Mihirangi joins John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and an all-star cast for ‘When the Levee Breaks’ remake
The legendary multi-instrumentalist, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin is accompanied by Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, indigenous Sámi artist Elle Márjá Eira, and Aotearoa’s very own Mihirangi and over 18 musicians and dancers from seven different countries, which is featured in Peace Through Music: A Global Event for the Environment
Watch When The Levee Breaks Here
Mihirangi, (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngati Rākei & Ngāti Waikorara) met Robin Moxey from Playing for Change at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest 2019. Having produced 6 of her own albums through her record label Ruru Records, Mihirangi was invited to sing on When the Levee Breaks to produce, film and record the Aotearoa audio and film assets to showcase performances in our Natural environment, the main themes being our waterways, rivers and biodiversity.
Mihirangi was asked to weave her vocals around the joiking (traditional singing) of Sámi vocalist, Elle Márjá Eira. After sending a demo of her vocal parts, and being unable to find a vocalist to hit the big notes in the bridge of the song, Playing for Change invited Mihirangi to do the part.
Mihirangi and Robin had also discussed Mihirangi’s ambassadorship for the Rights of Mother Earth and the Alliance of Mother Nature’s Guardians, inspired by these discussions, Playing for Change have highlighted Indigenous wisdom and solutions in their latest documentary. After further discussions about the Whanganui River, the US Producers wanted to include the success of this story and Mihirangi was asked to do the narration alongside Sir David Attenborough, Robbie Robertson and United Nations, Dr Natalia Kanem.
Produced in partnership between Playing for Change and the United Nations, and through the universal language of music and the art of storytelling, the documentary, Global Event for Climate Justice details the beauty and fragility of our environment. With a focus on the biodiversity of Rivers around the world, the documentary seeks to unite the world in taking action for a sustainable future and advance progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The collaboration for When the Levee Breaks forms part of this epic documentary that interweaves more than 200 artists from more than 35 countries including acts such as Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Keb’ Mo’, Slash, Cat Stevens, Jaj Mahal and many more.
Mihirangi was invited to be the field producer and direct the Aotearoa elements into the documentary. After submitting a production proposal based on the whakatauki “Ki Uta ki Tai” (from the mountains to the sea) that reflects the Māori philosophy and relationship with the life cycle and well-being of water, Mihirangi became the first indigenous woman to produce and direct for Playing for Change. Mihirangi encapsulated the need to recognise the interconnectedness of the whole environment, with a goal to share and showcase our water biodiversity. Mihirangi enlisted a team and over a period of three months recorded and filmed performances of Māori Kapa Haka groups and Jacob Samson’s Cook Island group “Drums of the Pacific”.
Watch “Global Event for Climate Justice” Here
