...acknowledge, acknowledge...

What is Island Summer?  An obvious question, but it is the the CD that is named after the live show, and not everyone knows that.

It started with Pos's idea to play Samoan songs with an orchestra of guitars.  "Imagine if you had a whole orchestra of guitars playing Lotanu'u.  Imagine what that would sound like!'.  That was in 2001, and he was in hospital beside his mother who'd had a serious accident.  She was in a coma.  There beside an old portable stereo were CDs and tapes piled up high of all her favourite music - gospel, Samoan hymns, country, ballads - there was a whole lot.  Pos had been playing 'Lotanu'u' and other songs to her, to let her know that he was there.

Tragically, Pos's mum Kupi Mavaega eventually passed away.   The idea of the guitar orchestra stayed with him until 3 years later this was realised in the form of 'Island Summer' -  orchestra and band, with dancers and actors.  Collaborating with Tanya to introduce a storyline and bring characters into the show, meant making Pacific Underground's first musical theatre piece.  This show is a dedication to the late Kupi Mavaega and Reverend Samoa Mavaega.

Andrew (Dru) Sione and Hemi Lesatele have been Pos's 'wingmen' on this show from the beginning.  Hemi and Pos came from the same church PIC in Christchurch.  Pos knew Hemi could handle this type of show, especially from Hemi's own history and skill with Samoan music.  Drew was a new young player who Pos met through the Tribalincs crew - Seta Timo, Arona Vaele, Mark Vanilau and Norman Vaele.  Pos was impressed by Andrew's playing of the guitar and with both the wingmen and bass player Seta Timo (and sometimes Ray FA'afetai Samuels who would travel all the way from Sydney) and Tanya on Vocals, the ensemble worked on Pos's arrangements starting with the traditonal Samoan songs.

Two of the hymns are classic Samoan favourites- Lotanu'u and Fa'afetai I Le Atua.  La'u Lupe is an older Samoan love song.  That song was first used by Pacific Underground in both productions of Oscar Kightley's play Dawn Raids first taught to the cast and band of the Auckland production by Ene Petaia, who had an acting role in the play.

Pos had kept the song in the repertoire of the Pacific Underground band and has since remained.  Other songs like Lovely Hula Girl - was an old favourite of Tanya's parents, and 'Better Than Change' is a song by Dallas Tamaira (Joe Dukie of Fat Freddy's Drop).  Dallas once had an acting role with Pacific Underground in Oscar Kightley and Erolia's play 'Romeo and Tusi'.  He released 'Better Than Change' in 2000, so Pos asked him to sing as a guest for the 2007 show of Island Summer, and then again sang it at Te Papa show at the opening festival of the 'Tangata O Le Moana' the Pacific exhibition there.

Original songs by Tanya and Pos are Song for Grandma (this is the second recording / version of this, the first being on Landmark), War Song and Island Summer (written while Andrew, Tanya and Pos were in Palau for the 9th Pacific Arts Festival).  Other traditional songs are the Samoan National Anthem, and Tofa My Feleni.

All these songs make up the Island Summer CD, and have a unique story as to why they were chosen for the recording and for the live show. But more importantly they are songs that signal events and a time when our parents who left their island home in Samoa to make a life here in Aotearoa, brought those songs with them, passing them on for us to pass on to our kids.

In 2004 and 2008 Pos, Tanya and Andrew travelled to the 9th and 10th Pacific Arts Festivals scaling down the full sound of a 30 piece group to 3 guitars and 3 vocals.  Being part of the NZ Delegation for both years meant that they were able to share this music from the show to the world, and along the way be part of NZ's most well-known and respected Maori and Pacific artists.  There were life-long friendships made from those trips too.

The live show toured to Dunedin and Wellington in 2006 and 2007.  The first of the two tours was Dunedin, and with the assistance of Freedom Roadworks and 'Koile we were able to recruit guitarists for the orchestra from there.  The same as Wellington with the assistance of Mishelle Muagututi'a  for the Tangata O LE Moana Exhibition Opening festival at Te Papa.  The wellington season was also filmed by Mishelle Muagututi'a,  director Ange Boyd and crew to make a documentary on the 'Island Summer' journey to date.

The making of the CD has been a milestone for Pos, Tanya and Pacific Underground.  Earlier this year Pos, Tanya, Dru and Hemi played at Pasifika Festival. That morning of the gig Dru told Tanya that both him and Hemi counted out that Island Summer had been performed 25 times since it's first show in 2005.  That's all versions, with the big orchestra to just three performers. 

Pasifika Festival would have been the 26th time, and then in Dunedin for Matariki  and 2 shows there 28th time,  the Dux for Pacific Roots South - without the wingmen but with Seta Timo and newcomer on guitar Talia-Rae Mavaega the 29th time, and then with Pos, Tanya and Talia-Rae in Wanaka for 'Festival of Colours' function would have been the 30th time. 

The release gig was held at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae in Aranui.  Its programme covered some of the Island Summer journey in celebration of the CD (including footage from the upcoming doco, never been seen before!),  so to acknowledge those who have been part of that journey, from Pos, Hemi, Chris Searle, Dru, Tanya -we say  - we love you and thank you.

They are: - 

Musicians - Seta Timo, Ray Fa'afetai Samuels, Pati Umaga, Al Lafatuana'i, Shane Asi, Mark Frew, Hemi Inia, Walter Lagatule, Steve Tafea, Norman Vaele, Grace Vanilau, Pati Umaga, Dallas Tamaira, Brent Thompson, Fuivai Fiso, Tevita Siolagapo, Poliko Samuga Vili,  Hiliako Iaheto, Jarni Blair, 'Koile, Zac Bishara, and guests Ardijah, Adeaze, Cydel and the Groovehouse, Siaosi Mulipola and Corinna Hunziker, Mata'ina Victoria Bell.  The christchurch , Dunedin and Wellington orchestras.
Actors - Ave Sua, Flo Lafai, Josephine Mavaega, 

Production - Barbara Carpenter, Flo Lafai, Siaosi Mulipola, Mishelle Muagututi'a, Makerita Urale, Ray Fa'afetai Samuels, Christine Mears, Sunia Feleti, Michael Laufiso, Freedom Roadworks, Laufiso / Ivala / Cassidy families, Guy Boyce, Ole Maiava, Dale Cotton, Rob Payne, Anton Carter, Marilyn Kohlhase,

18 Thursdays team - Pip Laufiso and  Hiliako Iaheto

 There are many more to thank, they are on the CD jacket.

ENJOY

...it was the purple church...

Of course our fellow 18 thursday members Hiliako and Pip hosted us in Dunedin, back at the purple church, where the very first part of the recording took place.  It was back in June around the kitchen table, at 5am after 'Fetu O Mataliki'.  This was the gig of all Island gigs where 'Koile released their EP at the Macandrew Bay Community Centre, and the Dunedin Pasifika and music community showed their support by packing out the hall and dancing all night to the wonderful array of support bands and of course the energetic Pasifika reggae icons of the South - 'Koile.

Our set was appreciated, and we got great feedback, but it was 'Koile that shone bright and loud on that Matariki night...and what a sound they carried too.  As for the Koile CD - beeeautiful.

Drew, Tanya, Pos and Hemi - Island Summer live at 'Fetu O Mataliki'

So late in the wee hours Pos, Hiliako, Pip and Dale Cotton arrived back at the Purple Church (across the road from the gig) and headed for the kitchen table (Tanya and Chris opted for sleep).  Over some beverages they made a pledge to record that sound - that of Island Summer...

So it's been an intense last 2 weeks of Pos mixing down the finals for the CD to be mastered back in Dunedin.  Pos and Rob did a good job to-ing and fro-ing from Rob's studio, to overdubs back at Wattle, and night sessions back at Robs.  And with the multiple times of listening the to tracks, it can get tiresome. 

Mr Searle and Tanya supported as much as possible there as the second and third ears, and by last Sunday were ready to hit the road again for Dunedin for Pos and Chris to sit with Dale Cotton at Dale Cotton Mastering.

Dale was a master at work. He was able to go through each track at a time with ease, skill and also get feedback from Pos and Chris.  He usually works alone, so he was gracious to let them sit in on the process!

At the time of this blog the CD is mastered and at the replication place.  It's sounding amazing, and all the pieces put together by Pos, Rob, Dale, and of course the musos has fit perfectly.

There's still some work to be done on the CD package, and launch...aaaaaah the launch...that's coming up...

..we have choice engineers...

'Lovely Hula Girl' - a new arrangement from this old song has a 'Babyface-groove' smooth feel to it.  Pos first played it as an idea, so by the time recording the first parts in Dunedin at the Purple Church 2 months ago, it was the beginning of building the song from scratch.  Drummer Chris Searle was doubtful he'd pull it off without a reference to listen to but instantly and naturally fell into the swing of it with Pos, (and Tanya on guide vocal) proving experience and expertise in playing together for many years.  Last Thursday the final touches were Pos re-recording the bass line, and then guest vocalist Matt Ioane laying down the lead vocal track and Tanya the backing vocals at Rob Payne's studio. 
It's been a long time since Pos, Tanya and Chris have had the luxury of being in a studio to build songs, and fine tune our music, in our style, in our way...in the old school way.   The last time this happened was during the 'Landmark' recording in 1998 - recorded at Blast Studios in analogue / dat / digital format.  Only a year or so later the phenomenon of 'home studios' hit our shores, and digital recording, computers, MPCs and lots of other new machines were being used to replicate the traditional recording studio  / analogue / live recording format.
We steered clear of it, then learnt about it, tried it at home, made some demo recordings, but in the end decided after some trial and error of putting this CD together finally re-recorded Island Summer in a format that suits both new school and old school.
Engineer and old school friend and muso Hix Toto of Urban Digital helped us with our first attempt at recording Island Summer. We were wanting him to engineer and produce the album. Hix gave insight in the technical knowledge of digital recording and after being impressed by Pos's home demo made Hix suggested we take on the project ourselves. He then upgraded our computer with studio software, to which we are hugely grateful.
Engineer Dale Cotton, from Dale Cotton Mastering has been a long time friend and engineer of Koile/ Hiliako Iaheto and Pip Laufiso.  We were stuck for a sound engineer at our annual Pacific Arts Festival in 2006 (after our usual soundie called in sick on the day).  Without hesitation Dale stepped in, and drove the front of house mix all day.
For Island Summer Dale has brought forward his professional skill, and gentle nature again, making this process easy, and quick.  His knowledge and willingness to assist us to perform at our best and also to make decisions with expedience has made our sessions pleasant and fun. 
Rob Payne plays keyboards in Pos's other band  D'sendantz .  Rob also is Manager at Music Planet. Rob is also an accomplished guitar player and has built his own studio in his home. He too has a gentle nature an excellent musical ear and worked well in this process. With Pos as producer, the two worked with speed and ease on recording bass player Seta Timo, and Lovely Hula Girl vocals.

Dale Cotton, Matt Ioane and Rob Payne

So thanks to engineers Hix, Dale and Rob - they're choice, and when you hear 'Lovely Hula Girl' and all the other tracks you can judge for yourself.

Recording vocals

The venue was the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, home of the Pacific Artist in Residence - who this year is Tanya. So the foyer has excellent acoustics and creating music amongst the art works of NZ's most respected Pacific Artists was a choice way to acknowledge the Centre's support to Pacific Arts in the world.
So Dale Cotton and Hiliako travelled from Dunedin, and Pos set everyone to task to complete Tanya's lead vocals, and background vocals for 8 songs from the album, with 2 songs to complete later this week with Matt Ioane.
Good to have on vocals Pos, Hemi Lesatele, Hiliako, Talia-Rae, Josephine, Ella, and from the Pylat programme Gase Faletolu and Chris Faletanoa'i, Becs Thompson, Sunia Feleti's nephew Semo who was in transit from Dunedin to Auckland...hehe. Tanya's lead vocals are all done with the support of Pos, Dale, Chris Searle and the Mavaega girls and of course the 18 Thursday team Pip and Hiliako. Recording Song for Grandma for the second time since written 17 years ago, but this time with Grandma just passed away at the age of 100 years old, proved difficult, and exhilirating at the same time (first recording of the song was for PU's Landmark CD)
So by next week all recording will be complete with Rob Payne, Pos, Matt and Tanya and then it's mix-down and master...can it be that simple though...there's still the release show, and artwork to sort...hehe...

...through the aftershocks...

The progress of the Island Summer CD is on track.  Led by Pos and the 18 Thursdays team (see below) we started again, with some re-recording taking place in Dunedin - in McAndrew Bay at the fale of Hiliako Iaheto and Pip Laufiso at the Purple Church; in Christchurch at our Wattle Drive in Pos's studio and at Rob Payne's house in his studio and in Las Vegas at Andew Sione's studio over there.

In Dunedin with Dale Cotton  - engineer of 'Koile's newly released EP Te Hua we recorded from Thursday lunchtime until Friday 4am in the morning...so for Pos and Chris Searle on drums and me with guide vocal - a straight 16 hours. Pos played all of that time with Hemi Lesatele flying in on Thursday evening to play in his parts.

During this session we were facebook-ing Andrew Sione ( Pos's right hand guitar player for this project) who was in Las Vegas, to let him know we were missing him. He messaged back to tell us that he won't make it back in the planned time-frame to record with us, so by the end of the weekend we'd hatched a plan with him. He was working off 'Pro-Tools' too in a studio where he was staying, recording an album with his group over there. So we were able to use the website 'You Send It' to upload the files of what we'd recorded in Dunedin, so he could use them as a guide, record his parts and then upload them back onto the 'You Send It' site for us to download again. Amazing.

A month later (and only a week ago) Christchurch was hit badly by an earthquake - 7.1 on the Richter scale http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/videos/4096608 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/canterbury-earthquake/4119875/Canterbury-quake-Everyones-a-journalist

Thankfully no-one died, and for us we had no damage, loss or injury. It freaked us out and stopped us in our tracks, but by the next few days we were able to continue with the planned recording session with Seta Timo. Seta Timo was bass player with PU from 1999 - 2002, and has since joined us in the Island Summer shows when-ever possible. Pos, Seta and I headed down to Rob Payne's place and there they recorded Seta on acoustic bass, with 3 songs to complete in the next few days.

Seta on bass and Pos listening in

18 Thursdays

18 Thursdays TEAM - Tanya, Hiliako, Pip, and Pos
with Chris Searle in the middle

18 Thursdays is the project inside the Island Summer CD project.  With the many twists and turns of the Island Summer CD - long-time Dunedin collaborators Pip Laufiso and Hiliako Iaheto sat down with Pos Mavaega and offered their services to see the completion and end of the Island Summer CD project.

Pip and Hiliako had spent a night in Christchurch after being delayed overnight in transit form Auckland to Dunedin.  We'd spent the weekend together at Artspeak the CNZ created Pacific Arts Fono, and had all left from Bill and Teremoana Urale's house on Sunday, after meeting together with Pati Umaga and Mesepa Edwards also.

So on Monday 28 June, Pip mapped out a plan between two significant dates - they are the anniversary of Pos's mum's passing  - 8 July, and Pos's upcoming birthday - 4 November.  Both dates happen to be on a Thursdays and 18 weeks apart hence the name '18 Thursdays' - it's goal that by Pos's birthday he will be holding a complete CD in his hand.

So 18 Thursdays is the collaborative effort of Pos, myself, Pip and Hiliako to see this CD complete.  The release event has been set for November 6, 2010 and to be held at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae in Pages Road.