Recently showcasing at BIGSOUND, Eastern Torres Strait Islander musician Kiwat Kennell is spotlighting mental health, especially among men and POC, with a new series of works dubbed 'Love & Hate'.
An artist – who has previously collaborated with Dan Sultan and Mo'Ju – utilising his creative output to depict struggles with racism, identity, and mental health as a Black Man raised to respect law enforcement, while simultaneously witnessing the systemic injustices POC are faced with, 'The Moment' is Kiwat's newest single, which will be released on Briggs' label Bad Apples (home to A.B. Original, Alice Skye, Barkaa, and Kobie Dee).A proud Eastern Torres Strait Islander from the islands of Ugar (Stephens) and Erub (Darnley), Kiwat co-wrote 'The Moment' with Eskimo Joe's Joel Quartermain after witnessing a friend balancing their mental-health struggles.
"The process of writing with Joel was extremely interesting; we were locked in a room for two days," shares Kiwat, "but spent the first six hours of our first session yarning and getting to know each other before we event put pen to paper. . . then as soon as we where locked in with the idea of the song, that's when the real magic happened!"
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (25 September), today scenestr is stoked to premiere 'The Moment'. Enjoy.
Hushed, angelic vocals usher you into 'The Moment', alongside a brushy drum snare that quickens the pace parallel to the glistening yet rustic guitar strumming.
The song then springs to life, fully energised as a rock-pop banger, the emotive feels of the instrumentation drawing you in as Kiwat captures the anxiety of modern living. . . trapped between looking back with sadness, while the bubbling panic of what the future holds stirs intense angst and tension.
"We began writing the song inside out," adds Kiwat, "starting with the last line of every verse and chorus, then writing every word and phrase with intention and connection.
"The first verse is all about the depression of living in past memories, whilst the second verse is about the crippling anxieties of worrying about the future. . . all leading to the grounding notion of 'The Moment'."
Kiwat Kennell launches 'The Moment' at The Corner Hotel (Melbourne) 13 October supported by The Terrifying Lows and Queen Rhii.
