Singer-songwriter Mama Kin will bring her soulful tunes to the Sunshine Coast's Wanderlust festival.
The four-day event is a celebration of all things mind, body and soul. A collection of yoga and meditation instructors, musicians and artists, chefs and speakers will be coming together to create an experience that promotes mindful living.How would you describe the music that you make?
I always struggle with this question, because the music is just mine. But if cornered with the threat of never getting another slice of bread and butter pudding ever again in my life I would say it is soul folk.
Your newest album is titled 'The Magician's Daughter' in reference to your mother's actual job; how did that inspire your writing?
My mother's father was a professional magician in Malta, post World War 2. She was his assistant for a few years through her teens. I was always fascinated by the idea that her male archetype was a purveyor of tricks, and she ultimately held the intellectual property to those tricks. I loved the idea that she was implicit to the delivery of this mastery, and therefore immune to their power in a way, but also part of the performance in suspending disbelief for the audience.
I am inspired by the mystic in my writing. I am inspired by the places where we are the same and the places that we believe we are different. I am inspired by what we believe and how we believe and how that informs who we are and how we experience life. I am inspired by alchemy, performed or actual.
Family seems to be an important inspiration in your life, how does that manifest itself in your music?
Family is music to me and music is family. Music is threaded inextricably into my understanding of life. I can't separate the two. I don't have a family life that is separate to my music, or a musical life that is separate to my family. As a mother I don't see how that could be possible.
Do you come from a musical family?
Yes. I am the youngest of six kids of a musical family. My brother Michael plays in my band with me, and my other brother is Nicky Bomba of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Bustamento. My older sister Carmen taught me to sing.
Wanderlust festival celebrates connectedness and mindful living; is this something that resonates with you in your life?
Of course! I am constantly trying to get better at this whole 'life' thing, and I think connectedness through mindfulness is part of experiencing a more whole and nourishing life. I am excited to come to soak up all things Wanderlust!
Creativity and music are part of my mental and personal health plan; everything I do somehow feeds into my desire to be the best person I can be for myself, my kids, my husband, my family, my friends and my community. I am committed to pushing myself through sometimes scary and uncomfortable places to keep discovering and experiencing new levels of my own ability, emotional wellbeing, and personal spiritual understanding.
Wanderlust also features a range of international yoga and meditation instructors. Do you practice that yourself?
Not frequently enough! I dream that I am wonderfully flexible and strong and lithe, but in fact it is an ongoing battle for me to stay consistent with any physical practise.
What role do you think music plays in mindful living?
Music is self expression and shared experience. I think that anything that supports and fosters a sense of connectivity, through authentic expression from the self brings presence, vulnerability and ultimately power. Win, win, win and win!
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
So many! I am ultimately inspired by all the music I hear whether I like it or not. I am inspired by my children singing, I am inspired by bird song. I love the songwriting craft of the greats like Bob Dylan and Gillian Welch. I just love all music that moves me, either emotionally or physically.
What can audiences expect to see at a Mama Kin show?
They can expect to see me giving all that I have repaying the investment of precious time that an audience has dared to spend with us. I seek authenticity and presence and playfulness in my performances. I love to use the vehicle of my songs to build a bridge to the audience and see what we can find together. I love to engage stories and humour and humility but most of all I love the music to be strong and moving.
Wanderlust takes place at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort 15-18 October.
