01 July 2022 - 0 Comments

Auckland music collective The Human Kind have today released their first waiata Māori single, Mā Te Wai in celebration of Matariki.

Listen here

A trip hop vibe that features all of The Human Kind voices in stacked soul harmony, each vocal providing their own element to the track.

The track’s ghostly lead vocal is by Debbie Toko-Stevens, sung in Te Reo Māori, which speaks to the wairua of the song, along with Jason Slade’s powerful delivery of a whakatauki (Māori proverb).

There are Gregorian chant harmonies by Frank Marinthe and rich backing vocals by Chrissy Diamond, Jason Slade and Mitch French who also plays the gritty funk bass with Jess Hix on drums.

Mā Te Wai has been written in support of The Human Kind kaupapa, where they create and perform music to raise awareness and fundraise for charities that tautoko ’Taha hinengaro’ mental wellbeing.

“The song was inspired by and based on the research paper 'Mā Te Wai - Ka Piki Ake Te Hauora' written by Dr Te Manaaroha Rollo a music therapy specialist,” says Debbie Toko-Stevens.

“Speaking to the child within us when we are in dark times, in an eternal never-ending night, or, te pō, a place where no light existsor depression can feel like this but having a whakatauāki like Mā Te Wai to come back to is a great touchstone for grounding oneself" says Debbie.

The single is joined by the video for Mā Te Wai which sees birds in dance, the birds a metaphor for spiritual connection and the dance is a metaphor for expression both of which are intrinsically linked to wellbeing.

Watch the video here

The single and video release is accompanied by an interview with Shaun Robinson, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. The Human Kind are fundraising for the foundation with all ticket sales from their sold out show on June 23rd and July 10th in Auckland going to the foundation.

Watch the video interview here

Mā Te Wai is joined by the previous release from the band this year, Tell Me How with more to follow from this exciting up and coming music project including a remix of Mā Te Wai with two of Aotearoa’s finest musicians - watch this space!

The Human Kind NZ live shows:

Sunday July 10 - Lopdell Theatre - 7pm
Tickets available HERE

Saturday August 27 - The Auckland Art Gallery - 1pm
Tickets available HERE

Sunday August 28 - The Auckland Art Gallery - 1pm
Tickets available HERE

Comments

Return to News Archive