By Eleanor Wilson
To many Australians, time is objectively linear – the past is irretrievable and the future incomprehensible.
But, as proud Mutti Mutti, Yorta Yorta and Nari Nari man Kutcha Edwards relays, for the Aboriginal community time is manifested in circular form.
“We believe memories are not implanted in our mind, they are stamped in your spirit,” he said.
“In our culture, memories you may have had as a child were conceived by your ancestors.”
This is the first of many lessons Kutcha Edwards aims to educate audiences with in his upcoming tour, appropriately titled Circling Time – Songs and Stories.
Playing at Bunjil Place on 31 May, the talented vocalist merges powerful song and instrumental from his latest album with compelling storytelling for an enlightening experience.
‘’In telling my story, I believe I’m telling my family’s story,” he said.
“Within the structure of family there are members whose role it is to protect Country. For others it’s to protect the memories such as photos.
“I believe I have been given the responsibility to protect my family’s Songline.’’
A survivor of the Stolen Generation, Edwards invites audiences to “sit in conversation” to discover the pain and triumph of the Aboriginal experience.
“[The show] is about coming to the realisation that a lot of people don’t know much about Aboriginal people and culture,” Mr Edwards said.
“Sit in conversation with me, then you will understand what it is like to be me.”
Circling Time is Edwards’ fifth studio album, previously finding great success for combining powerful vocals with profound activism, earning him the title of Indigenous Person of the Year at the 2001 NAIDOC Awards.
He was awarded a Deadly for Male Artist of the Year in the same year and has worked with a range of iconic Australian vocalists including Dan Sultan and Paul Kelly.
Tickets for Circling Time: Songs and Stories are available at kutcha-edwards.com/shows
