01 Feb 2010 // An interview by Shade
Thanks to Maisey for answering these questions:

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

My advice would be to just keep on keeping on no matter what life throws at you, there will always be that light at the end of the tunnel, if you truly believe in yourself. Also surround yourself with people that are in support and encourage the talent/skill/gifts out of you, take a little time out of the day to do something you truly love to do. I understand there are bills to pay which means that work always comes first - just don't forget to connect with what you are good at something that truly satisfies the soul otherwise you are just existing. We need to be living.

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?

I have alot of respect for bands such as the Herbs. I love the messages in their songs such as 'Dragons and Demons' and 'Sensitive to a Smile' they are so real and relevant, even now they uplift and make those with demons or those that feel less than beautiful feel like there is a place for them where they can feel accepted and loved - all this from a song - thats the power of song! Im a huge fan of the Eagles and I think that the Herbs are NZ's equivalent to the Eagles.

How do you come up with your lyrics?

So many things inspire me I could see, hear, feel, touch something and connect it with an experience ideal or thought. Once I have a tune and the theme, theres a spark that goes off in my head and Im obsessed until Ive anchored or molded it into a song, it just comes and sometimes that is at 2am or whilst doing something as simple as grocery shopping - pretty random actually. It's exciting, it's fun, it's fulfilling and it's therapeutic.

Who would you most like to support live?

Just to be in the same room as the Eagles, Coldplay, Sade, India Arie, Lauryn Hill, Jason Miraz, Justin Nozuka, James Morrison would be magic. I hold NZ bands like Herbs, Kora, 1814, Katchafire, Stan Walker, Brooke Fraser and Hinewehi Mohi with the same regard and respect as these International/American bands.

How do you describe your music?

Soul, Acoustic, Rootz, Bilingual, Easy Listening music. Is there such a style or genre as 'what ever feels good'? - that's our style.

What is the best part of being a musician?

The best part for me is getting to meet and greet people that are on the same wavelength as us, we have had the honour and privilege to meet NZ's finest performers in our journeys and that to me is the greatest gift of all, as when you are in your own home town there are not that many doing what your doing as a musician and even less doing this line of mahi day in day out so when you are with like minded people sparks flow, its like you are not an outsider or dreamer its real and its powerful alone we are strong but together we can move mountains.

What is in your CD collection at home?

My CD collection consists of a variety, we have a mix of homegrown and International CD's, we have Native American CD's - I just love the drum/percussion we have easy listening (Sade/Coldplay) we have poetic justice (Ladi 6/Lauryn Hill/India Arie) we have R&/B (Beyonce/Alicia Keys) we have NZ flava (Stan Walker/Brooke Fraser/Hollie Smith/Kora) and then we have music thats more underground from people that have not been signed that we just love and respect also. My brother gets into Metal and Dance music so we have these collections as well.

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?

My favourite place to be in this world is Omaio (East Coast/B.O.P) kicking back down there with my whaanau with nothing but the bush ocean and sky brings me a sense of peace that is both healing and energising. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen and being pretty much raised down there with all the cuzzys and extended whaanau having learned and gained so much from such a small place I am so proud to call Omaio Home. Omaio is my Paradise.

If you were to take a scenic journey down the eastern coast of New Zealand, you would most likely hear the sounds of waves crashing on the beach, Tuis calling from the trees and the spiritual sound of Maisey Rika.

Hailing from Whakatane, this singer/songwriter has a powerful, yet majestic voice that captivates audiences worldwide. Maisey has been singing all her life, and at age 13 she began singing professionally. She recorded E Hine, a classic collection of Maori traditional songs. E Hine went double platinum and also won Best Maori Language Album at the NZ Music Awards. Maisey was also nominated for Best Female Vocalist in 1998 at just 15 years old.

Since then Maisey has toured the world as a lead vocalist with her traditional song and dance Kapahaka group. Performing in such countries as Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia and Australia.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Maisey Rika

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