From left to right: Jay Rerekura, Charlie Williams and Tyson Tauri who have entered their song Troubled in the E Tū Whānau Song Competition. Photo / Jesse King
From left to right: Jay Rerekura, Charlie Williams and Tyson Tauri who have entered their song Troubled in the E Tū Whānau Song Competition. Photo / Jesse King
Jay Rerekura, Tyson Tauri and Charlie Williams have known each other for years and they are connected through one thing above all others - a love of music.
Charlie and his brother, Danny, started creating a song some time ago, but only got as far as making a verse and a chorus before the momentum halted.
The three friends got together recently, added more lyrics, finished producing the music, then shot it all in a video and Troubled was complete.
They entered their waiata in the E Tū Whānau Song Competition, where it received the fifth-highest amount of votes on Facebook, making them eligible for some big prizes.
Charlie said they decided to enter the song to promote a positive message.
"As tāne ourselves, we've been there. We may have been troubled with partner issues, or tamariki or even work, and I know there are men out there that won't speak out," he said.
"We're trying to give them the courage to speak out or write their own song or talk to another mate."
Jay and Tyson work at Nga Tai o te Awa, an organisation that focuses on health, youth, and enterprise.
"It's the first time we've actually done anything together musically. Everything that we done for the competition was done in a four or five hour time period," Tyson said.
"The most enjoyment came from us getting together and having a sing. We've always been singers, so it was good to bring back some old memories of singing with the boys."
The E Tū Whānau Song Competition encourages writers of original songs that inspire change to enter and have their songs voted on by the public.
The top 10 entries are judged, this year by Maaka 'Phat' McGregor, Maisey Rika and Tawaroa Kawana.
First prize is $5000, second prize is $2000, third prize is $1000 and the song that receives the most votes will receive $2000.
"If we were to win anything, we've had some conversations around carrying on, putting an album together or something," Tyson said.
"We usually find time to get together after tea and before bed. We set up at about 7 o'clock so we can get the kids sorted, dinner ready and the wife kept happy."
Jay said that the competition usually gets a few Whanganui entries, but this year, they are the only one.
"The E Tū Whānau Song Competition is a very good thing. It's an opportunity not only to showcase talent, but also to push positive messages," he said.
"The trouble with the talent around here is that many of them are a little bit shy. But you've got to give it a go, you've got nothing to lose."
