The Black Orchid Stringband

The Black Orchid Stringband brings together West Papuan freedom fighters now living in Melbourne who sing to live and live to sing the songs of freedom. Featuring traditional bass, ukulele, tifa and beautiful three part vocal harmonies and with songs performed in West Papuan dialects as well as Tok Pisin (a PNG language), they sing of the struggle for freedom alongside traditional folklore and creation myths.

Band member Amos Wainggai, along with 42 other Papuans, crossed the sea on a Melanesian outrigger canoe in 2006 to seek asylum in Australia. He says, “our songs have deep meaning and conjure imagery of our precious West Papua, the morning star flag, our Melanesian culture, family, community, the rolling green mountains and rich soils of our homeland and the courage of our freedom fighters.”

Dhungala Baarka

Nancy Bates and Allara Briggs Pattison are the collaborative duo ‘Dhungala Baarka – Two Rivers, One Song’. Having met in 2016 while performing as band members for Archie Roach, they have fostered a unique musical relationship. Dhungala Baarka presents some of the most exquisite and emotionally charged original songs in Australia today. Guitar, double bass, soulful vocals and gifted story-telling personifies this unique new duo. Through the development of contemporary music by Australia’s ‘First Women’, Bates and Briggs Pattison are the continuation of ancient Songlines, connecting Yorta Yorta and Barkindji.

Dhungala Baarka will present their “Quiet Songs of Freedom”, honouring the contemporary voices of Australia’s First Peoples. Celebrating milestones of freedom, whilst acknowledging the struggles of today, is part of a journey towards truth, and unity.

A Nexus Arts 2019 Solidarity Membership priced at $35 entitles you to $20 tickets for all Nexus Live performances, as well as other benefits and the reward of helping this dedicated not-for-profit organisation. Join Now

Download the full 2019 Nexus Live program here