One of those rare performers with a gift, a presence, Dewayne simply tells his story to a crowded room and most individuals listening feel he’s singing just for them. He can’t explain it and he’s not consciously trying to use it; it’s just there, it’s just him.
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An Aboriginal man, descended from both the Aboriginal community of Cape Barren Island and the Gunai/Kurnai people of Victoria, Dewayne’s career started at an early age, performing amongst his own community. Through various trials and tribulations he has grown as a performer, playing festival stages around Australia and across the Pacific, supporting the likes of Gurrumul, John Farnham, Archie Roach and Guy Sebastian, and dueting with Paul Kelly.
Back in 2011, music critic Bruce Elder stated that he was " ...a uniquely gifted singer with hints of the soul of Marvin Gaye and the sunny beauty of Johnny Nash".
Dewayne’s music can’t be neatly pigeonholed as Indigenous. It’s been influenced by his heritage, and then shaped by his tough early years and love of so many musical styles and great singers.
Whilst developing his music, Dewayne has also lent his support as national ambassador for the official Save The Tasmanian Devil Appeal, earned a Human Rights Week award for bringing Tasmanian Aboriginal Culture and language to the broader community, educating children and working to protect his Aboriginal heritage, and was a Young Australian of the Year (Tasmania) Finalist 2014.
Listening to Dewayne is a stunning way to spend a cold Autumn night in Bendigo, and you can do that on Saturday, May 23, at The Capital theatre.
Dewayne is supported in his Bendigo performance by Sietta, the musical combination of singer songwriter Caiti Baker and producer/instrumentalist James Mangohig (B2M, Daniel Johns, Jessica Mauboy, Manuel Dhurrkay).
With songs inspired by struggle, love, stigma, mental health, storytelling and fantasy, Sietta present their sound in unexpected forms echoing the influences of Caiti’s childhood exposure of blues, soul, gospel, country and rock n roll.
After years touring nationally and internationally, Sietta have garnered rave reviews for their live electronic performances, although they feel most at ease when they simplify their songs by way of soulful guitar and raw bluesy vocals. A perfect combination of old and new, Sietta are forever surprising their audiences and gaining new fans everywhere they play.
