One of New Zealand's most special music exports has to be their iconic Maori reggae band, Katchafire.
The group are currently releasing singles from a forthcoming album titled 'Revival 2.0', which sees songs from their 2003 debut album 'Revival' being remixed, remastered, and re-recorded with revered reggae names from around the world.
"Originally recorded around 2000, the 'Revival' album was the band's first time together in a studio, our first time tracking and mixing, and they weren't as hands-on as they are now with the process," Katchafire singer and founding member Logan Bell says.
"We felt that certain aspects of the finished album left us wanting, so remixing the album is something we've always talked about. "Twenty-three years on we got the chance, and it was really fun to hear the original studio performances. They still stand up today and it made me feel real proud of those early recordings and the OG team."
Katchafire are currently on tour in the US, but despite the time zone difference, Bell rings in from soundcheck in Santa Cruz, California, to have a chat about their upcoming Australian tour dates.
"We're so excited and feeling very blessed to bring the full team to Australia for the first time! My 19-year-old son is filling in for my brother on drums, which is so much fun for me as a father.
"It's bringing me a lot of joy personally and the audiences have been very appreciative of that here in the US. I think they feel us," he says. "Reggae to us is our favourite inspiration. It has fed us, paid our bills and made our lives joyous."
While international borders were closed during the pandemic, Katchafire released two new singles 'Circle Back' and 'Whaingaroa' as well as re-releasing their '100' single from the legacy album 'in Te Reo' in the Māori language, 'Karawhiua', as part of their 'Waiata / Anthems' documentary series; and they have more new music on the way.
"In New Zealand, our government closed the borders during COVID, so we just didn't see each other much, but we were protected," Logan says. "All of the music we produced was online and we weren't able to play live shows, but we kind of chose to look at that like it was a gift and we did produce two singles during that time that I'm quite proud of.
"The gift for me was getting to be home with my kids; and I guess it was a reminder of the things that are most important in this life."
Renowned as trailblazers of Maori music, their reggae-infused rock has been on the global map for decades and releasing 'Revival 2.0', Logan says, "was really about refining, listening and having fun with these songs".
"People may notice a little bit more magic, some different flavours and an even stronger commitment in these songs now. We aren't playing new music but people can expect a very tight band and the vibe of the tour is great. Just solid!
"Our first success in America was via Hawaii and I guess that was kind of because we built an audience on social media. It was a real movement and we're very blessed to be part of that and we tour there about two months out of the year.
"Before we play we always say a prayer to our Native Creator. That kind of helps direct our energy. That's useful for me, because sometimes I get a bit overstimulated and excited. It helps a lot with focus and delivering a powerful and meaningful performance. It's very grounding for us."
Katchafire will release a new single every month for 'Revival 2.0'.
Katchafire 2025 Tour Dates
Thu 13 Nov - The River Hotel (Margaret River)Fri 14 Nov - Port Beach Brewery (Fremantle)
Sat 15 Nov - Prince of Wales Hotel (Bunbury)
Sun 16 Nov - Rosemount Hotel (Perth)
Thu 20 Nov - Beach Hotel (Byron Bay)
Fri 21 Nov - Miami Marketta (Gold Coast)
Sat 22 Nov - The Back Room (Brisbane)
Sun 23 Nov - Solbar (Sunshine Coast)
Thu 27 Nov - UoW Uni Bar (Wollongong)
Fri 28 Nov - Manning Bar (Sydney)
Sat 29 Nov - The Night Cat (Melbourne)
Sun 30 Nov - Chelsea Heights Hotel (Melbourne)