Bio

Moana Ete is a 25-year-old, Wellington-based singer-songwriter and guitarist. She is a rising force on the New Zealand music landscape, and is proudly represented by Dream 1 Media.

Ete began singing in church at the age of 8, and was performing at 13. Describing herself as “a typical Wellington girl, arty”, Ete has a strong background in theatre, contemporary New Zealand dance and visual arts, while she is also a talented writer.

But Ete’s most striking gifts are her stunning voice, quality guitar-work and her honest and prolific songwriting. Citing blues and jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday as primary influences, along with soul divas Sade and Anita Baker, Ete also draws upon many contemporary elements.

Ete’s indie-tinged, stripped-back soul and R&B tunes, with an unmistakable hipster-hop element, evoke comparisons with the likes of Jessie Ware, Banks, Janelle Monae, Santigold, Amanda Blank and – closer to home – Hollie Smith and Ladi6, effortlessly bridging the genres and finding a blissful balance.

The tracks ‘Round Two’, ‘Ballpark’, ‘Together’, ‘Can’t Deal’, ‘Trust You’ and ‘I Wanna Play With You’ lay bare the maturity and sincerity in Ete’s songwriting, her diverse influences, and her penchant for experimentation.

Ranging from powerful and raw to tender and soulful, Ete’s intoxicating vocals and live presence are creating plenty of buzz in the industry.

Ete is performing at Sofar Sounds, BW Summer Festival and Homegrown during the 2014/15 summer, and made her Auckland debut at Orleans (Britomart) in December.

Her debut EP is scheduled for release in 2015, and will showcase who Ete is and what she is about – as Ete puts it, “chill vibes, love and grace” – with her songs focusing on her unique perspective on romantic love.

“True love is always gracious and freeing. And if it slips from your grasp you will feel grateful that you had it and know that you will find it again. Women and men alike are stronger for having loved and been loved.”

Ete embodies the Dream 1 ethos of ‘passion for music before anything else’.

Links

• SoundCloud Page