tag:tevaka.com,2005:/blogs/blogBlog2022-11-29T11:47:32+11:00Te Vakafalsetag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/71125392022-11-29T11:47:32+11:002023-10-17T01:55:29+11:00Doing what we do<p>Yes we are still here. I know the band has not been on tour since things got crazy. It was hard enough touring a big band around the world when things were normal, it got considerably harder after September 11th and since March 2020 it became impossible for a while. Even now you can arrive at the airport to find the flight is canceled or the band could rehearse for weeks to find that the show is canceled. There is just too much uncertainty to tour a large band at the moment so we will wait for things to become doable again.</p>
<p>In the meantime we have not stopped creating. Te Vaka Beats Vol.3 came out on the 28th November. Matatia and Opetaia have written some great new beats. There has been much innovating in the recording process for the drums which have been painstakingly recorded at the highest level for log and skin drums.<br><br>Also, Opetaia has completed six meditation tracks for the <a contents="HAAA ap" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://haaaa.app/about/" target="_blank">HAAA ap</a><a contents="HAAA app" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://haaaa.app/about/" target="_blank">p</a>.The individual tracks, (20 mins each) contain elements and sounds that are unique to the culture of each Island - Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Cook Islands, New Zealand Maori and Hawai'i. The idea for the App was presented to Opetaia as a way to help with the growing statistics for suicide amongst Pacific youth. He felt strongly that this was something he needed to support. The concept is that someone in need of help could be connected to their culture through music,sound and language. The response has been so positive that Rob-Kipa Williams, the founder of HAAA has released the tracks on streaming services for everyone to enjoy as people from all over the world have been responding to the cultural connection.listen <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0QM3HcNv2Nbz0mM0merAIm" target="_blank">here</a></p>
<p>Very recently, Sulata, Neil, Manase and Malcolm flew over to join Opetaia, Matatia and Olivia in the studio to record for the upcoming Te Vaka album. There is nothing like having the original members of the team together. So much love, laughter and creation. It has been seven years since the release of the last Te Vaka album "Amataga". I can tell you the magic is still there - watch this space!</p>Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/66421312021-05-28T13:52:42+10:002021-05-28T13:54:05+10:00Creating a dance film<p>Creating is the best thing any of us do. As the manager of Te Vaka sometimes I am fortunate enough to get out of the office and be involved in the creation process. Such a time occurred a couple of weeks ago when I had to jump in and create 6 costumes for Olivia's dance film. Being a part of and experiencing a hugely talented bunch of young people create magic was a priviledge. These are the moments that make what I do in the office worthwile.<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="704dEsz2nE8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/704dEsz2nE8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/704dEsz2nE8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/65261802021-02-10T14:16:45+11:002021-02-10T14:16:45+11:002021 is here<p>Te Vaka headquarters is buzzing with music - there is a new Te Vaka album being created as I write. It is set for release in the first half of this year and we are excited to share it with everyone. As you might expect due to the COVID situation, there are no tours planned for this year, but that does not mean you won't hear from us in more ways than one. </p>
<p>As well as the album, work is intensifying on the making of the Te Vaka documentary. This project was started several years ago but there is still a great deal more work to be done. When Te Vaka started - more than 26 years ago, there was no Youtube, Facebook, iphones or any such recording devices but we travelled with a broadcast quality video camera and every show, event or behind the scenes adventure was captured in hopes that one day we could share our story with the world. In addition to that many interviews have already been done with key people involved in the Te Vaka story and with just a few more to go we almost have everything. There is no release date yet, but we are hopeful it won't be too far away. </p>
<p>This year will be what each and every one of us make it, let's have a great year. </p>Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/62027342020-02-04T18:55:14+11:002021-04-22T03:13:01+10:00A long time between posts<p>We have received a number of emails wondering what has happened and why the band isn't on tour, so here is a little insight into some of the things that have been going on.....Here at Te Vaka headquarters there has been much creating. Olivia and Matatia have thrown their many talents into the ring and have been creating up a storm. Olivia has written a stunning album and together with Matatia's production skills and beats they have come up with a very exciting sound. The great reviews tell the story - we are so proud of them both. Check out a review of "<a contents="Candid" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://nzmusician.co.nz/features/olivia-foai-expressions-of-candour/" target="_blank">Candid</a>" here. All the while the Candid album is being made Olivia has also been writing, choreographing, directing and performing in music video clips for <a contents="Hau la" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/PuGHEE4EhIs" target="_blank">Hau la</a>, <a contents="My Way" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/C8iaJoTsw88" target="_blank">My Way</a>, <a contents="Tropical" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/aOZlQzgN7Mg" target="_blank">Tropical</a> and <a contents="Aulelei" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/p--jRUeGGAQ">Aulelei</a> from "Candid" and on top of that directing and filming Matatia's first short film "Stuntbot" which he wrote and stars in. The Sydney Premiere for this is 6th of March. You can book <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/stuntbot-short-film-premiere-tickets-92707457501" target="_blank">here</a>. As you may have guessed these guys dont sleep much - production is everything, there is no time to waste. Oh I forgot to mention during all of this Matatia has been writing and recording "Te Vaka Beats" vol 2. due out very soon and Olivia has already started work on her second album. I am hoping this will help to explain some of the reasons why the band has not been touring for a while. More news soon.<br><br>Te Vaka Management</p>Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717212018-08-30T10:00:00+10:002020-12-01T15:40:02+11:00Te Vaka/Moana/Orchestra tour
<p>More than 6 weeks have gone by and we are still buzzing from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra tour. Four sold out shows in Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington with their respective Orchestras of more than 60 instrumentalists in each. Performing the songs of Moana, from the heart, with an Orchestra bringing out so much emotion has really had an impact on all of us, in the best possible way.</p>
<p>It all started at the beginning of 2017 when we received the invitation from Kirsten Mason of Orchestra Wellington. Kirsten had taken on the task of co-ordinating the Te Vaka/Moana/Symphony Orchestra tour. At that stage we thought Auckland was going to be included, but someone in their wisdom decided against this, which was a shame as it would have been so great to have been able to do this show in the band’s hometown – but it wasn’t to be.</p>
<p>Once the contract was signed there was a bit of nervous hysteria coming from the band. They all know that Opetaia’s middle name is “change” and no-one was quite sure how we were going to lock him down to play a prearranged, arrangement of the songs so that the band and the Orchestra were on the same page. It took some figuring out but finally the Orchestration man, Thomas Goss was sent something to base his Orchestra arrangements on. Of course, this did change, constantly, right up until the end. But when we arrived in Christchurch for the first and only rehearsal with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra we managed to change the last couple of things so that everyone would be playing the same things at the same time on the night.</p>
<p>Christchurch was the first orchestra we played with and during rehearsal when I heard it all come together for the first time. I wasn’t quite prepared for the added emotion that the orchestra brings. When Sulata, as Grandma Tala, started singing “I know a girl from an Island”, she sung it with such depth and feeling and with the Orchestra behind her duplicating the soundtrack of the movie, the tears were rolling. Then Olivia came in “who am I”, I’m a girl who loves my Island” at first gentle with the orchestra playing quietly behind, then as Moana gained confidence, the song climaxing with “I am Moana” and the Orchestra at full passion and volume and I became a blubbering mess. It just caught me by surprise and even now I tear up a little when I think of that moment. The performance with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra went off. We were relieved and happy.</p>
<p>The biggest challenge, logistics wise, was Dunedin. We were up at 4.00am the next morning to fly to Dunedin. Air NZ had refused to carry all the band gear as the planes were too small so that had all been driven ahead of us. Arriving in Dunedin it was straight off the plane to setup and soundcheck and one quick run through with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and conductor and then showtime. The amazing thing was that the Christchurch Orchestra had made incredibly detailed and helpful notes and even sent the music sheets including all the changes that had, had to be made to the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra which really helped considering there was no time to work anything out and everything came together for a second great show. There was some indescribable magic performing with an Orchestra and we were all loving it.</p>
<p>There was one day off in Dunedin, before heading to Wellington and the Tokelauan community had invited us to a shared meal. We were all pretty tired and would have said no to any other invitation but the Tokelauan people were there right at the beginning of this Te Vaka journey, so we decided to accept their kind invitation. On arrival we could see this was going to be special. A beautiful meal prepared by the community, fateles (Tokelau dances) by the children and the adults and other heartfelt entertainment. We have been all over the world and treated to many wonderful things but nothing compared to this. It felt like we had done the full circle and come back to the initial inspiration for Te Vaka. The pure joy of music, dance and of course family is very much alive and well in the Dunedin Tokelau community.</p>
<p>Next day was the flight to Wellington to prepare for the show the band members were most nervous about and with good reason - all their families had flown in from Auckland for this. One rehearsal with Orchestra Wellington and we were ready to go. With all the notes from the Christchurch and Dunedin Orchestras, and the very talented conductor, Marc Taddei, Orchestra Wellington did an amazing job and so did the band. Two spectacular back to back shows. I have to admit I just sat down, watched and thoroughly enjoyed the show. So proud and so happy that the enormous amount of work this tour had been was soooo worth it.</p>
<p> </p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717202017-06-02T10:00:00+10:002021-01-14T05:28:08+11:00Magic at the Pacific Music awards
<p>Now living in Australia, we don't always make it to the New Zealand Pacific Music awards and in fact we haven't attended since 2010 when Te Vaka won two awards for the 'Haoloto album' and the band performed live on the night. When Universal music nominated, Opetaia, Olivia, Vai, Sulata and Matthew for categories in this year’s awards we were not sure whether we could make it but when they were all announced as finalists, with Olivia in two categories - the "Best Pacific female artist" and "Best Pacific language song" we thought we had better be there. You do get over flying when you have flown as much as we have in the last few years and we had only just returned from the Music Manager Awards but we had to be there so bags were packed and we headed to the Airport already looking forward to getting home again.<br> <br> All the New Zealand band members and all their families came. Vai had all her family there and was particularly excited as she had been nominated for “Best Pacific language song” for her wonderful performance of “Innocent Warrior” on the Moana movie. We had been told before arriving that Opetaia would be receiving the Special recognition award for “Outstanding Achievement”. This award is not given out every year only when deserved so we knew they were planning something but nothing could have prepared us for what happened. No-one had even given a hint of what was planned, although the chairman of the Pacific Music Awards got us a little suspicious when he urged us to make sure we were at our seats by 7.30pm as the doors were going to be locked. Even so we didn’t expect what happened next…… The lighting, the costumes, the choreography and the incredible voices of children as young as 4 taking to the stage with a full live band to perform songs from Moana as a tribute to Opetaia. From the first “Tulou” that wailed out from the stage everyone’s eyes were full of tears and when another young singer started singing “Innocent warrior” the girl’s makeup was ruined. These incredibly talented young Pacific performers sung and danced “We know the way” and “Logo te pate” ending on “How far I’ll go” where they transported a real life little Moana onto the stage. The whole show would have been spectacular and thrilling for people not intimately connected to the music but for Opetaia, Olivia, Vai, Sulata, Matthew and Malcolm who had performed these songs at Warner Brothers studios for the movie it was hugely emotional and such a wonderful thing to experience. All I can say is wow!!!! Thank you so much to the Saintz Up Performing Arts Trust for putting in all the work it took to create such a wonderful tribute performance and thank you to the Pacific Music Awards for insisting that we attended. We went home with two awards - Special recognition for "Outstanding Achievement" for Opetaia and Olivia won "Best Pacific Language song" for Tulou Tagaloa", the opening track she performs on the Disney Feature film "Moana".</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717192017-05-12T10:00:00+10:002021-04-22T03:07:28+10:00Music Manager Awards night
<p>Te Vaka has been nominated for and won many awards over the last 20 years but I have always stayed behind the lines, just working by myself mostly, occasionally seeking advice from others in the industry but because Te Vaka isn't a pop or rock band I have had to figure a lot of it out as I went along. When I received the email to say I had been nominated for the MMF (Music Managers) "International achievement" award I was pleasantly surprised but didn't really give it a lot of thought. I was still busy with Disney stuff, even though the movie is already out and wasn't really sure if we had time to fly to New Zealand to attend the awards or not. However, Opetaia was insistent on us going, so about a week before the awards night I booked tickets for Opetaia, myself and Olivia and invited all the Te Vaka team in New Zealand to share the night with me. I knew everyone was busy so I fully expected only a few people would come - but everyone came. Sulata, Vai, Neil, Edwin, my brother and sister, Opetaia's sister, they all came with their partners for my night. I was starting to feel a bit excited. On arrival, we were met by musicians, managers, journalists and more, many people I had known over the many years of managing Te Vaka. I received many warm hugs and words of congratulations for everything we had achieved and of course particularly Moana. I was fine until they started to announce the winners. I started to feel nervous in a way I haven't felt for years and as they came to the International Achievement award I was feeling like I might fall to bits at any moment. When they announced my name I almost did! The band cheered loudly and I made my way to the stage wondering how I was going to say anything as I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. You just never know how these things are going to hit you. To be acknowledged by my peers after all these years of work was such an incredible feeling, one that I had not expected. I was terribly emotional but managed to say a few words to thank the MMF for actually being there and supporting the people that do all the jobs that no-one else wants to do. I do not recall ever feeling so appreciated in my life. Everyone that came up to me to say congratulations was truly happy for me. Thank you MMF this has meant more to me than I can easily express.</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717172017-02-25T11:00:00+11:002021-04-22T03:07:28+10:00Moana nominated for 2 Oscars
<p>Tomorrow we will find out if Moana wins an Oscar or two at the Academy awards. Whether it does or not, doesn't change the fact that it is an awesome movie, created with passion by some very talented and special people. The journey has been one of extreme highs and the ocassional low. A lot to learn in a short space of time, working with people whose creative output in a day is more than most people do in months or even years. Working with the Disney team has been an incredible experience and a dream come true for all of us. So here we sit on the eve of the Oscars, hoping that the movie we worked on and loved for more than 3 years wins an Oscar.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396833/deffe6a81299128a2e40e6c2818d6761e1b19b88/original/moana.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDE2MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Moana and Maui" height="160" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" /></p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717162016-12-22T11:00:00+11:002021-02-01T22:19:29+11:00The end of 2016
<p>Christmas is upon us in a couple of days and I am reflecting on an incredible year that I am not so sure I want to end. The overwhelming success of Moana has left us all feeling so good, knowing that all the work that went into this movie really was worth something because people are loving it, you cant ask for more than that. The UK Blue carpet Premiere was very successful and a lot of fun, there is no place like London and we had a chance to catch up with friends and family that we hadnt seen in a very long time. The New Zealand Premiere, however, was even more special. All the band members and their families that lived in New Zealand had tickets. Opetaia's 84 and 85 year old parents were there. It was a real celebration for family, and a uniting force for the people of the South Pacific. So many tears of joy and hugs of happiness. Now, the journey that we have been on for more than 3 years has come to an end, for now anyway. There are lots of exciting things in the pipeline for 2017 but for now we will enjoy christmas with the family and take a short much needed break.</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717152016-11-17T11:00:00+11:002021-01-29T00:19:16+11:00The World Premiere of Moana
<p>Wow!!! I mean seriously wow!!! Sitting in our hotel room in LA writing this blog I am in a place where all dreams can come true. Myself and the Te Vaka team could not have dreamed or hoped for anything better than the experience we had on the evening of the 14th of November at the Moana World premiere Blue (red) Carpet event in Hollywood. Arriving at the El Capitan theater in the afternoon for soundcheck there were still a few logistics to get through like how were we going to walk the blue carpet with suits and gowns then get backstage in time to surprise the audience with a live show. The plan and the setlist had changed constantly for the last week and it changed again on arrival but this time we were happy with the change. Te Vaka was to perform three songs - "Logo te pate", "Innocent warrior" and "We know the way" - that was the perfect choice. The organisers had wanted to treat the audience to a Te Vaka concert but we only wanted to play the tracks from the movie and that's what ended up happening. The next amazing piece of luck was to get onto the carpet early which meant we not only caught Dawyne Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda performing a track from the movie but we had time to get infront of the press, get some great pics and fully experience the thing that is hollywood. None of us have landed yet, it was all so perfect. The band looked amazing. We had been fortunate enough to have the Pacific International Runway designers provide most of us with clothes just before we left and the night before we flew an incredible jacket from Cecilia's fashion house in Samoa was flown in from Samoa, we didnt even know it was coming but as soon as he saw it Opetaia new he was going to wear it -it was perfect. <br><br>So we walked the blue carpet, talked to the press and just soaked up the atmosphere, then it was backstage and costumes on, along with headset mics and monitors before being secreted behind the curtain to surprise the unsuspecting audience. The certain began to rise and the band exploded with "Logo te pate" to an ecstatic audience. Then Olivia backed by Opetaia, Sulata, Talaga and Douglas delivered an incredibly touching rendition of "Innocent Warrior". The finale was a combination of the opening track in the movie "Tuloa Tagaloa" and "We know the way" which the band performed with passion and the audience went wild, especially when Olivia, Edwin and Talaga broke into a super high energy dance. To put it mildly the performance went off!!! Opetaia and Mark Mancina, who had joined Te Vaka on bass, left the stage as the curtain fell and the Te Vaka boys continued to drum until the screen was in place and then "Ladies and gentleman - MOANA" The whole evening was perfection. The audience loved the movie and they loved the music. What more can you ask for after 3 years of working on this project. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/396833/ae0264f0339423aa1093cbb99b52dc742c6ae722/original/img-5713.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Te Vaka at the Moana World Premiere" height="333" width="500" /></p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717142016-10-02T11:00:00+11:002021-01-28T21:35:58+11:00One week to go
<p>It's been a busy 3 years working with Walt Disney Animation Studios on the upcoming Epic feature film, "Moana" but I fear it has only just begun. Next week we begin the media work with a full band performance of a track written by Opetaia for the movie at the Australian International Movie Convention in the Gold Coast. And now begins the task of flying the band in from around Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland for rehearsals and performance, preparing all the costumes and drums and all the other work that goes into a Te Vaka show. This will be a warm up for the Red Carpet Premiere of "Moana" in Hollywood on the 14th of November, which of course we all looking forward to. Te Vaka will be performing a track from the movie at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, which is where the Red carpet Premiere will be held.</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717132016-08-27T10:00:00+10:002020-08-28T21:06:17+10:00Recording at Warner Brothers Studio
<p>We have all been back in Australia and New Zealand respectively for a couple of days now but no-one has landed yet, our heads are still floating in the magic of what we have just experienced. Having all the great Te Vaka singers from 1994 through to 2016 all singing together on the Moana soundtrack was an historical moment for many reasons. Not only had they all never sung together before but to have Pacific voices singing in a Pacific language on a Disney movie has never been done before. The impact was huge! The Disney music team were moved by the voices, the pride and the authenticity of what the singers brought to the movie. They were stunned by Opetaia's ability to create vocal lines and chants for the movie on the spot and the bands ability to immediately sing and record them. At times it felt deeply spiritual and many tears were shed not only from the band but the people in the control room. When John Lasseter (head of Disney and Pixar), came into the studio to hear what was happening, Te Vaka broke into a "Fatele" (Tokelauan dance) and song for John and he was in tears too. I cannot acurately describe what we have all just experienced - it is too much like a fairytale for anyone to believe it. I think the only way to get an idea of what I am talking about is to see the movie. Release dates for Moana are 23rd of November (thanksgiving day) in the US and Boxing day in the South Pacific. We can't wait! But in the meantime there is lots of work to do to prepare for the US Premiere performances. </p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717122016-06-15T10:00:00+10:002021-01-27T16:49:53+11:00The first Moana trailer is out
<p>News of the MOANA movie is spreading far and wide with the first teaser now doing it's rounds. This one focuses on Maui but is very cool with Te Vaka log drums and announcing Opetaia as one of the writers - not something ususally seen on movie trailers so a nice little bonus. All the paperwork is in progress for the rush visas and all the best Te Vaka singers past and present are getting ready to fly to LA to give "Moana" their very best at the Warner Bros recording sessions. Of course Olivia will be there and Sulata, Vai, Melodee. Plus the boys - Opetaia, Matatia, Douglas, Talaga and other voices heard on Te Vaka albums that havent toured with the band but help us to capture the magic of the South Pacific. We are all very excited!!!</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717112016-06-09T10:00:00+10:002020-12-05T17:57:00+11:00Amataga wins 2 awards
<p>Opetaia was unable to be at the Pacific Music Awards in Auckland last night but we were more than adequately represented by Sulata, Vai, Edwin and Neil not to mention Opetaia's sister Mary and good friend Malcolm Smith. Sulata accepted two awards on Opetaia's behalf - The APRA "Best Pacific Song" award for "Papua i sisifo" and the coverted, Recorded Music New Zealand award "The Tui" for "Best Pacific Music Album" which will be presented again at the NZ music awards in October. By all accounts the team and their partners had a great night on the VIP table being entertained by some of the South Pacific's most talented artists and helping us to celebrate the winning of these two awards. Thank you!</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717102016-05-19T10:00:00+10:002021-04-22T03:13:01+10:00Gathering the team for Disney
<p>Its been a crazy busy week and that is nothing compared to whats coming next. When we first started work on the "Moana" project and actually right up until last week the plan was to record the drums and voices for the movie in Australia as an easier option to flying everyone to the US and having to get work visas for everyone. Then out of the blue, during a Disney zoom meeting the producer announced she wanted our list of Te Vaka singers pretty much immediately so we could get started on the work visas!!! Wow!! this is exciting!!! No doubt about that. Recording at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank is a huge amount of fun as we discovered in the log drum recording sessions last year. But we are taking a team of 12 and guess who gets to do all the paperwork!!! It's funny how things work out, the one job in the world that causes me extraordinary stress is applying for US Visas and the whole process of trying to get passports complete with visas back before missing the flight. As usual with these things, it is actually about a month later than we should be putting applications in and it's all going to have to be rushed and expedited and we have people flying from Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland so there is a lot to co-ordinate - hair pulling stuff but someone has to do it. JF</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717092016-04-17T10:00:00+10:002021-01-20T17:23:32+11:00Nice to be acknowledged
<p>We've had a pretty good start to the year - 5 nominations for the Amataga album so far and it's only April. It's always a bit hard when you release an album and then immediately go on tour as many of the important aspects of a release, like getting the review copies sent out, can get a bit neglected. Luckily we didnt miss the deadline for the ISC (International songwriting competition) and "Tele ve ko koe " is a finalist in the World Music Category. There are a number of songwriting competitions out there but this seems to be one of the better ones with a pretty impressive lineup of judges and some nice prizes for the winners. Amataga really is a world music album so it would be very exciting to win this category - winners will be announced out at the end of the month. <br><br>The other 4 nominations were in the Pacific Music Awards and one of these is the New Zealand Music Awards "Best Pacific Music" Album. This is a very nice surprise and good to know that after all these years there is still appreciation for Te Vaka music. The results of the PMA will be announced at an event in Auckland on the 9th of June which we will definitely attend if not in the US working on "Moana".<br><br>The other great news was an awesome review of Amataga in Froots Magazine, which I have to say is not easy for a band from the South Pacific to achieve. Froots is a long standing, well respected, UK based, Folk and World Music magazine with a preference for African and Celtic groups. It was extremely heart-warming to say the least and although it has come out 6 months after the album release, it confirms what I believe this album has achieved. Here is a link to the review <a href="/amataga-reviews" data-imported="1" data-link-type="page">Froots review</a></p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717082016-03-14T11:00:00+11:002020-10-14T22:00:36+11:00Quick trip to NZ for Pasifika
<p>The new album is happening! Of course Opetaia has to fit the writing in around the music that Disney wants for “Moana” but I think that good old saying “ If you want a job done, ask a busy man” is definitely relevant here. So we were both already busy then, out of the blue came the trip to New Zealand for Pasifika! Writing Pacific-orientated albums demands a connection with the culture, so what better way to do that than to go to the annual Pasifika Festival held in Auckland every March. Te Vaka first started performing at Pasifika back in 1996 and in those days it was a massive event with heaps of culture, complete with a ceremonial stage and a contemporary stage. Unfortunately, Pasifika has diminished over the last few years due to, amongst other things, the stallholders being charged way too much to sell their beautiful labour-intensive homemade arts and crafts plus the isolating of the different Islands into villages which all have their own stages. Even so it is still a great place to soak up South Pacific culture and there was lots of it.</p>
<p>Olivia came with us so Opetaia, Olivia and Neil did a small acoustic performance on the Tokelau stage. Nana and Papa were there and many other family members that it was so nice to see. So many generations enjoying and expressing their culture. We watched our Te Vaka dancer, Edwin’s two young sons performing the Tokelau ‘fatele’ - so good to see the culture being handed down to the young ones and the Tuvalu stage was on fire this year. I managed to get around most of the villages and checked out the beautiful basketry, arts and crafts tapa cloths etc. and picked up a few bits and pieces for new costumes.</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717072016-01-28T11:00:00+11:002020-11-12T20:23:34+11:00First post of 2016
<p>There has been so much happening that I have failed miserably in my efforts to keep this blog up to date. But as time allows I will do my best to fill in important events that have been missed. 2015 was such an incredible, unbelieveable, outrageous year for Te Vaka but I believe 2016 will be insane. As I write this, Opetaia is in the studio with Mark Mancina working all hours to create some amazing music for the upcoming Disney animated, musical, feature film - 'Moana'. Every couple of months we are back in the US bringing songs that Opetaia has written to be worked on by the team. It is an amazing process. Tommorrow the music team are off to Miami to record Dwayne "the rock" Johnson, who plays the part of Maui in the Moana movie. As the release date is fast approaching - 23rd November 2016, pressure levels are rising very rapidly. Making an animated movie is such an incredibly labour intensive process. This film has been in the making for 3 years already and we have been on board for over 2 years - it is all quite unbelievable. This movie is going to blow everybody's mind. I just can't wait for November, or can I? Apparently if we think we are busy now the schedule will be punishing - performances, premieres, media engagements all over the world. Our O visas don't run out until the end of 2017 so I guess that means we are on the job for another year after the movie comes out - exciting times!!!</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717062015-10-11T11:00:00+11:002021-01-08T20:57:30+11:00Go the Gators
<p>Fantastic night in Gainesville, the audience loved the show even got a standing ovation. Before the show we got given our Gator pins and a few tips about this university town so when the whole band broke into the Ika Ika dance at the end of the show, which the audience sang along to with great enthusiasm, the dancers threw in the move that expresses the chomping Aligators jaws and the place went wild. Lots of fun, these guys are so passionate about their Gridiron team "the Gators" the whole of Gainesville supports it and everywhere you see "Go Gators" and when there is a home game there is 90,000 plus people and the streets errupt into total chaos. Unfortunately this weekend it was an away game so we missed that. Flying to Seattle today - two flights first to Atlanta and then a second 5 and a half hour flight to Seattle. I expect there will be a few band members sleeping on the plane as I heard there was not much sleeping done last night.</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717052015-10-08T11:00:00+11:002015-10-09T07:14:42+11:002nd day in Florida
<p>The Jetlag is extreme after traveling for 2 days with no sleep but everyone is coping. The first show is tomorrow night at the Gainesville University and we have just got back to the hotel after the required drinks and Hors d'oeuvres with the donors of the university. An interesting night at the Gainesville countryclub with some rather wealthy people in a very beautiful environment.</p>
<p>Most of the band are having a little trouble adjusting to the timezone but we are relieved and happy to be here in time for the first performance and with all personel and instruments intact. It was all looking highly doubtful a couple of days ago when a text from Virgin Airlines stating our flight had been canceled threw everything into a spin. After half a day spent on the phone we had a flight a day earlier than planned which really pushed tour preparations into high gear as there was still so much to do. Rehearsals were cut short and we pretty much just started throwing things into suitcases. When sitting on the plane all set to go it seemed like we had made it through the worst but a 4 hour detainment in US customs and a delayed flight causing us to miss our final of 3 flights and have to overnight in Atlanta has left me a little unsettled about the reliability and liability of all this travel.</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717042015-09-27T10:00:00+10:002015-09-27T14:00:30+10:00On tour in 10 days
<p>There are never enough hours in the day but leading up to a tour when you have just released a CD things can be extreme. Even with an extraordinarily tight schedule there are certain things that just have to be done, so thankfully we have now managed our customery gathering to autograph the pre-ordered CDs after rehearsal tonight. When you get these boys (and Olivia) all together round the table you can guarantee there is going to be a lot of laughter. Here's hoping no-one smudged their signature and the names were all spelt correctly. Still more things to handle the bass drum split during rehearsal, this is a potential tour disaster and Neil isnt here to help. Matatia has whipped together some fibreglassing equipment in the hope that it holds the drum together and doesnt kill the sound especially after all the work we went to before the D23 putting on new skins etc to get the drums sounding great. Fingers-crossed - we will find out in the morning.</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717032015-09-24T10:00:00+10:002020-11-11T21:24:23+11:00Rehearsals have begun
<p>So little time and so much to be done before the tour. The band arrived a few days ago and rehearsals are intense - songs from the new album to add to the show, re-creating and improving old favourites. Lots of laughs but lots of sweat too. I have had to stay back in the office to deal with the album launch and all the technical details and logistics of touring the show. To have them both happening at the same time is challenging, at times overwhelming. Fortunately the visas are all done as we did them for the D23 so there isnt the stress of waiting to get the passports back from the consulate before we leave but now the US tax department wants all sorts of documentation done which is not much fun especially when I have a million other things to do. Oh well, there is no arguing with it, I will work every hour of the day as this all has to be done before we leave. I look forward to getting on the road now and getting away from paperwork for a while. There is nothing like watching a good Te Vaka show to make all this work worth it.</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717022015-09-22T10:00:00+10:002020-10-19T17:41:00+11:00AMATAGA has arrived
<p>Over-joyed, relieved, happy - we picked up the new CD (Amataga) today and it is perfect! The booklet looks exactly like it is supposed to, no colour disasters, no mistakes of any kind and the music is all there and it plays beautifully. Thank you MAD CDs you did a great job! If you are reading this blog, you could be excused for thinking that this would be a good time to put our feet up and bathe in the success of seeing the manifestation of a brand new album, with a glass of wine or some such treat That would be nice but I dont think so. The band arrives tomorrow for rehearsals and there is so much still to do we will defintely be working very late tonight. With copies of the CD to send out to radio stations and reviewers all over the world before we leave for the tour, costumes to make, the list goes on. But I have to say having this album finally in my hand is very exciting!</p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717002015-09-15T10:00:00+10:002015-09-18T02:50:58+10:004 years and finally a new album - AMATAGA
<p>I was brought up with the saying "It never rains but it pours" and in this sense I mean in the best possible way. On the 25th of September we are releasing Te Vaka album no. 8 and then heading off on a tour of North America just over a week later on the 7th of October performing new songs and a new show, even some brand new band members. This may all sound very normal and everyday for a band but the last couple of years have been anything but normal and it is a wonder that Opetaia has found the time to write a new Te Vaka album but he has and to tell you the truth - I love it. I am really excited about "Amataga" it is quite different in many ways but still contains all the elements that will inspire and uplift the listener. </p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60717012015-09-01T10:00:00+10:002020-09-25T16:15:05+10:00Te Vaka joins next big Disney Movie - MOANA
<p>The headlines are all over the internet now, but we have had to keep this exciting news a secret since the middle of 2013 - more than 2 years!! </p>
<p>The trips to the US started in December 2013 when Opetaia first went to the Disney Animation Studios in Burbank to sign the contract, his task - to write songs for "Moana", a magical, musical, animated feature film set in the South Pacific 2000 years ago. As you can appreciate anything set in the South Pacific is close to Opetaia's heart and come the beginning of 2014 he had started writing for the movie and could think about almost nothing else. </p>
<p>Although Opetaia met his first award-winning music partner, Mark Mancina, (<em>Lion King, Tarzan, Cars</em> and many more!) on his first Disney trip, he didnt meet lyricist and Broadway sensation, Lin-Manuel Miranda (<em>In the Heights and Hamilton</em>) until the memorable Disney team trip to New Zealand to experience Auckland's Pasifika festival in March 2014. Lin hoped off a flight from New York and straight onto the Cook Island stage at Pasifika where he won an improvised dance-off, Island style. Lin is of Puerto Rican descent, but a man of endless enthusiasm, talent and surprising freestyle island dance skills which went down extremely well at Pasifika. </p>
<p>Back then we were all still signed to secrecy so the whole Disney team including legendary Disney Directors John Musker and Ron Clements, (<em>The Great Mouse Detective</em>, <em>Aladdin</em>, <em>The Little Mermaid</em> and <em>The Princess and the Frog) </em>spent 2 days cruising anonymously through the Pasifika festival experiencing all things Pacific.</p>
<p>The week before Opetaia had flown with the Disney team to Western Samoa so everyone involved in the movie could get really intouch with the people and the culture. The visual arts people were there too, photographing, sketching, taking in every detail of the environment - water, trees, foliage and more for later use in the movie. It was not the teams first trip to the South Pacific either and when John Lasseter (Head of Disney animation and Pixar) announced at the Disney D23 Expo that they had been changed by the South Pacific experience it was true. </p>
<p>Well it has been a long journey but we can finally talk about it. It was hard to wait for Disney's D23 Expo for the songwriters to finally be announced but when Te Vaka performed "We know the way" (a song written by Opetaia for the movie) and the crowd errupted with a standing ovation it was definitely worth the wait. The D23 is Disney's biggest live event and it only happens every 2 years. There are so many surprises lined up for the 8,000 Disney fans that attend and no-one knows beforehand who is going to be there. In and around the Greenroom backstage we were bumping into everyone from Johny Depp to Ellen Degeneres. As you can see by the picture at the top Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) was a favourite of the band. He is in 'Moana" as the demigod "Maui" which is so perfect.</p>
<p>As you can imagine we are all very excited about this movie - it is going to be amazing! Release date is November 23rd 2016 only one more year to wait.</p>
<p>Here is a snippet of Te Vaka live at the D23 - <a href="http://listbabyqa.hostbaby.com/ln/?c=10472032&l=1028640&k=b06792cb4edc062361fc0bfac77d080e" target="_blank" data-imported="1">https://youtu.be/kBEBpQDSwQE<br> </a></p>
Te Vakatag:tevaka.com,2005:Post/60716992014-11-23T11:00:00+11:002021-01-23T16:01:00+11:00Exciting times ahead
<p>The forces are aligning, the music is brewing and we are getting ready for a spectacular 2015. </p>
Te Vaka