December 15, 2024 • 49 mins
In this episode of Yarning Up, we sit down with the multi-talented Jalen Sutcliffe, a proud Darumbal, Kalkadoon, and Papua New Guinean performer from Townsville, North Queensland. Jalen takes us on a journey through his inspiring career as a musician, comedian, actor, and storyteller. From his roots in high school performances to starring on television shows like Bay of Fires and theatre productions like Straight from the Strait, Jalen reflects on the power of art to break down barriers, honour First Nations heritage, and create meaningful change.
We delve into the stories behind his standout performances, including his role in Straight from the Strait, which honours the resilience and legacy of Torres Strait Islander railway workers. Jalen also shares the joy of embracing authenticity, the importance of debunking shame in First Nations communities, and the role of storytelling in preserving culture.
To connect with Jalen further and stay up to date with his upcoming projects follow him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jalen_sutcliffe/
Follow Caroline on Instagram:
@blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here.
We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where this podcast was taped, and pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present, and emerging across Australia.
This podcast is brought to you by On Track Studio.
www.ontrackstudio.com.au
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Podcast Unite our Voices. This podcast is brought to you
by on Track Studio. Welcome to Yannia, the podcast that
showcases First Nations stories and conversations to help us learn
(00:25):
and unlearn Australia's history to work towards a better future.
I'm your host, proud barber woman and founder of Black
Waddel Coaching and Consulting, Caroline cow. We acknowledge the rundery
people and elders where this podcast is taped, but we
(00:46):
also acknowledge the lands that you are listening in from today.
It always was and always will be unseated aboriginal and
tourist Red Islander Land. Well, I'm super excited about our
next falla who's joining us on the show show. I
feel like it's been a pretty heavy time and I
(01:07):
was thinking about today's record and I just felt this
like immense sense of joy and lightness kind of come
over me because I'm so excited to be sitting down
with Jalen Sutcliffe, a Fallow from Northern Queensland, a countryman
from where I'm from. And yeah, I'm really excited just
(01:27):
to connect with you brs, So thank you so much.
Welcome to Yarning up.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Thank you Mom for having me. I'm excited to be here.
When you sent the questions out and was like, hey,
you want to come on, I was like, yes, yeah,
I was very excited to come on for a answer. No,
it's good to be here.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Oh, thank you, my bro. I mean I've been following
your work and your socials and what you were doing
in comedy for a long time. But I was really
taken aback because I was at event the Followship program,
you know, shout out to Culture his Life and Arnie
Binn and Madelyne and far and the crew, and you
just radiated this joy and energy and this yeah, this
(02:11):
this energy that I was like, yeah, I've got to
get this follow on the show. I think he's going
to be not just good for my spirit, but for
our listeners and the mob too. So yeah, yes. And
I also want to say thank you because I understand
you are coming off the opening night of a show
which I really want to talk about. It's like zombie,
(02:33):
So thank you for being here, particularly in spite of that.
As we do on this show, i'd love you to
sort of start by, yeah, can you introduce yourself your
mob and just tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah for sure. So my name is Jalen Sutcliffe. Born
and raised in towns with North Queensland, but my mob's
Durumble and calculture and on my mother's side and Papa
New Guinea and on my father's side, so from the
Moribe province there up in New Guinea. Yeah, I guess
I'm a musician, comedian actor, what else is there? I'm
(03:10):
trying to part time dancer only after I've had a
few and yeah, I guess I started started everything once
I kind of left high school, moved down Heater Brisbane
to study for three years at the Aboriginal Center for
Performing Arts up here. So I had started in music
(03:32):
and kind of music was the passion. And then I
kind of found my way into Deadly Funny, which is
also another branch of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival that
highlights and showcases up and coming comedian first Nations comedians
across the country. So I got a taste of that
(03:53):
and that was my first time ever doing stand up
and had the opportunity to go down to Melbourne and
take out the national final. So did that and then
I've also had the opportunity to work with Annie Debra
Cheatham with Short Black Opera. So I got the chance
to perform in Pekan Summer that was on it at
(04:14):
the Sydney Opera House a couple of years ago. So yeah,
So within that timeframe that was all still living down
here in Brisbane and kind of just getting an understanding
of the industry and figuring out everything and how it
all works and kind of yeah, going from there, and
then the University of Tasmania did a gospel course with
(04:34):
us at Akpa and after the court, after the gospel intensive,
they were like, hey, if you want to you know,
if you's are interested in studying further or just want
to test yourselves out and come to UNI, then you
know we'll help you, will support you is when you
come down, will help you, you know, look for accommodation,
look for work, help you get into the degrees want
(04:56):
to get into as well. If if it's not in
the musical stream, then whatever that may be at UNI
if you are interested. So yeah, a couple of us
ended up moving down to Tazzy to study at UNI
and then I just recently graduated last year the year
before the Bachelor of Music. So within that timeframe of
living down in Tazzy for a couple of years. I
(05:18):
got to work on Black Comedy, doing the writers' workshops
and then being a mainstay actor for season four, and
then did a few little extras things on rose Haven,
which is another show on ABC that's based down in Tazzy,
which is which is pretty funny with with Celia and
Luke McGregor. And then yeah, getting the chance to be
(05:42):
on Bay of Fires as well, which is pretty awesome
getting to there was a lot of heavy hitters, Australian
heavy hitters in that show, which it was awesome to
kind of rub shoulders with and meet and have dinner
with at night time and just you know, hear their
stories and just see how how cool they were with
everything and just being able to have after all the
(06:02):
big roles that they've done and people they've worked with.
And then finished that and then decided to move back home.
I thought, I think I just needed a break from
everything and just wanted to come back home and just
have a reset and refresh and be back with family,
and so I was really really looking forward to finishing
(06:24):
up down and Tazzy and and making the trip back
up home. It was myself and one of my other brothers, Leroy,
Tipo Laura, who's a little Tea We follower, but he's
a deadly performer in his own right. And we've sold
everything and hired a car and traveled all the way
(06:45):
up the East coast back up to Queensland together. Was
the crazy trip. The longest we did it and I
think a week and a week and a half, so
we were we were fairly cruising it up that highway.
We made it safely. I dropped him off in Bayron
Bay with his family there, and then I it up
the rest of the way by myself to Tangill. So yeah,
(07:06):
we made it back. And then as soon as I
got home, it was like, oh wait, it was just
kind of lifted off my shoulders and I was like, oh,
all right, I'm home. Now I can kind of relax
for a bit and catch up with family and help
out where I can and just just be home for
a little bit and catch up on miss time. Think
(07:28):
I'm ready to leave again. I feel like everyone's getting
sicking me out there, but I'm yeah excited for I
guess what's to come next. Not sure what that is
after this show he slays Zombie, but yeah, just kind
of taking everything as it comes, and yeah, just excited
for what's next on this on this journey in this
(07:52):
crazy industry.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Wow, my bro. I mean, look, firstly, I just want to, Yeah,
shout out to your multi clans and your moms, and
shout out to both your heritages. And yeah, for someone
who has left high school and gone on to UNI,
you sure have accomplished a lot, my bro, in featuring
in all these shows. And it was interesting, I guess
(08:14):
to hear you say that it all started out with
you performing like singing, and that led to comedy and
theater and TV. You know, I want to I want
to take it back to the first time that you performed,
I guess in front of people. Can you talk to
us about that experience and what was going on for
you that sort of put that fire in your belly
(08:35):
to go on and do all of these real, proper
deadly things.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Oh yeah, I think the first time. I think the
first time I performed would have been I think it
was in high school. I think we had there was
I went to an all boys school in towns called
it Ignatius Park College. So myself and Tristan mother Bala
that was on the Culture's Life program. We both went
(09:01):
to high school together and grew up together. So where
we're bungees, I guess lovers Nagai. Yeah, So we went
to high school there in Townsville, and I guess our
kind of little group, our little mob that we all had.
We always had a guitar or a ukulele, and we
were always jamming in our multicultural room. That's kind of
(09:23):
where well, that was our safe haven for mob, so
we was always always in there, just jamming away and playing.
And then I guess one of the teachers must have
walked past and put us forward to do an item
of singing one of the assemblies. I think we sang
it one of our Mother's day assemblies that I think
it was a song for Mama from the boys to men.
(09:46):
I think they they that one. So I think we
ended up singing that, and that was my first time performing,
and I think at that point it was very much
at an all boys school is kind of like sports
and footy and theater music and isn't kind of as
strong of a heavy hitter at unis oh sorry and
(10:09):
high school. So yeah, we got up and saying that,
and at first I was because I think I think
back then I sounded like Tucker when I used to sing.
I thought I was the earliest.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
But you got so much confidence at that stage didn't matter,
does it.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
And yeah, that's that's it. I think everyone, all of
them boys, did us up, but I think we sounded
like trash, but everyone was sitting there clapping along like,
oh that's cool, that was awesome. But yeah, I think
it was the first time I started to understand what
what shame was as well. So I was, yeah, that
(10:49):
was kind of my first like, oh, no, I don't
want to do that. That's shame, that's that's not that's
not us that we don't have to do this while
we're doing this for that's silly. It's all those thoughts
started coming into my head. But then as soon as
we've done it and every one was clapping and cheering
and yahoo, and I was like, oh, actually this is
all right, I don't mind. And then so, yeah, that
(11:14):
was kind of my first memory of I guess performing
like properly performing in front of people, being silly at
home doing stupid things, and then yeah, it kind of
went on from there to get into school musicals as well.
They we were in a little tutoring program for MOB
(11:36):
at the end of the day. We used to go
up there just for the food because they had they
had free food and cordial but we homework. But really
we were therefore after and they had auditions on for
it was Beauty and the Beast, my first school musical
I did, And so we walked down and like sussed
out what what it looked like, because the teachers were
(11:58):
all like, no, he's it coming. If he's not come,
then new mob. But we're going to put you on
detention because you should be any of just doing this.
And we're like, no, miss sir, that's silly, what's wrong
with you? So we went in and had a look
and we've seen everyone and there wasn't a I think
there was only two other black faces in there from
one of the other all girls schools to two sisters there,
(12:20):
and we was like, nah, stuff that, we're not staying
in there. We're not staying there with all these migglers.
We turned around and started walking down the hallway back
to the tutoring room, and then all three of them
teachers walked around the corner and they're like, oh, oh,
this is perfect time. Is it here and now well done? Well,
I guess he's got to turn around to come back
and audition. We're like no, but we ended up doing it,
(12:45):
and it was It was probably one of the maddest
first experiences of like just a high school musicool, and
it was Yeah, I had the best time. And that's
kind of from then on, I was like, oh, this
performing thing is pretty pretty fun. I think. Yeah, that's
kind of where it all started.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Great take music from Boys to Men to Beauty and
the Beast. It's definitely like songs that and times are
absolutely slaps, but yeah, I mean it's it's deadly to
hear that you push through some of that shame and
that feeling of maybe vulnerability, and on the other side
of that is this like really beautiful feeling like I
(13:23):
just did that, and you know, to see that you
kind of, yeah, push through that feeling to lead you
where you are is pretty deadly, my bro. Yeah, yeah,
and it's nice to hear that, Like, yeah, being a
part of like other friends and communities and peers who
are also kind of going down that path as well.
(13:44):
I mean, I'm curious to know were you always the
performer in the family growing up. There's always one, I think,
or maybe a handful. But you know, thinking about your family,
like are they all performers and musicians or is it
just you? Where does it come from? Do you think?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
I think I like to think it was just I
think at the moment since I've been born, it was.
I think it was it was just me growing up.
I was so I think I was always the one
kind of g and all the cousins up and being
silly and doing stupid things to make everyone laugh. And
so I think I've always kind of had that funny
(14:21):
bone in my soul. But I think there's there's been
a lot of performers in in our family. There was
our great great grandfather uncles. They everyone called them Uncle
Paul and Uncle Dudley. They were musicians back back in
the day and around the time of when the tent
(14:45):
Embasy was going on and kicking up, and there was
a so when when we were doing the we were
doing a week long intensive with Short Black Opera, and
we had the opportunity to record with Uncle Archie roach
last album that he did, so we got the chance
(15:06):
to be like the kind of little gospel choir in there.
And there was always this yarn through the family that
Uncle Paul and Uncle Duddy had kind of helped Uncle
Archie out of his tough times and kind of got
him into music and playing guitar and singing and everything
(15:26):
like that. And I've always been like, if I ever
get to meet Uncle Archid and you know, I'm to
ask him the question and see if you know, if
the if the yarns are true, because you know, mob
goes sometimes I just been yarn, just to just to
spin a yarn and little.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Bit of spicy male on there.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's it. And so we finished the
recording and I went up to him and I was like, Hey,
I'm Jalen on this and that such and much. And
I was like, I don't know if you if you
remember this, these follows Paul and Dudley Meredith and he
was like, oh I don't. He just went on a big,
(16:02):
a big were yon there and was telling me about
him and how they helped him and everything they done,
and I was like, wow, that's that's that's insane. So yeah,
I ended up and I was like, I know everyone
been asking you for a photo, but councters get one, Yeah,
which was which was a real spinout because I was like, man, wow,
(16:26):
this is like, that's that's cool. It was. Yeah, it
was kind of felt like a full circle moment in
a in a sense of like, oh, that's it's true,
like this young is true, which is pretty deadly. But yeah,
there's I guess that's kind of the only performers I've
kind of heard of, I think in our family apart
(16:49):
from then, there was my great grandfather, my NaN's dad,
who was a boxer or ten boxer and everything back
in the day Jack Hassen. But yeah, that's apart from that.
I think I feel like if they watched this, someone
gets struck down.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Oh well, my bro. I mean that's so deadly to
hear that you got to perform with you know, the
late uncle Archie Roaches, you know, an icon for our community.
And yeah, I mean what was that experience like for you?
I mean, it's so deadly to hear the connections, Like
you say, it's so full circle. You never really know
(17:34):
what legacy you're carrying on from your old ones. But yeah,
what was that like for you? In meeting and singing
alongside somebody so so important for our communities?
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Oh moments moments I'll never forget. Yeah, it was Yeah,
it was special, really really special, just to just to
be in the room with him and just to kind
of feel the energy that just exuded out of him
when he walked into a room and he didn't have
(18:11):
to say anything. He just walked in and everyone knew
what was what was going on, and it was Yeah,
it's powerful. He didn't have to say much either, it
was just really really softly spoken. Really yeah, just nice.
I just like there, he's like, just you see me.
(18:32):
You just want to give him a big hug.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Yeah. Yeah, it's so beautiful. Like to hear you say that,
I've had the privilege of being in a sort of
intimate setting with him and I can yeah, I know
what you mean about that, that presence and that he
feels like everyone's uncle a in that space, even the
Mingaloo's there, you know. So yeah, that's so beautiful. It's
(18:59):
so interesting you're saying about that. Like in our family,
this is how old I am.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Broke.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
So, I know you're a lot younger than me, but
I'm one of six and I was a bit of
the performer, going up part in theater and dancing, but
I never Sadly, I never sustained it like you, and
I often think about what my life would look like
if I had have continued to pursue the arts and
not gone down the whole counselor UNI having to do
(19:25):
something with my brain and was more heartlet and in
my heart and in my body. But I used to
have to set up the video camera to do performances
and then watch them back on the VCR. And I'll
never forget, like I know, that's how old I am.
And it's funny like in the last few years, we've
gone through like some of our old stuff and we
(19:47):
found all these old videos of me singing, performing, and
I was like, oh my god, true god, this is
so embarrassing. But yeah, that's certainly how old I am.
We didn't have cameras back then, and my family was
so sick of having forced performances that I would just
do solo shows for one. But I was actually yarning
(20:08):
with my Aunie when I was up in country last
year about it. And because my little niece, Ivy, she's
into all this performing and dancing and especially tap dancing,
and I used to do tap dancing and my nun
was a tap dancer. Before she was a domestic she
was like an amazing dancer, And so you just think,
what are we taking on? You know, we often think
(20:29):
about I guess a lot of the struggles and the
trauma we'd take on, but we also get these beautiful
gifts and talents too that we just sometimes don't know.
So I love that connection with your uncle, your great
uncle and Archie and now you. So that's deadly my bro.
(20:50):
Will be back you mob right after this short break.
I want to sort of circle back. You know, you
have done quite a lot of things in your young career,
(21:10):
I would say, you know, from Black Comedy, Debate of Fires,
to rose Haven Paper Dolls to this new It's a Zombie,
Straight from the Straight, both on TV and theater. You know,
I want to know what's been the most memorable moment
for you, or memorable moments on stage or on set.
(21:34):
You know, what's something that's really reminded you that you
love what you do and has stayed with you in
this process.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
I think it was I think maybe during Straight from
the Straight, just the the understanding of the story and
the meaning behind the story and how much power the
story has and what we had what we had to
do to put it on and the weight that we
carry to get this story out for for them old
(22:04):
people and for the Toy Straight Islands. I think once
as soon as we hit that stage on opening night
and you could just hear everyone screaming up in the
crowd and whistling out and singing, singing back the songs
that were in the musical as well, I think that
was one of those moments where I was like, this
(22:27):
is where we're doing something right for the people, and yeah,
everyone was a powerful first opening for that show as
well being it being a sold out season, but just
with the show, the show had been in works for
thirteen years plus I think, and so to finally now
(22:49):
be on a stage, I think, yeah, being having the
honor and privilege to come in and help bring this
story to life with myself not being a torch right
on the person, to have the honor to help bring
that story across and yeah, and to to get that
(23:11):
kind of the love from the old people and all
the molders that were sitting in the audience that come
up to us after and said thank you for this show.
And my my father's, my uncles were on them on
that railway and it was all it was all love,
and I think it was one of the Yeah, that
(23:32):
was probably one of the moments where I was like,
this is this is why I love performing, and this
is why I love kind of doing doing what I do.
And it's yeah, especially for our people too, whether to
straight or Aboriginal or POC or any any mob. I
(23:53):
think just yeah, it was it was a special moment.
So yeah, I think that's probably that's probably one of them.
But there's so many to pick from.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Yeah, I mean, like so as I understand, and you know,
I'd love to sort of unpack it, but as I
understand straight from the strait was sort of like based
on true stories of people who had left their islands
to come to the mainland for work and to you know,
find opportunities through through that often exploited as well, as
(24:26):
I understand, you know, there's lots.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
Of wages they should have.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Yeah, I mean, can you tell me a little bit
around so you said that this is sort of like
thirteen years in the making, Like, yeah, can you shed
some more light on, like, yeah, what the show was
about and what it was trying to, I guess portray
to the people who were there in the audience.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Yeah, yeah, So the show was was in the in
developments for thirteen plus years, just kind of getting the
stories right and kind of creating the music and creating
the characters, and I think finding time to sit down
with those uncles as well and have them beyond with
(25:12):
them because they'll getting old now. A lot of them
have passed too, So trying to yeah, trying to be
able to get there, get their stories and their memories,
to be able to put it on paper too, I
think was a big thing in the development stages. And
then the show itself was about the when the toy
(25:34):
shot on, the man left the straights and went to
move move down to the mainland to work on the railway.
They come across on a on a lugger boat and
they'd either find work in the cane fields and then
other make their way from the cane fields into the
into the railway lines. And some of them made it
(25:56):
over to wa to work on this railway. This rail
from put headlinto Matt Newman I think, or Matt Newman
called Helen one there, but it was Tho. It's in
between those two those two towns over in western Australia
and they ended up breaking the world record on May eight,
nineteen sixty eight. I think they laid seven point two
(26:17):
kilometers in eleven hours and something in it, so they had, Yeah,
they had broken the American record by lunch, and then
I think the record, the world record was then broken
after that they and they didn't there was yarns that
they didn't stop the clock when it was a break.
(26:39):
They kept the clock running too, so I think it
would have been a lot quicker if they had stopped
the clock then. Yeah. So yeah, a powerful story about
them leaving the islands, a lot of them not even
making it back to the Straits. They would stay stay
over in Wa, So yeah, it was kind of the
struggles of when they would leave the islands, and the
(27:02):
struggles with the women also then had to face, yeah,
not having their companion there by their side with them
to do day to day activities and help out around
the house or on the islands or so yeah. And
then also the intricacies and struggles of men from different
(27:24):
tribal groups and clans all coming together to go and
work on this railway together. So it's a story of
brotherhood and yeah, coming together from all different nations, whether
that's toe shot on the Aboriginal, they had Yugoslavian brothers
on there. There was a whole melting pot of cultures.
(27:47):
So yeah, it was it was special to be able
to represent all of that and all that story.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
So gosh, wow, min Bro, I'm just taking that on
in a I mean, how powerful to be a part
of something that yeah, users, I guess performance, but with
like ancient stories and honoring people's stories in that way.
And do you just imagine the ferocity in which they
(28:15):
were working to be able to do that.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Yeah, the them men were built different. They were a
lot of the photos we were given from I think
it was the Queensland Queensland Library, I think they had
a lot of the old photos and so they they
were always up wherever we were. They were up in
around the room. So every time we were breaking down
(28:39):
characters or just needed a bit of inspiration, we would
they would always be there watching us. So them men
were chiseled by the ancestors because they were there was
a lot of us were looking at me especially, I
was looking at their photos and stuff that I couldn't Yeah,
(29:00):
that too strong work like that, That's just insane, and
they were just they would be shirts off, shorts off,
just in their jobs working on that railway with boots. Yeah,
work boots on just because it was that hot over
there as well. So yeah, it was the same the
conditions they worked under two and still worked that fast
(29:23):
and efficiently. And yeah, it's just something about being black.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
That the power of our blackness, as Barker says, But
you know, it's sort of like one of those things
that I get proper wild in my work because you know,
I'm really passionate about burnout. Because people had this like
narrative that black follows are inherently lazy, but we are
the hardest working people. And all about infrastructure is back
(29:48):
on the back end of black and brown you know,
enslavement and labor and poor qualities of labor. And like
even my mum, for instance, she was born in a
sugarcane field. She didn't even go to hospital because my
nan was clearing the roads. We're getting ready for trains
and train tracks and infrastructure because they were just working
to the bone literally, And so we owe a lot
(30:11):
of thanks to people like that who have created what
we have now, Like in civilized society, I guess quoted now,
But wow, my bro, how special, what a special special
project straight from the strait? How amazing? Yeah? Was it
emotional for you? Like did you find like yourself feeling
(30:33):
a bit emotional during the process, Because this is this
sort of art of storytelling that would be really unique
for people of color or black fellows or you know,
people from the Toro astraight. It is like it's like
this sort of expression, but it's also like honoring a
sacred like calling or responsibility. Yeah, did you find it
(30:54):
emotional along the way for you?
Speaker 2 (30:55):
Like, yeah, it was? It was. Yeah, it was an
emotional rollercoaster that show. Because we had the amazing Annie
Nadine McDonald. She was our director and she just laid
down the law from the get go of what this
story means, and she really embedded that that sense of
(31:19):
hard work into us to help find them characters and
to help us understand what it would have really been
like back then, and the just the a lot of
the real yucky moments in the show where it's like,
you know, as them follows, we're not free now, but
(31:40):
them Follows still couldn't be free back then, Like they
had needed passes to go to places they couldn't leave
without those passes or else that get locked up or
sent back to the island somehow we're thrown on another
boat or like it was just yeah, insane, and I think,
yeah it was. It was a powerful, powerful and emotional
(32:01):
couple of weeks. But we were all together in this
this hotel as well, so we were we'd always be
eaten together, we'd always be the sharing stories, getting closer,
So it was on that type of emotional level. It
was really really tight knit too. So when we got
into the restal room, we were building on that that
(32:23):
friendship and that brotherhood and that sense of family as well.
And yeah, understanding also that a lot of them didn't
even make it back home to their families, so having
that that feeling of of not ever seeing your family
again after you moved down to work. So yeah, it was,
(32:44):
it was. It was. It was tough some days, but
it was just really powerful in everything we did. So
it was, Yeah, it was. It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Well, mad respect to you and all the people that
shared their stories and pulled that together too. Yeah, honor
what was and to do it in a way that
is meaningful and respectful, and yeah, it's a beautiful thing.
Thank you for sharing that, Mi bro.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
It's always always loves sharing the yarns, the straits, the
stories for the show, and yeah it's special.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Well I mean switching gears. I don't know, but I
know that. So last night was opening night for another
show which you've just started, Eat Slay Zombie. Tell us
about the show, what's going on, what can people expect
and coming along and seeing.
Speaker 2 (33:37):
You you can expect us to slay zombies. There's dance sequences,
there's a lot of comedy, a lot of black humor
in the show. So it's a story about a zombie
apocalypse that breaks out in Brisbane here and it follows
(33:58):
the story of two sister girls that have been titters
their whole lives, but since the outbreak, they've been bunking
down in a in a bowling alley and they've been
kind of bunking down here and they've been fighting zombies.
And then my character comes along and kind of shakes
the tree up a bit between them and the relationship
and makes one want to go find the people and
(34:20):
the other doesn't want to biro me because I'm coming
in here and luck with the feathers and she kind
of just wants to stay in the bunker and because
that's that's all they've known, and that's that's safety for
her character as well. So yeah, but it's it's really
it's really really fun. It's kind of like a older
sister's little brother type of relationship. But yeah, it touches
(34:45):
on a lot of a lot of issues that mob faces,
especially in today's day and age, and but it's kind
of doesn't hit it with the whole doom and gloom
of those yarns. So it's it's really Yeah, it's really nice,
deadly play written by the amazing a Linta McGrady, known
(35:09):
as About Us Mother on socials. She's also a deadly
performer musician in her own right as well as performed
with Hot Brown Honey and Yeah, she's insane. She she
wrote this, and I think she should write more.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
Yea, I love it. This is what I love about
Blackfellows too, Like the light and shade between what you
do and so you know, I have something like, you know,
quite clean net like straight from the straight very important.
But then also to think about the apocalypse and its
links to like yeah, colonization and being funny and silly
(35:52):
and carrying on is also really important. We need we
need all those stories and all that versatility around it.
How deadly that sounds, That sounds like something worth going along?
When can you maybe shout out some details? When is
it running from where people see it?
Speaker 2 (36:10):
It's a it's a short season, but yeah, it's it's
running from Uh So we opened on Wednesday. Remember're going
till We've got a show today and then a show
tomorrow at Quebec in the Carimon Theater here in Brisbane
from yeah, sixth to the ninth. So we've got a
show tonight and two shows tomorrow and then they're all finished.
(36:32):
Though hopefully it goes on to it because I feel
like it deserves to be seen by the rest of
the country as well. Yeah, story about two staunch sisters
and then my character is just therefore just for a
little bit of comedic relief that represents the sisters and
(36:55):
the strength of women out came within our people and
the power that they hold that all you might So yeah,
it's it's deadly.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Oh deadly, bro. I really hope it does take taking
a national sort of tour and we all get to
see it all all around. So called Australia. I mean, bro,
I'm curious to know you know what? I got two questions,
I guess too pronged. You know what what is performing like?
To think back to getting up on stage, feeling shame,
(37:27):
singing some boys to men to now you know, being
a part of this like rich tapestry of performance in Australia,
bringing black stories and magic to the stage. You know
what has performing taught you about yourself? And what advice
would you give any young fellows who are feeling a
(37:47):
bit shame and don't want to get out of their
comfort zone, you know, to maybe think about exploring themselves
through the arts.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
That's a good one, I think. I think for me,
performing has taught myself too to be free and to
let go. And yeah, I think those are some of
the big things because with I guess with acting as well,
you kind of you can put on these characters and
(38:18):
live out a different, different style of life with with
who you're playing. So being able to have that freedom
with characters as well and with performing on stage and
I think it, yeah, it allows you to to free
up your body and to free up your soul to
just have fun and just not worry about all the
(38:39):
stresses of life and the colony and everything else that
is tough with being black. So I think, yeah, that's
probably probably being free and just being able to let
go and let loose on stage. I think is is
what I've loved about performing, and I think, yeah, what
performing has done for me. And then advice for young
(39:05):
mob that would want to get into the arts and
do some things and drop the shame game, I think,
I think you just you just got to do it.
I think there's yeah, I don't know, I think there's
you can kind of tiptoe around it and you know,
break things down and kind of get into stuff in
(39:25):
the community and just kind of get out there and
do daily things that can kind of help break down
that shame if you're not one to kind of just
kick it in the gut straight away and be like,
I don't want to be shamed no more, because it is.
It is a tough thing. Shame carries a lot of
a lot of weight with us as black people, and
(39:45):
so it's tough whether that be shame to do this,
shame to do that, shame for your body, shame for
anything else that you might have going on in your life.
So it's just yeah, trying to find ways that you
can kind of navigate it and break it down for yourself,
especially for our younger generations that are coming. I mean,
(40:05):
I'm still young now, but all them young young ones
that are that that are coming up through that are
going to be the ones to really make the change.
I think, yeah, just to you just got to drop it.
There was a scene I did in Bay of Fires
where I've come straight out of the water, out of
(40:27):
the ocean and I'm holding onto a little boy that's
floating around in the in the ocean. And it was
a scene where they were like, oh, do you want
to wear like a swim shirt or and I was like, no,
would I want to do that? And I think that
for that moment, I was like, you know what, we
there's no big bodies on stage. It's just all them
(40:49):
follows from home and away with walking up the beach
with their little.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
Yeah, the same, but.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
Get my big frame on this screen and have it
have it up there. And brother Wayne Blair was directing
the second half of this the show at that point,
and I said, I said, bruhs, I'm gonna come like
you know, mon if I come out of this ocean
shirtless and in just in my shorts. He's like you
(41:22):
sure like you should I'm like yeah, yeah, yeah. He's
like all right, let's do it. And I was like yes,
So that that was for me. That was like you
know what, I'm doing this for them big body people
that all the big moment you know, aren't seeing us
on screens. I was like, this is that's for us,
and so it's just yeah, I mean and for myself
as well, like I think shame is it has been
(41:42):
big in my life. And it's like, well, like you
can try and call me fat or call me obi
so or whatever. You're like, it's not gonna be the
one that's got the problems, Like I don't care, Like,
oh my gosh, she heard me.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
Like yeah yeah.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
Cool, I could cool you fat and you'd be more
will hurt than me. Like it's one of those situations
where it's like you need the one that has to
go just check yourself properly, please. But yeah, I think
just doing daily things here and there. Community things is
as big as well, whether it be community theater, a
(42:22):
lot of people community walks these days as well, with
health and fitness being a big thing and deadly choices
and all that stuff. So yeah, I think just getting
out there and just kind of not being a shame
to talk to random people sometimes too, saying good every now,
that's a good thing to kind of break down be
(42:42):
in shame as well, because I think once MOB leaves
shame in the bin, then it's dangerous Like this, I
don't think. I don't think anyone's ready for once Mob
stopped using the word shame like it's it's a lot
of no one. Yeah, I'm excited for when that happens.
I think that's that's going to be special.
Speaker 1 (43:05):
Well, gosh, there's so much beauty and wisdom and what
you've just shared, and I think, you know, like full circle,
circling back to where we started the fact that we're
here talking about debunking and being mystifying shame. You know,
there might be someone in their car, someone on a
walk right now, you know who really needs to hear that.
So I wanted to say thank you for reminding us
(43:27):
all and also that you push through that and now
you're creating a conversation. But you're living at bro you're
living in your truth, and you're right once you're sort
of once you I mean, the world is hard. We
know that as blackfellows. You know, it's a certain hard
that we shouldn't have to feel. But you know, when
we allow ourselves to really honor our own voice, our intuition,
(43:51):
our knowing, what it is that fills us up, lights
us up, brings us joy. Once we're at a place
where we can accept that and we can be on
our authentic selves, then you're like you say, we're literally unstoppable,
Like we are so powerful in that. And you know,
it's it's a beautiful thing that once you're there in
(44:12):
life and it's work and all that, and you have
to keep reminding yourself, sure, but once you're at that place,
there's a there's a piece and a power that comes
with that. So I love that. And you get to
sort of, like you say, liberate yourself through other characters
and explore other characters, which is just beautiful. And I
(44:32):
just want to sort of replay what you said in
terms of some of those tips, which is you know,
starting small, you know, having a yarn, putting yourself out there.
I think after COVID we have become a little like
in our bubbles. So yeah, go out meet people, say hello,
on a on your walk at a cafe or and
just you know, really notice, Okay, how did I feel?
(44:54):
What did it come up for me? And pushing yourself
like sometimes there's like the little steps over time become
big steps. And yeah, sometimes dipping your toe in community
in community arts, it's a great way to build a
network and community around you. And so you can do
this with people in your corner as well. So they're
(45:15):
really great practical tips. Thank you, Mi bro.
Speaker 2 (45:18):
No, that's they I feel like I feel like they, Yeah,
people aren't ready for once we drop shame like this. Yeah,
they don't know what's like, we know what's going to
be like, but they yeah, it's going to be insane.
I think so.
Speaker 1 (45:34):
And I think with that too my brain like we
sort of also as black fellows, need to get better
at not shaming people up or you know, I think
it's also two way, like you know, we we we've
had shame in our community because of a reason and
as I understand, is like we don't want people to
get too big for their boots because back in the day,
if you were too confident, you'd put your tribe and
mob at risk doing the you know, wmber things and
(45:57):
so there was a there was a purpose for it.
But the challenge is is in this place, you know,
we've been paid it as problems to be solved, we
start to believe that we are, you know, not worthy
of living a life that we love, and that shame
holds us back. And that's where I think it's really problematic.
So I love this conversation just to think about where
(46:19):
we will be as people without the shame is just yeah, deadly.
My final question to you, my bro, because I know
you're probably tired and you've got to get back to performing,
but you know, what are you hoping to? What's your
legacy that you hope to You know, through all this work,
have you thought about what it is you hope to
sort of build as you grow? And yeah, what it
(46:42):
is you want to be known for in this my bro?
Speaker 2 (46:47):
Cool? That's good.
Speaker 1 (46:50):
It's a big one, I think, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (46:52):
I think if I like to think that if you
something comes up and someone thinks of me and they
smile and leave, then I feel like that's that's a legacy.
I'm pretty happy with leaving behind and creating for myself
because then I know that my job for what I'm
(47:17):
doing on this on this earth is being done right
and given people laughter and putting smiles on their faces.
And even if I don't have to be in front
of you, but do you think of something that I've
done or just something come up and you just see
me and smile and I know that, like I'm putting
(47:39):
joy out there for everyone. So yeah, I think that's
the type of legacy I feel like i'd love to
leave behind.
Speaker 1 (47:48):
I love that, And you're going to make me tear
up good ways, you know. I think we're always in
a state of striving and just to be reminded of
somebody who yeah, loved their life, made people feel good
about themselves and smile and be because Lord knows we
need it right now more than ever before. We need
(48:08):
that healing, We need that laughter, we need that silliness.
So yeah, that's beautiful. Well I want to say thank you.
I'm going to put all of Jalen's details in our
show notes so you can go along and follow all
of what he's doing, all that he's creating and be
smiling up with all of us along the way at
what you'd be doing. Bro, So thank you so much
(48:30):
for being on Yarning Up, considering again you're in the
middle of shows.
Speaker 2 (48:34):
Thank you, MOB for having me. It's been unreal and
I love company. Y'are on things, so thank you for
having me with you follows it's been deadly, oh deadly.
Speaker 1 (48:46):
Thank you, my bro. Thank you so much for listening
you Mob. If you are vibing this season of Yarning Up,
then please head over to Apple, Spotify, or wherever you
get your podcasts from to show us some love, rat
and review. Alternatively, you can get in contact and give
(49:08):
us some feedback by visiting www dot Caroline Coow dot
com dot au
Podcast Unite our Voices. This podcast is brought to you
by on Track Studio. Welcome to Yannia, the podcast that
showcases First Nations stories and conversations to help us learn
(00:25):
and unlearn Australia's history to work towards a better future.
I'm your host, proud barber woman and founder of Black
Waddel Coaching and Consulting, Caroline cow. We acknowledge the rundery
people and elders where this podcast is taped, but we
(00:46):
also acknowledge the lands that you are listening in from today.
It always was and always will be unseated aboriginal and
tourist Red Islander Land. Well, I'm super excited about our
next falla who's joining us on the show show. I
feel like it's been a pretty heavy time and I
(01:07):
was thinking about today's record and I just felt this
like immense sense of joy and lightness kind of come
over me because I'm so excited to be sitting down
with Jalen Sutcliffe, a Fallow from Northern Queensland, a countryman
from where I'm from. And yeah, I'm really excited just
(01:27):
to connect with you brs, So thank you so much.
Welcome to Yarning up.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Thank you Mom for having me. I'm excited to be here.
When you sent the questions out and was like, hey,
you want to come on, I was like, yes, yeah,
I was very excited to come on for a answer. No,
it's good to be here.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Oh, thank you, my bro. I mean I've been following
your work and your socials and what you were doing
in comedy for a long time. But I was really
taken aback because I was at event the Followship program,
you know, shout out to Culture his Life and Arnie
Binn and Madelyne and far and the crew, and you
just radiated this joy and energy and this yeah, this
(02:11):
this energy that I was like, yeah, I've got to
get this follow on the show. I think he's going
to be not just good for my spirit, but for
our listeners and the mob too. So yeah, yes. And
I also want to say thank you because I understand
you are coming off the opening night of a show
which I really want to talk about. It's like zombie,
(02:33):
So thank you for being here, particularly in spite of that.
As we do on this show, i'd love you to
sort of start by, yeah, can you introduce yourself your
mob and just tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah for sure. So my name is Jalen Sutcliffe. Born
and raised in towns with North Queensland, but my mob's
Durumble and calculture and on my mother's side and Papa
New Guinea and on my father's side, so from the
Moribe province there up in New Guinea. Yeah, I guess
I'm a musician, comedian actor, what else is there? I'm
(03:10):
trying to part time dancer only after I've had a
few and yeah, I guess I started started everything once
I kind of left high school, moved down Heater Brisbane
to study for three years at the Aboriginal Center for
Performing Arts up here. So I had started in music
(03:32):
and kind of music was the passion. And then I
kind of found my way into Deadly Funny, which is
also another branch of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival that
highlights and showcases up and coming comedian first Nations comedians
across the country. So I got a taste of that
(03:53):
and that was my first time ever doing stand up
and had the opportunity to go down to Melbourne and
take out the national final. So did that and then
I've also had the opportunity to work with Annie Debra
Cheatham with Short Black Opera. So I got the chance
to perform in Pekan Summer that was on it at
(04:14):
the Sydney Opera House a couple of years ago. So yeah,
So within that timeframe that was all still living down
here in Brisbane and kind of just getting an understanding
of the industry and figuring out everything and how it
all works and kind of yeah, going from there, and
then the University of Tasmania did a gospel course with
(04:34):
us at Akpa and after the court, after the gospel intensive,
they were like, hey, if you want to you know,
if you's are interested in studying further or just want
to test yourselves out and come to UNI, then you
know we'll help you, will support you is when you
come down, will help you, you know, look for accommodation,
look for work, help you get into the degrees want
(04:56):
to get into as well. If if it's not in
the musical stream, then whatever that may be at UNI
if you are interested. So yeah, a couple of us
ended up moving down to Tazzy to study at UNI
and then I just recently graduated last year the year
before the Bachelor of Music. So within that timeframe of
living down in Tazzy for a couple of years. I
(05:18):
got to work on Black Comedy, doing the writers' workshops
and then being a mainstay actor for season four, and
then did a few little extras things on rose Haven,
which is another show on ABC that's based down in Tazzy,
which is which is pretty funny with with Celia and
Luke McGregor. And then yeah, getting the chance to be
(05:42):
on Bay of Fires as well, which is pretty awesome
getting to there was a lot of heavy hitters, Australian
heavy hitters in that show, which it was awesome to
kind of rub shoulders with and meet and have dinner
with at night time and just you know, hear their
stories and just see how how cool they were with
everything and just being able to have after all the
(06:02):
big roles that they've done and people they've worked with.
And then finished that and then decided to move back home.
I thought, I think I just needed a break from
everything and just wanted to come back home and just
have a reset and refresh and be back with family,
and so I was really really looking forward to finishing
(06:24):
up down and Tazzy and and making the trip back
up home. It was myself and one of my other brothers, Leroy,
Tipo Laura, who's a little Tea We follower, but he's
a deadly performer in his own right. And we've sold
everything and hired a car and traveled all the way
(06:45):
up the East coast back up to Queensland together. Was
the crazy trip. The longest we did it and I
think a week and a week and a half, so
we were we were fairly cruising it up that highway.
We made it safely. I dropped him off in Bayron
Bay with his family there, and then I it up
the rest of the way by myself to Tangill. So yeah,
(07:06):
we made it back. And then as soon as I
got home, it was like, oh wait, it was just
kind of lifted off my shoulders and I was like, oh,
all right, I'm home. Now I can kind of relax
for a bit and catch up with family and help
out where I can and just just be home for
a little bit and catch up on miss time. Think
(07:28):
I'm ready to leave again. I feel like everyone's getting
sicking me out there, but I'm yeah excited for I
guess what's to come next. Not sure what that is
after this show he slays Zombie, but yeah, just kind
of taking everything as it comes, and yeah, just excited
for what's next on this on this journey in this
(07:52):
crazy industry.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Wow, my bro. I mean, look, firstly, I just want to, Yeah,
shout out to your multi clans and your moms, and
shout out to both your heritages. And yeah, for someone
who has left high school and gone on to UNI,
you sure have accomplished a lot, my bro, in featuring
in all these shows. And it was interesting, I guess
(08:14):
to hear you say that it all started out with
you performing like singing, and that led to comedy and
theater and TV. You know, I want to I want
to take it back to the first time that you performed,
I guess in front of people. Can you talk to
us about that experience and what was going on for
you that sort of put that fire in your belly
(08:35):
to go on and do all of these real, proper
deadly things.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Oh yeah, I think the first time. I think the
first time I performed would have been I think it
was in high school. I think we had there was
I went to an all boys school in towns called
it Ignatius Park College. So myself and Tristan mother Bala
that was on the Culture's Life program. We both went
(09:01):
to high school together and grew up together. So where
we're bungees, I guess lovers Nagai. Yeah, So we went
to high school there in Townsville, and I guess our
kind of little group, our little mob that we all had.
We always had a guitar or a ukulele, and we
were always jamming in our multicultural room. That's kind of
(09:23):
where well, that was our safe haven for mob, so
we was always always in there, just jamming away and playing.
And then I guess one of the teachers must have
walked past and put us forward to do an item
of singing one of the assemblies. I think we sang
it one of our Mother's day assemblies that I think
it was a song for Mama from the boys to men.
(09:46):
I think they they that one. So I think we
ended up singing that, and that was my first time performing,
and I think at that point it was very much
at an all boys school is kind of like sports
and footy and theater music and isn't kind of as
strong of a heavy hitter at unis oh sorry and
(10:09):
high school. So yeah, we got up and saying that,
and at first I was because I think I think
back then I sounded like Tucker when I used to sing.
I thought I was the earliest.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
But you got so much confidence at that stage didn't matter,
does it.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
And yeah, that's that's it. I think everyone, all of
them boys, did us up, but I think we sounded
like trash, but everyone was sitting there clapping along like,
oh that's cool, that was awesome. But yeah, I think
it was the first time I started to understand what
what shame was as well. So I was, yeah, that
(10:49):
was kind of my first like, oh, no, I don't
want to do that. That's shame, that's that's not that's
not us that we don't have to do this while
we're doing this for that's silly. It's all those thoughts
started coming into my head. But then as soon as
we've done it and every one was clapping and cheering
and yahoo, and I was like, oh, actually this is
all right, I don't mind. And then so, yeah, that
(11:14):
was kind of my first memory of I guess performing
like properly performing in front of people, being silly at
home doing stupid things, and then yeah, it kind of
went on from there to get into school musicals as well.
They we were in a little tutoring program for MOB
(11:36):
at the end of the day. We used to go
up there just for the food because they had they
had free food and cordial but we homework. But really
we were therefore after and they had auditions on for
it was Beauty and the Beast, my first school musical
I did, And so we walked down and like sussed
out what what it looked like, because the teachers were
(11:58):
all like, no, he's it coming. If he's not come,
then new mob. But we're going to put you on
detention because you should be any of just doing this.
And we're like, no, miss sir, that's silly, what's wrong
with you? So we went in and had a look
and we've seen everyone and there wasn't a I think
there was only two other black faces in there from
one of the other all girls schools to two sisters there,
(12:20):
and we was like, nah, stuff that, we're not staying
in there. We're not staying there with all these migglers.
We turned around and started walking down the hallway back
to the tutoring room, and then all three of them
teachers walked around the corner and they're like, oh, oh,
this is perfect time. Is it here and now well done? Well,
I guess he's got to turn around to come back
and audition. We're like no, but we ended up doing it,
(12:45):
and it was It was probably one of the maddest
first experiences of like just a high school musicool, and
it was Yeah, I had the best time. And that's
kind of from then on, I was like, oh, this
performing thing is pretty pretty fun. I think. Yeah, that's
kind of where it all started.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Great take music from Boys to Men to Beauty and
the Beast. It's definitely like songs that and times are
absolutely slaps, but yeah, I mean it's it's deadly to
hear that you push through some of that shame and
that feeling of maybe vulnerability, and on the other side
of that is this like really beautiful feeling like I
(13:23):
just did that, and you know, to see that you
kind of, yeah, push through that feeling to lead you
where you are is pretty deadly, my bro. Yeah, yeah,
and it's nice to hear that, Like, yeah, being a
part of like other friends and communities and peers who
are also kind of going down that path as well.
(13:44):
I mean, I'm curious to know were you always the
performer in the family growing up. There's always one, I think,
or maybe a handful. But you know, thinking about your family,
like are they all performers and musicians or is it
just you? Where does it come from? Do you think?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
I think I like to think it was just I
think at the moment since I've been born, it was.
I think it was it was just me growing up.
I was so I think I was always the one
kind of g and all the cousins up and being
silly and doing stupid things to make everyone laugh. And
so I think I've always kind of had that funny
(14:21):
bone in my soul. But I think there's there's been
a lot of performers in in our family. There was
our great great grandfather uncles. They everyone called them Uncle
Paul and Uncle Dudley. They were musicians back back in
the day and around the time of when the tent
(14:45):
Embasy was going on and kicking up, and there was
a so when when we were doing the we were
doing a week long intensive with Short Black Opera, and
we had the opportunity to record with Uncle Archie roach
last album that he did, so we got the chance
(15:06):
to be like the kind of little gospel choir in there.
And there was always this yarn through the family that
Uncle Paul and Uncle Duddy had kind of helped Uncle
Archie out of his tough times and kind of got
him into music and playing guitar and singing and everything
(15:26):
like that. And I've always been like, if I ever
get to meet Uncle Archid and you know, I'm to
ask him the question and see if you know, if
the if the yarns are true, because you know, mob
goes sometimes I just been yarn, just to just to
spin a yarn and little.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Bit of spicy male on there.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's it. And so we finished the
recording and I went up to him and I was like, Hey,
I'm Jalen on this and that such and much. And
I was like, I don't know if you if you
remember this, these follows Paul and Dudley Meredith and he
was like, oh I don't. He just went on a big,
(16:02):
a big were yon there and was telling me about
him and how they helped him and everything they done,
and I was like, wow, that's that's that's insane. So yeah,
I ended up and I was like, I know everyone
been asking you for a photo, but councters get one, Yeah,
which was which was a real spinout because I was like, man, wow,
(16:26):
this is like, that's that's cool. It was. Yeah, it
was kind of felt like a full circle moment in
a in a sense of like, oh, that's it's true,
like this young is true, which is pretty deadly. But yeah,
there's I guess that's kind of the only performers I've
kind of heard of, I think in our family apart
(16:49):
from then, there was my great grandfather, my NaN's dad,
who was a boxer or ten boxer and everything back
in the day Jack Hassen. But yeah, that's apart from that.
I think I feel like if they watched this, someone
gets struck down.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Oh well, my bro. I mean that's so deadly to
hear that you got to perform with you know, the
late uncle Archie Roaches, you know, an icon for our community.
And yeah, I mean what was that experience like for you?
I mean, it's so deadly to hear the connections, Like
you say, it's so full circle. You never really know
(17:34):
what legacy you're carrying on from your old ones. But yeah,
what was that like for you? In meeting and singing
alongside somebody so so important for our communities?
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Oh moments moments I'll never forget. Yeah, it was Yeah,
it was special, really really special, just to just to
be in the room with him and just to kind
of feel the energy that just exuded out of him
when he walked into a room and he didn't have
(18:11):
to say anything. He just walked in and everyone knew
what was what was going on, and it was Yeah,
it's powerful. He didn't have to say much either, it
was just really really softly spoken. Really yeah, just nice.
I just like there, he's like, just you see me.
(18:32):
You just want to give him a big hug.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Yeah. Yeah, it's so beautiful. Like to hear you say that,
I've had the privilege of being in a sort of
intimate setting with him and I can yeah, I know
what you mean about that, that presence and that he
feels like everyone's uncle a in that space, even the
Mingaloo's there, you know. So yeah, that's so beautiful. It's
(18:59):
so interesting you're saying about that. Like in our family,
this is how old I am.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Broke.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
So, I know you're a lot younger than me, but
I'm one of six and I was a bit of
the performer, going up part in theater and dancing, but
I never Sadly, I never sustained it like you, and
I often think about what my life would look like
if I had have continued to pursue the arts and
not gone down the whole counselor UNI having to do
(19:25):
something with my brain and was more heartlet and in
my heart and in my body. But I used to
have to set up the video camera to do performances
and then watch them back on the VCR. And I'll
never forget, like I know, that's how old I am.
And it's funny like in the last few years, we've
gone through like some of our old stuff and we
(19:47):
found all these old videos of me singing, performing, and
I was like, oh my god, true god, this is
so embarrassing. But yeah, that's certainly how old I am.
We didn't have cameras back then, and my family was
so sick of having forced performances that I would just
do solo shows for one. But I was actually yarning
(20:08):
with my Aunie when I was up in country last
year about it. And because my little niece, Ivy, she's
into all this performing and dancing and especially tap dancing,
and I used to do tap dancing and my nun
was a tap dancer. Before she was a domestic she
was like an amazing dancer, And so you just think,
what are we taking on? You know, we often think
(20:29):
about I guess a lot of the struggles and the
trauma we'd take on, but we also get these beautiful
gifts and talents too that we just sometimes don't know.
So I love that connection with your uncle, your great
uncle and Archie and now you. So that's deadly my bro.
(20:50):
Will be back you mob right after this short break.
I want to sort of circle back. You know, you
have done quite a lot of things in your young career,
(21:10):
I would say, you know, from Black Comedy, Debate of Fires,
to rose Haven Paper Dolls to this new It's a Zombie,
Straight from the Straight, both on TV and theater. You know,
I want to know what's been the most memorable moment
for you, or memorable moments on stage or on set.
(21:34):
You know, what's something that's really reminded you that you
love what you do and has stayed with you in
this process.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
I think it was I think maybe during Straight from
the Straight, just the the understanding of the story and
the meaning behind the story and how much power the
story has and what we had what we had to
do to put it on and the weight that we
carry to get this story out for for them old
(22:04):
people and for the Toy Straight Islands. I think once
as soon as we hit that stage on opening night
and you could just hear everyone screaming up in the
crowd and whistling out and singing, singing back the songs
that were in the musical as well, I think that
was one of those moments where I was like, this
(22:27):
is where we're doing something right for the people, and yeah,
everyone was a powerful first opening for that show as
well being it being a sold out season, but just
with the show, the show had been in works for
thirteen years plus I think, and so to finally now
(22:49):
be on a stage, I think, yeah, being having the
honor and privilege to come in and help bring this
story to life with myself not being a torch right
on the person, to have the honor to help bring
that story across and yeah, and to to get that
(23:11):
kind of the love from the old people and all
the molders that were sitting in the audience that come
up to us after and said thank you for this show.
And my my father's, my uncles were on them on
that railway and it was all it was all love,
and I think it was one of the Yeah, that
(23:32):
was probably one of the moments where I was like,
this is this is why I love performing, and this
is why I love kind of doing doing what I do.
And it's yeah, especially for our people too, whether to
straight or Aboriginal or POC or any any mob. I
(23:53):
think just yeah, it was it was a special moment.
So yeah, I think that's probably that's probably one of them.
But there's so many to pick from.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Yeah, I mean, like so as I understand, and you know,
I'd love to sort of unpack it, but as I
understand straight from the strait was sort of like based
on true stories of people who had left their islands
to come to the mainland for work and to you know,
find opportunities through through that often exploited as well, as
(24:26):
I understand, you know, there's lots.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
Of wages they should have.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Yeah, I mean, can you tell me a little bit
around so you said that this is sort of like
thirteen years in the making, Like, yeah, can you shed
some more light on, like, yeah, what the show was
about and what it was trying to, I guess portray
to the people who were there in the audience.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Yeah, yeah, So the show was was in the in
developments for thirteen plus years, just kind of getting the
stories right and kind of creating the music and creating
the characters, and I think finding time to sit down
with those uncles as well and have them beyond with
(25:12):
them because they'll getting old now. A lot of them
have passed too, So trying to yeah, trying to be
able to get there, get their stories and their memories,
to be able to put it on paper too, I
think was a big thing in the development stages. And
then the show itself was about the when the toy
(25:34):
shot on, the man left the straights and went to
move move down to the mainland to work on the railway.
They come across on a on a lugger boat and
they'd either find work in the cane fields and then
other make their way from the cane fields into the
into the railway lines. And some of them made it
(25:56):
over to wa to work on this railway. This rail
from put headlinto Matt Newman I think, or Matt Newman
called Helen one there, but it was Tho. It's in
between those two those two towns over in western Australia
and they ended up breaking the world record on May eight,
nineteen sixty eight. I think they laid seven point two
(26:17):
kilometers in eleven hours and something in it, so they had, Yeah,
they had broken the American record by lunch, and then
I think the record, the world record was then broken
after that they and they didn't there was yarns that
they didn't stop the clock when it was a break.
(26:39):
They kept the clock running too, so I think it
would have been a lot quicker if they had stopped
the clock then. Yeah. So yeah, a powerful story about
them leaving the islands, a lot of them not even
making it back to the Straits. They would stay stay
over in Wa, So yeah, it was kind of the
struggles of when they would leave the islands, and the
(27:02):
struggles with the women also then had to face, yeah,
not having their companion there by their side with them
to do day to day activities and help out around
the house or on the islands or so yeah. And
then also the intricacies and struggles of men from different
(27:24):
tribal groups and clans all coming together to go and
work on this railway together. So it's a story of
brotherhood and yeah, coming together from all different nations, whether
that's toe shot on the Aboriginal, they had Yugoslavian brothers
on there. There was a whole melting pot of cultures.
(27:47):
So yeah, it was it was special to be able
to represent all of that and all that story.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
So gosh, wow, min Bro, I'm just taking that on
in a I mean, how powerful to be a part
of something that yeah, users, I guess performance, but with
like ancient stories and honoring people's stories in that way.
And do you just imagine the ferocity in which they
(28:15):
were working to be able to do that.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Yeah, the them men were built different. They were a
lot of the photos we were given from I think
it was the Queensland Queensland Library, I think they had
a lot of the old photos and so they they
were always up wherever we were. They were up in
around the room. So every time we were breaking down
(28:39):
characters or just needed a bit of inspiration, we would
they would always be there watching us. So them men
were chiseled by the ancestors because they were there was
a lot of us were looking at me especially, I
was looking at their photos and stuff that I couldn't Yeah,
(29:00):
that too strong work like that, That's just insane, and
they were just they would be shirts off, shorts off,
just in their jobs working on that railway with boots. Yeah,
work boots on just because it was that hot over
there as well. So yeah, it was the same the
conditions they worked under two and still worked that fast
(29:23):
and efficiently. And yeah, it's just something about being black.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
That the power of our blackness, as Barker says, But
you know, it's sort of like one of those things
that I get proper wild in my work because you know,
I'm really passionate about burnout. Because people had this like
narrative that black follows are inherently lazy, but we are
the hardest working people. And all about infrastructure is back
(29:48):
on the back end of black and brown you know,
enslavement and labor and poor qualities of labor. And like
even my mum, for instance, she was born in a
sugarcane field. She didn't even go to hospital because my
nan was clearing the roads. We're getting ready for trains
and train tracks and infrastructure because they were just working
to the bone literally, And so we owe a lot
(30:11):
of thanks to people like that who have created what
we have now, Like in civilized society, I guess quoted now,
But wow, my bro, how special, what a special special
project straight from the strait? How amazing? Yeah? Was it
emotional for you? Like did you find like yourself feeling
(30:33):
a bit emotional during the process, Because this is this
sort of art of storytelling that would be really unique
for people of color or black fellows or you know,
people from the Toro astraight. It is like it's like
this sort of expression, but it's also like honoring a
sacred like calling or responsibility. Yeah, did you find it
(30:54):
emotional along the way for you?
Speaker 2 (30:55):
Like, yeah, it was? It was. Yeah, it was an
emotional rollercoaster that show. Because we had the amazing Annie
Nadine McDonald. She was our director and she just laid
down the law from the get go of what this
story means, and she really embedded that that sense of
(31:19):
hard work into us to help find them characters and
to help us understand what it would have really been
like back then, and the just the a lot of
the real yucky moments in the show where it's like,
you know, as them follows, we're not free now, but
(31:40):
them Follows still couldn't be free back then, Like they
had needed passes to go to places they couldn't leave
without those passes or else that get locked up or
sent back to the island somehow we're thrown on another
boat or like it was just yeah, insane, and I think,
yeah it was. It was a powerful, powerful and emotional
(32:01):
couple of weeks. But we were all together in this
this hotel as well, so we were we'd always be
eaten together, we'd always be the sharing stories, getting closer,
So it was on that type of emotional level. It
was really really tight knit too. So when we got
into the restal room, we were building on that that
(32:23):
friendship and that brotherhood and that sense of family as well.
And yeah, understanding also that a lot of them didn't
even make it back home to their families, so having
that that feeling of of not ever seeing your family
again after you moved down to work. So yeah, it was,
(32:44):
it was. It was. It was tough some days, but
it was just really powerful in everything we did. So
it was, Yeah, it was. It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Well, mad respect to you and all the people that
shared their stories and pulled that together too. Yeah, honor
what was and to do it in a way that
is meaningful and respectful, and yeah, it's a beautiful thing.
Thank you for sharing that, Mi bro.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
It's always always loves sharing the yarns, the straits, the
stories for the show, and yeah it's special.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Well I mean switching gears. I don't know, but I
know that. So last night was opening night for another
show which you've just started, Eat Slay Zombie. Tell us
about the show, what's going on, what can people expect
and coming along and seeing.
Speaker 2 (33:37):
You you can expect us to slay zombies. There's dance sequences,
there's a lot of comedy, a lot of black humor
in the show. So it's a story about a zombie
apocalypse that breaks out in Brisbane here and it follows
(33:58):
the story of two sister girls that have been titters
their whole lives, but since the outbreak, they've been bunking
down in a in a bowling alley and they've been
kind of bunking down here and they've been fighting zombies.
And then my character comes along and kind of shakes
the tree up a bit between them and the relationship
and makes one want to go find the people and
(34:20):
the other doesn't want to biro me because I'm coming
in here and luck with the feathers and she kind
of just wants to stay in the bunker and because
that's that's all they've known, and that's that's safety for
her character as well. So yeah, but it's it's really
it's really really fun. It's kind of like a older
sister's little brother type of relationship. But yeah, it touches
(34:45):
on a lot of a lot of issues that mob faces,
especially in today's day and age, and but it's kind
of doesn't hit it with the whole doom and gloom
of those yarns. So it's it's really Yeah, it's really nice,
deadly play written by the amazing a Linta McGrady, known
(35:09):
as About Us Mother on socials. She's also a deadly
performer musician in her own right as well as performed
with Hot Brown Honey and Yeah, she's insane. She she
wrote this, and I think she should write more.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
Yea, I love it. This is what I love about
Blackfellows too, Like the light and shade between what you
do and so you know, I have something like, you know,
quite clean net like straight from the straight very important.
But then also to think about the apocalypse and its
links to like yeah, colonization and being funny and silly
(35:52):
and carrying on is also really important. We need we
need all those stories and all that versatility around it.
How deadly that sounds, That sounds like something worth going along?
When can you maybe shout out some details? When is
it running from where people see it?
Speaker 2 (36:10):
It's a it's a short season, but yeah, it's it's
running from Uh So we opened on Wednesday. Remember're going
till We've got a show today and then a show
tomorrow at Quebec in the Carimon Theater here in Brisbane
from yeah, sixth to the ninth. So we've got a
show tonight and two shows tomorrow and then they're all finished.
(36:32):
Though hopefully it goes on to it because I feel
like it deserves to be seen by the rest of
the country as well. Yeah, story about two staunch sisters
and then my character is just therefore just for a
little bit of comedic relief that represents the sisters and
(36:55):
the strength of women out came within our people and
the power that they hold that all you might So yeah,
it's it's deadly.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Oh deadly, bro. I really hope it does take taking
a national sort of tour and we all get to
see it all all around. So called Australia. I mean, bro,
I'm curious to know you know what? I got two questions,
I guess too pronged. You know what what is performing like?
To think back to getting up on stage, feeling shame,
(37:27):
singing some boys to men to now you know, being
a part of this like rich tapestry of performance in Australia,
bringing black stories and magic to the stage. You know
what has performing taught you about yourself? And what advice
would you give any young fellows who are feeling a
(37:47):
bit shame and don't want to get out of their
comfort zone, you know, to maybe think about exploring themselves
through the arts.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
That's a good one, I think. I think for me,
performing has taught myself too to be free and to
let go. And yeah, I think those are some of
the big things because with I guess with acting as well,
you kind of you can put on these characters and
(38:18):
live out a different, different style of life with with
who you're playing. So being able to have that freedom
with characters as well and with performing on stage and
I think it, yeah, it allows you to to free
up your body and to free up your soul to
just have fun and just not worry about all the
(38:39):
stresses of life and the colony and everything else that
is tough with being black. So I think, yeah, that's
probably probably being free and just being able to let
go and let loose on stage. I think is is
what I've loved about performing, and I think, yeah, what
performing has done for me. And then advice for young
(39:05):
mob that would want to get into the arts and
do some things and drop the shame game, I think,
I think you just you just got to do it.
I think there's yeah, I don't know, I think there's
you can kind of tiptoe around it and you know,
break things down and kind of get into stuff in
(39:25):
the community and just kind of get out there and
do daily things that can kind of help break down
that shame if you're not one to kind of just
kick it in the gut straight away and be like,
I don't want to be shamed no more, because it is.
It is a tough thing. Shame carries a lot of
a lot of weight with us as black people, and
(39:45):
so it's tough whether that be shame to do this,
shame to do that, shame for your body, shame for
anything else that you might have going on in your life.
So it's just yeah, trying to find ways that you
can kind of navigate it and break it down for yourself,
especially for our younger generations that are coming. I mean,
(40:05):
I'm still young now, but all them young young ones
that are that that are coming up through that are
going to be the ones to really make the change.
I think, yeah, just to you just got to drop it.
There was a scene I did in Bay of Fires
where I've come straight out of the water, out of
(40:27):
the ocean and I'm holding onto a little boy that's
floating around in the in the ocean. And it was
a scene where they were like, oh, do you want
to wear like a swim shirt or and I was like, no,
would I want to do that? And I think that
for that moment, I was like, you know what, we
there's no big bodies on stage. It's just all them
(40:49):
follows from home and away with walking up the beach
with their little.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
Yeah, the same, but.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
Get my big frame on this screen and have it
have it up there. And brother Wayne Blair was directing
the second half of this the show at that point,
and I said, I said, bruhs, I'm gonna come like
you know, mon if I come out of this ocean
shirtless and in just in my shorts. He's like you
(41:22):
sure like you should I'm like yeah, yeah, yeah. He's
like all right, let's do it. And I was like yes,
So that that was for me. That was like you
know what, I'm doing this for them big body people
that all the big moment you know, aren't seeing us
on screens. I was like, this is that's for us,
and so it's just yeah, I mean and for myself
as well, like I think shame is it has been
(41:42):
big in my life. And it's like, well, like you
can try and call me fat or call me obi
so or whatever. You're like, it's not gonna be the
one that's got the problems, Like I don't care, Like,
oh my gosh, she heard me.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
Like yeah yeah.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
Cool, I could cool you fat and you'd be more
will hurt than me. Like it's one of those situations
where it's like you need the one that has to
go just check yourself properly, please. But yeah, I think
just doing daily things here and there. Community things is
as big as well, whether it be community theater, a
(42:22):
lot of people community walks these days as well, with
health and fitness being a big thing and deadly choices
and all that stuff. So yeah, I think just getting
out there and just kind of not being a shame
to talk to random people sometimes too, saying good every now,
that's a good thing to kind of break down be
(42:42):
in shame as well, because I think once MOB leaves
shame in the bin, then it's dangerous Like this, I
don't think. I don't think anyone's ready for once Mob
stopped using the word shame like it's it's a lot
of no one. Yeah, I'm excited for when that happens.
I think that's that's going to be special.
Speaker 1 (43:05):
Well, gosh, there's so much beauty and wisdom and what
you've just shared, and I think, you know, like full circle,
circling back to where we started the fact that we're
here talking about debunking and being mystifying shame. You know,
there might be someone in their car, someone on a
walk right now, you know who really needs to hear that.
So I wanted to say thank you for reminding us
(43:27):
all and also that you push through that and now
you're creating a conversation. But you're living at bro you're
living in your truth, and you're right once you're sort
of once you I mean, the world is hard. We
know that as blackfellows. You know, it's a certain hard
that we shouldn't have to feel. But you know, when
we allow ourselves to really honor our own voice, our intuition,
(43:51):
our knowing, what it is that fills us up, lights
us up, brings us joy. Once we're at a place
where we can accept that and we can be on
our authentic selves, then you're like you say, we're literally unstoppable,
Like we are so powerful in that. And you know,
it's it's a beautiful thing that once you're there in
(44:12):
life and it's work and all that, and you have
to keep reminding yourself, sure, but once you're at that place,
there's a there's a piece and a power that comes
with that. So I love that. And you get to
sort of, like you say, liberate yourself through other characters
and explore other characters, which is just beautiful. And I
(44:32):
just want to sort of replay what you said in
terms of some of those tips, which is you know,
starting small, you know, having a yarn, putting yourself out there.
I think after COVID we have become a little like
in our bubbles. So yeah, go out meet people, say hello,
on a on your walk at a cafe or and
just you know, really notice, Okay, how did I feel?
(44:54):
What did it come up for me? And pushing yourself
like sometimes there's like the little steps over time become
big steps. And yeah, sometimes dipping your toe in community
in community arts, it's a great way to build a
network and community around you. And so you can do
this with people in your corner as well. So they're
(45:15):
really great practical tips. Thank you, Mi bro.
Speaker 2 (45:18):
No, that's they I feel like I feel like they, Yeah,
people aren't ready for once we drop shame like this. Yeah,
they don't know what's like, we know what's going to
be like, but they yeah, it's going to be insane.
I think so.
Speaker 1 (45:34):
And I think with that too my brain like we
sort of also as black fellows, need to get better
at not shaming people up or you know, I think
it's also two way, like you know, we we we've
had shame in our community because of a reason and
as I understand, is like we don't want people to
get too big for their boots because back in the day,
if you were too confident, you'd put your tribe and
mob at risk doing the you know, wmber things and
(45:57):
so there was a there was a purpose for it.
But the challenge is is in this place, you know,
we've been paid it as problems to be solved, we
start to believe that we are, you know, not worthy
of living a life that we love, and that shame
holds us back. And that's where I think it's really problematic.
So I love this conversation just to think about where
(46:19):
we will be as people without the shame is just yeah, deadly.
My final question to you, my bro, because I know
you're probably tired and you've got to get back to performing,
but you know, what are you hoping to? What's your
legacy that you hope to You know, through all this work,
have you thought about what it is you hope to
sort of build as you grow? And yeah, what it
(46:42):
is you want to be known for in this my bro?
Speaker 2 (46:47):
Cool? That's good.
Speaker 1 (46:50):
It's a big one, I think, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (46:52):
I think if I like to think that if you
something comes up and someone thinks of me and they
smile and leave, then I feel like that's that's a legacy.
I'm pretty happy with leaving behind and creating for myself
because then I know that my job for what I'm
(47:17):
doing on this on this earth is being done right
and given people laughter and putting smiles on their faces.
And even if I don't have to be in front
of you, but do you think of something that I've
done or just something come up and you just see
me and smile and I know that, like I'm putting
(47:39):
joy out there for everyone. So yeah, I think that's
the type of legacy I feel like i'd love to
leave behind.
Speaker 1 (47:48):
I love that, And you're going to make me tear
up good ways, you know. I think we're always in
a state of striving and just to be reminded of
somebody who yeah, loved their life, made people feel good
about themselves and smile and be because Lord knows we
need it right now more than ever before. We need
(48:08):
that healing, We need that laughter, we need that silliness.
So yeah, that's beautiful. Well I want to say thank you.
I'm going to put all of Jalen's details in our
show notes so you can go along and follow all
of what he's doing, all that he's creating and be
smiling up with all of us along the way at
what you'd be doing. Bro, So thank you so much
(48:30):
for being on Yarning Up, considering again you're in the
middle of shows.
Speaker 2 (48:34):
Thank you, MOB for having me. It's been unreal and
I love company. Y'are on things, so thank you for
having me with you follows it's been deadly, oh deadly.
Speaker 1 (48:46):
Thank you, my bro. Thank you so much for listening
you Mob. If you are vibing this season of Yarning Up,
then please head over to Apple, Spotify, or wherever you
get your podcasts from to show us some love, rat
and review. Alternatively, you can get in contact and give
(49:08):
us some feedback by visiting www dot Caroline Coow dot
com dot au
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