Sachem - The Bigger Picture - Redland Performing Arts Centre

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Fri 28 Oct 2022

Experience the powerful messages and music of Queensland artist Sachem as he brings his multi-layered artistic show to the Redland Performing Arts Centre on 28 October 2022.



A native of North Stradbroke Island, Sachem (full name Sachem Parkin-Owens) is a Brisbane-born spoken word poet, rapper and emerging singer. Sachem's cultural heritage is founded as the son of an Indigenous mother, from Quandamooka Country, and African American father. His heritage is etched in his name, which is a title given to the Native American chief from the Mohegan tribe in the North East of the USA.



I asked Sachem about his work and upcoming show to find out more about this intriguing artist.

What issues and topics are you drawn to exploring and expressing through your music and poems?Dissecting the balance of current and historical social dynamics and black succession are some of my favourite topics to pair together. It's like approaching my art with the perspective of being from oppressed demographics but still succeeding and defying the odds. I believe this is an important story to tell.

Why are these powerful for you?In my opinion, it's powerful because of the enormous amount of people who have similar lived experiences to me. All my brother boys, sister girls, cousins etc, we've never had representation of self-determination and success unless they were footy players or track and field stars. In addition, just showing people, especially my people, that it is okay to be vulnerable and put yourself out there.

How has your indigenous and African American cultural heritage influenced your music, if at all? It's been a massive influence for me. I have to pay respects to my parents. grandmothers, grandfathers, my ancestors, all of them, the same ones who gave me my heritage, life lessons and upbringing. They gave me shoulders to stand on, encouraged me to be true to myself and follow my gut instinct. I would not be who I am without these people in my family and my community.

You describe yourself as a poet, wordsmith and leader. How do you hope to lead and what impact do you hope to have?I hope that people can take inspiration from what I've done/doing and use to propel them forward in whichever direction they choose. I've been told 'No' a thousand times, I've hurt people and been hurt, I've messed up, made mistakes but the one thing that has remained the same, is I've never stopped believing.

What do you love most about performing and are looking to bring to your audience (including at RPAC)?Performing is where I connect to people and myself the most. It almost creates this perpetual cycle of learning and re-learning lessons from the past because I've always spoke my truth. Plus, the amazing accompaniment from my 7 piece band and now with the 22 piece Obscure Orchestra 'The Bigger Picture' at RPAC, the whole musical element of performing just makes me feel really happy and whole. I just hope that the audience can walk away feeling as happy and energised I as do.



See for yourself why Sachem has been awarded several arts prizes including:the 2017 Oodgeroo Noonuccal Poetry Prize through Queensland Poetry Festivalthe 2020 Brisbane City Council Best Original Song AwardTriple J Unearthed Program

Sachem will take to the stage for his "The Bigger Picture" show, along with 2-time Queensland Music Award Winning Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra at the Redland Performing Arts Centre at 7pm.

Tickets range from $35 to $38 and can be purchased here . Don't miss out on the opportunity to see this remarkable Queensland performer.

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!date 28/10/2022 -- 28/10/2022
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