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Family & Entertainment
Props 2 Pops
FIVA was brought up in a family of musicians; his father was one of the South Pacific's most influential singer/songwriter/musicians who led one of the islands most popular bands, "Apolo Sefulu Tasi" and helped revolutionize Samoan music from the late 50's into the early part of the 70's by developing a guitar playing style known as the "Igi" (pronounced: ee-ngee) which is still used today as an intricate part of Samoan music. He was also known for incorporating the "Slack Key" style into Samoan music as well.
Can't Forget Mom
Mom would have been considered the dear and tender heart of music in FIVA's household. Her sweet alto/soprano octaves brought a great high end blend of harmony as FIVA's family would sing together. 11/5/40-9/23/03
The Twins (Younger Siblings)
Ras & Pook - Although they are his younger siblings, FIVA can honestly say that he looks up to them, not just literally, but from their singing talent to their performing. Pursuing their music venture, their powerful stage presence and showmanship triggered FIVA's own eagerness to use his talent in the music field as well.
Visit FIVA's older siblings (Oliana & Si-J) at: www.hulanownthen.com
More on FIVA
At 9, he is taught by his father to play the bass guitar and begins to play for numerous church bands. He is also brought up singing gospel music alongside his family. He has sung alongside Artists such as Sacramento Rap Artist / Local Icon "Brotha Lynch" and Opened for Superstar Rapper / Actor "Ice Cube." At 21, he became a bass player for hire, playing everything from Country to Jazz to Reggae (Reggae was where he found his niche). From 1996 - 2000, he played for a Sacramento rock band ("Mr. Gorsky") and started touring the club scene. His bass playing style has been compared to that of the "Dave Matthews Band" and "Blues Traveler Band".
In September 2003, FIVA, along with other guest performers were Invited by the Rotary Club of Mexico to perform at a Wine Festival / Bullfight charity event held in El Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico. In April of 2004, FIVA was a featured guest on Sacramento's KOVR 13 morning news and interviewed with then Anchorman Dewey Hopper. On August 25th 2004, he was voted Sacramento's Rivercats / Heineken Idol (A four-month long singing competion which consisted of preliminaries, quarter and semi-finals and then finally judged by a sold-out crowd at Sacramento's Raley Field). FIVA has been invited to perform at different events and festivals such as: The California State Fair, Pacific Island Festival Association (PIFA) of San Diego, Sacramento's Fortune Festival (Sacramento Chamber of Commerce function), Samoan Heritage Festival in San Jose, San Jose Pearls of Paradise festival and many others.
He has been heavily influenced by the Island Reggae sounds of Polynesian artists such as "Fiji" and "Pati", the Dancehall Vibes of "Sean Paul" and "Shaggy" to the sultry sounds of "Luther Vandross" and "Jaheim".
He is currently working on his album and there is no release date as of yet.
Following in his father's footsteps, FIVA is destined to make a positive mark on the Island music scene!
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