Hawkins to release powerful ‘Lost Ones’ video series exploring issues faced by Aotearoa’s musicians
One of Aotearoa music’s best kept secrets, Hawkins, has just released the highly anticipated official video for his empowering anthem Lost Ones. It is accompanied by a challenging video series, which shines a light on lesser-discussed issues faced by artists and musicians working in the industry.
The music video premiered on Play Stuff yesterday HERE and the video series will roll out this week on the Play Stuff site HERE
The song Lost Ones features on Hawkins’ self-titled album released last year, which also includes his single Can’t Leave It Alone – nominated in the Waiata Māori Music Awards 2021 for ‘Single of the Year’. Hawkins was also nominated in the 2021 Pacific Music Awards for ‘Best Pacific Male Artist’
Listen to Hawkins’ self-titled album HERE
Watch the official music video for Lost Ones HERE
Lost Ones is “a precautionary tale to not lose sight of what you are doing, to realise that not everything is what it seems in the industry and decide for yourself who you are to hold to it,” says Hawkins, who has earned his stripes in the industry not only through the release of his own original material but through working as a backing/session vocalist for artists such as Stan Walker, Vince Harder and Sola Rosa. He has also performed in countless bands, including the Levites, Hipstamatics, Jukebox and The Pickups.
The video – made by The Umbrella Creative NZ – captures the relatable desire of following ones’ childhood passions.
This makes way for a powerful and honest series of short videos, which Hawkins is presenting with the Lost Ones video, and in doing so he speaks straight to the heart of the song’s meaning.
The series features Hawkins himself, alongside award-winning recording artist, performer and mentor Bella Kalolo-Suraj; award-nominated recording and touring artist Lou’ana; backing singer, accompanist, musical director, playwright and mother Monica Cheung-Fuk and Thabani Gapara – recording/live artist and saxophonist in many bands and session work industries (Katchafire, House of Shem, Hipstamatics, Stan Walker).
Hawkins explains that the idea for the series came about through similar themes emerging in conversations with friends. “The things that kept coming up were the things that no one tells you is going on in the industry,” he says. “The stereotypes about what being a musician is; how there is a lot of anger towards this, but less conducive conversations and actions to support it. Also, the importance music plays in protest and societal issues,” he adds.
Each of the musicians in the series speak candidly about a range of topics from breaking down ego, understanding friendships in the music industry, jealousy, to nodules and periods, as well as cultural and ethnic synergy.
“A lot of us would like barriers to be torn down and in order for this to happen it needs us to desensitize the difficult issues that have prevailed,” says Hawkins. “This is extremely true for Māori and Pacific artists/people where our identity is heavily embedded into our own choices/judgements etc.
“Lost Ones is my personal experience delivered in a sonically ironic setting; because like most musicians we band aid the harder parts of the industry in favour of joy.”
