Latinaotearoa ambitiously blends influences from throughout New Zealand and South America’s musical history. Born from a desire to celebrate a mix of cultures and flavours, Brazil-born Auckland DJ Bobby Brazuka and Venezuelan singer Jennifer Zea put Latinaotearoa on the map with their award nominated debut album Sonido de Latinaotearoa in 2013.
Since then, the act has moved from strength to strength - with their second album, Latinaotearoa in Latinoamerica, receiving a nomination for the New Zealand Music Awards in 2015. Now the band is preparing to release their latest single, the infectiously catchy Rollin', on May 13th.
“We worked hard to bring that rollerskate disco vibe to life,” says Bobby. The track draws from stylistic features of 70s and 80s Brazilian disco, and pays homage to Los Angeles’ vibrant latino community. “We listen to lots of Latin music, but also to some great soul, funk and disco from all across the American continent,” he says.
In that sense, Rollin' embodies the multiculturalism that defines the environment of its inspiration. Whether it’s Los Angeles, Auckland or Rio de Janeiro, Rollin' represents the diversity of city life with buckets of style and a beat that could make Cristo Redentor dance.
“We wanted to bring an uplifting summer vibe to this song,” says vocalist Jennifer Zea. “Rollin' is about finally getting out there and doing your thing, especially after all we've been through.”
The music video, directed by Swap Gomez, keeps pace with the track’s style through exceptional rollerskate-bound choreography. The bold visuals and distinct filmic style harkens back to the glory days of MTV’s sovereignty over music culture, while Zea’s performance channels the unique quality that defined legends like Donna Summer and Gloria Estefan.
With an eclectic discography and countless tours under their belt, Rollin' proves that Latinaotearoa continue to deliver quality music.
Out May 13th via New Zealand indie label Bigpop Records.
If you're in Tāmaki Makaurau on the 13th make sure you get to Ponsonby Social Club where the band will be throwing a single release party - tickets here!
