Say Something with Ria Hall

And just like that - I’m transported elsewhere, namely into my feelings. That is what music does - it allows you to express and feel the highs and lows, the ebb and flow of this crazy thing called life. And in every utterance this woman makes, that’s what happens. Born in Hawaii, raised in between New York and Wellington, with a voice and sentiment that summons the goddess within is the exquisite Deva Mahal. Daughter of legendary American Blues musician Taj Mahal, the art of music is deep within her bones. She’s worked with the finest such as Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and in 2018 released her debut album ‘Run Deep’ with Grammy.com announcing she was their #1 pick at South by Southwest. I’ve been a fan of Deva for the longest time - since my own days as a Wellingtonian and it's such a privilege to have this queen on this kaupapa.

Whenever I'm with this next mātanga waiata, we pick up exactly where we left off - which is always with a big haati loud cackle of a laugh and as you'll hear shortly, it's definitely a whānau trait. We go to a fair few places in this kōrero. We touch on the effects of lockdown, whānau dynamics, relationships, creative outlets and recognising how powerful it really is to be vulnerable. In this episode of Say Something, I speak openly with the most prolific male vocalist over the last decade; the neff, Stan Walker.

That voice - instantly hooks you and stirs a part of your soul that you didn't even know you had. This Canadian born and bred diva has all the charisma and crack ups one could muster. This lady is a bonafide star. I'm talking about the honky tonk Aotearoa first lady of Country, Americana and Soul - Tami Neilson. APRA Silver Scroll winner, NZ Country Music Alumni are among her accolades, with her albums and tours having met rave reviews across the world. She was about to embark on a once in lifetime moment performing at Willie Nelson's ranch at an exclusive festival in America in March this year until bam! Covid hit and changed everything. Born into music, we talk about her upbringing in the family band, finding love in Aotearoa, raising her boys and learning to find value in this unprecedented time after the gigs have gone.

I'm fortunate to have been slotted into the hectic schedule of this humble front man. Lead singer of undoubtedly the biggest band in Aotearoa - L.A.B. On this episode of Say Something I speak off the cuff and amidst heaps of craaack ups with the incredible Joel Shadbolt, as we chat about his upbringing, music education and the bromance with his fellow band members. All I can say is this ep is a goody! Whakarongo tonu mai.

Tiki Taane is a musician extraordinaire who wears a plethora of pōtae. He's a singer, songwriter, front man, sound man, MC, producer, a lover of taonga pūoro, DJ and was a major stakeholder in the drum and bass movement here in Aotearoa. We get deep in this kōrero like only mates can. Tiki reminisces and shares his whakaaro on life as a teen growing up in Ōtautahi and researching his taha Māori in the local library, the humble beginnings of his music career which lead to the incredible musical chapters of his life with the legendary Salmonella Dub and Shapeshifter, to forging his own path as an iconic solo artist. He talks about his love of tāmoko and tattoo, his battle with addiction, hitting rock bottom and that one time in Tauranga when he sang that N.W.A song. Kaua e huri ki kaupapa kē!