Born into a world of music though kapa haka, multi-award winning composer and solo artist Rob Ruha says it's still the inspiration for his ‘haka soul’ music.

After picking up five awards in 2016 for his album PŪMAU, including Best Māori Album at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, he’s continuing to take it wider to America, the Pacific and Asia this year.

“As an Indigenous artist that champions indigenous approaches, language, traditions and world views in his music, the creative sector offers opportunities to travel internationally to represent my country and indigenous people.”

Rob is sharing waiataa from PŪMAU at WOMAD NZ in Taranaki this March, joining artists from 21 countries to entertain, inform, educate and inspire through their music. It follows his performance with Black Quartet at WOMAD Chile in Feb.

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Iwi/hapu: Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Tainui, Te Arawa, Rongowhakaata, Ngā Puhi, Ngā Ariki

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

Usually when I first wake up in the morning and at night when the sun has gone down. I write songs on long trips as well or while walking, that seems to get the creative juices flowing.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Proud Māori boy, sharp and trendy… hopefully cool hahahaha!

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

I love it in the studio when I am creating new melodies or with friends jamming and making something truly magic! I also love creating something, giving it to another musician like a drummer, and seeing how they interpret the song.

How does your environment effect your work?

I believe your environment dictates the outcome of your project. If I am writing waiata, different sounds will come from different spaces – beaches, halls, malls, driving, walks through long grass, protest rallies, sitting at the marae, an echoing room; all these things impact how my songs turn out.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

I loved every part of creating my album PŪMAU. I loved the musicians I worked with, what they created and contributed to the songs and the conversations we had. I have loved the feedback I have received about the album too. 

What you are planning for Womad?

My main intent is to share the bones of the waiata from my album PŪMAU. That is, the intent of the compositions lyrics and themes. My show will be a wild ride with my amazing band through some pretty diverse musical terrain of blues, soul, haka, ambient soundscapes and a touch of reggae.

Tell us about your other recent and upcoming projects.

I recently completed a national tour of Aotearoa which was off the HOOK! I picked up five awards in 2016 for my album PŪMAU, including Best Māori Album at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards and the APRA Maioha Award for my song Kariri feat. Tiki Taane. Got lots planned for 2017 too.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative sector?

Being true to who I am as an artist and composer. Making sure that anything and everything I do comes from a powerful philosophical and spiritual position as taught to me by my mentors and idols. That is what has held me in good stead thus far – and by the grace of God may it long continue.

What are some of the current challenges and opportunities in the creative sector?

As an Indigenous artist that champions indigenous approaches, language, traditions and world views in his music, the creative sector offers opportunities to travel internationally to represent my country and indigenous people. One of the most rewarding things is working with rangatahi in our schools who love music and are good at it. 

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Be yourself. Find your groove, find your voice, tell your stories and kia kaha! Get your whānau behind you as well and be good to people – that will take you a long way.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

I am always and will always be inspired by kapa haka. I am proud to have been taught by some of the country’s greatest kapa haka exponents. My mentor Rikirangi Gage is a huge inspiration to me, as are my very close friends Maisey Rika, Troy Kīngi, Seth Haapu, Ria Hall and Tama Waipara.

What are you reading/listening to this summer?

Tira, the new album by Maisey Rika, Leg Space by Troy Kīngi, Better Late Than Never by Ceelo Green, some old skool like The Supreme Jubilees and a bit of kapa haka from Te Whānau a Apanui when I can get along to some of their rehearsals for Te Matatini.

What place is always with you wherever you go?

I always have the East Coast in my heart and mind where ever I go. It is the source of all my spiritual energy and is my bastion of cultural pride and identity. 

What’s your big idea for 2017?

I hope to release another album; release an EP for a gifted young Māori artist I am mentoring and attend some international engagements in America, the Pacific and Asia. I am also excited to be a part of a show called Revolutions with Jon Toogood, Warren Maxwell and Moana Maniapoto.

• WOMAD NZ is on 17-19 March, Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth

About Rob Ruha

Multi-award winning composer and solo artist has taken the Māori Music scene by storm! 

His style of music is described as an eclectic mix of soul-roots-reggae with RnB licks, laced with rock-blues and bohemian-jazz-fusion accents. Grounded on a bed of tribal mōteatea rhythms and the power of kapa haka, Rob simply explains his brand of music as 'Haka-Soul'. 

Since stepping onto the NZ music scene Rob has collected an impressive list of national awards including “Best Māori Album” (VNZMA 2014 and 2016), “Best Songwriter”, “Best Māori Song”, “Best Male Solo Artist” and the prestigious APRA Maioha Award in 2014 and 2016.

Rob and his band of some of the countries finest musicians have recently completed a major national tour of Aotearoa to sell out crowds in many regions. He has also toured regionally, in Australia and has featured at international festivals including the recent Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam 2016. 

An academic, a poet, orator and artivist - Rob is a staunch advocate for increasing platforms for sharing and amplifying indigenous voices and stories. His songs feature his native language and powerful indigenous prospectives and responses to historical and contemporary themes.