A FAMILY AFFAIR: Tauranga-based acoustic, country/folk, family band The Harmonic Resonators perform in Gisborne at the end of the month. Picture supplied
They've played at Turangawaewae Marae for the Maori King, they've gigged in Australia, “they've had so many requests for shows they can't keep up”, says Plenty magazine writer Andy Taylor of The Harmonic Resonators.
The acoustic, country/folk, family band performs barnstorming belters but mixes up its repertoire with sing-alongs and
waiata.
“We've translated a couple of country songs into te reo but mainly we just ‘countrified' Maori waiata and it seems to be a really good fit, both from our side as performers and the reception we get,” the band's frontman Jeremy Hantler told Taylor.
Lower those raised eyebrows, he says, but not in those words. He has sung these songs for yonks at parties and, as a music teacher, has long sung them with kids.
He reminds people it was not so long ago parents would complain if their kids were taught Maori songs.
