01 July 2019 - 0 Comments

Ed Waaka (Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Ngati Pahauwera) has been described as one of NZ’s hidden gems, and is best known for collaborations with prominent electronic artists Dan Aux, Faster Then Light, Colours of Jupiter, MC Tali and ASKE. After drawing breath to return to his singer songwriter roots, Ed now brings his solo work back to the table with stirring new single, War on The Street.

Wrapped in a timeless cloak of soul, studded with horns and hammond organ, War On The Street is reminscent of the R&B classics, but the message behind the music is more relevant than ever. It’s a crucial reminder that love and empathy is the way forward, and the only way to navigate through these challenging modern times.

“War On The Street was a musical response to how I felt about the current social issues facing New Zealand society,” Ed explains. “In particular, those faced by Maori communities which make up a majority of NZ’s worst statistics including poverty, incarceration, mental illness and suicide. Being a 34 year-old Maori male, it was a reflection from personal experience on how the loss of identity, humility and social disconnect can impact negatively on mental well-being and how, at times, we’re continually fighting to stay afloat.”

War On The Street is the first single from his forthcoming EP, which Ed began writing in 2018. An assembly of groove-laden, conscious classics in the making, the EP has been influenced by Ed’s own musical journey, and how his experience has shaped his perspective on the importance of mental wellbeing, particularly as an artist in the music industry. Expect more singles before the EP release in Summer 2020.

War On The Street is out now on Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes.

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