Let the music play

SUNIA Soko Loga, the winner of Korea’s Immortal Songs – a gruelling song contest, has a Masters in Classical Vocal and Bachelor in Classical Violin. He has performed for international audiences. He knows talent when he sees it.

Yesterday he was overcome with emotion. He was in awe of the raw natural talent at the Domo Vou Talei mentoring session in Suva.

In fact the past few days have left the superstar amazed by the potential before him, and the naturally gifted musicians he has had the good fortune to work with.

Mentoring the 10 Domo Vou Talei finalists at the Fiji Performing Rights Association, he revealed he was “just blown away”.

“Many of them already have it, they just need some guidance to hone their skills and take their music to the next level,” he said.

The 10 will go on to professionally record their song under the guidance of Fiji’s top producers and then into the Magic Factory studios at Communications Fiji Ltd to film a music video.

Loga is part of a judging panel that includes vude queen Laisa Vulakoro, legendary and award-winning composer and performer Saimone Vuatalevu, Magic Factory Creative and Product manager Tikiko ‘Tix’ Korocawiri and Makare bass guitarist and composer Felix Chaudhary.

Veteran musicians Seru Serevi and Eremasi Tamanisau will also provide coaching for the 10 finalists who are expected to perform live at the Woodstock Uprising Music Festival on July 9 where the winner of The Fiji Times $5000 first placegetter will be announced.

The very strong line-up of veteran musicians will no doubt offer experience and confidence to this young group.

We are pleased to be part of an event that recognises musicians, especially young talented performers.

We realise that not everyone will go on to become an academic, a doctor, nurse, teacher, soldier, professional rugby player or a successful businessman or woman. Yet there are Fijians out there who are musically gifted. They have a talent, and need guidance.

Much like our sportsmen and women, who are heading overseas for contracts, they also need hope and an opportunity.

They need a platform to perform and be acknowledged and recognised.

Thus, such events as the Domo Vou Talei music competition are important!

They offer talented Fijians that platform, for budding musicians to realise their potential, test themselves, live their dreams, and also have an opportunity to take their music to the next level.

The competition has been modelled on the ABC’s Unearthed program, an award-winning initiative that has discovered and launched the careers of hundreds of Australian musicians.

We say let the music play!

families. Hopefully, an amicable solution is found for this issue.