- Title: USA: NEW ZEALAND BAND OCEANIA TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN THE U.S.
- Date: 24th March 2000
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MARCH 24, 2000) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAZ COLEMAN, PRODUCER OF OCEANIA, SAYING, "We are deliberately addressing the cultural identity crisis in Aotearoa, New Zealand. You see, without Maori, basically, New Zealand is over bald vegetables and cold meat pie, you know, dressed up a bit. It's a third-rate British co
- Embargoed: 8th April 2000 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Topics: Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA8VZMPD9L54SHBVPXCWZA2PMBI
- Story Text: New Zealand band Oceania release their self-titled album in the US next month - a mix of Maori language and legends - set to contemporary music to create a unique sound.
Reuters caught up with them in New York City.
Oceania's Maori music is being presented to the world by poet and singer Hinewehi Mohi.British punk singer, Jaz Coleman, produced the album.
Hinewehi Mohi (also called Hine--pronounced Hee Nee) has a father that is Maory, though her mother is New Zeland/European.
She grew up appreciating the Maory history and culture, and with her father's encouragement, went to Waikato University, where the academic curriculum centered on Maori studies.
By the time Hine met Jaz Coleman, she was already established as a poet, singer and presenter on Maori television, working to preserve Maory culture.
Jaz Coleman had become interested in Maori music during his years as the Composer in Residence for the Auckland Philharmonia.He met Hine at a ceremony to celbrate the opening of a music recording studio.And after three years of discussing the idea, Hine and Jaz decided to record Oceania.
Since the album's European release last year, Hine was been performing all over the world, perhaps most notably in October at one of the Rugby World Cup Games in England.Hine says that performing in her native language has been an interestign experience.
She said, "It's a unique experience for most foreign audiences and the response is wonderful.Because at home, there is a complacency about the Maori language and culture, and a real lack of appreciation for it."
Centuries ago, before there was New Zealand, there existed Aotearoa, which was the homeland of the Maori people.
The first Europeans arrived in 1642, but the Maoris fought against them and prevented them from landing on the soil.In the 1700's, Captain James Cook found Aotearoa, again.
In 1840, Aotearoa became New Zealand, a British colony.
But Maori civilization continued to survive in New Zealand, though its music was never known internationally.
Hine and Coleman believe they are on a mission to save Maori music from extinction.During the years of research for this album, Coleman discovered 31 different Maori toned instruments, but only one master who could play them all.
Coleman hopes to set up a program to teach Maori instruments in schools and is hoping that the success of the Oceania album will help bring other Maori bands into the international spotlight.
Hine says she thinks Americans are ready to hear Maori music.
"I was really keen to see at the Grammy's this year that the Latin American thing was exciting people again," she says.
"I think people are hungry for new concepts, new ideas, new music forms.And so we're riding on the back of that, but also we want to hopefuly pioneer this music."
Jaz Coleman has a more intense opinion of Oceania's potential.He says that without Maori, "New Zealand is a third-rate British colony."
Coleman and Hine say that they will continue to champion thesould of Maori music and preserve its integrity. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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