If you are familiar with former Hamilton (and New Zealand’s leading) goth band Disjecta Membra, their latest release may be something of an unexpected surprise, featuring heavily with traditional Māori instruments and sung in te reo. In ‘Whakataurangi Ake’, Disjecta Membra have collaborated with former Hamiltonian taonga pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments) artist Rob Thorne. The song is an interpretation of the well-known Maniapoto waiata, composed by Charles Tauhou ‘Pumi’ Taituha (1930-1993). Commonly used as a waiata tautoko at pōwhiri on marae, Disjecta Membra’s treatment of the song was devised as a form of welcome to international performers they have played live support to (e.g., Death in June, Peter Murphy, Peter Hook & the Light and Mick Harvey & the Intoxicated Men).
‘Whakataurangi Ake’ is available as a free download from disjectamembra.bandcamp.com, accompanied by a pdf booklet, or on Soundcloud. Make sure you check it out! – ID
