In early 2018 Melbourne musicians saxophonist Damon Grant and guitarist Lance Sua formed Wairua Collective with fellow musicians drummer Davey Porter and bassist Chris Paraha. Wairua is a Maori/Polynesian word for the spirit or the soul. The name of the group came from searching for a title that embodies the bands' ethos for producing new music that is both heartfelt (soulful-soul music) and reflective of their collective New Zealand/Aotearoa heritage.

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The group is based in Melbourne, Australia and currently camped at Grant’s recording studio, Red Iris, in bushy Eltham where they have been composing, work-shopping and recording original selections of music for their soon to be released LP. 

 

Wairua have been performing regularly at Blender Art Studios in West Melbourne. In May 2019 the group performed in Manila at The Philippines International Jazz Festival.