Single(s) Review: the Before Ete Tape

Moana Ete, also known Ete and A Girl Named Mo, is the embodiment of the word Artist. The industrious Wellington writer, actor, director, playwright, Toi Whaakari alumni and veritable Jane-of-all-trades can now add professional musician to her résumé. 

While she is no stranger to music or performance, her 2015 EP will be her debut release. Judging by the sound of the soulful, seductive and catchy first three singles, this EP will be a springboard to propel her from Wellington notability to national recognition.

Round Two is a downbeat, minimalist hip-hop track performed entirely with Moana’s mouth. A cappella, done properly and authentically, without the autotune and lip syncing prevalent in the a cappella we’re presented with these days.

Ballpark, with its minimalist electronica slant and urban flavour, is like listening to a Lorde/Ladi6 mash-up, with a splash more sensuality than New Zealand’s seventeen year old wunderkind can provide. More playful than the other two, bordering on slam poetry at times, you can still hear the maturity in Moana’s voice and the control she has over it.

If performed by Pee Wee Herman, a song like I Wanna Play With You could be more than a little creepy, but when slipping through Mo’s lips this song is as sultry as Amy Winehouse and as smooth as swearing in French, with a railcar beat at a tempo appropriate for a teasing crawl across silk bed sheets.

If, like me, you can’t wait for Ete’s debut EP, which is scheduled for release early this year, you can check out some of her tracks on the Moana Ete Soundcloud Page and catch her performing on the VUWSA Locally Sourced stage at Homegrown 2015