Prominent hip hop MC, Hau, of Koolism and triple j’s Hip Hop Show has recently released his solomixtape, Football, Feasts & Funerals. Available for download via Bandcamp in digital, signed CD and limited edition cassette tape format, the mixtape uniquely unites hip hop music with Hau’s heritage.

In celebration of the release of Football, Feasts & Funerals, Hau will be performing shows around Australia, beginning with the launch event at Sydney’s Play Bar on Saturday 20th September before hitting the road with Briggs for his Sheplife Tour throughout October and November.

Serving as an introduction to Hau as a solo artist in the lead up to the release of his debut album, The No End Theory, in early 2015, Football, Feasts & Funerals has two concepts. Firstly, the title is an acknowledgement of Hau’s heritage and culture with the mixtape loosely reflecting the three important things in a Tongan’s life; rugby union and league are near religions in the islands, food plays a big part in the culture and attending funerals can happen almost bi-monthly.

Secondly, the beat selection is all home-grown. The mixtape tips the hat to some classic jams like Mama’s Funkstikools (Hauie’s Theory ft. Raph Boogie) and 2 Dogs (Re-Fizzlatukefu) and reinterprets songs originally by the Hilltop Hoods (Still Standing) and jazz musician, Ross McHenry (Stylus (intro)). Hau also blesses some original productions by the likes of Sensible J & Dutch (Back On the Job), Ta-ku (Here I Am) and Pro/Gram (So Deep). Hau says, “Australia has some world-standard producers and I wanted to celebrate that fact with just choosing local music to rock over.”

The first single from Football, Feasts & Funerals is So Deep. Over a crisp production by Sydney’s Pro/Gram, Hau both mourns and celebrates the life of those who have passed away; relatives, friends and inspirations. The accompanying visuals feature Hau and Pro/Gram reflecting on life at Sydney’s iconic Waverley Cemetery. Never one to shy away from his emotions, Hau lets it flow like the ink out his pen, delivering each word with passion, appreciation, and gratitude. “That’s one hell of a journey/ But that’s the cost of getting off the beaten path/ a task but not with peace and love/ peep, sh*t is deep…”

Football, Feasts & Funerals Mixtape Launch

Saturday 20th September – Play Bar, Sydney

More info: http://playbar.com.au/

Support slot on Briggs ‘Sheplife’ Album Launch Tour

Friday 3rd October – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Saturday 4th October – Miami Tavern/Shark Bar, Gold Coast

Sunday 5th October – The Zoo, Brisbane

Thursday 9th October – Flyrite, Perth

Friday 10th October – Hussle Hussle @ Mojos, Fremantle

Saturday 11th October – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough

Thursday 16th October – Yahoo Bar, Shepparton

Friday 17th October – Studio @ HQ Complex, Adelaide

Thursday 23rd October – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Saturday 25th October – Transit Bar, Canberra

Friday 31st October – Goodgod, Sydney

Saturday 1st November – The Espy, Melbourne

Monday 3rd November – Workers Club, Melbourne

More info: http://iambriggs.com/

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