Music
Press
4 Stars - 'A cross between Katchafire and Prince Tui Teka" New Zealand Herald (June 6th) - NZ Herald (June 2008)
'A melodic, confident and utterly engaging voice....and everywhere there is pride, assurance and a sure sense of the song....Pretty special'.
Graham Reid - Graham Reid http://www.elsewhere.co.nz
Beautiful to listen to....Production by Chris Macro is tight in the right places, but otherwise allows the soft flow of acoustic instruments to never constrict the organic feel of the tunes. Another strong album from a very talented musical soul.
- Simon Sweetman - Dominion Post (May 08)
Steel Pulse reminiscent roots rock reggae meets turn of the century dub......Some seriously uplifting and surprisingly accessible music. ....a feel of jamaican reggae artist Richie Spice....4 Stars - Martyn Pepperell
Ruia Aperahama was the 2004 winner of the Australasian Performing Rights Association Silver Scroll (Maioha Award) for the composition 'E Tae'. - APRA
Ruia won the best Maori Album 2004 (Tui Award) by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. - RIANZ
"RUIA and the band delivered beyond my expectations. In my opinion
RUIA is at the pinnacle of his particular genres". - Te Miringa Hohaia - Parihaka
Ruia has won the prestigious 2008 APRA Maioha Award ! The APRA Maioha Award was presented to Ruia at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards, at the Auckland Town Hall on September 10th.
Ruia (Hareruia Aperahama) wrote the winning composition Rere Reta Rere Reta (Send That Letter) which is about The Foreshore and Seabed Bill and speaking out against the Crowns interference with Maori people’s democratic right to go to court.
First presented in 2003 the APRA Maioha Award seeks to recognise excellence in contemporary Maori music and to acknowledge waiata in, or strongly featuring Te Reo Maori.
The name Maioha embraces creativity and translates as “a spontaneous composition which reflects a very deep emotional understanding”. The APRA panel of judges are asked to consider the creative content of the music and lyrics, along with the use of Te Reo Maori when selecting the finalists.
Previous winners for this award are Bennett, Ngahiwi Apanui, Andrea Tunks & Pierre Tohe and Whirimako Black & Antituatua Black.
The finalists for the 2008 APRA Maioha Award were:
Carol Storey Kirikiri O Te Wa
Ruia Aperahama Rere Reta Rere Rata
Maitreya Waitaha - APRA
Discography
Singles
Southside of Bombay: What's The Time Mr Wolf (deleted)
Southside of Bombay: All Across The World (deleted)
Ruia 95: Ka Tangi Te Titi, Ka Tangi Te Kaka (deleted)
Albums
He Taonga Te Reo Vol 1 & 2 compilation (deleted)
Ruia and Ranea: Whare Maori (2000)
Ruia and Ranea: Waiata of Bob Marley Vol 1 & 2 (2001, 2002)
Ruia: Hawaiki (2004)
Ruia: 12:24 (2008)
Videos
Ruia (with Southside of Bombay): What's The Time Mr Wolf
Ruia (with Southside of Bombay): All Across The World
Ruia: Ka Tangi Te Titi Ka Tangi Te Kaka
Ruia: Tenei Te Tu Nei
Ruia: Nei Te Aroha
Ruia: Koingo Atu Nei Kia Koe
Ruia: E Tae
Photos
Bio
RUIA is a multi-award winning composer and recording artist hailing from New Zealand.
2008 has been a great year for Ruia.
Winner NZ Music Industry Award 2008 : 'Best Maori Album - 12:24'
Winner APRA Award 2008 : 'Best Maori Language Song' - "Rere Reta Rere Reta"
Toi Maori Award 2008: 'Contribution To Music'
Maori Language Commission: 'Star Of The Year 2008'
International Songwriting Competition 2008: 'Piki Kake Ake' Honourable Mention
Ruia is a gifted singer/songwriter, one of the few composers to emerge from New Zealand with traditional and contemporary music skill.
Ruia and his 3 piece band have been regular performers on the New Zealand circuit and his crossover reggae/world music style offers a unique musical presentation that audiences love.
Background:
Ruia grew up in the small rural settlement of Ratana Pa, (home of Maori Prophet of the 1920's era T.W. Ratana 'Te Mangai' founder of the Ratana Church and Movement).
Ruia's participation in the church brass band and choir as well as various contemporary bands and involvement in traditional dance groups during his formative years have given him a unique ability to cross musical boundaries with ease.
Ruia has written, recorded and released songs as lead vocalist and composer with groups such as Southside of Bombay, penning the national top five hit Whats the Time Mr Wolf (which went gold), and highlighted in the infamous Once Were Warriors feature film.
Ruia has also composed and performed for noted recording artist Moana and the Moahunters on 'Tahi', 'Rua', and Toru albums.
Ruia has showcased at WOMADelaide, WOMAD Aotearoa, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Festivals, as well as Australia and Japan 2007.
Ruia and his band Haakiwa have performed at many National Festivals.
In 2005 and 2007 The International Songwriting Competition announced Ruia as a finalist in the World Music category.
Ruia and twin brother Ranea released the album Whare Mäori in late 2000, which was nominated as a finalist in the New Zealand Music Industrys Tui Awards.
A tribute concept album, Waiata of Bob Marley, again had the Aperahama brothers sharing vocal duties, covering a selection of Bob Marleys songs sung completely in Maori. A recent documentary has been shot about the influence of reggae on Maori people and New Zealand music.
Ruia released his debut solo album, Hawaiki, in 2004, along with an extensive tour of New Zealand, winning New Zealand Music industry Award for Best Maori Album. He also won the 2004 APRA Maioha Award for the song 'E tae' also off the Hawaiki album.
2008 has seen the release of his new album 12:24 (Tekau Ma Rua:Rua Tekau Ma Wha) recorded with award winning Producer Chris Macro (Katachafire/Whirimako Black). It has already received rave reviews by various magazines and reviewers.
Ruia has honorary status of the Toi Iho cultural quality assurance mark by Government Arts Agency Creative New Zealand/Te Waka Toi.
Ruia has also been actively involved in other creative endeavours including TV, Education Publications, professional development for teachers in the area of traditional and contemporary Maori music and radio host on one of New Zealand's Maori radio stations, Auckland based, Radio Waatea 603AM.
Ruia is signed with independant record label Tangata Records http://www.tangata.co.nz
Ruia's live bookings can be organised via his website http://www.ruia.co.nz or via his management company - gigltd@gmail.com
CDs and Downloads are available to buy from:
http://www.ruia.co.nz
http://www.amplifier.co.nz
http://www.maorimusic.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/ruia
http://www.itunes.com/ruia
http://www.calabashmusic.com
Links
