Rotorua’s Luke Whaanga wants to leave a legacy of feel-good music under his name, blending personal stories and emotions true to his being and his deep roots in reggae. Already an experienced musician via his former band Tomorrow People and a stint on NZ Idol, Whaanga is branching out to make his own music, under his own label, from his home studio, with his own people. NZ On Air Music added his single Together to their July NewTracks compilation. 

Was any high school or other music training important to you?

I did Te Atihau and went to Whitireia for a stint and then kind of taught myself. Picked up bits from here and there. Family, friends, and of course NZ Idol and the bands I played in. As a kid I spent a lot of time in my room with my guitar – it was my escape, my PlayStation!

Any other projects we might know you from?

Previous lead singer for Tomorrow People and ORA. Hit singles Irie Music, Souljah Feeling, Home – Ukaipo. Also featured in the Aotearoa Reggae All-Stars song Sensitive to Smile.

What’s the background story of how this project under your own name came to be? 

Reggae roots will always be my happy place but I want to see what else I can do. Now an independent artist looking to spread my wings and explore different types of music.I just want to give it a go. I’ll never know if I don’t try. I want to leave a legacy of feel-good music with my name in it. Under my own label, More Jah Ltd. 

How has your music evolved from your beginnings in songwriting to now?

Still learning, and always will. But, now I tend to write more about emotions I have or have had in the past. The best songs I’ve written have taken years to evolve and so I’m learning to just lay it down and let it grow.

Aside from this release, what’s been the big highlight to date? 

Exodus with Tomorrow People. It was the first time I thought I deserved to be there. It was an amazing experience and I hope to get that feeling again.

What makes Together stand out for you as a single?

It’s my first one, born out of my little home studio. Learning the art of creating and producing my own music has been a huge learning curve for me. I can’t wait to be able to do this stuff with my eyes closed, like all the other great artists out there. This time last year I couldn’t even send an email and I’ve sworn at my computer so many times for not doing what I wanted it to do, but, we got there in the end. I will forever remember this single as my learning song.

What is the story behind Together?

Together was created to bring more joy, more connection and more love through music – our universal language. The song came to life when we were all fighting over Covid, vaccinations, pro-choice etc… and then the Ukraine war broke out. After a few years of being separated by a pandemic, divided by our beliefs I wanted to bring a message of hope and unity.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of Together?

Seeing my family in the video clip. It brought tears to my eyes seeing them in my music video. I also loved having people from all walks of life there too. I wanted to show togetherness in the video clip.

Who did you record/produce the single with and where? 

My cousin Cam Swainson-Whaanga and David Atai were my main men for this release. I wrote the song from home and then my brother David helped me pull it together. It took all of these other beautiful people to help me get this song over the line:

Afed Squad; Amanda Lorin Kirk; Jesse Rapana; Ngawaiwera Campbell; Hereana Roberts; Jazmyn Green; Reece Muir; Crescendo Studios; Dave Rhodes Productions.

Hugely thankful to all of them. It kind of went through a few hands and by the end of it we were over it, lol, but we got there in the end and that’s the main thing.

What would you like listeners to take away from this song?

To start believing in themselves and in each other. What good is belief without you?

How do you generally work out what song would make a good single?

I don’t know. I just go by feeling and hope for the best. Am still learning lol.

Who else is in your team?

Whoever wants to jump on my waka. I have a very small team of people who believe in me unconditionally. They are my drive and I am hugely thankful to have them by my side.

Who did you make the video with? 

Huge mihi to my cousin Cam Swainson-Whaanga who helped me pull this video clip together, David Atai for putting up with all my changes and Amanda Lorin Kirk for her social media awesomeness.

Any last words?

More Jah.