Define your genre in five words or less:
World beats, roots, funk, hip hop, and Pacific sounds.
What can a punter expect from your live show?
Sounds that will engulf listeners with soundscapes and songs of fierce messages, that reflect the troubling heart of a people facing injustice, and a struggle for their rights to self-determination.
When’s the gig and with who?
Saturday March 16, 8pm, at B EAST: 80 Lygon St, Brunswick. Featuring a collection of the Pacific’s finest musicians drawn from Sing Sing such as George Telek (PNG), Tha Feelstyle with Dei Hamo (Samoa), Airileke Ingram (PNG/AUS), Will Hatch (FIJI/AUS), PIUS WASI (PNG) & DJ Futureroots.
Why should everyone come to the gig?
To hear sounds from the Pacific’s finest musicians with rhythms surrounded in reggae, hip hop and funk styles overlaid on Pacific beats, as well as to stand in solidarity to raise awareness of the plight in West Papua.
What advice would you give to bands that are new on the Melbourne music scene?
Be the master of your own music. Be the voice of the voiceless people around the world. Enjoy your music while you can!
If you could go on tour with any musician or band, who would it be?
We would love to do a Rize tour with the following musicians and bands: Michael Franti (USA), John Butler Trio (Aus), O-Shen (PNG/Hawaii), Blue King Brown (Aus), George Telek (PNG), Airileke Ingram, Nano Stern (Chile), Grrilla Step (Aus), Prince Alla (Jamaica), Electric Wire Hustle (Aotearoa), Edou (New Caledonia), KRK (Vanuatu) and Not Drowning Waving (Aus).
Anything else to add?
Thank you to all artists who donated their music and support for West Papua through Rize compilation. Drawing on the rich musical genius and talents of musicians, Rize of the Morning Star will continue to utilise music as a weapon to fight oppression, and to bring hope to all West Papuans in West Papua and around the globe, to continue their fight for freedom.
