Music Industry News

Capturing the sound of an Aotearoa summer in the form of an infectious and soulful track, ‘Te Aroha’ songwriters Ra Charmian Toia-Booth (Ngāpuhi, Tainui) and Hayden Booth say the song details the story of being hopeful and excited with the news of Ra expecting a child, as well as the “love we will always have for those who have gone, and the love for the people around us right now.”

The duo’s new single acts as a beacon of hope that “as our loved ones leave this world, new life enters.” Hayden and Ra describe the inspiration for the lyrics of the song as being deeply connected to their love for the Manukau Harbour: “We regularly visit local beaches which look out to the Manukau. Upon the news of Ra expecting, we went down to Titirangi Beach for a walk and the inspiration for the song came straight to us.”

Reflecting on the history of the Manukau Harbor and its place in te ao Māori (the shores were home to some of the earliest Māori settlements and the Harbour had vital transportation routes), the pair explain that, while the harbour carries such lifeforce, it can also be “wild and treacherous with many hidden dangers.” They say that this speaks to the challenges and losses we have in life. ”Its wild beauty feels like it connects us to our ancestors and also brings life to the present and future.”

Also released today is a special music video made by Hayden. Showing a newly pregnant Ra performing over the Manukau Harbour, the video also acts as a diary of the duo’s summer across Aotearoa, flooded with shots of friends and whānau gathering over music and events.

‘Te Aroha’ from Ra Charmian is a beautifully moving waiata that is sure to be added to many summer soundtracks for years to come.

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Photo credit: Hayden Booth

Ra Charmian Toia-Booth (Ngāpuhi, Tainui) is a performer and vocalist who performed around the world for almost 10 years before returning to Aotearoa. Since being back she’s been a featured artist on RNZ, Air NZ and radio stations around the country, as well as performing on TV and radio – including being the voice for the 2023 NZ Radio Award-winning jingle ‘You’ve Sure Got A Friend In The Breeze’. Hayden Booth is also an experienced musician who has toured and performed internationally for many years – playing in bands opening for the likes of John Mayer, Jools Holland and Paul Weller. Hayden has won 2 international awards for his media production work.He’s also known as one of the best guitarists around and has played on many TV and radio ads over the years.