Music in the Blood

Music in the Blood - Australian Tales from the Heart

 

An interview series that ponders the question: What makes the musical hearts of Australia tick?

Through the shared journeys of eight culturally and musically diverse artists, we learn some of the personal tales currently shaping the Australian music landscape: What is the source of their passion for music? Which pivotal moments set their musical GPS? Who are their musical guardian angels, gods and goddesses? Indeed, is there even life outside of music?

From the River Murray to the Mediterranean, from ancient roots to contemporary influences, Music in the Blood examines the very essence of that which pumps through the veins of Australian music, ultimately connecting us all. Produced & presented by Michelle Smith

Artists & Schedule

Kineman Karma | Neda | Monkey Puzzle Tree | Shellie Morris | Josh Bennett | POAO | Emily Smart and the Clever Girls | Unified Gecko


  Kineman Karma

Kineman Karma was formed by John (Ringo) Rigney in early 2002. Ringo describes the music as 'Nunga Reggae'; vibrant songs that document traditional and contemporary Ngarrindjeri culture and political issues. The group's musical vision has been to form a world class reggae band that not only showcases the talents of some of South Australia's leading Indigenous musicians, but also educates the wider community about Ngarrindjeri culture, reconciliation and the unity of people.

Broadcast:
Tuesday April 6
7:35am - Breakfast with Peter Godfrey
5:10pm - The Range

Listen to the Interview (MP3 2.2MB)

Find out more
www.myspace.com/kinemankarma

 
       
  Neda

A dynamic blend of soul, skilful musicianship and up-beat charisma characterises the unique music of singer, song-writer and multi-percussionist Neda. After an industrious several years fronting Melbourne-based Brazilian percussion outfit Tumburumba, and performing with artists including Bomba, Diaffrix, Mista Savona and Daddy Cool, Neda is now making her mark as one of Australia's most energetic and exciting musical front women.

Broadcast:
Tuesday April 13
7:35am - Breakfast with Peter Godfrey
5:10pm - The Range

Listen to the Interview (MP3 2.2MB)

Find out more
www.myspace.com/neda

 
       
  Monkey Puzzle Tree

Monkey Puzzle Tree formed in Adelaide in early 2008, a quartet with striking instrumentals defined by their dark, classically influenced experimentation laced with a broad range of world 'touches.' Blending electric violin, nylon string guitar, piano and drums, the group's strength lies in the textures of its post-romantic original compositions and ghostly melodies that create a rich and complex musical soundscape.

Broadcast:
Tuesday April 20
7:35am - Breakfast with Peter Godfrey
5:10pm - The Range

Listen to the Interview with Michelle Lam and Sophie Caulderbank (MP3 2.2MB)

Find out more
www.myspace.com/monkeypuzzletreeadelaide

 
       
  Shellie Morris

Darwin-based Indigenous singer Shellie Morris has been dubbed "the Janis Joplin of Jingili" by The Australian's Nicholas Rothwell. Having performed everywhere from rural outback Australia to London Festival Hall, she sings of being adopted away from her family, learning opera, and the spiritual awakening gained from connecting with her biological family in the Northern Territory. Among her many music and education projects, Shellie is a featured artist with the Black Arm Band.

Broadcast:
Tuesday April 27
7:35am - Breakfast with Peter Godfrey
5:10pm - The Range

Listen to the Interview (MP3 2.4MB)

Find out more
www.shelliemorris.com

 
       
  Josh Bennett

Josh Bennett has been performing on stage since he was fifteen, cutting his musical teeth as a guitarist in the Adelaide Blues scene. His interest in music from all over the world eventually led him to the Indian instruments of sitar, tabla and dilruba which he studies in both Australia and India. Josh now performs world-wide on a myriad of strings, skins and hollow things and is a regular on the Australian and international festival circuits.

Broadcast:
Tuesday May 4
7:35am - Breakfast with Peter Godfrey
5:10pm - The Range

Listen to the Interview (MP3 2.4MB)

Find out more
www.joshbennett.com.au

 
       
  The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

Inspired by Nigeria's infectious Afrobeat music, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra introduces contemporary African funk to Australian dancefloors. This mammoth 19-musician ensemble writes original compositions that celebrate the influential Afrobeat movement of the 1960s and 70s as pioneered by the great Fela Kuti. Their politically conscious lyrics and authentic West African grooves remain ever faithful to the Afrobeat spirit.

Broadcast:
Tuesday May 11
7:35am - Breakfast with Peter Godfrey
5:10pm - The Range

Listen to the Interview with guitarist/vocalist David Marama (MP3 2.1MB)

Find out more
www.thepublicopinion.net

 
       
  Emily Smart and the Clever Girls

Emily Smart is a master craftsmaker of "rainy day" music; songs consisting of dark soaring melodies, organic guitar, a dash of electronic and a hint of folk. Her lyrical intellect is stunning, delivered with the clear delicate voice of an ethereal poet with strains of shining pop. Based in Adelaide, Emily performs regularly with her band The Clever Girls and has toured all around Australia.

Broadcast:
Tuesday May 18
7:35am - Breakfast with Peter Godfrey
5:10pm - The Range

Listen to the Interview (MP3 2.3MB)

Find out more
www.emilysmart.com.au

 
       
  Unified Gecko

For the past seven years, Unified Gecko has been creating a uniquely Australian approach to Turkish music; a collision of hotted up Turkish tunes, reggae vibes and gypsy rhythms in an exhilarating east meets west fusion. Led by Turkish-born singer/songwriter/guitarist Murat Yucel, and born out of Melbourne's vibrant jazz, reggae and hip hop scenes, Unified Gecko has taken their unique brand of addictive gypfunk to festivals and venues world-wide.

Broadcast:
Tuesday May 25
7:35am - Breakfast with Peter Godfrey
5:10pm - The Range

Listen to the Interview (MP3 2.4MB)

Find out more
www.myspace.com/ugecko

 
       

Presenter & Producer

Michelle Smith Michelle Smith

Radio Adelaide presenter and producer of Music in the Blood started her broadcasting career on Rhythm Stick in 2005 and hasn't looked back since.

When asked, why a program about percussion? she said, 'If you promise not to tell anyone, I can confess that I got the idea from a music festival I went to in London that celebrated percussive driven music, from classical Indian ragas to computer-generated experimental stuff. By some crazy coincidence, that festival was called..Rhythm Stick! But over the last 4 years, I've really become hooked on drums and percussion in a big way. I've even learnt to ask 'where's the one?' on a regular basis.'

Rhythm Stick won the 2008 CBAA award for Excellence in Music Programming and her great promos have also won her a SA Bilby Award. Needless to say she's now one of the trainers as well as AMRAP music correspondent.

Michelle describes her most memorable music experience as, 'In 1996 I was a passenger on the WOMAD train that travelled from Perth to Adelaide, with a bunch of amazing musicians from around the globe playing live in the saloon car as we trundled across the desert. At one point Paul Kelly sang "Maralinga" (Rainy Land) with vocal back-up from some Tuvan throat singers. The memory of that haunting song and setting still sends shivers up my spine.'


Supported by

CBF logoProduced with the assistance of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy via the Community Broadcasting Foundation