Local legend Muroki returns from a successful stint in Berlin to headline a special hometown show at The Yard on Friday, February 6, celebrating music from his debut album Amber Skies.
“I’m super excited to play at home again – it’s been quite a while,” Muroki says. “I’m also really excited to be playing outside at The Yard. I’ve always dreamt of doing that since I was 16.”
Muroki has come a long way from his humble beginnings as a nine-year-old learning guitar under the tutelage of Cornerstone Roots guitarist Nicky Keys. No stranger to the studio, he released his first EP in 2017 with Raglan band Cloak Bay.
Cloak Bay cut their teeth playing live at the Yot Club, making it fitting that Muroki’s first national tour in three years kicks off at The Yard, on the same site where the Yot Club once hosted its biggest shows.
He will also appear solo at Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, joining He Manu Tīoriori – a celebration of waiata reo Māori on Saturday, March 21.
While home, Muroki will be working with local acts Reiki Ruawai and Star Knuiman as they develop new music.
“Reiki and I worked with Star on her EP When You’re Around, which just came out, and I’ll be working on more music with her in March,” he says.
Released on 30 January, Amber Skies was written and recorded while Muroki lived a nomadic life, moving between Berlin’s creative underground, the hills of Raglan, the coastline of Portugal and a long-overdue reunion with whānau in Kenya.
At the heart of Amber Skies is Muroki’s drive for freedom and new experiences. He believes music only truly happens when he is fully living – pushing into new environments, meeting people and adding what he calls “seasoning” to life.
The album was written and recorded between Aotearoa and Berlin, produced by Djeisan Suskov, Justyn Pilbrow and Josh Fountain, and featuring Len Blake and keyboard virtuoso Joe Kaptein.
Immersed in the Berlin scene, Muroki regularly jams with musicians from bands including Parcels, Rikas and the Zen Men, finding grounding in a city that can be both electric and mellow. He filmed the video for latest single Break It Down in Portugal with director Ezra Simons (Earth Tongue), shot entirely on 16mm film in Peniche and Nazaré. He also returned to Kenya for the first time since he was sixteen, reconnecting with whānau and gaining new perspective.
“I’ve been bouncing between places while working on this album. Living nomadically keeps me open and curious,” he says. “Nothing beats coming back to Aotearoa, and I can’t wait to play these songs live with the band.”
With platinum success on Wavy, a Triple J-topping hit with Love Cocoon featuring BENEE, and collaborations with LEISURE, Young Franco and NASAYA, Muroki returns home ready to bring Amber Skies to the stage.
Muroki plays The Yard on Friday, February 6 – Book tickets at moshtix.co.nz
WIN A DOUBLE PASS
Email the Chronicle at: info@raglanchronicle.co.nz
with the subject title “MUROKI” by February 5th to go in to the draw to win a double pass to Muroki’s gig at The Yard.
