“ Wild flavours of French Cabaret flirt with the pulse of Electro-Oriental-Jazz. An intoxicating affair of multi-lingual noir poetry, conjuring Balkan dance floors, spiced with a sprinkling of circus…”
The Mamaku Project is born from the collaboration of two Kiwi/French artists at the Errobiko Festival in the Basque Country (France) 2004. Tui Mamaki, evocative bi-lingual vocalist, calls on multi-instrumentalist Monsieur E.. This collaboration sparks a vision for a music that could bridge their cultures; that would foster dialogue between their European and South Pacific inspirations…
In 2007, they co-produce their first LP “Karekare” which received critical acclaim and sales of +3000 in NZ. A concoction weaving French quirkiness, Electro, World, Jazz and Dub. Created in the breathtaking wilderness of West-coast Aotearoa, this one-of-a-kind poetry rides infectious earthy grooves…
With their unique and festive style The Mamaku Project soon make waves in the NZ Arts/Music Festival scene, particularly wowing crowds at WOMAD NZ.
In 2008, they release their second opus “Mal de Terre”, followed by a NZ tour and Australian premier. In 2009, a new show is launched at AK09 Festival in The Famous Spiegeltent: The “Electr-O-rganic Sessions” remixes material from both albums along with new compositions, in a live-electro club style.
During 2010 and 2011 this show is toured throughout Europe, Canada and Korea, where festival and club audiences alike, welcome it as a cutting-edge breath of fresh air from the South Pacific, yet equally evocative of the co-founders European roots.
The Mamaku Project are currently working on their third album.
Simon Sweetman – North & South NZ
“… A very impressive show, weaving a dense musical web of sounds including sultry and moody dub, mixed with quintessentially French and bohemian melodies and enchanting elements of the east… giving off a very theatrical exuberance…Can’t wait ‘til they return!”
Luke Balzan – RIP IT UP n971 (Australia)
“Some of the best music I have ever heard… A magical combination … unique compositions, brilliant arrangements… outstanding vocals, here is a singer who knows how to use her voice as an instrument… one of a kind.”
Mike Nettmann – Northern Advocate NZ
HIGHLIGHT SHOWS include:
2011: Le Sentier des Halles – Paris FRANCE, La Pleine Lune – Montpellier FRANCE, La Musique Dans Tout Ses Etats – St Raphael FRANCE, Galao – Stuttgart GERMANY, Silent Friday – Stuttgart GERMANY, Ono – Bern SWITZERLAND, Gruener Salon – Berlin GERMANY, Noordelicht – Amsterdam HOLLAND, Festival Musiques d’Ici et d’Ailleurs – Chalons en Champagne FRANCE, Breminales Festival – Bremen GERMANY, Sunfest – London Ontario CANADA, Alianait Arts Festival – Nunavut CANADA, Franco-Fete – Toronto CANADA, Luminate Festival – Takaka Hill NZ, Festival of Lights – Taranaki NZ
2010: Gwanju World Music Festival KOREA, Taupo Erupt Festival, Luminate Festival, Prana Festival Coromandel, ElectrOrganic Sessions NZ Tour, Christchurch Art Gallery Waitangi Day Celebrations…
2009: World of Wearable Arts, Aarde Festival Amsterdam, Mano Café Berlin, Kaffee Burger Berlin, Lustspielhaus Munich, La Dame de Canton Paris, Fusion Festival Germany, Fete de la Musique Isere France, Arts on Tour NZ (23dates), Palmerston North Culture Festival, The Famous Spiegeltent AK09 Red Square, Titirangi Festival of Music, Cuba St Carnival, Organic River Festival…
2008: Parnell Rose Festival, Nelson Arts Festival, Imst Arts Festival Austria, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Bay of Islands Arts Festival, Littleweed Festival, Hamilton Gardens Festival, Splore, Jambalaya Rhythm Festival…
2007: WOMAD NZ, First Light AK, Christchurch Arts Festival, Tauranga Arts Festival, Taranaki Arts Festival, Auckland Arts Festival (AK07) Opening & Festival Club, Waiheke Culture Festival…
2006: Popkomm (Berlin), Titirangi Festival of Music, Hamilton Gardens Festival, Kaikoura Roots…
FURTHER REVIEWS
SOCO CARGO Garden Of Unearthly Delights, ADELAIDE
The weather may have been a little cooler than usual for this time of year, but the temperature in SoCo Cargo certainly heated up when New Zealand’s The Mamaku Project took to the stage! This five-piece band put on a very impressive show, weaving a dense musical web of sounds including sultry and moody dub, mixed with quintessentially French and bohemian melodies, and even enchanting elements of the east. The band has really embraced the carnival atmosphere too, with their show giving off a very theatrical exuberance, complete with costumes and sideshow performance. Fat basslines and groovy horns set the pace, and the band’s jazz-meets-dub style is certainly a winner with this punter. Can’t wait ‘til they return!
Luke Balzan – RIP IT UP n971 (Australia)
Hamilton Gardens Festival, NEW ZEALAND
The Mamaku Project’s sound was unique as they blended Eastern European influences with French and those of Pacifica; a place where the musical styles and cultures merged. Their integrated blend included typical jazz solo breaks and an eclectic mix of rhythms that challenged the feet to stay still with a hypnotic vocal presence. Their music began to inhabit a unique form, from there it mutated with free spirit as a natural consequence of events into a new habitat; their music was the uncharted journey where one became totally intoxicated with the plethora of little solos in a variety of styles. Nomad could not be faltered with its sensuous melodies. Loved the show!
Andrew Buchanan-Smart – WAIKATO TIMES
WOMAD NZ
“…Over on the tiny Dell Stage, the organisers have underestimated the popularity of New Zealand act the Mamaku Project. Punters are climbing trees, clambering up banks and using the toilet steps as a grandstand to get a peek at the rootsy dub act, with a French twist…”
Scott Kara – NZ HERALD