Interview Interrogation: Benjamin Seniroqa from The Relativ (Fiji)

Fiji is not one country you would associate with rock or metal music and yet it seems there is one band set out to change that, bring forth The Relativ. A six-piece band playing rock/metal music on the tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean. With a population of just under 900,000 which is just above the populations of Newcastle and Liverpool, you would think they would be celebrated as legends in their own right, in which case you thought right as Benjamin (manager and drummer) Seniroqa goes on to tell GMA... with a surprise regarding the Fijian Metal scene.

"There’s a couple of Heavy Metal fans out here as well and we are one of those people who listen to Heavy Metal".

Can you give us a brief history of The Relativ, how did you meet? What are you aiming to achieve?

     "The band was initially formed on November 2015. We all started out recording covers on YouTube then just continued from there. The funny part about this is that we are all cousins hence why we named the band TheRelatiV. There are mainly 6 of us that make the band work, 4 band members and 2 roadies / stage coordinators. When we started the band, we actually had a dream of making it big and be the first rock band from Fiji to make it overseas, we’re still working on that and there have been good responses from our fans and hopefully one day we’d make it."

Names of Band Members:

Josh Tukana - Lead Vocals
Johnny Seniroqa - Lead & Rhythm Guitarist / Backing Vocals / Music Director
Nahshon Fong - Bassist
Benjamin Seniroqa - Drummer / Music Director / Band Leader & Manager
Filipe Lalauvaki - Backing Vocals / Synth / Stage Coordinator 
Nelson Cokanasiga - Backing Vocals / Drum tech / Stage Coordinator


What can you tell us about the Fiji Music scene, as you play rock music is the rock / metal scene well supported?

     "The music scene in Fiji is quite unique, we were shocked that we had people who loved rock when we started out. If you play it right, people will love it because Fiji is a very talented country in terms of music, the only problem is that there is no proper platform of exposure for many bands out here and hopefully one day there would be a good platform for younger bands to start off from. We play at a club called Traps Bar and they’ve been very supportive with the band, mostly tourists, volunteers and exchange students go there to dance and listen to us play when they get a chance which is so awesome."


Are there any heavy metal bands in Fiji? Any metal music fans? What are your thoughts on Heavy Metal? 

     "There used to be a Metal band a couple of years ago but most of their members have parted ways to continue living their normal lives. You could also say there’s a couple of Heavy Metal fans out here as well and we are one of those people who listen to Heavy Metal."


Given Fiji's isolation, as a band have you performed outside the country? Do you tour the island or are most concerts held in Suva?

     "We’re hoping that one day we’d get to tour the world and play out side of the country but at the mean time, we’ve only played within the country. Mostly for Concerts and Festivals."

Suva Fiji Temple - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Are you aware of any rock or metal bands in other countries in Oceania other than Australia, New Zaland and Papua New Guinea?

     "Not that we know off but I’m pretty sure there should be a couple of them. Australia and New Zealand would probably have a lot of Metal Bands for sure."


How did you become interested in recording and playing music? Are there any music schools?

     "Most of us were brought up through musical family backgrounds, our parents and uncles used to play for their bands and we used to watch them as we grew up. All of us were brought up and played at church so you could say the interest was always there ever since we were young. All of us love music and we’ve come to a stage where we appreciate all sorts of styles of music. The Seniroqa brothers who also run a media company called Only Idea Studios are the ones who usually record & produce our Music & Music Videos (both covers & originals. There are a couple of music schools here in Fiji where musicians go and learn how to read music. None of the band members has ever attended music school but are all self taught. which is nothing new to most musicians here in Fiji."


What plans do you have for the year ahead? What was 2017 like for you guys?

     "This year we’re planning on taking things slow and hopefully get everything right, being in a band is not as easy as it sounds, if you’re not organised well, things will be really hard for you. Last year was pretty crazy, we really enjoyed every moment of it, I’d say we’ve never played so much shows compared from last year than the year before that."


Finally do you have any greetings you wish to send out?

     "We would like to thank everyone who has supported and believed in us and our dream through out all these years. Mostly we’d like to thank God for always being there for us, our parents and our families, to Traps Bar for always providing us with a venue to jam all the time and to all our fellow musicians who have become a part of our family."