Tiki Taane Bio
Tiki (of Ngati Maniapoto) embarked on his solo artist career in January 2007 after eleven years playing to the world
primarily as the captivating frontman for successful band Salmonella Dub. Releasing his debut album “Past Present
Future” in November 2007, Tiki is showcasing his talent as a musician, producer, composer, audio engineer and
entrepreneur through his company Tikidub Productions.
Representing Aotearoa New Zealand, Tiki has long-cemented the following of a diverse cross-section of peoples from all
corners of the globe. Doubling as an audio engineer for some of the country’s finest acts, Tiki has a solid reputation
for boosting shows, musical works and recordings worldwide with his unique gift for taking music into an innovative new
realm.
PEPEHA
He mokopuna ia na Tainui waka
Ko Owhawhe te maunga
Ko rere-Waitomo ki Waipa te awa
Ko Ngati Maniapoto te iwi
Ko Ngati Uekaha-Ruapuha te hapu
Ko Pohatuiri me Tokikapu nga marae
Ko Tiki Taane tana ingoa
Tiki was born in Otautahi or Christchurch, NZ on 17th December 1976. His father Uekaha is of Ngati Maniapoto descent,
while his mother Lyn is of English and Scottish heritage – the McDuff clan. The third child of 4, Tiki was preceded by 2
sisters – Maureen Aroha, Ninakaye and then followed by his baby brother Anaru Kune, from Ngati Kahungunu and Taranaki.
Raised most of his life in Otautahi, Tiki spent his school years at Heathcote Valley School, Shirley Boys’ College and
then changed to Linwood High School in his 4th Form year. Soon losing interest in his school education, Tiki began
spending time on the streets, getting up to mischief and having many close calls with the law. In the early 90’s, at a
crucial time where Tiki was considering some very downward-spiralling pathways, his father Uekaha gave him a classical
acoustic guitar. To this day, that guitar can be seen as the vehicle through which Tiki’s life took on a powerful new
purpose.
Tiki’s new guitar never left his side as he taught himself to play – listening to and then mimicking riffs and chords
from the likes of Metallica, Megadeth and others. It wasn’t long before he was composing his own guitar tracks, lyrics,
bass guitar and drum tracks too. Fronting his first band Cultivation at the age of 15, Tiki was joined by drummer
Richard Dale, bass guitarist Mike and guitarist and backing vocalist Jason Young (of Future Stupid, Loves Ugly Children
and Excellent Soul Therapy fame).
Cultivation played several head-bangingly great gigs in Christchurch and it was during this time that Tiki sat his
Certificate in Audio Engineering at Christchurch’s Nga Mataa Waka Training Provider. Becoming soundman for some local
metal bands and gigs, Tiki was beginning to get a name for himself on the Christchurch music scene. After his first band
Cultivation disbanded, Tiki went on to join already existing metal band Braaspadeak, contributing to their growing fan
base.
In 1996, Tiki was asked to become live soundman to Christchurch band Salmonella Dub, who were becoming one of the NZ’s
most popular acts. Through this role, Tiki began to earn himself a reputation for his ability to bring a staggeringly
powerful live sound to whatever equipment, venue or environment he was faced with. His time with his metal band
Braaspadeak had become miniscule and irregular, and while on tour with the Dub, Tiki had composed a dub / reggae track
in his hotel room. Once he shared it with Salmonella, they recorded it straight away, and Tiki and his whanau and
friends set to work making a music video featuring Tiki on tour at The Gathering that year. This track “For the Love Of
It” shot to the NZ charts, and so he became faced with not only being soundman for the band, but also the public
expectation that he perform his hit song at all their gigs.
In both 1998 and 1999, Tiki won the Best Live Audio Engineer award at the NZ B-Net awards and though in popular demand,
it was clear that Tiki’s loyalties lay with his friends Salmonella Dub. Also winning an award for Best Song for “For the
Love Of It”, Tiki’s confidence grew in his song-writing abilities and so he went on to create more hits.
By 2000, Tiki was beginning to spend the majority of the Dub gigs mixing the first part of the set, then jumping on
stage to perform whilst leaving the sound desk with another trusted soundman. It was only a matter of time before it
became necessary for him and the band to agree that he leave the desk altogether, transforming into the frontman.
After switching to this role for Salmonella Dub, Tiki spent several years traveling the world releasing platinum-selling
albums, charting hits and sell-out tours worldwide. In his downtime, he continued to work alongside of some of the
country’s top acts as a singer, songwriter, MC, musician, composer, studio producer and live soundman. To this day, Tiki
is employed as the permanent soundman for top NZ act Shapeshifter, accompanying them for all their shows both nationwide
and worldwide.
Tiki played his final gig with Salmonella Dub on New Years Eve 2006-7. His decision to pursue a solo career and set up
his own production company Tikidub Productions in May 2006, was a move vital to the future development of Aotearoa-made
music. In November 2007, with the highly anticipated release of his very personal debut solo album “Past Present
Future”, Tiki’s journey has become one of both public and media interest as he shares emotion, stories and opinions with
all who indulge in his tunes.
Currently residing just out of Auckland, Tiki keeps a busy schedule that sees him performing, producing, mixing,
travelling, meeting and greeting his way around the world.
AWARDS
ImagineNATIVE Media and Arts Festival 200
“Tangaroa” music video – Honourable Mention
Vodafone Tui NZ Music Awards 2008
“Past Present Future” - Best Roots Album
Juice TV Awards, 2008
“Tiki Taane” - Best Video Artist
“Always On My Mind” - Best Solo Video
NZ Digital Sales
“Always On My Mind” - First ever digital single to achieve platinum sales
Amplifier awards, 2007
Tiki Taane - “Past Present Future” – No.1 Release for 2007
New Zealand Music awards, 2002 - 2006
Salmonella Dub - top group
Salmonella Dub - international achievement
Salmonella Dub - best engineer
Salmonella Dub - best dance album (2003 and 2004).
Concord Dawn - best dance album
BNET awards, 1998 - 2006
• Tiki Taane - best live sound engineer (1998 and 1999)
• Salmonella Dub - best song
• Salmonella Dub - best NZ remix
• Salmonella Dub - best live act
• Salmonella Dub - best album
• Salmonella Dub - best downbeat album.
• Concord Dawn - best electronic release
• Concord Dawn - best album
• Shapeshifter - best new act
• Shapeshifter - best electronica release
• Shapeshifter - best live act
• Shapeshifter - best album of the year “Soulstice”
PRODUCTION
Tiki has been blessed to work with some of the best this country has produced. Some of the many acts he has mixed are;
LIVE - Salmonella Dub, Shapeshifter, Trinity Roots, Little Bushman, Kora, Solaa, Scribe and The Crusaders, Ladi 6,
Pitchblack, Pumpkinhead, Headless Chickens
STUDIO WORK – Paddy Free, Antiform, Shapeshifter, Kora, P-Money, Julia Deans, Salmonella Dub, Shihad, Concord Dawn,
Rhombus, The Nomad
RELEASES - His vocal proficiency has also graced the musical works of various groups – here are some of the more known
tracks from the charts featuring his vocals;
Antiform “Got To Be You”
Concord Dawn “Never Give Up On Love”
Concord Dawn “Don’t Tell Me”
Rhombus “Step It Up”
Rhombus “Clav Dub”
Salmonella Dub “Long Time”
Salmonella Dub “Bromley East Roller”
Salmonella Dub “Dance Hall Girl”
Salmonella Dub “Love Your Ways”
Salmonella Dub “Push On Thru”
Salmonella Dub “Mercy”
Salmonella Dub “Love Your Ways”
Salmonella Dub “For The Love Of It”
- "Faded" Tour Dec 09 to celebrate the October Australian release of "Faded" tune.
- Won Most Popular Ringtone and Highest-Selling Ringtone at the Telecom Music Awards 09
- Tiki Live consists of Tiki Taane and his band The Dub Soldiers (fellow vocalists include Tiki's father Uekaha
Taanetinorau and P Digsss of Shapeshifter)
- Currently nominated for the Radio Airplay Artist of the Year at Moair Music Awards
- Just won Radio Airplay Record of The Year at Vodafone NZ Music Awards 09
- Always On My Mind - NZ's number 1 for several weeks. First ever digital single to achieve platinum sales. Still in the
charts now after 54 weeks
- Past Present Future - double platinum album. Nominated No. 1 release 2007 by Amplifier NZ. Won Best Aotearoa Roots
Album at Vodafone Music Awards 2008.
- FLUX LP released in NZ July and to be released in Aus 2010.
ENDS