Arahi Teases New Album with Dreamy New Waiata Featuring Anna Coddington

Tāmaki Makaurau-based, Hawkes Bay-raised singer and songwriter Arahi (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) has teamed up with a top tier of talent to bring you his latest single, Mai Tawhiti.

The bilingual waiata Mai Tawhiti features the vocals of APRA Silver Scroll winner Anna Coddington and was produced by the AMA-winning Jol Mulholland (Troy Kingi, Te Kaahu, Theia, Greta O’Leary). One of Aotearoa’s top translators Hana Mereraiha (Paige, Lorde, Waiata Anthems) carried out the role of mātanga reo.

Listen to Mai Tawhiti HERE

On Mai Tawhiti, the dreamy vocals of Arahi and Anna float gently atop a bed of guitar-driven, soaring indie-rock to create a compelling tune, which evokes a sense of melancholy as it recounts the story of Ngāti Kahungunu and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki chief Kahungunu and chieftainess Rongomaiwahine.

“The song is based on a story of desire and the casualties that came as Kahungunu travelled down to the East Coast in pursuit of Rongomaiwahine, who he discovered was already married. He performed all sorts of tricks in attempts to win her over” says Arahi, who adds that the two vocals on the track act as narrators of different perspectives of the same story.

The beauty of the song is brought to life in a live recording/video captured at the famed Roundhead Studios in Auckland, which will be released on July 27. “ I wanted to capture the scale of this song with a big band and really great players.”

Click HERE to register for the YouTube premiere.

Mai Tawhiti follows the recent release of singles Baby’s Back and We’ve Seen Better Days. All three songs will feature on Arahi’s upcoming album, which is set for release on October 24.

Arahi says that each song gives listeners a feel for the album: “They all reinforce the kind of music I want to keep making – big drums, driving guitar-based songs and storytelling. It’s world building, dream making!”

Arahi received critical acclaim for his 2022 EP, Revelator and his star continues to rise as he makes his mark on Aotearoa’s independent music scene. When he’s not making music as a solo artist, he’s one half of the Taite Prize-nominated Pony Baby with Jazmine Mary, as well as a member of Māori rock supergroup  Te Tokotoru with bassist William Devine (Fane Flaws, Tropical Downbeat Orchestra); and Iraia Whakamoe (The Nudge, Fly My Pretties).

Arahi is performing at The Other’s Way Festival in Auckland on November 29 and watch this space for further touring details to come.