Songs brought to life in Mission Songs Project

Presenting an authentic narrative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities across Australia through song and story, Jessie Lloyd’s acclaimed production Mission Songs Project is touring nationally in 2021, including the Cowra Civic Centre this Friday, May 7. Produced by Performing Lines, Mission Songs Project features a trove of old and rare songs gathered from members of the Stolen Generations who were forcibly taken to live on missions and reserves across Australia. These unique songs reveal near-forgotten stories that shed light onto an unexplored corner of Australian history, expanding the Australian songbook in the process.

After having to postpone the planned tour of Australia and Canada in 2020 the project was reimagined as a digital series hosted on ABC iView and now after considerable planning it makes its triumphant return to the stage.

“Mission Songs Project started out of curiosity of what songs our people were singing in the missions’ era in the first half of the 20th Century; on settlements, reserves and missions; it’s what they were singing after church that inspired me. It painted a picture of those days no-one really talked about,” Jessie said.

Performed by an extraordinary trio of Indigenous musicians led by Jessie, Mission Songs Project is infused with Islander rhythms, folk, and a little country ‘n western. With laid-back humour and poignant storytelling, moving harmonies and historical insights, the trio bring to life the voices of Elders as they would around a campfire or kitchen table.

In developing the collection of songs for this performance project, the multitalented vocalist, musician and cultural practitioner of Indigenous music, travelled extensively, visiting communities from Perth to Palm Island to hear their stories and learn these near-forgotten songs.

On a research trip to South Australia, Jessie said: “It was a privilege for me to meet with the community in Port Augusta who have direct ties to the Umeewarra Mission. Hearing from Elders and Aboriginal people opened up whole new conversations. I love travelling and hearing people’s yarns; it’s a part of Australian history, a part of our modern Aboriginality.”

This national tour of Mission Songs Projects continues

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