MOKOTRON Shares 'TAWHITO (Caru Remix)' + Announces New Remixes Album 'THE UNITED TRIBES OF BASS'

Aotearoa indigenous bass revolutionary MOKOTRON (Ngāti Hine) honours Waitangi Day with the launch of 'TAWHITO (Caru Remix)', heralding the release of new remixes album THE UNITED TRIBES OF BASS. The title track to 2022's SRN Award-winning TAWHITO EP (meaning 'ancient' in te reo), the original's dive-bombing basslines, haunting taonga pūoro and hyperkinetic breaks receive a deeply atmospheric, dubbed-out / dubstep treatment from Caru (Ngāti Porou) — foregrounding the growling te reo vocal intonations in the mix.

THE UNITED TRIBES OF BASS brings together "Māori and Cook Island Māori electronic practitioners from throughout the motu" reimagining works from MOKOTRON's absolutely crucial back catalogue, featuring remixes by Big Fat Raro, Akcept, Netana, Hasji, DJ Oboe, GALOLEAFI, Big Wā and the aforementioned Caru. Mastered by KOG and featuring artwork by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho, the new collection launches via Sunreturn on 22nd March, followed by the official release show at Tāmaki Makaurau's Whammy Bar on 12th April — starring every contributing artist including MOKOTRON himself. Listen to 'TAWHITO (Caru Remix)', explore the full tracklist below and get amongst this autumn...

“There’s no one in Aotearoa who inspires me more right now than Caru. They've had a big influence on me over the last few years and have driven me to push my production forward. I honestly think in 10 years time people will look back on this remix as the point at which Māori electronic music stopped being a novelty and started being a reality.” — MOKOTRON

"When I first heard MOKOTRON, I knew that his music, ideas and kaupapa would go on to inspire many artists in Aotearoa. To me, MOKOTRON is pioneering an electronic genre that was distinct to Aotearoa, by incorporating taonga pūoro and te reo Māori into electro & breakbeat styles. I feel like MOKOTRON is setting a precedent of what electronic dance music from Aotearoa can be.

I have always found the taonga pūoro recordings in TAWHITO to be so hauntingly beautiful and I wanted to take MOKTRON'S sound somewhere it hadn't been before. My intent was to juxtapose the distinct original against a backdrop of sounds reminiscent of early 2000s dark garage, 2-step, and dubstep - adding to the ever growing list of electronic genres touched on in MOKOTRON'S discography.

It's such a privilege to be included in this project alongside such talented and well respected artists. I'm so grateful that Mokotron trusted me to remix his song." — Caru

Mokotron - The United Tribes Of Bass Release Show
featuring... Caru, Big Fat Raro, Akcept, Netana, Hasji, DJ Oboe, GALOLEAFI, and Big Wā
Friday 12th April - Whammy Bar, Auckland
Tickets available HERE via UTR

'TAWHITO (Caru Remix)' is out today on major streaming platforms via Sunreturn.