Samuel Gaskin drops heart stirring pop belter & visual project ‘RECKŌNING’
Creative tour de force, Samuel Gaskin is a creator and change advocate who makes culturally centered pop music for the masses. Samuel’s work spreads across the music, performing arts and media industries, activating audiences with his prolific talent and staunch advocacy as a queer artist of African, New Zealand and European roots. After debuting his ambitious and highly successful stage production, RECKŌNING: Te Waiata Paihere Wairua - The Sounds of Woven Souls last year, Samuel Gaskin is thrilled to now present his magnum opus sister release in the form of new single and video, ‘RECKŌNING’.
Out today, ‘RECKŌNING’ is an intercultural exploration into indigeneity and ancestry. The single and its accompanying video were birthed from a creative curiosity that sought to discover what would happen if Samuel took indigenous songwriters from Aotearoa, New Zealand and Te Whēnua Moemoeā, (Land of the Dreamtime) Australia into a room with a sound healer and a pop music producer. The result is an arresting multi-sensory celebration of Indigenous joy that dismantles outdated ideas of identity, expression and genre through an intersectional lens.
The captivating video is a collaboration with Samuel’s partner and Beat Entertainment Artistic Director, Johnny Hamilton and female empowered Production House, Majella Productions and features a star-studded cast of 20 First Nations Aboriginal & Māori performers. It’s powerful, raw truth telling mixed with uplifting beats and a whole bunch of Mana (spirit) in a gorgeous intertwining of both Māori & Aboriginal culture. Johnny Hamilton explains, “RECKŌNING for me is a visual representation of the power, resilience, beauty, pride and love that flows from Indigenous people when a space of love, honour and respect is upheld.”
“RECKŌNING is what I’m most proud of. It’s a lifetime of “work” both on myself and my craft. It’s what the world needs more of. It’s a celebration of the magic, resilience and POWER the Indigenous people of the world hold regardless of everything they have endured. RECKŌNING is the future…” ─ Samuel Gaskin
Samuel Gaskin has collaborated and performed with some of Australia’s most respected Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists such as The Merindas, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Vanessa Amorosi and Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project. On stage Samuel has been cast for Australian productions of The Jungle Book, Hairspray and more and he regularly facilitates dance workshops for Ausdance and Chunky Move among other seemingly endless creative pursuits. Following on from his triple j unearthed chart-topping single ‘GANK’ and beloved follow ups ‘Good Enough’ and ‘Love’, ‘RECKŌNING’ is Gaskin’s most ambitious and powerful release to date and is sure to propel him to the forefront of the Australian music industry’s most watched list. Stay tuned for live dates.
‘RECKŌNING’ Credits
Written by Samuel Gaskin, Pip Norman, Paula Barbee,Piri Neho, Liz Millar Produced by Samuel Gaskin & Pip Norman
Performed by Samuel Gaskin, Paula Barbee & Piri Neho
Mixed by Tony Espie
Mastered by Joe LaPorta
‘RECKŌNING’ Video Credits
Artist: Samuel Gaskin ft Piri & Paula
Direction + Concept: Samuel Gaskin + Johnny Hamilton
Production: Company Majella Productions
Producer: Gabrielle Pearson
Choreographer: Samuel Gaskin
Costumes + Stylist: Johnny Hamilton
Set Design: Johnny Hamilton
Set + Wardrobe Assistant: Steven Trosti
Cinematographer: Vanessa Cox
Editor: Rob La Terra
Colourist: Sam McCarthy
MUA: Ben Dniprowski
MUA Assistant: Kahlii Morrison
Cultural Advisors: Paula Barbee + Denise Kickett
1st AD: Alexandra Galloway
Gaffer/Grip: Ryan Fish
Set Dresser: Sam Gan
2nd LX: Francis Healy-Wood
3rd LX: Joshua Lee
1st AC: Monique Bettello
2nd AC: Ana Culanic
Costumes + Stylist: Assistant Asha Sym
BTS Videography: Pride Productions
BTS Photography: Michelle Hunder
Projector Operator: Wade McMaster
Samuel dressed by E'tal neck piece by Arawa Designs
Featured Talent: Samuel Gaskin, Candice Lorrae, Kristel Kickett, Paula Barbee, Mahana Maihi-Taniora, Piri Neho, Regan Joseph, Kodie Heremia, Fallon Te Paa, Nina Katene, Katrina Gaskin, Nartarsha Bamblett, Maxwell John Hamilton Lascelles, Raelah Piata Gaskin Lascelles, Darin Neho, Gussy Paikea
‘RECKŌNING’ Lyrics
Tena Tatou Te Iwi Whanui
Kua Haere mai Nei I runga I te Haerenga O Te Kotahitanga E Nau Mai - Haere Mai Ra
Don’t you fall asleep, you’re falling down, down
Listen to those voices, feel the sound, sound
Dreaming in the morning, at night I sit up laying awake, awake All the things you worry about, got you slipping away, away
And there’s nothing you can do about it, don’t think about it, move your body x 2
Feeling a RECKŌNING we’re in a RECKŌNING this is a RECKŌNING we’re in a RECKŌNING x 4 Whakarongo Mai Ra e te Rangatahi x 4
Better build your dreams, to build them now, now
Once you catch your breath foundation’s sound now Dreaming in the morning, at night I sit up laying awake, awake All the things you worry about, got you slipping away, away
And there’s nothing you can do about it, don’t think about it, move your body x 2
Feeling a RECKŌNING we’re in a RECKŌNING this is a RECKŌNING we’re in a RECKŌNING x 4 Whakarongo Mai Ra e te Rangatahi x 8
Whakarõngo ki nga Tāngata Whēnua x 4
Hāumi ē
Hūi ē
Tāe Iki ē x 2
Feeling a RECKŌNING we’re in a RECKŌNING this is a RECKŌNING we’re in a RECKŌNING x 4 Oooooh oooooh x 4
