Words by Amar Gera //

When you put two young artists who are wise upon their years together in a room, the results are amazing to say the least.

With Grampians Music Festival kicking off this month at the gorgeous Grampians Mountain Ranges, we thought we’d catch up with some more acts off its impressive line up. Going in deep about each other’s artistry and cultural values, the pair come through with a raw & refreshing conversation that only the artist on artist format can deliver.

Mieesha is a proud Pitjantjatjara/ Torress Strait Islander with a message equally as soulful as her voice. Using her craft to educate and inspire unity, the young 20 year-old’s art comes across as honest and true, delivering gorgeous R&B/ soul vibes on tracks such as ‘Black Privilege’ and ‘Drowning’, whilst not compromising on lyrical content.

Driven by 100,000 plus years of ancestral force, DRMNGNOW is a force to be reckoned with. An independent MC, instrumentalist and poet based in Naarm/ Birraranga, his music is deeply grounded in strong cultural values and the land. Bringing a strong decolonial and culturally engrossing message, he’s getting more praise with each passing release, most notably with his hip hop gem ‘Ancestors’ garnering widespread accaim.

You can catch both these talents performing at Grampians along with a bunch of huge Aussie acts – dates below, tickets here. But for now, check out what they had to say to each other in our artist on artist interview below:

MEIISHA questioning DRMGNOW

What inspires you to create music?

I am inspired to create music by many things. I am inspired by the land, the way it feels on different days, different weather how that really gets inside my soul. Different times in a day, the way the sun is shining off something, or mist is hanging over a river. I am inspired by the stories of our peoples and the way they carry the special thing that is our sacred inheritance of 80,000 plus years in their very everyday mannerisms and resilience. I am inspired by Kaiela (father water), the river that flows between my home towns of Mooroopna-Shepparton. When I stand in that water way I am connected to the whole universe. I

can map out things in my mind and being standing in that river for 5 minutes that could otherwise take years. So blessed to have so many avenues of inspiration. This is but a few things. Ultimately it’s all driven by responsibility as a descendent of the Yorta Yorta.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKtt5QBpaKQ

Who was the first person that inspired you to start making music?

Jimi Hendrix/ My sister Vanessa. Jimi Hendrix inspired me to break the mould and live in the essence of your dreams when I was about 18/19. Then a couple years later feeling evoked that whole time, My sister inspired me to apply myself to learning to play guitar. This all when I thought I had missed the actual boat to learn to play an instrument. My whole musical path is all segueway upon segueway from those key moments in time.

What are you excited about for in 2020?

I’m excited about First Nations peoples being celebrated because our culture is a key for a more wholesome way for all to consider to help them walk this land in full respect and towards a path of true community and liberation from all. We are not there, and in many regards, there is so much still to be done. But a path does form more and more for that every year. And this year, This could be a real turning point in that. I can sense it strong and ominously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQVtcsBgfZI

What’s been the most rewarding part of doing music for you?

Being able to walk as a first nations person in spaces that were originally designed with the intent to exclude us. To be in these spaces and share what I feel is a sacred calling for me and then have it connect with peoples from all walks of life. Whether that’s on a small scale or a large scale. It’s not about scale for me, though it is great to perform to full rooms and large festival audiences. To me connection is key.

Music has been one of the most powerful connective tools for me I life.It has also been the greatest healer besides country that I have, but in saying that for me, playing music is a expression of pure form that includes country, it includes, ancestral spirit, it includes the stars. These things all are apart of my music and are synthesized through musics sychnonizing powers.

What do you want people to feel during your set at Grampians Music Festival?

I want them to feel like they are exactly where they are supposed to be. Listening, awake and deeply engaged, standing on sacred ground.

DRMNGNOW questioning MEIISHA:

Who are/what are your biggest influences either music or otherwise?

Right now, I’m really vibing to newer rnb artists like Summer Walker and Jacquees. Though my biggest influences will always be from my gospel and rnb upbringing, as well as spoken word poetry.

You Featured Woorabinda Mission on both your film clips Black Privilege and Drowning. Why did you choose to make the film clips there?

I thought it was important to show the people I want to connect with my hometown so they can understand where I’m from and where the songs are from. Woorabinda is home, it’s where I grew up so it’s an incredibly strong part of me.

What inspire you to live on country whilst Pursuing your quickly flourishing musical career?

For me it’s really important to stay connected to country and family, it can be really difficult to keep that connection strong in the city. I love my home and while it’s challenging to travel back and forth it’s worth it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LrXv9hOAHo

Having met at Bigsound it was evident that family and community are very important to you. What is the importance of Family and Community to you as a First Nations woman?

It’s hard to explain, but I think that family and community are my motivation and support network, pushing me to go out and take risks and share my voice with the world. They’ve been there through the good and bad, and coming from such a small place everyone is on the journey with you, it’s a spiritual connection.

For a Soul/RNB artist, it is really powerful and refreshing to hear this genre used in the way you have, speaking to social issues for First Nations peoples. What inspires/has inspired you to use your music as a channel for these kinds of messages?

It’s the silence that has inspired me to speak. Everyone has a voice but sometimes we are scared to use it, but I felt strong enough and that it was my responsibility to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzIcDrF7tPA

What kind of topics/themes can we expect to hear Miiesha cover in Upcoming songs in 2020?

I guess time will tell. My next single is talking about rumours and being strong enough to speak up for yourself and your story. When I write it’s always things that I have felt or experienced, or that someone close to me has been through.

What would you like people to take away from Listening to your music?

I want people to connect with the stories that I feel are important to tell. I want them to be educated and inspired.