Singer embraces promoting heritage
For musician Ed Waaka, Matariki is all about celebrating heritage.
The singer-songwriter will be bringing in the Maori New Year by playing several shows for the 2015 Matariki festival.
The Grey Lynn resident feels privileged to be involved in the month-long programme of events across Auckland.
‘‘For me growing up I didn’t get much of a chance to learn the language but this is great because it has exposed me to that other side of my heritage,’’ he says.
‘‘[The festival] is great because it’s based all around the Maori language.’’
Waaka will perform in the Matariki on the Move showcase, in shows from Pt Chevalier to Otara.
He is used to playing a ‘‘stripped back’’ style of music but decided to perform his soul/folk music with a band for the Matariki shows.
‘‘I don’t usually need a big backing band to get me through,’’ he says.
‘‘I’m embracing playing with the band. It’s an awesome opportunity to play with some talented musicians.’’
Waaka has been working hard to complete an EP. His latest single Crazy is being released to coincide with his performances in the festival, which are June 24-27.
Meeting new people is what Waaka looks forward to the most about performing.
‘‘I do like the big events but I do really love the intimate ones as well.
‘‘It’s in those smaller gigs that you get people coming up to you after the show and saying how much they enjoyed it.
‘‘That’s what’s great because what I’m doing is storytelling,’’ he says.
The Matariki festival runs across Auckland from June 20 to July 19.