In the artistic haven of 2019, lead vocalist Reiki Ruawai was nudged by a university assignment into the musical realm, leading to the formation of Groove Merchants Masaya. With a dash of sibling camaraderie, he enticed his sister, Kaea Ruawai, to helm the drums, while their friend Muroki embraced the groove of the bass. The trio initially vibed as a compact ensemble until the universe orchestrated the arrival of Jules Blewman (TOI) on lead guitar and Joe Kaptein on keys, marking the genesis of Tales of Moonshine.
The narrative took a whimsical turn as Reiki & Muroki embarked on a skate/surf escapade overseas, crafting melodies that later blossomed into tunes like Elders & Wonders, Partake, and Shake the Sun. They sailed back to the serene shores of New Zealand, orchestrating their 2019 EP, TONGUE & GROOVE. As the calendar flipped to 2020, singles Soda Dreams and Jamma saw the light of day, and the ensemble began resonating with live audiences and festival circuits. Yet, as autumn leaves drifted, Muroki chased solo horizons, ushering Nat Hathaway onto the stage as the new bass maestro.
The narrative further enriched with singles like Mung Bean, Ride wit Us, and Attention, setting the stage for their debut album, Chronicles of Youth, under the nurturing banner of Rafiki Ltd, distributed via The Orchard/Sony. This album, a melodic narrative of youthful whims and modern-day musings, propelled Masaya on a nationwide tour across the Kiwi lands, serenading the winter with their indie-groove spells
As the sun cast longer shadows, Masaya hopped across the Tasman Sea, joining forces with the reggae legends Katchafire on their Australian tour. The camaraderie transcended the Pacific, echoing through Byron Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and the euphoric vibes of Island Vibe on Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island)
The Aussie chronicles continued with a spectacular collaboration with L.A.B in their 2023 Australian tour. As Spring blossomed, Masaya, along with Summer Thieves, resonated as special guests, adding a unique Kiwi flavor to the musical fiesta at Belvoir Amphitheatre, WA, and other Australian cities, celebrating L.A.B’s chart-topping single 'Take It Away' and their impending sixth album.
Their music—a kaleidoscopic blend of Indie, Groove, Soul, and Roots—continues to resonate with the serene surf-town aura of Raglan, NZ, etching a unique mark in New Zealand’s bubbling music cauldron, with the digital winds carrying their tunes across global platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music, while their social media channels hum with the latest beats, tour dates, and vibrant snapshots of their musical odyssey.
Masaya are joined by support Mirage
