SONGS that share stories of broken families and heartbreak — commonly known in iTaukei as kavoro — sell more than other types of songs.
Renowned musician Taniela Mavi, founder of Drodrolagi kei Nautosolo, said this was something he had observed in his 30-plus years as a musician.
The Naboutini, Saqani, singer will soon release his 16th album, and this too, he said, would contain love songs.
“Over the past many years of being a musician, I have seen that songs I write about a person’s life or of people who died, these songs are not so popular so it affects online sales,” Mavi said.
“But songs of love or of those who experience heartbreaks, these songs sell fast online.
“So, in my career as a musician, I carefully choose songs I compose, ensuring that popular ones are posted online and can easily sell.”
The new album, known as Vakavaletaki, is a story of a farmer couple who lived in Vanua Levu.
They secured a land lease for yaqona farming and the farm became successful.
According to Mavi, the husband then built a house and bought a vehicle.
“But a few years later, the wife left him for another man in Viti Levu and she returned to Suva to live with her new partner.
“So, the song Vakavaletaki is about them and it shares the story of how her husband built a house and promised to look after her well, but she chose to forfeit all these things.
“Her husband then came to me one day and asked if I could write their song, which will be released soon with nine other songs on the album.”
Another interesting issue Mavi shared was the increasing request for sigidrigi groups (iTaukei songs sung only to the strumming of guitars) to entertain in various functions.
“At one stage, people wanted programmed music compared to sigidrigi songs or live bands.
“But lately, we have been receiving a lot of requests for us to play only sigidrigi songs at community functions and this is an interesting change.
“And this is very interesting because even the young people want to hear sigidrigi songs that never used to happen 10 years ago.”
Having online platforms to sell their songs, Mavi said, had been very useful.
Compared with the major challenge of piracy they once faced, Mavi said online platforms provided safer space because they dealt only with the digital platform providers.
“In the past, people expected us to keep composing original music but as soon as our songs were released, they illegally downloaded them, copied or shared our music, and this is piracy or stealing.
“This kind of situation affects our income and denies us the ability to live a decent life.
“We are also blessed that our Fijian communities overseas, at times, invite us to hold concerts there, so this has also helped.”
Two years ago, Mavi attended a workshop for musicians, organised by the Fiji Arts Council and Government which opened many doors of opportunities for musicians like him.
“I learnt a lot from this workshop and the importance of staying safe online if we use digital platforms.
“Recording songs on discs, which we used to do in the past is no longer needed now, although some continue to do so.
“Most of my songs are posted on digital platforms and income received has helped me look after my family.”
A few years ago, Mavi’s music career was shelved as he fell ill.
“When I was sick, I just decided to rest and recover because I was so busy with my music career that it affected my health.
“But I am always blessed to have my family, especially my wife who has helped me a lot and now that I’ve recovered, I will soon release my new album.”
Drodrolagi kei Nautosolo was formed in the 1990s in Naboutini, Saqani, Cakaudrove, but their first album was released in 1999.
Mavi said it was encouraging to be assisted by iTaukei artists such as Ruveni Salato, Peni Cavuilagi, Inoke Tabua, Jerry Vakawaletabua, Josua Drekei, Sitiveni Lakolako, Navitalai Logaivau and Pita Sorowaqa.
