Whāingaroa Talent Factory, the joint project between Raglan Community Radio, Raglan Community House and CSR Studios, has announced their showcase event will be held on Saturday 16th October at The Yard.
Entries close on Friday 1st October with the mentoring session to be held the following Tuesday 5th October. The mentoring process is an important part of the WTF experience where young musicians, DJs, singers and MCs spend time with professional artists to develop their performance and/or songwriting skills.
WTF is open to 13-18 year old’s playing either covers or their own songs and it’s been timed so they will have the school holidays to prepare for the main event on October 16.
Tukana Kaya and Jules Blewman will be joining the mentor team for WTF 2021 while Reiki Ruawai, Conor McCabe and Teia Kennedy are returning from last year.
Teia Kennedy is a singer songwriter who won last year’s emerging artist award at the National Waiata Māori Music Awards.
Conor McCabe; Formerly lead singer of Melbourne based duo Fortunes, Conor is based in Whaingaroa again and performing solo under the stage name Keeper.
Reiki Ruawai performs as a solo artist, member of Cornerstone Roots and Masaya and also MCs with other live acts.
Tukana Kaya
Ko Tukana Kaya Dalton toku ingoa
Tukana is a local teacher and musician who has been passionately working with the tamariki of Whaingaroa for the past four years, teaching at Raglan Area School and privately. She is a traveller, artist, writer, activist, educator, string thing player, singer and nature enthusiast. Tukana has played music since she was a kid, and her recent journey into the professional world of music has seen her play at Earthbeat, NZ spirit and Solrise music festival, as well as playing shows around the North Island and opening for some amazing artists such as Kita, TOI and Louana. Tukana is currently working on her debut release. She is very excited and inspired to pass on her gifts and to work with some local legends in this amazing project.
Jules Blewman
Jules is a guitarist, songwriter and producer with over 10 years experience touring, recording and educating. He is currently working with Wellington based artists Deva Mahal, TOI (formerly Tunes of I), Dr. Reknaw, Zoe Moon and Whaingaroa locals Masaya, Keeper (Conor McCabe) and Tukana. With a background in jazz, classical and contemporary music (soul, hiphop, rock, funk, pop, reggae etc) he is a diverse musician who is able to blend in and morph to suit a wide variety of roles and styles of music.”
