Page 35 - Fiji Traveller 2023 Issue 5

By Rowena Singh of the origins of the iTaukei and this song is only the beginning
of their story being retold,” the song’s covernotes relate.
“There’s never a last song,” says InsideOut lead singer A more recent single, Qiri Na Lali is a dance song which
and guitarist, Apakuki Nalawa about the band’s ability to fill employs the beat of the lali, the traditional drum.
dancefloors. “We have to literally run off the stage. People just “Lali is one of the very first instruments we grew up with. It
don’t want to stop partying, dancing and singing.” was played just before church services and gatherings—calling
InsideOut’s passion, iTaukei lyrics, melody and instrumentation people together and we thought we’d put this in our song,”
has brought them fame across Fiji and the region. Nalawa relates.
The band began as a duo in 2013 when Nalawa and his good The track is found on InsideOut’s latest album, IO, which was
friend and neighbour, singer and bass player, Timothy Solomon, released in August 2023. A celebration of InsideOut’s ten years
joined forces. Guitarist, Semesa Vilise, followed, and the final together, IO is shorthand for InsideOut, and also represents
member of the group, drummer and vocalist, Ratu Viliame their ten years together.
Dautei completed the band’s sound. “Now that we have settled into our newly set-up studio and
“We are definitely very proud of our culture, very proud of our we have some good equipment to do our recordings with, we
upbringing and cultural background as iTaukei,” says Nalawa. are working on more singles and collaborations.
“It’s not just Fijians, but all of the Pacific need to be proud “We will keep our collaborations as a surprise—there are a
of. There needs to be more songs in our native tongue that few international artists we will be collaborating with,” Nalawa
showcase our diverse culture. Not just to revive but to keep the hints.
language alive and healthy amongst our peers and the younger Through Nalawa’s company, Resonance Entertainment,
generation coming up. We feel that a lot of our traditions and InsideOut is contracted to play at the InterContinental Fiji
languages are being lost, as well as our iTaukei protocols. It’s Golf Resort & Spa at Natadola and the Shangri-La Fiji resort.
our way of giving back to the community, celebrating our mother Nalawa also plays a monthly gig at Mana Coffee. The band is
tongue and our language through our music. in huge demand for events and shows across the country, and
“People without knowledge of their history, origin and culture has toured internationally.
are like trees without roots." “We have toured Australia, NZ, Vanuatu and the United
InsideOut is also inspired by the region’s most popular music States,” says Nalawa. “There are some overseas trips coming
form. up. We are planning to go to Canada, San Francisco and LA
“Our baseline genre is reggae—a fusion of pop reggae and later this year. We might be going to Asia—China and Hong
island reggae—sort of like a BBQ reggae.” Kong. We are planning an Australian tour early next year. We
Yadra Mai was the InsideOut’s breakout song, and was hope to go to NZ as well.
accompanied by a stunning video, which shows the musicians in “The contemporary music scene in Fiji has really evolved,”
traditional attire, performing a meke to the track. says Nalawa. “It’s good to see a lot of new talent coming up.
“The song commemorates the struggles and hardships faced They have seen that there are a lot of benefits, and people are
by the people of Vatukaloko over 225 years ago, where they able to make a living from being full-time musicians if done right,
were taken from their own land and placed in different parts of and if you approach it professionally and as a proper career.
Fiji—mainly in Kadavu and Rotuma. Four generations later, they It can bring a lot of positive changes to your life and lifestyle.
found their way back to the land of their forefathers and now There are a lot of emerging artists coming up, good content and
reside in Drauniivi village in the province of Ra (where Nalawa is a lot of great music coming up. So it’s really exciting times for
from). The people of Vatukaloko have long held onto the history Fiji music.”

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