Music News - Jen Cloher announces new album 'I Am The River, The River Is Me' and releases debut single + music video 'Mana Takatāpui'
09 November 2022 - 0 Comments
Award winning songwriter and performer Jen Cloher (Ngāpuhi & Ngāti Kahu) releases their stunning single Mana Takatāpui today, Wednesday November 9.
Mana Takatāpui is the debut single from Jen Cloher’s fifth album I Am The River, The River Is Me, releasing March 3, 2023.
Mana Takatāpui is accompanied by a very special music video created here in Aotearoa. “This song and clip are a celebration of my people, of takatāpui who get up everyday and resist oppression just by existing.” shares Cloher. “Through art making and performing; politics, activism and community organisation all the while raising families, reclaiming their language and remembering who we are and have always been.”
“This clip stars heroes of mine - those who continue to weave our takatāpuitanga (queer Māori culture) by standing tall” say Cloher who worked with ProducerRuby- Reihana Wilson (Ngā Puhi). “You will see dancing on the steps of NZ Parliament Greens MP Dr. Elizabeth Kerekere, whose PhD and accompanying whāriki (weaving) Mana Takatāpui inspired the name of this song; members of the legendary Pōneke (Wellington) based Tiwhanawhana Kapa Haka who formed 30 years ago as a place for takatāpui to stand proud in our tikanga (cultural practices), the gorgeous Tangaroa Paul, a non-binary activist, model and soon to be Dr. Tangaroa, Jacob Tamata, an exciting new choreographer and passionate advocate of vogue ballroom dancing, The Tiwhas, a Māori drag queen trio who serve takatāpui cabaret goodness wherever they go and Quack Pirihi, a brave young activist who champions rangatahi (young people) growing up in a system that was never designed for Māori to succeed. “
Cloher gives an insight into the songwriting process “In 2019 I typed the words ‘Maori word for Queer’ into Google. The word ‘takatāpui’ flashed onto my screen with this description:‘Takatāpui is the Māori word meaning a devoted partner of the same sex. In Western terminology, a person who identifies as takatāpui is a Māori individual who is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Takatāpui is used nowadays in response to the Western construction of "sexuality, gender, and corresponding identity expressions.”
I typed my newfound word into the Māori Dictionary app and listened to it being spoken. It was beautiful. The extended ahh after the k, giving it a luxuriousness as it rolled off the speaker's tongue. I marvelled at the idea of one word that could explain my sexuality, gender and cultural identity. What an incredible language!
The next day on a walk with a queer Samoan friend, I told them of my new discovery. I took a deep breath remembering the speaker on my app and said “takataapui” aloud for the first time. A sense of belonging ensued, like a question being answered. There was a warmth in my chest, the feeling was pride.
I hope this becomes the anthem takatāpui can sing at the top of their lungs in the car, cleaning the house, at the club (remixed!) or at the next Pride day. This song is for all of us. The joyful celebration we need and deserve right now."
Jen Cloher lives on unceded Wurundjeri land in Naarm (Melbourne), but describes making this music video as a feeling of coming home. “Even though I have spent most of my life away from my land - making this album and clip has been a true homecoming” says Cloher. “It is on my matrilineal moana (ocean) Whangaroa Harbour in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland NZ) that you can see me sailing along and singing while playing my Aunty Maera’s guitar.”
Cloher’s taut, terse brand of rock is charged with the static tension that comes with being an eternal misfit; they have spoken truth to power with the shrewd eye that only an outsider can possess. Admirers have naturally gravitated towards Cloher’s incisive, generous songwriting.
The Independent UK called Cloher "A modern day Patti Smith whose brutally honest, politically charged lyrics mark her out as one of the most interesting and important artists of her day.”
Over the course of five albums, they have won a J Award and an AIR Award and been nominated for an ARIA and the Australian Music Prize. This year Milk! Records, which Cloherstarted in 2012 with Courtney Barnett, celebrates its tenth year of releasing music by artists such as Tiny Ruins, Hand Habits, Liz Stringer and Hachiku.
Jen Cloher's fifth album I Am The River, The River Is Me releases March 3, 2023 via Milk! Records / Remote Control.
I Am The River, The River Is Me was recorded between Aotearoa (NZ) and Naarm (Melbourne) with producers Tom Healy (Tiny Ruins, Marlon Williams), Anika Ostendorf (Hachiku) and Cloher’s longtime drummer Jen Sholakis; the album brings in trailblazing artists including Emma Donovan (Gumbaynggirr, Yamatji), Kylie Auldist, Liz Stringer, Te Kaahu (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tīpā), Ruby Solly (Kai Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe)and members of the Naarm-based Kapa Haka, Te Hononga o ngā Iwi.
Mana Takatāpui is available on online streaming platforms here
Pre-save / Pre-order I Am The River, The River Is Me here
Mana Takatāpui out now, Wednesday November 9th 2022.
Mana Takatāpui is the first single from Jen Cloher's forthcoming album I Am The River, The River Is Me releasing in March 2023.
Photo Credit: Marcelle Bradbeer
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