NORTHLAND band 1814 is marking New Zealand Music Month by undertaking a four-date North Island tour with one of the biggest reggae acts in on the planet . . . Third World. And since the tour won’t bring them this way, they have squeezed in a couple of extra gigs — sans Third World — bringing Gisborne on to the itinerary.
It’s a work ethic that has seen the nine-piece develop into a high-demand group of perfor-mers. Their single Whakahonohono Mai was the most played song on Maori Radio in 2010; they have supported international acts including Damien Marley & Nas, Kolohe Kai and Michael Franti & Spearhead; and they have just added a tour of Australia to their list of commitments.
Part of their success is due to their tactic of “tapping into the international interest in Maori-flavoured reggae”, says singer/guitarist Patu Colbert.
Colbert started the band with sons Shaun and Jimmy seven years ago then, after playing as a trio for a while, drew in other members including his nephew Darren Katene, the band’s charismatic frontman.
The band takes its name from the year Samual Marsden “brought the Gospel” to New Zealand, with the first sermon in Aotearoa preached at Oihi, Bay of Islands, on Christmas Day, 1814.
Patu says it is a moniker that reflects the band members’ peace-loving attitudes.
“The inspiration behind the name was sharing the word of peace, love and unity to all people throughout the world.”
■ 1814 plays at Sessions Bar in Gisborne on Saturday.
It’s a work ethic that has seen the nine-piece develop into a high-demand group of perfor-mers. Their single Whakahonohono Mai was the most played song on Maori Radio in 2010; they have supported international acts including Damien Marley & Nas, Kolohe Kai and Michael Franti & Spearhead; and they have just added a tour of Australia to their list of commitments.
Part of their success is due to their tactic of “tapping into the international interest in Maori-flavoured reggae”, says singer/guitarist Patu Colbert.
Colbert started the band with sons Shaun and Jimmy seven years ago then, after playing as a trio for a while, drew in other members including his nephew Darren Katene, the band’s charismatic frontman.
The band takes its name from the year Samual Marsden “brought the Gospel” to New Zealand, with the first sermon in Aotearoa preached at Oihi, Bay of Islands, on Christmas Day, 1814.
Patu says it is a moniker that reflects the band members’ peace-loving attitudes.
“The inspiration behind the name was sharing the word of peace, love and unity to all people throughout the world.”
■ 1814 plays at Sessions Bar in Gisborne on Saturday.
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