indie Magazine by Tracie Heasman

indie Independent Kiwi Musicians & Artists

inside Chatchy X Factorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s L.O.V.E Lecourtois Couture

indie Magazine

Editor & Photographer: Tracie Heasman www.traciehphotography.co.nz tracie.heasman@gmail.com Contributor: Nikki Strange - Writer nikkistrange@hotmail.com

Welcome to the first issue of Indie Magazine - a small publication profiling some of the insanely talented musicians and artists in New Zealand. I am continually blown away by the awesome talent in this country and truly believe you need not leave our small but thriving corner of the world for all things musical and artistic. So this is my diminutive yet ardent attempt at getting these people seen by a larger community. So go ahead - sit down & grab a coffee as I introduce you to this eclectic group of inspriring individuals; and if you like what you read, be sure to look them up and follow their social media pages. To keep updated and informed of future issues of Indie Magazine, make sure you follow my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/indiemagnz

CopyrightÂŠ2013 Indie Magazine All contents and images cannot be reproduced without written permission from Tracie Heasman

Contents Page 3

Little Lapin

Page 5

Ashley Knox

Page 7

Dave Maybee

Page 11

Karin Bettley

Page 13

Chatchy

Page 15

Sarah Steed

Page 17

Denise Fort

Page 19

Lecourtois Couture

Page 25

L.O.V.E

Little Lapin Following the release of her debut self-titled EP, the beautiful Little Lapin shares her musical journey with us. Give us a quick rundown of how you got where you are today musically? By being a prolific songwriter. Writing songs is the most enjoyable, therapeutic and creative part of being a musician and if my songwriting ability suddenly stopped I probably wouldn’t have the inclination to carry on with music. The rest is down to sheer hard work, determination, self-belief and staying true to your songs.

What was the first tape you bought? The first tape I remember buying was in the early 90’s and it was ‘Why’ by Annie Lennox which was actually a birthday present for my sister Agnes. She is eight years older than me and I remember her being astonished because she couldn’t believe that her nine year old sister had managed to buy her a tape she wanted to listen to. The first tape I remembering buying for my own listening pleasure was Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Hey Now (Girls Just Want to Have Fun)’.

What are your major music influences? I am influenced by any music that speaks to me or makes me want to dance when I listen to it. How would you describe your perfect day? Wake up feeling snuggly and warm, preferably What are you up to right now, music-wise? somewhere with a surf beach on my doorstep, a I have just released my debut self-titled EP Little gentle massage would ensue followed by an unLapin and I am now selecting songs to record for crowded morning surf, come back for a chai, play a follow-up album. I’ve just come back from a some acoustic guitar, hang out with my mum, music video shoot for my new song Sound of sisters, nieces and nephews (in an ideal world Summer. It’s the first music video where it’s they would be living here in NZ with me). At based around a performance and it also reveals elevensies, I would order an Eggs Benedict with the Little Lapin band. I feel very proud to have smoked salmon from the Raglan Wharf which such talented musicians playing my songs with would inevitably lead to a nana nap. I would wake me. up fresh and alert and meet up with some good friends for a coffee, maybe have a clothes swap, Who would you most like to tour with in New play more music, have a mellow sunset surf folZealand? lowed by a glass of wine before heading off to I’ve really enjoyed playing gigs with The Map watch some live music and throw some funny Room who are a similar sounding indie alternative shapes on the dance floor. band. We played together recently at The Leigh Sawmill Café and at Lucha Lounge, Auckland. We What is your most valued possession? share the same musical influences and also share A few years ago for my birthday present, a soul the same drummer and bass player which would mate of mine bought me an acoustic guitar knowmake it convenient for touring. ing that I had really wanted to learn a new instrument. This guitar has seen me through many What are your fondest musical memories? good times and it has also seen me at my lowest. Before I taught myself guitar a few years ago, the Sometimes I look at and it screams, “Please play piano was my favourite musical instrument. I me” so I pick it up and we connect, sometimes it didn’t have the confidence to sing when I was works, sometimes it doesn’t, but overall, I think we younger but I enjoyed composing piano instru- have a good relationship. I will treasure this gift mental pieces and a while back when I was living for the rest of my life for the creative freedom of in Devon, my old school friend Sandra asked me expression it gives me. whether I would play the piano at her wedding. It was such an honour to be asked and I composed www.facebook.com/littlelapin the bride & groom their own special wedding song which I performed on their wedding day. It was a www.littlelapinmusic.com/ real turning point musically because I realised that people really valued my compositions and that I didn’t have to be a closet musician.

Ashley Knox

Soulful father of three Ashley Knox runs us through a busy schedule jam-packed with music, music, music. As part of local Raglan band "The Kryptonites", and the two-piece electronic looping act "A Band of High Cloud", Ashley still manages to find time to write material for his forthcoming solo recording.

Give us a quick rundown of how you got where you are today musically? Music and art inspired me as a kid, started playing guitar at age 12, didn’t want to go to school. Practiced like crazy, found myself involved with like minded people. Did a music Degree, felt I belonged, got into Funk/Acid Jazz bands worked with DJ’s and producers in NZ, UK and Australia.

What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighbourhood or town? Fondest would be seeing Stevie Wonder perform the day my son was diagnosed profoundly Deaf. I realising that so many of my hero’s were so called disabled yet out of adversity had come supreme greatness.

What was the first tape/record you bought? What are your major music influences? So Haha! Powerslave Iron Maiden LP many influences!I I dig the classic songwriters of the 70’s as I grew up on Joni Mitchell, Paul How would you describe your perfect day? Simon and Dylan. I went all metal in my teens Sleeping in after an awesome gig the night and got into Iron Maiden, Dream Theatre and before, kids waking me up, Suns beaming, Steve Vai. Dug in deep into the Jazz Buzz l Kat makes me an awesome coffee, pack the and worshiped Wes Montgomery, George car , hang out at the beach, surf till my arms Benson. Had a break from guitar,immersed wont paddle anymore. Hang out with best myself in Bass and studied Bootsie and Jaco. friends, kids sleep over and have a drink when Got into computer production and was blown the sun goes down listening to ‘Rudimental”. away by the early Jungle D n B, Goldie and Roni Size. Then I realised Stevie Wonders What is your most valued possession? masterful combination of harmony, lyrical con- The mind tent, grooves, genuine humility and I just wanted to write songs again. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that What are you up to right now, music-wise? be? Busy raising three kids and squeezing music South end Ngarunui Beach (Home). in here and there. I recorded a solo E.P in Where would you like to find yourself in 10 2012 ( really stripped back guitar and vocal years? Living off playing writing and producing available on Itunes and Spotify) and have music, happy healthy and hopefully sane been busy writing material for my next solo recording early 2014. I'm very lucky to be What four famous people, dead or alive, involved with Raglan band “The Kryptonites” would you invite for dinner? we’ve been working on a bigger sound and Professor Graeme Clark, Stevie Wonder, are about to hook up with Cartel Records, so Quincy Jones and Alicia Keys. singles and videos are in the pipeline. www.ashleyknoxmusic.com/ Who would you most like to tour with? Probably Donovan Frankenrieter or Jack www.facebook.com/thekryptonitesnz Johnson, bring the kids, go surfing and play some great shows! What is your favourite song of all time? Don’t you worry about a thing (Stevie Wonder) always puts a smile on my dial.

Dave Maybee Growing up in New Zealand in the 1950's & 60's was a neat time, full of innocence, unspoiled natural landscapes and an abundance of good kai. It was also a time to explore: ‘The Land Of Milk & Honey’ (Cliff Betts 1967) was a musical staged by the Tauranga Boys College whilst I was there for my high school years and also where I learned double bass (the only instrument that I've actually ever had any lessons for).

to me its good music. This has enabled me to develop a greater appreciation for all music(s) however it also raised many unanswered questions so as an adult I went back to university, studied and graduated with a music major in composition, in addition to setting up & operating a commercial recording studio. I also teach/tutor, passing on the good oil so to speak, by sharing knowledge & techniques with both the young and older alike.

I recall the day astronauts took off & landed on the moon: it dawned on me that our generation (the baby boomers) had been born into an amazing time that would be full of excitement and the pushing of technological & social boundaries the likes of which had never happened before!

I’m still working with longtime musical partner & fellow Raglan guitarist Peter Skandera – our first album was “Acoustic Spirit” (1994) and we’re currently in production with our follow-up called Latenco – which draws equally upon latino rhythms & flamenco guitar forms. This album is about 50/50 originals plus our own arrangements of existing musical pieces and is an instrumental only album concept – it is exciting stuff recording these tracks in our own studios in Raglan.

I also recall the day at intermediate school when our teacher asked who would like to be the class ‘tape monitor’ - I promptly raised my hand and became a fledgling audio engineer. I would thread a 5 1/2 inch reel of dark brown magnetic tape onto an old, heavy, reel-to-reel tape recorder, press play and we'd all listen to the weekly broadcast from the Ministry Of Education. I don't remember what we heard but I realized that this machine plus a microphone could record music, so I was off on a journey of sonic & audio exploration. To this day I have never stopped being amazed by it all the machines and technology may have changed radically but the message & process remains the same - a story or musical idea pops into your head, you record it, listen to it (playback), change it (edit), add some effects like reverb or delay (FX), change the tone (EQ), recombine all the parts (multi-track MIX and/or REMIX) and there you have it, another piece of crafted auditory art (crafty buggers eh!) You can further affix stills or moving images to this little gem, and voila! You now have radio with pictures .… Discovering this I realized I could earn a living from both playing & recording music.

I play in a variety of musical lineups - my country-blues group, the ‘dave maybee band,’ a celtic showband, a big swing-band, a te reo focused festival & concert group ‘Tirama,’ a latin-jazz based lineup ‘Torch Songs’ plus a couple of community singing groups. I also still continue and love producing a diverse range of musical recording projects & albums - lots of fun! I feel very fortunate & blessed to have made a great life out of music - time, place & good genes combined just right with both parents coming from musical families, (they met in a choir) and I grew up in an extended family that valued music as a profession. Written by Dave Maybee

www.davemaybee.co.nz maybee@xtra.co.nz

I have fairly eclectic tastes in music and can generally play across many styles - from classical to the blues, country to jazz, and folk to rock - if it has a beautiful melody, rousing rhythm or a rich harmonic structure - then

Karin Bettley

When you have music in your heart you can never truly be lost, there is always a place that you can go to that defies gravity, common sense and general despondency. This space feeds and thrives on life's raw, rubbed back matter; on turmoil, love, frustration, sunshine, in gray places and in violet hue... The basic recipe, throw all ingredients into a melody, shake it until it shudders and spatters into kaleidoscopic bursts of light and insight. Continue to beat it until it rises into peaks that stand on their own. Now take two giant steps from it, checking to see that the beams emitted are at least strong enough to create shadow and contrast within hearing distance. Note, it is important to not over stir at this stage lest it become rubbery and likely to sit shallow in the pan. One should feel a lift at this stage, a good sign that the music is maturing and developing a life of it's own. Serve chilled with appropriate sauces, spices and other accompaniments. Enjoy I am the singer /songwriter half of the indie folk band Sleepy Wolf. My sweeter and very talented counterpart is multi instrumentalist Samuel Benge. In 2013 we released our first album Sleepy Wolf, initially in NZ only but then it was picked up and is now being released in Berlin through Monkey Records. You can find us on Band Camp, or just search the interbot, we're in there somewhere. Check us out, you might just like it! Written by Karin Bettley karinbettley@gmail.com

Chatchy is an explosive six-piece band, oozing talent, soul, flavour, and fun. Their passion for music is undisputable, and their drive to succeed is becoming more and more evident. Although their lives are moving at a million miles an hour right now, I was lucky enough to have a quick chat to the boys from Chatchy to catch up on their success thus far, and hear Interview: Nikki Strange

Tell us a little bit about yourselves! Chatchy really came together by accident… we are all musicians on different journeys, with hugely diverse backgrounds. As diverse as we are, we all have something in common; we all want to play music as a career and lifestyle. Introducing: Gabe Ngatai – Lead Vocals and Guitar Hamish Jellyman – Trombone, Keys, Bass Synth, Backing Vocals Jack An – Keyboard, Bass Synth, Lead Vocals (only when we sing ‘Proud Mary’!!) Matt Bizzle – Saxophone Tom Stannard – Drums David van’t Wout – Percussion, Backing Vocals, Samples To be honest, something special seems to happen when we all get together; when a melodic riff is dropped on the bass synth, and everyone else begins to express themselves with their own instruments. It feels good and it feels right, and we really want to share that feeling with the world. Ultimately, we all know that it takes more than just music to be successful and provide a future for our families. We are all working extremely hard and of course we’re having fun along the way. What did the year 2013 bring you? 2013 was an epic year for us. Our goals for the year were fulfilled way beyond our expectations. We had the opportunity to play at BW Campground at New Years; play alongside greats like Dave Dobbyn and Che Fu on Waitangi Day; and play consistent shows all over the North Island. The highlight above all of this was getting to play in a line up with the Black Seeds, Homebrew, and Optimus Gryme. We also released a second single, ‘Don’t Let the Rain’, working alongside Captain Hook as our Producer, and Ivan Slavov as the Director for the music video – it was such a

massive achievement to work with people of such a high calibre in the industry. To top it off this video has recently be released on C4 and Juice TV. Wow! So what do we have to look forward to from Chatchy for 2014? This year we are looking to bring out at least another three high quality singles with music videos. We need to work hard on creating new sounds and wicked songs to share with everyone. We’ve hopefully got some awesome opening acts and some festivals in the pipeline too. It is our goal to play at least 15 of our own shows this year across NZ – to spread our music throughout the country and build our fan base. It’s definitely going to be a busy year for us, but it’s all worth it! Who are your main influences right now? In the past we have really looked up to bands such as the Black Seeds, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Katchafire, and Kora and have definitely let their music influence our style. We admire their musical journeys and were inspired by where they perform, and what they’ve achieved so far. However, since investing more money into new fancy instruments this year, we are very much broadening our horizons and developing our own style, and listening more to bands such as Rudimental and Shapeshifter. You can download the latest single ‘Don’t let the Rain’ for free on Bandcamp - www.chatchyofficial.bandcamp.com and check out the music videos for ‘Running Away’, and ‘Don’t let the Rain’ on Youtube. Chatchy are also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as on their website www.chatchy.co.nz. So you can’t miss them!

Sarah Steed Originally from the U.K. I spent much of my twenty's travelling around the world and eventually settled into a new life in Raglan, joined by a passionate environmentalist skater husband and soon to announce themselves our two sons. I'm a mumma of two and a jeweller of two collections Amber Nurture is my mothering range which was wholeheartedly inspired and born by my beautiful sons during teething! A range of designer Baltic amber teething necklaces which I make with care and purpose to combine the healing qualities of Baltic amber and gorgeous gemstones / birthstones. Sarah Steed Designs is my ever changing contemporary range of unique and carefully considered sculpturally shaped works with natural beauty. Being a busy mumma I've searched to find new and creative ways to sell my work and I feel very fortunate to have found the world of Etsy, where my business has steadily grown, its an on going project where time is everything, each year will allow me more freedom to find the time to share more and more of my designs. Its my designs that now get to travel the world and I thank and appreciate all my loyal customers, they are the ones that have made all my dreams come true, so I am super grateful to all of you, Thank you! I also thank J who eventually found the time to turn his attention away from his very busy indoor skatepark Wrong Skate and build me my very own tiny homestudio which I absolutely love, all made

from recycled materials, it's a place in which I spend many happy hours dreaming and making. I was also delighted to join the very established Jet Collective in Raglan last year which now houses my unique ranges. I have to run now to collect my boys from kindy and school but I hope you find the time to check me out! SARAH STEED DESIGNS www.etsy.com/nz/shop/ambernurture

JET Collective www.jetcollective.co.nz/ Written by Sarah Steed

Denise Fort Super talented Denise creates beautifully intricate, unique designs; of which you can find gracing the walls of the Raglan and Wellington Raglan Roast Coffee Shops, as well as some unlikely places such as T-Shirts and even longboards! She talks to us about being an artistâ&#x20AC;Ś

Give us a quick rundown of how you got where you are today with your art? I believe everything in an artist life has an impact on our artwork. I always start with mentioning my brother. He is two years older than me, so he was right there from the beginning. I kinda had no other choice. I popped out and there he was, waiting to show me all the tools he already discovered and WOW we played! We played with everything and nothing, in the trees, in the water, in the sheds, with lego, and we just drew so so much! We always created, every game ended with some invention. In our minds or something you could actually see or touch. I fell in love with playing so much, i never wanted stop doing that. Luckily by the time I had to decide what to do for living, industrial design was an option to keep creating as an adult. But industrial designers get quite nervous about their careers and the amount of money that is involved in product development. Graphic designers seemed much more relaxed. I found two amazing graphic designers. It's a long story but I spent over 3 years, 7 days a week in their studio. They fed me with a lot of wisdom about design, music & just everything you need to run your own business as a designer. Travelling was another major influence. And by the time I arrived in New Zealand, punished and disappointment by the insanity of european money monkeys, I was ready to release the artist in me again. It makes sense that I fell in love with New Zealand, because it seems everybody loves playing here so much. Especially in Raglan. People don't fear to do what they want to do in their lives. Similar to when we were kids. Free from fear.

me and I'm pretty sure from this I will get a beautiful exhibition together. Most importantly for my next projects: to stop trying to define where design ends and art starts. I want to embrace my experiences and skills more as a whole and do good with it. Best and worst thing about being an artist? The best thing - it makes things happen in your life. It gets you to places, opens doors and makes you connect with others. Worst thing: being inspired but not having the time to do art. How would you describe your perfect day? Oh, I had so many perfect days lately! I would just hang out at home in Raglan. A beautiful sunny day, looking out to the ocean and working on an art piece. Maybe I go down to the beach for a surf, maybe I stroll through the garden talking to the bees and flowers, maybe I will spot orcas finding their way to the harbour. Friends come to visit me and I hang out with them enjoying the sun. In the evening I skype my friends in Europe and later some more friends coming to visit, we cook and laugh heaps and later I do some more art till I cant keep my eyes open anymore and I have to go to bed. What is your most valued possession? My mind and my heart. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that be? That would be wherever my special friends are right now. I would have to blink my eyes a few times if I may.

Where would you like to find yourself in 10 years? If my life just continues being so full of adventures and Who are you influenced by? novelties that would be great. I'm very happy right now By a lot of design colleagues, graphic designers and car and I believe in focusing on the present. Just do every designers. My friend in Seoul I just visited, he designs day your best and things will naturally fall into places. If cars for Hyundai. He is one of my old study friends we youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not happy, change it today, because nobody used to have drawing sessions all the time. knows what is tomorrow. What inspires your creativity? What four famous people, dead or alive, would you Everything & anything. I'm especially addicted to the invite for dinner? impact that novelty has on my art. Russell Brand, Herman Hesse , Dalai Lama & Coco Chanel. I would try to make Coco stay longer after What are you working on at the moment? At the everybody has left and to tell me more secrets about moment I'm finishing off a 3 years rebrand of a her life. I think her life has more secrets to reveal than company. I love to share my knowledge, to teach we know and I could learn a lot from them. design and to bring innovation into a company that develops educational teacher's resources. I believe www.denisefort.co/ education gives people the chance to make the right choices. It wasn't an easy decision to leave but there www.facebook.com/denisefortfabulousart are so many other project waiting for me. I need diversity in my work otherwise I get burned out. At the moment I'm researching and listening to my inner voice which project to take on board, put my time and energy in. I'm planning to do more exhibitions and maybe even to do projects in Europe again. I'm very inspired by my last trip in August to the South Island, Tonga, Fiji, Soeul and Tokyo. I'm very happy where this inspiration is taking

Lecourtois Couture

ONE INCREDIBLY TALENTED FASHION DESIGNERS SANCTUARY IN THE HEART OF RAGLAN

Dominique Lecourtois Give us a rundown on how you got to where you are today? It all started when I met a Fashion Designer when I was a little girl. I fell in love with what she did. She showed me how she drew silhouettes and I practiced a lot. I drew my first collection at the age of 8. It got published in our primary school journal and I haven't stop drawing since. But it's only recently that I have been able to realise my collections under my label Lecourtois Couture.( My family name translate to "the courteous"). After I graduated in 1998 from a school of fashion in Montreal (Canada), I worked mainly as a pattern cutter. I learned a lot working in a small lingerie company and in a family owned knitting production business. Outside of working hours I would make a few garments here and there for friends. In 2004 my life took a big change. I came to New Zealand to visit my sister. Loved it, got some good work as pattern cut-

ter, met my husband and settled in Raglan. I have worked for Ness in Hamilton, Scintilla and Cbon both Raglan based. All three of these designers do beautiful work and gave me awesome opportunities. Between 2009 and 2012 I fully embraced motherhood and did that full time. Now thanks to the amazing (and ongoing) support of my dear husband who built me my dream studio and also for the generous help of my parents, I have a place and space to express my creativity and give form to my sketches. It's with passion and patience that I do everything myself. From pattern drafting, sampling, fitting, cutting, to sewing and pressing. I like all aspects of it. Also after over 15 years of experience I found the fabrics I prefer to work with and my style. So I have a lot of fun. My garments are timeless and elegant. Celebrating femininity and appreciation for craftmanship.

I wake up thinking about garments,fabrics and colours. I suppose that also has a lot do with how I got here today. Who are you influence by? Fashion wise, I like the cut and feminine style of Elie Saab, the sophistication of Victoria Beckham and Gucci. My favourite New Zealand designer is Kate Sylvester. My favourite all time designer is Coco Chanel, for her philosophy on life and how she changed women's wardrobe for good. What inspires your creativity? I am sensitive to the seasons. I really like those changes in a year. So that's one thing that always tints my creativity; mother nature's cycles, and colours. I like to tell a bit of a story too. Sometimes about my life and where I'm at, or something that moves me. My collections are often biographic if I can say that.

The creative process with Fashion will use the "theme" and flow it throughout.; from colour selection, to cuts and volumes. My last winter collection was called "winter blues". I was feeling a bit blue, a bit mixed with seasons too. It was summer in Canada. So I blended silk chiffons overlayed on merino knits. I chose indigo for the main colour. Then made garments comfy and snuggly like a warm embrace. My next collection is about the liberation the Burlesque movement has given. Very feminine, a touch sexy but elegant and tailored. A modern twist on vintage classics. There are so many sources of inspiration; music, paintings, jewellery,.. even topics related with actuality. When you have a message or something to say, art is a great way to communicate.

What are you working on at the moment? My work is quite diversified. On top of developing my label I do dressmaking and a bit of production for a local surf shop called "Rock it". I have just completed my “Something for Coco” collection, which means I now have some good material to start some proper visibility. I have also just finished doing loads of hand stitching on a beaded lace wedding dress. Best and worst thing of been an artist? I am really passionate and enjoy every aspect of my artistic medium. But there are challenges to every form of art. The most fun and easy part is the sketching and the design of the collection. But then pattern cutting requires calculation and precision. It's quite mathematical. To work with certain fabrics I get my fairy hands out and a lot of patience. While the budget and resource restrictions sometimes hinder the best designs to take form, because I must consider that the garment will be long lasting, that it reflects my design aesthetic and that is feasible in times required. So it sometimes means to keep a great design in a "glass jar" for another time.

Your most valuable possession? What I value the most is joy, but then it's not a possession. So I would say my studio, and in my studio there is a very special pair of Signer scissors for lace and chiffon that I inherited from my mum's husband's mother. Without them I couldn't do most of my work like "french seeming" the chiffon or trimming lace appliqués. Your favourite place? Anywhere in great company,sharing a meal and a wine. Even better with a sunset. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Career wise working with a great team, still doing what I love sounds fun. 4 Famous people would you invite for diner? Paulo Cohelo Coco Chanel Nefertiti Madonna www.lecourtois-couture.com www.facebook.com/pages/Dominique-Lecourtois-Couture lecourtois.couture@gmail.com Facing Page: “Something for Coco” Collection - Lecourtois Couture Model - Coco Valence Photography - Tracie Heasman Stylist - Annick Faubert at Tonic Hairdressing Atamira Accessories

L.O.V.E Super talented rap duo from Hamilton and finalists of the New Zealand X Factor 2013, Toni Turner & Stacey Awheto are L.O.V.E

Left - Stacy Awheto Right - Toni Turner

Give us a rundown of how you got where you are today musically: Toni: I’ve always been a music baby, my parents were musos so it was only natural that I became one too, grew up singing rapping and playing guitar just as a hobbie and because I wanted to learn its been something that I have always wanted to do so I just followed the music and it led me to where I am today. After enetering X factor NZ 2013 my whole life changed for the better, so im greatful. Stacy: I remember being 5 and walking around my home beach in Opunake Taranaki and making up songs in my head as I walked along the waterfront. I never realised that writing music was my passion. I was introduced to kapahaka at an early age and fell in love with performing, singing and entertaining. so I guess I was always meant to write music and pursue a career in music. After completing a Maori Performing Arts course at Te Wananga o Aotearoa I knew then I wanted to perform and sing for the rest of my life. the course gave me all the confidence I was lacking including the confidence to take up a challenge such as X Factor. Now we get to write and create our own music and have people appreciate it as much as we do.

Stacy: Fave song of all time would hve to be "Grandpa tell me about the good old days". My Grandfather use to sing this to me when I was young.

What are your major music influences? Toni: First and foremost Michael Jackson has always been my number one influence, (besides my family ofcourse) after him I would have to say, Salt n Pepa!! They are by far the most amazing. I was so thrown when I met them!! And then I would have to say Stan Walker and Turanga Merito, they are very good friends and such inspirations as well, both extremly talented and amazingly humble human beings, I look up to them so much. Stacy: Lyricly my biggest influences would have to be artist such as Twista, Tech Nine, Busta Rhymes, Eminem and Hopsin. But as a performer I think Tina Turner and M.J are definately hands down born star performers.

How would you describe your perfect day? Toni: Relaxed, stress free, with my girls on a boat having a few brews and listening to some good music, talking that "girl talk" Stacy: Family and close friends, kids, food, a few cold ones, laughs, games, fun and sunshine.

What are you up to right now, music-wise? Toni: We are currently putting an E.p together to release next starting with our first single “Bubblegum” soon, which will be released with a video which we will be shooting in jan. not to mention we just got off the stage from Christmas In The Park in Auckland which was amazing. We are doing a lot of writing and rehersing for upcoming shows. Stacy: At the moment satcking up on material; We are working towards an E.P. Our first single “Bubblegum” will be released soon. We are shooting the music vid at the end of Jan and hope to have a second song mix and mastered by then as well. We recently performed at the CocaCola Christmas in the park. And we will also be headlining alongside the likes of Lavina Williams at the Big Gay Out 2014. We feel so grateful to have been blessed with this opportunity Who would you most like to tour with? Toni: If we’re talking international it would either be Salt n Pepa or Iggy Azalea, like I love Nicki Minaj but SnP and Iggy are more my kind of realness both acts are so fierce not to mention hella hot too. Stacy: Hands down I would love to tour with The Worldwide Choppers. The most prestigious lyricist in the world. Well in my opinion. What is your favourite song of all time? Toni: Hmmmm that is such a hard question but off the cuff I’d have to say right now its “Act Like Its Over” by Stan Walker.

What are your fondest musical memories? Toni: My fondest memory would have to be my first musical memory, when I was 4 my Mum made me sing the shoop shoop song into a headphone while it was recoding on a cassete player, it was the most unreal feeling hearing your voice played back to you for the first time and I loved it. Stacy: My fondest memories would have to be singing or should I say screaming to the top of my lungs with friends at course everywhere and anywhere. Sorry to all the people who had to suffer listening to us all the time. What was the first tape/record you bought? Toni: First tape I ever brought was “Fanmail” by T.L.C....then I learned the rap to no scrubs, lol, there was no looking back after that; I was a die hard fan for life hahahaha Stacy: Craig David “7days”. I dont even know why, hahahaha, but he was a cutie.

What is your most valued possession? Toni: My most valued position would have to be my acoustic nylon. I love that thing, feels like its apart of me when I play it. Stacy: My most valued possession would be my nephew Toherangi Te Hata Awheto (first born); he is my world. If you could blink your eyes and be in your favourite place now, where would that be? Toni: Hawaii definatly; its so beautiful there and the boys OMG Stacy: Fishing with my Grandfather (he has passed). No place I’d rather be. Where would you like to find yourself in 10 years? Toni: In ten years I hope to find myself happily married with kids and mentouring our troubled youth. they are our future and I think its important that we help mould them into strong independent leaders of tomorrow. Stacy: In ten years I would like to have either won or been nominated for an award at the NZMA’s, produced a platinum album, received a gold medal at the Olympics and finish off with a loyal husband and 3 beautiful children (twins if im lucky) What four famous people, dead or alive, would you invite for dinner? Toni: Bernie Mack, Kevin Hart, Dave Chapelle and Beyonce . I think would b such a good night, could you imagine the laughs. Stacy: Bruce Lee because is a big inspiration one of my biggest. Khloe Kardashian because she is soo funny and reminds me of me. Lady Gaga because she’s super outthere and I’d just like to hear the wacky cool stuff she would say and Will Smith for eye candy and because he has all the one liners. www.facebook.com/LOVEmusicNZ

Photo: Tracie Heasman