Mai Music Stamps Mark On Kiwi Charts

PANUI PAPAHO/PRESS STATEMENT

Te 13 o nga ra o Mahuru 2002

KI A:

Chief Reporters Arts and Entertainment Reporters Maori Affairs Reporters

MAI MUSIC STAMPS MARK ON KIWI CHARTS

MAI MUSIC musicians are stamping their mark on the local music scene as a new wave of brown sounds dominates the New Zealand charts.

R’n’B vocal act D2S, reggae band Katchafire and hip-hop duo The Dubious Brothers are flying the flag for the fledgling music label with retail success and rave reviews on the live circuit. ? ‘Ride With Me’ by funky four-piece D2S made its debut this week at number 14 on the New Zealand singles chart and is tipped to break into the top 10 next week. D2S - which stands for 'Destined 2 Shyne' – are South Aucklanders Kebrasca Ratima, Thomas Stowers, Roni Faneva and Carlos Marsh. Upcoming gigs include the MAI FM 88.6 fireworks extravaganza at Alexandra Park on November 2 as well as guest appearances at the Auckland station’s school holiday promotions. The group return to the studio next week to record their follow-up single.

? Hamilton eight-piece Katchafire is in hot demand with gigs booked for Labour weekend in Wellington as well as the MAI FM fireworks show at Alexandra Park on November 2. Their catchy debut tune 'Giddyup' is sitting at number nine on the New Zealand singles chart and is also expected to rise next week as radio play kicks in. The group was a finalist in the recent b.NET New Zealand Music Awards for best unreleased song, and supported Salmonella Dub at a sell-out show at Auckland’s St James Theatre the same night as the awards ceremony. They’ve performed on TV2 youth show Mai Time while their guest spot on Mercy Peak screens early next month (Oct). Katchafire are Jamey Ferguson (keyboards/saxophone/vocals); Logan Bell (guitar/lead vocals); Jordan Bell (drummer); Grenville Bell (guitar); Thompson Hohepa (rhythm guitar/vocals); Ara Adams-Tamatea (bass player); Haini Totorewa (keyboards/ vocals); and Leon Keelan (percussion). The band starts recording their follow-up single and album in the next few weeks.

? The Dubious Brothers was one of four acts invited to play at the recent b.NET awards (as a finalist for most promising act) and appear on the delayed television broadcast tonight (TV2, 10.40pm). Their acclaimed album, ‘Trade Secrets’, is about to be re-released with a limited edition, bonus mix disc by DJ Logikal which was sponsored by Red Bull. The pair will perform at the upcoming 2002 Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit at Auckland's The Edge in early October. Tyna Keelan – one-half of the group with Chris Macro – jets to Hawaii later that month to contest the world MC title after recently winning the national title. ‘Rage’ is number one on the alternative radio charts while ‘Dubious Styles’ is the next single release.

MAI MUSIC general manager Victor Stent says the current chart success of artists such as Anika Moa, K'Lee, Che Fu, D2S, Katchafire and The Dubious Brothers returns Maori and Polynesian musicians to the forefront of the New Zealand entertainment scene for the first time in 20 years.

"The vision of MAI MUSIC is an extension of the kaupapa of MAI FM - the promotion of Maori language and culture combined with a commitment to youth values and needs," Mr Stent says. "This new wave of brown music demonstrates that our dreams are, in fact, coming true."

MAI MUSIC is a division of Ngati Whatua-owned MAI MEDIA which also operates Auckland's number one radio station, MAI FM 88.6; music publishing entity MAI PUBLISHING; and the national Maori language radio service RUIA MAI.

ENDS

For more information, contact Mai Music general manager Victor Stent on 09 9777 835 or 029 9777 835; or Mai Media communications manager Vanessa Bidois on 09 9777 838 or 029 9777 838.

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