In this final tale about the youngsters who steadily beat the heart of Fiji’s very own VT1S movement, I’ll end with budding music artists Pojee and Liz.
Last week’s article previewed a little about Fiji’s musical legends of the past who, similarly to VT1S’ team of youngsters, kept their momentum in the songs they composed and made a career for themselves in the music biz. Pojee continues his story from his rendition of Wade in your water — by the Common Kings — that he wrote and sang it in the iTaukei language.
The short mobile-phone recording of him singing his Fijian version of the hit tune was met with positive feedback from viewers on social media who encouraged him to write another verse. And this is how he met Serenation (Stee).
“Stee introduced me to Thunda, pioneer of the VT1S movement, and I was approached to do a single and release it under the VT1S album,” Pojee says.
“I was so excited because this was beyond my imagination.
“I went with the flow and eventually recorded an original written by Serenation in October last year. The song was Biliraki and I was over the moon when VT1S management chose me to be part of the family.
“I’ve always been a fan of the VT1S Volume 1 songs and the artists themselves.
“For me, music is something I love. I use music to escape from things that burden me — a stress reliever when I feel down, music is where I go to.”
Pojee plans to travel to Australia to be a part of world-renowned show The Voice.
“That would make my dream come true,” he says.
“Other than that, maybe just releasing singles or an album here in Fiji.
“My fellow artists here in Fiji and around the globe are my big inspirations. I’m looking forward to working with them in the near future.
“So, what’s next for VT1S? I’m working with my fellow artists for VT1S volume 2 and I’m so excited and also looking forward to it.
“I mean the only way to know or to be better at singing is — more singing. Liz sings when she’s sad or happy The beautiful and bold 19-year-old Elizabeth Sophia Vamarasi is another underdog, who clings dearly to her music. It holds her sanity together and fends off the negativity on days when things go upside down. The youngster, who turns 20 in August, hails from Lau Village in Rotuma but spent her childhood days in Korovou Town, Tailevu.
Having to juggle her studies, family commitments and music can seem exhausting. So, in nutshell, Liz is slowly finding her balance as she navigates her way to achieve her ambitions and dreams.
“I was about 10 years old when I started learning to play the guitar,” she says.
“It came naturally to me to sing while playing a guitar. I didn’t think I was good at singing until my family members complimented me, and that made me realise ‘oh, my voice is somewhat pleasant’.”
Liz is a middle child, introverted and always keeps to herself.
“I relied a lot on music and playing the guitar to keep me entertained or distracted by what was happening around me.
“Over time, it became my form of expression. I’d lock myself in my grandmother’s room and just sing when I was sad or happy.”
These days Liz wishes her grandmum was still alive to see “how far I have come”.
“I’d say she was my number one supporter back then,” she adds. “Growing up, singing in front of a huge crowd, was a dream come true.
“I’m glad I overcame the fear and never let that stand in between me and the life I dreamt about back in high school.”
Back then, Liz only sang with family members and enjoyed her karaoke time together. Those sessions were also her training as a budding vocalist. “I always kept to myself because I didn’t deem myself talented or worthy enough.
“I would always make my own covers of songs and post them on my social media, but my first experience of singing in front of an actual crowd was at the VT1S concert.
“When Billy T told me I was gonna open the show, my soul left my body for a second,” she says with a laugh
“The thought of having to perform first ahead of the rest kept me awake at night. Butterflies in the stomach and as my mind pondered on the many people who were gonna be present that night – and looking at you from head to toe. But somehow I was ready.
“Funny story, so towards the end of last year we had planned to do our mid-semester test together at Oni’s who featured last week. I had no idea that Stee was coming over from Suva for grog. So, Oni happened to play one of my covers and Stee actually liked it.
“A few days later I got a call from Stee to come record a song with him and Tropic Thunda. So, I went to the studio on Wednesday and released the song on Friday.
“None of my family members, except for my older sister, knew I’d be releasing a song. A sense of achievement came over me even though I know I have a long way to go.
“Music is an escape. Some songs remind me of happy moments and sad moments. Songs that can recap a certain day years ago and I’d recall what I wore, whose house I was in, the people I was with — that’s how powerful music is.
“For me, keeping the faith in what I do helped me a lot. “Looking ahead I hope to complete my university studies. I also aim to release more original songs and inspire people.”
