ANU launches Indigenous music studio to ’keep fire burning’

Studio leader and Torres Strait Islander musician Will Kepa ( left ) and music legend Uncle Joe Geia in the studio, warming up for the impending launch. Credit: Jamie Kidston, ANU - The Australian National University (ANU) has established a recording studio dedicated to Indigenous musicians. Yil Lull studio at the ANU School of Music - officially being launched today - will offer free recording and music assistance to Indigenous musicians from across Australia. The studio is led by Torres Strait Islander musician Will Kepa, who will run live recordings of Indigenous musicians at the launch.  "This new Yil Lull recording studio here at the School of Music is a place for us, our mob, to come and meet; to create and to share; to expand on our stories; to keep our culture alive and our music alive; and to just keep that fire burning," Mr Kepa said.   "It's also a place to come to feel like we belong here. This space is not just my space, it's a space for all of us to be here together."  Special guests will include the Tiwi Island Strong Women, singer-songwriter Uncle Joe Geia, classical rapper Rhyan Clapham and Uncle Ozzie Cruz, as well as the School of Music's Indigenous faculty and students led by Dr Chris Sainsbury. Yil Lull is a  song  written and performed by Joe Geia, and it originally appeared on his 1988 album of the same name. Mr Geia said he sees a great opportunity for First Nations people to come to the studio and bring their songs to a new audience.  "I noticed that there's the School of Music and the School of Art right next door to each other at ANU," he said.   "In Aboriginal culture, we've used our song and dance and we've used our art to communicate.