Kiwat Kennell – Sounds of Oz

Kiwat Kennell, a proud Eastern Torres Strait Islander musician from the islands of Ugar/Stephens and Erub/Darnley, has one of those voices that captures your attention from the first note. It’s so rich and textured, and perfectly showcased on his latest single “The Moment.” Kiwat was inspired to write the track after watching a friend struggle with their mental health.

“’The Moment’ is a song that speaks to the balance of fear-inducing anxiety that the future can bring, and the overwhelming depression of living in the past,” Kiwat explained. “Sometimes our thoughts speak so loud, we cannot see the other side of the coin we are currently spinning on.”

Kiwat cowrote this song with Joel Quartermain of Eskimo Joe. It’s one of several new tracks he’ll release in the near future.

“The Moment’ is my first single from a series of new works from my latest project, Love & Hate, a depiction of what life is like in this colony as a Black Man who was raised to respect law enforcement, whilst simultaneously witnessing the systemic injustices Indigenous people are faced with. This track is the beginning of something truly special,” he promised.

I love music with meaning, especially when it’s coming from a singer-songwriter that sounds this good. Needless to say, I’m pretty excited to hear what comes next!

Photo credit: Benny Clark

I’ve been so impressed by the music coming out of The Archie Roach Foundation’s Singing Our Futures program. This initiative which pairs emerging First Nations artists with some iconic mentors is giving a leg up to some extraordinary talents like Kiwat Kennell, who’s just released his latest single “Disconnected.” Kiwat worked with none other than Dan Sultan to tell his story through this song.

“’Disconnected’ tells the story of how my father saved my life, from my own actions, in one of the darkest periods of my life,” he admitted. “The yearning for a connection of any kind in a post-lockdown life is one that too many of us have all experienced. Through an unhealthy relationship with my mental health, I lost many personal relationships, resulting in a downward spiral, solo journey, that would eventually have me reconnect with my father, after many years of being apart. What began as a deeply negative and traumatic experience, has me now connecting to family, culture, and life!”

While the song came from feelings of being disconnected, it also sparked a very powerful connection between Kiwat and his mentor, Dan Sultan.

“We had known each other socially for a few years, but when I found out that Dan would be my mentor, and I would have the chance to work with him in a professional capacity, I couldn’t believe it. Dan Sultan has always been a huge influence on my career, his ability to captivate a whole audience with just his voice and a guitar, will always astound me! Being able to collaborate with Dan on this track has really changed how I approach songwriting. He taught me that the story, or song, that you start writing at one point in time, doesn’t have to be finished at that moment. Because like in life, you evolve … and your story isn’t finished yet. Sometimes you have to walk the path, to see where it leads.”

“Disconnected” is the latest track from the Singing Our Futures EP, which drops later this year.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Jacinta Keefe

Tag: Kiwat Kennell

Kiwat Kennell Releases Powerful Single “The Moment”

Kiwat Kennell Collaborates With Dan Sultan on “Disconnected”