Four performers from the Manning will showcase their talents on the Saltwater Freshwater Festival main stage in Coffs Harbour on Australia Day.
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They are among four finalists and four “wild cards” from the Made Deadly open-mic sessions, which unearthed outstanding Aboriginal musical acts from five communities in the region.
Taree guitarist and singer-songwriter Michael Saunders, a Biripi man whose strong musical and creative roots run back to his grandparents, is one of the main finalists.
His original music reflects his enormous passion for his land, as well as the rich stories of his family’s Dreaming and totems.
Michael comes from a family of commercial fisherman and is a primary school teacher and Aboriginal resource teacher.
When we speak our language, it’s like a volcano erupting, it’s that powerful.
- Michael Saunders
He started his musical career later in his life and said it “means everything to me to be able to play at festival”.
For Michael, singing in language and sharing his cultural stories are the biggest honour.
“This is my opportunity to share my mob’s language. When we speak our language, it’s like a volcano erupting, it’s that powerful,” he said.
Other finalists are rapper Nigel Kennedy from Kempsey, singer Richie Jarrett from Bowraville and singer-songwriter Kauri Munro-Greentree from Coffs Harbour.
Three of the four Made Deadly wild cards also to perform are from the Manning: Luca Saunders, Jay Davis and Joan McDonald.
Luca, a soul singer, is barely in her teens and is described as already showing the vocal sophistication of a much older artist.
Jay Davis is a charismatic and talented performer who entertains his audience with guitar, stomp box, didgeridoo and local language.
Elder Joan McDonald is described by the Made Deadly judging panel as having “Nina Simone-like star quality”.
The fourth wild card is River Morris from Bowraville.
Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance ran the Made Deadly initiative jointly with cultural organisation Grow the Music.
It comprised of open-mic sessions in Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Taree, Port Macquarie and Bowraville, and encouraged Aboriginal performers of all ages and types to apply.
NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) sponsored the whole program and are the main Saltwater Freshwater Festival sponsor.
Finalists were selected by a panel and now have the opportunity to have their music recorded professionally, perform at the festival and kickstart their musical career via a mentoring and masterclass program.
The knowledge that they have comes out through their heart, there’s a grounding and genuineness in their music.
- Lizzy Rutten, co-founder of Grow the Music
The undoubted highlight for the finalists is sharing the stage with the main Saltwater Freshwater line-up, and performing in front of the event’s hundreds-strong audience.
Headlining the music program are Queensland duo Busby Marou and 2018 ARIA-nominated singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara.
The festival runs from 10am to 5.30pm tomorrow, January 26, at the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores.
Lizzy Rutten, co-founder of Grow the Music, and whose industry experience sees her working closely with experienced and emerging artists said, “the messages in these Aboriginal artists’ songs and the messages in these people, deserves to be heard.
“It’s really difficult for Aboriginal artists to get exposure in the industry and they often don't have the financial backing to go that one step further.
“The knowledge that they have comes out through their heart, there’s a grounding and genuineness in their music. They have an incredibly powerful connection to family and land.
“The more Aboriginal music artists who we can get into the public eye and inspire us, the better off we all will be,” she said.
