IA Unveils Their New Single ‘Me’ – A Celebration of Te Reo Māori Through Indigenous Soul Music
Perfectly timed for the launch of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) from Hepetema/September 11th to 17th, IA, the band acclaimed for their innovation in indigenous soul music, announces the release of their newest single, Me.
Following their debut EP, this single fuses traditional Māori instruments, te reo Māori lyrics, and modern soulful melodies to deliver an uplifting anthem about the beauty of the Māori language.
Me forms part of the annual Waiata Anthems release of Māori waiata, which this year includes a short documentary about each artist’s creative journey. Watch the behind-the-scenes of IA’s process here.
Māori Music Award finalists and prominent figures in the New Zealand music landscape, IA crafts an evocative blend of ancient and contemporary elements. Comprising Moetu Smith, Reti Hedley, and Jason Crawford, IA is committed to revitalizing taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments) and championing te reo Māori, New Zealand’s native language, as an art form.
Me is an inspiring soul-ballad that seamlessly integrates te reo Māori and taonga pūoro, featuring traditional instruments such as the punga ihu (nose flute) and koauau (bone flute). The song elevates the richness of Māori culture by utilizing metaphors and symbolism to explore varying perceptions of beauty, including that which can be found in speaking one’s native language.
Reti Hedley, a member of IA, says about the single: “We believe that te reo Māori enriches your sense of beauty, just like one’s attire or hairstyle. Through Me, we aim to affirm that embracing the language—whether you’re a novice or fluent speaker—is a beautiful pursuit worth celebrating.”
The song was collaboratively written at the APRA Reo Māori Song Hubs 2022by Reti Hedley, Ruth Smith, Choice Vaughan, and Mohi Allen. Its inspiration originated from a traditional punga ihu named Moeroro.
Reti Hedley explains, “When composing Me, I thought about the melodies that Moeroro could produce. The initial concept evolved into vocal harmonies and chord progressions that serve as the foundation of this stirring waiata (song).”
Me was produced with the support of Te Mangai Paho and NZ on Air, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to promote and preserve indigenous art forms.
