Throughout New Zealand Music Month we’ll be hearing stories from young musicians about the local songs they love the most. Today, Fortunes talk about songs from Che Fu, Sheelaroc, Trinity Roots, Aaria and Opensouls.
Fortunes. Photo: Unknown
Originally from New Zealand, Fortunes’ Conor McCabe (vocals) and Barnaby Matthews (production) now base themselves in Melbourne, making slick, nuanced and minimalist R&B. The duo already have one release under their belt, the impressive Hoodie EP, and another one is due out in the coming months.
Underneath their music though, are some local influences that are hard to ignore. Conor talked to us about five songs that helped to shape what he does.
Che Fu – ‘Waka (Album Version)’
I sang this at my Mum's friend's wedding in the Raglan harbour on the sand and always used to sing it to my little sister when she was a baby. Definitely the album version though, not the one with Teremoana Rapley.
Sheelaroc – ‘If I Gave You The Mic’
Our friend Roger gave us the Loop CD with this song on it when we were visiting him in Wellington when I was 11. It was the first time I heard Ladi6 and I ended up listening to this song on repeat all the way back to Raglan. It’s such a good tune. Tyra in the mix as well!
Trinity Roots – ‘Home Land & Sea’
Trinity Roots have been my favourite band since when I was nine! I got to jam with all of them separately after I moved to Wellington and I sang this song with Warren Maxwell at Tora Tora Tora festival in 2014, which was an actual dream come true.
Aaria – ‘Kei A Wai Ra Te Kupu E’
My girls Kat and Aniwa were jamming this one the other weekend. I had the CD single. Te Reo R&B should have been a way bigger thing. It flows greatly, and it just suits.
Opensouls – ‘Turn It Up’
Straight up, me and Tyra was my profile picture on Bebo for so long. I was 14-years-old at Parihaka, my favourite festival ever. There’s so much attitude in this song, and it’s the styliest video too.