Artist uneasy as cloud hangs over Falls
INDIE hip hop artist Denni says a Falls Festival at Marion Bay is a must for the New Year.
The Tasmanian Aboriginal artist is known for her dreamy, resonant vocals, insightful and poignant songwriting and powerful live shows.
Denni, whose real name is Denni Proctor, said support from major festivals like Falls – an all-out New Year’s celebration at idyllic Marion Bay – helped propel her success.
“Falls is a melting pot that created a space for local talent on their homegrown stage,” Denni said.
“I supported a band there for my first time doing backing vocals and got a taster, then I was uploading music to Triple J Unearthed and that got me in to open the main stage very early in my career.
“I got to experience what a high level stage is like, how it operates, that was a really exciting platform.”
The performer is among artists and punters alike speculating on the future of the festival, which pulled out during COVID-19 and has not confirmed a Tassie return for the 2021-22 season.
“It’s important for it to operate and have the chance to grow and expand,” Denni said.
“Falls has been that staple, reliable festival for mainstream music so your local demographic can see worldclass artists, but also local artists can be a part of that crowd and attract new audiences
you might not usual circuit.”
Denni has become used to cancelled festivals in the tricky post-COVID world.
“A lot of people look forward to Falls and rely on it for work so it’s one of the bigger festivals that I’d definitely like to see go ahead as an artist, but you have to go with the climate.”
The festival stalwart also looks forward to the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival.
“I remember once trying to see in your
do a guitar solo and my hand froze up and that was the end of that song,” she said.
“That festival always stuck with me because you’re dealing with weather extremes as an artist which is an interesting layer — that’s Tassie through and through.”
Denni was willing to give Dark Mofo another chance after the festival’s major artwork Union Flag seeking blood from First Nations peoples was axed, and a $60,000 seed fund and two cultural
adviser positions were established in its place.
“At the time I didn’t have many nice things to say as I was too busy being offended and processing it all,” Denni said.
“But looking back and having a bit of perspective, you have to have faith in people to grow and change.”
The pakana artist released her song Grace as a response to the Union Flag in April.
She hoped Tasmanian Aboriginal people would be included
in festivals not just through “dramatic political statements” and Welcome to Country ceremonies.
“We’re a grassroots community … one that comes from the heart of Tassie and has our island in its best interests,” Denni said.
“We need to create healing pieces, rather than trauma pieces for shock value.”
Denni is recording EP Growing Pains in Perth which she plans to release in instalments this year.