Even though it’s cold and wintery here in Naarm/Melbourne, the sun pokes its head out from time to time like a glimmer of hope in a brutal world. It’s art and music I turn to when world peace seems like an impossibility. Art and music shines a light on the contours, the dips and troughs, the rough edges and the shadows of uncertainties. Art and music help me to see all sides of the coin.
I think it’s understandable to worry whether our jobs, or our purpose, have any significant impact on enacting meaningful change in these violent times. But I do believe that every action, every conversation, and every thing we do has an effect. I want to share this song-in-progress from Wallis Bird with all of you. It will be especially of interest to you if you are searching for meaning, need a big cry, or just want to reconnect with feelings.
Wallis’ song has given me confidence to move forward with my songs as I observe the world around me and inside me. So I have a new song to share with you! It is a letter to my unborn daughter. I made the decision not to have children many, many moons ago and yet, it is a constant point of contention with friends, some family and the outside world. There are expectations that I will become a mother. This is a song that explores expectations in a society where pregnant women are made invisible, and childless women are constantly questioned. Choice, expectation, pressure, privilege, gender. What a list!? You can find the track here (buy/listen) and watch the live video here.
Lastly, I am right in the middle of presenting a three week residency of live improvised and new music inspired by Krautrock, jazz, contemporary classical and electronic dance music at the Jazzlab. These shows are being recorded for a future project that I can’t wait to share with you. I’m doing some deep diving into electronic effects and solo electric violin composition and I’m joined by amazing collaborators each week. You can find out more here.
Oh! And I was on TV! I had great fun whipping up a Billie Eilish cover for a beloved Australian Music quiz show called Spicks and Specks. You can watch it here.
I hope you have a wonderful week and that you find time to do something artistic/creative. It’s good for the soul. And good for us all.
Love,
Xani x
JAZZLAB RESIDENCY
Wed, July 24th with Shannon Bourne (guitar) and Justin Olsson (drums)
Wed, July 31st with Tamil Rogeon (violin) and Justin Olsson (drums)
P.S: At a time that suits you, there are four other ways you can immerse yourself in my creative world:
1: Listen to music:
Get inspired by listening to my music online. Just listen here.
2: Join a community:
Jump in to the peaks and troughs of creative life by following my journey on Instagram. Just follow here.
3: Get ethical and own the latest experience for yourself:
Ethically buy the latest music, vinyl, and merch I have created just for music lovers. Get the latest album here.
4: Immerse yourself in the present moment:
See and hear the real, live thing at Jazzlab. Tickets above.
Dear Daughter – 4’31”
Lyrics
Dear daughter I will raise you angry til you
Shudder into action go and hit the streets
Fight for peace
And defend all feminisms from the
Fascist forces and the neoliberal plan
Take a chance
Stand up
Be loud
Speak truth
And when you bring the state down
You’ll watch
The flames
Rise up
They’ll rise up
Dear daughter I will raise you angry but
Aware of other women’s anger that is loud
But isn’t heard
Coz you’ll learn you’re not innocent in this
you get your power from your privilege, you sail
Yeah you cruise
So stand up
But talk less
learn truth
And when you bring the state down
You’ll watch
The flames
Then stand down
Stand down
Dear daughter I will raise you angry that you’re
Part of stealing and colonialiality
And duplicity
And not to sit in complicit silence, empty
slogans, power suits, and girl power signs
This is violence
Oh stand down
Shut up
Learn truth
You’ll never bring the state down
With lies
White denial
So stand down
We’ll Stand down
Coz I won’t have you
I won’t raise you
I won’t have you
You will not be be born
Won’t have you
I won’t raise you
I won’t have you
I’ll stand down.
Fuzz – 3’00”
Instrumental
Credits:
‘Dear Daughter’ written by Xani Kolac.
Recorded and mixed by Cristian Barbieri.
Violin/vocals performed by Xani Kolac.
Drums performed by Justin Olsson.
Mastered by Isaac Barter.
Cover image by Michelle Grace Hunder.
Cover art by Meg Kolac.
‘Fuzz’ written, performed, recorded and mixed by Xani Kolac.
Mastered by Isaac Barter.
