Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi (born 26 October 1993), known by his mononym Teeks, is a Māori soul singer from New Zealand. His debut album, Something to Feel, was released on 26 March 2021.[1]

Teeks
Born
Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi

(1993-10-26) 26 October 1993 (age 31)
Northland, New Zealand
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Websitehttps://www.thisisteeks.com/

The music video for his single, "Without You", was released on 19 August 2020. It was directed by Tom Gould and was shot in Hokianga during January 2020. Teeks has said, "It's my favourite place in the world", adding that this is the territory his father is from.[2]

Life and career

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Teeks was born in 1993 in Northland and has Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui whakapapa.[3] He grew up in his father's home in Opononi, near Hokianga from the age of eleven, but also spent significant time in Tauranga, where his mother lives.[4] After high school he studied music and taught Māori at Unitec.

At the 2017 New Zealand Music Awards, Teeks won Best Māori Artist and was nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Soul/RnB Artist.[5]

He performed the New Zealand National anthem at the 1st rugby test match between New Zealand and South Africa on 15 July 2023, putting on quite an interesting spin thereon in the process.

Discography

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Albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
NZ
[6]
Something to Feel
  • Released: 26 March 2021
  • Label: Sony
1

Extended plays

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List of EPs, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
NZ
[6]
The Grapefruit Skies
  • Released: 23 June 2017[8]
  • Label: Self-released
10
I
  • Released: 28 August 2020
  • Label: Sony
II
  • Released: 13 November 2020
  • Label: Sony

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot

[10]
"If Only"[11] 2017 The Grapefruit Skies EP
"Never Be Apart"[12]
"Whakaaria Mai (How Great Thou Art)"
(with Hollie Smith)[13]
2019 Non-album single
"Without You"[14] 2020 Something to Feel
"Remember Me"[15]
"First Time"[16] 2021 20
"Younger"[17] 4
"I Can't Make You Love Me" (feat. Nick Dow)
[Live at the Auckland Town Hall, featuring Nick Dow on Piano][18]
Non-album single
"Oil and Water"[19] 8 Something to Feel
"Love Is a Losing Game" (live at Stebbing Studio)[20] 2022 Non-album singles
"Video Games" (live at Stebbing Studio)[21]
"Red Light"[22] 2024 20

References

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  1. ^ "TEEKS announces his highly anticipated debut album 'Something To Feel'". Sony Music New Zealand. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  2. ^ Allaire, Christian. "Teeks Is New Zealand's Soulful Singer to Know". Vogue. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  3. ^ "TEEKS has got soul". Saturday Morning. Radio New Zealand. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  4. ^ Alexander, Mike (28 May 2017). "A sneak peek at Teeks". Sunday News. Stuff. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  5. ^ "New Zealand Music Awards 2017: all the winners". Radio New Zealand. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Teeks in New Zealand charts". Hung Medien. charts.nz. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  7. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Teeks – Something to Feel". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  8. ^ Yates, Siena (22 June 2017). "How Teeks' new EP The Grapefruit Skies says everything he can't". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  9. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Teeks – The Grapefruit Skies". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  10. ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
  11. ^ "Teeks Releases His Debut Single "If Only"". MMF. May 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  12. ^ "Teeks Releases New Video 'Never Be Apart'". nzmusic.org.nz. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Whakaaria Mai (How Great Thou Art) - Single by Teeks". Apple Music. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Without You - Single by Teeks". Apple Music. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Remember Me - Single by Teeks". Apple Music. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  16. ^ "First Time - Single by Teeks". Apple Music. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  17. ^ "TEEKS' follow-up single "Younger" is an incredible, emotional ballad". www.morefm.co.nz. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  18. ^ "I Can't Make You Love Me (feat. Nick Dow) [Live at the Auckland Town Hall, featuring Nick Dow on Piano] - Single by TEEKS | Spotify". Spotify. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Oil and Water - Single by Teeks". Apple Music. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Love Is A Losing Game (Live at Stebbing Studio) - Single by TEEKS | Spotify". Spotify. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  21. ^ "Video Games (Live at Stebbing Studio) - Single by TEEKS | Spotify". Spotify. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  22. ^ "Red Light - Single By TEEKS | Spotify". Spotify. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
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