Eric Avery will perform at Folk By The Sea this month. Photo: Supplied.
Indigenous violin maestro Eric Avery has said yes to taking his music from Port Kembla Steelworks to centre stage at Kiama’s Folk By The Sea festival this month.
Also known as Kabi Marrawuy Mumbulla, the festival headliner for the 20-22 September event was the star of a 2022 Optus “It starts with YES” TV ad, featuring a violin-playing steelworker who performed for workmates during lunch breaks as he dreamed of performing with an orchestra.
Filmed at the Port Kembla Steelworks, the commercial depicted the workmates encouraging him to pursue his dreams by using their phones to film his lunchtime performances of Jimmy Barnes’ iconic anthem Working Class Man on violin and uploading the video clip to social media.
Interestingly, Barnes’ original Working Class Man music video clip was also filmed at the steelworks.
While the ad ends with an orchestra seeing the clip and him later walking out to perform with it, in real life Marrawuy already has a string of significant performance credits, including playing with international stars from celebrated US cellist Yo-Yo Ma to pop diva Tina Arena.
Marrawuy said the ad had helped build his confidence performing in front of the camera.
“I also got to play with an orchestra, and made some good friends among the musicians I met doing that ad,” he said.
Growing up in Sydney’s St George area, the violinist, vocalist, dancer and composer from the Ngiyampaa, Yuin and Gumbangirr people of NSW works with his family’s custodial songs, predominantly singing in the Ngiyampaa language.
He said he first picked up a violin – a toy instrument – when he was 12.
“It was really a toy but I was able to make notes on it, and then my mother bought me a proper violin when I was 13,” he said.
“I was teaching myself, but Mum thought I needed a teacher, so I started lessons when I was 14.
“The teacher described me as a ‘wild horse that needed to be tamed’.
“I am not sure I needed taming, but the lessons gave me much better technical skills and allowed me to really hone my skills and control how I wanted to play.”
And his skill did develop, leading him to busk in the Blue Mountains with his father, who played the didgeridoo, while also studying as a dancer for three years.
Marrawuy now uses his performances to promote the languages of his ancestors, particularly from his father’s side, the Ngiyampaa people of northwestern NSW.
“I actually got to listen to my Ngiyampaa ancestors singing in their own language in a recording in the National Library, that had been made in the 1970s by a linguist who was seeking to preserve the language,” he said.
“I now sing those songs – and I was fortunate to perform them at a land rights ceremony at Mt Grenfell, near Cobar a few years ago. That was a very spiritual experience.”
Folk By The Sea director Neil McCann said Marrawuy was one of the festival’s must-see acts, performing twice during the event.
“I can’t go past Eric Avery as the act I am most looking forward to seeing perform live. He is a unique performer, and I think he will give our festival something very special,” Neil said.
Other Indigenous acts include award-winning Northern Territory artist Shellie Morris and Victorian singer-songwriter Pirritu.
They will be among 44 acts at this month’s festival, including Mikelangelo – whose four weekend performances include a tribute to The Pogues’ Shane McGowan – singer-songwriters Hedy Blaazer and Isobel Knight, and up-tempo folk band Cigany Weaver.
Kiama talent will also be in focus, with Kiama Sea Shanty Club, Kiama Pipe Band, singers Penny Hartgerink and Jessica Allan, and nine-member The Carefree Road Band.
Tickets and the full line-up for Kiama Folk By The Sea festival at Kiama Showground from 20-22 September are available on the website.
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