Featuring brand new recordings of ‘Midnight Train To Georgia’, ‘Stand By Me’, ‘Let's Stay Together’ and more!

X Factor New Zealand 2013 runner up, Whenua Patuwai, is releasing his long-awaited debut album titled Whenua Patuwai – The Soul Sessions, an album of brilliant new studio recordings of Whenua’s favourite soul music from the past– including classics from Sam Cooke, Al Green, Otis Redding among others.

Whenua Patuwai (born 1995), a shy fella from Christchurch, came to the attention of the nation, when he auditioned for the first local series of X Factor New Zealand in 2013 with a reindition of Sam Cooke's ‘Change Is Gonna Come’.

Finishing the competition in second place, it became hugely obvious that he has a lot of fans who helped his fate through their votes. Whenua met these fans face to face when he toured the country supporting Stan Walker on his World Tour Of New Zealand tour in September and October 2013.

On choosing soul music for his debut album, Whenua says; “I grew up in a home filled with old school soul music. It was a genre of music that my parents loved listening to back in the day… soul music resonates with me so much because it represents the soul and all of the emotions we experience… heartbreak, pain, love and happiness.”

On recording his favourite track on the album ‘Holding Onto You’ originally by Terrence Trent D’Arby; “My family used to play it a lot, every time I sing it, I think of my family, my home – they are the most important things to me”.

Whenua’s debut album was produced by Sam De Jong (Stan Walker, Ginny Blackmore, Benny Tipene) and recorded at Parachute Studios in Auckland. The music was performed by The Levites Band and guest vocal features include performances by Whenua’s friends and fellow artists; Ria Hall and Troy Kingi.

2014 Sony