MOKOTRON: A Spiritual Journey Through Electronic Music

Tiopira McDowell, a Ngāti Hine artist and academic, is taking Auckland on a spiritual journey through his music venture MOKOTRON. With live taonga puoro performances and heavy breakbeats, McDowell is challenging the city’s electronic musicians to create a distinctive local sound.

The Quest for Cultural Authenticity

McDowell believes that New Zealand’s cultural landscape lacks diversity and authenticity. He argues that the country’s electronic music scene has been heavily influenced by overseas styles, leading to a lack of unique identity. In his debut album WAEREA, McDowell is pushing for change.

“We’re not really as a nation as creative as we think we are,” McDowell says. “We have to basically appropriate everything from overseas. Do we believe in ourselves so little?”

A Spiritual Experience

Mokotron’s live shows often have a serious and spiritual quality, according to McDowell. As a senior lecturer in Māori Studies at the University of Auckland, he brings a deep understanding of Māori culture and spirituality to his music.

“Right from my first gig, people were often on the edge of tears,” McDowell recalls. “I think I’ve just dug into that and just gone with it.”

A Way to Express Emotions

For McDowell, writing music is a way to express his feelings and emotions. As a Māori and Pākehā man, he has been taught to suppress his emotions, but music allows him to release them in a healthy way.

“Our country was created during the Victorian era, where the stiff upper lip and values like ‘Man Alone’ were imposed,” McDowell explains. “Those kind of values are very dangerous. We need to express ourselves, not hold it in.”

MOKOTRON’s Upcoming Shows

McDowell will be performing at several upcoming shows, including The 95bFM Christmas Party and Port Noise 2025. Fans can expect a spiritual journey through music that is both deeply personal and culturally relevant.

• The 95bFM Christmas Party: Friday 20 December – Whammy / Double Whammy / Public Bar, Auckland
• Port Noise 2025: Saturday 1 March – various venues, Ōhinehou / Lyttelton

A New Sound for Aotearoa

MOKOTRON’s music is a reflection of McDowell’s unique perspective as both Māori and Pākehā. His commitment to cultural authenticity and spiritual expression has already resonated with fans, and his upcoming shows promise to be an unforgettable experience.

In a rapidly changing world, it’s refreshing to hear from artists like Tiopira McDowell who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As MOKOTRON continues to make waves in Auckland’s electronic music scene, one thing is certain: this is a journey worth taking.