Theia – Patupaiarehe: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day

The enigmatic NZ-born, LA-based Theia has announced that her highly anticipated debut album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD will be released on Friday November 7. And she’s teasing the record with a haunting new single Patupaiarehe.

Here is the blurb with more:

Patupaiarehe is a powerful waiata, which takes its name from the mythological forest and mountain dwelling ‘folk’ known as Patupaiarehe and alludes to Aotearoa’s colonial history.


“Patupaiarehe are extremely tapu and known for having sweet, ethereal voices and for being consummate players of the kooaau and puutoorino flutes,” explains Theia. “I love the imagery of Patupaiarehe as kaitiaki (guardians) of the whenua (our Earth Mother, Papatuuaanuku). Stories from the past, of their hostility towards intruders, mirrors the ongoing battle and tensions we are still experiencing today.”

Pairing Theia’s trademark angelic vocals and haunting harmonies with poetic lyricism, Patupaiarehe is a glorious fusion of ethereal alt-folk and art-rock. It gives fans a glimpse of Theia’s upcoming debut album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD, which has been several years in the making. But it’s been worth the wait!

“The record has been a long time coming, but I really wanted to take my time with these songs. I’ve pored over every lyric, every melody, and every harmony,” says Theia, who co-produced the record with Abraham Kunin (TE KAAHU, Jujulipps, Home Brew). 

The sonics of Patupaiarehe, as well as many of the not-yet-heard songs on GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD, may catch some by surprise, particularly those who have come to know and love Theia through her trailblazing alt-pop catalogue, which has seen her nominated for multiple awards; played on commercial radio in NZ, Asia and Australia and praised by the likes of Billboard Magazine, Clash and Rolling Stone. However, for those who have followed Theia’s musical journey over the past five years, including the phenomenal success of her award-winning alt-folk reo Māori project TE KAAHU, the album is a natural progression, in which she fearlessly treads uncharted ground, while imparting poignant messages that are resonating with audiences around the globe.

Mark Friday November 7 in the calendar, GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD is an epic body of work from one of Aotearoa’s most gifted songwriters. The album will also be released on vinyl on November 7.

GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD 
Pre-Save on streaming platforms HERE

About Theia:

Theia is a trailblazing artist from Aotearoa. She is known for her fearless and formidable anthems, which challenge social injustices and has drawn praise from the likes of Billboard Magazine, Clash, Pigeons and Planes, triple j and Rolling Stone.

The enigmatic singer and songwriter from Aotearoa has been making waves since she first emerged in 2016 with her breakthrough alt-pop hit, ‘Roam’. The song featured on her debut self-titled EP and was one of the most played local songs on NZ radio in 2016. It also earned Theia three nominations at the 2017 Vodafone NZ Music Awards.

Two critically acclaimed EPs followed. Both records – NOT YOUR PRINCESS (2018) and 99% ANGEL (2020) – saw the talented songwriter delving more into hard-hitting lyricism and experimenting with edgy alt-pop. On the release of 99% ANGEL, Billboard Magazine claimed: “Theia is one of the most exciting voices to emerge from NZ in the last five years.”

Theia has toured extensively across NZ and Australia and has played at many of the southern hemisphere’s largest festivals, including WOMAD, Splore, CubaDupa, The Others Way, Bay Dreams, Homegrown, Soundsplash, Rhythm and Vines, and Sydney Mardi Gras. She has also opened for international artists such as Peaches, Sia, Charli XCX, Portugal. The Man and Mika.

Now based in LA, Theia has spent the last two summers performing in the USA and Canada. Highlights include Block Heater (Calgary), Belltown Bloom (Seattle), Sum Of Us (Northern California), Los Angeles Pride, Toronto Pride, SubCulture (LA), Babes on Babes (Vancouver), She Fest (San Diego), San Diego Pride, Miami Beach Pride, Women’s Freedom Festival (LA), DTLA Proud (LA), Pioneer Square Festival (Seattle), Westside Culturefest (Utah) and an opening slot for Los Bitchos at Zebulon in Los Angeles.

A descendant of the Ngaati Tiipaa, Ngaati Aamaru and Te Ahiwaru people from the Waikato-Tainui tribal confederation, Theia is a fierce proponent for the revitalisation of Māori language and culture and is celebrated for weaving her native tongue into her politically charged anthems. This includes ‘CREEP’, her 2021 collaboration with hip-hop artist Vayne, and her most recent singles, the AMA nominated ‘BALDH3AD!’ and ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’, which premiered on Seattle’s famed radio station, KEXP.

Follow Theia:
Instagram / Facebook / Website
Spotify / Apple / YouTube / TikTok

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