After a vigorous shortlisting process, 10 finalists have been chosen by the Domo Vou Talei music competition panel of judges and will now receive ten weeks of coaching from industry experts.
Over 130 eclectic entries were received from all over Fiji in the new competition for original music.
The Domo Vou Talei judges said the entries reflected the experiences of the artists over the past two years with many submitting original lyrics covering topics such as relationships, family, religion and climate change.
The judging panel is comprised of classical opera singer and recent winner of a Korean music reality show, Sunia Loga, Vude Queen Laisa Vulakoro, Felix Chaudhry (Makare guitarist), Saimoni Vuatalevu and Magic Factory Creative and Product Manager, Tiko Korocawiri.
“I was surprised by the immense raw talent especially for aspiring musicians who have not had any formal training. Many of them already have it, they just need some guidance to hone their skills and to take their music to the next level,” said Loga.
Beginning this week, the judges will also be joined by veterans Seru Serevi and Eremasi Tamanisau to provide coaching to the ten finalists. Following this, the ten will go on to professionally record their song under the guidance of Fiji’s top producers, and then into the Magic Factory studios at Communications Fiji Limited to film a music video.
Finalists will also be coached on stage presence and delivery to prepare them to perform live at the Woodstock Uprising Music Festival on July 9, where the winner of the Fiji Times $5,000 Domo Vou Talei winner will be announced.
The public will also get a chance to vote for their favourite musician/act through the $3,000 Westpac People’s Choice Award, details of which will be announced next week.
The 10 finalists are:
- Amos Simpson, a 36-year-old former boat captain and yaqona farmer from Savusavu
- V5 – Suva-based teenage band consisting of members Jasmine Daunakamakama, Lia Daunakamakama, Sevu Tuisawau, Vika Tuisawau
- Titilia Mua Lacanivalu from Nausori plays rugby for Suva
- Jerome Tauleka, 25-year-old working in refrigeration in Suva
- Peni Roqara, 24-year-old Lab assistant and rapper from Nadi
- Grace Vuata, 19-year-old student from Suva
- Joycelyn Karawa, a 26-year-old telemarketer from Suva who goes by the stage name Part PoMel
- Caleb Fatiaki, 20-year-old aspiring rapper who is currently studying information systems at USP
- Kaylia Duikete, 18- years-old and in her final year of high school
- Sarah Blake, 26-year-old and avid guitarist from Nadi
Domo Vou Talei is an initiative of the Australian High Commission, Fiji Performing Rights Association, Fiji Times, Westpac, Knox Entertainment and Communications Fiji Limited.