12 February 2021 - 0 Comments

Well respected for their work in Aotearoa’s music scene and with tamariki nation-wide, husband and wife musical duo Aro are set to release their latest song Baby Beat, inspired by their yet to be born baby's heartbeat, on their due date of Thursday 11th March.

“Our first scan was during the Auckland Level 3 lockdown, so Emily had to go on her own. It was a shame not to go together as this is our first baby. Emily came home with a recording of our baby's heartbeat, and we were inspired to write to it. This is a song about anticipating meeting our little one, and the beauty of creation.” says Charles Looker (Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngati Te Ata, Ngati Mutunga).

Following the success of their 2020 EP which was inspired by native birds He Manu Ano, Aro Music have been busy creating work virtually in response to lockdown restrictions. They are back in the live space in 2021 with gigs confirmed in Wellington, Hamilton (Festival One) and Auckland (Auckland Folk Festival and Music in the Parks).

“One of my favourite things about He Manu Ano is the way it captures the best parts of so many genres. Driven by storytelling, the EP pulls elements from pop, R&B and jazz. Pukeko is an awesome blend of haka and hip hop”. – Isla Norman - Muzic.net.nz

Baby Beat will embrace Aro’s signature playful and uplifting sound, combining English and te reo Maori vocals, striking harmonies and R&B and jazzy beats. The single explores ideas of excitement, new beginnings and creation, which echoes the more positive and rejuvenation that is promised by 2021.

“…haunting and interlocking vocals, stick percussion, evocations of taonga puoro, touches of Latin rhythms – is clever and diverse…” (Manu album review) – Elsewhere

Aro consists of husband-and-wife Charles and Emily Looker. The pair share a passion for the power of language and music to tell stories and remind us of our cultural identity. The duo were finalists for the Maioha Award at the Silver Scrolls (2019) and the APRA Best Children’s Song Award for their song Korimako (2020).

Aro is committed to tamariki in their work, which has included live and virtual workshops and the creation of educational resources for low decile, regional, and Kura Kaupapa Maori schools. Having worked in this space, they are excited to be welcoming their first baby into the world. So excited, in fact that it has created a new song to be enjoyed by the people of Aotearoa.

https://aromusic.co.nz/

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