3 Chords & the Truth: The Anika Moa Story

This excerpt from documentary 3 Chords & the Truth - The Anika Moa Story follows Anika Moa in the early days of her music career. Director Justin Pemberton goes behind the curtain as Moa, a young Māori woman with little inclination towards stardom, is introduced to the behemoth that is the American music industry. Anika’s innate honesty finds her unchanged from the Smokefree Rockquest stage to the boardroom of Atlantic Records. Moa tries to stay positive, while plugging single 'Youthful' on one US radio station after another. Pemberton went on to direct 2010 documentary In Bed with Anika Moa. 

I thought I've got to know who this person is...some divine touch came down to this farm in New Zealand and touched this girl. And I have to know more.

– Atlantic Records Co-President Ron Shapiro on first hearing Anika Moa's song 'Youthful'

Key Cast & Crew

Justin Pemberton

Director, Producer, Additional Camera Operator

Erina Tamepo

Producer

DJ Stipsen

Cinematographer

Tash Christie

Production Manager

Carolyne Meng-Yee

Network Executive

Anna Bailey

Production Manager