cheerfully discussed by Jia Sharma (she/her)
Casual Healing's latest release, “Up and Down”, is a vibrant anthem of resilience and optimism. Building from his Māori-Italian heritage and his iwiNgati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Nikau Te Huki, or Casual Healing as he is known, delivers this song as a testament to his commitment to spreading positivity through his music.
Music has been Te Huki’s constant companion since he wrote his first song in year ten, igniting a spark of potential that has grown into a flourishing career. Casual Healing’s debut release “Amble”came out three years ago and stands as a testament to this, boasting an impressive 230,000 streams on Spotify. This release elevated Casual Healing from being a fresh face on the music scene to gaining prominence on mainstream platforms. Te Huki is also a part of the band H4lf Cāst whose 2020 single “Rusty Fan” further showcases his versatility and contribution to the music scene.
With the impending release of his new album Driftwood, Casual Healing has been teasing listeners with a series of single releases on each full moon starting in October. Tracks like “Mauri Tau”, “Hori House”, and “Chasing Rainbows” slowly build the album. “Live hard. Love hard. That’s how you write a good song,” Te Huki explained to the Salient team in a phone interview. This sentiment is reflected in his latest song “Up and Down” which exudes optimism. This track is an ode to uplifting others and persevering through life’s trials. The song’s rhythm and uplifting lyrics easily resonate when paired with the vibrant and nostalgic charm of the music video.
With colourful visuals and the audible smile in Te Huki’s voice, “Up and Down” encompasses Casual Healing's goal of creating songs that “make people feel like they want to be better people”. Casual Healing draws inspiration from the likes of Bob Marley, advocating for the power of kindness and compassion. “Up and Down” epitomises this ethos, and showcases both sides of the human experience; the triumphs and tribulations, the highs and lows.
“Up and Down” is certainly a release that should be highly anticipated. Casual Healing captures the essence of life and humanity through his music with a strikingly clear message. I appreciate how committed Casual Healing is to conveying his personal ideas through all facets of his art, and am beyond excited to listen to the rest of Driftwood when it comes out on March 8th. In Te Huki’s own words, he's “on the precipice of something massive,” and definitely is an artist you should be keeping your eye on.
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