At just 12 years old, Asha Maihi has released her first song across different music platforms, including Spotify, with more to follow this year.
The youngest of seven has been creating songs for as long as she can remember and is already a seasoned solo artist in front of an audience. Now, it is time to step out to the wider world of music.
Her first song, My Shoulder to Cry On, was released on 21 September and three more are already at the recording stage, with one of those to be released later this year. A further five songs are waiting in the wings.
It’s no surprise that the pre-teen from the tiny settlement of Foxhill wants to forge a career as a singer and songwriter, but she says it is also important that it remains fun.
“That’s how it all started – just having fun. I want to share my music to lots of different people and just have fun doing it.”
It has been no mean feat reaching this next step. Her mother, Michelle Maihi, has organised that side of it, from the recording of the drums, piano and guitar at a music studio in Auckland, to the vocals recording and final editing with local producer Kahu Sanson-Burnett.
It has been a largely local affair, with Jayden Day Anthonise from Birds Eye Nelson both playing the guitar and doing the photography.
“Nelson seems to be a really good place for young artists,” Michelle says.
“There’s lots of supportive programmes and people wanting to help kids in the arts.”
This year, Asha was the youngest soloist at Rockquest and Michelle says she was lucky to have the opportunity of singing in front of audiences at The Loft when it was in Nelson.
As well as vocal training with Hannah Thompson-Holloway, Asha fits in guitar, drums and piano lessons and, fortunately, the Waimea Intermediate student can get some of those lessons at school.
Michelle gets to listen to her youngest singing on a daily basis and says her music is evolving as she matures.
“There’s not a day goes by she’s not singing or creating a tune, belting it out in the house.”
