Delaney Davidson and Tame Iti, Screen Printing artwork for show ‘I Will Not Speak Māori’, Shown in The Engine Room in September 2022, Photographed by Billy Hemmingson
Delaney Davidson is a New Zealand Singer Songwriter, Musician, and Visual Artist. Forging his own identity as a figure of the European Tour Circuit, he has been a strong part of the Voodoo Rhythm Family of Switzerland since 2003 and has started to build a name for himself in the USA. The guitar and harmonica of his simple live show have become his trademark, a small battered suitcase as his props table for the magic show, looping sounds over each other to achieve the full drive of a juke band.
Generally dealing with the darker side of things, Davidson’s lyrical content ranges from classic murder ballads to songs with a deeper insight into the human condition and a sympathy and acceptance of the quirks of life and human foibles. Combining the older style of beerhall musician and the traditions of pantomime and audience involvement his live show is renowned for its sublime dance competitions and bawdy sing-alongs.
During his three-part residency, Delaney Davidson has experimented with multidisciplinary practice establishing collaborations throughout the music and fine arts community. Some highlights of Davidson's stay include his collaboration with Tame Iti on ‘I Will Not Speak Māori’, showing different iterations of the work at Suite Gallery and The Engine Room. Whilst pushing through performances, a national tour, and exhibitions, Davidson has also been busy in recording studios on Masseys campus with artists such as Troy Kingi and Rob Thorne. Delaney and Troy worked with Te Reo translators to write and record Te Reo Māori versions of the songs from the album he produced for Kingi ‘Black Sea Golden Ladder’. The release of the Reo will be under Delaneys name reinforcing the kaupapa of creating artistic conversations around Maori Pakeha whakawhanaunga.
Delaney Davidson recording with Troy Kingi, 2022, Photographed by Sherridan Kanavatoa
Invited by Te Rewa O Puanga, the School of Music and Creative Media Production, Davidson’s residency follows on from his highly successful work at Massey Studios as part of Troy Kingi’s residency at Matairangi Mahi Toi, winning the 2021 Aotearoa Music Award Tui for Best Producer with Jol Mulholland. The residency has been further supported by Te Whare Hēra and Toi Rauwhārangi, College of Creative Art.
Davidson’s focus during his residency has been to build a stronger national identity, forge visible bonds between Māori and Pakeha, explore multidisciplinary collaborative projects with a strong emphasis on music as well as incorporating graphic design, film, photography, painting and performance.
“Taking the concept of creative discussion between Māori and Pakeha and opening up this conversation into an artistic setting I wanted to provide possibility for inclusion and participation without intimidation. At a time of division and isolation, a return to sharing, to collaborating, to team work and to extending whānau are a welcome relief and hopefully a way forward beyond the current limitations. I am so honoured to have been able to work with these incredible collaborators.” – Davidson
A collaboration between Delaney Davidson and Tāme Iti. ‘I Will Not Speak Māori’, Studio images photographed by Sarah Joy, assisted by Billy Hemmingson and Sherridan Kanavatoa
This residency has been with the support of Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Te Rewa O Puanga, the School of Music and Creative Media Production and Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts, Massey University and Wellington City Council.
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http://tewharehera.ac.nz/events/i-will-not-speak-maori - Events