Latest news with #GenevaAM
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
GENEVA AM Shares New Song Toitū Te Tiriti
Press Release – Naked PR July 4, 2025: Geneva AM is the moniker of Geneva Alexander-Marsters (she/her, Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Aitutaki, Palmerston), an award winning producer, beat maker and vocalist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her bilingual approach to songwriting has been prominent throughout her musical career, most notably with the band SoccerPractise (2012-2018) and her debut release IHO (Waiata / Anthems). IHO went on to win Te Tohu Puoro o te reo Māori (Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori) at the 2023 Student Radio Network Awards. In 2024, she released the single 'T(M)²I' (Tangaroa Made Me Ill) in two versions (te reo and English), followed by ' Pikipiki ' which amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify. A seasoned live performer, Geneva AM has recently performed alongside Anna Coddington, Ladi6 and Suzi Cato. Today Geneva AM releases Toitū Te Tiriti, a call to action to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an invitation for everyone to speak te reo Māori. Toitū Te Tiriti is taken from her debut album Pikipiki (out August 15th on digital and Vinyl LP). Agile and precise string arrangements convey defiance and resistance while volleying with Geneva AM's powerful and dynamic vocal performance throughout Toitū Te Tiriti. The song is a call to action for everyone to honour Te Tiriti and an invitation for everyone to speak Māori. Using repetition in a simple lyrical format, Geneva AM refers to the mountains, rivers and the people as a reminder to the listener of the natural landmarks which feature in a pepeha. Geneva explains 'For this waiata, I wanted to make a series of statements because I believe the power of singing words out loud can positively influence people who may need to draw strength and keep going with their kaupapa. I made this waiata very quickly in response to witnessing the greed of our current coalition government. Watching the Toitū movement unfold last year was a monumental part of our history, especially as we saw the Treaty Principles Bill get thrown out.' 'The overall message of this single is a window into the theme around the album. 'All hope is not lost'. 'Pikipiki' means to ascend, this body of work is about overcoming obstacles and never giving up. Now more than ever we need to stand for what we believe in and support each other through this next stage of humanity' Toitū Te Tiriti was composed with help from Eric Scholes (who regularly performs with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and NZ Barok Orchestra) and features performances by a seven piece string ensemble. 'I wanted strings for this waiata because they are capable of harnessing these deep layers of immense emotion. The lyrics are quite simple and repetitive. I'm a pretty blunt person! Having these layers of tones painting the emotions which swirl underneath the surface like a rolling ocean really holds together this waiata in a way I could never have imagined!' 'Eric and I have worked together for almost 20 years in a couple of covers bands (shoutouts Coco-Rocky) and I knew in the back of my mind that it would be cool to work on something like this with him one day. I told Eric that regardless of what he comes up with, I trust him. We talked a lot about all of the complicated feelings around Te Tiriti (especially during the lead up to the epic resistance to the Treaty Principles Bill that was introduced). On one hand I see this initial promise that was made by our collective ancestors to live in harmony and then on the other there is no denying the historical acts of violence that continuously broke the premise of that promise. 185 years later we can see the results of this partnership between Tangata Whenua and The Crown. I feel angry and sad about it but I have to remain hopeful and strong so that we can uphold the mana of Te Tiriti for the next generation.' Scholes concurs 'I wanted to get to the core message of the song – a feeling of defiance, stoicism, hope and start from there. I worked on it over many months, taking long breaks between sessions so it felt fresh and each time I would have different inspiration – Tchaikovsky, Rameau, Joy Division to name a few. At times I would try to follow voice leading rules and at others I just went full power chord.' 'I didn't want to stray too far from Geneva's original conception so I applied a bit of a punk ethos of keeping it simple. Drawing from our background of playing rhythm based music, I treated the strings like a rhythm section in a band. Keeping the groove driving and then adding some melodic stuff in the interlude. I had this idea of a furiously busy string texture cooking up a storm for the vocal part to simmer and soar on top.' He reflects 'I'm thrilled to have worked on something with such depth and meaning and also to collaborate with Geneva in this capacity has been really special.' 'Hearing the first take made me well up,' says Geneva. 'It's so uplifting to hear, especially with everything that is happening in the world right now. Initially I made something that was purely for my own survival and now I am ready to gift this waiata to everyone.' On August 15 Geneva AM will release her debut album ' Pikipiki ' which intends to uplift the wairua and encourage the listener to overcome life's obstacles. Geneva AM will be playing across many genres which serve as a backdrop for her strong vocals and bilingual lyrics. She has also paid homage to waiata she grew up with, providing a modern treatment of Purea Nei by Hirini Melbourne, Pokarekare Ana by the returning soldiers of WWI and Tutira Mai Ngā Iwi by Wiremu Te Tau Huata. Pikipiki takes a piecemeal approach to genre, utilising Classical, Dance, Drum'n'Bass, and Emo Rock to accompany new bilingual songs and reimagined covers of Aotearoa favourites—such as 'Pokarekare Ana,' 'Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi,' and 'Pūrea Nei.' The album features a number of collaborations, with appearances from Mara TK, Hawkins, Samara Alofa, and Rewi McLay, alongside the puoro of Tyson Campbell (Pikipiki); The Deadly Sins arranged by Eric Scholes (Toitū Te Tiriti); Ruby Walsh (Na Noise, Lips); Fiona Campbell (Guardian Singles, Coolies) and Lani Purkis (Elemeno P) on 'Pokarekare Ana.'
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
GENEVA AM Shares New Song Toitū Te Tiriti
July 4, 2025: Geneva AM is the moniker of Geneva Alexander-Marsters (she/her, Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Aitutaki, Palmerston), an award winning producer, beat maker and vocalist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her bilingual approach to songwriting has been prominent throughout her musical career, most notably with the band SoccerPractise (2012-2018) and her debut release IHO (Waiata / Anthems). IHO went on to win Te Tohu Puoro o te reo Māori (Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori) at the 2023 Student Radio Network Awards. In 2024, she released the single 'T(M)²I' (Tangaroa Made Me Ill) in two versions (te reo and English), followed by ' Pikipiki ' which amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify. A seasoned live performer, Geneva AM has recently performed alongside Anna Coddington, Ladi6 and Suzi Cato. Today Geneva AM releases Toitū Te Tiriti, a call to action to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an invitation for everyone to speak te reo Māori. Toitū Te Tiriti is taken from her debut album Pikipiki (out August 15th on digital and Vinyl LP). Agile and precise string arrangements convey defiance and resistance while volleying with Geneva AM's powerful and dynamic vocal performance throughout Toitū Te Tiriti. The song is a call to action for everyone to honour Te Tiriti and an invitation for everyone to speak Māori. Using repetition in a simple lyrical format, Geneva AM refers to the mountains, rivers and the people as a reminder to the listener of the natural landmarks which feature in a pepeha. Geneva explains 'For this waiata, I wanted to make a series of statements because I believe the power of singing words out loud can positively influence people who may need to draw strength and keep going with their kaupapa. I made this waiata very quickly in response to witnessing the greed of our current coalition government. Watching the Toitū movement unfold last year was a monumental part of our history, especially as we saw the Treaty Principles Bill get thrown out.' "The overall message of this single is a window into the theme around the album. 'All hope is not lost'. 'Pikipiki' means to ascend, this body of work is about overcoming obstacles and never giving up. Now more than ever we need to stand for what we believe in and support each other through this next stage of humanity' Toitū Te Tiriti was composed with help from Eric Scholes (who regularly performs with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and NZ Barok Orchestra) and features performances by a seven piece string ensemble. 'I wanted strings for this waiata because they are capable of harnessing these deep layers of immense emotion. The lyrics are quite simple and repetitive. I'm a pretty blunt person! Having these layers of tones painting the emotions which swirl underneath the surface like a rolling ocean really holds together this waiata in a way I could never have imagined!' 'Eric and I have worked together for almost 20 years in a couple of covers bands (shoutouts Coco-Rocky) and I knew in the back of my mind that it would be cool to work on something like this with him one day. I told Eric that regardless of what he comes up with, I trust him. We talked a lot about all of the complicated feelings around Te Tiriti (especially during the lead up to the epic resistance to the Treaty Principles Bill that was introduced). On one hand I see this initial promise that was made by our collective ancestors to live in harmony and then on the other there is no denying the historical acts of violence that continuously broke the premise of that promise. 185 years later we can see the results of this partnership between Tangata Whenua and The Crown. I feel angry and sad about it but I have to remain hopeful and strong so that we can uphold the mana of Te Tiriti for the next generation.' Scholes concurs 'I wanted to get to the core message of the song - a feeling of defiance, stoicism, hope and start from there. I worked on it over many months, taking long breaks between sessions so it felt fresh and each time I would have different inspiration - Tchaikovsky, Rameau, Joy Division to name a few. At times I would try to follow voice leading rules and at others I just went full power chord.' 'I didn't want to stray too far from Geneva's original conception so I applied a bit of a punk ethos of keeping it simple. Drawing from our background of playing rhythm based music, I treated the strings like a rhythm section in a band. Keeping the groove driving and then adding some melodic stuff in the interlude. I had this idea of a furiously busy string texture cooking up a storm for the vocal part to simmer and soar on top.' He reflects 'I'm thrilled to have worked on something with such depth and meaning and also to collaborate with Geneva in this capacity has been really special.' 'Hearing the first take made me well up,' says Geneva. 'It's so uplifting to hear, especially with everything that is happening in the world right now. Initially I made something that was purely for my own survival and now I am ready to gift this waiata to everyone.' On August 15 Geneva AM will release her debut album ' Pikipiki ' which intends to uplift the wairua and encourage the listener to overcome life's obstacles. Geneva AM will be playing across many genres which serve as a backdrop for her strong vocals and bilingual lyrics. She has also paid homage to waiata she grew up with, providing a modern treatment of Purea Nei by Hirini Melbourne, Pokarekare Ana by the returning soldiers of WWI and Tutira Mai Ngā Iwi by Wiremu Te Tau Huata. Pikipiki takes a piecemeal approach to genre, utilising Classical, Dance, Drum'n'Bass, and Emo Rock to accompany new bilingual songs and reimagined covers of Aotearoa favourites—such as "Pokarekare Ana," "Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi," and "Pūrea Nei." The album features a number of collaborations, with appearances from Mara TK, Hawkins, Samara Alofa, and Rewi McLay, alongside the puoro of Tyson Campbell (Pikipiki); The Deadly Sins arranged by Eric Scholes (Toitū Te Tiriti); Ruby Walsh (Na Noise, Lips); Fiona Campbell (Guardian Singles, Coolies) and Lani Purkis (Elemeno P 'Pokarekare Ana.'
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Geneva AM And Binge Culture Launch Immersive Audio Experience Honouring Waiata Māori Through Innovative Tech Platform
As part of this year's Matariki Festival, acclaimed artist Geneva AM (Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Aitutaki, Palmerston) and experimental performance collective Binge Culture unveils a powerful new collaboration that blends treasure hunts, technology, and taonga in a unique, self-guided experience on Tāmaki Makaurau's waterfront. Anchored in the Matariki themes of reflection, remembrance, and renewal, the experience embodies the whakataukī ' Ka mua, ka muri ' —walking backwards into the future, Miki Rapu Waiata: Taonga, invites the public on an app-led interactive audio journey beginning at a pavilion in the middle of Te Komititanga. Using their devices and headphones, participants follow directions and discover clues to uncover rare archival recordings of iconic waiata Māori - including performances by Hirini Melbourne and Ana Hato - alongside bold contemporary covers from Geneva AM's upcoming album, Pikipiki. This project marks a landmark moment in the evolution of the locally-developed PickPath platform. Geneva AM was one of the first partnerships that helped shape the app's creative potential. Says Joel Baxendale, Binge Culture Creative Director: "When we first introduced Geneva to PickPath she took to the platform like a duck to water. It's been a pleasure to help develop this project, which was an early idea and experiment, into something so expansive and truly quite moving." People can take part by going to Te Komititanga anytime in the next four weeks and scanning the QR code in the pavilion. The experience can be accessed either via the PickPath app or web browser.
RNZ News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Geneva AM on her debut album Pikipiki
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions. Kara and Mark have a kōrero with Geneva Alexander-Marsters, AKA Geneva AM, award-winning producer, vocalist, beatmaker and billingual songwriter of Ngāti Kahungunu Aitutaki heritage. Geneva AM Photo: Ally Sua The singer also premieres waiata 'Toitū Te Tiriti' (featuring the Ngā Whetu Ensemble) off her forthcoming album, Pikipiki . To celebrate the release of Alexander-Marsters' new single 'Urban Planning', she played a show at Auckland's Goblin Bar to coincide with Matariki.
Scoop
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
GENEVA AM Returns With Urban Planning, Announces Debut Album Pikipiki
Press Release – Naked PR June 6, 2025: Geneva AM is the moniker of Geneva Alexander-Marsters (she/her, Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Aitutaki, Palmerston), an award winning producer, beat maker and vocalist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her bilingual approach to songwriting has been prominent throughout her musical career, most notably with the band SoccerPractise (2012-2018) and her debut release IHO (Waiata / Anthems). IHO went on to win Te Tohu Puoro o te reo Māori (Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori) at the 2023 Student Radio Network Awards. In 2024, she released the single 'T(M)²I' (Tangaroa Made Me Ill) in two versions (te reo and English), followed by ' Pikipiki ' which amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify. A seasoned live performer, Geneva AM has recently performed alongside Anna Coddington, Ladi6 and Suzi Cato. Geneva AM is thrilled to release Urban Planning, the second waiata from her debut album Pikipiki (out August 15th on digital and Vinyl LP). To celebrate the release of Urban Planning and the forthcoming album Geneva AM will be hosting three events that coincide with the annual Matariki celebrations. Supported by friends and whanau, these events are not to be missed. Geneva AM built Urban Planning on gliding synthesizers, sweeping hi-hats and a crunchy back beat. The song speaks to the dispossession of urban Māori (where Pākeha have paved over their rivers and collected their tāonga for museums) and the assurance of knowing that whatever obstacle she may face that her tīpuna are always with her. 'The natural geography of the city doesn't lie,' notes Geneva AM. 'We can see old pā sites and waterways that once nourished people. I grew up in the bottom of a big valley with a motorway in my back garden. This area would have been a vast wetland and waterway going out to sea.' 'I made this waiata to help me memorise a pepeha which took my Uncle William his lifetime to learn as he took it upon himself to delve into our whanau history, bringing up all of the mamae of the past and giving the next generation this gift. We initially thought we were from Ngāti Kahungunu but we also share a connection to Ngāti Ruapani as well.' 'My pepeha is a foreign place because I grew up in the city, but I never felt lost or alone because I was fortunate to learn Te Reo Māori at urban schools. Urban Planning is my way of sending it out and making new connections with whanau I've never met.' 'This waiata is about never really being lost because everything around us has been touched by our tīpuna in one way or another – now in our lifetime we get to stitch together uncovered mysteries to further our understanding of the true history of Aotearoa.' To celebrate the release of Urban Planning and the forthcoming release of Pikipiki Geneva AM will be hosting three events that coincide with the annual Matariki celebrations. Supported by friends and whanau these Pikipiki events are not to be missed. Tickets for events at Goblin Bar & Leigh Sawmill shows can be purchased through Undertheradar. Geneva AM was asked to curate an evening at Whammy Bar as a part of Whāia Te Waiora 2025 – Karangahape Road's Matariki Festival. She'll perform alongside Mara TK, Christoph El Truento, Sezzo, Dylan Biscuit and AJ Honeysuckle – and it's free! Before the end of June Geneva AM will perform alongside Che Fu & The Krates and LEAO at the Auckland Museum. Inspired by Mana: Protest in Print, and as Matariki and Puanga rise, the museum are celebrating the sounds on their very own doorstep for a night not to be missed. Event details: 19th June: Goblin Bar – Album Preview with Ngā Whetu Ensemble and AJ Honeysuckle. 20th June: Artspace Aotearoa – Album Listening Party 20th June: Whammy Bar – Matariki Rising w. Mara TK, Christoph El Turento, Sezzo, Dylan Biscuit & AJ Honeysuckle 21st June: Leigh Sawmill Cafe – Hakari Kanikani with Halfqueen, Kaiviti, AJ Honeysuckle and IBSXC 27th June: Auckland Museum with Che Fu & The Kratez and LEAO This Matariki, Geneva AM will be releasing her debut album ' Pikipiki ' which intends to uplift the wairua and encourage the listener to overcome life's obstacles. Geneva AM will be playing across many genres which serve as a backdrop for her strong vocals and bilingual lyrics. She has also paid homage to waiata she grew up with, providing a modern treatment of Purea Nei by Hirini Melbourne, Pokarekare Ana by the returning soldiers of WWI and Tutira Mai Ngā Iwi by Wiremu Te Tau Huata. Pikipiki takes a piecemeal approach to genre, utilising Classical, Dance, Drum'n'Bass, and Emo Rock to accompany new bilingual songs and reimagined covers of Aotearoa favourites—such as 'Pokarekare Ana,' 'Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi,' and 'Pūrea Nei.' The album features a number of collaborations, with appearances from Mara TK, Hawkins, Samara Alofa, and Rewi McLay, alongside the puoro of Tyson Campbell (Pikipiki); The Deadly Sins arranged by Eric Scholes (Toitū Te Tiriti); Ruby Walsh (Na Noise, Lips); Fiona Campbell (Guardian Singles, Coolies) and Lani Purkis (Elemeno P) on 'Pokarekare Ana.'
