ABOUT KAHIKI

by Glenda Tuaine, Escape Magazine Cook Islands, 2015

Kahiki began his future in music at 14, holed up in his bedroom in Paris. 

“I started with an electric guitar , an amp and a few pedals and at the time Punk music, Metallica, Black Sabbath, anything that distorts was my music of choice”, but that teenage boy developed a dexterity and velocity in his fingers that would then see him, at 16, go on to form a heavy metal band with his school friends. Its during this time that Kahiki´s focus begins to change; exploring his own musicality;picking up acoustic guitar and developing his skills to centre on the subtleties and precision other styles of music offer. 

Opting to drop out of school he takes a gap year and then auditions and gets into the American Music Institute in Paris, studying ´Production and Arrangement`- a three year course. Here he is introduced and mentored by Shannon Murray, the first saxophone player for 70/80´s rock fame bands `Tower of Power`And `Toto`.

Kahiki credits Shannon Murray for opening his eyes to the power of music. “He was an incredible teacher. He was passionate and explained music eloquently and simply. It just made you want to learn.”

At 20, Kahiki returns to Rarotonga on a mission to write and become a better musician. The scene is one that caters to the tourist market, so again he is confronted with the need to diversify his skills and fast! “At that time I was used to being the guitar player you know… just play. Now I had to be the band!”

This put things into perspective for Kahiki who not only developes his musicianship further, but really developes his own unique vocal talents through the support of other local musicians (Rarotonga and Tahiti). This is the period his first album begins to take flight. `No Man´s Plan`has received positive acclaim, with many advertisers now using his songs to promote their products. A clever blend of guitar, slide guitar and rootsy, soulful riffs position this album and Kahiki as a Ben Harperesque talent, with 8 original tracks accenting his attitude towards life.