Rob Thorne is touring throughout Aotearoa New Zealand until mid May 2014, performing music from his Rattle debut, Whaia te Maramatanga.

“Where one might see Richard Nunns as a pioneer in bringing traditional Maori instruments back into public awareness, Rob Thorne is moving it forward creatively in new directions. " – David Famularo

Rob Thorne (Ngati Tumutumu) is happy with the way Whaia Te Maramatanga weaves together many of his life's paths and passions as a musician, social anthropologist, a Maori and healing practitioner.

“With so many layers of feeling and meaning, the listener can choose how deeply they explore the music" says Rob. “It affects people in different ways, and I have noticed this in live audiences. Some are calmed, becoming very relaxed and even falling asleep, while others key into a more intense inner journey or spiritual experience.”

“Ancient magical knowledge, across many cultures, recognises that purposeful thought has the power to change people’s worlds when coupled with sound.” says Rob. “The album is breath-based and embedded with layers of purposeful intention'. I believe sound can carry meaning, and that breath is the vehicle upon which consciousness rides. The rhythmic layer of breath that underpins the album becomes subliminal to the listener, encouraging a trance state that invites them into a deeper inner realm.”

Rattle producer Steve Garden describes Rob's music as "uniquely combining traditional instruments and techniques with modern technology. His music is new and original in the evolving journey of te taonga puoro, and Rattle is delighted to have the opportunity to share this fine album with the rest of the world.“ 

Listen to and/or buy Whaia Te Maramatanga, go to the album page: http://tinyurl.com/RATD041

Wh?ia te M?ramatanga album release touring schedule:

Fri 7 March     8pm    Audio Foundation, Auckland with Jeff Henderson

Fri 8 March     9am    Sounding Tiritiri Matangi (Hauraki Gulf) with Phil Dadson, Tim Finn, Don McGlashan and others.

Tue 25 March  7pm    Te Manawa Museum, Palmerston North with PhiL Dadson and Enrique Siques (Chile)

Wed 26 March 6pm    Ramp Gallery, Hamilton with Phil Dadson and Enrique Siques (Chile)

Fri 11 April       6pm    Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum, family concert   & dinner      

Sat 12 April      8pm   The Auricle, Christchurch with Stanier Black-Five

Fri 9 May          8pm   Chicks Hotel, Port Chalmers with Michael Morley

Sat 10 May       1pm    Otago Museum: floor talk and discussion

Sat 10 May       7pm    Otago Museum: performance

For ticketing details, go to Under The Radar http://tinyurl.com/ThorneRadar

The album Whaia Te Maramatanga was made possible due to the funding support of Creative New Zealand and Te Waka Toi.