A couple of weeks back Billy @cix50_ , Zephyr @zerzerzerrrrrr and Johnny @fanta_abuse.co.nz kicked it on the couch for an honest and powerful chat.

This Origins was shot on the day their fallen brother IZAK's birthday and is all about celebrating the impact IZAK him, the impact he made and still has on them.

As well as getting into their own origin stories - the TKM (True King Millanta) brothers talked about how the loss of their bro impacted each of them emotionally and creatively.

These 3 brothers are amazing artists across many mediums - talking about how authenticity and expressing ones true emotions through art is strength.

It was an honour for these brothers to have us host this chat!

Had the pleasure of heading down to Cambridge to link up with the lovely Sarah Gurnsey.

The past 12 months have been quite an exciting time for Sarah - having turned her passion for health and wellbeing into a business.

Live Lively started out as a blog, sharing recipes and content inspire others to get the most out of life - in other words Living Lively.

In 2020 Sarah took that to the next level designing and selling stationary products to help you make the most out of everyday, to be intentional with how you spend your precious time, and to encourage you to be continually looking for new ways to improve and make progress on your goals.

Her new venture Now You Can follows the same ethos - all about creating meaningful content and tools to empower women to go after what they want.

In this Origins story we really get to know about what makes Sarah do what she does to inspire others to get the most of their life too.

Stoked to have Bnjmn Canute pull up and spend time having a quality yarn on The Assorted Kiwi Show.

Ben has a huge passion for music and expressing himself creatively. Writing songs with a clear and meaningful message is what Bnjmn is all about. Specifically - chasing the light for everything that we are worth.

Bnjmn is a couple of months away from the release of his upcoming tape ‘Chase the Light’, a body of work which touches on an issue facing our youth and country as a whole – mental health and suicide.

Throughout this chat we talk about his journey and the driving force behind the music he makes and alot more within the world of Bnjmn.

Check out the bros tunes on the links below

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/1Vn7tkjKZ6ibU15rMYhTsF

Soundcloud

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/mPvww

Tom Grut is a freelance film-maker and photographer, based in Auckland, New Zealand.

He has spent the past five years working on a dynamic range of projects in both the corporate and creative world.

Tom has worked on projects for artists such as BLK CITY, Jess B, Raiza Biza, Mazbou Q, The Leers, Mo Muse, Tom Scott, Pharaoh Swami, Eleven7four, Balu Brigada and Chubby Fly. – just to name a few.

Whether it is capturing pure and meaningful portrait shots or filming incredible visuals for many in the Aotearoa music scene - Tom has a unique and confident eye for story-telling and is always striving to develop as an artist.

Had the pleasure of sitting down with Maddy, the artist behind Kahu Art.

Maddy is currently teaching at an international school in Japan which is a story within itself. After turning down a spot to go to ELAM, a fine arts university in NZ, and instead pursing Health and Physical Education, she thought her artist days were over.

It wasn't till 2018, with the amazing support from her Whanau that she created her first pieces of Kahu Art.

After creating these first pieces, she realized what she was passionate about; nurturing memories, deepening relationships, and celebrating one another by creating meaningful art with a story.

Since then she has created many pieces whether it is for new born babies, anniversaries, special birthdays and big milestones. Each new piece is as special as the last.

Maddy is such a kind and creative individual - whose artistic purpose is such an inspiration!

Liam K. Swiggs is a man who really puts in the Mahi for all he believes in. A jack of all trades and proud Southern gentlemen - who is very passionate about music, authentic design, rugby league (specifically the Warriors) and providing others with a platform to be heard and be themselves.

Being surrounded by music and actively hustling to fill up Gigabytes’ of music whether on the Ipod classic or on the hard drives at a young age – makes it clear to where this passion stems from.

Liam runs The Big Fresh Collective – an independent record label based in Christchurch, NZ and a driving force in bringing attention to the local 160 scene of Footwork, flipping classic iconography and all things Foot Mahi.

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It was an honour to sit down with this brother when he came up to Auckland to be part of Amamelia’s - 'WOW! The 2021 Remixes' Album Release at Whammy Bar/ Backroom.

Not only did we have the chance to build – but I had the chance to really learn about his passion for everything Foot Mahi, league and just life as a proud Southern Man.

Absolutely stoked to have met and linked on this with him and bring his origin story to you all. Vibes all the way!!!

For many years @latenight_studio been selling customised art prints of many artists such as (Kanye West, J-Cole, Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar and many more) – however there is much more to Latenight Studio than just music inspired art.

The founder Jam Andres specialises in many other forms of creative expression which make for a great studio, such as branding, graphic design, video and photography. All of these combined with his passion to assist businesses in delivering their brand purpose to the world – make for a sound work ethic that delivers a meaningful connection to those he deals with.

Music and creativity is at the heart of Jam and Latenight Studio - in delivering meaningful pieces of work whether on your wall at the whare or bringing that flair to your brand.

If you do not know much about @latenight_studio I am sure you will after watching / listening to our hui – but check out his page and you will quickly catch the vibe.

Scapegoat MERCY is a multi faceted artist, whose music soundscapes provide an introspective and melancholic atmosphere. Never one to be put into one box – consistently pushing his art to new places and angles – someone who embraces the diversity and wide of influences across genres.

A huge thanks to my bro Hamish for coming through to the crib and being on the show.

I have known Hamish for a long time (25 years to be exact) – the thing that I respect the most about the bro is his ability to speak his truth while doing it in such a wavy way which is unique to him. Whether on the mic, behind the beat or on the couch – the words and feelings are real!

@quinn.wav

"I don't really say I have fans - I have family. My main goal is to help the youth who struggle with mental health. We all have demons in our head and for me personally music is the best bet to get rid of or lessen the demons from taking the aroma and aura // escaping people who often said I could never do this.

Here I am - I'm a bad boy"

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Huge thanks to the bro @quinn.wav for having me in his space and making history in being the first Assorted Kiwi episode on the road!

I admire the drive and purpose of this brother! Not only is he a wavy man, but he has a clear purpose and understanding on what he wants to achieve and message he wants to communicate to the world.

I have a huge amount of respect in him finding his process and harnessing the energy which drives him in staying true to his purpose and wav.

By the time this Assorted Kiwi episode drops – his new track ‘Bad Boy’ will be available.

If you are not familiar with this Bad Boy – head to his IG page and Spotify to check out his music and check out Bad Boy when it drops April 5th. I am super excited for what this year has in store for the bro!

Much love from one Assorted Kiwi to another!

#newzealand #nzmusic #badboy

Names Taiotims.

Born and raised in Grey Lynn - Central Auckland and Waterview. Samoan/Niuean. Was a footy dream chaser since yay high until I met someone who changed my whole perspective on life with just one question. After that I just wanted to be “that” person for those who were in the same position as myself. In all honesty I just want to be a friend to those who need it the most. I never understood life prior to finishing school. I had to learn the hard way as quick as possible. So music was one thing that helped me through a lot of dark times. Both listening and song writing.

Recently I decided to take this music journey serious and I needed something as my foundation that kept me going. So I created Soulview. Soulview was created as my “Why” not a “what”. It’s not a representation of a place or a group, but of my own inner thoughts and feelings that I keep locked up for various reasons I.e fear, shame, pride etc. Everything I do/say comes from the “Soul” and so I wanted to show the world through music & apparel its point of “View” in hopes that it can heal others and give them something bigger to represent like themselves, because at the end of the day, no one cares about your life more than you do.

Music is a powerful thing, and the beauty of it all is that I’m able to heal and help myself as well as others at the same time.

___________________________________________________A massive thanks to the bro @taiotims for coming through to the crib for an amazing chat!!!

It is amazing the power of just one song – after hearing Taio’s first official track “My Soulview” (released in Feb 2021) it really motivated me to link up with him - to hear his story, truth and Soulview!

This Assorted Kiwi episode is a special one for me as it is not just an interview – but it was all the right vibes for the right reasons and really is our first brick in our homie-ship.

If you are not familiar with the bro - head to Spotify and search for Taiotims – My Soulview – regardless if you just check out that track or this episode alone, I guarantee that you will connect with this brother and resonate with his purpose and the path that he is paving out for himself and those he reaches.

Much love from one Assorted Kiwi to another! X