Meet KERFEW: The South Asian Creative Collective Changing Australian Creative Culture

So called Australian music culture is changing drastically. Out are the days of uniform genres, events, communities and hierarchies and in are the days of prosperity, abundance, diversity and the recognition of Australia’s vast multicultural landscape. Many of these conversations have already been had in Australia’s hip hop space, as rappers from a range of backgrounds and influences have begun to reclaim the genre, using it as a vehicle to reflect their experiences in Australia.

It won’t stop at hip-hop and rap music. The cultural renegotiation of Australian creative spaces is only just beginning, across every medium, platform, event, institution and genre. It is what makes Australia’s creative veins so exciting right now and an early pillar and representation of this change is the emergence of South Asian creative KERFEW. Deeply embedded in the dance music space, KERFEW is a collection of DJs, artists, radio hosts, photographers, illustrators and graphic designers who are shining the light on South Asian excellence across Australia’s artistic scene. While a collective, each member is shining the light on their own respective culture, showcasing their individual stories and upbringings and the way it interacts with their respective communities and artistries, reflecting the cultural diversity within South Asia. 

Currently their main outlet is a radio show on community radio station AREA3000, where members of the crew chat in podcast form alongside music on the ways in which their identity impacts their artistry. Take Deepa and Iti’s show on being Muslim in the music industry and performing shows during Ramadan, or Provhat and Munasib chatting the differences between Bengali’s and Syletti’s.

To properly launch the amazing work the crew is doing, they’re hosting a mega, double-roomed affair at House Of MBC in so-called Sydney with some of the strongest South Asian artists based in Australia. It’ll feature live performances (including harmoniums, tablas & dances) as well as DJ sets, from the likes of Anorah Marina, Aparna Nagashayan, Bindi Bosses, Bobby Vibe Positive, Deepa, Iti, Jhassic, Rakish, Scalymoth and many more. You can grab tickets HERE.

To get to know the crew better, we chat to a range of members about what KERFEW means to them, their vision for the collective, the impact of finding this community and the ways in which their identity has interacted with their artistry. 

Deepa: DJ/Radio Host/Events Producer

What does Kerfew mean to you?
I think I’m still learning to the extent Kerfew is about to play in my and others lives. It’s safe. It’s silly. It’s for the diaspora! Kerfew is something I don’t think I even had the capacity to dream of as a kid. It's a celebration.

What do you envision for it?
I envision all the parts of my culture I love; the hospitality, the generosity, the warmth, the stories, brought to everyone in a shared space. Our cultures are so rich and oral, but I envision a new chapter of written history, all of this documented for future generations to see how we’ve kept our culture alive despite our context for new kids to continue forward from where we leave off.

What has it meant for you to find this community?
It’s brought me a world of relief. Growing up as a brown kid is hard beyond words, and sharing complexities is difficult sometimes. With Kerfew, I don’t really have to do that anymore. Everyone just gets it, and that’s been healing. I’m a happier person because of it.

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you?
We truly didn’t know the chokehold this word would have on us forever. It’s protection. It’s reclamation. It’s venturing out (so quietly, your parents can’t hear you) and gentle rebellion, and finding something new. 

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry?
This one’s tough. My main practice is DJ’ing and I don’t think you can separate community from that, it’s all a flow of energy between the two. But in terms of identity, embarrassingly it took so much courage to play my first Urdu song on radio or my first Bangla disco track in a set (shoutout Rupa). Diaspora was a hard thing to live with when I was growing up, and I’ve allowed myself to to move past this with grace and see this as a joyful and liberating way to engage with my history and identity, and I reckon my ancestors play a huge part in the music I’m drawn to.

Scalymoth: DJ

What does Kerfew mean to you?
Shared but diverse community, celebrating our culture and experiences through art.

What do you envision for it?
Community building, start of strong representation of South Asians in Australia’s art scene.

What has it meant for you to find this community?
It’s been like finding another family. I’ve always felt like I was on the fringe of my South-Asian-ness…until now.

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you? 
Sneaking out, telling white lies, sleepovers.

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry? 
It’s something that is constantly evolving but at its highest level - dropping old Tamil/Malayalam bangers from my childhood has been a fun way to start. 

Iti: DJ/Producer/ Record Label Owner

What does Kerfew  mean to you?
Kerfew is a celebration of both Australian-South Asian diversity and commonality, with art as the primary means. 

What do you envision for it?
I envision multiple mediums (events, podcasts, music releases) that platform our various cultures and experiences. We’ve already established some of these, while others are a work in progress. South Asian culture also promotes hospitality, and thus I wish for all people - South Asian or not - to celebrate and participate in our cultural offerings. 

What has it meant for you to find this community?
Finding this community has brought me closer to other South Asian cultures, which has been incredibly valuable. It’s also allowed me to befriend people across the country that I otherwise may not have connected with.

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you?
Kerfew symbolises the diaspora experience: generational trauma of leaving the motherland, and the attempt to preserve culture within a hostile environment. Kerfew also represents cultural hybridity - a new generation South Asian youth, equipped with different tools than their parents, redefining their relationship with their culture while also paying homage to its roots. 

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry?
My art is a reflection of who I am, thus it can’t be detached from my cultural identity. I share my art with my community first, as I know they can comprehend and understand my approach on a deeper level. 

Kāmna: DJ/Radio Host

What does Kerfew  mean to you?
Kerfew is a space and community for me to connect and understand culture through a contemporary lens as a third culture kid and dj. 

What do you envision for it?
Inclusivity, fun, connection and solidarity. 

What has it meant for you to find this community?
Friendship, family, a sense of belonging and context. 

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you?
Night time, restriction and rebellion. 

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry ? 
I think my artistry is a constant exploration of how I feel at any moment, what I connect with and my relationships to place, people and the world so community and my place is integral to that.

Jhassic: DJ/Producer

What does Kerfew mean to you?
Validation for being who I am and want to be. Validation for my community and people who are like me, who share my experience. Proof that us as a South Asian Community are fucking dope, always have been and have oodles to offer within Sydney and globally. A beacon down under, a homebase, a hub, a brand for us down here.

What do you envision for it? 
Cathartic back to back sets, Boiler Room esque energies, but that is just short-term, a hub of creatives, resources, inspiration and safety for South Asians of all walks of life long-term. Setting up a platform for the future generations to express themselves fully, whole heartedly and safely. Opening up a platform for non South-Asians to get educated about our culture too. 

What has it meant for you to find this community?
I have not ‘found’ a community. I’ve always loitered on the edges of different South Asian groups from time to time but Kerfew is finally a time where myself and my peers are finally getting the recognition, resources, knowledge and clearance to do so together. 

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you? 
Another word that carries so much weight for my brothers and sisters yet can be nothing to others. Family, intergenerational-trauma and a process of reclamation.

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry?
It goes alongside my trajectory of how comfortable I am with my cultural identity, artistry has mirrored this. Long story short - I did not think parts of my culture and where I was from was something to show off or be proud of. I did not think cultural songs, flips or edits of my own culture were worthy years and years ago. With time, acceptance, maturity, rediscovery and reclaiming, times have changed and slowly my artistry over the years has included more and more of where I come from. A set in uni days would have been mostly house. Now I’m making my own garage bhangra flips and including childhood songs into sets and the sample palette. 

James/Cardamom_boy: Illustrator

What does Kerfew  mean to you ?
Kerfew is a movement to reclaim our South Asian diasporic identities. Kerfew is erasing the homogenous “Indian Sub-Continent” identity and spotlighting our diverse cultures and history.  Kerfew is South Asian Futurism. Taking inspiration from our different cultural experiences and history, and moving towards our shared future.

What do you envision for it ? 
I envision Kerfew as a space to share art, music, and culture from the South Asian diaspora. Using our monthly radio show to share our different experiences. Running events that encourage the South Asian diaspora to feel joy in their identity. I envision Kerfew to be a space that acknowledges our place as settlers on stolen lands. I also want Kerfew to be a space that acknowledges the way caste, colourism, and/or class can shape our connections to culture and experiences of being South Asian.

What has it meant for you to find this community ?
This collective is full of my chosen family. I have often felt like I was seen as “not really south asian” in brown spaces because I’m mixed race. Many South Asian spaces I grew up around weren't welcoming of queer identities either. For the first time in my life I feel my whole self is welcomed by South Asian peers and community. It is a very special feeling!

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you ?  
I never really had a curfew, but I definitely lied before to stop mum from worrying about me (sorry mum). Kerfew is telling my mum I’m “staying at a friends”, and her pretending she didn’t know I would be out clubbing (she did). It’s the moon keeping my secrets and not telling Amma about the naughty (allegedly) things we get up to at night.

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry ?
I’m Kerfew’s token non-DJ. I’m a visual artist and designer, and draw a lot of inspiration from Sinhalese art and folklore. Artistically I’m interested in stories and imagery that predate the 443 years of Western colonial rule in Sri Lanka. If everything goes to my plan, one day you’ll get to see these images in a gallery space (hold me to this).

Neil: Designer/Photographer/DJ

What does Kerfew mean to you? 
Kerfew to me is championing the New South Asian Underground through art, music, community and culture. Kerfew is constantly exploring and finding familiar connections, it feels like a home away from home. 

What do you envision for it? 
A community online and in real life for people to share their experiences and connect through different mediums. It can be something really special.

What has it meant for you to find this community?
It’s been comforting making connections across different cities all with a similar vision. Our roots run deep.  

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you?
I was never allowed to sleepover at any of my friends’ houses. It stemmed from a sense of protection from my parents but also an opportunity to take risks, channeling a sense of self through restrictions. 

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry? 
It’s all connected. Whenever I create something I look at the foundation of my upbringing and how it’s been shaped by community. Whether i'm designing covers, selecting sounds or taking photos, initial inspiration always comes from my South Asian identity.

Munasib: DJ/Radio Host

What does Kerfew  mean to you ?
It is a platform for sharing the differences in all south asian cultures and bringing us closer together by celebrating these differences with one another! 

What do you envision for it ?
I want it to be the place people look to for a certain feeling or certain nostalgia, i want it to feel like home or like touching down in the motherland

What has it meant for you to find this community ?
It's been incredible to find like minded artists in australia as this is not a common path for south asians, when you find people who have pursued a similar pathway to you who have probably also dealt with all the backlash as well, its nice to share the experiences with them

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you ?
It symbolises all the restrictions i faced growing up, no you cant sleep over there, no you can't go to camp, no you can't go to formal. We have literally rewritten the meaning of the word for ourselves and I feel like a boss now!

How does community and your identity interact with you artistry ?
They Intertwine deeply, ever since I was younger I'd lean to south asian sounds as much as I would english, musically they both come hand in hand for me. This is probably why people say that my mixes/sets are genre-less, it's because my world of music has been much larger than one type of sound or music from one country. Finding a place to showcase this intersection and it be received the way it deserves to be has been incredible and this is only the beginning I haven't even experienced it yet but I know the vibes will be immaculate.

Rakish: Radio Host/DJ

What does Kerfew mean to you ?
Ha hah, how long do you have? Kerfew is pride, it’s curiosity, it’s play and joy. It’s opportunity. The opportunity to see the role models and go to the parties and meet the people I never found when I was younger.  

What do you envision for it ? 
Honestly, I have no idea. At the very least, a lot of brown kids adding each other on instagram on the dancefloor in a non creepy way and having a good time? I could be deeper about it but there's others in the group who do loft much better than I do 

What has it meant for you to find this community ? 
EVERYTHING. These folks are dope. I feel safe. I feel planted. I feel happy and content. I feel proud and connected. And I’m excited by all the others I’ll meet along the way. 

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you ?
I get strong Indian dad vibes from it TBH. Socks and sandals, moustache, strictness found on flimsy rhetoric that peels back to reveal a fearful hopefulness that his child will be okay if he protects them enough. That’s kinda sweet.

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry ? 
You have no idea how much I learn from these folks. I see brown kids a generation older than me who paved the way for existing in creative, white dominated spaces. I see brown kids a generation younger than me moving through the same spaces like a knife through butter. I learn about confidence, about self assuredness. About trusting myself and hyping my culture. And it all culminates with me playing ‘Sadi Gali’ in the club at 2 am on Oxford Street or something.

Ria: DJ/Community Events/Music Journalist

What does Kerfew mean to you?
Hmmm. I think to me Kerfew means the beginning of big things, connecting with people I can relate to, and creating a space where we can all be cute and cool and sexy together. We’re taking hold of an identity that I grew up seeing used as the butt of racist jokes and stereotypical side characters in sitcoms and bringing it back to everything that is so special about it. It’s an opportunity for all of us who sit in worlds that collide the traditional with ‘the club’ to celebrate ourselves :P. 

What do you envision for it?
I see a colourful and expansive community, where people who grew up surrounded by culture can connect and where people who didn’t (people like me) can learn and understand. Kerfew has the capacity to create safety for South Asian diaspora in Aus, and I hope we grow it to a point where it becomes a name that feels like home to all our South Asian babies living in Australia. 

What has it meant for you to find this community?
I have been SEARCHING for this community since I stepped out of the womb, and I’m am sooo glad to have found it. Building this community with people who are so different and yet so similar to me is refreshing. I have this little family that exists outside of my daily world, and it’s full of culture and music and anecdotes and sharing great recipes. It makes me feel really happy. 

What does the word Kerfew symbolise for you?
It symbolises us, the next generation of South Asians growing up in Australia stepping out into this big bad world (even if mama told us to stay home) and showcasing ourselves. 

How does community and your identity interact with your artistry?
Oof ok huge question. I think community interacts with my sense of belonging in creative spaces. I have been using music to learn more about my culture which has allowed me to find more connection to myself. Being a part of the Kerfew community helps me find belonging in my identity and pride in myself, and therefore my artistry.