Created in 2019, First Nations House took over a venue in the Fortitude Valley to create a hub for Indigenous music. We continue this in 2020 and invite the world to join us. First Nations House is a space for supporting, promoting and celebrating First Nations music, a dedicated space for First Nations artists, as well as events showcasing diverse Indigenous music for the community, and the wider BIGSOUND delegate audience.
BLAKSOUND presented by Gathering (Brisbane City Council) and QMusic
Spotify Industry Mixer featuring Sycco, Miiesha and DRMNGNOW
Spotify Masterclasses for the First Nations delegates
Aunty Maroochy, Welcome to Country, BIGSOUND 2019. Photo by Markus Ravik.
Sycco, Spotify Industry Mixer, BIGSOUND 2019. Photo by LaVonne Bobongie.
DRMNGNOW, BIGSOUND 2019. Photo by Dave Kan.
The space was accessible for First Nations artists across the whole BIGSOUND event, and was utilised for First Nations led music industry business and community conversations.
In 2020 BIGSOUND’s First Nations House in partnership with Spotify moves to a virtual stage with a collection of showcases from First Nations artists part of The BIGSOUND50 lineup. Through digital streams on the evenings of BIGSOUND, these showcases will connect industry and fans with Indigenous artists across so-called Australia, continuing the work of the partnership in 2019 in the context of 2020.
The digital iteration of BIGSOUND First Nations House presented by Spotify remains a place that supports, promotes and celebrates First Nations music and will be a dedicated virtual space for First Nations people, as well as events showcasing the diversity of music made by Indigenous artists.
Dylan Mooney is a Yuwi man from Mackay, central Queensland, Torres Strait Islander from Darnley Island and Badu Island and Australian born South Sea Islander. He is currently studying a bachelor of contemporary Australian Indigenous Art at the Queensland College of Art.
Mooney’s practice includes digital illustrations, drawing and print- making and street art – inspired by history, culture, family history and community stories.
This artwork represents the importance of music for Indigenous peoples, our people create songs to tell stories, to share our cultural knowledge and to bring awareness to the wider community.
The artwork represents our Indigenous cultures with the designs around them representing our songlines and our connection to this land. The circle represents our connection to all First Nations people around the world and with the smoke it makes our connection to our ancestors and elders and how this land Always Was, Always Will Be Indigenous land.
Dylan Mooney is the designer of the 2020 BIGSOUND First Nations House artwork.
Photography Credits:
Dylan Mooney - Hero Artwork; Aunty Maroochy - Markus Ravik; Sycco - LaVonne Bobongie; DRMNGNOW - Dave Kan; Sycco - The BIGSOUND50 and BIGSOUND First Nations House Artist; BIRDZ - The BIGSOUND50 and BIGSOUND First Nations House Artist.
