Journey through a home-grown summer playlist, curated by ethnomusicologist Dr Kirsten Zemke
In 2022, one of the ways we shared, compared and revealed our music preferences was with playlists. With social media and streaming, there’s no longer need to create a summer music mix on cassette tape to take in our car as we head off on summer journeys, or have the large unwieldy box of CDs in the car to argue over. We can now make and share playlists online on a range of platforms.
As an ethnomusicologist who specialises in popular music, I was asked to curate a recommended summer playlist for Newsroom. However, due to an abundance of local riches, I ended up choosing Aotearoa music only. Hopefully this journey through ‘our’ songs will have particular meanings and resonances for us, as we celebrate and play and rest on this beloved land near our bountiful seas. These songs tell us something about ourselves, our communities, and how we experience our summer season.
Going local music only meant I had to leave out some obvious overseas choices such as the Beach Boys’ “California Girls” (1965), the soothing “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers (1977), and the one that topped most summer music lists I saw around the web, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding (1968).
Many US summer songs reflect their northern hemisphere location such as Stevie Wonder’s Master Blaster (Jammin') (1995)’s and “Saturday in the Park” by Chicago (1982) which both reference the American holiday July 4th.
This also meant I couldn’t list my own favourite: Seals and Crofts’ “Summer Breeze” (1972), although I’ve cheated a bit by mentioning it anyway.
So, now onto my recommended “Aotearoa Summer playlist 2022-23”. I’ve included songs both old and new, in a range of genre and moods, perfect for various Aotearoa summer locations and activities. The only way to know if it works is to try it out!
Ka Hao “35” (feat. Rob Ruha) (2021)
Unity Pacific “Thou We Are” (2013)
Katchafire “Get Away” (2003)
BLKCITY “Pogba” (feat. Blaze the Emperor, JessB, Raiza Biza, Abdul Kay & Mo Muse) (2021)
Ardijah “E Ipo” (2011)
Marlon Williams “My Boy” (2022)
Jamoa Jam “Masi Samoa” (2000)
Nesian Mystik “It’s On” (2002)
Teeks “If Only” (2017)
Kenny Sterling “Last Light” (feat. Carla Camilleri) (2020)
Ka Hao “35” (feat. Rob Ruha) (2021)
This song, in te reo Māori, is an obvious choice for long distance summer driving to camp sites and beaches, being literally named after a highway, celebrating the people and coastal towns of the North Island’s East Cape. Some folks may have been heard it way too often in their household, as it has been streamed millions of times, been a global social media hit on TikTok where young people (mostly Indigenous and Black) filmed themselved doing a dance to the song (starting end of 2021). For those who missed the social media trend, this song is by a Te Tairāwhiti (Gisborne) youth choir (Ka Hao) and features well known Māori artist Rob Ruha.
Unity Pacific “Thou We Are” (2013)
This gentle reggae song, opening with igi guitar styles, is from icon, activist, poet, and musician, Niuean-born Aucklander, Tigi Ness, one of the founding fathers of Aotearoa reggae. This song is sunny and relaxed with a tinge of sadness and longing, perfect for long sunny holiday drives.
Katchafire “Get Away” (2003)
This bouncy roots reggae track from Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) band Katchafire is surprisingly nearly twenty years old. The band gets its name from Catch A Fire, The Wailers' debut album (with Bob Marley), and it’s just not a New Zealand summer without some reggae.
BLKCITY “POGBA” (2021)
This Aotearoa Hip-Hop super group is made up of JessB, Abdul Kay, Mo Muse, Raiza Biza and Blaze the Emperor. Highlighting our Afro-Kiwis, this song inserts Black excellence, Black joy, and afro-beat styles into your summer drives or parties. The song celebrates Paul Labile Pogba, a French Footballer.
Ardijah “E Ipo” (2011)
This classic Māori love song in te reo by Prince Tui Teka (from 1982) is covered here by the glorious Ardijah featuring their Pasifika flavour additions (ukulele, log drums, reggae swing). This is perfect for late night summer sing-a-longs, both maudlin and jubilant at the same time.
Marlon Williams “My Boy” (2022)
Christchurch born Williams (of Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tai descent) is a quirky artist with a heavenly voice and a nostalgic aesthetic. This recent track from his third solo album is a beautiful chill pop song with an awesome video.
Jamoa Jam “Masi Samoa” (2000)
This joyful “love song to Samoan food” from Auckland vocal quartet Jamoa Jam features ukulele, soul vocals and gospel runs, If you’re not playing it yourself at your summer BBQ, the family next door certainly will be.
Nesian Mystik “It’s On” (2002)
Nesian Mystik’s classic Pasifika hip-hop/R&B track gives urban family get together vibes, and is perfect for BBQ’s and anywhere food is eaten outside in the summer. Lava lava recommended but not required. Their 2002 debut album Polysaturated debuted at number 1 on the New Zealand album chart
Teeks “If Only” (2017)
The smoky voiced Teeks (Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi; born 1993; Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui) sings wise and worn beyond his years, giving us a retro Motown Māori art deco summer vibe. His debut album, Something to Feel, was released in 2021.
Kenny Sterling “Last Light” (feat. Carla Camilleri) (2020)
This dreamy piece is so lush with longing and nostalgia it sounds like Christmas (without being an actual Christmas song). Tāmaki Makaurau-based musician “Kenny Sterling” (Matt Hunter) includes the divine vocals of Maltese-born, New Zealand vocalist Carla Camilleri in this way too short, but dreamy song.
