As part of the ExChange Conference which lands in Geelong today (the two-day network and showcase conference for the Australia and New Zealand music industry), VMDO First Peoples presents a free Showcase featuring five of the most exciting First Nations musical acts in contemporary folk today: Allara, Kee’ahn, Robert K Champion, Pirritu and Alice Skye.
First to take to the stage at 7:30pm will be divine songbird Alice Skye. Originally from country Victoria, she grew up aside the sandstone mountains and wildflowers of the Grampians. Still inspired by her roots, Alice’s voice is a combination of hopeful and haunting, naturally sweet and slow and dreamlike. Her stripped back piano melodies elevate the gentle moodiness of her songwriting, transforming her once bedroom scribblings into well-crafted and articulated lyrics on love, loss and life.
Following Alice, Gubrun, Kokatha and Mirning manRobert K Champion will hit the stage, moving audiences with his haunting guitar music and compelling stories of life, love and loss. With guitar in hand and a cup of tea always by his side, Robert’s skilful storytelling warms audiences. Robert’s performances are unique moments of song and storytelling, enthralling audiences with their warmth, poignancy and humour.
Ngiyampaa man and First Nations singer-songwriter Pirritu’s music is gentle, honest and melodic, which iwll entice punters into the depths of his personal journey, to sing you a story of sadness, love and hope, before Yorta Yorta woman Allar gently lulls audiences into a united chorus of unadorned melodies.
Closing out the evening will be a performance from Kee’ahn – a proud 22-year-old Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Torres Strait Islander woman who ventured from her home of Townsville, to pursue her dream in Birraranga (Melbourne). Kee’ahn aims to honour her name and ancestors through her soulful music weaving lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing.
““The VMDO First Peoples showcase at the Folk Alliance International Exchange is an exciting line-up that represents the diversity of First Peoples artists in contemporary music,” says Neil Morris, VMDO First Peoples Music Business Manager. “First Peoples music is in many ways the rudimentary root form of folk music. How that has transcended time to where it is today in its various formats is a powerful expression of the durability and resilience of Indigenous peoples. This showcase will highlight that with sounds spanning from from Soul, to Country, Experimental Jazz/Spoken word, to Indie Folk. A must see Showcase at FAI Exchange 2020.”
It all goes down Wednesday March 4 from 7:30pm – 10:30pm at Beavs Bar, Geelong.
