Episode 1 - Duan Kaka

Welcome to another episode of The Blindside, I’m your host Nath Smith and today my guest is Duan Kaka aka Duan & Only aka lead singer of the band Manalion. 

Duan is seriously one talented individual, from early days as an aspiring athlete and dreams of making it in the NBA to now being a successful musician as a solo artist and a lead singer of a band.

Duan takes us through his journey from humble beginnings in a traditional Māori town in New Zealand to travelling through Europe and then making it happen in the big smoke of Sydney. During out chat we talk about the struggles of musician finding his way to then rubbing shoulders with some royalty of the music industry with names like Marley and Six60. 

We also chat about the dynamics of being in a band and the challenges that brings and dealing with humans then we touch on some ambitions for the band and his career in the future. 

Duan is one of, if not THE coolest dudes on the planet and his story, like him, is one of a kind.

I really enjoyed my chat with Duan and I hope you guys do to.