
Sat Nov 1 Kahilu Theater concert
TE VAKA TOURS TO HONG KONG, MACAU AND TAIWAN
Te Vaka has been away on tour again - this time to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Audiences in both countries were very excited to see the band perform and the concerts were all packed with very enthusiastic audiences. In Taiwan it was very interesting and exciting for the band as they had the opportunity to go out to the villages to meet with the indigenous Tribes of Taiwan and explore the Austronesian connection. It has been discovered that Polynesians, more than likely, started their journey to Polynesia from Taiwan and yes there are definitely some similarities in the culture, language and the people. Te Vaka and the indigenous tribes had lots of fun sharing art, music and dance and performed together at the 'Dance and Soundz of Austronesia concert' in Taitung
Te Vaka Victorious in Paris
More
than 10,000 people got to see Te Vaka perform live in Paris. Their 2 performances
for the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup created a magical Pacific atmosphere
for an eclectic and excited audience. Te Vaka looked very much at home on the
massive stage with spectacular lighting and pumping sound system. The fine weather
and clear skies over France on both nights added to the occasion. Melodic voices
and tribal beats fuelling their colourful, hip-shaking dancers met with screams
of approval from the crowd, who, at times sang along. The 90 minute show ended
with a powerful Te Vaka Haka, Oku Tupuga, delivered with a promise of a South
Pacific comeback in 2011 got a huge response from an already ecstatic audience.
The group continues on to Germany for 2 more shows before returning to Australia
where they will perform before heading to Asia at the beginning of 2008.
Te Vaka has a brand new CD
It is getting great reviews all over the world. Add this CD to your collection today
