Anika Moa preps students for Pacifica

READY TO BEAT: Campion College band Reverse Situation, from left, Nicolai Grant, Flynn Fitzgerald, Cameron Wood and Fushia Tibble, jam on stage this morning with Anika Moa during Smokefree Pacifica Beats rehearsals. Ms Moa has been mentoring students ahead of a concert today at GGHS, which will be videoed and submitted online for national final consideration. Picture by Paul Rickard

ANIKA Moa was in town mentoring students ahead of today’s East Coast Smokefree Pacifica Beats concert at Gisborne Girls’ High School.

Previously the event has been run as a live competition. This year GGHS is hosting the region’s bands for a concert that will be videoed to submit as online entries for a spot in the national finals in September.

Kurawaka has progressed into the regional pool after winning the Pacifica Beats award at the Smokefree Rockquest East Coast Regional Final last month. Six finalists are chosen from the regional award winners and another six from online entries.

The award-winning musician got her start at SFRQ and says the talent pool she worked with at the school yesterday might contain a national winner.

“I definitely think we have a winning band here. There are some gorgeous singer-songwriters and a few rebels — the quirky ones that come out of the blue.”

Bands were able to work with Ms Moa for 40 minutes each.

“There were some highs and lows but it is so good to be here.”

Ms Moa says the main thing she worked on with groups was confidence.

A few words of praise“Many Maori and Pacific Islanders do not come from very confident backgrounds. It's amazing to see what a few words of praise does and what a change that creates within them.

“My advice would be to practise every day, learn, listen, soak in the world and live a full life.”

One group that had the pleasure of working with Ms Moa was five-piece band Lyric Inc.

Member Mahinarangi Stender says their confidence was definitely boosted after the session.

“We had only just met her and she made us feel like we had known her for ages. She taught us to be confident and not afraid to make mistakes.”

Lyric Inc says being used to their own stage and comfortable in the GGHS music room environment, will probably be an advantage ahead of filming today.

Ms Moa says she herself prefers a live setting.

“I do prefer the live experience but I guess if it helps with students being comfortable in their own school, I am all for change as long as it is good change.”

Last year Gisborne Girls’ High School band 5XL — featuring Gisborne Boys’ High School members — made it to the national final.

One Point Five MenCampion College duo One Point Five Men also made the finals, winning the Recorded Music NZ Best solo/duo Award and the The APRA/AMCOS NZ Lyric Writers Award.

Smokefree Pacifica Beats started in 1994 as the Urban Beats Award within the SFRQ but is now a competition in its own right, and this year will be accepting video submissions from 17 regions across the nation.

The purpose of the event is to showcase original music that recognises and reflects the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific.

To qualify, entrants must meet at least one of four criteria.

The first is language. At least 25 percent of lyrics must be in te reo Maori or a Pacific language. The second is sound. A traditional instrument from Aotearoa and the Pacific must be used.

The third is the use of traditional movement, dance and or action from Aotearoa and the Pacific, and the fourth

criterion refers to a use of lyrics or a style or flavour that reflects Maori and Pacific cultures.