New Zealand’s favourite modern Māori showband, Modern Mãori Quartet (Yee Yang Lee & Sums Selvarajan) are reaching out to fans around the world with their first crowdfunding campaign to help deliver their debut studio album That’s Us! as they kick off their 12 date tour around Aotearoa New Zealand with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
As band member Matariki Whatarau explains, “We’ve been singing covers for years and you know, we thought... why not?! The spirit of this album comes from the Māori garage party, reminiscent of the parties of years gone by when someone would pick up a guitar and the music would flow.”
“We strongly believe that real stories told with truth and conviction should be at the forefront of who we are – and that’s exactly what we set out to do with the creation of our first album.”
That’s Us! will feature all original waiata (songs) written by Modern Māori Quartet and accompanied by some of New Zealand’s most talented musiciansincluding Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper (Co-Producer/Strings), Dixon Nacey (Guitar), Chris O'Connor (Drums), Thabani Gapara (Saxophone), Andy Cochrane (Keyboard), Awhimai Fraser (Vocals) and Temuera Morrison (Vocals).
Fellow band mate Francis Kora promises, “We've been very blessed throughout the writing and recording process - receiving an amazing amount of support and aroha (love) from a host of amazingly, talented people. We have no doubt because of this tautoko (support) the 'That’s Us!' album will be a success.”
In return for fans’ generosity, the fullas of Modern Māori Quartet have come up with some unique offerings as rewards; from tea towels to whisky tastings, song covers to private backyard gigs! All āwhina (help) and aroha will make a difference and the band are offering an online album credit and their eternal gratefulness for all contributions, no matter how small.
Please spread the word, message your friends, tell your whānau (family), share the aroha!
Modern Māori Quartet will also be hosting Māori Television’s brand new series My Party Song. Thursday nights at 9.30pm, starting on March 23, the quartet will introduce each episode and with the help of some musical friends and pay homage to songs loved by Mãori the world over.