The smooth, soulful sounds of a summer-nights band have kicked off the year with new music that honours their parents’ Pacific roots.

Island Vibes is an Auckland-based nine-piece band made up of Sāmoan, Niuean, Tongan and Māori artists from Aotearoa.

Their mission is to foster Pacific pride through their craft, using music as a catalyst for unity and cultural preservation.

‘Remember Who You Are’ is their latest reggae-funk song, an acknowledgement of our elders' incredible journeys in building the diasporic generation of Pacific people in Aotearoa.

“The song was written by four members in the collective, singers Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson and ‘Aisea Latu, bass player Kevin Savili, and the guitarist Sefa Taouma.

“Initially, we wanted to create a song where our band could have a little bit of fun,” Latu told The Rush hosts Sia Petelo and Henry Hohenberger.

“When we started writing the song, Haanz came up with some lyrics, I came up with some lyrics, and then it led to the theme of identity. Being Polynesian here in Auckland, New Zealand.

“Our parents came from wherever they came from in the islands. They were met with a lot of challenges along the way. That sort of moulded the way we are now. At the same time, in order for us to move forward, we need to remember where our roots are.”

Fa’avae-Jackson added that the song aims to shed light on the generations affected by the Dawn Raids.

“We wanted to bring a lighter tone to it. Something to be proud of, something to dance and sing along to.

“Everything we describe in it, all the lyrics, we made sure that it was about describing who we are and what we look like, and put that into a song.”

Who is Island Vibes?

The members of Island Vibes include female vocalists Joanna Mika-Toloa and Nyssa Collins, male singers ‘Aisea Latu, Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson, and Saale Ilaua. Sefa Taouma is their lead guitarist, with Kevin Savili on bass. Organist/keyboardist is Simon Savili and Willie Tuionetoa on the drums.

Latu says the dynamics within the group are a mix of creative individuals united by a shared purpose: making good music.

“We all come from different walks of life, we have a lot of different performing artists in this group. A lot of actors, some dancers, and a lot of nine-to-fivers as well.

“We all just came together with the common goal of just playing good music and that eventually translated into making music.”

Joanna Mika-Toloa, one of the band’s female vocalists, says the group has been busy since its formation a year and a half ago.

“In that time, we’ve probably had close to 80 gigs. So that’s like private events, weddings, birthdays, and we’ve already done our own gigs here at 712.

“We’ve just come back from Sāmoa in December. We did a gig over there with Brown Girl Woke.”

Some of the band members are parents who wear multiple hats. How do they balance work, life, travel, and performance?

Fa’avae-Jackson says when creative projects are livelihood - your bread and butter - you make it work.

“I think it’s a good balance. If you really want to do it you find the balance and you find the time to do it.”

Mika-Toloa adds that the size and synergy of the band allow them to share performances effectively.

However, like all big families, the band does face challenges in organising everyone.

“Time management and just really basic things. Professionalism is a big one,” the group jokes.

Mika-Toloa and Latu have taken on co-producing roles, often meeting to create detailed plans accommodating all members’ varying lifestyles before receiving input from the group.

For decision-making, the group maintains a voting system that works best for them.

To keep up with Island Vibes and their show appearances, follow them here.