Anika Moa

Anika Moa

Anika Moa performing in Wellington, June 2010.
Background information
Birth name Anika Rose Moa
Born (1980-05-21) 21 May 1980
Auckland, New Zealand
Origin Christchurch, New Zealand
Genres Pop
Instruments Guitar, percussion, keyboards
Years active 1999–present
Labels Warner Music NZ/ Atlantic
EMI

Anika Rose Moa (born 21 May 1980) is a New Zealand recording artist. After signing to Atlantic Records in the United States she released her debut album Thinking Room in 2001, aged 21. The album reached the top of the New Zealand Singles Chart and yielded four hit singles. Moa's music won the attention of record company executives after they heard a song she had sung at the 'Smokefree Rockquest' while still a teenager.

Moa has been the subject of two documentaries by filmmaker Justin Pemberton: 3 Chords and the Truth: the Anika Moa Story (2003), recounting the story of her signing to Atlantic and the release of her first album, and In Bed With Anika Moa (2010).[1]

Early life and career

Anika Moa was born on 21 May 1980 in the New Zealand city of Auckland,[2] but grew up in Christchurch. She is of Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri and Pakeha descent.[3]

Later she signed a record deal with Warner Music in New Zealand and Atlantic Records in New York, where she recorded her first album Thinking Room. Moa grew homesick during her time in the United States, and became increasingly uncomfortable with the imagery used to promote her. In 2002 she returned to base herself in New Zealand.

She released her second album Stolen Hill on 1 August 2005, describing the album as "more sparse" and true to herself, compared to her first. The album was certified gold. She toured New Zealand in October of that year.

In 2005 Moa was one of many New Zealand musicians who contributed to single "Anchor Me", which commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior.

2007–2012: In Swings the Tide, civil union and Love in Motion

In October 2007 Moa released her third studio album, In Swings The Tide, which went platinum and won a number of rave reviews. For the first time she was credited with producing the album alone. In 2009 The New Zealand Herald named Moa as one of the "Top 10 Kiwi music successes of the past 10 years".[4]

Moa came out as openly lesbian in 2007,[5] and entered into a civil union with Australian burlesque dancer Azaria Universe (Angela Fyfe) in February 2010. Fyfe became pregnant with twins in 2011.[6] Fyfe was a major inspiration for Moa's fourth album, Love in Motion, which peaked at number four on the New Zealand Albums Chart after its release in March 2010.[7] To support the album, Moa embarked on a nationwide tour from 21 October 2010 to 4 December.[8]

Moa has collaborated with many New Zealand artists including SJD and Bic Runga. She has also performed with band Dimmer, in a backup and touring capacity. She has DJed under the name DJ Unika.

2013–present: Peace of Mind, separation and Songs for Bubbas

In February 2013 Moa released Peace of Mind with Boh Runga and Hollie Smith.[9] Around that time she and Azaria Universe separated, and have joint custody of their twins. In November 2013 she released a children's album titled Songs for Bubbas.[10]

Activism

In December 2012, Moa starred in an online video campaign supporting gay marriage, alongside New Zealand singers Hollie Smith and Boh Runga, as well as Olympian Danyon Loader and former Governor-General Dame Catherine Tizard.[11] She is a strong critic of Prime Minister John Key and the National-led government.[12]

Awards and nominations

Anika Moa performing "Running Through The Fire" at the 2010 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
APRA Awards
Year Nominee/work Award Result
2005[13] "Stolen Hill" APRA Silver Scroll Nominated
2008[14] "Dreams in My Head" Nominated
2010[15] "Running Through the Fire (Storm)" Nominated
New Zealand Music Awards
Year Nominee/work Award Result
2002[16][17] Thinking Room Album of the Year Nominated
Top Female vocalist Won
International Achievement Nominated
"Youthful" Single of the Year Nominated
Songwriter of the Year Won
2006[18] Stolen Hill Best Female Solo Artist Nominated
Best Aotearoa Roots Album Nominated
2008[19] In Swings the Tide Nokia Album of the Year Nominated
Mazda Best Female Solo Artist Won
2010[20][21] Love in Motion Vodafone Album of the Year Nominated
Mazda Best Female Solo Artist Won
Best Pop Album Nominated

Discography

Main article: Anika Moa discography

References

  1. ↑ "The Docufactory Website". The Docufactory Ltd. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Anika Moa". Christchurch City Libraries. Archived from the original on 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  3. ↑ Bollinger, Nick (19 August 2005). "Jewel of denial". New Zealand Listener. 199 (3405). Archived from the original on 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  4. ↑ "Top 10 Kiwi music successes of past 10 years". The New Zealand Herald. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  5. ↑ "Kiwi music star Anika Moa: "I prefer women"". GayNZ.com. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  6. ↑ "Double trouble for Anika Moa". Stuff.co.nz. 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  7. ↑ "Anika Moa — Love In Motion". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  8. ↑ NEWS: Anika Moa NZ Tour October - December 2010 Archived 14 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Rip It Up Magazine - Retrieved 9 July 2010
  9. ↑ "Album review: Anika, Boh and Hollie, Peace of Mind - Entertainment - NZ Herald News". The New Zealand Herald. 7 February 2013.
  10. ↑ "Anika Moa Releases Her First Kids' Album". scoop.co.nz.
  11. ↑ "Marriage equality 'about love'". 3 News NZ. 6 December 2012.
  12. ↑ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11714734
  13. ↑ Kara, Scott (29 July 2010). "Silver Scroll award short list named". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  14. ↑ "APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2008 - Announcing the top 20 NZ songs of the last 12 months" (Press release). christchurchmusic.org.nz. 10 July 2008. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  15. ↑ "APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2010" (Press release). Australasian Performing Right Association. 29 July 2010. Archived from the original on 29 July 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  16. ↑ "NZ Music Month". NZ Girl. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  17. ↑ "2002 NZ Music Awards: They oughta be congratulated...". NZ Musician. 10 (3). June–July 2002. Archived from the original on 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  18. ↑ "NZ Music Awards finalists announced". muzic.net.nz. 6 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  19. ↑ "Flight of the Conchords sweep Music Awards". The New Zealand Herald. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  20. ↑ Sundae, Hugh (1 September 2010). "NZ music awards finalists announced". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  21. ↑ "Gin Wigmore scoops music awards". Stuff.co.nz (Fairfax New Zealand). 7 October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.

External links

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