A vibrant constellation of talent promises to celebrate Matariki in stunning style. This year’s seven sisters are:
11am–11.30am Kahu Taumata
12 noon–12.30pm Nat Rose Te Hei with special guest sister Kim Halliday
1pm–1.30pm Majic and Robbie
2pm–2.30pm Aja Wairere Ropata
3pm–3.30pm Rachel Fraser
4pm–4.30pm Kirsten Te Rito
5pm–6pm Mihirangi
Check out Mihirangi online.
Nat Rose
For the past decade, Nat Rose has been among Aotearoa’s leading female soul/RnB singers. She began in 1995, touring with Upper Hutt Posse – and later laid down BVs with Hollie Smith, Ladi 6, and Solaa. This Pacific Rose definitely blooms in the spotlight! Nat’s currently in the studio recording a follow up to her much celebrated debut album Golden Hour.
Nat joined the Sugarlicks family early in the new millennium – working with the likes of Mark de Clive Lowe, Manuel Bundy, and more. Along with Leon Keelan Davies (Katchafire) and Tyna Keelan (Recloose, Dubious Bros), she formed the popular band Lennox Ave, which enjoyed great live success, particularly around Auckland.
In 08, she pooled her experiences and friendships, dropping the exquisite Golden Hour album. Golden Hour is the sound of pure Aotearoa honey.
Ruatoria-born, Nat cites a deep connection with the land as her strongest influence and says her music promotes what it means to love and appreciate our land, understand our historical heritage/whakapapa, and celebrate life.
Here’s Nat on MySpace.
Visit Sugarlicks here.
Unfortunately Kirsten can't be here and in her place Mina Ripia will perform.
Kirsten Te Rito
Over the last decade, Kirsten has worked largely as a vocalist, performing and recording with artists such as The Little Bushman and the NZSO, Wai, Harbour City Electric, Lisa Tomlins, and Sacha Vee – to name but a few. She also featured on Resonator, by Reuben Bradley, which received a Tui Award for Jazz Album of the year 2010/2011.
For the past six years, Kirsten has been the face of the AA Rewards campaign and appeared in other TV commercials, as well as print and web publications. Her television performance credits include One Night Only as a backing vocalist, TV2 Showstoppers as a finalist, and Coca Cola Christmas in the Park as a lead singer.
Amazingly versatile, Kirsten has also worked extensively in musical theatre, most recently as Gigi in Miss Saigon. She was also part of the The Lion King cast, with stints in Melbourne and Shanghai.
Kirsten’s main focus is now working on developing her own material and fronting soul/RnB band Bebe Deluxe.
Kirsten is a Wellingtonian of Pākehā and Māori descent (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Hinemanu).
Check out Bebe Deluxe.
Rachel Fraser
Hailing from the Thames coast, Rachel Fraser has hit the music scene with style. She’s worked with some of the nation’s most talented DJs, featuring on albums from Recloose and Isaac Aesili, then touring with Sola Rosa. You can often catch a sophisticated duo set of Isaac Aesili and Rachel Fraser delivering sounds drenched with RnB hustle and swagger and mixed with experimental future soul. Recently, Rachel has been recording an album with Isaac Aesili, ready for release next summer. She’s also putting together a new band Funkommunity.
Kahu Taumata
Kahu Taumata - Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Kahungunu.
Singer, songwriter, taonga puoro
Being a mother delights me
Being Maori unites me
Music? Divine!
Intertwine all these things
Now I'm defined.
Majic and Robbie
Majic (15) and Robbie (16) are a brother & sister musical combination that hail from Te Tai-Tokerau. They have been composing, singing & performing together in public for the last 3 years, but were nurtured on their local marae by their tribal elders in the art of waiata, from a very young age.
In more recent times they have become well known throughout Aotearoa (NZ) for their participation by way of waiata and song, in events such as Waitangi Day, the foreshore and coastal marine hikoi, Tuhoe raids and Te Whānau Apanui anti drilling protests, and as such their waiata have tended to reflect and depict issues relating to self determination & Tino Rangatiratanga.
However, Matariki tends to be a time of new beginnings, and with that, these Rangatahi Rebels are seeking to explore a new path, and are currently working on material that promotes a positive vibe utilising roots rhythms, smooth vocal harmonies as the vehicle, to transcend their careers into the future.
Robbie and Majic are honoured to have been invited to perform for a second time at Te Papa for The Seven Sisters (Matariki) event, and will definitely be looking to take this their second performance to a new level.
Ngā Mihi.