Inoke Kalounisiga

From Fiji Times Online (18 January 2008)

Steadily stealing the spotlight

by Geraldine Panapasa

Inoke Kalounisiga

His style is simple and his personality undeniably affable. But there is something pulsating about Knox, a standout in Fiji's amazing breed of talented young musicians. When he sings and plays notes on his keyboard or guitar, a sense of appreciation for local talent and music in all forms literally fills the air. At least that's what I thought when I took snapshots of Knox playing a song on his keyboard while his mother, Sela Fatiaki, and younger brother, Suliasi Junior, proudly watched him. Sela is part-Rotuman/Samoan and is from Motusa in Rotuma. It was the first time for me to meet Knox although I'd heard his single Jah Live Jah Crucify on the radio and seen the video clip on national television. I was very excited about meeting the young man who is scaling musical heights with his sheer talents. So off I went to a place called Naimasimasi Village in Tailevu where his father, Suliasi Tamanalevu, is originally from. The gloomy weather made the trip seem dull but after reaching our destination, Knox emerged from the shadows to greet us. He introduced us to his mother and younger brother while his father had left to take a relative to the nearby health centre. Most people would have guessed already that the name Knox is a nickname for his real name, Inoke. Kalounisiga is the surname he uses. Interestingly, Knox did not know this until he started school.

"My mum called me Knox and it just stuck but when I started school I realised my name wasn't Knox but Inoke," he said laughing on the phone before I journeyed to his home.

"I was brought up with music. My dad loves music and he taught me how to read music. He also taught me how to play the first three cords on a guitar. I was the lead guitarist for the group Kulture which opened up for Lucky Dubes last tour here. But most of the time I taught myself how to play musical instruments. I wish I had a book to learn but I didn't. One other person who helped me out was an old man from Rotuma, Petero Romana from Motusa. He grew up partly in Suvavou with his maternal grandparents."

The oldest of three siblings, Knox wanted to be a doctor or pilot and took science subjects in school with this aim in mind. The idea of being a full-time musician hadn't crossed his mind although he loved music and playing instruments. He moved to different primary schools because his father was a teacher at the time and continued his secondary education at Marist Brothers High in 1999. Knox finished high school at Rotuma High. After foundation studies at the University of the South Pacific, he switched to the Fiji Institute of Technology where he took up music and electronics.

"I used to like listening to Boys II Men but that was before Lucky Dube," he said. "Out of high school, I found people who started influencing my interest in music," he said. "These include artists like Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and Jimmy Hendrix. I dont listen to heavy metal but I like some rock songs. I like listening to music that will survive the ages. So far, I've released two songs - Jah Live Jah Crucify and Old Old Tree. The songs are all personal experiences. It's what I can see through other peoples eyes. The Old Old Tree song is like a story. It talks about life back in Rotuma where in front of my grandparents house (in Motusa) is this old dilo tree near the sea," said Knox, who is proud to be fluent in Rotuman.

Knox started as the lead guitarist of Kulture but after the lead vocalist left the group, he stepped in. In 2003, Knox worked for the Robinson Crusoe liners on which he entertained tourists. Another highlight was when he participated in the Reggae Roots and Rhythm concert that featured BoneyM and Te Vaka.

"The only challenge for me is finding a real decent recording studio in Fiji. I've written enough songs to do about three to four albums," he said. "My music is not full-on reggae but when I sing I find its the only time I can really be myself. When I see people singing along to the song, or when the song puts a smile on their face it makes me happy. Its never easy being a musician. Its never an easy road. But if theres a will, theres a way. With Jah Live Jah Crucify, I went to the recording studio owned by Danny Costello and asked them to have a listen to the song. He liked it and helped with the recording."

Believe it or not, Knox has more fans overseas than locally. This year, he wants to be the first Fijian to win an MTV award. With the help of close friends including Peter Thompson, who Knox says is a manager figure, he has managed to defy the odds and come out a successful musician.

"I couldn't have done this also with the help of God, says Knox, who is a Seventh Day Adventist. I'm also in this band called One2Eight. We named it after our common trend of knocking off work at 1am and drinking grog until 8am. Weve performed at corporate functions, gigs and we've even been hired by Uprising for gigs."

He has performed at various hotels and resorts as far as the Mamanucas, Sheraton, Westin, Mango Bay, Plantation Island resort, the Pearl and Eds Bar in Nadi. Knox also appeared onstage for the Peace Unplugged concert at USP, Foreshore carnivals and events organised by the Alliance Francaise. He's planning to hold his first concert sometime this year and is hopeful that by June, more singles would be released. In the meantime, Knox is a household name that will serve as an inspiration to young musicians who want to make it in the world of music and entertainment. And when he's not writing, recording or singing, Knox likes to help out with family chores including looking after their farm and helping with house renovations. He's a local man with the heart and passion to take music to the next level and he's doing just that with sheer determination, commitment and perseverance.