Introducing KAI-FI (2021)
Six years ago, Michael Franti passed his favourite guitar to KAI-FI (Kaia Walton) and told him to “go practice”. Since then, he has grown his musical interests (old soul, funk, blues, hip hop, electro, lo-fi, Pacifika rhythms and film scoring) and weaved them into his own evolving sound that is both soulful and cinematic. KAI-FI was a youth finalist at the Mullum Music Festival - 2019 and at 16 years of age, and he was the youngest ever finalist and only producer of Brisbane City Council’s The QUBE Effect 2020.
KAI-FI was mentored by the late Stu Fergie, of the esteemed indigenous dub group, Oka.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Brisbane’s Olympic 2032 Win Announcement - Closing act on the Southbank Main Stage.
Block Party - Sky High Event - 2022
OKA Campout - Ballina 2021
Brisbane Youth Week - Fortitude Vally 2021
The Brisbane Powerhouse - QUBE Effect Awards Ceremony 2021
The YAC (Byron Bay) - 2022
Mullum Music Festival - 2019 (Youth Stage)
Bounce Back - Murwillumbah, Lismore, Ballina 2022
AWARDS
MUSIC
The QUBE Effect 2020 - Brisbane City Council - Finalist
Mullum Music Festival 2019 - Youth Finalist
FILM
Byron Bay International Film Festival 2023 - Official Selection - Director/Writer of ‘Ghost Roommate’
OnSTAGE NSW 2022 - Nominated Best Film in State for HSC - Director/Writer of ‘Ghost Roommate’
KAI-FI MUSIC
THE MUSIC
Production: KAI-FI
Rap: AKIL the MC
Live Instruments: KAI-FI
HipHop Gods Radio (US)
World Premiere of Good Vibes
And You Dont Stop Radio (US)
Chuck D introduces KAI-FI
HUMAN
The new EP from KAI-FI
“KAI-FI’s incredible production sound… Wow… This is a collaboration that carries over a large part of the world and oceans!” Chuck D (Public Enemy)
“I’m so proud of KAI-Fi and grateful to be a part of this. Amazing!” AKIL the MC (Jurassic 5)
“It’s got that warmth that is missing in hip hop, and Akil sounds right at home on it” Baird ‘Flatline’ Warnick - Hip Hop Gods Radio (US)
Hip Hop Gods Radio Top 20 (US)
Good Vibes charts in the top 20 (position 19)
GOOD VIBES - synopsis
While seeking feedback on music projects, Akil (Jurassic 5) suggested a collaboration on this track. Akil brings his trademark vocal flow to this song, with unmistakable J5 harmonies created by stacking and stitching individual vocal recordings. The original lyrics reference our geographically distant creative partnership and process. This track has hints of KAI-FI’s production sound, live instruments (bass guitar, keys, drum pads - played by KAI-FI) and classic west-coast golden era flow from Akil. Good Vibes premiered on US radio on the 16/11/2022, and was later selected by Chuck D (Public Enemy) as his “Spit Of The Week”, played on his show And You Don’t Stop Radio where Chuck talks about KAI-Fi and AKIL’s cross-continental collaboration..
THE CALLING featuring Natty Doloaiasi
Video Concept and Co-Direction by Kaia Walton 2019
Brisbane City Council funded Kaia’s vision of a music video that would bring his two worlds together. The Calling was shot in Brisbane and the Solomon Islands.
“..wonderful programming and keyboard layerings by Kaia, production is neat, Natty's vocals and treatment are next level. Wonderful track.” David Bridie - Not Drowning, Waving
Song Synopsis:
”Being of mixed heritage, I didn’t grow up with the Pacific Island side of my family. I lived a very different life than my cousins - in the city away from the ocean. But I have always had a connection, a calling.” KAI-FI
The Calling is an ancestral call and welcome to country. The language is an ancient Lau (Malaita, Solomon Islands) dialect that is no longer practised and only understood by a handful of traditional custodians. It is a dialect of the custom holders, the magic keepers.
Worlds merge through juxtaposing sounds and visuals - ocean/traffic, finger tapping/log drumming and tropical forest/urban jungle.
Management: baronwalton@gmail.com
Ph: 0421 853 888