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Geneva AM is the moniker of Geneva Alexander-Marsters (she/her, Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Aitutaki, Palmerston), an award winning producer, beat maker and vocalist based in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Her bilingual approach to songwriting has been prominent throughout her musical career, most notably with the band SoccerPractise (2012-2018) and her debut release ‘IHO’ (Waiata / Anthems). ‘IHO’ went on to win Te Tohu Puoro o te reo Māori (Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori) at the 2023 Student Radio Network Awards. In 2024, she released the single ‘T(M)²I’ (Tangaroa Made Me Ill) in two versions (te reo and English), followed by ‘Pikipiki’ which amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify. A seasoned live performer, Geneva AM has recently performed alongside Che Fu, Anna Coddington, Ladi6 and Suzi Cato.

Following the release of her singles ‘Pikipiki’ (feat. Samara Alofa), Hawkins, Rewi McLaya & Mara TK, ‘Urban Planning’, and ‘Toitū Te Tiriti’, Geneva AM is excited to unveil her debut album, Pikipiki, now available on digital platforms and vinyl LP.

On ‘Pikipiki’ Geneva AM intends to uplift listener’s wairua and encourage them to overcome life’s obstacles. Throughout the album she pays homage to waiata she grew up with, providing a modern treatment of ‘Purea Nei’ by Hirini Melbourne, ‘Pokarekare Ana’ by the returning soldiers of WWI and ‘Tutira Mai Ngā Iwi’ by Wiremu Te Tau Huata.

Pikipiki takes a piecemeal approach to genre, utilising Classical, Dance, Drum’n’Bass, and Emo Rock to accompany new bilingual songs and reimagined covers of Aotearoa favourites. The album features a number of collaborations, with appearances from Mara TK, Hawkins, Samara Alofa, and Rewi McLay, alongside the puoro of Tyson Campbell (Pikipiki); Nga Whetu Ensemble arranged by Eric Scholes (Toitū Te Tiriti); Ruby Walsh (Na Noise, Lips); Fiona Campbell (Guardian Singles, Coolies) and Lani Purkis (Elemeno P) on ‘Pokarekare Ana.’

To celebrate the album’s release, Geneva AM has shared the music video for its standout track, ‘Tīpuna Rākau’, a collaboration with Louis Olsen and artist Kahurangiariki Smith, made with support from Te Māngai Pāho.

‘Tīpuna Rākau’ is essential Geneva AM, disco rhythms and pulsing synths lay the foundation for her powerful vocal sung in Te Reo Māori. The accompanying video is an amalgamation of ideas and themes dedicated to the infinite possibilities within the realm of Te Kore which is both a place of the beginning and the end.

“This waiata speaks to the cycle of our lineage as descendants,” explains Geneva AM. “It is so beautiful to be part of a legacy and even though we may not know every single name of our ancestors I feel optimistic about the future and one day joining them in the next realm to spiritually serve the next generation.”

“I wanted to reference science fiction, especially Princess Leia from the Star Wars films so I wear her iconic hairstyle made by the very talented make up artist Levonne Scott. Growing up, Princess Leia was my role model because she is the definition of a mana wahine. Her kindness, strength and resilience throughout the series shaped me. I also wanted to show appreciation to the Star Wars franchise because they made it possible for Māori actors like Temuera Morrison and Keisha Castle-Hughes to be cast as characters in that universe. Representation of Māori in live action Hollywood films wasn’t really present and those actors carved the way for Tangata Whenua to be included on the world stage. There are also a lot of familiar themes that align with Māori kaupapa such as rebelling against the empire, light sabre taiaha and using ‘The Force’.”

‘Tīpuna Rākau’ sees Geneva AM return to work with key collaborators. “The moko kauae design was made by Rewi McLay who features in the single ‘Pikipiki’ and developed that particular design for his music video ‘Ka Puta’ by Kiko. Costume designer 6×4 Online A.K.A. Steven Junil Park returned to this video with another beautiful garment which added to the celestial theme.”

“Artist Kahurangiariki makes works which reside within the realm of Te Kore, a fundamental concept representing the void, nothingness or the potential being from which all things originate. Te Kore is not an empty space but rather a realm of potential where the seeds of existence emerge. Her approach to kowhaiwhai as an environment in this realm allows the audience to connect with the data that weaves together time and space while documenting the present and ancient pathways which connect us to our ancestors. Louis Olsen (The Dream Machine, SXSW 2025) collaborated with Kahurangiariki to embed her artwork and match the camera angles with the visual elements in these swirling movement based continuum that implies the infinite space and time of the realm where I’m is situated in.”

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