Kia ora and welcome to the New Zealand/Aotearoa WOMEX 2022 webpage. Below you will find details for this year’s NZ delegation. We have an amazing array of artists, managers and creative industries professionals.
Please note on the side bar we have a link to a comprehensive listing of New Zealand Music Festivals, Spotify and Apple Music links to exciting playlists of contemporary Te Reo (Māori language) music – courtesy of Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On AIr – as well as a link to a wonderful website called AudioCulture which is focused on deep dives into New Zealand Musical History.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe.
SQUARE • Artist Management @ SquareSums&Co
SquareSums&Co is an Auckland-based arts/artist management firm that represents a bespoke roster of performing artists, storytellers, entertainers and works, with a special interest in crossover, cross-cultural and cross-genre work and talent.
We are led by co-founders Square & Sums, ably supported by our Associates. We are proud to be host to a growing global affiliate network of Collaborators (our “Co”s), including: Lynn Fu (Shanghai/New York), Shaifulbahri ‘Shai’ Mohamad, (Singapore), Ginny Kim (Seoul/London), Aaron Fernandes (Mumbai) and Cindy Hwang (Saudi Arabia/USA).
Our Partners, Associates and Collaborators are accomplished arts managers and creative producers deeply passionate about authentically representing high-quality BIPOC artists and experiences that balance creative expression, culture and community with both social and commercial outcomes. True, meaningful and genuine collaboration is a fundamental tenet of our shared artist/arts management ethos.
In particular, we are long-time champions of Pan-Asian-Kiwi talent and projects, providing leadership and services to ORYZA (formerly The Oryza Foundation for Asian Performing Arts) and the recently established “Where The Asians At?! (Aotearoa)” music sector initiative.
Our artists roster includes Modern Māori Quartet (NZ/Māori), Arjuna Oakes (NZ) and Mazbou Q aka “Rap Scientist” (NZ/UK/Nigeria) and Serebii (NZ) as well as emerging artists such as Reshma Martin Malaysia/NZ), Ersha Island 二沙岛 (China/AU/NZ) and Chi Nonso (NZ/Nigeria).
Our past artists
include Troy Kingi (NZ/Māori), Tofiga Fepulea’i (NZ/Samoa) and The Frank Burkitt Band (NZ/UK). Our portfolio includes a range of tour-ready productions, including MMQ: Two Worlds (NZ/Māori), MMQ: Garage Party (NZ/Māori), The Mooncake and the Kūmara (NZ Māori/Chinese), Tea (NZ Sri Lankan) and Scene From A Yellow Peril (NZ Chinese).
We have also produced large-scale events such as Chromacon (NZ-focused indie visual arts festival), Short+Sweet Festival NZ and ASIAN(SOUND)SCAPES.
Email: square@squaresums.co
Rei – Artist
A multi award winning Māori artist from Aotearoa New Zealand. Rei has played at all of NZ’s top festivals and has over 10 million streams on Spotify. He has released 4 albums and 8 EPs.
Rei is the next generation of Aotearoa/NZ bilingual artists fusing international sounds and setting his sights firmly on taking NZ’s unique culture to the world and making some bangers on the way!. Currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, his music seamlessly bridges multiple genres, in particular, Urban and Electronic.
He released multiple genres in 2021, moslty because he can as he produces his own music and works alongside award-winning engineer Chris Chetland of Kog Studio.
With over 10 million Spotify Streams, 4 Waiata Māori Awards and 4 NZ Music Awards nominations, Rei is carving out his space and is always innovating to make new, fun AF, inspiring sounds.
Rolling Stones Au Video of the week with Kokomea.
Single Good Mood was the theme song for BBC London night show for 2020
Good Mood was #1 on US Viral Spotify Charts 2019
MTV AU Indigenous Artist of the Month 2021
https://www.youtube.com/c/ReiMusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/09eBKIxIhMym3kxJyDnVXh?si=tLZUQCuhSfGbJxrJ9oihSg
https://music.apple.com/nz/artist/rei/258923098
https://musicbyrei.bandcamp.com/
Management contact information
chris@kog.co.nz
Huia@kog.co.nz
Myele Manzanza – Artist
Born and raised in NZ on hip hop, jazz and dance music, drummer/composer Myele Manzanza is fast establishing himself as significant musical force on London’s dynamic scene of new wave jazz artists.
Myele Manzanza is a drummer and composer who has rightfully earned himself a reputation as a visionary musician who is not afraid to experiment. Born in New Zealand to a Congolese master percussionist, and currently residing in London, Manzanza was raised listening to hip hop, jazz and dance music all of which strongly inform his current practice.
As a drummer and a sideman Manzanza regularly tours and collaborates with a broad range of artists across multiple genres including Theo Parrish, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Amp Fiddler, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Jordan Rakei, Ross McHenry, The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Ria Hall, Marcus Strickland, Recloose and Sorceress among countless others.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hnzdB-SrRwKNMZj69rmpA
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UC8QBhdrzQGgnGPcdEMDd
Bandcamp:
https://myelemanzanza.bandcamp.com/
Management:
Eric Karsenty – eric@bridgethegapmgt.com
Label/distribution:
DeepMatter Records – all territories
myele.manzanza@hotmail.com
www.myelemanzanza.com
Huia – Artist
Huia is an ambient electronic indigenous artist with lyrics in both Māori and english. She is currently the recipient of the ‘Best Māori Female Artist’ award for 2022, and has a jam-packed summer, featuring in Aotearoas biggest festival Splore and other boutique events.
With electronic beats, organic percussion, live guitars and deep harmonies, Huia’s set is a richly layered big bass sound with conscious lyrics in both te reo Māori and touches of english. Huia is an award winning artist from Aotearoa NZ.
Producing both solo and collaboratively, her music flows from ambient liquid DnB with Baitercell, through to reggaeton bangers, Huia has a vibrant and friendly stage presence. Huia also loves to do small intimate whānau gatherings sharing her tamariki songs.
Website – www.iamhuia.com
Instagram: @iamhuia
Streaming links:
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/huia
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HuiaHamon
Bandcamp : https://huia.bandcamp.com/
Aron Ottignon – Artist
Blue Note recording artist, award winning Berlin-based New Zealand pianist Aron Ottignon – has toured the world with Woodkid, Abd Al Malik and co-written Stromae’s “Papaoutai” with 1 billion youtube plays. Most recently self- released 3 highly acclaimed EPs whilst playing at all major jazz festivals. In 2022 officially founding his own Paris based label, Urban Trout, which will be the vehicle for future music releases. After 15+ years in the music industry, working with various major labels Aron is excited to be running an independent record label and steering his own ship.
Over the past twelve months Aron has been busy working on FOUR NEW PROJECTS:
- Project A) Aron Ottignon & the Jeri Jeri Band,is a collaboration with musicians from Senegal, we have completed a 12 track album which will be distributed via Modular in France.
- Project B) Ebla & Aron – Arabic Flaminco singer & acoustic piano.
- Project C) Aron Ottignon, Helin Ulas & Jan Leipnitz – Experimental Visual Arts Impovisation Trio
- Project D) is a collaboration with Steel Pan player Tini Boi Joocie.
EMAIL & WHATSAPPS
aron@urbantroutrecords.com