Ardijah
Reggae / Funk / Lounge
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Ardijah: General Info
Member Since 10/6/2005 Band Website www.platinumix.com Band Members Our Fantastic Band Members: Ryan Monga - Musician/Songwriter/Producer
Betty-Anne Monga - Lead Singer/Songwriter
Influences Our greatest Influences will have to be Bob Marley and the Wailers, Bee-Gees and some of the Greats' from Jazz, Funk and Soul over the Years.
Ryan Monga (a.k.a Captain Fonk) grew up in the deep south of Auckland (The Big-O, Otara) New Zealand, with a melting pot of Pacific peoples, and was exposed to a rich blend of both traditional Cook Island/Tahitian music and the sounds of international funk bands.
Meanwhile, Betty-Anne's musical influences consisted of great Jazz/Blues singers Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Australia's Renee Geyer.
Record Label PolyFunk Production Type of Label Indie
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About Ardijah
This profile was edited with MySpace Help - Profile Creator and Editor Ryan Monga (a.k.a Captain Fonk) grew up in the deep south of Auckland (The Big-O, Otara) New Zealand, with a melting pot of Pacific peoples, and was exposed to a rich blend of both traditional Cook Island/Tahitian music and the sounds of international funk bands................................................................................................
Meanwhile, Betty-Anne's musical influences consisted of great Jazz/Blues singers Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Australia's Renee Geyer. ......................................................................................................................
Ardijahs' first album 'Take A Chance' was released in 1988 holding a Top 20 position on the sales charts for four months and achieving platinum status. The four singles released from the album were all radio hits, with all 3 charting Top 10. .......................................................................................................................
Ardijah toured extensively, attracting large crowds from a broad range of music lovers, cementing their reputation not only as talented recording artists but also as dynamic performers. ..............................................................................................................
In 1990 their burgeoning musical career took Ardijah to Sydney, Australia where they quickly established themselves and their unique sound in the local music scene. ....................................................................................................................................
Soon after, they were chosen as support act on Bobby Brown's Australian Tour, and also contributed their unique sound to the albums of other talented Australian artists. A cameo performance for musical legend Quincy Jones was definitely a highlight.
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After returning home to New Zealand in 1996, Ardijah released their album 'Influence' on their new independent label South Central Productions of which the singles 'Bad Buzz' and 'Oh Baby' received national airplay. Excellent sales from this album also reinforced Ardijah's ongoing popularity with people from all walks of life. ..................................................................................................................
1998 saw the band produce their first single release by a major record label in several years. The obscure Bee Gee's track, 'Love So Right' was released bearing all the hallmarks of Ardijah's unique Poly-Fonk R&B sound. This release caught the attention of the original artists/songwriters, resulting in a meeting with Ardijah when the Gibb brothers toured New Zealand in 1999. .................................................................................................................
'Love So Right' was one of New Zealand's most played radio hits of the year, remaining in the Top 20 for seventeen weeks - seven of those weeks in the Top 10 - sending the song to Gold sales. Their follow-up single, 'Silly Love Songs', was released in January 1999 reached Number One, giving them another Gold. At the 1999 Music Awards, Ardijah were finalists in three categories Top Group, Top Single and Top Female Vocalist, of which Betty-Anne took the Best Female Vocalist Award.
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The success in both the Music Charts and the Awards, prompted Warner Music New Zealand to secure the group for an album. 'Time' was released in November 1999. Within two months the album had achieved Platinum status and still sells, making it one of the most successful domestic releases of 1999/2000. With the release of 'Time', new audiences are hearing Ardijah's brand of sweet melodies and dance grooves, that they call Poly-Fonk!
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Ardijah has enormous respect from within the New Zealand Music Industry - Ryan Monga is recognized as a songwriter, producer and musician with immense ability, while Betty-Anne is acknowledged as one of the finest and unique vocalists and performers in New Zealand. Collectively as Ardijah, they have been responsible for identifying and influencing the individual talents of many musicians who have gone on to success in their own projects.
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When Hip-Hop artist King Kapisi accepted the 1999 Silver Scroll Award for Best New Zealand Songwriter, he reserved special thanks for a few artists who inspired him, and others around him to take up writing and performing - Neil Finn, Herbs and Ardijah. ....................................................................................................................
Touring a 7 piece live band extensively throughout 2000 - 2001 has been exciting and also encouraged the interest from the Pacific and U.S for the release of Ardijah grooves. Ardijah showcased their 2-hour show (full band) at 'City Live', Fox Studios, Sydney and Café Musique Le Mouv, Noumea, New Caledonia. Distribution of the Ardijah albums in the U.S and South Africa will see follow-up tours in 2002. .................................................................................................................
'Moonlighting' & The Poly-Fonk Summa Mix, a 6-track package, released December 2001, is the first offering from the forthcoming album. 'Moonlighting is released by South Central Productions and Distributed through King Exports New Zealand.
Ardijah's Friend Space (Top 7)
