Melody Mates, a trio from Ra, can’t wait to deliver their original song Nakauvadra at the 2023 Domo Vou Talei grand final at the WoodStock Uprising Music Festival on October 7.
The trio from Uluda, Rakiraki, is made up of Emosi Mara, 17, Seria Tinai, 14, and their 39-year-old music teacher Senirewa. Senirewa said Nakauvadra, a reggaeton track, was a tribute to the entire community of Ra.
He said their music drew inspiration from a wide range of genres and artists, including international reggae artists Oyaba, Alpha Blondy and UB40, and local geniuses like Knox, George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso, Rootstrata, Kabani and Makare.
Melody Mates is one of 10 finalists in the Domo Vou Talei original song contest, vying for up to $9000 in cash prizes – the $5000 grand final prize courtesy of Westpac, $3000 People’s Choice Award courtesy of The Fiji Times and $1000 Best Performance Award courtesy of Kaila!
The competition is a brainchild of the Australian High Commission.
The finalists had their songs recorded by legendary producer Phil Dakei at Tiny Sounds studio, music videos shot by Dave ‘Mr Grin’ Lavaki of FirstFighter and were prepared vocally and for the stage by award-winning artist Suni Soko Loga.
The finalists will perform their original songs at the Woodstock Uprising Music Festival on Saturday October 7.
To secure your tickets now, visit https://www.ticketmax.com.fj/DTBNP Alternatively you can purchase tickets at Ginger Kitchen, Fiji Museum, Suva, (Ph 8366581), Niu Grillz, Fiji Golf Club, Suva, (Ph 2787782), Damodar Cinemas, Grantham Rd, Suva, (Ph 9923073), Uprising Beach Resort, Pacific Harbour, (Ph 345 2200) and GingerLei Beer Fiji, Wailoaloa Rd, Nadi, (Ph 9260502).
