Jen Cloher, the acclaimed songwriter and performer hailing from Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu, is embarking on a new venture with the release of her latest independent podcast series.
Titled Everybody’s Trying To Find Their Way Home, the groundbreaking new podcast from Jen Cloher celebrates the exceptional journeys of Māori and First Nations songwriters dedicated to writing and performing in their ancestral languages.
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Spanning six episodes, Jen embarks on a profound exploration of Australia and Aotearoa (NZ), delving into locations that hold profound significance for each artist on their transformative path of language reawakening. With a deep respect and curiosity, Jen’s podcast sheds light on the inspiring stories behind these musicians’ profound connection to their cultural heritage.
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“Finding the confidence to write and perform in my matrilineal language Te reo Māori wasn’t easy,” says Jen Cloher. “Many of my Mother’s generation never learned due to laws passed by the New Zealand government discouraging the practice of Te reo Māori in native schools.
“Consequently, they were made to feel shame about their language, culture and Māori identity, and didn’t want their children to experience the same feeling. Bringing my language back into my body and weaving it through my songwriting has been an enormously healing process.
“I have come home to parts of myself that were longing to be known. The experience made me want to hear from other songwriters, both Māori and First Nations, about their experiences of writing and performing in their language.”
Through Jen Cloher’s heartfelt interviews and immersive storytelling, listeners are invited to embark on a captivating journey, where each episode unravels the layers of significance behind these artists’ commitment to their ancestral languages.
Check out Everybody’s Trying to Find Their Way Home by heading here.
