Feather Spines
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Tāmira Pūoro’ has a metaphorical translation of uplifting and showcasing pūoro, weaving together the
sounds of instruments from both te ao Māori and te ao Pākehā. This too implies an otherworldly
quality of mixed mythologies and storytelling from the whakapapa of both Solly (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha,
Kāti Māmoe) and Velvin (Pākehā) who are both Wellington based and well known musicians in their
own right. Michelle Velvin is the principal harp in orchestra Wellington, as well as a composer,
educator and session musician. Ruby Solly has played with artists such as Trinity Roots, Yo-yo Ma,
Whirimako Black, and Oro records project ‘Tararua’, and is currently working towards a PhD in Public
Health focusing on the use of taonga pūoro in hauora Māori.
‘Feather Spines’ consists of two sides. The first, a series of instrumentals featuring taonga pūoro,
cello, and harp with a range of influences including classical, waiata Māori, folk and bluegrass. The
second side features a series of songs featuring the vocals of Solly and Velvin, including acapella
track ‘Huia and the Magpie’ which tells the story of how the Huia bird was hunted to extinction, but
with a dark romantic twist. The record, mixed by David Long, has an otherworldly feel, yet is firmly
based in Aotearoa with a strong footing in multiple layers of our collective pasts.
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