06 February 2024 - 0 Comments

Mokotron is a Tāmaki-based Māori producer from Ngāti Hine, who spreads seismic waves of low frequency Indigenous electronic music. Exploring ancient futurism through music, Mokotron imagines a reality without colonisation, where the ancestors transition from the ancient world into the modern, creating futures of hope juxtaposed with the hard realities of urban disconnection.

2022 was a breakout year for Mokotron releasing two 12” EPs on Spanish label Electro Records, as well as featuring on digital compilations assembled by Crazed Behaviour (UK), Ovelha Tracks (Portugal) and Strange Behaviour (Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington). Their independently released EP Tawhito was awarded Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu (Favourite EP / Mixtape) at the 2022 Student Radio Network Awards, with the title track placing fifth on the network’s SRN TOP 10 for the year.

Now singed to Sunreturn, Mokotron returns with Tawhito (Caru Remix), the first single to be released from an upcoming remix album The United Tribes of Bass. Out digitally on March 22, The United Tribes of Bass is a landmark remix album, exclusively featuring Māori and Cook Island Māori electronic practitioners from throughout the motu.

STREAM MOKOTRON - TAWHITO (CARU REMIX)

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Caru is the musical project of Carl Ruwhiu (he/him, Ngāti Porou), an electronic producer who honed his production skills as on half of Imugi 이무기. Now adopting the moniker ‘Caru’ Ruwhiu is directing his creative efforts to the dance floor - resulting in a steady flow of remixes and bootlegs released on Soundcloud. Caru's tracks have been played out on international stages including Lady Shaka’s Boiler Room and released via UK labels Belters and Wang Records.

Caru's version of Tawhito draws clear focus on atmosphere and depth throughout the track, taking the listener on a dizzying trip through off kilter rhythms and deep brooding bass.

"When I first heard Mokotron, I knew that his music, ideas and kaupapa would go on to inspire many artists in Aotearoa" says Caru. "To me, Mokotron is pioneering an electronic genre that was distinct to Aotearoa, by incorporating taonga pūoro and Te Reo Māori into electro & breakbeat styles. I feel like Mokotron is setting a precedent of what electronic dance music from Aotearoa can be."

"I have always found the Taonga Pūoro recordings in Tawhito to be so hauntingly beautiful and I wanted to take Mokotron's sound somewhere it hadn't been before. My intent was to juxtapose the distinct original against a backdrop of sounds reminiscent of early 2000's dark garage, 2-step, and dubstep - adding to the ever growing list of electronic genres touched on in Mokotron's discography."

"It's such a privilege to be included in this project alongside such talented and well respected artists. I'm so grateful that Mokotron trusted me to remix his song."

The feeling is mutual, with Mokotron sharing “There’s no one in Aotearoa who inspires me more right now than Caru. They've had a big influence on me over the last few years and have driven me to push my production forward. I honestly think in 10 years time people will look back on this remix as the point at which Māori electronic music stopped being a novelty and started being a reality.”

The United Tribes of Bass will feature remixes and reworkings by Caru, along with Big Fat Raro, Akcept, Netana, Hasji, DJ Oboe, Galoleafi and Big Wā.

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