Blake Tatafu / Halcyon Days

SAPPHIRES SOUNDTRACK: AN AUSSIE GEM When holding The Sapphires: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack in my hands tonight I felt a surge of pure Motown energy, this being from all the bits and pieces of previews of this upcoming Australian movie which boasts an exquisite array of home-grown talent. The Soundtrack, completely delivers in the same fashion.   The album has Australian pop sweetheart Jessica Mauboy leading 7 of the 16 tracks, which includes her new single 'Gotcha', which is just a taster of the classic, smooth sounds of 'The Sapphires'.  If Miss Mauboy wasn't enough talent on one CD, try adding classic R&B legends Sam & Dave with the sassy trio, The Emotions with a twist of rock from Creedence Clearwater Revival completed with more wholesome Australian talent from Lou Bennett, Juanita Tippens, Jade Macrae and talent show 'The Voice''s favourite, Darren Pericival. If you're not impressed, you're on the wrong page! ...

Whilst I still have the time before next weeks’   Mid-Degree Assessment Week  at University, I thought I would update my recently barren blog. I always thought I would not be consistent with updating a 'blog' but I realise that it's something that's   there  you can use as a form of 'release'. It's been a hectic couple of months really; drawing on both ups and downs. Blessings have been given to me as the ratio of 'ups' to 'downs' is vastly high. There have been many opportunities, obstacles and events that have sped me through time, making the year feel like it's just begun, even though we are quickly approaching June. The daily routine of university! University has kept me on my toes however, as I am approaching the halfway mark of my three year degree in   Community & Social Development . It is seriously going   too fast.  I feel as if I were at the beginning of my degree, stumbling in late after being misdirected to ...

I find it extremely bizarre that I haven't written about music, which is what I'm always obsessed with so I decided to put our girls of pop under the scope today. For 2012, we are already going into the end of the first trimester of the year and pop music has dramatically changed. In Australia, there are 3 well known ladies that are ready to explode the pop scene with their new music efforts. The once abundant Australian pop scene is now filled with a diverse selection of euphoric pop mediums. I give you Ricki-Lee Coulter , Jessica Mauboy & Delta Goodrem . Ricki-Lee has just been on some fantastic adrenaline rush, with a complete revamping of her image and sound. She officially had her 'comeback' in the later months of 2011 with 'Raining Diamonds' and now busting into 2012 with her new single 'Do It Like That'. Ricki-Lee certainly is deemed as an Australian treasure, which international success just beckons at her call. ...

I've recently been listening to a song from a UK-based artist by the name of  Siobhán Donaghy . It's called 'Iodine' and the song's theme is of the historical use of Iodine and the utilisation of it through warfare. The song is intricately written and underlies some very emotive themes. It's written by Donaghy herself, alongside songwriters, Cameron McVey and Paul Simm for her first album "Revolution in Me", in 2003. I found this song, specially the chorus very akin to what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have experienced during the 1770's. I then subconsciously heard the lyrics in form of relation to my people and have decided to write them down.  Since documenting my subconscious lyrics, I have been only hearing the song into what I made it into - that's the beauty of music; expression of self is limitless and provides avenues of expression for all. Here are the lyrics I have amended from the original, and the actual audio of ...

Happy 'Close The Gap' Day! Today marks another year of the Australian nation creating equality and peace among all Australians with their CTG implementation. I believe that CTG is beneficial but it needs to be operating at much higher capacities as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do have the worst health conditions in the world. Unfortunately, I will be at uni all day therefore I won't be able to make it to a CTG celebration in my local area. Darn! I hope everyone enjoys this day, which is a mark in Australian history and justice.

The most coveted life-experience... Some people believe we’re put on this earth to find a soulmate, someone to cling to forever. Some feel it’s all about money and prestige. But it’s mostly yet set to believe that the purpose of life is to find that ubiquitious feeling that is ever so universal;  Love . Only very few people feel the real meaning of love. There are so many connotations of what love really is. Love for another soul, to be intertwined with; Love for a friend, appreciative of another ones soul; Love for family, the souls that mirror ourselves. With every aspect of what love is, there is always the inevitable emotional connection. Some choose to dedicate all their emotional and physical energy into what could result in the feeling of love. You see   millions   of teenagers and adults going through the motions of ups and downs all because they try to find love. Songs, books, movies are made over this emotional notion. Now y...

Hello to all that will be reading my blog in times to come. Me at the 2011 Deadly Awards My name is Blake Tatafu , but I usually have spelt it as Blayke - with the additional 'Y'. I have started this blog as a 'digital focus point' where I simply write down my thoughts and theories on certain issues that are at Australia's consumption. I am an Aboriginal and Tongan-Hawaiian boy/man. My mother's family (Smith) are from Trangi (Wiradjuri) and Kempsy (Daingatti) and Dads heritage comes from the Polynesian Island's of Tonga and Hawaii. I am proud of my culture and of my people of it. My personal motto is: "Aspire to Inspire" . This came about compliments recieved for successes that I have experienced. I then thought, Why can't everyone do this/that? So I aim to be an inspiration to my people out there. Me and friend, Jessica Mauboy I am currently studying a Bachelor of Community & Social Development at University of Western Sydn...