Band back to Kiwi roots

Sons of Zion are playing at Totara St, Mt Maunganui on Saturday August 6. Photo/supplied

Sons of Zion have had three No 1 hits in Hawaii and the band's popularity is on the rise around the globe.

They're in town next week to play to Kiwi fans who were the first to rate the reggae/roots band and according to Rio Panapa it's important to stay connected to the audience in their homeland, despite the fact they are probably more well-known overseas.

"It's because of the people here at home that we can even tour the world. They are the people who put us there so playing at home is not only special for us, it's really important to continue sharing our music with our fans at home," he says.

This is the first extensive tour of the country in two years, and he says playing back-to-back shows is going to be "epic" after the solid year of touring overseas.

They have played in Guam, Japan, Tahiti, Australia and Hawaii and are planning on a mainland tour of the US soon.

"The exposure has been unreal. We didn't even know where Guam was, let alone think that people up there would be listening to Sons of Zion. We have played to different people and cultures which has been awesome. I find that the kinds of people that listen to reggae music are always chill, positive people with nothing but love."

Last week they were in Hawaii playing five shows. Thanks to their various hits, Hawaii seems enamoured with the Kiwi boys. Rio believes Katchafire had a hand to play in their initial success there.

"They have really opened up the doors in Hawaii for Kiwi artists with their continuous touring and hard work in Hawaii and the States. I think our Maori/Polynesian heritage makes it very easy for Hawaiians to identify with Sons of Zion. The whole beach, surf culture is big on reggae too."

While reggae also has a large New Zealand following, it's not common to get airplay on New Zealand's mainstream radio. This is annoying to most musicians who don't conform to traditional popular music stereotypes, and Rio believes radio's approach to other genres is a misfire.

"There is a misconception by radio stations that they only play the music people want to hear, when the reality is that it's actually the other way around. Whatever they choose to play becomes the songs that get stuck in people's heads and people end up liking it just out of purely hearing it all the time."

Little wonder then that people head to the internet to see what's happening.

"We owe a lot of our success to the internet, whether that be through iTunes sales, or promotion on social media. The thing I think is really cool about social media is that our fans can get to know us beyond the music. "We take lots of photos and videos of us in our everyday lives and I think it's cool to let people see that we are real people."

Sons of Zion have a new single, Hungover, as well as five other new songs they will be playing on the tour. Over the next six months they are releasing a new album with a brand new sound.

the fine print
What: Sons of Zion
Where: Totara St
When: August 6
Tickets: ticketspace.co.nz