Grandfather inspires aspirations as musician

Emerging singer/songwriter Anariama Kaipo has her sights set on her performance on the debut stage at the Parachute music festival.
Anariama, of Ngati Pakou and Te Aupouri, has been living in Hamilton most of her life, but her whanau have strong links in the Far North. She moved to Kaikohe to forge a music career in the north.
"My mother's side of the family come from Taheke and my father's from Te Kao."
She said the Far North reminded her of holidays spent on her two marae Potahi marae, Te Kao, and Muhiri marae, Taheke.
The 22-year-old musician is known for her performances with her famed grandfather "Papa". He toured nationally and internationally with top musicians as a bass player.
"We're probably one of New Zealand's only grandfather/granddaughter duos,"she said.
Her bond with her grandfather, inspired her to become a musician. At 18 her grandfather asked her if she wanted to be taught to sing and play the guitar.
"I had to learn from scratch, I didn't know how to sing or play a note," she said.
Her early days were also spent learning the recording side of the music industry, which resulted in her recording her grandfather's work. This meant she was able to gain a qualification in sound and recording engineering.
"I started out singing Papa's Maori songs and it grew from there."
Anariama said although she is playing at the high-profile Christian music festival Parachute and played in a Christian band for nine months, she wouldn't solely define herself as a Christian musician.
"It's just part of what I do and a lot of it is metaphorical," she said.
Her style had evolved, when she performed with her grandfather they would perform songs she had written, some of them had an R'n B feel.
Her grandfather had a good rapport with the audience because he was warm and funny and their on-stage connection made them popular.
She lists influences as diverse as Beyonce, Edith Piaf and Bonnie Raitt. Her goal is to get together a band for her performance in January next year. She is looking for a cello player, a drummer and a keyboard player.
Anariama played as part of New Zealand music month at the Waikato Museum this year and is set to play in January at Parachute festival in Mystery Creek.
Anariama's track Take Me In Your Arms can be viewed at www.myspace.com/anariama