Rising Star from Ngella, Gerald Pitia Embraces Beauty of Island Music

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

EVERYONE is born unique.

Not everyone is born with the same talent.

One can know of engineering, another plumbing, while others know of singing while others are good at coaching.

There are many types of music played in the world. Each region and country has its unique style and culture of playing music including the Solomon Islands.

One popular one in the Solomon Islands aka ‘Happy Isles’ apart from various modern styles of playing music played today is called the ‘Island Music’.

The style of ‘Island Music’ might sound too empty with the background beat compared to first world music beats, but for Pacific islanders, this is the best type that suits their nature made up of atolls and white sandy beaches, surrounded by blue crystal ocean.

And, as said that what one will know of doing one thing that another might not know off, only certain island individuals are gifted with the unique talent of playing and singing in ‘Island Music’.

Such as rising island music star Mr. Gerald Pitia aka ‘PITZ’, 26, who comes from Sandfly Island at West Ngella, Central Islands Province (CIP).

Currently a third and final year student at Fiji National University (FNU) studying Bachelor of Accounting and Information System, Mr. Pitia is one of many local artists at present that have talent in playing good island music beat and singing in the happy isles.

Having the number of fans increasing each day, Mr. Pitia shares how he came to explore and started using his talent in ‘Island Music’ to this day.

 “I started my music career when I was in high school at St. Nicholas College. That time I was in Form Six, way back in 2014.

“I was motivated then by Solomon Islands island music Legends, the likes of SIVOLI, SABA, SHARZY and most especially Mr. David Bogese aka ‘YOUNG DAVIE’ as I am interested in island music.

“With the help of my schoolmate, Edward Riti, who is a sibling of another island music legend himself ‘PAEVA’, he gave me some tutorials and even created a music beat for me to practice on. From there I started with basic and continued practicing,” said Pitia.

As time went along, with further help in being coached by his brother Mr. John Edward from ‘Maravagi Studio’ at Sandfly, Mr. Gerald said his music talent started to gain recognition, resulting in such as in now collaborating with local well-known island music artist and producer YOUNG DAVIE.

“As time went on, my music started to gain recognition. This was when collaborating with well-known local artist and producer, Young Davie with the song titled “Sore Fana” and now “Kula Vaivine”,” said Pitia.

It is understood according to Mr. Pitia that despite he will complete his current study in ‘Accounting and Information System’ and will be out working in its field of profession in the future, he will also continue with his talent in ‘island music’ to entertain and enjoy.

“It is now in the blood, so leaving this talent of island music will be a bit hard as I am looking forward to continuing producing more enjoyable island vibes music for our people and my fans to enjoy,” said Pitia.

As a message for upcoming local song producers and artists, Mr. Pitia encourages everyone to keep on pushing forward in their aims as one day they will reach their goal of having their talent being recognized, the same road he is now on in music at present.

“I would like to encourage our young music producers and artists to keep on hustling.  Keep on making music and from there, you will build on it, and slowly and surely you will achieve your goals and dreams,” said Pitia.

Mr. Gerald Pitia’s record label’ is ‘Aelan Recordz’ which can also be accessed online on its Facebook page and YouTube channel ‘Aelan Breeze Music Offical’ for further updates.