Ngiyampaa man and First Nations singer-songwriter Pirritu’s (Brett Lee) music is gentle, honest and from the heart. Strange and melodic chords frame this songwriters vocals that weave around his lyrics like a gentle wind, enticing you into the depths of his personal journey, singing you a story of both sadness, love and hope.
Pirritu (meaning ‘Brett’ in Ngiyampaa language) was adopted by a non-Aboriginal couple as a baby and raised to be proud of his Aboriginality and to follow his cultural journey by connecting back to family, culture and language – a journey he began when he was 14 years old. Two things drive his continual desire to connect to his people, country, language and culture – his two-year-old daughter and his passion for music.
As Melbourne faces an extended
lockdown and ongoing restrictions regarding public space, FUSE, Darebin City Council’s multi-arts festival, is taking measures to promote good health and limit the impacts of coronavirus in our community.
This includes the reorganisation of the FUSE SPRING 2021 festival. Although FUSE will not be able to hold in-person events, the festival will still proceed in a digital and online capacity, known as FUSE Digital. Details of the new program will be available at fusedarebin.com.au.
FUSE recognises that artists and creative industries need to mourn the current global situation and the havoc it has wreaked on the arts. However, FUSE and Darebin City Council are committed to finding new and innovative ways to move
beyond that moment of grief, and to forge new and positive connections with artists and audiences.
Launching FUSE Spring 2021 on Saturday 4th September, Ganbu Gulin is a culturally-inclusive event that celebrates and recognises First Nations peoples, and invites all residents, old and new, to be officially welcomed onto Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country. At 2pm, following a Welcome to Country by a Wurundjeri Traditional Owner, Ganbu Gulin (One Mob), the documentary will be available to view online for the duration of the festival. This powerful documentary is about how Darebin’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee led the Change the Date campaign in Darebin creating a powerful new ritual to Welcome all Darebin Citizens to Country.
The Market Record is a solo audio journey using a smartphone or printed instructions. It involves an audio- guided trip to Preston Market's Food Hall for your weekly shop. Locals can participate during Lockdown provided they are permitted to travel to the market and follow the latest health advice. Solo tour hours include: Friday 17th – Sunday 19th September. Bookings required.
Taking place on Thursday 9th September online at 6pm, Spaced is a cry for solidarity between members of the disability community and those who identify as Deaf. Tackling all the forbidden subjects - religion, advocacy and curing disabilities. It asks questions like “does art makes you mentally ill?” or “do you have to be mentally ill to make art?” Featuring live performance, visual art, dance, and the printed word, Spaced brings together emerging and established artists with different experiences of disability. The event is Auslan interpreted and captioned.
We would like to convey that the decision to cancel in-person events was not taken lightly. However, now is the time to look after ourselves and each other as we work together across the community to promote good health, patience and compassion in order to mitigate the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Please also check https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus for the latest government advice and information.
We hope you enjoy FUSE Digital. More updates to be announced s For the full program please visit https://www.fusedarebin.com.au
Pirritu sits on the Board of Songlines, Victoria’s peak Aboriginal music body and is a participant on VMDO’s music mentor program Blak Sound. Last year he took part in international touring project, the HOMELANDS Tour, connecting with established and young First Nations artists on their Homelands, across oceans and out onto festival stages around the world.