Local Artists Collaborate With Top Uk Producer

Local Artists Collaborate With Top Uk Producer

PANUI PAPAHO / MEDIA STATEMENT

Te 23 o nga ra o Kohi-tatea 2004 / 23 January 2004

LOCAL ARTISTS COLLABORATE WITH TOP UK PRODUCER

Two new local acts have been selected to record with a top UK producer as part of an innovative music seminar coming up in March.

Colin Emmanuel - who's worked with the best R'n'B talent in the world - will collaborate with Coke Rhythm Nation winners Niki Ahu and Flow On Show before delivering the results at Resonate 2004.

The three-day seminar from March 11 to 13 is being presented by the British Council New Zealand, Auckland radio station Mai FM 88.6 and the New Zealand Music Industry Commission with the help of New Zealand On Air and Flying Fish.

The event at the Auckland Art Gallery - Toi o Tamaki Auditorium will feature a series of speakers in a programme designed to educate, enlighten and explore the similarities and differences between creative disciplines in the UK and New Zealand.

Other guests include Beggars Group chairman Martin Mills, top entertainment lawyer Sarah Waddington and return visits by music video producer Pete Chambers and video commissioner Liz Kessler.

A respected writer and producer, Colin has an impressive discography having worked with many major artists including Mary J Blige, D'Angelo, En Vogue, KRS1, Beverley Knight and Wyclef to name a few. He's most recently been working with Jamelia on her latest album, the majority of which he has co-written and produced.

Speaking from the UK, Colin says it wasn't easy to select just two songs as the standard was extremely high. "I chose Niki Ahu as I thought it was a really good song with great lyrics, a catchy hook and very radio friendly," he explains.

"Flow On Show was amongst my favourite rap and hip hop tracks that I received - the MCs had good, clear flows and it's always more of a challenge to work on something that will bang in the clubs. I guess I'd like to show the difference between club and radio crossover production."

Coke Rhythm Nation was a 10-round talent search run by Mai FM last year to foster local talent by giving them the chance to professionally record one of their own, original songs.

Niki Ahu, a Maori woman singer, songwriter and performer based in Greenlane, Auckland, won the sixth round after her tune, 'Nobody Knows', attracted the most votes from Mai FM listeners.

Flow On Show, an all-Maori rap trio from Mount Maunganui comprising Nathan 'Neight' Jackson, Chris 'Critter' Watene and Joshua 'Kidd' Te Kani, also scored big with their single, 'Innocent Love'.

The two acts will perform at Rhythm Nation Summer Beats this Monday (26/1/04) - a free outdoor concert at Okaahu Bay in Auckland.

More information about Resonate 2004 is available on the website - www.resonate.org.nz - or by e-mailing info@resonate.org.nz while questions can be submitted for discussion during the seminar to question@resonate.org.nz.

Ticket prices are $30 per session or $15 concession while a three-day pass is available for $150 or $100 concession and are on sale at your local PostShop, by calling 0800 000 575 or at www.redtickets.co.nz .

Introducing …

‘FLOW ON SHOW’

Nathan ‘Neight’ Jackson – Chris ‘Critter’ Watene – Joshua ‘Kidd’ Te Kani

Flow On Show is the fifth round winner of the 2003 Coke Rhythm Nation competition.

The Mount Maunganui trio scored a professional recording session when their single, ‘Innocent Love’, attracted the most votes from listeners of Auckland station Mai FM 88.6

The young men are aged between 18 and 20 and affiliated to the iwi (tribes) of Ngapuhi, Ngai Tahu and Tainui.

The group – who describe their music as “positive vibrations” – say they’re inspired by other New Zealand artists such as Che Fu, Upper Hutt Posse and Damn Native as well as the many different cultures of Auckland.

“We’re from all walks of life, and this is reflected in our music.”

Flow On Show say they’re grateful for the opportunity to release this song and they hope to produce an album by the end of this year.

When it comes to making music, Flow On Show says: “We live it and love it.”

Introducing …

‘NIKI AHU’

Auckland singer/songwriter Niki Ahu is the sixth round winner of the 2003 Coke Rhythm Nation competition.

The 28-year-old is the first female artist to win the talent search after her single, ‘Nobody Knows’, scored the most votes among listeners of top Auckland station Mai FM 88.6.

Of Tainui descent, Niki is originally from Hamilton and now resides in Greenlane. She began singing at the age of eight and previously performed with various cover bands throughout the country before she began writing her own music.

Niki says she recognizes the power and comfort of music and hopes to use it “to share a positive message” with others.

Her R’n’B and dance style is influenced by other female artists such as Lauryn Hill and Tracy Chapman.

“’Nobody Knows’ is about how people go around putting on a face but when they are on their own, they have to deal with the real issues,” she says.

In the near future, Niki hopes to form a band for live performances and she would also love to work on an album, particularly one dedicated to gospel music.

ENDS

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