Tia Ward - Single Review: Ko Wai Ahau
Divine.
Taranaki, Ngati Maniapoto has given us the bewitching sound of Tia Ward. This young artist, nearing the end of her third year at Massey's music school, looks to have the goods already. With the kupu Ko Wai Ahau given to Tia by Tuhoe poet Matiu Tahi, Tia worked on the instrumentation with Toby Lloyd, who also engineered and mixed at Tiny Triumph Recordings. Chris Chetland mastered at KOG.
The melody is sweet and light. Orchestration is laid back, complete but not cluttered, and instruments wisely chosen and well positioned. Great instrumental mix.
The stat turn of this single, however, is the vocal. With a nicely places harmony section in all the right places, Tia's lead vocal is exquisite. I myself come from a traditionally tribal people, although mine is from the old world, and we also had to fight colonisation for centuries to retain our heritage, history and language. I understand where the love of singing in Te Reo comes from. And as an immigrant to these shores I can tell you that that language is truly beautiful and is in and of itself a treasure of these islands that all who call themselves children of Aotearoa New Zealand should safeguard.
The subject matter is appreciation of moko kauae, how it is a taonga and its connection to whakapapa. Tia says it's her first Te Reo Waiata, and I am hoping it will be only the start of a long career singing in her native tongue. Alien Weaponry, Six60, Tia Ward. Make it happen for her. This song is indeed... divine.
Hollywood's Dream Teens!
About Tia Ward
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Tia Ward
Releases
Other Reviews By Jack Grabham
Underwire - Single Review: Gravity
25 May 2023 // by Jack Grabham
I like Underwire. I've been privileged to catch this Wellington-based punk/indie band live a number of times, going back a few years.
Read More...
Sounds Escape - Single Review: Haunted
22 May 2023 // by Jack Grabham
Sounds Escape is the project band name of one-man show Logan Wedgwood. The release of the EP Echo Cinema sees Logan releasing the track Haunted as the EP's promo single.
Read More...
Sam Cullen - Single Review: Forever
19 May 2023 // by Jack Grabham
80's! It was a place, not just a time.
Read More...
Andy White & Tim Finn - Album Review: AT
29 Mar 2023 // by Jack Grabham
I still have my original late 70's 7" vinyl single of I Got You by Split Enz, despite emigrating to these shores in early 1997. I wasn't even a teenager in the late 70's.
Read More...
Iveta & Simone - Single Review: Corazon
24 Feb 2023 // by Jack Grabham
Here's the thing. Pop isn't my bag.
Read More...
Chump Change - Single Review: Ocean Eyed Machine
24 Feb 2023 // by Jack Grabham
Oh, I'm getting a real knack for picking the ones that get my toes tappin'! With this single, Ocean Eyed Machine, Dunedin-based indie outfit Chump Change have delivered an ethereal delight that lives up to its billing of "summer hit" on the EPK I got sent.
Read More...
B O K E H - Single/Video Review: Simple Little Things
23 Feb 2023 // by Jack Grabham
I seem to be picking up pop pieces recently. Lucky for me, I'm picking up quality commercial-standard work like this one, B O K E H's new single Simple Little Things.
Read More...
Sabreen Islam - Single Review: Still Love You
26 Jan 2023 // by Jack Grabham
Here's the thing. I am a rock music fan, principally the 70's and 80's stuff.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- CUPID (TWIN VERSION)
Fifty Fifty - PEOPLE
Libianca - LAST NIGHT
Morgan Wallen - DAYLIGHT
David Kushner - FLOWERS
Miley Cyrus - KILL BILL
SZA - CALM DOWN
Rema And Selena Gomez - DIE FOR YOU (REMIX)
The Weeknd And Ariana Grande - KARMA
Taylor Swift feat. Ice Spice - BOY'S A LIAR PT. 2
PinkPantheress And Ice Spice
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
