Give Me Your Number

Ardijah evolved from a South Auckland-based covers band to the pioneers of a sound their bassist Ryan Monga labelled Poly Fonk. 'Give Me Your Number' is the band's first original single, showcasing all their strengths — sweet vocals from Monga's wife Betty-Anne, synths, electronic drum pads and Monga's distinctive bass playing. Keyboardist Simon Lynch has cited pop maestro Prince as a key influence on Monga. This single and video (filmed at Avalon Studios) backs that up — there's coordinated outfits, choreographed moves and a blistering guitar solo.

New Zealand was still a rock country and there was us in uniforms, with drum machines and dance moves. We had to win over every audience, but we were fearless. Collectively, we’d done thousands of gigs, we knew we had a hot band, so I guess it’s like when the Commodores or someone hits the stage: ‘it’s going to be funky and if you don’t like it, too bad.'

– Keyboard player Simon Lynch talks about Ardijah's determination to bring the funk in the 1980s, AudioCulture, 8 November 2018