Music News - Fall in love with AJA’s soulful new single 'True Love'
08 December 2023 - 0 Comments
Destined to become the soundtrack to many memorable moments, award-winning Aotearoa singer-songwriter and producer AJA has today unveiled her new RnB love song, True Love.
A soulful track that pulls you into a wonderful, hazy dream, True Love is about celebrating love and how, through meaningful connections, we discover our truest selves. Made with the support of Auckland UNESCO City of Music EQ Grant, it was written in collaboration with AJA’s cousin - composer, author and guitarist Te Kawa Herangi.
“We started writing the song in 2021, on Mara TK’s Bad Meditation Album Tour. We had some down time in Auckland when Te Kawa came up with this tune on the guitar, then together we wrote some lyrics. We’d sing it on loop and work away at it, but the EQ grant announcement motivated me to finish it.”
As with previous releases, AJA’s storytelling and vocal ability shine in True Love, while her 9-piece band of accomplished musicians, skillfully deliver that extra bit of magic and emotional theatre. The band is made up of executive producer Delaney Davidson (organ), Tola Newbery (percussion), Te Kawa Herangi (composer, author, guitarist), Peter Riley (bass), Miharo Gregory (keys), Louisa Williamson (saxophone/flute), Cameron Robertson (trumpet), Patrick Di Somma (trombone) and Sam Notman (drums). Shoutouts must also go to the exceptional production on this track, by technical demonstrator/sound engineer, Mike Gibson and engineer/producer Thomas Te Taite - who recorded it in the Wellington Massey University Studio, Te Ahumairangi building.
Also being released today is a beautifully produced ‘love story’ music video that unfolds in a stylish hotel bar between singer (AJA) and patron (actor Tola Newbery). Throughout the video, it becomes clear that each set, costume, frame and movement has been carefully considered by director Jessica Sanderson (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Te Ātiawa, Pākehā) and captured by director of photography Matt Henly. It was through the Auckland UNESCO City of Music EQ Grant that AJA and Jessica came together. EQ is a gender equality programme that provides funding for music videos and networking and was developed in association with Woman in Film & Television (WIFT) and SAE Creative Media Institute. Jessica is a television & film director who often has themes around identity and memory appear in her work. She is passionate about working on stories that promote healing, and documentaries that can elevate inspiring voices to influence positive change. She’s also a trained designer and inspired to create beautiful imagery - which she has succeeded in with the True Love music video.
The release of True Love follows an impressive year of music for AJA. She released moving te reo Māori waiata Te Reo ki Whakarongotai, and smooth RnB song ‘Feel It’. Both singles featured on the NZ RadioScope Charts (Alt/Te Reo Māori), SRN Charts, NZ on Air New Tracks, and gained great support from commercial, public/iwi radio, tv and Rolling Stone AU/NZ. She headlined the 2023 Newtown Festival, opened Kia Mau Festival, and performed at the Matariki Awards and Cuba Dupa.
AJA (Aja Wairere Ropata - Ngāti Raukawa, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Porou) is a celebrated industry professional. She released her debut single Non-Handler in Matariki 2019, closely followed by hersecond single Kāwai in NZ Music Month 2020. In 2022 she was presented with the esteemed APRA Maioha Silver Scroll Award for waiata Te Iho, a collaboration with Byllie-Jean and Chris Wethey. First-time finalist and winner, AJA says it was another proud moment elevating contemporary waiata reo Māori. AJA’s voice and musical arrangements speak to a wide audience. With a much-anticipated debut album being worked on alongside Mara TK, AJA has given us a precious early Christmas gift with today’s single release True Love and the promise of much more to come in the new year!
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