New Album Highlights Pacific Artists in Christchurch

A new compilation album from 12 Christchurch Pacific artists is shedding light on the unique experiences of Pacific Islanders living in the South Island, away from New Zealand’s larger Pasifika populations. The album, titled “Conversations on the Edges of Rooms,” features original songs across various genres, including country and spoken word.

Project Behind the Album

The project is led by th’Orchard, a creative arts space for young Pasifika artists in Hoon Hay, in partnership with the Pacific Music Awards. Solomon Smith, one of the directors of th’Orchard, explains that the album is about feeling isolated as a Pacific person in the South Island.

“The Conversation on the Edges of rooms is like the exciting conversations that no one talks about,” Smith said. “It’s the place that people want to be.”

Artist Insights

Ana Mulipola, who performs under the stage name Kalasiana, feels she has hidden herself in the past by not sharing her music. The album provides an opportunity for her to express herself and share her art with the world.

“I have hidden under a rock writing songs for decades,” Mulipola said. “This album is an opportunity for me to actually bring it to life and put it out there in the world.”

Mark Vanilau, co-founder of th’Orchard, notes that Christchurch artists often have a different sound than those from Wellington or Auckland.

“The southern Pacific voices are different to the Northern sound,” Vanilau said. “It’s about storytelling, topics, content, and experiences. For me, being in the south and growing up in the 70s, it was a white Christchurch for me, with a very small Pacific population.”

Community Support

Vanilau believes that the Pacific arts community is small but strong and still developing.

“What I do know about the Pacific community is it’s very supportive of each other,” he said.

Solomon Smith notes that Pasifika artists in Christchurch need to adapt to being in a smaller Pacific population, compared to those in Wellington and Christchurch.

“What you’re having to do as an artist is probably produce creativity that reaches far more than just a Pacific audience; it’s about reaching a wider general population,” Smith said.

A Healing Album

Karen Mara, a Christchurch Pacific musician, describes the album as a healing one, with many artists bringing authentic life experiences to their writing.

“A lot of the artists seem to have a lot of life experience, so a lot of the writing is very authentic,” Mara said. “I just really hope that people enjoy it and can relate it to their own lives.”

In conclusion, “Conversations on the Edges of Rooms” offers a unique perspective on Pacific Islander experiences in Christchurch. The album highlights the importance of community support, adaptation, and creative expression in sharing these stories with a wider audience.