Bellingen Turtle Festival Focus: Zoe Ryan

When did you find out about the plight of George and his fellow Bellingen River snapping turtles and what made you want to help out by playing? I discovered the festival online and read about George and fellow snapping turtles, and being a turtle lover it struck a cord with me and I wanted to help out!

How important is it to support the current shift towards eco conscious events like Bellingen Turtle Festival? Very important! Events have the power to gather and unite us, as does music, so I think it makes sense that musicians and the music industry move towards aligning our activities with eco conscious events.

Have you ever loved turtles to the extent of having a pet turtle? My turtle dream never eventuated. When I moved to Melbourne from WA, I heard the reptile laws were different here and always wanted to get a pet turtle and name him Hamlet.

Is music a good medium to get out a message, such as with the Bellingen Turtle Festival? Yes absolutely! Naming a festival after turtles is a great idea. Everyone has had a greater reaction to the name of this festival than usual, and when they hear about the plight of George and his fellow turtles they are even more interested. I think songs are also a great way to get a message out to a lot of people and that's definitely something I aim to do with my music.

Turtles have a famous design flaw in their inability to flip themselves over. Do you have any secret weaknesses? Don't we all! I'm pretty good at flipping myself over. Pancakes, on the other hand... for real, I have to admit that my big weakness is mornings and being on time in general.

When can we catch your set at the Turtle Festival? 1 Oct Lounge Barn, 3pm; 2 Oct Lounge Barn, 3pm; 1 Oct Lounge Barn, 2pm.

Website link for more info? zoeryan.net