Corrella drop powerful debut album ROAD FROM 26
Aotearoa 7-piece Corrella have become regulars in the charts and airwaves, now they’ve released their much-anticipated debut album ROAD FROM 26 + new single ‘Whisky’!
Named for the Navy house where the band was created, 26 Corrella Road, near the Devonport Naval Base where the group met and formed – ROAD FROM 26 is a powerful, modern and outright vibe that takes you on a journey from Corrella’s past to present. With their signature feel-good roots-reggae, there’s also funk, soul, pop-rock and a powerful stripped-backed song ‘Promise’ – with just guitar, violin and vocals. ‘Promise’ is dedicated to lead singer Pipiwharauroa Campbell’s son and beautifully completes the album. Another dedication to whānau is the single ‘Visions’, the first track bass player Codi Wehi-Ngati has brought to the band.
“We’re super excited about the album,” says Pipiwharauroa, “we’ve got genres and songs on there for everyone. It reflects our diversity. Not only in music but in culture. We want people to be united in listening to this album. One Aotearoa.”
Made with the support of NZ on Air, ROAD FROM 26 features previously released hit singles ‘Skankin’, ‘We On (Catch-22 Remix)’, ‘Raumati’, ‘Raumati (Isdale Remix)’ and ‘Little Circles’ – which have all placed on the Official NZ Charts, RadioScope Charts and NZ Shazam Top 200 – some for multiple weeks! The album also includes recently released waiata ‘Ko Au’ (Waiata Anthems, Te Māngai Pāho, NZ On Air, Waiata Takitahi), alongside six new tracks that are all set to make this album become a fast classic.
New single ‘Whisky’ is a super fun, upbeat roots-reggae track with a fast-driving beat and fantastic horns. As the first track of the album it brilliantly sets the scene, reflects the high energy of the band and will no doubt get people moving. “‘Whisky’ was a fun track that had a massive journey from start to finish. It was developed by Te Naawe and Jess Rapana a few years back and was never really touched until we found some spare time to throw together ideas in the studio. We wanted to transport the listener to our home, where we were all writing this song whilst drinking whisky, and having the best night ever. We love playing this track!”
ROAD FROM 26 was recorded at renowned Tāmaki Makaurau studio Parachute, produced by Jimmy Colbert, mixed by Christian Tjandrawinata and mastered by Vivek Gabriel. It also features outside co-writers Jimmy Colbert, Jess Rapana and Selwyn Lloyd – and guest musicians Thabani Gapara and Christian Mausia on horns for ‘Whisky’ and trumpet solo on ‘Blue Eyed Māori’ – and Gin Papāli’i-Curtin (Gin the Artist) is on the violin for ‘Promise’. “ROAD FROM 26 is literally a testimony to the journey we have taken since our EP was released in 2021. The band has undergone physical and musical changes which is heavily depicted in the album. However, we have also tried to ensure our original sound is maintained as that will always be the foundation of Corrella.”
ROAD FROM 26
Track listing
- Whisky
- Vision
- Lady Divine
- Bonfire
- Skankin
- Little Circles
- Blue Eyed Māori
- Ko Au
- Promise
Corrella formed in 2017 and is made up of Te Naawe Tupe (Ngāi Tūhoe) – rhythm guitarist and hype man, Pipiwharauroa Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pukenga) – lead singer, Codi Wehi-Ngati (Ngāti Maniapoto) – bass guitarist, Rebekah Brady (Te Arawa, Nga puhi) – vocalist, Ngawaiwera Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pukenga) – vocalist, Taula Schuster (Samoa, Niue) – piano and keyboard, “Ulu” Tom Scrase – drummer and proud Wellingtonian who creates and play’s Taonga Puōro, and Joshua Faletutulu- lead guitarist.
Their summer single ‘Skankin’ (released December 2022), has been filling the Aotearoa airwaves, and consistently placing in both RadioScope and Official NZ Charts alongside ‘Raumati’, the group’s first full Te Reo Māori Waiata, which featured in Waiata Anthems 2022. They released their debut single ‘Summertime in Aotearoa’ in late 2020, which quickly made it onto the NZ Music charts. They then went on to release their debut 5-track self-titled EP in 2021, with an impressive three tracks off the EP making it onto the NZ Music Charts. The band have live shows in the works and are on the One Love 2024 lineup.
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