Recent years have seen multiple ARIA-nominated musician and songwriter Mo’Ju enter new realms of renown, their brand of visceral storytelling striking at the heart of a country whose social and cultural climate was manoeuvring a particular state of unrest and change.
A full spectrum of emotion and sonic textures marry together in Mo’Ju’s music, producing sounds that can be equal measures of sensuality, vulnerability and hard-hitting strength. When their 2018 studio album Native Tongue was released to widespread acclaim, it was not without debate, Native Tongue ignited and inspired some long overdue, sometimes tough, conversations.
The inability to categorise where an artist such as Mo’Ju fits has been a common narrative throughout their career. However, the Naarm-based musician, songwriter, storyteller and third culture kid (Filipino/Wiradjuri), is not here to be boxed in and commodified. Their music is created in alignment with a central artistic vision that is built on truth, authenticity and most importantly, legacy.
For Mo’Ju, the last few years have been monumental in terms of professional and personal change. Becoming a parent as the world was entering a period of unprecedented turmoil, dramatically shifted their perspectives and priorities.
Mo’Ju brings a fresh perspective as they present a new body of work with their fourth studio LP, ‘ORO, PLATA, MATA’. Shedding the pressures that carried over from the huge success of their last record, Mo’Ju engages in this new creative phase, reawakened, refreshed and looking to the future, while drawing strength and inspiration from the past.
Special guest, ALZZY is the artistic project of Melbourne-based, 23-year-old singer/songwriter, Alyssa Allet. Blending sounds of indie-pop, neo-soul, RnB, jazz, and folk, ALZZY transcends genre boundaries, creating a sonic identity that packs a punch. Since releasing her debut EP, Find My Way (2017), ALZZY has dedicated herself to cultivating her artistry and developing her live performance presence across Melbourne’s live music scene, with appearances at the Night Cat, Hotel Esplanade, Bird’s Basement, St Kilda festival, and more. Parallel to working on her own music, Alyssa works as a songwriter and is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing and Left Hand Publishing.
Doors 6.30pm, ALZZY 7.30pm + Mo’Ju 8.30pm
Monash University Performing Arts Centres, The Count's: The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton VIC 3168, Clayton, 3168, View Map