Nesian Mystik. Back row, from left: Heath Manukau, Donald McNulty, Feleti Strickson-Pua. Front row, from left: David Atai, Te Awanui Reeder, Junior Rikiau

Nesian Mystik cover many topics in this interview, recorded for 2003 TV series Give It A Whirl. They discuss the diverse cultural and musical background of the band, hip hop being a fast-growing market in Aotearoa in the 2000s, the influence of Herbs and other Polynesian music on cultural relations, their desire to see international listeners relate to Polynesian music, and other issues. “What we try to do,” says Feleti Strickson-Pua at one point, “is not box ourselves too much into one sort of flavour ... we’re one of those groups who run off inspiration.”

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Watch below: Full-length interview with Nesian Mystik from Give It a Whirl (2003) via NZ On Screen (2023). The band members are, from left: David Atai, Feleti Strickson-Pua, Donald McNulty and Te Awanui Reeder. 

 

Watch below: the band members discuss their diverse cultural and musical backgrounds – Maori, Samoan, Cook Islands, Tongan, British, German, Australian. With so many “unique backgrounds, you can’t help but tell different stories … but we all connect back. The Pacific’s our base.” 

 

Watch below: Nesian Mystik discuss hip hop being a fast-growing market in Aotearoa in the 2000s. “Hip hop has a distinct identity mechanism where it’s about representing where you’re from, about who you are. In the Pacific we’re really strong on our identity, compared to our counterparts overseas.”

 

Watch below: Nesian Mystik on the influence of Herbs and other Polynesian music on cultural relations.

  

Watch below: Nesian Mystik on the messages in their music.

  

Watch below: Nesian Mystik on their musical mentors.

  

Watch below: Nesian Mystik on finding new inspiration, genres, and lyrics.

  

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This interview was recorded for the 2003 season of TV series Give it a Whirl. All audiovisual content is copyright to Visionary Film & TV, and may not be reproduced.

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Further reading: Nick Bollinger on Give It a Whirl

Link: The Give It a Whirl Collection, NZ On Screen