THE MAMAKU PROJECT, (named after the tall tree fern native to the islands of Aotearoa), is born from the meeting of two French-NewZealander artists at the Errobiko Festival in Pays Basque (France) 2004. Tui Mamaki, evocative multi-lingual voice, calls on Monsieur E., Parisian musician and NZ expat. This experience kindles a desire, a collaboration, a new sound aesthetic…
A concoction weaving French quirkiness, Gypsy Pacifica and fine cuts of Electro-Oriental-Jazz. Created in the breathtaking wilderness of West-coast Aotearoa, this one-of-a-kind poetry rides infectious earthy grooves with a sprinkling of circus…
Linking peoples, landscapes and languages with their unique and festive style
The Mamaku Project have been making waves in the NZ Arts/Music Festival scene...
Tui Mamaki, born in Bordeaux, France, in 1980, grew up mostly in Aotearoa where she trained in Performing and Fine Arts. In 2002 she moved to France to study voice with Benat Axiari at the Bayonne Conservatorium of Music. She also traveled to Varanasi, India to study some Khyal and Dhrupad vocal technique. Tui weaves these influences/origins with a very touching vocal gift into songs bearing beautiful sensorial poetry.
Monsieur E, born in Paris, France, in 1973, is mostly self-taught in music. He started at the age of eleven with the organ, and progressively made his own way of understanding through the guitar, hand drums, electric and upright bass, keyboards and electronic machinery. In 2000, he moved to NZ and since then, has performed and composed for Ishta, Batucada Sound Machine and many local (Auckland) choreographers. He is musically inspired by his experiences in North Africa and the Middle East as well as his homeland France and the Pacific.
The two main composers gather around them a fine selection of local talent to bring the works to life...
The Mamaku Project continue to tour in a variety of configurations. Recent live performances include Fusion Festival BERLIN, Festival of Colours Wanaka NZ, The Famous Spiegeltent AK09, 22 dates with Arts On Tour NZ, WOMAD NZ, Christchurch, Tauranga, Bay of Islands & Taranaki Arts Festivals NZ, Imst Art Club AUSTRIA, Fete de la Musique FRANCE, Adelaide Fringe Festival AUSTRALIA...
THE MAMAKU PROJECT @ PRANA FESTIVAL 08 (NZ)
MAMAKU PROJECT @ FUSION 09 (DE) Rhino-Attaque
MAMAKU PROJECT @ FUSION 09 (DE) Wedding Song
In Feb 2007 The Mamaku Project released their debut LP 'Karekare' to critical acclaim..
“…Sprouting their own version of New Zealand song, taking in Pacifica, dub/reggae and jazz styles with a distinctly cinematic weave. A new national treasure.” Simon Sweetman – North & South
"They will surprise you from start to finish"
**** Peter Thornton - Rip It Up
“…Exotic and mysterious, smart, slightly sassy, supremely confident and utterly engaging...” Graham Reid - Elsewhere/NZ Herald
“ Wild West Coast Cabaret… silky soul dub” Scott Kara – NZ Herald
“Capturing the soul of the west… groundbreaking…” Tony Ricketts - Titirangi Tatler
Released in Nov 2008, their warmly awaited sophomore album "Mal de Terre" answers to the festive cadence of The Mamaku Project live show... A feverish tapestry of bohemian melodies grabbing up-beats and electro by the hand, tempered by a cluster of deep ballads... a brilliant bilingual forage into themes of a disquiet earth…
Standing at the counter in the airport branch of the Warehouse the other day and a woman next to me asks the assistant: " Do you have any music from the mamaku project?" Assistant looks at her blankly as they are inclined to do when being asked for something that isn't top 20... Brent butts in with "yeah yeah its over there in the last aisle nz music section!" Lady looks at me amazed that I would know what she is talking about. She smiles, says thank you, goes and gets it and buys it.
Hoolaaa! Here is one of the Spanish group that were at King Arms concert. We had a lovely time there and got your CD. We hope you'll play someday in Barcelona or in the region of Catalonia(is next to France and sure they'll love your music there!) Best wishes and big hugs laia
TRIPTYCK : www.myspace.com/triptyckproductions Management/Accompagnement d'Artistes et de Projets Production d'Artistes : Spectacle, Tournée, Disque Production de concerts et soirées
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