Local songwriter Tukana Kaya Dalton never intended for her songs to be heard by other people. For her, it was about connecting to something within herself so she had a safe place to express her thoughts and feelings. Along her musical journey, she’s met mentors who have encouraged her to put her art out into the world and now she’s passing on the knowledge to the next generation.
Earlier in the week Tukana took part in the mentoring sessions for the Whāingaroa Talent Factory where she gave advice to up and coming young performers ahead of their live performance at the Town Hall on Friday.
With five musical acts set to perform, the young musicians have been practising their covers and original compositions so they are performance ready for the big stage.
(listen to the full interview below:) “It was beautiful, I was blown away by the talent,” said Tukana of the mentoring session held at the Yard music cafe and venue. “I think what Brian and Naomi are doing at the Yard with local rangatahi is amazing and inspiring.” Providing advice and feedback around vocals and the technical aspects of playing an instrument, Tukana says that she tried to focus on stage presence and “being in that space” as well.
“They have real dreams of taking their music out into the world so it’s about sharing the pathways that will help them along the way.” Tukana herself grew up with creative parents, her father a musician and her mother a passionate music enthusiast, and she recalls travelling around with her parents when she was younger and being influenced by the people that would often have jam sessions with her parents.
“In the early days I was encouraged by people who recognised me. I remember joining in on one of my parents’ jam sessions with this Djembe drum and one of my parents’ friends said, ‘That’s your instrument now,’.” She was always surrounded by different musical influences through her parents, whether it was blues, roots, rock or afrobeat and while she always enjoyed writing songs, performing didn’t come as easily because of her shy nature.
“My dad bought me a guitar when I was 14 and it was a bit of a saving grace for me, a waka that carried me through lots of crazy times,” Music for Tukana wasn’t necessarily about releasing songs but about healing and translating the nature of existence into an audible form. She writes music mainly for herself to understand the feelings and things going on in her own life.
During her mid twenties, encouraged by her peers to release some music, Tukana started to present more music to the world and landed her first gig at the Old School Arts Centre a few years ago.
“I’d never done sound check or sang into the microphone before. When I started off it was just me and the sound guy in the room so I closed my eyes and went into my song. When I opened my eyes near the end of the song, the room was just full of people listening,” She described the stage fright prior to her performance as “feeling like you are falling off a cliff” but she felt connected to everyone through the love of music and sharing stories – a feeling that motivates her to continue performing her songs.
Having overcome her own fears to now be performing, Tukana says it has been “amazing” seeing the young musicians signed up for the Whāingaroa Talent Factory choose songs that require levels of vulnerability and conviction to sing.
“The feel is the tahi, the place. Even if you miss the tune, if you’re in that zone – the audience is going to stay with you,” Having been ‘blown away’ by some of the performers, Tukana is looking forward to seeing the acts perform on the live stage this Friday and encourages everyone to come along to support our rangatahi musicians.
Whāingaroa Talent Factory Live Show, 6pm at the Town Hall, Friday, October 14 – koha entry. https://raglanradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/311325255_8328737717197208_3678486662689293514_n.jpeg