Page 10 - Fiji Traveller Issue 1

WHAT’S NEW

DEEPER SOUNDS,
DEEPER CONNECTIONS
DRUA HOMECOMING
Deeper Sounds, Deeper Connections is a Pacific-Australian
project which shares the unique music of the Pacific with the The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua rugby club has
world. Working with groups of musicians across the region, it moved into its new home in Nadi. The base in
captures traditional instruments, melodies, songs and voices, Legalega was opened by World Rugby Chairman,
and distils them into sample packs for DJs, producers, film Sir Bill Beaumont. It will house high performance
makers, music makers and Australian music schools. and recreational facilities for athletes and team
Fiji’s Inoke Knox Kalounisiga was one of the first Pacific management, as well as cater for offices for the
artists on the Deeper Sounds, Deeper Connections project. coaches, medical, analysis and welfare staff. Drua
He worked with other Fijians: DJ Christopher Mallam, CEO Brian Thorburn says they are delighted to finally
Apakuki Nalawa, Zen Waqavonovono and Australia’s DJ be able to put roots in Nadi, after spending their
SLUMBERJACK, to create ‘short snippets of tribal tracks’. inaugural season based in Australia, and “truly stay,
Kalounisiga says that anyone can access the tracks. train and play at home. The Drua will play six home
“We are also looking at distributing them in music schools matches in Fiji in next year’s season.”
here in Australia so that they can learn more about Pacific https://drua.rugby/
Island music, influences and some of the unique cultural
sounds,” says Kalounisiga. The recordings were all done in
Fiji.
To hear the Deeper Sounds, Deeper Connections sam-
ples: https://samples.landr.com/labels/deeper-sounds-deep-
er-connections.
You can read more about the project on the Fiji Traveller UNITED
website.
The always innovating Rise Beyond the
Reef has launched its latest collection.
Named Cokonaki, which means a united
preparation in gathering stock for the future,
HOT STUFF it features the usual RBR mix of geometric
and organic prints in joyful colours. Rise
For decades, the Nakama Hot Beyond the Reef works with more than 500
Springs, located in the heart of women to build the capacity of rural, re-
Savusavu Town, has been used mote women to rise. “On the back of Covid,
as a local kitchen, a place to cook significant storms, and ongoing isolation,
food using nature’s energy. Now our work together is in a constant cycle of
visiting the steamy springs is more preparation for what’s next. Celebrating the
informative, with an upgrade of the beauty and indigenous identities along the
site seeing installation of boards way as we cokonaki for the future together,”
describing the area’s geology and the organisation says.
geothermal processes at work. risebeyondthereef.org
There are also comfortable shaded
places to sit and basalt columns
marking the points of the compass;
just bring your own kana!

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