Vocal Studies: Identity and Place in Song with special guest Kevin Bennett, Professor Diane Hughes and Dr Andrew Robson

Vocal Studies: Identity and Place in Song with special guest Kevin Bennett, Professor Diane Hughes and Dr Andrew Robson

 

Kevin is a well-respected Indigenous singer/songwriter with Sydney roots band The Flood. He writes relevant, contemporary Australian music containing elements of Blues, Rock, Folk and Country - telling stories of where he's from and where he might be headed... his history, culture, family and Country.... he sings his life.

Kevin’s story is a little different... he grew up in Kenebri, a tiny town west of Gunnedah in Northern New South Wales, on Gamilaroi Country. His family lived by sawmills, where his Dad worked, and they spent a lot of time out in the Pilliga Scrub and by the Namoi River, but Kevin grew up not knowing of his Aboriginal heritage. This was later confirmed, when he was in his fifties.

Kevin’s Indigenous heritage and family are at the heart of the songs he holds most dear. In our conversation he speaks of how his connection to family and Country are written in his songs, through rivers and Australian landscapes, and it’s clear that Kevin was writing about this deep connection long before he “knew” of his Aboriginality.

Discovering his own roots, identity and place in song is a path he loves to travel... Kevin is a wonderful storyteller. In this YarnPod he shares the story of breaking through a creative roadblock, turning a song from a standstill to a favourite. His song, ‘Born White’ was written in a remote community back in his donga after a night of campfire strumming and a yarn with a musical friend who inspired him with a simple chord. This story hints at the magic of finding his groove in the embrace of his ancestral land.... being back on Country and feeling deeply connected and ‘at home’. It's about soaking in the surroundings and realising that sometimes, your best song comes to life when you're nestled in the heart of a place that truly speaks to you. 

It’s here that a song can feel, and sing, the most true.

We loved yarning with Kevin, and we hope you enjoy listening from your heart, to stories told from the heart, in this YarnPod.

 

Read more about Kevin Bennett, Diane Hughes and Andrew Robson.