PEOPLE from all walks of life have graced Fiji’s music scene with their extraordinary singing, playing and song writing skills for decades.
The combination of the artists’ powerful music, the shared experiences with the people you’re with and the sense of sheer joy and connection with them leave you with a range of intensely happy feelings just by being at their gigs.
This is what Susana Kawa of Namena Village in Tailevu feels being on the music scene for more than 30 years.
With maternal links to Susui Village on Vanuabalavu in Lau, a village which has produced many underground artists, the soul songstress has always made it her mission to sing to the hearts of people, not just to their ears.
Her passion and interest began when she was only a baby.
“I like to think I was conceived into music because when I was still in my mother’s womb, my mother would be around musicians and singers, especially being married to my father,” Susana laughed.
“My father used to sing and play in the Fiji Police Band.
“I grew up under my father’s tutelage, he taught me everything I needed to know about music, and how to sing.
“Especially, how to sing to people because there is a way you have to sing, not only for their ears, but to their hearts as well.”
Susana was a teacher by profession and a singer during the weekends.
“I would go to Musket Cove and have a sit-down with the musicians there, jamming the whole night — because I associated myself with a lot of musicians, I became familiar with secular songs.”
Susana grew up in church and she’s thankful she did.
“To broaden my horizon in pursuit of my passion, I associated myself with those who sang songs that were secular.
“My standard of life became better as well when I presented people with my songs.”
After 10 years of being a teacher, she decided to venture into the music scene, visiting bars and nightclubs that featured live bands.
She noticed an advertisement for a female vocalist needed for one of the clubs owned by businessman Peter Foon.
She described how she would be enthralled by the performances of Laisa Vulakoro, Georgina Ledua, Cathy Nailatikau and Seru Serevi, and how they inspired her to follow in their footsteps.
“I became their female vocalist for five years,” she said.
“From there, I went to Bourbon Blues in 2003 where I got familiar with iTaukei songs.
“The phrasing, the beats, the words and obviously the music, I wanted to learn that.
“These experiences really gave me confidence to be bold enough to face the people, look at them in the eyes, and whatever you felt, you threw.”
Coming from a humble background, Susana was mentored by her 75-year-old father on her stage presence and vocal capabilities.
“My father was my mentor when I started singing outside of church, even now he still advises me.”
“He tells me to be bold and forget about everything else when I am on that platform — only focus on my audience because I am there to entertain.
“Both sides of my family are musical, especially my mother’s side from Vanuabalavu.
“They were known for their classic Fijian hits, sigidrigi and polotu. I believe it was because my family grew up in church.”
Her father’s older brother, Aminiasi Kawa, was known for his rendition of Green Green Grass of Home, a song originally sung by Tom Jones.
He was also a founding member of a band that was formed in Korovou.
“That is our family legacy, and I’m proud to carry on that legacy,” she said.
“My daughter, who I had when I was 43 years old, and her cousins are into music as well.
“I’ve performed with Eni Kumar, Déjà vu, the Tamanisaus, Gina, Laisa. The only thing that brought us together was the music, and that’s the same thing I want for my children.”
