Art Bites: The State of Live Music in the Outer South-East Suburbs

Enjoy art talks for the curious and creative during the cooler months at Bunjil Place. Each month Art Bites will feature a guest speaker exploring creative topics and ideas all while you sample delectable treats, tasty drinks and meet like-minded folks.  

In this special Winter Arts Festival edition of Art Bites, join a panel of local musicians as they discuss the current state of live music in the outer south-eastern suburbs. From music venues to performance opportunities and collaboration, enjoy an evening of lively discussion and tunes.

Guest speakers:
Rjayvida
Ariel Blum
Breanne Peters
Chantelle Riordan
Sky Thomas
Moderated by Billy Kelleher

MEET YOUR PANELISTS

Rjayvida is an indie hip-hop artist / producer from Melbourne Australia. With an underdog mentality, a versatile arsenal of flows, and a passionate D.I.Y. attitude, Rjayvida embarks on a journey to make his presence felt throughout the rap game of Australia.

Ariel Blum is a Melbourne-based music producer who has worked with artists including NIASHA, Emily Wurramara, St Ives, Jacki Tut, Allara, HAYCH, Gordon Koang, and UK artist Florence and The Machine.

In 2013, Ariel co- founded GRID Series, a nation- wide Artist Development platform that supports outer suburban emerging creatives around Australia. For 10 years, GRID Series has served as a bridge between industry and historically ignored and under-resourced communities in outer suburban regions, collaborating to develop ideal environments for artists to thrive. GRID Series has run programs in Victoria, NSW, QLD and WA with many artists who have come through the program having gone on to establish themselves in the sector, including Srirachi, Flewnt, Clarissa Mei, Franjapan and Nomad.

To date, GRID Series has supported 24 artists from the Outer South East of Naarm in creating their first releases, performing their first live shows, connecting them with industry mentors and producing artist documentary films that deep dive into what it is like to be a creative living in the region. In 2022, GRID Series presented the inaugural S.E.M Festival in Cranbourne, a full day festival that transformed The Shed Skatepark into multi-art festival site featuring live music, art installations, skate demos and a makers market to showcase the immense talent and creativity of the Outer South East.
 

Breanne Peters is a gifted and talented musician/singer-songwriter based in Tooradin. She began classical piano and classical guitar at age 3, by age 7 she was learning acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, and voice and at age 8 her love and passion for music lead her to public performances and song writing. Breanne graduated at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) in 2021 where she studied Classical and Jazz guitar. She plays a variety of genres but her passion is for her Māori culture and she incorporates this in her song writing. Many of her songs are in Te Reo Maori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. 

With rich vocals and a beautifully played ukulele, Chantelle Riordan performs jazz standards and engaging original music. A diverse and respected performer, she enjoys entertaining crowds at ukulele festivals throughout Australia as well as other local community music events, including the Berwick Show and several local carols by candlelight events. She also leads the Balla Balla Ukes group at the Balla Balla Community Centre, is a life member of the Cranbourne Lions Concert Band, and won the City of Casey’s Lindsay King Arts Award in 2018 for her contribution to the arts community. For more information, please check out chantelleuke.com.

Sky Thomas AKA Soju Gang is a proud Gunai/Kurnai, Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman as well as a phenomenal DJ, designer and fashionista. With her stand out style remanence of the colourful 80s and 90s, she is a fashion force to be reckoned with in Melbourne’s nightlife scene. Since becoming a DJ in 2017; she’s been a name that’s continually seen on posters; playing for some of Melbourne’s most popular clubs, festivals and array of events, including VAMFF, NGV Nights and MIFF Summer Screenings @ Bunjil Place! 

Mixing everything from old school hip hop, R&B to baile flips and future sounds. Her DJ sets are vibrant and super fun! Soju Gang also uses her craft as a means for activism and raise funds to support Blak communities. Hosting the Spinning in Solidarity event for the second year in a row, Soju Gang raised thousands of dollars for the Dhadjowa Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting families affected by Blak Deaths in Custody.