Media Release: by Dylan JK Vogt, March 25, 2013
Based in Raglan, New Zealand, a small town in the South Pacific with a population of approximately 3,000, Cornerstone Roots entice BEAT100 users to vote this week with their colorful music video for the band’s original song, ‘Take Me’. Currently moving up in the BEAT100 Original Music Video Chart, ‘Take Me’ has already achieved BEAT100 Gold Song status, as well as a Silver Video and Favorite Award. The reggae, dub, and ska band formed in 2001 when partners, Brian Ruawai (Vocals and guitar) and Naomi Tuao (Bass), met drummer, Boyd Dixon, during their performance at a local New Zealand music club. As the trio began performing and recording their initial EP, Cornerstone Roots was formed.
Cornerstone Roots entice BEAT100 users to vote this week with their colorful music video for the band’s original song, ‘Take Me’. Currently moving up in the BEAT100 Original Music Video Chart, ‘Take Me’ has already achieved BEAT100 Gold Song status, as well as a Silver Video and Favorite Award.
Over a decade later, Cornerstone Roots now features Brian, Naomi, Andre Peri on drums, Reti Hedley on keyboard and guitar, percussionist Aaron Bush, and 13-year-old Reiki Ruawai, Brian and Naomi’s son, on backing vocals (Reiki has performed with the band for about three years now). The band has released three critically acclaimed albums and numerous EP’s throughout the past years, with a fourth album soon on the way. The band performs frequently in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and the Pacific Islands, and has also completed a full 22-date European tour in 2010, including festivals in Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland.
Cornerstone Roots originated as a reggae, ska, and dub band, and maintain their image as a soulful blend of traditional Jamaican roots while also incorporating their own cool and organic style into each original. Though not always a known fact, reggae is an extremely popular genre throughout New Zealand and influences even the country’s biggest musicians. “Everyone is exposed to reggae music here in New Zealand at a young age,” says Brian Ruawai, “When Bob Marley came here in 1981, it had a huge impact on this country. Reggae (or roots music) has been in the mainstream media here for about a decade.”
In writing their songs, Brian says that inspiration often originates from the band’s beautiful surroundings and the people they meet within Raglan. “We reside in a part of New Zealand that’s a small community, almost like a village, with lots of creative people,” he says, “It’s surrounded by water and there’s a great surf here. That attracts interesting people to meet.” Not only does Raglan, New Zealand, prove the perfect location to inspire the band’s lyrics and songwriting, it also provided a charming and colorful filming location for the band’s newest music video of single, ‘Take Me’. Filmed at percussionist Aaron’s house with a crew from Adventure Artists in New Zealand, the band kept the video easygoing, performing ‘Take Me’ for the film crew previous to enjoying a walk around Raglan and breaking open a case of beers during a night time jam session. The video proves highly enjoyable, as viewers find themselves imaging a relaxing evening along the beautiful beaches of New Zealand while listening to the cool and laidback vibes of Cornerstone Roots.
‘Take Me’, the band’s second single from their forthcoming album “…is one of those cryptic songs, as are most of our songs,” says Brian, “[It’s] about seeing through the noise of the dominant social paradigm and letting your inner spirit guide you on your life’s journey.” As in traditional roots, Cornerstone Roots do not disappoint, as each song contains a deep and meaningful message. “[Music] is the perfect way for self expression and creativity,” says Brian, “I think that’s why we’re here on earth, to do that thing that brings joy to yourself and others. There are those who play [music] and those who don’t – those who can’t [play music] need those who can. It’s a perfect exchange.”
Cornerstone Roots will continue to share their music with performances throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. As an indie band, the group organizes all of their own tours and performances, and hopes to also perform in Hawaii and Western United States, as well as other new territories, in the near future. Meanwhile, as their fourth album nears completion, BEAT100 users can view and vote for the music video, ‘Take Me’, in the Original Music Video Chart. Users can also follow the band in anticipation of their second music video, ‘Journey’, the first single from their upcoming album release to be uploaded on BEAT100 soon. “[BEAT100] has been great and is really about spreading the word and reaching people around the globe,” says Brian. Sign up for BEAT100 and connect with the Cornerstone Roots today, view and vote for, ‘Take Me’, and leave a comment for this outstanding New Zealand band.
BE SEEN – BE HEARD – BE REWARDED