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SIFA 2015: The transcendent music of Black Arm Band’s dirtsong

SINGAPORE — Black Arm Band’s dirtsong is a resplendent music project — a soulful, vivid telling of the cultural and linguistic diversity of Australia, and the Aboriginal people’s connection with their homeland in the past, present and future.

Black Arm Band's dirtsong at SIFA 2015. Photo: Kevin Lee

Black Arm Band's dirtsong at SIFA 2015. Photo: Kevin Lee

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SINGAPORE — Black Arm Band’s dirtsong is a resplendent music project — a soulful, vivid telling of the cultural and linguistic diversity of Australia, and the Aboriginal people’s connection with their homeland in the past, present and future.

It has been touted as one of the must-sees at this year’s Singapore International Festival Of Arts and the ensemble, which comprises mainly of Aboriginal musicians performing in various indigenous languages, did not disappoint last night.

Framing the presence of the seven-piece band and singers was a full-length projection of film noir moving text and images. The black-and-white imagery provided a visual context to enhance the songs and themes, and ranged from photos of crop fields and migratory birds across the sky to intimate portraits of Aboriginal children somersaulting with innocence and joy on the beach.

Of the many melodious and stirring songs, Giidang (heartbeat) stood out for me. It was sung in the Gumbaynggirr language by Emma Donovan, who conveyed a deep connection, longing and love for the country through powerful vocals and intense emotions.

The other singers and performers were vocal powerhouses, too. Fred Leone and Yirrmal Marika further upped the energy on stage every time they appeared. There was a light-hearted segment where a performer assembled a percussion set from found objects (such as a pail and some metal pieces) and engaged in friendly banter with the percussionist. 
Both traditional and modern instruments were used, and it was refreshing to hear the harmonious fusion of the saxophone and didjeribone. I had initially thought the latter was the more commonly known didgeridoo until I found out it was an innovative cross between the traditional instrument and the trombone, with more tones.

The performance ended with the singer walking towards the projected backdrop, leaving the audience desiring more. Though one may not have understood the languages in which the songs were sung, the universal emotions conveyed made a case for the notion that “you and I are the same”. 
One would hope for Black Arm Band to return next year and perform at an outdoor venue such as Fort Canning or Esplanade Waterfront. Imagine audiences immersing in the soundscape while walking barefoot in the park, feeling the grass and being very conscious of literally walking on the soil of one's very own homeland. It's a show you wouldn’t want to miss.

There’s one more performance of dirtsong tonight, Aug 22, at Victoria Theatre. For more info on tickts and other SIFA shows, visit http://sifa.sg/sifa

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