BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Clayton Wao, from Malaita Province, is currently operating a music recording studio in Honiara called Waoton’s Music Production. Wao made his first recording in 2008 when he was in form two, starting his journey into digital music where he produced tracks on the computer. A few years later, in 2014 while he was in form seven, Wao embarked on his first tour to Malaita to record for a gospel group. He began his recordings with speakers, sound cards, and power amps he purchased from local shops in Honiara.
In 2015, Wao signed a recording contract in Vanuatu for four years, during which he acquired some new recording equipment that significantly boosted his music production, especially in the gospel genre. After returning home in 2018, he enrolled at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU). In 2021, he had the opportunity to participate in the Pacific Seasonal Work Scheme, spending three years in the meat industry in Australia.
“With my involvement in the scheme, I had the privilege to acquire more updated recording equipment—more quality ones than what I had before,” explained Wao. While in Australia, he also worked on numerous recording projects. “I remember in 2023, one of my mates arranged for me to go work with some gospel groups in Vanuatu. I flew to Santo from Australia and returned to continue working on recordings while still participating in the scheme,” he said.
After three years in the palm scheme, Wao returned to the Solomon Islands in April 2024 and resumed recording in Honiara. “So far, I’ve had a lot of gospel groups coming in for their recordings, including church groups, youth groups, and more,” he said. Currently, he is working on an album for one of the gospel ministries, their fourth album, which is set to be released next year in 2025.
One of the challenges Wao faced in his career was the recording environment. “I didn’t have proper or good soundproofing, so I tried to ensure that there was no surrounding noise during the recording process to avoid affecting the final recordings. I’ve already got soundproofing forms, but they are yet to be installed, which also takes time,” he said.
Another challenge was the high interest among youths in recording and music. “With my passion for singing and recording, I’m still trying to figure out how I can help them, including through vocal coaching or training workshops covering music production, recording, mixing, and mastering,” he said. Wao has also started exploring filming, although he is still learning about that aspect.
“As a music and recording artist, I also share a bit of advice with young people who are interested in the music industry,” said Wao. “One piece of advice I like to share is that consistency is key in recording. It takes time and effort to put into a project. I’ve had some friends who I’ve helped get into recording, but later they gave up. I just want to encourage those of you who are recording in music: consistency is the main thing.”
Wao believes that financial constraints can sometimes pose a challenge but there are ways to address them. “The main thing I want to focus on is consistency. I’ve been involved in recording for nearly 15 years, and consistency is what matters. As we continue to do recordings and produce music, we’ll learn from each other—that’s how we build ourselves up,” he said.
Throughout his recording career, Wao has met many producers with whom he has shared ideas. “I remember at one stage, we did recordings together with our late brother Peter Ofa. I learned a lot from him. That’s how I learn. During our recordings with other studios, I go there and ask questions, and that’s how we learn and grow,” he said.
Wao believes that listening to constructive criticism from others, even those without experience but who have ideas, is a bonus. “It’s good to accept ideas and look into them because that’s how we learn. So, I just want to re-emphasize the importance of consistency. Don’t give up over the years. Do what you love, and at the end, you will look back and see the difference,” concluded Wao.
