Sarah Leota 03/08/2017 Sarah Leota 03/08/2017

MODERN MĀORI QUARTET ANNOUNCE NATIONWIDE 'THAT'S US!' ALBUM TOUR & NEW ALBUM SINGLE 'DON'T FALL IN LOVE'

With the showband's long-awaited debut original album, 'That's Us!' being released Friday 15th September Modern Māori Quartet (Sums Selvarajan & Yee Yang Lee) will head off on an extensive 20 date nationwide tour, travelling the highways and byways of New Zealand taking their music to the people of Aotearoa. Joining them for te haerenga (the journey) will be the beloved Annie Crummer.

Matu Ngaropo (Performer & Music Dramaturg) says: “The tour will be about taking our music to the people and returning it to our roots. We want to inspire a new generation of garage parties and fuel those special gatherings with new, honest, hearty waiata to add to the classic playlist. These will be songs that the heartland of Aotearoa can sing along to. As a team committed to carrying the mantle of this kaupapa we aim to share a new and current sound of Māori showbands and show people that real music, our music, is alive and thriving.”

Francis Kora (Performer) adds: “Past, present and future, with Aroha and truth as the main ingredients.”

MODERN MĀORI QUARTET
WITH ANNIE CRUMMER
THAT'S US! DEBUT ALBUM TOUR

PUTĀRURU - Saturday 16th September - The Plaza
HAMILTON - Sunday 17th September - Playhouse
NELSON - Wednesday 20th September - Playhouse Theatre
BLENHEIM - Thursday 21st September - ASB Theatre Marlborough
CHRISTCHURCH - Friday 22nd September - Aurora Centre
DUNEDIN - Saturday 23rd September - Mayfair Theatre
PŌRANGAHAU - Wednesday 27th September - Memorial Hall
FEATHERSTON -Thursday 28th September - Anzac Hall
ŌTAKI - Friday 29th September - Memorial Hall
NAPIER - Saturday 30th September - Municipal Theatre
WHANGANUI - Sunday 1st October - Royal Opera House
ROTORUA - Thursday 5th October - Civic Theatre
NEW PLYMOUTH - Friday 6th October -Theatre Royal
WELLLINGTON - Saturday 7th October - Wellington High School, Riley Centre
TAUPŌ - Sunday 8th October - Great Lakes Centre
KAIKOHE - Thursday 12th October - War Memorial Hall
WHANGAREI - Friday 13th October - Capitaine Bougainville Theatre, Forum North
AUCKLAND - Saturday 14th October - Crystal Palace
WHAKATĀNE - Sunday 15th October -Little Theatre

Tickets on sale Mon 7th Aug at 9am
For show and ticketing info go to modernmaoriquartet.nz

'Don't Fall In Love'

'Don't Fall In Love' is the forth single to be taken from 'That's Us!'
'Don't Fall In Love' will be released digitally Friday 4th August.

"It’s our Motown-inspired, soulful, Sam Cooke styled song that will cut straight to
your heart and make you laugh at the same time.

As artists, there is a magic fusion where the performer and the work become
one and the same. As well as being something special to share, our music is
also an expression through which we learn, develop and become better people.
Based loosely on real experiences, Don’t Fall In Love is tragically honest. The
pursuit of happiness, love and truth are integral to the music we make and this
song is all about having the courage to be honest, even if it’s painful.

A seriously catchy melody, big, broad harmonies and punchy, brave lyrics will
make Don’t Fall In Love a party favourite and one you will want to sing along to.
So go on, dust off your guitar, get some mates together and get your garage
rocking."

Sarah Leota 29/06/2017 Sarah Leota 29/06/2017

MODERN MĀORI QUARTET RELEASE TWO NEW SONGS FOR MATARIKI

After their Australian premiere at the Queensland Cabaret Festival 2017 and performances in Yeppoon, Queensland the good looking, suave and multi-talented quartet return home to release not one but two singles from their forthcoming debut album,
That’s Us!

Māreikura, released 23rd June is a waiata in Te Reo Māori featuring the stunning vocals of Awhimai Fraser and is an ode to all women globally. Māreikura in Māori literally refers to the supreme Goddesses of the Twelfth Heaven. The band explain their choice in releasing this single in celebration of Matariki, "As young men who have all been raised by strong women, we wrote this waiata to acknowledge women as the pillars that provide the foundation of our world. Women are the doorway to life, the heartbeat of Māori culture and the first voice heard on the Marae".

The next single, Kai Song, to be released 30th June, is in typical Modern Māori Quartet fashion, charming and funny. The song celebrates one of the many things the bros love about their Māori culture; sharing kai with their whānau! In Māori, those special people that prepare the food are called Ringawera. It is only with their hard work in the back that everything in the front can go smoothly: Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.

Matu, Francis, Maaka, Matariki and James say, "We feel blessed to have amazing ringawera in our MMQ whānau, keeping us fed both in body and sprit so it was only natural for us to write this delicious and hearty song to say thank you and we want to gift this song freely in that spirit of thanks."

Kai Song can be downloaded for FREE
from Friday June 30th
from the band's offical website
www.modernmaoriquartet.nz

Sarah Leota 29/05/2017 Sarah Leota 29/05/2017

MODERN MAORI QUARTET 'SHINE'

Modern Maori Quartet (Sums Selvarajan & Yee Yang Lee) are proud to announce that their first ever original single, SHINE, is now available. Shine is a song that celebrates children. It is a father’s message to his child, encouraging her to dream big and pursue any path her heart desires.

Modern Maori Quartet (Sums Selvarajan & Yee Yang Lee) are proud to announce that their first ever original single, SHINE, is now available worldwide on iTunes or your favourite music/streaming platform.

Shine is a song that celebrates children.

It is a father’s message to his child, encouraging her to dream big and pursue any path her heart desires.

This song is for “all the kids in the world” and reminds them that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to, so long as they have the support and love of their parents and wider family.

Shine has a strong, comfortable feel that is clear and joyful, which we believe represents us truthfully.

It feels right that this song should be our first voice in the world.

The boys are also hitting the road again, so go check them out live in QUEENSLAND and AUCKLAND. They will be bringing the garage party to Brisbane (for the Queensland Cabaret Festival) and Yeppoon, and to parts of Auckland we don't normally get to play at as part of Auckland Council's Matariki on the Move: Waiataprogramme.

Sarah Leota 23/02/2017 Sarah Leota 23/02/2017

MODERN MAORI QUARTET ANNOUNCE DEBUT STUDIO ALBUM 'THATS US!'

New Zealand’s favourite modern Māori showband, Modern Mãori Quartet (Yee Yang Lee & Sums Selvarajan) are reaching out to fans around the world with their first crowdfunding campaign to help deliver their debut studio album That’s Us! as they kick off their 12 date tour around Aotearoa New Zealand with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

New Zealand’s favourite modern Māori showband, Modern Mãori Quartet (Yee Yang Lee & Sums Selvarajan) are reaching out to fans around the world with their first crowdfunding campaign to help deliver their debut studio album That’s Us! as they kick off their 12 date tour around Aotearoa New Zealand with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

As band member Matariki Whatarau explains, “We’ve been singing covers for years and you know, we thought... why not?! The spirit of this album comes from the Māori garage party, reminiscent of the parties of years gone by when someone would pick up a guitar and the music would flow.”

“We strongly believe that real stories told with truth and conviction should be at the forefront of who we are – and that’s exactly what we set out to do with the creation of our first album.”

That’s Us! will feature all original waiata (songs) written by Modern Māori Quartet and accompanied by some of New Zealand’s most talented musiciansincluding Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper (Co-Producer/Strings), Dixon Nacey (Guitar), Chris O'Connor (Drums), Thabani Gapara (Saxophone), Andy Cochrane (Keyboard), Awhimai Fraser (Vocals) and Temuera Morrison (Vocals).

Fellow band mate Francis Kora promises, “We've been very blessed throughout the writing and recording process - receiving an amazing amount of support and aroha (love) from a host of amazingly, talented people. We have no doubt because of this tautoko (support) the 'That’s Us!' album will be a success.”

In return for fans’ generosity, the fullas of Modern Māori Quartet have come up with some unique offerings as rewards; from tea towels to whisky tastings, song covers to private backyard gigs! All āwhina (help) and aroha will make a difference and the band are offering an online album credit and their eternal gratefulness for all contributions, no matter how small.

Please spread the word, message your friends, tell your whānau (family), share the aroha!

Modern Māori Quartet will also be hosting Māori Television’s brand new series My Party Song. Thursday nights at 9.30pm, starting on March 23, the quartet will introduce each episode and with the help of some musical friends and pay homage to songs loved by Mãori the world over.

Sarah Leota 02/02/2017 Sarah Leota 02/02/2017

NZSO AND THE MODERN MAORI QUARTET JOIN FORCES FOR MESMERISING MUSIC

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Modern Māori Quartet (Yee Yang Lee & Sums Selvarajan) are about to venture into new musical territory, which will enthral and delight audiences throughout the country.

For its Summer Pops tour the NZSO has teamed up with the award-winning foursome, known for their fresh take on the music and magic of Māori show bands. The dream pairing of the NZSO and the quartet will feature new arrangements in English and Te Reo Māori of showband classics and pop hits. It includes the rousing Haere Mai, Pakanga and Aroha medleys, singalong favourite Ten Guitars and 70s R&B hit Float On.

The quartet have also written new original songs which will be performed with arrangements by seven New Zealand composers.

The quartet’s James Tito, Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau and Francis Kora have been eager to work with the NZSO for the past few years.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to work with some awesome people thus far,” says Tito. “None of us expected to be approached by the NZSO, so we are all pretty chuffed and rearing to share the aroha. Pretty flash too, might I add.”

“One of the things I am excited for the most is working alongside some of Aotearoa’s best musicians and players. The NZSO are masters at what they do musically - people who have dedicated their lives to perfecting what they do. I am just as excited for that as I am nervous. As a quartet, this will be a new level in our development and journey so I can’t wait to seize the opportunity with my brothers beside me.”

NZSO Associate Conductor Hamish McKeich will lead the orchestra on the 12-date tour, from Whangarei to Invercargill.

“Combining two quite distinct musical genres, the NZSO and the Modern Māori Quartet, presents exciting challenges and something that I’m looking forward to sharing all over the country,” says McKeich.

“Incorporating the quartet’s wit and singing with all the colour of an orchestra should provide a great vehicle for making some magic happen on stage. Will we succeed? Come and find out!”

The quartet has also been impressed with the arrangements to their original songs by composers Chris Gendall, Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, Anonymouz, Claire Cowan, Mark Dennison, Robbie Ellis and frequent NZSO collaborator Gareth Farr.

“The process so far has been smooth and amazing,” says Tito. “These super talented composers have arranged our original songs beyond expectation and I can’t wait to tour around the country sharing our songs with the best orchestra this country has to offer.”

Summer Pops with the Modern Māori Quartet

JAMES TITO
MAAKA POHATU
MATARIKI WHATARAU
FRANCIS KORA
MATU NGAROPO – Music Director/Dramaturge