Festival Names Mama Kin As 'Patron Saint'

Fremantle soulstress Mama Kin has been announced as the 'Patron Saint' of regional boutique music festival, the Mullum Music Festival.

Held in Mullumbimby on the New South Wales north coast, festival organisers have bestowed the title as recognition for the contribution of Mama Kin – aka Danielle Caruana – in developing the festival during its four-year existence. A veteran and favourite of the 2009 and 2010 festivals, she was play twice this year and as one of the 'established' artists will form part of a mentorship for younger talent.

Essentially the Patron Saint title concretes an association between Mama Kin and the festival and event director Glenn Wright said, “I see the spirit of Mullum as represented by the musicians who perform here. Mama Kin is a huge talent, but she also embodies a strong spirit that is true, honest, raw and unpretentious. She is incredibly sharing with her fans, with young musicians trying to get a start in the music industry, and she is a philanthropist and advocate for many causes close to her heart. To have any association with her is amazing.”

Caruana added that she had a “deep respect” for the festival and the title is a “great privilege”.

“I am very passionate about community-based festivals that have a far-reaching economic, social and cultural impact for the entire community,” she said. “I have a particularly deep connection to the north coast of NSW as I had both of my children just minutes from the heart of Mullum, so playing in Mullum is a bit like coming home. To play this festival is a heartfelt honour.”

The festival will run from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 November in Mullumbimby and will host over 100 local and international artists, including The Abyssians (Jamaica), Boubacar Traore (Mali), Clairy Brown & The Bangin' Rackettes, Nano Stern (Chile), Joe Pug (US), Mia Dyson, Gossling, Husky, Darren Percival, Tim Freedman and Tinpan Orange.

Tickets are available here.