In a heartfelt tribute to her late father, renowned Fijian-born artist Paulini Curuenavuli recently released her debut Fijian single, coinciding with the celebration of Father’s Day in Fiji. Paulini, who has been active in the music industry for over 20 years, was born in Suva and later moved to West Sydney.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Paulini reflected on her musical journey, stating, “I rose to fame in 2003 as a contestant on the very first season of Australian Idol.” She mentioned her early love for music was evident when she joined the church choir, with her parents’ full support.
Launching her first single in Fijian felt surreal for Paulini, who expressed her pride, saying, “I have been a recording artist in Australia for over 20 years now… sorry it has taken so long Fiji.”
The inspiration for her single, titled “Tamaqu,” began before the COVID-19 pandemic halted her plans. Tragically, her father passed away from prostate cancer during this time. After the restrictions were lifted, Paulini collaborated with Vude Prince, Savuto Vakadewavosa, and flew back to Fiji, where they completed the song on the flight.
“It was extremely important to me that this song had an authentic Fijian style and sound,” she explained, emphasizing that they recorded and mixed the track in Fiji for authenticity. Excited about the release, she hopes the song resonates with listeners across Fiji.
The songwriting process was challenging; Paulini dedicated nearly two weeks to recording in Fiji. “The good news is from these sessions we were able to write and record more than Tamaqu,” she revealed, indicating that more Fijian singles may be released soon.
Paulini collaborated with Savuto and Laisa Vulakoro for the single’s launch, noting that their connection made the project seamless. She highlighted the learning experience regarding Fijian culture and instruments, contributing to the song’s authentic sound.
Through “Tamaqu,” Paulini expresses her love and appreciation for her father, stating, “It feels amazing… it’s an incredible feeling when we can translate our experiences and emotions into a song.” She wishes she had the opportunity for one last moment to express her love to him.
Reflecting on her experiences, Paulini shared her advice for aspiring local composers: to take advantage of every opportunity and maintain creative control over their work. “You really need this to be part of your process as it will assist in allowing you to grow as an artist,” she emphasized.
Despite her fame, Paulini remains grounded, warning others to pursue music out of passion rather than the allure of fame, which can lead to privacy loss and other downsides.
Savuto, who collaborated with her on “Tamaqu,” expressed his admiration for Paulini, calling the collaboration a dream come true. He praised her ability to uplift local artists, making the project feel special and authentically Fijian.
“Tamaqu” is now available on all digital platforms.