Tēnā koutou katoa!!
We are so happy to share with you our newest EP, out TODAY, 'He Manu Anō', which basically means "and some more Manu"; an extension of our 2019 debut album 'Manu'. The EP is FREE for you to download and enjoy right here. This EP is fully written in Te Reo Māori, with lyrics and translations up on our website.
"He Manu Anō consists of five songs which display Aro’s signature playful and uplifting sound, using a plethora of instruments and taonga pūoro, including guitars, saxophone, shakers, hand drums and tambourine. A multi-genre offering of storytelling pop, R&B and jazz, fusing vocals, whistles, clapping, and chants, with bird song and calls, each song also thematically explores the ideas of being vigilant and brave, looking out for each other, and getting through things with love, a sentiment which rings true, now more than ever."
This EP has been fully recorded from our whare, and was funded by Creative NZ, who have also supported us in the making of a new education resource to pair with the music, which we're sharing through September as a virtual schools tour! We're so, so, SO thankful for the backing of CNZ for this project (in the form of an Arts Continuity Grant), and are so excited to now be sharing it with you. We also want to acknowledge Tainui and the wonderful crew at Te Pou Theatre, who encouraged, believed in, and supported us with the proposal for this project.
Special thanks to those who were involved in this project with us, Beka Hope who has created our new website (it's meannn, go check it!!!) as well as the presentation of the education resource. Manu Berry who created all of the incredible wood-cut screen print bird images to pair with each song - you can see them HERE, above each of the lyrics and translations for each waiata, we'll also have physical copies coming on tour with us! Vivek Gabriel who mixed and mastered this project, thanks for going above and beyond as usual our bruv, we always love working with you, and finally, to Elephant Publicity who have been doing a stellar job getting our new waiata out there - for all the radio interviews and TV broadcasts. PS we're on RNZ tonight at 8.05pm!
Though our Auckland show was cancelled due to Covid19, the remaining shows are still going ahead at this stage and tickets can be found here: www.aromusic.co.nz/shows
We're also going live TONIGHT on facebook, 7.30pm for a listening party and kōrero around the songs and how they came to be, join us!
XOXO
Aroha nui whānau,
Emily & Charles
aka, Aro