Reggae band happy to reconnect with locals

Sons of Zion are playing at Lava Bar tonight. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Sons of Zion, who can celebrate their rising global popularity and three No 1 hits in Hawaii, will tonight play to Rotorua fans who were the first to rate their reggae/roots sound.

According to lead vocalist - Rotorua's 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 said.

This is the first extensive tour of the country in two years, and he said playing back-to back shows was 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 who listen to reggae music are always chill, positive people with nothing but love."

They were in Hawaii two weeks ago playing five shows.

Thanks to their various hits, Hawaii seemed enamoured with the Kiwi boys, and Panapa 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 mainstream radio. This is annoying to most musicians who don't conform to traditional popular music stereotypes, and Panapa 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 in reality 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," he said.

"We owe a lot of our success to the internet, whether that be through iTunes sales, or promotion on social media."

Sons of Zion have a new single, Hungover, as well as five other new songs they will be playing on the tour.

- WHAT: Sons of Zion
- WHERE: Lava Bar
- WHEN: Tonight
-TICKETS: www.ticketspace.co.nz