Today’s Video of the Day is from leading kaipuoro collective IA. Since their beginnings, IA have been reimagining sounds of the past, exploring taonga puōro alongside modern musical styles and technologies.

‘Ororuarangi’ showcases this fusion of both worlds, with IA performing a silent disco to an eager crowd, set in the ngahere ātaahua o Aotearoa. IA is comprised of Moetu Smith (Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāti Maniapoto) and Reti Hedley (Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rāhiri) with Turoa Pohatu playing drums on ‘Ororuarangi’.

This waiata taonga features the taonga pūoro Pūtōrino made in the shape of a case moth, embodying Hineraukatauri the atua (goddess) of music. The lyrics are inspired by band member Reti Hedley’s late mother, Rangiiria Hedley and her dedication to the revitalisation of taonga pūoro during her life.

IA are heavy-weights of this week’s theme: “amplifying innovation”. Their signature blend of traditional and new sounds have created a new genre dubbed “indigenous soul”: a sound that has global influence whilst uplifting taonga pūoro and te ao Māori.

Let IA embrace you with sound and introspection and tune in āpōpō (and every day of New Zealand Music Month) for a new Video of the Day!

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Photo credit: Kay Buchanan

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