Khi-Lee Thorpe

Māori soul singer Karehana Gardiner-Toi, who performs by his childhood nickname TEEKS dropped into Koori Radio this week for an interview with our award-winning Puha and Pork Bones Radio Show host Kimberly Uesiliana. The 26-year-old TEEKS had a busy schedule on his first visit to Australia and came from a sold-out VIVID Sydney Opera House show the night before delivering songs from his debut album Something To Feel, accompanied by a four-piece band and string quartet. The VIVID crowd was very supportive calling out for two encores and enthusiastic standing ovations.

TEEKS visits Koori Radio

Puha and Pork Bones Radio Show are winners of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) Excellence in Music Presenting 2020, Winners of the Koori Radio Broadcasters Favourite Program Awards 2018, Nominee for Excellence in Cultural Indigenous Excellence CBAA Awards 2017, and Winner for the Best Program Awards 2016. Tune in Thursday nights from 6 – 8 pm.

TEEKS – If Only music video

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Check out his media release for more info – thanks for dropping by TEEKS!

By 2019, TEEKS had captivated the industry’s imagination as his towering potential came into focus. With a songbook about love and loss, Gardiner-Toi (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) was nominated for the 2017 Taite Music Prize, a Silver Scroll songwriting award, and awarded Best Māori Artist award at the New Zealand Music Awards.

What really sealed the deal was his concerts, where an ostensible initial shyness quickly gave way to a rare level of vulnerability. Speaking of TEEKS’ momentous, sold-out headliner show at Auckland’s Town Hall with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, The New Zealand Listener said his performance had the “emotional punch as, say, Adele’s version of ‘Someone Like You’ at the Brits in 2011.”

2021 has been his biggest year yet, seeing the celebrated Māori artist release his NZ #1 gold-selling debut album Something To Feel in March, featuring NZ gold single Remember Me. This was followed by a 6-date sold-out nationwide tour of his home country, seeing TEEKS perform soul-bearing performances at iconic venues including Auckland’s Civic Theatre. Speaking to the audience, he said “I’m just a Māori boy from the Far North with big dreams, thanks for making my dream come true” which was met with emotional applause. Ending 2021 on a high note, he won Best NZ Act at the MTV EMA’s and picked up a further 3 Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Solo Artist, Best Māori Artist, Best Soul/R&B Artist.

From performing in intimate venues to historical town halls, TEEKS is one live act you won’t want to miss.

TEEKS has seen a global fanbase establish around him, with a rapidly growing base in South Africa (where single First Time is certified Gold) and its neighboring countries, as well as Australia and the United Kingdom.