The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
An innovative multi-arts hub in the heart of Blacktown City.
Unspoken
Unspoken
During times of uncertainty a lot goes unsaid.
In collaboration with Opn. and Meik we present Unspoken, a cinematic take on live streaming during this period of lockdown.
Looking to bring awareness to all that’s around us, together we aim to shine light on local talent letting their art and work speak for itself. Experience intimate, quality live music sessions recorded on a roving camera, capturing a suite of original performers from Blacktown and western Sydney. Music genres include hip hop, pop, punk-rock, R’n’B with DJs and B-Boys.
Discover a new artist, hear a new song that momentarily transports you beyond the confines of your living space, and connect with other artists and the youth community.
Jonah Hammond
Meik Collective x Opnsrc x Blacktown Arts present ‘Unspoken’, a cinematic take on live streaming. Each week a Western Sydney musician will perform via Blacktown Arts’ Facebook live to keep audiences entertained and shine a light on local talent. Week one saw the incredible Jonah Hammond deliver soulful music across the digital waves.
Unspoken: SPVRROW
Meik Collective x Opnsrc x Blacktown Arts present ‘Unspoken’, a cinematic take on live streaming. Each week a Western Sydney musician will perform via Blacktown Arts’ Facebook live to keep audiences entertained and shine a light on local talent. Week two saw the beautiful talent, SPVRROW, deliver a unique set with songs heard on Triple J and FBi radio.
No Intent: Live Performance
Meik Collective x Opnsrc x Blacktown Arts present ‘Unspoken’, a cinematic take on live streaming. Each week a Western Sydney musician will perform via Blacktown Arts’ Facebook live to keep audiences entertained and shine a light on local talent. Week three saw the edgy No Intent deliver a creative set influenced by hip hop, jazz and a bit of beat poetry.
Mel Bailey: Live Performance
Meik Collective x Opnsrc x Blacktown Arts present ‘Unspoken’, a cinematic take on live streaming. Each week a Western Sydney musician will perform via Blacktown Arts’ Facebook live to keep audiences entertained and shine a light on local talent. Week five saw the incredible Mel Bailey perform tracks off of her forthcoming EP called ‘March’, as well as a few special unreleased tracks.
Nes Afara and Rara X
Meik Collective x Opnsrc x Blacktown Arts present ‘Unspoken’, a cinematic take on live streaming. Each week a Western Sydney musician will perform via Blacktown Arts’ Facebook live to keep audiences entertained and shine a light on local talent. Week four saw two up and coming Zimbabwean-Australian brothers, Nes Afara and Rara X, collaborate for a unique set.
Sepora
Meik Collective x Opnsrc x Blacktown Arts present ‘Unspoken’, a cinematic take on live streaming. Each week a Western Sydney musician will perform via Blacktown Arts’ Facebook live to keep audiences entertained and shine a light on local talent. Week six saw the self-proclaimed dark princess of pop take the digital stage for an emotionally-driven performance.
MRVZ: Live performance
Born into the raw ruggedness of South Auckland, New Zealand, with a Rapper/Producer Father from early New Zealand underground Hip-Hop group ‘Savage Poetz’ – From boy to man Mrvz has rooted himself in both local and overall Hip-Hop and has found his ground in his music today lifting up, celebrating and displaying the area of west Sydney.
Jonah Hammond: Encore
With the conclusion of the Unspoken series Jonah Hammond takes it home with a performance guaranteed to keep you entertained.
Bios
Live from Sydney but made in Bidwill, Mount Druitt. In 2019 Jonah played his soulful tunes all over the city, at warehouse parties, clubs, pubs and even family festivals. All accumulating to his own sold out show, without releasing a song. Jonah brings funk, soul and raw honesty to his art, which right now can only be seen live.
Mel Bailey is a Filipina-Australian artist who focuses on expressing herself through a multitude of Neo-Soul, Hip Hop and Jazz. Her experiences and exposure to different musical genres, cultures and nature, embraced and channelled her artistry, which she has embodied in her EP ‘March’ released in 2020. Mel Bailey’s sonics are uniquely hers, with lush jazz melodies over juxtaposition instrumentals heavily driven by her 6 piece band.
Born into the raw ruggedness of South Auckland, New Zealand, with a Rapper/Producer Father from early New Zealand underground Hip-Hop group ‘Savage Poetz’ – From boy to man Mrvz has rooted himself in both local and overall Hip-Hop and has found his ground in his music today lifting up, celebrating and displaying the area of west Sydney.
Two up and coming Zimbabwean-Australian brothers, Nes Afara and Rara X, are solo artists but frequently collaborate for a unique set. Rara X and Nes Afara create predominantly in the hip hop scene but distinguish themselves with a trademark sound. They frequently collaborate with local producer HNR who worked with them on individual work such as Nes Afara’s ‘SWERVIN’ and Rara X’s ‘VIRUS’.
No Intent are a musical duo stemming from Filipino and Serbian heritage, based in Sydney, Australia. Formed in 2012 with producer, Stevey Slice and artist, The Fifth Element, the duo were reborn after a six-year hiatus, with the release of their EP ‘Shade’ in 2019. Produced by Stevey Slice, the duo embody a unique fusion of Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Rock and Blues.
A self-proclaimed dreamy-dark-pop princess from South New Zealand; Sepora feels good being a little bad and she sings a little sad. This now Sydney-based artist performs solo regularly at select venues and private functions, exercising the ability to command stages with just a guitar & her voice, including notable Sydney venues Big Top & Sydney Town Hall.
Appearing through Sydney’s music scene at the tender age of 17, SPVRROW has been deeply inspired by her spiritual journey, soaking in the vocal aroma of musicians such as Floetry and Odd Future along her musical endeavours. SPVRROW released her debut single ‘Drug Dealer’ setting summer ’19 to a lovely start, gaining overwhelming support and airplay including Triple J and FBi radio. It is only promised great fruits will flourish from her in the future, growing and evolving as a valuable artist.
‘Unspoken’ was published between May and June 2020.
This project is presented by Blacktown Arts in partnership with Opn. and Meik, and supported by Blacktown City Council and the NSW Government through Create NSW.
