AUDIENCES can never be sure what to expect when songstress, Mihirangi, takes to the stage with her funk and blues driven music.

"Being on the road constantly I never have time to write, so I write all of my music on stage," Mihirangi said.

Having toured a solid three years, Mihirangi is about to embark on her No War tour to promote the release of the single from her upcoming album.

No War is a deviation from her usual style, venturing into the spectrum of techno dance music.

"No War was created during a gig while I was improvising at the end of the night," she said.

"I was playing a bit of a dance beat and it just turned into a song."

No War adds another element to Mihirangi's already diverse range of music which is difficult to categorise with its varying vocal melodies, beat boxing, acoustic riffs, percussion and worldly feel.

Most of the album derives from her previous works in creating an awareness of important issues in society through music.

One song in particular that Mihirangi has grown fond of is GrReEeeeeed which points out the downfalls of donating to environmental organisations.

"It explains how what we do as people, we all give money to green corporations without investigating what they actually do," she explained.

"In the meantime it (the money) self perpetuates advertising to raise awareness."

"It doesn't go directly into the environment but it gives a false sense of humility."

"It's become this cool thing for people to get in on but no one is really doing anything."

It is almost impossible to believe that all the sounds created within Mihirangi's songs are recreated perfectly while doing a solo stage performance.

"One of the things that audiences do expect at my shows is that it's just one person."

"I create a band sound and I create everything live."

"Most people will say ‘she's using backing tracks' but I do it all with a loop pedal."

"It's really exciting for people to see this one crazy woman who can create all of these sounds by herself."

Mihirangi is currently in preparation to start the new tour which will include several hot spots throughout Western Australia including the Indi Bar, Norfolk Basement Lounge, Quindanning Hotel, Redcliffe on the Murray and the Altitude Bar.

After that Mihirangi will head back to New Zealand to finish recording the album, with supports from The Black Seeds and Rhombus, before heading to America.

AUTHOR: Nikkita Dixon

2008-05-19