The Third I Festival Closing Party Artists
Black Thoughts
I wrote this album 5 years ago while I was hospitalized. I was in a dark space and on suicide
watch. It was my obituary. I wanted to document my thoughts so that our stories could be
heard after I was gone. With the love and support of family and friends I was able to
rediscover hope. The album became very healing for me, but I never put it out because I
knew as a country we weren’t ready to listen. I wish it was dated. I wish there was no need
for it. But unfortunately, it’s more relevant than ever and I refuse to wait any longer. Racism
isn’t an American issue. It is everywhere. Australia is built on it. Before we can strategize
and come together as a country to make real change, we need to learn our true history. This
album is not the answer to the question. It’s a starting point of continued conversation. A
lot of you have been asking what you can do to support change during this time. You can
start by listening.
Ziggy Ramo
I wrote this album 5 years ago while I was hospitalized. I was in a dark space and on suicide
watch. It was my obituary. I wanted to document my thoughts so that our stories could be
heard after I was gone. With the love and support of family and friends I was able to
rediscover hope. The album became very healing for me, but I never put it out because I
knew as a country we weren’t ready to listen. I wish it was dated. I wish there was no need
for it. But unfortunately, it’s more relevant than ever and I refuse to wait any longer. Racism
isn’t an American issue. It is everywhere. Australia is built on it. Before we can strategize
and come together as a country to make real change, we need to learn our true history. This
album is not the answer to the question. It’s a starting point of continued conversation. A
lot of you have been asking what you can do to support change during this time. You can
start by listening.
Ziggy Ramo
At just 19-years-old, Becca Hatch has solidified her place as an integral member of Australia’s flourishing R&B community. With a stacked resume that includes winning our Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative in 2017 and playing at the Sydney Opera House alongside Briggs and The Kid Laroi, it’s no surprise.
Born and bred in Campbelltown, Hatch keeps her Samoan and Indigenous culture at the forefront. Her sound may be world class, but the proud Western Sydney artist is wholeheartedly local in everything she does.
“I think I’m drawn to making R&B from my family, from where I’m from. I grew up listening to a lot of Frank Ocean, Pharrell, Rihanna, Beyoncé… It’s always been something that’s part of my blood and my roots.”
Bio from abc.net.au
L-Fresh the LION is "inspired by the soulful movement in US hip hop of the late 1990s/early 2000s, and the love and respect for his own cultural and ancestral roots of the Sikhs from Punjab, India and is an ambassador of The Street University, where he works as a mentor and A&R co-ordinator of Australia's largest youth drop-in centre.
The first thing that strikes you about Thandi Phoenix is her voice. Powerful, soulful and honest, her vocals will stop you in your tracks. The Sydney singer-songwriter has been touted as “one of Australia's most promising up and comers” (The AU Review), with songs that blend pop with electronica and raw, honest storytelling.
King Stingray are a five piece from Yirrkala, North-East Arnhem Land. Formed by Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu (nephew of the late Dr M Yunupiŋu - Yothu Yindi frontman) and Roy Kellaway (son of Stu Kellaway - Yothu Yindi founding member and bass player), King Stingray blend ancient indigenous melodies with surf, indie and funk influences to create a genre of their own, Yolŋu surf-rock.
Premiering this past Sunday on triple j's 2020 with Richard Kingsmill, their debut single Hey Wanhaka is a playful song about finding love in the city. Written in both English and Yolŋu Matha, the band integrate the traditional Yolŋu manikay (traditional song-line) of the Lorrpu (white cockatoo) into a groove heavy, indie rock song. Travelling around the place like a cockatoo, “Hey Wanhaka” literally means “Hey, where you going?”.