First Nations Talent Brought To The Front With Latest Live Streamed Series

Music is medicine – that is the concept behind live streaming series Medicine Songs, which features regular performances from First Nations artists across the country.

Organised by Victorian Music Development Office and Still Here's Neil Morris, the latest series is all about bringing First Nations artists to the front amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“One of the things in putting this together was to reinforce the visibility of First Nations song keepers at a time when it’s so easy for them to disappear and not be seen at all,” Morris said.

“There are so many competing priorities and narratives that peak out all at once, and being a minority population, it’s only, unfortunately, a natural repercussion of that.”

The past week has seen performances from Lauren Sheree, Boorook and Deline Briscoe, with Fred Leone, Emily Wurramara and Dani Sib set to go live on Facebook across the weekend.

“It’s been really positive to receive some feedback about it so far, in terms of the value, particularly to other First Nations people just having something on a daily basis to be able to look forward to that they just wouldn’t get otherwise at this stage,” Morris said.

It’s that positive feedback that will likely see the series continue, with Morris aiming to schedule as many performances as possible.

“I’d like to continue to do it – one element is ensuring that these artists are paid as well,” he said.

“It just feels like something that should continue into the future with or without the COVID predicament we’re now in.”

For more details, head to the Still Here Facebook and check out theGuide for all upcoming live stream performances.

Lauren Sheree

Boorook

Deline Briscoe

Fred Leone

Emily Wurramura

Dani Sib