North Shore Times (New Zealand)

Bridging the cultural gap with music

- LAINE MOGER

Singer-songwriter Riqi Harawira says your experience of life is your own responsibi­lity.

‘‘I just want to encourage people to find their niche, find their power, create their pathway,’’ Harawira says.

‘‘Find a way to love yourself.’’ The self described ’’coastal, Maori boy’’ from Castor Bay released his debut album in June, and has been busy performing live gigs around the North Shore.

As a young child, Harawira made the decision to take up music after hearing Dave McArtney’s song Gutterblac­k on the radio.

‘‘It was from that moment that I decided to take up music to rise to your situation,’’ he says.

The self-produced musician is a builder by day, but is also a Salvation Army volunteer, a campaigner for human rights and an advocate against violence.

Harawira draws on his experience­s to create music that addresses social issues such as mental health, violence, suicide, depression, and addiction.

Most recently, Harawira was involved in the rally for Moko and the Men Against Sexual Violence (MASSIVE) campaign.

‘‘There is a whole underworld of New Zealand society that is falling apart,’’ Harawira says.

‘‘I just thought, I gotta help those people. I try to do that through my music.’’

In his spare time Harawira enjoys meditation, karakia and yoga.

‘‘But surfing is my favourite,’’ he says.

Sound of the Long White Cloud comes out just in time for the country’s first Maori Music Month of August.

The 10-track ensemble features Harawira’s signature style of traditiona­l indigenous Maori, blended with Asian and Native American influences.

Harawira says he tries to incorporat­e his bicultural upbringing, musically.

‘‘My music is like a bridge inbetween cultures,’’ he says.

‘‘Maori culture, in a contempora­ry sense, is only known to the Maori people.

‘‘With the resurgence of te reo, Maori artists can express through the language.’’

Listen to Sound of the Long White Cloud on Spotify and iTunes.

Wairua, the new single was released in July.

Visit

Riqiharawi­ra facebook.com/

 ??  ?? Riqi Harawira has just released his new album, Sound of the Long White Cloud
Riqi Harawira has just released his new album, Sound of the Long White Cloud

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