MUSHROOM GROUP’S FIRST NATIONS PATHWAY PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY COLES AND DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG INDIGENOUS MUSICIANS GAIN VALUABLE MUSIC EXPERIENCE AND MENTORSHIP.

THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE YOUNG FIRST NATIONS TALENT WITH AN IMMERSIVE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, PLUS MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE.

AFTER A GREAT RESPONSE BY PARTICIPANTS, MENTORS AND PRODUCERS ALIKE FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM, WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT 2023 WILL HOLD!

MUSHROOM GROUP IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE FIRST NATIONS PATHWAY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FOR 2023.

Kootsie Don

Kootsie Don is a First Nations woman of Australia, delivering music with a flavour that is unique and unseen in the music industry. Her style ranges from being an edgy, hard core, not to be messed with tomboy, to a sexy, elegant feminine woman who can set any stage on fyah. Kootsie is a creator of hard core, truthful, head bopping and motivating hip hop music, as well as bringing that soulful, catchy, sexy and feel-good old school feeling RnB music back.

KAYPS

Born in Broome, Western Australia, Kurrungaya Bieundurry also known professionally as Kayps is an Indigenous Walmatjarri and Bunuba artist now based in Perth. He writes and produces hip-hop focusing on lyrical and melodic rap with his signature distorted high energy turn up bass filled sound. Even prior to turning 18, Kayps was collaborating with the big names in Perth hip-hop including but not limited to Mali Jo$e, Wesley Black, Sowdy and And Beyond seeing a promising future ahead. Kayps journey has continued with being awarded the Triple J Indigenous Initiative and was a top five finalist of Triple J Unearthed High. Kayps highly anticipated debut album, “BEAUTY AMONG THE CHAOS”, was released in September 2021.

Kiwat Kennell

Kiwat Kennell, a proud Torres Strait Islander from the islands of Ugar (Stephens) and Erub (Darnley) in the eastern Torres Strait, is a First Nations artist, mental health advocate and songwriter, who navigates his space by walking in two worlds. Raised on the road and always changing scenes, he was exposed to a kaleidoscope of sounds, yet struggled with identity. His genre-blending music focuses on evoking a connection-to-self to break down cultural barriers within people and connect listeners to their inner voice, finding strength in the underlying issues that connect us all.

Canisha

Canisha is a soulful singer with an edge, a lyricist whose emotive and playful music captivates and draws you in. Canisha started her musical journey busking, with just an amp and microphone. There is a freshness and raw energy to her music that comes from her time busking on busy city streets. She feels at home when performing where she can be her raw and authentic self.

Charlie Needs Braces

Charlie is a proud GuriNgai woman, the lands running from the Central Coast of NSW along the mouth of the Hawkesbury river and into Northern Sydney. Having played on stage with bands such as The Teskey Brothers, Casey Donovan, The Seven Ups, Gang of Youths, and TEK TEK Ensemble, Naarm-based musician Charlie Woods is venturing out on her own to launch the solo project-Charlie Needs Braces.

Alf the Great

Alf the Great is a proud Kalkadungu and Bidjira man of Mt. Isa and Carnarvon Gorge, currently based in Naarm/Melbourne. Alf the Great is multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer and songwriter. His alternative-indie style is built around acoustic instrumentation, layered yidaki/didgeridoo, and arpeggiated melodies reminiscent of Frank Ocean and Jeff Buckley. He also draws musical inspiration from the customs and people of his culture, most notably his uncle William Barton.

Keely

Keely is a proud Gubbi Gubbi, Gooreng Gooreng and South Sea Islander woman, wearing many hats as a fully independent artist, mother, activist and businesswoman. Coming from a long line of song-men and women music is not only her birthright but her legacy – she began writing at just 3 years old engaging her parents to scribe her ideas. Musically Keely is an experienced vocalist and performer devoted to mastering her craft whilst creating pathways for Mob to enact sovereignty. Keely’s sound is genre defying but grounded heavily in R&B, Soul and Jazz.

Zeppelin Hamilton (Velvet Trip)

Zeppelin James Flame Hamilton is a singer/songwriter, producer, actor, and proud Wiradjuri man. Recently, he has been seen performing sold-out Australian tours supporting Parcels with his Psychedelic music project Velvet Trip, playing guitar alongside Dan Sultan on national stages, and singing alongside Emily Wurramarra on the ABC program ‘Going Country’. From humble beginnings to now, Hamilton has been published as a 'face to know' in RUSSH magazine, New York Times (Tmag), and modeled for brands like Pandora, Bonds & Tommy Hilfiger.

Artwork by Rachael Sarra

Rachael Sarra is a multi-disciplinary artist, designer and businesswoman whose work is an extension of her being and experiences.

As a contemporary mixed raced, First Nations artist from Goreng Goreng Country, Rachael uses art as a powerful tool and outlet to explore themes she often grapples with while her work is often the resolution of such themes and conflict within herself.

Rachael’s work often challenges and explores the themes of societal perception of what Aboriginal art and identity is.

rachaelsarra.com