THE extended family gatherings had a way of bringing out the best in just about everyone — the children came to play, so too the adults.
Grandparents came armed with their ho’fel (sulu vakatoga) as prizes for the traditional card games, mums and aunts with their prized potluck dish and an array of drinks and desserts to feed the clan, and the dads and uncles rocked up with their many guitars, ukuleles and keyboards.
This was the life William Fatiaki grew up in — regularly exposed to a setting he found himself in — at least every three months.
Strangely for William, it wasn’t the excitement of playing with his cousins that piqued his interest, nor the abundance of delicious, homecooked meals or the spirited card games that often had his elders shouting animatedly to distract and intimidate their opponents.
Inquisitive youngster
William was all for the jam.
First, it was the shapes of the instruments that fascinated him, followed by the bewildering curiosity in his young mind of how they came to produce the sounds they did, a curiosity that grew stronger with every gathering.
“I was curious to know how they made those instruments — the guitar, the bass, ukulele, drums and keyboards — and how they were able to produce such amazing sounds,” he said.
“And how did they (musicians) know what vocal notes best complimented the sounds of those instruments? The more I was part of these family get-togethers, the more curious I became, and ultimately, I was dead set on wanting to be just like them — a musician.
“So I would study their finger placements on the instruments, especially the guitar, and it wasn’t long before I was pressing chords on the guitar every chance I could.”
William said one of his uncles decided to nurture his interest in music.
“Uncle Mervin (Molia) was the only one who noticed me watching them closely as they jammed, and it was him who took the time to teach me every now and then. He was the first guitarist I idolised, and to this day, I continue to hold him in very high regard.”
Along with his eagerness in learning to play the guitar, ukulele, keyboard and drums, it only seemed natural that William began taking up singing too.
“I started singing at a very young age, I think around 10 years old. I drew inspiration from family members who were always jamming every chance they got.
“Growing up in the barracks of Toorak, I was heavily exposed to reggae and country music, and occasionally, it was the blues funk and soul.
“These shaped my vocal approach to the way I sing today.”
William said he relates more to those genres of music.
“I feel alive performing them because it reminds me of my childhood — that kid who grew up jamming with his uncles.”
In the blood
William is from Motusa, with maternal links to Itu’muta on Rotuma.
On his father Alfred Fatiaki’s side of the family, William’s uncles include renowned drummer Paul Stevens, bass player Andrew Stevens and artist turned music teacher David Stevens. His cousins are artists Sam Stevens and Inoke ‘Knox’ Kalounisiga.
William’s mother Sauhani Fatiaki (nee Molia) boasts an equally strong family background in music with the likes of her cousins Fereti or Freddy Fonmanu — former frontman of the Mana Island Resort in-house band, George Marafono — former member of the Arthur Filitoga-led Kulture band, and her brother Isaac Molia, a blues funk and fusion musician who has been based in Germany for about 40 years.
“My first time on stage with my family members was on my grandmother, Pasimata Kijiana’s birthday. That was a defining moment for me because it was then I realised what I wanted to do for a living — and that was to make music.”
William’s big moment came when he was asked to be part of a band engaged to entertain crowds of newly graduated students at the then Fiji Institute of Technology.
“I will always cherish that memory because it was my first time performing in front of a big audience,” he said.
Learning from experience
Following his debut gig, William moved to Nadi and joined Maurea, a fire dance group. He then moved on to work at Castaway Resort as an in-house band member before returning to Nadi to attempt life as a freelance musician.
“I worked with a lot of bands to further my experience in the industry and familiarise with all kinds of musicians. For a few years, I was with Love 33, a band run by Hanisi Maloney and Jim Ratusila. Under their guidance, I learned a lot which was a great boost to the musician I’ve become today.”
While most of his years have been spent playing instruments and singing, William has also composed several original tunes for weddings and celebrations.
“When composing, I tend to draw inspiration from what’s happening around me — through the experiences of those around me because everyone has a story to tell.
“When I hit a writer’s block, I take a walk to clear my thoughts or listen to songs to help rekindle inspiration.
“Ahead of a performance, I avoid cold drinks and try to talk less. I also try to immerse myself in the trail of thought associated with certain songs before I record them.”
Reflecting on his decade-long journey in music, William’s advice for young enthusiasts is to keep pressing on.
“Never get disheartened or give up – remember what makes you happy in music and keep moving. Give every performance your best, like it’s your last, and don’t be afraid to learn something new.”
To catch a glimpse of his live music act, William can be found at Broady’s in Martintar, Nadi on Friday evenings.
