A Quick Chat with MOHI

Your music feels very intimate and emotionally driven. When you sit down to write, where do those songs usually start?

Most of my songs start from a feeling rather than a concept. It might be a moment I’m trying to understand or something I’ve been holding onto for a while. I usually begin pretty simply with a melody or a few lines and just follow where the feeling takes me. For me songwriting has always been a way to process things and hopefully create something that other people can feel too.

You’ve been selected to perform as part of Live Nation’s Next On showcase series. How did it feel when that opportunity came your way?

I was buzzing! As a developing artist you spend a lot of time quietly building, writing songs, playing shows and slowly finding your audience. So to be recognised through something like Next On feels really encouraging. It’s a chance to step onto a bigger stage and share my music with people who might be hearing it for the first time.

You’ll be taking the stage at The Tuning Fork in Auckland for the showcase. What kind of night are you hoping to create for the audience?

I want to bring my world to the big stage; The sounds that raised me, the community that shaped me, Te Ao Māori and all its beauty. This night will showcase Māori excellence in all its forms, an unforgettable show where artist and audience get to share in some special moments. The Tuning Fork is such a great room for this because it’s intimate but still has a real energy to it. I want people to be able to get lost in the music for a while, connect and feel.

There’s a really soulful quality to your voice and songwriting. Who or what has influenced your sound the most?

The West Auckland soundscape has really shaped me into the artist I am - Soul, R&B and HipHop are all sounds that I grew up with and have shaped my sound in different ways. More than anything though, I'm inspired by artists who make music that’s honest and authentic, music that tells the truth about something, because those are the songs that can truly set a soul free.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in the next chapter of your journey?

I’m really excited about the new project I’m working on, I’ll be showcasing some of this project at The Tuning Fork on April 10th. I’m excited for what’s to come this year, continuing to grow and share more music. Releasing songs and performing them live is always the most exciting part for me. It feels like things are building in a really natural way and I’m looking forward to see where the music takes me next.

Next On:
Palais Theatre – On The Stage, Melbourne
The Triffid, Brisbane
The Outpost at Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Anita’s Theatre – King’s Room, Thirroul
Divide, Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide
Tuning Fork, Auckland (NZ) - Tickets