Three local musicians providing live entertainment at the scenic Sails Restaurant at Mulinu'u on Thursday evenings is a dynamic trio bringing plenty of smiles and happy vibes to diners at the popular restaurant.

But it is not about money for Benjamin Solomona, Michael Tamanikaiyaroi and Namulauulu Franziska Sione. 

Speaking to Samoa Observer, each of them reflected on their love of music and what keeps them going. 

Benjamin Solomona said his father Tanuvasa Faamanatu Solomona introduced him to music. Mr Solomona plays the piano, guitar, violin, ukulele and he also sings.

"Music has made me the better person I am today. Whenever I have bad days, when I am too emotional, music is always there to help me pick myself up and carry on with life," he said.

Mr. Solomona believes in the healing powers of music. 

" I believe that every loving soul needs healing. Yes there are doctors to heal them physically but we musicians heal them mentally and emotionally. One of the songs that’s a good example is, Piano Man by Billy Joel. Music has always been in Samoa and Samoans love music. We do it almost everywhere we go and in what we do," he said. 

Michael Tamanikaiyaroi told the Samoa Observer that music is a tool of communication.

"For me it is a tool to reach our human race for peace and unity," he said. "Music is one tool of communication of how I express my feelings on an instrument or voice. Gospel music has many genres and it is where my roots are deeply embedded."

Thursday evenings is an opportunity to explore different sounds.

"There are a lot of amazing upcoming musicians in Samoa but they need to explore more styles and genres of music not just by aural listening but how to play and sing them (Jazz, Soul, R& B & Classical)," Mr. Tamanikaiyaroi said.

 " Sails Restaurant has been a great venue for our new generation of musicians that love to use their Thursday nights to jam and try out new songs. Thanks to Seuili and Lyvia for this great opportunity. Samoans are natural when they combine and sing as one. It's part of the culture. When someone starts the tune everyone blends in with their counter melody and you have a beautiful harmony."

As for making a living from music, Mr. Tamanikaiyaroi said it is not about money.

"It is about our passion and sharing that with people," he said. "Some nights we get zero and some nights its over a hundred tala.  As a band we regroup and discuss where we can be better and have a few laughs of who was playing the wrong notes or chords. That's how we learn weekly and also having a delicious dinner from Sails Restaurant just to top up the night is not bad at all.

" When you treat music as a performance you will need money and some burn out. When I treat music as a passion I am be able to pick up the guitar and write a new song or compose a melody. It's a gift from God. All glory goes to Jesus. He is the Master Composer."

Namulauulu Franziska Sione, is a former Music Tutor at M.E.S.C under the National Orchestra of Samoa. Namulaulu studied fundamentals of music theory at the University of Edinburgh.

The former music tutor plays a variety of instruments like the saxophone, flute, guitar, bflat tuba, clockenspiel etc majoring on Piano.  He is currently working as a Project Coordinator for the Voice Against Violence project under NRL in Samoa.

Namulauulu said, "Music has played a very crucial role in changing our lives and to become better people. Whenever we go through tough times struggles of life we resort to playing our favorite songs and music to help us calm through the storm. COVID has changed the way we live and has greatly affected the lives of many people. Coming together and play together is like creating our medicinal recipe to heal our people during these tough times. If it has affected us positively we believe it is possible for others too," he said.

Memea Lyvia Black and Seiuli Ian Black who own Sails restaurant were both excited for the young musicians. 

"We have always supported and given space to musicians, as a lot of them do not have the space to perform. This is what they need, so we have done it since the old Sails restaurant," Memea said.

"It is their opportunity to perform and jam.  We want to encourage our locals to come and join. So people overseas are also asking us to do live videos as they want to come to Samoa and catch the boys performing. We sometimes have no guests but the space is there for them. When we do have a lot of guests, then we give them some money.

"With the borders reopening, I think we are planning to have a candle light event where the musicians can just make it their own jamming session while we sit on a mat outside and be under the moonlight, " she said. 

Sitting amongst the dining guests in support of the musicians were Justice Vui Clarence and his wife Nynette. 

To get a table, contact Lyvia Black, Sails, 760 5251.