ELECTRONIC pop duo The Merindas are bringing their mix of dancehall and R&B music to Robinvale Community Arts Centre next week.
Crowds on Thursday will be treated to their unique brand of dance music, with a First Nations influence.
Ballardong Whadjuk Nyoongar woman Kristel Kickett and Jawoyn and Thursday Island woman Candice Lorrae teamed up in 2012.
What was initially a one-off performance of Motown hits at the premiere of The Sapphires has grown into much more, with over 400 shows across Australia.
Speaking to The Guardian, Candice Lorrae said the pair were excited for The Merindas’ first tour of regional Victoria.
“People are craving live music and they love when it comes to town,” she said.
“This is our first regional tour. A lot of the towns we haven’t been to or even heard of them before.
“It’s been a cool journey for us to get to know what is out in regional Victoria and getting the chance to meet the locals.
“It’s great to bring music like ours out there, to where it’s pretty different to what people are used to.”
Kristel Kickett said they hoped listeners and fans would be inspired by the energy of the music.
“When people listen to our music, we want to make them feel happy and powerful, because that’s the vibe we are feeling when we are creating it,” she said.
“That celebration of love and culture, and people seeing our confidence in our music.
“After every show we hear, ‘You girls have so much energy,’ and that’s one of my favourite things to hear.
“People also mention how refreshing it is to see and hear something so different to the shows they are used to.
“It makes me think that they have never seen or heard something like us before, which makes me feel good and like we’ve done our job up on stage.
Ms Kickett said that the opportunity to share First Nations language and culture was a fantastic bonus to making music.
“I think that’s a great thing that we can both do through our music to keep these things alive, sharing our language and our culture for the generations to come,” she said.
“We are so lucky that we still have our language here to share. When I’m teaching my nieces and nephews back in Perth, it’s so easy to do through music.
“I bet in 10 years’ time there will be even more music with Noongar language to share.”
Ms Lorrae said fans could expect a show full of good vibes and the chance to catch up with the duo following the show.
“The show is going to be super fun,” she said.
“People can expect to have a good dance and be themselves.
“We want people to connect with us as performers as well as have a yarn with us too.
“We love how music can bring people together in one space, and we can all just have fun together and share the experience.”
The show is presented by Regional Arts Victoria and Swan Hill Town Hall PACC.
Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start on Thursday.
Tickets can be purchased through the Swan Hill Town Hall bookings office on 5036 2384 or trybooking.com.
