12 April 2024 - 0 Comments

She has toured 40 countries over the last 20 years, taking Pacific music to the world as the manager of internationally acclaimed South Pacific band, Te Vaka. After seeing Te Vaka signed to Walt Disney Pictures for the animated musical feature film, Moana, Julie Foai – aka Miss French – realised that her vision for Te Vaka was achieved (for now).

The time seemed right for her to pick up where she left off in her own musical journey. Foai's debut album The Trials and Tribulations of Miss French Part One, an album of original songs in the vein of jazz, blues and cabaret, was released in 2016 to a very warm reception.

After eight years, and many adventures, Miss French is very excited about launching The Trials and Tribulations of Miss French Part Two on Friday 24 May.

Both Parts One and Two are produced by internationally acclaimed songwriter Opetaia Foai, who is currently signed to Walt Disney Pictures and working alongside Mark Mancina on Moana 2 (due for release on November 27th this year).

The first single from The Trials and Tribulations of Miss French Part Two, By Their Actions, picks up the heart of reggae. Foai says, "When I joined my first band at age 18, Bob Marley and the Wailers had just released Catch a Fire, and, while this is her first recorded reggae track, it's always been part of her core.

Instrumentally, By Their Actions covers a full sonic spectrum with bass, drums, keyboard and guitars alongside flutes, clarinets, saxophones, violins, a viola and a cello.

Foai's daughter Olivia Foai, a respected musician in her own right, was involved too, and Miss French says, "Having Olivia improvise a vocal outro at the end was great too. To me, the message of the song is simple but important. Take time to observe what people do rather than just listening to what they tell you.

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