From Friday May 08 and running throughout the month, DRMNGNOW’s Neil Morris will be hosting a series of online musical performances with a line-up of outstanding First Nations musicians as part of the online Koorie Youth Summit 2020.
The Koorie Youth Summit (KYS) had been scheduled to take place early last month bringing together the largest gathering of Victoria’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 18-28 years.
But because of the Covid-19 19 pandemic the event was postponed and redesigned as an online event launched this Monday May 04. In this new online format KYS organizers brought DRMNGNOW on board to curate and present outstanding First Nations music.
In a yarn with NITV Radio, DRMNGNOW’ Neil Morris said that his collaboration with the Koori Youth Council, co-convener of the Koori Youths Summit, stems from the work he's been doing platforming Indigenous musicians in a series called Medicine Songs.
“This series is a response to a need by First Nations people to have some music to engage with in this time when they cannot attend performances,” Neil Morris said.
Neil added that working on this series was also a way of showcasing some First Nations artists who otherwise wouldn’t be visible.
“It’s a new way of doing things. It is also about showing how music is integral to First Nations people’s lives,” Neil said.
Neil's online KYS performances will kick-off on Instagram this Friday May 08 featuring Alice Skye. Other editions will be staged on a weekly basis featuring different outstanding First Nations artists.
These performances will be interactive with the public encouraged to participate through QA sessions and conversations with Neil, KYS organisers and the artists themselves.
Neil intends to headline a different artist each week though he will have a strong focus on female Indigenous artists.
In line with KYS organisers Neil Morris acknowledges the role and leadership of young Indigenous women especially those embarking on a career on the very tough music scene.
