'Real' is the showcase single of the album, a heartfelt, fun track about love that features R&B support vocals from NÜ (and has been funded by NZ On Air). The video (also funded by NZ On Air) plays on the idea of what is real and what is not.
"With the entire album project, I wanted to make songs that express or show that things can be more than what they seem — just looking at the surface doesn't give you the full picture," says Taz (Ngapuhi and Te Roroa).
Other songs on the album, including 'Better Than Me' and 'Myself,' deal with mental health, a topic that is important to the 27-year-old, who grew up in Kaipara, lives in Auckland, and works as a scaffolder and personal trainer by day.
"I've got a bit of a holistic approach to life," says Taz. "You need to take care of the body, the mind, and the spirit for your personal well-being. I've had loved ones that have been through tough times and I want to create awareness for mental health."
