Amplified

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Amplified

Amplified connects music journalist Jess Fu with exciting local artists to embrace and explore their cultural roots. Made with the support of NZ On Air. [2023]

Recent Videos

How can music evoke an extraterrestrial feeling?

Jess spends a day with Yery Cho and Carl Ruwhiu of electronic-pop duo Imugi 이무기 to chat about escaping into the internet, world-building through music and remaining independent. Directed by Nahyeon Lee.

How can whakapapa inspire artistic expression in the present?

Jess grabs a drink with Samara Alofa, a child of Te-Moana-nui-akiwa, to talk teen raves, liturgical singing and their brooding debut album Earth Punk. Directed by HASH.

Carving out a place in a foreign land is hard, but music can help

Jess goes deep with Botswana-Aotearoa hip-hop artist Phodiso Dintwe about finding home, telling stories through music, and making a career out of a precarious practice. Directed by Burundian interdisciplinary creative, Frandson Bahati.

The nexus between Fa’a Sāmoa and indie music

Jess catches up with David Feauai-Afaese of Samoan rock project LEAO about music as a form of rejoice, LEAO’s famous high-energy live performances and what it means to “think Pacifically”. Directed by Litia Tuiburelevu.

How can music be an exploration of one’s cultural identity?

Jess sits down with Māori Jewish talent Ana Chaya Scotney (KŌTIRO) to discuss her thrilling debut album, dawn ocean swimming and how she creates her singular “high lonesome sound”. Directed by Tioreore Ngātai-Melbourne (Ngāti Porou and Tūhoe).