Waikato music: Coral

May is New Zealand Music Month, which aims to celebrate Kiwi music and the people who make it. The Waikato has some incredibly talented musicians, so we are showcasing some of them this month, whether they are currently based in the region or they grew up in the mighty Waikato. 

Waikato songstress Coral Pitcher, who is professionally known as Coral, has always had a passion for music and knew from the get-go she wanted to be a singer.

Her soulful voice has been likened to Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Gin Wigmore, and she has been paying her dues the hard way, by doing gigs and applying a real Kiwi ingenuity mentality with every dollar she has made from playing in pubs and bars around the North Island being re-invested in to her career, and more recently into the production of her first album ‘My Addictive DNA’.

She says the album took around a year and a half to record at a friend’s home studio, with songs that Coral and her mum Emmeline had written together. While promoting her new album last year, she and her mum posted several short videos to social media of Coral doing different things to promote it, including Coral getting her album name tattooed on her forearm. 

One particular video of Coral doing an interview with FREE FM and singing, caught the eye of a talent scout who contacted Coral and asked her if she would be interested in representing New Zealand over in America at The World Championships of Performing Arts in July this year.   

“When she contacted me, I was crying because even being able to represent New Zealand is amazing, but also I feel that I’m free to be able to do what I want to do which is a really positive thing for me because it’s not too strict on your song choices and there are so many genres to choose from, so it’s such a big variety,” Coral says.

Coral will be a part of team New Zealand, who will all meet at the airport and fly to America together, decked out in team uniforms. Also joining them will be Emmeline as Coral’s support person. Each team in the competition consists of singers, dancers, actors, models, and performing acts.

The first week in America will consist of a bootcamp with competition professionals to give the contestants advice and ease them into it.

She has her songs for the competition all planned out – some of her own which she will perform with her guitar, as well as some cover songs without her signature instrument.

“You could have a big list of songs that you’re good at singing, but I think it’s about playing to your own strengths and my song choices are based on songs I feel passionate about and that I will enjoy performing.”

Originally from Morrinsville, Coral’s career is a family affair with mum Emmaline acting as business partner, roadie and song-writing partner, and sister Naomi as makeup artist.

Growing up, Coral says she was influenced by watching live music and playing her guitar, rather than listening to music on her headphones. 

“I grew up going to folk festivals, and my mum was an impersonation artist, so she worked with a lot of other artists who performed Michael Jackson, Queen, ABBA, and Fleetwood Mac. That had a big musical influence on me, even though they weren’t the actual artists, but they were singing their music, so I got to know a lot of those bands through watching them,” Coral said.

She would head along to shows to watch Emmeline perform, which then turned into a job at age 14, where Coral would take on tasks such as helping set up the gear, lighting, and sometimes jumping up on stage to sing a few songs as well. It later progressed to the mother-daughter duo doing shows together.

“It was a very fun way to grow up, a different way, but this was always what I wanted to do – be involved in music in some way.”

She also gained experience and confidence from busking at local markets from the age of 8. Her aunty had an art stall at the Frankton markets, so Coral and her cousins would join her and sing for pocket money.

During her schooling, Coral says she always had support from music teachers at Hamilton’s Nawton School, Maeroa Intermediate and Fraser High. She knew from the get-go that music was her passion.

She has been writing her own music since she was 14. She collaborates with Emmeline on songs. Often Coral will come up with half a song, and then the two of them finish it off together. “It works perfectly, as sometimes you can question yourself, thinking ‘does that even make sense’ so it’s nice to have that support and encouragement,” Coral said.

In 2008, Coral was a participant in New Zealand’s Got Talent where she made it to the semi-finals after placing in the top 12.

“All of us competing were like a family, they were all wonderful people. It didn’t feel like we were competing against each other, we were just loving being there and supporting each other, so it didn’t really matter what happened after that.”

Another career highlight so far for Coral was opening for fellow Waikato-based rock band Devilskin in 2015.

Coral has an incredible ability to connect with her audience. Her raw, honest lyrics have resonated with her fans, and her fan base has grown exponentially over the last few years. Coral’s Facebook page has over 7,000 followers, and she has amassed more than 123,000 views on her YouTube channel.

Coral and her mother have recently become business partners for Signet Soundz - Coral is the CEO and Emmeline is the creative director. It had been Emmeline’s business for the past 15 years, and Coral came onboard as a singer 10 years ago, however they wanted to make it official with their new partnership.

“The ultimate aim for the company is to be a music production company, having recording studios and being able to help youth, because there are so many amazing artists out there.”

For now, her focus is on the competition in July where she will represent the country. “It’s really hitting home now – it’s coming up quick, but it has been a really good goal to work towards,” Coral said.

To hear Coral’s music visit her YouTube channel and stay up to date with Coral’s ventures on her Facebook page.