Confidence and perseverance: Key messages from Sāmoan artist Teine Hamo

Louisa Woo Ching, also known as Teine Hamo, is a multi-talented artist who inspires young Pasifika to pursue their dreams.

In an interview with PMN Sāmoa host Lani Alo, Hamo shares her remarkable journey to motivate others.

Originating from American Sāmoa, Hamo moved to New Zealand, where she discovered that her aspirations of becoming an artist were within reach.

Her musical journey began early in her life when she sang in the church choir, which helped her build experience and confidence.

“My love for music started at a very young age. My parents serve in an AOG church. So I joined the praise and worship team at around 12 and 11 years old.

“That's when I started to learn the piano, the bass, the drums, and all kinds of instruments. And it gradually went from there. So I started with gospel and then gradually went into other genres.’’
The next phase of her career involved competing in Sāmoa’s premier singing talent showcase, Sāmoa Star Search 2020.

Her journey from American Sāmoa to Western Sāmoa coincided with the competition’s sign-up period.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions in New Zealand, she decided to remain in Sāmoa and participate.

Despite her mother’s initial reservations, she competed alongside many talented Sāmoan performers.

Samoa's Star Search winner, Louisa Woo Ching. Photo/Afua'i Areta Areta

Her vocal coach, Aunty Emma Aeteru, helped her understand the essential qualities of being an artist throughout the competition.

”Throughout the entire experience, I have learned that it was not easy. You know, it took a lot of mental discipline.

“It took a lot of, you know, dietary restrictions to like vocal stuff like that. Shout out to my Aunty Emma Aeteru. She was my vocal coach throughout all of that. It was very hard.’’

Hamo’s next step as a business owner was establishing a platform dedicated to educating and supporting young artists aspiring to build a music career.

Through the creation of TH Studios (Teine Hamo Studio), she took on the role of a producer, allowing her to immerse herself in the music production process for others from start to finish.

Samoa's Star Search 2020 contestants. Photo/Samoa's Star Search Facebook

She humorously told Alo that while she wouldn’t be producing her own music, this venture would give her the opportunity to guide others in their creative journeys.

‘’When you go into recording a song, you have to spend money to get money. Yeah, and so I came up with a business plan and thought, what if I did my own and offered resources to beginners to the youth that want to try music but don't really want to spend money? So that was my mindset when starting the record label.’’

In addition to her love for music, she has launched her photography venture, Violeta Photography, which developed naturally for her.

At the beginning of the year, Hamo organised a concert called “Wild and Out with Teine Hamo" to promote her latest release.

The event will feature her vocal coach and music legend, Marina Davis, who is based in Australia.

Teine Hamo poses for close up shot. Photo/ Aufa'i Areta Areta

‘’The show mainly shows a snippet of what's to come, like a variety of my music and things like that. I specialise in R&B, soul, and pop, but I'm trying to come out of that and try something new, you know? Music is an ongoing thing. You just grow as you go.

“And with the help of Ms Marina Davis, who is my vocal coach. She was pushing me, and when I was singing, I was very lazy with it. You know, I'll just sit and sing. But working alongside Ms Marina Davis, she'll just say it how it is’’.

As Hamo explores various career paths, she emphasises her core message of ‘confidence and striving to achieve your goals’ to young artists eager to follow their dreams.

‘’I feel like confidence is really key because when I started this, I thought to myself, I can't do it, you know. I've been wanting to do my passion ever since I was 16. Like, I wanted to do it at a very early age, but you know, it's always self-doubt and things like that. But if you know that you can do it, do it. You know, don't wait’’.

Watch the full interview here on PMN Sāmoa.